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Lessons in gratitude for the holidays or any day | Spawned Episode 264
This week, we're taking a little break to catch up on all of the things (anyone else feeling overwhelmed?) by sharing a Spawned podcast episode from a couple of years ago with a message we could all use right now. Back in 2019, author Nancy Davis Kho, shared how her...
Incredible advice for better parent-child communication: An interview with William Stixrud Ph.D. and Ned Johnson
If you've ever struggled to connect with your kids, help them solve problems, open up to you, or just give you more than a one-word answer when you ask how school was today...well, help is here! We have had a lot of favorite Spawned podcast guests over the years, and...
Meet Stephanie V.M. Lucianovic and Vashti Harrison, the author and illustrator duo behind Hello, Star
It's probably no surprise that I'm a big children's picture book fangirl, considering I've got my own children's picture book coming out in late 2023, so when I got the opportunity to interview Stephanie V.M. Lucianovic and Vashti Harrison, the duo behind Hello, Star,...
Jenny Lawson on depression, anxiety and why we have to talk about it | Spawned Episode 255
We can't believe after all these episodes of Spawned, we've never had the chance to chat with Jenny Lawson. A.K.A. The Bloggess. A.K.A. the best-selling author. A.K.A. new indie bookshop owner. A.K.A. the woman who first left a comment on Liz's blog comparing her to a...
How to be a compassionate parent of LGBTQ kids | Spawned Episode 254
If you have questions about parenting LGBTQ+ kids, wow do we have the answers, thanks to the absolutely delightful Kristin Russo, author of This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids. If you know her -- or her terrific book, or popular podcast about Buffy the Vampire...
So much coolness. Where to start…
Why it’s important to talk to your kids about religion (even if you’re not religious): 3 books to help guide your conversation
As a full-time religious studies professor for the past fifteen years, I’ve lost track of how many fellow parents have asked for recommendations when their kids started asking questions about religion. While evangelical Christians and other religious “insiders” tend...
12 awesome kids and baby Halloween costumes made with pajamas. Comfy, easy and cool.
For years, I've had tons of fun using plain pajama sets -- like the ones you can find at Primary or Hanna Andersson -- as the base for my kids' Halloween costumes. With some head-to-toe monochromatic pajamas, all I've had to do is add some detail -- a DIY that's easy...
How to be a compassionate parent of LGBTQ kids | Spawned Episode 254
If you have questions about parenting LGBTQ+ kids, wow do we have the answers, thanks to the absolutely delightful Kristin Russo, author of This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids. If you know her -- or her terrific book, or popular podcast about Buffy the Vampire...
Chance Basketballs give every move on the court more style. But that’s not all they do.
Looking for a fabulous gift for an athletic kid this year? I've got you! Whether your teen can hit a three-point shot from half court, or your grade schooler is still trying to fling the ball high enough to touch the net, the next Lebron James or Sue Bird will get...
Want to win $1000 cash? Or gift cards? One of our readers will this week and it might as well be you.
So here's something amazing -- a Cool Mom Picks reader, and only a Cool Mom Picks reader (or social media follower or email subscriber) is going to win $1000 by the end of the week. Right now you're thinking...wha-aaa? So let's back up a sec. For the past few months,...
The Schitt’s Creek Monopoly game is simply the best… at least as far as Monopoly games go.
If you've been missing your "Ew, David!" fix, or Moira's capacious vocabulary (see what I did there?), I give you the ultimate family game night board game: The brand new Schitt's Creek Monopoly game. Let's just say that if you are ever going to get me to play...
From Elle Woods to Fresh Prince: 12 of the best 90s Halloween costumes for kids
For my fellow millennial parents who need a laugh, I present these hilarious 90s throwback Halloween costumes for kids, all inspired by the decade of our misspent youth. We've got Fresh Prince! Wayne's World! Clueless! As if... you couldn't tell (see what I did...
How Ada Twist, Scientist is making STEM more accessible to girls | Spawned Episode 253
In a very exciting first for Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we chat with aerospace engineer, Keji Sojobi, who is a part of the new book-to-TV adaptation of the very popular Ada Twist, Scientist. We love how she's working to make STEM more accessible to girls,...
Hair accessories to make growing your hair out a little easier
I decided to grow my grey hair out a couple of years ago, but a couple of months ago, I decided to get my hair down past my shoulders, a place it hasn't been in a very, very long time (I'm definitely a short bob kind of girl). One of the reasons I tend to keep it...
Is the Color WOW Dream Coat anti-frizz treatment the miracle product that influencers claim? We tried it.
I bought into the hype and tried the Color WOW Dream Coat anti-frizz hair treatment to see if it really works. I have frizzy hair. Like, really frizzy. 90% humidity doesn't help, and it's still insanely humid in Nashville right now. Plus, rainy season is coming up for...
Instagram, girls and body image: What parents need to know | Spawned Ep 252
Recently, I wrote about that article, the one about Instagram, teens, body image and self-esteem -- and the conversation I had about it with my 14-year-old daughter. It generated so much great conversation on our social feeds, that Kristen and I wanted to chat more...
How to grow your grey hair out, without pulling it all out in the process.
A couple of years ago, at the ripe young age of 43, I decided to grow out my grey hair. I got tired of the every few week hair coloring bill, and figured I could save the money and the chemicals and just own it. I'm not saying it was an easy decision. Thanks to...
The inspiring women of Fisher Price’s Little People. Yes, you read that correctly.
I'm already looking for ways to introduce my kids to inspiring women of history, and while we have tons of books on the subject of remarkable, inpspiring women, I love that Fisher Price's iconic Little People is out today with two new sets of all-star, Inspiring...
The best new parent advice from 9 of the smartest, most insightful parent bloggers we know
In addition to the hilarious bad parenting advice we once received, and the advice we wish we knew when our kids were babies, we're so grateful to be able to share some of the best advice from some of the most wonderful, caring, helpful parents we know. You might...
Why it’s important for kids to read diverse books, with author Meena Harris | Spawned Ep 251
With the recent news of the York Central School District book ban (only just a few hours from where Kristen lives, by the way), we thought it was important to re-share this amazing episode with the delightful, brilliant Meena Harris. She's an activist, strategist, mom...
10 fun just-because cards for a friend who could use a little pick-me-up right now. It’s hard out there.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about how to support my fellow pandemic parents, and I've landed on sending some funny, "just-because" cards as a start. To be clear, I think every parent who's survived the past 18 months deserves a personal chef, lifetime supply of...
The Hamilton Funko Pop figures are here, shipping, and we’re helpless to resist them.
Hamilton fans! Drop everything because I've just discovered that the Hamilton Funko Pop figures and keychains -- you know, the ones that super fans have been eagerly awaiting -- are now available and starting to ship earlier than expected. How lucky we are to be alive...
3 new books for kids about climate change that inform, uplift, and help us move forward
I know I'm not the only parent struggling with how to talk with their kids about climate change. So I was thrilled to discover these hopeful kids' books about climate change, each of which educates without inducing panic or despair. A tall order if you ask me! It...
When we say we need this Dolly Parton advent calendar, we mean WE NEED THIS DOLLY PARTON ADVENT CALENDAR!
Whether the Christmas season is a stressful time for you or a glorious season of joy, I believe with all my heart that it will be infinitely improved with this Dolly Parton Advent calendar Yes, a Dolly Parton Advent calendar! The very thing we didn't know we needed...
The ECOVACS Deebot N7 robotic vacuum cleans and mops your floors with the press of a button. Amazing!
This is a sponsored message on behalf of ECOVACS In our own pretty vast experience with robotic vacuum cleaners, we can say with certainty that not they are not created equal. So, if you're looking for a one-stop robot that mops and vacuums your floors without it...
14 magnificent children’s and YA books for Hispanic Heritage Month
September means new backpacks and football kickoff and pumpkin spice latte month (*insert eyeroll), but mid-month, September becomes Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). So we put together some of our very favorite children's and YA books honoring...