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Helping kids foster positive relationships and learn effective communication, with Catherine Newman | Spawned Episode 277
After two years in a pandemic, I'm sure I'm not the only one with kids who are struggling with various aspects of their social lives. From fostering positive relationships with friends and school peers, to learning effective communication in the many awkward...
Tips for keeping kids safe from online predators, from Roo Powell of Undercover Underage | Spawned 276
This week's Spawned podcast guest, Roo Powell, is the perfect person to help us with tips and advice for keeping kids safe online. She's the co-founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sexual Abuse) and has put her child advocacy skills to use by...disguising herself as a...
Gen Z: They’re not snowflakes, they’re warriors. Here’s the data to prove it. | Spawned Ep 269
The world feels like a pretty awful place right now. I've seen a lot of people in my social feeds say things like, "it must be hard to have kids and have to explain things like the Russian aggression against Ukraine to them." I always think that yes, sure it is --...
“There’s nothing romantic about depression” | Spawned Ep 268
This week, I was really happy to get to sit down and chat with Amy Koppelman, director, writer, and producer of the recent film A Mouthful of Air starring Amanda Seyfried and Finn Wittrock. It's based on on Amy's critically acclaimed novel inspired by her own...
How to be an adult, with author Julie Lythcott-Haims | Spawned Episode 267
We've probably all used the phrase "adulting is hard." Probably an awful lot over the last two years. And that's because being an adult is pretty darn hard. Way to state the obvious, Kristen. Okay, so yeah, it is obvious, but what isn't (and wasn't) too many of us,...
So much coolness. Where to start…
21 fabulous, famous women coloring pages celebrating some of our favorite American women
One of the great ways to get our kids excited to learn about anything at all is through crafts and coloring pages. So for National Women's History Month this year, we searched the web to find some of the very best printable coloring pages featuring groundbreaking...
How we can protect transgender kids in Texas and throughout the U.S.
If you are as outraged as we are by last week's directive out of Texas that equates gender-affirming medical care to child abuse and calls on licensed professionals and members of the general public to report transgender parents of minors to the authorities, keep...
What we can do to help Ukraine right now: Donate, share, call
I know I'm not the only one worrying nonstop about citizens in Ukraine the past few days. Despite claims to the contrary, President Putin invaded Ukraine at multiple points on the Ukraine border this past week and seems to be targeting Ukrainian troops defending their...
Gen Z: They’re not snowflakes, they’re warriors. Here’s the data to prove it. | Spawned Ep 269
The world feels like a pretty awful place right now. I've seen a lot of people in my social feeds say things like, "it must be hard to have kids and have to explain things like the Russian aggression against Ukraine to them." I always think that yes, sure it is --...
Our kids are sharing memes about WWIII. Here’s how to talk to kids about the fear of war and unrest.
This article was originally written in 2020 about the increase in tension between the US, Iran and Iraq. It was updated in 2021, with the riots in DC and violent insurrection at the US Capitol -- and now, February 2022 as we watch the invasion of Ukraine live on TV,...
Liz’s favorite puffy, textured, and braided sandals for spring/summer 2022: The shoe trend that has me ready for pedicures!
A few months back, a colleague with an "in" in the designer shoe world tipped me off that puffy textured sandals, woven textures and braided straps were going to be hot again for spring 2022. I blink and whoa -- now here they are, flooding the "new arrivals" category...
Where to stream the 2022 Oscar-nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
If you're looking for where to stream the Oscar-nominated movies -- both the ones you can watch with kids and the ones you can watch alone after they're bed -- I get it. Parent usually struggle to catch up on all our movies this time of year. Or hey, maybe you've...
8 wonderful children’s books about neurodiversity that we—and our special needs kids—love
And as the mom of a daughter with autism and as a children's book lover, I've wanted to highlight some incredible children's books about neurodiversity that represent kids just like her. If you're a frequent reader here, you know it's always been important for us to...
Exceptional chocolates from Black-owned chocolate companies. For Valentine’s Day and beyond!
I may have just written about 20 of the most delicious Valentine’s food gifts that go beyond a box of chocolates, but that doesn't mean I don't also want my own box of beautiful and delicious chocolates for Valentine's Day. But not just any box of chocolates. We...
“There’s nothing romantic about depression” | Spawned Ep 268
This week, I was really happy to get to sit down and chat with Amy Koppelman, director, writer, and producer of the recent film A Mouthful of Air starring Amanda Seyfried and Finn Wittrock. It's based on on Amy's critically acclaimed novel inspired by her own...
Power outages preparedness checklist: 35 tips for how to prepare for storms, and what to do if you do lose power.
Snow days can be hard enough on parents, but if that snow day, storm, or other weather event also brings a power outage, like so many of us have experienced this past year? It's an even trickier situation. So in an effort to keep my home running as smoothly as...
16 truly special Valentine’s gifts for best friends who could use a little extra love right now
Valentine's gifts for best friends isn't always something that comes top of mind. But c'mon -- could we have gotten through the past couple of years without all the amazing friends in our lives? They're the ones that support our crazy ideas, help us out when we're...
14 practical Valentine’s gifts for her that aren’t flowers, but they’re not a case of motor oil, either
When looking around for practical Valentine's Day gifts for her -- well, we weren't super impressed. Most women don't want a vacuum (here honey, clean up after me!) or a gift card for an oil change (seriously, we were pitched that once) and yet maybe you're shopping...
11 excellent new children’s books for Black History Month – and the rest of the year too
February may be Black History Month, which is a great opportunity to share some of our favorite new books about Black history for kids. But honestly, we are always looking for smart, educational, and enlightening children's books about and by Black Americans for our...
Sweet new baby gifts for The Year of the Tiger (it’s the cream of the fight…)
I am not Chinese by heritage, but I still love baby gifts that reflects the Chinese zodiac. So with the Chinese New Year starting The Year of the Tiger, I've put together some of my favorite tiger-themed baby gifts, which are always a creative way to celebrate those...
Cool Valentine’s Day jewelry for women: 14 pieces that are edgy, funky, and anything but traditional.
I have always loved the range of cool Valentine's Day jewelry for women, like me, who aren't quite into the traditional stuff. Nothing wrong with a solid sterling Tiffany heart necklace of course! But if you're shopping for Valentine's Day jewelry for a woman who...
Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with these delicious chocolates from L.A. Burdick
Happy New Year! The Year of the Tiger begins tomorrow and, just in time, we've found L.A. Burdick's box of handcrafted chocolate tigers created to kick off the start of the Chinese New Year. Way more scrumptious than fierce, I think they'd make a great gift for anyone...
10+ cool Valentine’s Day gift ideas for boys who might not be into the heart necklaces and sparkly cards.
Valentine's Day has a tendency to skew all lace and hearts and traditionally "girly" stuff, so as a mom of boys, I wanted to find some cool gifts just for them. Well, not just for them, because I know a lot of girls would like these too -- but it is hard to search for...
10 of the best ideas for organizing and displaying kids’ artwork, from DIY tricks to clutter-saving services
Just when I think I have my kids' artwork organized, more of it appears. So I'm perpetually on the lookout for creative solutions to display my kids' artwork in a way that makes those watercolor rainbows and handprint turkeys still look polished and streamlined. Or at...
How to be an adult, with author Julie Lythcott-Haims | Spawned Episode 267
We've probably all used the phrase "adulting is hard." Probably an awful lot over the last two years. And that's because being an adult is pretty darn hard. Way to state the obvious, Kristen. Okay, so yeah, it is obvious, but what isn't (and wasn't) too many of us,...
Spring 2022 nail trends that are cool, not kitschy
I am so excited to share some of the spring 2022 nail trends I'm loving. Because when I decided to share my favorite winter nail trends a few months ago, I'll be honest -- had no idea it would be such a huge hit! Maybe because of all the things that are seemingly out...