Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Helping teens who are struggling with social distancing, isolation and loss | Spawned Episode 194
We know that the shelter-in-place orders and social distancing due to the Coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for all of us in one way or another, teens, in particular, are taking an extremely hard hit. We're seeing with our own teens, and we've been hearing from...
The most reassuring, helpful, and detailed expert tips for talking to kids about Coronavirus and managing their concerns | Spawned Special Episode 193
As the COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak has increased, and life as we know it seems to be changing by the second beyond our control, parents are really struggling. A lot. I knew right away we needed to have a conversation with Dr. Ken Ginsburg, pediatrician and...
How to talk so your dogs will listen, and other awesome pet tips from Victoria Schade | Spawned Ep 192
After five years of doing our Spawned Parenting podcast, we figured it was about time to do an episode about pets, and who better than my friend, Victoria Schade, who happens to be a sought-after dog trainer and author. She imparts her infinite wisdom about our furry...
More coolness from recent weeks…
These are the most trusted Coronavirus resources and websites we’ve found: No panicking, just preparing.
Coronavirus (COVID-19), is on the minds of basically everyone worldwide right now, and that goes double for parents. Especially with spring break coming up, and lots of family travel plans in the works -- and brand new warnings to prepare to plan for our lives to be...
Does bakuchiol really work? An honest review of this Pinterest-favorite beauty product.
I've seen "bakuchiol" explode in my Pinterest searches over the past few months, with #retinolalternative trending everywhere. Bakuchiol, an all-natural option to Retinol, is supposed to work just as well on wrinkles and aging skin (ahem), without the risk of...
Relationships, romance, and a little hope for the whole world, with Robert Wilder | Spawned Episode 190
Even though Valentine's Day is over, we can all use a little more romance, relationship advice, and hope, don't you agree? That's why we think you'll enjoy our almost completely live (yes live!) Spawned Parenting podcast episode we recorded on Valentine's Day. Along...
How do you know when it’s time to move? And how do you make it easier when you’re ready? | Spawned 189
We never thought that a book about moving would be so enjoyable. Just thought thought of moving gives lots of us cold sweats! And yet, Ali Wenzke, who's been called the Marie Kondo of Moving has authored the extremely helpful, calming, and yes, enjoyable book, The Art...
We tried The Earthling Co.’s bar shampoo. Here’s what we thought. | Damn you, Social Media Ads series
Last year I tried Hairstory's New Wash Shampoo after seeing some Facebook ads for it, and whoa, our review really resonated with our readers! So when I saw ads for The Earthling Co. bar shampoo, I knew I wanted to buy it and give it a try too. Note: The Earthling Co...
We love these printable bilingual Valentine’s cards in Spanish, French, Chinese, Swahili and more.
I really love the idea of kids handing out printable bilingual Valentine's cards to their classmates. These days, knowing a second language is de rigeuer. (See what I did there?) Lots of our kids are growing up in bilingual households, they have grandparents or aunts...
5 simple laundry tips for families. Because if they can work a smartphone, they can work a washing machine.
We know that it can be a lot easier to just do the laundry yourself. No whining, no complaining. Everyone’s happy! Except, tough love, parents: everyone in your family (especially if you've got young adults heading off to college) needs to be able to do their own...
Resell your used Ergobaby carriers with this cool new program that keeps more baby gear out of landfills
When I read that you can now resell your Ergobaby carrier through Ergobaby's new baby carrier buyback program, I got excited. I've tried to be more intentional about making environmentally conscious purchasing decisions lately, whether I'm reducing single-use plastics...
7 outstanding, important Black History month Twitter threads to read right now.
We've honored Black History Month in various ways here over the years, and in particular, we've shared lots of children's and YA books -- even the tough ones -- that help us teach our kids, and inspire important conversations at home. But this year, I want to...
Valentine’s Day crafts and activities you can do with your kids | Spawned Ep 188
With Valentine's Day around the corner, we've got fun craft ideas and activities on the brain. Because if you're like us, the lingerie and dinner out just isn't in the cards, which to be honest, is perfectly fine with us. So on this episode of Spawned with Kristen and...
5 sexy Valentine’s gifts for couples in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and up. Why should the younguns get all the fun?
When I was in my pre-kids, pre-underwire-bra-all-the-time years, I admit that 40 seemed old. As in, sex would be over, done, and...weird. Well here's me shaking some damn sense into my 2005 self. Research shows that women over 40 are having wildly satisfying sex...
Peggy Orenstein on Boys and Sex… and hookups and love and masculinity and consent and yes, porn | Spawned 187
When our sound engineer writes to us and says that this podcast interview with Peggy Orenstein is "easily top 5...maybe top 3" of all our interviews, well that's saying something. And we agree. Whether you are raising sons or raising daughters, we think you'll be...
Valentine’s hack to help make all those preschool classroom cards easier. For both of you.
If you've got a child who's excited to hand out Valentine's cards to the classroom in preschool or daycare, but isn't so great yet with the name signing -- especially when it has to be done 18 or so times -- here's a clever idea. Mabel's Labels just came out with some...
A weekend away with your teen or tween: 5 ways to make the most of your time alone together.
Over this past year, I've been fortunate enough to be able to take a few of my kids away alone, which is an extra special treat as a mom of four. But really, we parents know that it's a special treat no matter how many kids you have. As my kids (and I) get older, our...
Tackling one of the trickiest parts of parenting: Discipline | Spawned Ep 186
Parenting is hard. We know that's an obvious statement. But some parts are decidedly harder than others, and one of them is discipline. That's why we're happy to be chatting with school psychologist Lynn Burrell, who's also the co-founder of our sponsor Weldon. She...
This brilliant classroom activity for Valentine’s Day makes everyone feel the love.
Trying to find classroom activities for Valentine's Day parties that are fun enough, cool enough, easy enough, and affordable enough isn't a simple task. Plus, not every kid is comfortable with the "tell every kid in your class you love them" kind of thing, especially...
Smart, surprising ways to foster real connections with your kids, with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler | Spawned Ep 185
We know many parents made resolutions and goals to spend more quality time with family in 2020. And well, we’re hitting that point in January when even our best laid plans get a little side tracked. It's okay, we're right there with you. That's why we were so excited...
Web Coolness: What Kristen is reading this week
I'm excited to bring back our old school (or skool?) web coolness, and share some of the articles I've been reading this past week. Consider this all stuff I'd share on my own personal Facebook and Twitter feeds. And if you're already following me, then my apologies...
A collection of shirts for girls that bring herstory to life.
This week, I spotted these cool women trailblazer tees for kids at Piccolina, celebrating all kinds of women through history who are smart, courageous, and creative. I knew I had to share them with you all because you'd want them for your girls. And your boys. Now,...
What to see and do (and eat!) with teens in Boston…in the winter. Yes, the winter.
Winter in Boston with the family may sound...well, cold. It 's true that the sun sets earlier, and you have to bundle up when you go out, because, New England! Even so, Boston an excellent city for a getaway with teens any time, and that includes winter. There are...
These no-carb dumplings on Etsy are perfect for your Valentine.
Happy year of the Rat everyone! With the Lunar New Year upon us, I'm so happy to find this adorable new Etsy shop, which celebrates all things dumplings. Only, not the edible kind, so if you're low-carbing right now, you're in luck. Christine Jee has...