Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
How to help kids identify and develop their interests | An Insider Guide to College Admissions
In January, I interviewed Alyse Levine, one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country, about de-stressing the college application process. It was so well-received, that we've partnered to create An Insider Guide to the College Application Process....
Are we thinking about kindness all wrong? A chat with Jaclyn Lindsey, founder of Kindness.org | Spawned Podcast
The Spawned Parenting Podcast is back and I couldn't be more thrilled! I'm excited to get back to what I love most -- helping us get through the ups and downs of parenting together, especially today when we all seem to need support more than ever. I am honored to kick...
A college guidance expert and former admissions officer helps de-stress the application process. Phew! | Spawned Ep 301
Navigating the college search and admission process is rough -- emotionally, practically, financially. (Eep!) It completely stressed me out, and I'm a pretty Type B mom. So learn from my mistakes! Make it easier on yourself by listening to all the helpful advice...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Deal of the Day: Up to 33% off the Fjallraven Kanken Backpack!
It's not often that we see such a steep discount on the classic Fjallraven Kanken Backpack but wow -- we spotted the classic 14" Kanken on sale at Zappos in black for 25% off, plus other styles up to 33% off if you hurry. Some purchases may generate a small affiliate...
Which lunch boxes and bags hold up the best? Here are our 5 picks after trying dozens over the years.
Hi Cool Mom Picks, I know you've tested so many lunch boxes every year and I was hoping you could tell me what you think really are the best lunch boxes. I want something I don't have to get rid of at the end of every year! And it should be sturdy and cute, so not...
Creative ideas to help young children with school anxiety: 7 small items that can make a big difference.
Preschoolers or kindergarten students often feel nervous about their first days and weeks of school. Or their first month of school. Even older kids may feel anxious about a new teacher, new friends, or just getting back into a more rigorous schedule after a long and...
Deal of the Day: Huge Sale on the Educational Cooking Kits for Kids from I’m a Chef Too
If you're starting to plan fall activities for the kids -- or even getting a head start on birthday or holiday gifts -- the popular educational kids' cooking kit subscription boxes from I'm The Chef Too are on sale, and the savings are terrific. Some purchases may...
Brad Montague on seeking out “joy rebels” and making hope a habit
"Joy rebels." Doesn't that sound like a wonderful thing to teach our kids to be? If you think so too, you're going to love my conversation with NY Times best-selling author and illustrator, director, dad, and all-around excellent human, Brad Montague. It's such a...
Lunch bags and totes for teens who have outgrown lunch boxes | Back to School Shopping
The first trick in finding a cool lunch bag for teens that they'll actually use is to make sure they have a say. So sit down with them and peruse our picks, created with the help of our own teens. As our own kids have gotten older, we know they prefer lunch bags and...
Deal of the Day: Neutrogena Hydro Boost 56% off!
If you're a fan of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel, you're in luck! We spotted it for 56% off on Amazon today, making it just $11.85 instead of nearly $27. The best-selling Neutrogena gel is lightweight, it's oil-free so it's non-greasy, it's...
Natural bug bite patches that actually work | One Cool Thing
When looking to send the last of the summer camp care package gifts to my kids this season, I stumbled across these natural bug bite patches that get great reviews. I bought the single pack of 27 Quitch Bug Bite Itch Relief Patches and my daughter immediately wrote to...
Understanding the Ease of Cryptocurrency with Coinbase: Modern Finance for Families
In the fast-paced world of online shopping and digital transactions, we're all seeking simplicity, reliability, and security in our financial dealings and families have a powerful ally in Coinbase. As a leading platform dedicated to the world of digital currency,...
Deal of the Day: Our Favorite Leggings up to 70% off
We just got word that Hue, makers of some of the best socks and leggings anywhere, has more than 200 items up to 70% off right now. Including the comfy, stretchy denim leggings that pass for jeans. A few cool picks on sale: The best women's crew socks now $7.99 -...
Reader Q&A: Help me find shirts celebrating female athletes for a girl whose brothers got shirts about sports heroes, while she didn’t.
Today, we got this comment from reader Katie, who's looking for shirts that celebrate the power of women and girls in sports. She wrote (lightly edited for clarity): My nephew, father of two young boys and a young daughter went on Facebook today showing the sports...
These revolutionary bras with adaptive sizing eliminate the need for all those different-sized bras we have. Yes!
Can one bra support a 32A, A 34D, and a 36C all at once? We found ones that can! Thanks to our newest partner, the cult-favorite affordable luxury lingerie brand, NEIWAI. Nearly every woman knows about the array of bras in multiple sizes we're forced to collect: You...
Deal of the Day: Update your closet with up to 30% off Elfa , PLUS last day for BOGO 50% off sitewide at Container Store
If you've ever had the desire to update your closet and get organized, this is the time to do it. The Container Store is currently offering 30% off Elfa custom designs for your closet, kitchen pantry, home office, kids' rooms, small space living -- you name it. Plus,...
These 5 Baby Items for Travel are Must-Haves, According to This Infant Occupational Therapist
Traveling with a baby can be exciting, but challenging when it comes to ensuring their comfort and safety on the go. As an infant occupational therapist, I love the opportunity for babies and families to experience new places together, see new sights, and have all the...
Fresh Olympic-inspired neon sneakers (with lots on sale) | Back to School Shopping
Neon sneakers are huge this year, and wow are there a lot of great ones! If you're looking for cool neon sneakers for back to school, and you've followed the excitement of the Team USA world-record-setting wins at the Paris Olympics, you know you're in excellent...
14 college dorm room essentials you might not have considered: Part II | Back to School Shopping
We're continuing our list of dorm room essentials that you might not have considered with 7 more on our list. (Plus a few bonuses.) If you're sending a student off to college for the first time -- or maybe you're a rising freshman yourself .-- be sure to start with...
14 college dorm room essentials you might not have considered: Part I | Back to School Shopping
I've become a bit of a pro at picking out dorm room essentials, which means separating the must-haves from the nice-to-haves from the not-going-to-haves. Especially if I'm paying for it. Having sent all of my three kids away to college, it's become clear how much I...
How women can reclaim aging as something worth celebrating: Insights and tips from Karen Walrond
News flash: We all age! Every day! And yet the world can be tough on us for doing just that. So how do we move forward with joy and learn to celebrate all our phases of life as women? And might we be inadvertently contributing to ageism in our society without even...
This Future Voter baby onesie is easily the baby gift of 2024
Last week, we relaunched our massive Baby Shower Gift Guide, and there's one that stands out to me as the ultimate gift of 2024: A Future Voter baby onesie. Made by cool Minneapolis mom Rachel Winter of Sweetpea & Co and featured in our list of The Best Feminist...
Breo Box Summer 2024 Subscription Unboxing: WHAT’S IN THE BOX? (Spoiler: It’s great!)
When Breo Box first launched, we immediately recommended them as a cool quarterly subscription gift for tech-lovers, and named it one of our favorite subscription box gifts for men. I even bought one for my own partner on Father's Day a few years back, and he still...
Hot Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Deal: Joggers! With pockets!
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going strong. And one of the most popular picks with our readers from our roundup of 10 ½ incredible Nordstrom Deals has been the high-waist leggings with pockets. Because, pockets. But say you're more into a comfy, slouchy,...