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How to talk to kids about Ukraine: Expert tips from Melinda Wenner-Moyer | Spawned 271
After science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer published the NY Times article, How to Talk to Your Kids About Ukraine, I knew we had to have her back on Spawned to elaborate on her 5 expert tips. You may remember Melinda from our recent interview on raising...
Why our parenting stories matter, with author Zibby Owens | Spawned Episode 270
Liz and I have a special place in our hearts for storytelling, because that's how we first met online almost 17 years ago. That can't be right, can it? We connected through our personal blogs—Mom 101 and Motherhood Uncensored—and the rest is Cool Mom Picks history....
Pandemic fails, data-driven parenting, and how to make better decisions for your family, with author Emily Oster | Spawned Podcast episode 262
In the course of our parenting lives, we make a whole lot of decisions, so when I read Emily Oster's most recent book The Family Firm, which offers a very smart, data-driven method to decision making, I really wanted to chat with her on our Spawned podcast. But then I...
Kids, gratitude, and the holiday season: Can parents do better? | Spawned ep 261
As we head into the holiday season, which can be filled with the abundance of food, gifts, and celebrations, we know that a lot of us struggle with all the excess. It's valuable for us to slow down as parents, and consider ways to help develop and express more...
Answering parents top questions about the Covid-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 | Spawned Ep 260
While some of us (including Kristen and myself) are rejoicing about the approval of the Covid-19 vaccine for kids 5-11, we know that a lot of parents still have questions. As you should! This is our kids we're talking about, and as parents, we research everything --...
So much coolness. Where to start…
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...
Wish your kids loved science more? This holiday, give them the gift of MEL Science and watch their interest grow.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of MEL Science. If you're looking for a great holiday gift that will get your kids excited about science in a fun and engaging way, while also giving you a great activity to do together each month, MEL Science makes a great holiday...
12 creative gift ideas for the man who has everything. Or…does he? | Holiday Gifts 2021
If you need to find a creative gift for the man who has everything it requires just a little more thought. Fortunately, we're here to help! Is there anything better than surprising someone we love with a gift they didn't even know they wanted? We know it can be a...
Why we’re supporting Bombas this holiday: The gift that gives back in more ways than one
Every year we share our favorite holiday gifts that give back, to help us maximize the impact that our gifts can make on the world this time of year. And every year, we talk about Bombas Socks -- the incredibly comfortable, increasingly stylish, mission-driven socks...
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...
10 fun, educational indoor activities for preschoolers and young kids, for when you’re stuck inside
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Google Kids Space. As the weather gets colder and snow days are on the horizon, so comes the realization that you now have to find educational activities for your preschoolers or young kids, to help keep them busy—and ideally,...
16 of our favorite hygge gifts for everyone who needs more comfort and coziness right now | Holiday Gift Guide
Hygge gifts may be a new category for a lot of us who don't have families from Denmark, but it's something we could all use more of these days. It's the Danish concept of coziness -- a lifestyle all about finding comfort, pleasure, and warmth in simple things that...
A new children’s picture book with a beautiful message we all need to hear right now
This is a sponsored post on behalf of mineditionUS We're only now coming to understand how to help our kids process the hardship and loss they've experienced these past couple of years. We've always turned to children's books as a tool for exploring difficult topics,...
10 absolutely fabulous over-40 style influencers to follow, no matter what age you are
I realized recently that I've been inspired by a lot of fabulous over-40 influencers who are helping me feel more confident about aging. While I'm still in my 30s, I'm realizing that forty is just over the horizon -- and approaching faster than I anticipated. (Whoa,...
Quick Picks: The Panasonic Extra Long-Range Video Baby Monitor
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Panasonic As new parents, a baby monitor can give you some much-needed peace of mind, when you need it most. That's why the Panasonic Extra Long-Range Video Baby Monitor is such an amazing essential gadget, that can be used in...
12 wonderful Dolly Parton gifts for the Dolly fans in your life. (A.K.A. everyone we know.)
It goes without saying that I will always love Dolly Parton, so naturally I was drawn to these amazing Dolly Parton gifts. If you haven't listened to the Dolly Parton's America podcast yet, let me assure you that people of all stripes, plaids, and paisleys love my...
Pandemic fails, data-driven parenting, and how to make better decisions for your family, with author Emily Oster | Spawned Podcast episode 262
In the course of our parenting lives, we make a whole lot of decisions, so when I read Emily Oster's most recent book The Family Firm, which offers a very smart, data-driven method to decision making, I really wanted to chat with her on our Spawned podcast. But then I...
The cutest board books for babies and toddlers, for the holidays and every day!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of mineditionUS Give the gift of reading and togetherness this holiday season, and well, any day of the year, with the board books from mineditionUS/Astra Books for Young Readers. They've been carefully created with everything babies...
A comparison of our 9 favorite custom photo book services, for one of our all-time favorite gifts
Since custom photo books are among our very favorite gifts for the holidays, for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and even for teacher gifts and gifts for favorite sitters, we've put together a helpful comparison of our top picks. For years, we've compared our favorite...
20 unique personalized gifts for kids in 2021, from toddlers to teens | Holiday Gift Guide
If you're looking for some cool, truly unique personalized gifts for kids, we totally understand. It's an easy way to make a holiday gift extra special -- and it doesn't have to cost a lot either. That extra personalized touch really makes these gifts stand out. That...
4 ways to get your kids involved in vacation planning… and why you should.
I've always had my kids involved in vacation planning. In fact, we voted on our first official family road trip from a power point presentation my son did after researching three locations, and they've been involved in some capacity ever since. And well, according to...
The best Black Friday Deals of 2021: From the big stores to small shops and indie makers
Each year we share the best Black Friday deals online to help you manage your time, your budget, and get back to family faster. This year is no different, as we share the best Black Friday deals 2021 from big stores and brands along with the small businesses we love....
Kids, gratitude, and the holiday season: Can parents do better? | Spawned ep 261
As we head into the holiday season, which can be filled with the abundance of food, gifts, and celebrations, we know that a lot of us struggle with all the excess. It's valuable for us to slow down as parents, and consider ways to help develop and express more...
3 unique subscription boxes for kids that teach the values of gratitude, kindness, and giving back to others
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, charity and giving to others is particuarly top of mind, which is why I was just so happy to discover several subscription boxes for kids that teach those very values. Many of us are talking to our kids about things to be thankful...
This may be the most fun way to help kids improve their reading + writing skills
This is a sponsored message from Night Zookeeper Over the past couple of years, parents have really seen the value of educational apps and websites to help engage our kids in core subjects. If their excitement for reading and writing could use a little nudge, Night...
If you have stinky teens, pets, car seats, or other things you can’t just toss in the wash, here’s help | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from FunkAway You may not be familiar with FunkAway but when you learn what it does, you'll be singing its praises. Funkaway is an extreme odor eliminator, beloved by users across the US, from parents to actual Ninja Warriors. Unlike air...