Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Wait, moms are funny? A delightful conversation with Ophira Eisenberg | Spawned Episode 161
We've always said that if we weren't laughing about motherhood, we'd be crying. Hey, parenting is hard. And from what we learned from our chat with comedian and NPR Ask Me Another host Ophira Eisenberg, we're not alone. Have you ever wondered what it's like being on...
The Evangeline Lilly interview that will convince you she’s one of the coolest moms | Spawned Ep 160
As it turns out, Evangeline Lilly is not just an Orc-defeating Tolkien elf, badass desert island survivor, or quantum realm-traveling Marvel superhero. She is also a super cool mom, and author of the darkly comic, wonderfully inventive new young reader series, the...
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver writer Jill Twiss on finding the funny in tough times | Spawned 159
Does it feel hard to laugh sometimes with all that's going on in the world? You'll love this episode of the Spawned Parenting Podcast. This week we're talking to Jill Twiss, Emmy-winning Last Week Tonight with John Oliver staff writer, and best-selling children's...
More coolness from recent weeks…
How does Disney’s Disability Access Service card (DAS) work? This mom lays it out for you.
I recently described my 10 tips for a Disney vacation with a special needs child, to help you ensure that the trip is as magical for all of you. But I wanted to give more details about the totally free Disability Access Service (DAS) card for those of you looking into...
10 tips for a Disney World vacation with kids with special needs. It can be magical!
Disney World is supposed to be the happiest place on earth, but as I was preparing for our family's recent trip, I admit I was dreading parts of it. It would be the first trip for our youngest daughter, who has cognitive special needs, and I had no idea how we were...
The cutest kids swimsuits, now on sale if you hurry!
Hi, I'm the mom who's always racing to find swimsuits for my kids in oh...mid-June when they're all sold-out. Don't be like me. Especially because one of our favorite mom-run kids' labels, Primary, is now offering their colorful, durable, mix-and-match kids' swimsuits...
Spring cleaning help: How to deal with digital clutter | Spawned Episode 151
Spring is here, which if you're like us, means spring cleaning. But in the 21st century, that also means dealing with digital clutter. Think those photos on your phone, or those files on your computer. And we won't even talk about our email inboxes. But that's all...
The Phluid Project is for everyone who has ever thought that “men’s” and “women’s” departments are limiting.
Sometimes our favorite picks come from readers like you. Sometimes they come from friends. Sometimes they even come from our own kids, which is the case with The Phluid Project and I am kicking myself for not having shared it sooner. But now that they've hit their...
What mommy really needs. (Hint: Respect, equality, and universal family leave would be a good start.)
While we feel sometimes like every good t-shirt slogan in the world has been done...nope! And here's a new one too good not to share, especially in time for Mother's Day. Inspired by the popularity of a post on her Instagram feed that responded to all the "mommy needs...
TKEES introduces waterproof sandals and here, take my money
I first discovered TKEES 8 years ago, and in that time, I've owned more pairs of them than any other brand of shoe. Ever. I love how much more stylish they are than fat rubber flip-flops, plus they're comfy, go with absolutely everything, and actually last several...
13 wonderful self-care gifts for moms. Because we need it. Oh…how we need it. | Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2019
Right now, more than ever, I just love the idea of a great self-care gifts for a mom or grandma in your life this Mother's Day. If we haven't said it enough, moms remain overworked, under-appreciated, overextended and generally in need of care. And if they won't put...
Star Wars x Freshly Picked: The official baby shoe of the Rebel Alliance (and the Imperial Army, for that matter)
Alright, geek parents. We have big news. Our favorite baby moc brand has teamed up with our favorite interstellar film franchise to create the most adorable baby shoes this side of Tatooine. Brace yourselves, because the Star Wars x Freshly Picked collaboration is...
How mothers are shaping the future of the country – and you can too | Spawned ep 150
Mothers are changing the world! Not just for other mothers -- but for everyone. We think you'll be just fascinated by the wisdom of today's guest, Sara Berliner, whose organization Vote Like a Mother literally started with a sign. We instantly fell in love with Sara's...
I tried CBD oil to try to sleep better. Here’s what happened after one month.
It’s 4 AM and I’m awake. For whatever reason, I’m up and so is my mind. I toss back and forth for at least an hour before exhaustion takes over and I finally fall back asleep. Well, only until a small child wakes me up again and starts singing about waffles. Sound...
Earth Day Pick: The wonderful new Clarks Kids x National Geographic sneaker collection
Today, Clarks Kids announced the launch of their new National Geographic collaboration. I'm so taken with this collection of gorgeous, eco-friendly sneakers, inspired by so many of the planet's incredible species, all just in time for Earth Day this Monday. I imagine...
Passover roundup: Our favorite Passover recipes, kid crafts, and even a free printable Hamilton Haggadah
Happy first night of Passover, to our observant friends! And to the rest of you -- well, here's hoping you score a seder invite, because this is easily my favorite Jewish holiday. While Hanukkah gets most of the attention, Passover is a beautiful time to lie back, eat...
We’re kind of freaking out over this Game of Thrones Sesame Street video
There have been many brilliant Sesame Street parody videos over the years, many of which we've featured here on Cool Mom Picks, but this new one starring Elmo and the Lannister siblings from Game of Thrones might just take the cake. Or should we say, crown? Related:...
10 super easy, totally free ways to help support your favorite independent publishers + keep that content free for you!
It's hard out there for an independent publisher. But here we are, like we have been for the past 13 (whoa!) years, putting out out stories, offering tips, and uncovering cool finds that we really hope our readers enjoy -- all while making sure it remains free for...
Why this is the best soap our resident beauty product junkie has ever tried
You know how so many honey beauty products smell like one of the bees was turning 21, so the whole hive went out to celebrate, but they could only afford cheap pollen, and as a result they got completely blitzed on cheap pollen and bootleg nectar, then they made their...
Barcelona with teens: 6 tips to make your family vacation worth the investment
If you're considering traveling to Barcelona with teens or older kids, I can help! As a diplomatic family now living abroad in Germany, we have the amazing opportunity to live and travel around Europe. Traveling with kids at any age brings a certain set of challenges,...
Exclusive look: Get a first peek at June and January’s new swim collection for kids!
Searching for cute, modern swimwear that our kids like as much as we do can be harder than you'd think, but this year I'm excited about the new swim collection from June & January. Even more exciting -- we get to give you all the exclusive first look at their new...
Help for picky eaters from a reformed picky eater | Spawned ep 149
This week's Jacky Lamenzo is a health coach with a focus on picky eating, to help make mealtime less stressful. We like that while we've gotten some great picky eater tips in the past, Jacky has a more kid-centered approach, focusing on how kids feel, and why some of...
Hot trend alert: Adidas Stan Smiths are back, and it’s 1972 all over again!
I've been spotting the iconic Adidas Stan Smith sneakers all over the feet of NYC's young and fashionable -- and okay, not-so-young but still pretty fashionable -- and I am loving it! I'm not much of a high heel gal, and it's so great that comfy sneakers (that aren't...
8 fun, easy Easter egg ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. Big kids shouldn’t have all the fun!
Let's talk about easy Easter egg ideas for toddlers, like mine. Because dyeing eggs with traditional techniques for this age group can be a risky proposition. Adorable? Yes. Liable to require hours of steam cleaning the carpet? Also yes. While we've covered some great...