Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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...
Can astrology help you find more direction in life? It can when you look at it this way. | Spawned episode 148
Whether you're a skeptic, an astrology devotee, or just curious about the science behind it, we had the most fascinating chat with Mimi Truong, a life coach, trained lawyer by background...and an astrologer. She combines strategic coaching expertise with her extensive...
Are female friendships actually good for our health? Spawned Episode 147
Have you been missing time with your female friends? (Hi Laura Mayes! We miss you!) Turns out, research says they're actually good for your health and well-being. How's that for an excuse for a girl's night out or weekend away? On this episode of Spawned with Kristen...
More coolness from recent weeks…
What Does it Mean to Be American? This picture book says it better than any TV pundit or long-winded article.
Kids are smart. And observant. Even our littlest children know that right now, there's a lot of talk about what it means to be American, who's a "real" American, and what kinds of values America stand for. And it's complicated, but that doesn't mean we should avoid...
Home decor inspiration: How to hang fabric on your walls instead of wallpaper
It's that time a year that I start to get a little stir crazy at home and have this major urge to redecorate. The newest home decor trend that caught my eye: fabric walls instead of wallpaper. Okay, so it kind of hit the internets about six or seven years ago, but...
Valentine’s Day nails: 7 fun, fairly easy ideas to get your fingers feeling the love
Here's a fun way to get festive for Valentine's Day this year: Valentine's Day nails. These are blowing up social media, and the creative designs we're seeing are making us so happy to go beyond switching up your favorite color for red or pink. We've kept these...
5 ideas from LEGO Movie 2 to discuss with your kids : A guide for parents
Last week, I caught a press screening of the The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part with my kids and I have to admit, my expectations were...tempered. The genius of the first LEGO Movie (sorry for any spoilers but you know, 5 year statue of limitations and all) is that the...
The 5 biggest sleep-training mistakes that parents make and how to fix them | Spawned episode 141
Is there anything new parent topic that generates more controversy than sleep training? Arguably...no way. But can we finally stop fighting about what's right and wrong? Yes! Maybe? Certified sleep training expert Tamiko Kelly, owner of Sleep Well Wake Happy, has...
Where to stream the 2019 Oscar nominated movies, and which ones to watch with your kids
If you're like me, you've seen very few of the Oscar-nominated films this year outside of the "Best Animated Films" category. (Life as a parent, right?) But I love movies, and I love movie award-shows, which means I don't want to sit there all night wishing I had seen...
I found the absolute perfect cashmere scarf and it’s now on sale too
This past Christmas, I wanted a perfect cashmere scarf -- long enough to wrap a couple of times, short enough that it doesn't poke out the bottom of a knee-length coat. Soft enough that I can wear it indoors, tightly knit enough that I don't end up with pieces of...
The new Wonder Park movie is launching this week, starring Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, Ken Jeong, Kenan Thompson, John Oliver…and we can’t wait
This post was created in partnership with Paramount Pictures Ever since the Wonder Park movie trailer debuted, our kids have been asking, "can we go? Can we go?" And now that the movie is coming out this Friday, March 15, they don't have to wait much longer. A fantasy...
How to get big coupons on the Tide laundry detergents you may be buying anyway.
The following is a sponsored message from Tide This week, America's #1 trusted laundry brand, Tide, is offering two big money-saving deals on the products you may be buying anyway: Tide PODS, and Tide laundry detergent. The coupons are available online now through...
7 new must-read Black History Month book releases for kids and teens. Because Black history is American history.
Whether we're taking the time to celebrate our own heritage or exploring those different cultures and backgrounds of our friends and neighbors that help make America what it is, books are always a favorite way for me to learn with my kids. And as Black History Month...
Activism 101: How to get involved with issues you care about when you don’t see yourself as the activist type | Spawned 140
We talk a lot about being the change you want to see in the world, but how do you do that? How do you get started? What if you're like us, crazy-busy parents who are already juggling a lot of stuff? What if the word "activist" doesn't seem to really apply to you? On...
18 of the very best romantic movies streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu in February
If you're a parent who's spending Valentine's Day on the couch with your sweetheart this like I am, I've got a list of the best romantic movies streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu that you'll definitely want to check out. Because if you ask me, even a low-key...
The Bell Rang: An important children’s book about the realities of Black slavery and family separation.
Children's books that deal with slavery and other dark aspects of America's history often wrap stories up neatly, with messages of hope and freedom and and liberty and justice for all. But of course, that's not the way things often go. And in Coretta Scott-King...
6 free printable, color-your-own Valentines that make the perfect party craft for kids
Yep, it's that time we fill our site with the best free printable Valentines for the classroom, to help save you all time, money, and the conundrum of shopping for 26 store-bought Valentines when they call come in packs of 24. If you're looking for your kids to do a...
Paris with kids: Tips, tricks, and helpful advice for a memorable Paris family vacation
Over the Thanksgiving break, we enjoyed a vacation in Paris with kids, and wow, I'm still thinking about our amazing time. I have to admit that I was worried taking my family of six to Europe for the first time, but thanks to lots of research and planning, we had...
Quick: Nab a free $15 -20 Target gift card (and other great deals) just for buying baby essentials
Clicking over to Target today (as one does), I was so happy to see the current promotion they're running to support new parents -- with the purchase hundreds of of baby essentials, you'll get a $15 Target gift card when you spend over $75. CMP is an rstyle affiliate I...
Traveling to Iceland with kids: Everything you need to know and more!
If you're thinking about traveling to Iceland with kids like we did last summer, let me just say you're in for a special treat. Our trip in August 2018 was one of my all-time favorite family vacations. Whether you're currently planning an Icelandic vacation, or you're...
5 thoughts about my first month at Orange Theory Fitness
I realize that a fitness New Year's resolution is a bit of a cliche', but in my case, it's a choice I need to make for my health. After losing 25 lbs last year with a change to my eating habits (and no exercise), I've been needing to add a workout routine of some kind...
Talking about a feminine revolution, with author Catherine Connors | Spawned Episode 139
We've talked at length about how the future is female, hey, it's even on shirts now, but the jury is still out on how female power impacts femininity and the associated stereotypes. That's where our guest (and dear friend) Catherine Connors comes in, who is addressing...
7 wonderful Year of the Pig Chinese New Year crafts for kids to welcome a year of fortune, luck and prosperity.
With the Year of the Dog waning and the Year of the Pig right around the corner, I've been browsing the web and uncovering some of best Chinese New Year crafts for kids! Even if you've never celebrated before, the Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is a fun way to...
Our review of the popular Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions mascara
Ever since I had to have my eyelash extensions removed (RIP - seriously, I loved those things), I've been on the hunt for a mascara that would give me the same amazing lash length that I had with the extensions. That's not as easy as it sounds considering most...