Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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More coolness from recent weeks…
Buh-Bye, Burns
I was a fair-skinned child who grew up at a time when the sun was worshipped, not respected. Think baby oil and reflectors. Yikes. I had more than my share of heinous sunburns, and now that I know better, I’m doing my best to spare my children that pain–or worse
Lettering in Toddler Fashion
Fall is in the air and I can almost smell the school lunches. Okay, so my toddler isn’t going to high school anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dress her like alittle varsity superstar.
Bob’s Yer Uncle
If you haven’t yet caught on to the indie-rock-for-kids movement, Plays Well With Others, the new release from Uncle Rock would be a briliant place to start.
And Then Miss Muffet Smashed Her Guitar Into Tiny Bits. The End.
I’ve got no beef with fairy tales and nursery rhymes characters–on the bookshelf. But in the dresser? Not so much my style. Fortunately, Hollywood mom and designer Tracy Bobbitt has more imagination than I do. In her wonderful world of Crib Rock Couture, classic kids characters are reimagined as rock stars on the road.
Only a Baby’s Butt is Softer
You’vebeen there before: You get the baby shower invite, peruse the registry, and try to figure out what you can buy that will actually be of use. And let’s be honest, a "keepsake blanket" is probably not at the top of your list. Isn’t that just a polite way of saying "blanket that goes in the cedar chest covered with moth balls?"
Like a Monkey on Your Back
My back hurts. New moms know what I’m talking about–it’s all that lugging around baby blankets and baggies full of Cheerios and water bottles and diapers. And in my case, multiple hats. Always multiple hats.
Nice Package
I’m a sucker for great wrapping. Yep, I’m the one at gift exchanges who instead of shaking the box and examining its size and shape picks a present solely on the pretty paper — even as I end up the proud owner of a new electronic nose hair trimmer.
I’m Pining for Some Wood
With an anti-sleep toddler, I barely have time to get a shower, let alone match jewelry to an outfit. But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to sacrifice my stylish tendencies. Itjust means that I need pieces that can multi-itask as competently as I try to.
The Rhythm is Going to Get You
Every once in a while, I come upon some new children’s music that makes me want to grab other parents on the street, plop my headphones over their head and scream, "You’ve got to hear this!" Frances England is one of these arists.
When You’re Too Sleep-Deprived to Cut Through the BS
As a new mom, it’s hard to know where to turn for good advice. There are several websites offering free newsletters, which at their best clutter up your in-box unopened. At their worst, they make you feel like if you don’t buy a particular developmental toy from their online store right now now NOW, your child will grow up to rob banks and torture small animals.
Let’s Hear it For Less Laundry!
We all know that any eating, drooling, or art-making extravaganza on the part of your toddler is never pretty. But while you may successfully protect your child’s cute top with a smock, the pants are never so lucky.
Out of Africa
One of the greatest gifts my daughter received for her recent birthday was a pair of hand-batiked t-shirts–especially once I discovered the story behind the label. My ever socially-conscious (and gift giver extraordinaire) best friend tracked them down through Global Mamas, a non-profit helping small women-led businesses in Africa.
A Great Card Speaks Louder Than a Bad Gift
We all know that pregnancy doesn’t mean you suddenly crave little ducks and teddy bears on everything you own. So then why is it so hard to find a cardthat doesn’t look like it got lost at the pastel animal farm?
Where the Real Stars Hang
If you’re a frequent reader of Cool Mom Picks, then you know we believe that being a cool mom transcends what kind of diaper bag you carry. For the past three years I’ve balanced my love of stuff with my work for the Starlight Starbright Foundation, a non-profit organization for seriously ill children and their families.
Nursing, the Rock ‘n Roll Way
The nursing pillow: The number one item on every baby registry. The nursing pillow: The number one ugliest textile in my home. Finally, FINALLY someone has come up with a solution.
Little Miss Can’t-Be-Matched
You’ve surely heard the wisdom that if you buy socks for newborns and toddlers in a single color, such as white like I did, then you’ll never be without a matched pair. But just as you’re thinking you’ve outsmarted the dryer elves, along comes a bigger challenge – a two year-old with strong opinions on clothing, and white is definitely not all right.
On My To-Do List: 1) Find a Better To-Do List
Are you a member of the scrap paper/atm receipt/used envelope scribblers club? The first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. And considering my husband has a penchant for throwing away anypiece of paperthat is not attached to a spiral binding, I’m in desperate need of some list therapy.
Look Ma, No Sparkles!
My older daughter, Mimi, is a princess-kittens-glittery flowers kind of girl. I can’t convince her to don any clothing that doesn’t scream I AM A GIRLY GIRL, most often in some shade of pink. Rosie, however, is more tomboy than princess, which makes shopping for both of them at once a little challenging.
Find Your Inner Silly
If I have to hear Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy one more time, I just might check myself into the mommy loony bin. Thank goodness for musician Jim Gill and his newest release, Moving Rhymes for Modern Times.
Take Me To Your Bathroom Sink
I’ve met kids who will eat raw oysters and kids who clear their plates without being told. But I have yet to meet a kid who likes to wash his hands. Maybe if the bathroom were a more child-friendly place, the odds would tilt in the favor of personal hygiene?
The Next Best Thing to Springsteen Pulling Her Up on Stage
While I know from experience that kids love hearing their own names in songs–even my own frighteningly off-tune renditions–I’ve got to admit I’m wary of those "personalized" CDs. The few I’ve heard have been absolutely, heinously, eardrum shattering. Then I discovered Name Your Tune, and suddenly I’m changing my tune.