Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
How to cope with grief and loss (and support others who have) with author Kate Inglis | Spawned Ep 137
At some point in all our lives, we've experienced a loss, whether it's an immediate family member of our own, or someone close to us who has lost a loved one. And we all navigate the process of grief, from our own to supporting someone else who's going through it,...
Last-minute holiday shopping help: We’ve got you covered, parents! | Spawned Ep 136
Every year, we do an entire show dedicated to help you with your last-minute holiday shopping. Lucky for you, we've got an entire holiday gift guide full of awesome gift ideas, many of which are from handmade artists, indie artisans, and small businesses. So, on this...
How to make the most of the holiday (and not lose your mind) | Spawned Ep 135
We know that the holidays can be a busy, stressful time for lots of families, which is why we thought it might be helpful to discuss ways we try to make the most out of the holidays (and not lose our minds) with our own families on our latest Spawned podcast. In this...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Some of our favorite Secret Santa gift ideas for the whole family
One way I always bring all of my family together over the holidays is with a Secret Santa gifting tradition. Truth be told, it's the most affordable (and let's be honest, fun) way to exchange gifts with a large family over the holidays. I generally try to keep gifts...
3 wooden high chairs so gorgeous you’ll actually want them at your holiday table
With the holidays coming up, I've been on the hunt for beautiful high chairs that will actually look nice at the dining room table -- unlike the sweet potato-crusted plastic monstrosity I'm currently using. Let's just say it won't be winning any beauty pageants (or...
We found wonderfully diverse dollhouse dolls: Multicultural, multiracial, differently-abled and more.
If a dollhouse is on your kids' holiday wish lists, don't forget to include some dollhouse dolls so that they can get right to the business of playing (while you clean up wrapping paper). But unlike dollhouses which come in lots of different styles, from modern to...
These funky handmade holiday dresses are perfect for girls who say no to frills and flounce
Before you deck the halls, deck your girls out in the handmade, one-of-a-kind holiday dresses and skirts from one of our longtime favorite indie makers, Courtney Courtney. They're much more comfy than a red faux-taffeta dress with scratchy white lace, we wouldn't be...
The best teacher gift ideas from people who know: actual teachers.
We are always on the lookout for the best teacher gift ideas every year, and it may in fact be one of the top gift questions we get from readers every year about this time. (Then again in May.) And hey, I get it; if there are any people on my holiday shopping list...
Polished Prints tees are empowering, positive, and giving us all the good vibes.
"Mom tees" are everywhere lately. But the trend seems to have capitalized on complaining about motherhood, and I'm starting to push back a little on what that says to our kids. They range from variations of need wine/need sleep/need a husband who does the dishes...
The importance of gratitude right now | Spawned ep 32
We both have gratitude on our minds right now. At a time that there is so much abundance -- food, gifts, parties -- and conversely, so many of us struggling with holidays in general, it's so valuable for us to slow down and consider ways to help develop more gratitude...
All the best 2018 Cyber Monday deals and discount codes, in one place!
This is the time of year to get the very best deals on all your holiday shopping, and we've already shared some of the most amazing Black Friday weekend deals this year. But the secret is, often these companies offer even bigger discounts on Cyber Monday and we have...
Small Business Saturday Deals: The shops we’d support even if they were full price
The #shopsmall movement is one we've been supporting even before there was an unofficial Small Business Saturday followed by a very official Small Business Saturday (now kindly supported by American Express). Lots of our favorite indie businesses, small shops,...
All the best 2018 Black Friday deals and discount codes online: From the big guys to the awesome indies
If you’re looking for the very best 2018 Black Friday shopping deals and discounts around the web, we've got you covered! And by best, we mean...best. Like, no junky stuff, no "buy one, get one for 6% off." Just the best deals for the online shops we love, big and...
Hold onto your mouse ears! Disney Vans are here.
We have to say that Vans is killing it with their collaborations lately, from Van Gogh to NASA, and now Disney Vans. Now, if these are anything like their other collections we've featured, they're going to sell out pretty quickly. So, if you're shopping for a Disney...
How many times do we tell our kids, STOOOOOOP!
I have to admit, I never thought about my car's tires a whole lot. I guess your tires are the kind of thing you don't think about a lot -- until they stop working properly. In which case...yikes. So I'm truly happy to support our fantastic sponsor Michelin, on their...
5 fun Thanksgiving crafts for kids that double as your Thanksgiving table decor
Having some themed Thanksgiving crafts on hand is a great way to entertain your younger holiday guests over what can be a long day, but I'm never quite sure what to do with all the finished projects after the kids are done with them. So, this year I've been tracking...
10 creative Advent calendars for 2018 that make the Christmas countdown even more fun.
We've had so much find finding creative 2018 Advent calendars for kids. And even if you don't think the holiday season needs more presents and candy (agree to disagree), I think you might change your mind when you see these awesome calendars. Whether your kids are...
Black Friday shopping: 6 holiday toys to have on your radar this weekend | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message on behalf of the toys seen here Hitting the stores this Black Friday? Whether you're braving the crowds or shopping the virtual shelves, you'll want to keep these 6 fun toys on your radar for your holiday gift lists. From STEM and Harry...
The People Shall Continue: a conversation-starting epic history of Native people for kids
Each year during November, which is National Native American Heritage Month by the way, we like to take a look at some of the great resources for our kids about the Native experience. Especially as we approach Thanksgiving. Because without the Wampanoag people, there...
5 gifts to help kids develop valuable skills: Top holiday toys from Lakeshore Learning | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Lakeshore Learning Kids love toys -- all kinds of toys -- and parents love those toys when they get kids excited about learning and building skills they need through play. In fact, learning through play is how kids learn best! And for...
Support an amazing cause when you bid on these one-of-a-kind jean jackets from some of our favorite artists
We've been watching the news in shock and horror as fires ripped through California this past week. We know many friends and family who have been affected, and in an effort to lend some support, we've shared some ways you can help. And well, we just got word on...
The hottest beauty gifts right now to make you sparkle, glimmer and shine: What’s on our wishlist
Here's to some much-needed pampering time just before the crazy holiday season hits, amiright? This past weekend, I took myself over to the Sephora inside JCPenney in the Manhattan Mall -- and can you say best sponsor ever? I treated myself to a free 15-minute mini...
12 fantastic Hanukkah gifts for kids that are cool, not corny
Hanukkah comes early this year -- December 2! -- so it's time to start gathering up ideas for cool Hanukkah gifts for kids. While of course every toy, game, accessory or gift can be wrapped up for Hanukkah, I love that we've been able to track down so many gifts that...
15 stylish winter coats for girls, all inspired by adult runway looks
I'm feeling sweatah-weathah turn into stylish winter coat weather pretty quickly, and we're loving some of the trends we're seeing in girls' winter coats this year. In fact, when Liz shared Vogue's trend watch for adult outerwear this winter with me, I knew I'd seen...