Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Mothers of Reinvention: Talking work and career after motherhood with Mallory Kasdan | Spawned Episode 113
As two women who reinvented ourselves to start Cool Mom Picks, we love hearing stories of other women doing the same, particularly the challenges and obstacles they had to overcome to achieve success. So much can be learned from sharing those experiences. That's why...
Mom, I’m bored! Clever ways to keep kids busy all summer long | Spawned Episode 112
You know it's coming. The dreaded "Mom, I'm bored!" which is why we're getting a jump on our kids (for once). We're sharing tons of clever, easy ideas to help keep the kids busy this summer. From scavenger hunts to family book clubs, even tips on how Liz makes her...
How to make money and save money with the best online consignment shops | Spawned Ep 111
Earlier this year we wrote up a comprehensive post comparing six top consignment and resale shops online. And with the change of seasons, we're ready to get our summer wardrobes without spending a fortune. And hey, we even want to purge some of what's taking up space...
More coolness from recent weeks…
ClassBundl saves you time and money on all your back-to-school shopping. Whoo! | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from ClassBundl If you've ever spent too much time, energy and money trying to gather up every item on that detailed list of your kids' annual school supplies, meet ClassBundl. This service offers completely personalized, pre-built, school...
What is Malala Day? A primer for families, and some ideas for honoring her work.
We are all fans of Malala Yousafzai (isn't everyone?), so I was so thrilled to learn about Malala Day, which is today, July 12th. The day celebrates and honors Malala's tireless work in ensuring education for girls all over the world, especially in areas where it's...
Forget Waldo, try finding your own kid in these cool custom seek-and-find books!
I can get lost (er, I mean , my kids can) in a good seek-and-find book. One that's not so hard it's frustrating, but not too easy that you have the whole thing solved in ten minutes. So, when I saw that Wonderbly, one of our favorite indie publishers, just released...
Thanks, Mr. Rogers: A brilliant parenting trick I learned from “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a respite from the heat at our local movie theater and took a little trip down memory lane with Won't You Be My Neighbor? This wonderful film highlighting the work and legacy of Fred Rogers is a must-see, whether you grew up...
Stitch Fix Kids is finally here, and parents rejoice!
Okay, Stitch Fix fans -- if you're a parent of a kid 2-14, the answer to your bargain clothing prayers is here with today's launch of Stitch Fix Kids. CMP is an rstyle affiliate As with the original Stitch Fix service, you can now get a monthly box of 8-12 handpicked...
A new middle-grade book to keep your kids reading all summer | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from KidsBuzz. Want to know how to keep your kids excited about reading all summer long? Give them a book they just can't put down, like the brand new, sure-to-be bestseller, Willa of the Wood, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author...
7 new beach reads from women of color that you won’t be able to put down.
This year, I've rounded up 7 amazing beach reads from women of color that I think make the perfect escape. Because as parents, we know that our lying-by-the-pool time is sorely limited, and it's important to choose something we'll love. We also think it's important to...
The best designer summer handbags on sale at Nordstrom right now. Hurry! We’re talking 60% off.
My grandmother always told me, Get a cheap dress but splurge on your bag and shoes.That's what people notice. Good advice, Mimi. But I've been scanning the sales lately, and you might not even need to splurge on that nice designer handbag. Some of these designer...
Throw pillows that unfold to become awesome play sets for kids: So great!
Plastic behemoths have pretty much overtaken my home since having a toddler, which means I'm always on the hunt for compact toys. Bonus: They're soft. And attractive. My latest find? These awesome new Pillow Playsets from Sago, which are now available from our...
The most stylish summer totes under $50 right now, for the beach and beyond
Along with cool sunnies, a good beach read and sunscreen with a high SPF, the perfect summer tote is an important summer essential. It needs to be big enough to hold everything you (and your kids) will need for a day out, be durable enough to handle some sand and sea,...
The best of the J Crew kids summer sale: Hurry for 30-50% off!
We love a good sale -- especially at a store with clothing as amazing as J Crew, where I know their kids clothes last me through multiple kids. Shop the non-sale items right now, use code ALLSTAR, and BOOM -- 30% off. But what's best is you can save up to 50% on some...
These 9 summer DIY projects for teens could keep them from saying “I’m bored” all summer. Miracles can happen!
I’m sure there’s a drinking game parents play during the summer, where they take a shot every time they hear their teen say, “I’m bored.” (Don’t play this game, though, you’ll end up in the ER.) To help remedy your desperate plight, we’ve rounded up a few DIY projects...
10 alternative ways to celebrate the 4th of July, if you’re not feeling like waving a flag this year.
This year, a lot of readers and Facebook fans and even some of our own team have mentioned that they feel different about July 4th this year. You too? You're not alone. In 2018, Gallup released a poll stating that fewer people feel proud to be an American this year....
The best way to lengthen lashes, without false eyelashes or extensions.
It's so weird -- you get on the other side of 40 (or so) and BAM. Where did my lashes go? So while I haven't yet taken the plunge into eyelash extensions like Kristen has, I have found something with nearly the same lengthening effect: Magnifibres. Its been called...
Let’s hear it for the girls with these new Marvel Vans
One of my favorite stops when I'm out of town is the Vans store, which seems kind of silly since I have one in my own town, but well, we all have our quirks, right! And while I'd seen the Marvel Vans online and thought they were cool (of course), I didn't realize that...
How to find $1 movies for families, and spend the summer in air conditioned comfort
Today, where I am, it's expected hit 103 degrees. That kind of scorching heat makes the idea of taking the kids to a mid-day family-friendly movie in a nice, cold theater extremely appealing...and expensive. Right? Nope. With Regal's Summer Movie Express, you can see...
10 festive (but easy!) 4th of July crafts and activities for kids of all ages
The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, because you can easily make it a slow, relaxing, easy day with family and friends. No presents to exchange and no huge meal to cook. Just time together -- and the magic of fireworks through my kids' eyes. That said, that...
Angela Santomero’s tips for raising smart, inspired, and engaged kids in a screen-filled world | Spawned ep 116
Whatever age your kids may be, we know that managing screen time and finding the benefits (and boundaries) is a huge issue with parents. Like, a non-stop concern. So we're thrilled to chat with Angela Santomero, the successful creator of educational programs like...
How to join in the protests against family separation on June 30. Because #familiesbelongtogether
We're far from alone in our outrage and heartache about the thousands of kids torn from their parents at our borders without due process, thanks to the administration's new policy. Far from alone. And despite the Executive Order that the president signed indicating...
Can couples work together without killing each other? Try these tips, tricks, and a lot of humor | Spawned ep 115
Have you ever looked at those always happy husband-wife work teams and think, how the bleep do they do it? Well, now we know! This week on Spawned, we have an absolutely hilarious, engaging, mildly explicit (sorry, little ones) and truly informative conversation with...
9 adorable ideas for making a summer fairy garden for the kids
We hope some of these will inspire a little fairy garden magic for you!