Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Have youth sports gotten out of control? | Spawned Episode 107
With 13-year olds getting recruited to play sports in college and a New Jersey lawmaker warning parents to not get physical at youth sports for fear of jail time, we had to tackle the topic of youth sports and whether they've gotten out of control. Not to mention,...
Should you quit Facebook? Spawned Episode 106
With the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal and Zuckerberg testifying, we're seeing lots of talk about Facebook privacy issues these days. Especially in our Facebook feeds. Very meta! From sticking around and tightening up your security settings to hitting the road...
Is it okay to say “autistic?” And other things people need to know about Autism | Ep 105
With World Autism Day fast approaching, for many of us who don't have children with Autism in our family, we might let this important day slip off our radar. However, given the number of children on the Spectrum, there's a good chance that even though your child might...
More coolness from recent weeks…
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!
A new middle grade page-turner that’s full of wonder and magic | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Linden Tree Press Fans of Lemony Snicket are going to love Casper and Jasper and the Terrible Tyrant, the witty, zany and thrilling new middle grade novel from author and former middle-school teacher, Tilia Klebenov Jacobs. And who...
Affordable earrings from BaubleBar’s Target collection are the perfect summer retail therapy
I’m usually a silver-hoops-only kind of gal, but I’m starting to reconsider my earring choices because of this gorgeous collection by SUGARFIX by BaubleBar at Target. After all, there has to be more to life than boring, shiny metal circles, right? Something to...
7 parent bloggers share their own immigrant and refugee stories, and they’re wonderful.
We talk a lot about how to create more kindness and empathy in our kids, when it comes to all sorts of people they encounter in their lives. But top of mind right now for so many of us, are immigrants. I feel so grateful that my kids are growing up Brooklyn where we...
I Really DO Care. Do U? Then, great! Here’s a shirt for you.
Well, that was fast! It hasn't been six hours since Melania Trump was photographed wearing a Zara bomber jacket with the questionable message, I Really Don't Care. Do U? on her way (of all things) to meet migrant children who have been detained and separated from...
7 amazing swimwear brands that honor women’s diverse bodies
I am so grateful to find these 7 swimwear brands that respect and honor the diversity of women's bodies. Because for me, the post-baby swimwear hunt felt a bit like jumping off an Olympic-height diving board -- into a pool of g-strings and plunging necklines. For so...
Cool backyard lighting ideas, because it’s really time to toss those tiki torches
Hey you! Yes you, hanging out in the backyard in the dark. Let's talk cool backyard lighting. Because isn’t it hard to see what you’re eating when the only light you have is the moon and the flickering light of your iPhone? (By the way, you couldn’t see it but a fly...
9 cool black swimsuits for girls who just can’t with the pink.
I love black swimsuits -- for me. But it never crossed my mind that one day my own daughter would refuse to wear much else (sigh). So, black swimsuits for my teen it is! Despite how many adorable bright stripes, fun florals, and poppy tie-dye patterns are out there...
This Father’s Day feels different. Can you commit to doing one small thing to help?
Father's Day is a joyful day. We love honoring all the outstanding dads, stepdads, and granddads in our lives in all the wonderful ways we can. But this year feels different. With the world's attention trained on the families being torn apart at our borders as a...
Sleepaway camp: The pros, the cons, and the tears (mostly ours)| Spawned Episode 114
With summer pretty much here, that means Liz and I are about to say good-bye to a few of our kids as they head off to summer camp, some close by, and one well, to Japan! We get asked all the time about sleepaway camp, from wanting to know how to decide when a kid is...
Ready to try camping with kids? Here are 8 camping essentials you need, and how to get them affordably
If you're considering becoming a first-time camper (and more power to you!) you're probably wondering exactly where to start. I'm here to help! You're probably not going to find me back-country camping off the Appalachian Trail any time soon, but I do thoroughly enjoy...
How Wellements baby remedies help make life easier for parents | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Wellements Parenting is hard enough already, which is why the parents behind Wellements remedies and supplements wanted to make life easier for all parents doing the best for their kids every day. That's why their products are all...
9 silly, sweet, and sentimental new children’s books about dads for Father’s Day | Gift Guide 2018
This year, as always, our team has found some incredible Father's Day gift ideas for every type of dad. But, as a total book nerd, I love the idea of giving Dad a children's book that celebrates dads too. Of course, it's equally for the kids as for their father, but...
9 free, fun Father’s Day printables, for the easiest gift giving ever | Father’s Day Guide 2018
If you haven't found that perfect Father's Day gift yet, don't worry. You can still get tons of the amazing Father's Day gift ideas in our Father's Day gift guide, so there's that. But! You can also download these free, fun Father's Day printables we found, for some...
18 funny Father’s Day cards on Etsy to make Dad laugh as much as he does at his own jokes (maybe)
Soon we'll all be celebrating Father’s Day and you know what that means: dad jokes! And...our annual roundup of funny Father's Day cards So I've tracked down this year's crop of funny Father’s Day cards on Etsy that will maybe help you beat dad at his own dad joke...
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...