Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
The great screen time debate. Where do the experts really stand? | Spawned Ep 98
If there's anything that parents can never seem to agree on, it's screen time, so we decided to figure out why this topic is so polarizing on this week's episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz. And, who better to give us some firm, research-based answers than Anya...
Are video games hurting our kids? Believe it or not…no. | Spawned 97
Parents have so many questions and concerns about kids and video games. Are they hurting our kids? Are violent games making kids more violent? Are they playing too much? Are certain games worse than others? How do we manage the time kids spend playing games -- and...
Liz and Kristen’s favorite holiday gift ideas from our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide
We have to admit that picking favorite gift ideas from our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide is sort of like picking a favorite kid; it was really hard to do! But, we somehow managed, and we had a lot of fun doing it. Whether you're smack in the middle of your holiday shopping...
More coolness from recent weeks…
This illustrator makes the most perfect Mother’s Day gifts for strong moms.
With Mother's Day around the corner (whoo!) I've been looking at Mother's Day gifts my own strong, progressive mom would love -- and frankly, that I'd love from my own kids. Not that I don't adore the handmade cards and hand-painted jewelry boxes most of all, but...
Why this innovative baby bed could be an exhausted parent’s life saver
My son basically lived in an Ergobaby carrier for the first 6 months of his life, especially during the daytime. While he slept decently at night, he totally refused to go down in his big crib during the day (hence the Ergobaby). So as we start thinking about having a...
8 simple ways to make parents’ crazy weeknights a whole lot more enjoyable.
If your weeknights are anything like mine, it can feel like weathering a hurricane just to make it to your kids' bedtime every night. Between homework, activities, and pleas for screen time, it's easy to start feeling like your weeknights are just the gauntlet to get...
A fresh bouquet of free printable spring coloring pages from a favorite children’s book illustrator
If spring's taking its sweet time to arrive in your part of the country, these charming free printable spring coloring pages from children's book illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg may help perk things up. Because if the pastels haven't arrived outside, hey, let the...
You obviously need a boat-sized rainbow unicorn pool float this summer. And now, they’re back in stock!
As you're going about making your family's summer plans, you're probably thinking to yourself: "Self, you know what this summer really needs? A giant pool float that looks like a rainbow unicorn and can easily fit six people." What, you don't talk to yourself that...
Porgicorns = Porgs + Unicorns. Because, of course!
We've seen purrmaids. We've seen caticorns. So of course the next logical magical creature hybrid would be a porg unicorn, right? Friends: Meet the porgicorn. The brainchild of mega Star Wars fan cum designer who goes by Leiawars at her Etsy shop, the adorable...
Something that will actually get our kids excited to take a shower? Yes, please!
Let's talk about our kids' hygiene for a second, mmkay? Because all four of my kids still prefer baths over showers, and it's kind of driving me crazy; four long consecutive children's bubble baths are simply not practical every night. So when I saw the new wild,...
5 surprising health benefits of standing desks that you might not know
If you're like lots of Americans, including us, you spend a whole lot of time sitting at a desk during your work day. (Hey, we're busy!) And while many people have heard of standing desks, when you start to check out all the health and wellness benefits they offer,...
Sales! Sales Sales! Here’s what to buy your kids right now because, ZOMG.
Just a friendly public service announcement here that OMG, you guys (that's like my favorite expression, don't judge) right now is the time to load up on kids' snow gear on sale for next year. I was actually shopping around for some good deals on rain boots and spring...
7 wonderful benefits of STEM for kids. It’s not just about coding!
Brought to you by our amazing sponsor, Play-Well TEKnologies, which has offered LEGO-inspired STEM camps for kids for the past twenty years. Wow. More than 100,000 kids each year have benefited from their terrific summer program -- maybe yours will be one of them this...
A thorough comparison of the 6 top online consignment and resale shops: Who will give you the most for that NWT handbag?
Who here has wanted to consign or resale clothes but just didn't know which service was the best, who would make it easiest, or even where to start? The Real Real? Vestiaire? Poshmark? Tradesy? threadUp? I don't know either! But it's time. Soon after reading...
The craft kit that’ll make you nostalgic for your misspent youth
If you’re like me, this DIY Pin & Flair Kit from Yellow Owl Workshop will transport you back to the carefree days of your youth. That is, the good parts, not the parts with the retainer and the bad hair. Because the pins are made with Shrinky Dinks! (Or at least...
Ayesha Curry designed your kids’ new favorite dishes to do great things for kids in need, too.
I already thought Ayesha Curry was one cool mom. Now it's doubly confirmed, since seeing the latest from the wonderful company she co-founded, Cheeky Kids. CMP is an rstyle affiliate. Starting this week at Target (online and in stores), you'll find a super cute...
These 11 free Easter printables will make your egg hunt happier, your brunch table prettier, your hair shinier. (Well, the first two for sure.)
My family loves coloring eggs, egg hunts, Easter baskets, and brunch — so do I! — but I wouldn't be sad if doing all that was about 50% easier. That's where free Easter printables can be a huge help. Anything that can eliminate another trip to the store, cut down on...
Rifle Paper x Keds = Our new sneaker must-haves for spring and summer.
In our recent post on spring fashion trends, the good, the bad, and the OMGWTF, one trend we did give a thumbs-up to are big floral patterns -- provided you know how to wear them and they don't overwhelm your wardrobe. Well ,hooray for the new partnership between...
This Disney/Pixar bracket is the only March Madness we may win
Forget March Madness -- we found a bracket for every family to invest some time in. It's the Disney/Pixar bracket. And it's a lot harder than you might think. Related: 9 fantastic girl-power movies for kids, streaming right now Twitter user @yeeitsanthonyy posted the...
40 things parents can REALLY do while the baby sleeps. (No, not sleep.)
How many times have you heard this: Sleep when the baby sleeps. Oh man, did I want to throttle everyone who gave me that TOTALLY SMART BUT UNATTAINABLE ADVICE when my kids were newborns. Mostly because I was tired. But also because there's just so much to do when...
4 ginormous inflatable sprinklers that will make you desperate for summer
For years now, there's been a big demand for summer-ready inflatables: unicorn floats, inflatable pools, even party-size floats for all your friends. And there's a new trend coming to a yard near you: Giant inflatable sprinklers, perfect for a summer party in the...
6 printables that make Easter egg decorating more fun, from Porgs to superheroes to the cutest bunnies ever.
If dyeing Easter eggs and decorating them in other crafty ways don't figure into your plans this year, here's something that might: Easter egg printables. Just print them out, pop them on eggs, and add some paint or marker faces to decorate your eggs. That's it! And...
5 versatile spring dresses for girls, with tips for dressing them up for Easter.
I'm all about finding versatile spring dresses for my girls, even when it comes to Easter dresses. Spending a ton of money on frilly, crinoline-lined dresses for Easter when my girls are unlikely to ever wear them again isn't really my thing. (Mama would much rather...
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...