Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse: Essential tips for parents from James Breakwell | Spawned ep 86
You know, on Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we've covered a lot of important info to help our listeners navigate this crazy parenting thing: Bullying, picky eaters, playdate hell, political unrest, mental health, the eye-rolling tween phase...you name it. But one...
That’s inappropriate, Mom: When to let kids watch R-rated movies | Spawned ep 85
One of the great things about our kids getting older is the ability to watch movies and shows that we actually want to see too. (No offense, Bubble Guppies.) But it's also tough to figure out what they're emotionally ready for, what's over their heads, and what scenes...
Ignoring your kids: Surprise! It makes you a good parent | Spawned Ep 84
When we became parents, no one told us...ha, okay, scratch that. Everyone told us that there'd be terrible twos, terrible threes, terrible tweens (oy) and all sorts of tantrums and difficult behaviors to manage. Experts to the rescue! This week on Spawned with Kristen...
More coolness from recent weeks…
What Olympic sport is competing which day? This website has the answer!
Let's be honest, the Olympics coverage is a mess. (And you know I'm a total Olympics-watching geek if you have been following our Instagram Stories on Cool Mom Picks!) Live events aren't live -- unless they are. The medal ceremonies seem almost non-existent. And while...
Make a lost tooth sweeter with these 9 creative Tooth Fairy traditions.
You may actually look forward to the next loose tooth with these sweet picks!
We tried out the 3 top DNA testing kits. Here’s how they compare.
Ever since my sister mentioned that she found an Austrian princess in our family tree, I've become a bit of a genealogy buff. I've spent some time building out our family tree on Ancestry.com and it turns out, my daughter can apply for a Daughters of the American...
Download these free printable Wonder activity sheets and help choose kind
We're all huge fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder and the 2017 Wonder movie that the book inspired. Fans as in, we all sobbed into our popcorn bowls and loved every minute. So I was psyched to discover these free printable Wonder-themed activity sheets (PDF) that bring the...
7 hot toy trends from Toy Fair 2018
This is a sponsored post on behalf of these brands showing at 2018 Toy Fair We always look forward to attending the annual Toy Fair in New York, when the hottest of the hot toy trends for each year are revealed to us all. The big event kicks off this year on February...
Valentine’s Day as a parent. It’s…different.
However you celebrate today, moms and dads, you deserve it! Lots of love, Liz, Kristen + the Cool Mom team.
Meet the new children’s book from Maisy author Lucy Cousins | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Candlewick Press It's here, it's here! Splish, Splash, Ducky has hit the stands, ready to mesmerize your little ones with interactive prose and friendly drawings from New York Times best-selling author Lucy Cousins. Fans of Lucy...
7 tricks to create more positive thinking in your life | Spawned ep 102
While I'm not at all someone who believes that positive thinking cures all ills, brings all joys, and sends millions of dollars pouring into your bank account (as I said pretty clearly on our recent episode of Spawned), I do understand that positive thinking does have...
At a time we need more feel-good stories, you should see what this hospital is doing for kids with special needs. | sponsored message
This is a sponsored message from St. Mary's Kids At a time that we are all looking for the helpers, and trying to find goodness in the world, St. Mary's Kids is providing it daily for thousands of kids. And while some children's hospitals may be better known or get...
Chinese Year of the Dog baby gifts: These adorable doggie-themed baby gifts are best in show.
If you happen to be anticipating a new baby this year -- whether your own or a friend's -- you're in luck. Because February 16 marks the of Chinese New Year and the official start of the Year of the Dog, which means you can celebrate babies and puppies, two of our...
6 exquisite children’s books about women African American singers and songwriters. May they inspire children to lift every voice and sing!
It's Black History Month and hopefully you and your children are spending time learning and celebrating our nation's Black inventors and innovators, activists and leaders. There are just so many wonderful children's books about African American pioneers that inspire...
Let Keith Haring make your kids into the next Keith Haring
Considering this cold weather in the northeast shows no signs of going anywhere (keep it to yourselves, SoCal friends!) I continue to collect collecting plenty of indoor activities to keep the kids busy. We've loved OMY's giant coloring posters for a while now, and...
9 life lessons from Melissa McCarthy that all moms can relate to.
In the upcoming Life of the Party, premiering May 11, my sister from another mister, Melissa McCarthy, plays a mom who goes back to college after getting dumped by her husband. But when she lands at the same school where her daughter is a freshman, she pretty much...
The modern inflatable pools that make you actually want an inflatable pool.
Inflatable pool floats have certainly got a hipster makeover over the past few years. So why not inflatable pools? Aha! Chicago designer Emily Vaca has created a line of Minnidip Inflatable Pools for that very reason. She stayed away from the traditional rainbow...
14 sexy at-home date-night ideas for parents…after the kids have gone to bed
More often than not, our romantic date nights take place at home, with the baby monitor set up and Netflix turned down low so it doesn't wake the kids. Our budget (or the kids' schedules or 100 other things) often keeps us home, and when it comes to Valentine's Day,...
The best crowdsourced ideas for making a guest room feel more welcoming
If you're wondering just what to put in a guest room to make your guests feel more welcome, I can help! Whether you're lucky enough to have an entire room dedicated to guests, or you're just trying to figure out how to turn your kids' bedroom into a welcoming guest...
Let’s drool over TOMS new spring shoes together, if you’re ready to toss your boots out the window too.
It's been a long, cold, snowy -- did I mention cold? -- winter for lots of us and yeah. I'm done with that. So just perusing out the collection of new TOMS spring shoes is giving me joy. Like proof that I only have to bide a few more weeks until the crocuses start...
Stop everything and watch the teaser trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story. A worthwhile use of 82 seconds of your time.
If you're not a Star Wars fan, I'm telling you right now, just move along. Skip this post. Keep your cynicism to yourself. Because for me, and the vast majority of our staff who's also obsessed with the greatest movie franchise of all time, behold! The new Solo: A...
8 Fun Olympics crafts to get kids excited about the winter games.
I'm a total geek for the Olympics, which means I'm a total geek for Olympic crafts for kids every two years. Sitting with my kids, watching the pageantry of the opening ceremonies featuring athletes from countries all over the world, is always such a thrill. I hope...
What are your legal rights as a working parent? Resources and info you need. | Spawned Ep 101
Did you hear the one about the pregnant woman who wasn't allowed to drink a glass of water on the job? If only this were an isolated story. That's why, for all of us working moms, working dads, and working moms-to-be, we're lucky to have someone like Dina Bakst...
This Black Panther collection gives back in a big way. So you can support Wakanda and America all at once.
Marvel's Black Panther hits the big screen on Friday, February 16 and my family is so excited to see it, especially after the wildly positive early reviews, we've joined other fans to help the superhero film hit record-breaking ticket presales. Yeah. We basically...