Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
A fun interview with Anne Holton, wife of Tim Kaine, about parenting, politics + funny tweets | Spawned ep 50
This week on Spawned with Kristen + Liz, it's our golden anniversary, and we're extraordinarily thrilled to be joined by an incredibly special guest, Anne Holton, wife of Senator Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for Vice President. But wow, Anne is a powerhouse...
The worst TV shows for kids with Wendi Aarons | Spawned episode 49
On this week's episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we're chatting with humorist and writer Wendi Aarons about one of the most popular posts she wrote on Cool Mom Picks: The 9 worst television shows for kids. Wow, did people have a lot to say about this post. Is...
Hey sexist Olympic journalists: We’re watching you. | Spawned episode 48
This week on Spawned with Kristen + Liz, we're talking about the rampant sexist media coverage of the Rio Olympics -- and beyond -- and why, as parents, it particularly bugs us and needs addressing. Take a listen as we discuss the craziest headlines, the ridiculous...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Immigrants: We Get the Job Done
Here's what I'm listening to today. How about you? Immigrants: We Get The Job Done: The Hamilton Mixtapes by K'naan featuring Residente, Riz MC & Snow Tha Product And here's what I'm reading: -Read what business leaders say about DACA. -Read how DACA significantly...
In defense of class moms: Would it be so hard to, you know, just say thanks once in awhile?
We are always so grateful to those class moms (and dads, of course -- let's get more of you!) who volunteer their valuable free time to do what's often a thankless job. So with school in full swing for most of us, or just getting ready to kick off (hey, NY friends!)...
The most brilliant small space solution for kids and homework
This week, I got the most amazing tip for small space organization when it comes to kids, desk space (or lack thereof) and organization, thanks to professional organizer Laurie Palau of Simply B Organized, host of This Organized Life podcast, and author of the...
Women Who Dared blocks are the feminist baby gift we’ve been waiting for.
The accomplishments of women build on one other. We couldn't have a female presidential candidate today, for instance, if suffragettes like Elizabeth Stanton hadn't demanded the right to vote, and pioneers like Shirley Chisholm hadn't broken that first presidential...
The brand-new, must-have activity book for your family road trips
One of my kids' favorite go-to activities for road trips on holiday weekends are sticker activity books. Because it's hard to argue with good old-fashioned fun. They're simple and affordable -- and they keep my kids busy for a good hour or so. I've actually bought...
The unicorn donut teether is the It Baby gift of the year
Don't you love when your favorite trends meld together into one perfect item? In this particular case, we're talking unicorns and donuts. So of course someone had to go ahead and create a must-have baby item in this new unicorn donut teether. From Loulou Lollipop,...
Cool skull school supplies for our edgy kids | Back to School Guide 2017
In our most recent back to school shopping guide post, we focused on the 23 of the cutest animal school supplies featuring kawaii creatures of all kind. And wow, they are cute! But for some of our kids, it takes a skull (crossbones optional) on their school supplies...
Great ideas for sweet after-school treats that go easy on the sugar. (Sorry cookies!)
When my kids were younger, after-school snacks served largely as a reward for making it through the school day. Now that they are a bit older, what they eat after school and before their after-school activities provides necessary fuel to keep them going strong through...
How to create a capsule wardrobe for kids. Even kids obsessed with their clothes.
I am happy to admit it: Marie Kondo is my guru. I love the concepts of capsule wardrobes, minimalist decor and paring down the clutter in my life overall. There is very little in my home that stresses me out more than piles of stuff -- which is why I have done my...
8 incredibly cool ways to customize your denim jacket and make it your own
One of the fun things about getting old -- ahem, I mean being a parent -- is seeing the trends we loved as kids reemerge on our own kids. Case in point: DIY customized denim jackets. Not only are they on trend this fall for back-to-school wear, they're a great way for...
Cartwheel by Target just made saving money even easier. Whoo!
This is a message on behalf of our partner Target If you're a Target shopper, you're probably a fan of the Cartwheel app like we are, because hey, we like saving money. Especially on stuff we were going to buy anyway. (At least that's what we tell ourselves as...
11 wonderful kids’ t-shirts that promote a love of learning and the importance of education. Yes!
We are enamored of those tees for our kids featuring superheroes, pop culture references, rock bands, and sports teams. And they love them. In part because they know that we love that stuff, and they're pleasing us to show their allegiance to The Justice League or...
4 times (so far) journalists have been the lifesaving heroes of the Hurricane Harvey flooding.
When tragedy strikes, we always try to follow Mr. Roger's timeless advice to look for the helpers. And as Hurricane Harvey continues to batter Houston, we've all been so moved by the efforts of the National Guard, volunteers, emergency services crews, and regular...
Hiding in the Bathroom: Tips for coping with a 24/7 world | Spawned ep 82 with guest Morra Aarons Mele
We've got an incredible Spawned podcast episode this week that we think so many of you will find helpful. We're chatting with the incomparable author and strategist Morra Aarons-Mele, founder of Women and Work and author of the brand new Hiding in the Bathroom: An...
How to help the Houston flood victims: 20+ orgs that need you now
We are always encouraged that when tragedy strikes, like Hurricane Harvey in the Houston-Galveston area right now, so many people come together to ask, how can I help? Since making landfall on Friday, Hurricane Harvey has already dropped more than 24 inches of rain in...
5 super fun bento box ideas that are as easy to make as they are to eat.
We love a fun bento box as much as the next person, but has anyone else noticed that most playful school lunch ideas require a PhD in arts and crafts? So cute, but who has the time -- or, um, ability? While we admittedly attempt more ambitious school lunches for...
Rise Shine #Woke: How this hip hop album will get kids kids moving. And thinking.
If you're a fan of Old School Hip Hop, when rappers used poetry backed by slick beats to get socially conscious messages out to the world, then you'll want to get the latest album by Oakland based kindie hip-hop group Alphabet Rockers for your own kids. Featuring...
6 kids’ back-to-school essentials to get at the J.Crew Factory sale right this second
Like you, I'm a fan of sales. I'm also a fan of of J.Crew -- especially for kids' clothing, because it's always the perfect blend of well-made and "I wonder if they have that in my size." So when I saw that everything on the J.Crew Factory site is on sale, at this...
Awesome socks that pay homage (or is it toe-mage?) to pioneers of STEM and art.
Our friends at Chatty Feet have done it again, updating their killer collection of artist and pop culture socks for kids and adults. I'm such a fan, I'm currently wearing Andy Sock-hole right now -- but only because Feetaso is in the hamper. Yay for their intro to...
6 times celebrity moms clapped back at mommy shamers, and we all said hell yeah! | Thinking: Parent
I've only been a mom for five months, but it's long enough to know that mommy shaming is a very real thing. Whether it's the sidelong stare from a stranger while you breastfeed in public or the loaded question, Oh, your baby doesn't eat 1000% organic, cold pressed...
Calling all artistic kids! This cool shop lets you design and sell your own custom plush toys
We're big fans of Budsies, custom dolls based on your kids' own artwork. My kids' own drawings were lovingly interpreted into adorable stuffed animals by their team a few years ago, and they're still favorites around our house. So when we heard Budsies was launching a...