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…
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...
How to help the victims of Hurricane Irma: 25+ orgs that need you now
Hurricane Irma caused such severe damage in the Caribbean that it destroyed 95% of the buildings on the island of Barbuda alone. Puerto Rico is still coping with major flooding and widespread power outages. The hurricane tore through the Florida Keys before slamming...
13 effective ways to support your school if you don’t have a ton of time or money
As a dedicated public school parent, two things have become abundantly clear to me over the years: 1) Schools are woefully underfunded and 2) Any school is as good as the commitment of the school community. I'll skip number one right now because seriously, don't get...
6 outrageous birthday party ideas for kids, when money is no object
When it comes to planning our kids' birthday parties, we tend to aim for the trifecta: cool, easy, inexpensive. Which is why I'm always in awe when I come across big budget, outrageous birthday party ideas for kids like the ones here. These are all popular packages,...
Giving kids a pedicure on the outside of their shoes.
Customizing your own clothes is on-trend for kids this fall and a great way to kids express themselves -- whether it's DIY customized denim jackets or color-your-own backpacks and bags. So it's going to be pretty fun for a lot of kids to discover these colorful,...
Smells like team spirit: 8 super fun ways kids can support their favorite team
If your kids are big sports fans like mine, with lots of seasons just getting started or already underway, they love finding fun ways to show off their team spirit. However, lots of schools are starting to ban team jerseys (for real), meaning kids have to get a little...
How to create the perfect kids’ workspace so it actually gets used.
You know, we joke a lot about how hard it is to convince our kids to do their homework, because — well, it usually is. But the truth is that we understand -- it's hard to do our own work when we're not in a workspace we love and look forward to visiting each day....
Beautiful wool basics for kids who are picky about fabrics
If you know the joys of merino wool -- the four-season wool that doesn't feel like wool at all -- or you have a kid with fabric sensitivities or discerning preferences but need something heavier than cotton, you'll definitely want to take a look at luvmother,...
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...
On having a 9/11 birthday
I still meet expectant moms from time to time who share, with trepidation, that their due date is somewhere around today and they’d prefer any other delivery date at all. So I tell them I understand. I tell them it’s my birthday. And then I tell them what my dad said...
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg baby bib: For when dissent means no peas, please.
As she was browsing the Doylestown Art Festival today (lucky!), Kristen sent me a photo of these Ruth Bader Ginsburg baby bibs -- or Ruth Baby Ginsburg bibs, as they're called by maker Becky Garcia Dirtsa Studio -- and I died right here and now. (Hyperbolically...
Her Right Foot: Why Dave Eggers has written the perfect picture book for our times
Back when I first discovered Dave Eggers, I never would have thought that he'd turn out to be one of the beloved children's authors on my kids' bookshelves. But he's certainly cemented that honor with the new Her Right Foot, an equally powerful and charming story...
One cool new safety feature every car should have
On a recent press trip to Michigan, I was invited by Chevrolet to drive a 2018 Chevy Traverse for the weekend, and discovered a very cool safety feature that I haven't stopped thinking about. In fact, now that I'm back to my regular minivan at home, I find myself...
Gorgeous essential oil jewelry that doesn’t look like it at all
Essential oils are everywhere, if you haven't noticed, and they're not going away anytime soon. At least if my Facebook feed is any indication. So why wouldn't essential oil jewelry be A Thing right now? I'm a big fan of peppermint oil to cure headaches along with a...
What parents need to know about Sarahah, the anonymous commenting app that makes cyberbullying a snap.
The number one concern we hear from parents when it comes to kids and their devices is online bullying. Which is why we think you're going to want to know about the new Sarahah app. This personal bulletin board app has blown up all around the world, with a whopping18...
These vintage Vogue illustration tattoos are the cat’s pyjamas.
It's September Issue season so what better time to check out the awesome Vintage Vogue Special Edition temporary tattoos from our friends at Tattly. The 1920's era tattoos are just gorgeous, and perfect for all those cutout dresses and rompers that you fashionistas...
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...