Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
What the hell is a backpack fairy? The back to school episode. | Spawned episode 47
This week on Spawned with Kristen + Liz we're talking back to school! It's awesome! And yet...it's exhausting! Take a listen as we commiserate, laugh, offer helpful tips, and gawk at the most insane first day of school traditions that we found on Pinterest. (The...
The magic art of tidying twice a year: Spawned Episode 46
If you've already watched all the Rio Olympics replays and you need a little entertainment, here's our newest Spawned episode. On this episode on Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we tackle the topic of life with mess. How do you deal with your kids' messy rooms? What do...
Controversy over little girls and bikinis, and the new summer camp debate | Spawned episodes 44 + 45
If you've already binge-watched the entirety of OITNB and you're looking for a little entertainment, we've got you covered with two episodes of Spawned! And yes, that's kind of a pun. On the recent episode of Spawned with Kristen + Liz, we're discussing our post about...
More coolness from recent weeks…
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...
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...