More coolness from recent weeks…
How to DIY some of the most popular superhero capes on Etsy
We first spotted Lovelane Designs' amazing superhero capes on Etsy a few years ago and became instantly obsessed. In fact, we've featured them in more than one gift guide for kids over the years. That said, the quality and handmade design makes them spendy. So we're...
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...
Mermaid Vans: Because fins don’t work well in fall.
A quick trip to the mall and of course I find myself in the Vans store, at which point I might have squealed upon discovering these new mermaid Vans. How cool are they?! They're actually being billed as "snakeskin" but add the rose gold and well, I see mermaid tail....
Baby gear obsessed? The gorgeous fall DockATot designs are like works of art.
Not knowing what kind of sleeping arrangements you'll encounter when you're on vacation is one of the hardest parts of taking a trip with a toddler. Will the hotel have a crib? Will it be disgusting? Will your toddler "sleep" between you and your partner all night...
7 new favorite beauty products that maximize the ones you already own.
After getting a whole lot of products chosen for me this past Saturday from some pros, I culled it down to seven of my favorite beauty products to share that I'm still using today. (As in, years later. Hi! this is Liz from the future, updating this post.) You can find...
7 reasons girls should see the new LEGO NINJAGO movie | Thinking : Parent
As a fan of the original LEGO Movie and LEGO Batman, I admit I was a little skeptical about the new LEGO NINJAGO Movie. I wasn't very familiar with the NINJAGO franchise and wasn't sure if my 10-year-old daughter would be that into an action film featuring LEGO...
How to talk to kids about tragedy and natural disaster: Helpful tips and resources.
This has been a brutal month with consecutive natural disasters, many right in the contiguous US or close to home, and our hearts are so heavy. There's Hurricane Harvey's devastation in Texas, Hurricane Irma pounding Florida and the Virgin Islands, and now Hurricane...
Make a pledge to register voters in honor of National Voter Registration Day
As much as I love the many "National" days and weeks that help us celebrate everything from women's history to coffee, I think my all time favorite day is National Voter Registration Day. Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in September -- that's September 26th...
An edgy diaper bag alternative for dads not down with the diaper bag thing.
I really like the collection of Brooklyn Backpacks with laptop sleeve from California indie biz, Rareform They're made from upcycled billboards (yay, eco-friendly!) with typography and graphics that give them an edgy look and feel, and ensuring no two are the same....
Hot trend: 15 hipster cat accessories and school supplies
Aren't cats the original hipsters? They sleep late, live on their own terms, and only pretend that you don't care what you think about them. But unlike real cats (and some real hipsters), they're a lot lower maintenance when they come into your home in the form of...
A new all-ages Star Wars comic book gives you a quick fix before Last Jedi
The moment The Force Awakens movie introduced me to Rey, I wanted to know more. Who was this young brave scavenger? Where was her family? What is in that green portion bread she's eating? Luckily for fans like me, there's a new Star Wars Adventures comic to shed more...
Adidas puke-proof shoes: Forget Oktoberfest, they’re made for parents!
When Adidas released their new limited-edition beer-resistant, puke-proof shoes, they had Oktoberfest in mind. Sure, the famous German festival can be slippery and sloshy and generally pretty disgusting, but you know what? So is everyday parenting. Adidas? No need to...
Should your kids be playing tackle football? 6 things that happened when this mom said no. | Thinking Parent
Crisp mornings and fall weekends mean one thing here in the South: football. After school we see the kids out on the field practicing, and neighbors are making plans to tailgate. And while my husband played football through middle and high school (and even declined...
You have to see these 60 Broadway musicals recreated with LEGO minifigs!
When I came across Broadway Bricks, a site for which 15-year-old Jack Abrams geniusly recreates the great Broadway Musicals using LEGO minifigs, I simply can't believe I hadn't seen it before. I immediately sent the link to my daughter, because she has a...
The 5 must-have maternity wardrobe staples to keep you stylish all fall and winter
As excited as I was to get pregnant last summer, I seriously lamented the fact that I'd be wearing maternity clothes into the very fashion-centric fall season. Bye bye, September issue. Except that when I really started digging, I discovered some amazing maternity...
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...