Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Helpful tips for flying with kids from been-there-done-that moms who survived. Mostly.
With spring break here or coming up for lots of us, and summer vacations around the corner (whoo!), we know so many families will be hitting the skies -- some of you for the very first time with kids in tow. So, as a couple of been-there-done-that moms who've flown...
Earmuffs! Or, how to talk to your kids about politics during an ugly election season
I've always aimed to raise my kids to be politically aware and engaged, and to help them understand how valuable their voting rights are and how important it is to become an informed voter. Ever since they were toddlers, I've taken them into the election booth with...
Are you oversharenting? 5 questions to consider before you share photos of your kids on social media
Not a week goes by where we don't get some question related to social media and kids. It's definitely something on most parents' minds these days, and a debate that can get, well, pretty heated. And we get it, no one wants to be judged about their parenting choices....
More coolness from recent weeks…
Scratch n’ sniff tees for kids! That probably smell better than our actual kids!
Australian brand Cotton:On Kids makes some really cool kids' clothes, and they may have just outdone themselves with a new line of 100% cotton scratch n' sniff tees, PJs, and accessories like a fun popsicle pencil case and jelly bags that all have this 70s child...
Get out the scissors! Check out these 7 sets of cool, modern, free printable paper dolls, from Wonder Woman to Hamilton
We're big fans of free printable paper dolls and find ourselves downloading them all the time for our kids. But while vintage Betsy McCall paper dolls from our childhood still hold a nostalgic place in our hearts, our older kids are often drawn to more modern paper...
Forget history. Here’s HERstory, and it’s going to change your kid’s world.
Coming across the Modern HERstory book fundraising effort from Equality for HER founder Blair Imani's Twitter feed this week, I was immediately like YES YES YES! Related: Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls is back, more inspiring than ever This doesn't look to be your...
Bouncie: The simple, powerful device that’s keeping families safer on the road.
If you're like most parents (us included!) you spend a whole lot of your time in your car. Whether it's shuttling the kids to and from school, activities, sports, and playdates, running errands, or just hitting the road on the weekends. And when you've got a teenager...
What’s new about the new AAP car seat guidelines that parents need to know.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wants to be as clear as can be on the safest way to buckle up your kids in the car. They just released new car seat guidelines for 2017 with very specific age and weight requirements and the folks at Healthy Child have...
Oh just a Blink-182 drum and a Chance the Rapper dirt bike for auction to support St. Jude’s
Usually, the amazing feeling you get when you donate to a cause you care about is enough reason to do it. But if that cause you care about just happens to be hosting an auction featuring items like signed instruments and band memorabilia, well — don't mind if we do!...
6 literary totes to help you with your book nerd cred.
As a new mom to a 4-month-old boy, I look at my rare lounge chair time to lie back and crack a novel a rare indulgence -- and necessary sanity-saver. Happily, I've found some of the very coolest literary tote bags for all the readers and avowed book nerds out there...
26 of the coolest unicorn school supplies that bring magic to the day | Back to School Guide 2017
It would hardly be 2017 -- or heck, the 21st century as a whole -- without a look at the coolest unicorn school supplies as part of our annual back to school shopping guide. Because if there's one theme our kids show no sign of getting tired of, it's got to be...
Coach’s space-themed bags and wallets are out of this world. (Yeah, we said it.)
As if we weren't legitimately excited enough already about the total solar eclipse on August 21, the limited edition Coach Space collection has us over the moon — so to speak. Because now we have an excuse to buy some of the coolest space-themed bags and accessories...
How good are the $3 beauty products from Brandless? An honest review.
I like to keep things simple when it comes to shopping for beauty products, but I have to admit that it's far from easy. I want high-quality, conscientious beauty products and I want them inexpensive. (A big ask, right?) That's why I was intrigued to order a few items...
New backpacks that make us glad our kids need new backpacks.
The effortlessly cool backpacks and lunchboxes from SoYoung have been topping our lists of favorite back-to-school gear for years. And now our favorite durable, long-lasting, raw linen backpacks and lunch packs have gotten even cooler (yes, it is possible) because...
How you can do your back-to-school shopping affordably, while helping kids in need.
We love when big brands put energy toward doing good, especially when it positively impacts the lives of children. That's why we're so pleased to be teaming up with JCPenney, to help spread the word about their wonderful new Pair Up program and just in time for...
A simple way to help refugee children feel a little more confident on their first day of school in the U.S.
I can't imagine adjusting to a new school and a new country at the same time, but that's a challenge many refugee children will be facing this back-to-school season. Which is why I loved learning that the Tiyya Foundation is organizing a Backpacks for Refugees...
The perfect LBD…for your toddler
Kate just turned me onto the very cool online boutique Will and Ivey, and poking around their sale section, I instantly fell in love with this super chic toddler swing dress. On sale, no less! It's everything I always loved about dresses for my girls when they were...
Here’s what happened when I took a solo road trip with my 4 kids. Spoiler: It was awesome!
As my kids get older and my status as single mom changing with the blending of my family with my fiancé and his pug (Hi Audrey!), I decided I wanted to start a new yearly tradition: a solo road trip, just me and my kids. Alone. Gulp. This year, I had my...
Easy solar eclipse party ideas for a once-in-a-lifetime bash. Literally.
We are totally geeking out over the solar eclipse that's crossing the United States on April 8., 2024 In fact, we think it's the perfect excuse to throw a solar eclipse party! If your kids aren't in school yet or will be home in time for the afternoon event, check out...
23 of the coolest space-themed school supplies | Back-to-school shopping guide 2017
Looking at all the space-themed school supplies and cool gear we're this year, we were thinking...wow, we could do a whole post on this! So, that's just what we did. In fact for this year's annual back-to-school shopping guide we decided to devote each post to a...
US means all of us
I was so happy to come across the beautiful US means all of us message, which started as a grassroots campaign from Selman Design to help attack ignorance and fear, especially about the Muslim-American community, while promoting equality and respect for all Americans....
7 fun, not-so-prickly cactus crafts for kids that will endure in any climate.
This summer we're borrowing a page from the Southwest with gorgeous, totally fun cactus crafts for kids. If you ask me, it's one of the most DIY-able plant inspirations out there and kids seem to love them. So I've rounded up 7 of the coolest cactus crafts for kids to...
New on Netflix for families in August: Top picks from cute kids’ cartoons to kitschy 80s classics to Sing! (Whoo!)
If your family is like mine, summer nights are more often Netflix and chill (like, actually chilling, not a euphemism) than theater and $7 snacks. So, I thought I'd look ahead to the next month and round up what's new on Netflix for families in August so we can map...
Grab this Golden Snitch fidget spinner now! No Nimbus 2000 required.
Attention muggles: we've just discovered the fidget spinner of your Harry Potter-loving kids' dreams.They will love taking pretend-play to the next level with this totally on-trend Golden Snitch fidget spinner. UPDATE: This shop no longer seems to exist. We've found...