Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Turning kids into readers: 3 simple tips from LeVar Burton to help your kids get excited about books
As avid readers ourselves, it's probably no surprise we try to get our kids excited about reading every chance we get. But, some kids are harder than others (funny how that works), and finding creative ways to motivate less eager readers can be tough. And that's where...
The Gift of Failure: 3 tips from Jessica Lahey to help you raise more self-reliant kids
With the prevalence of helicopter parenting these days, it's no surprise we're seeing kids becoming much more dependent than independent -- and let's face it, we're seeing more really tired parents. But it can be challenging for parents who are used to doing so much...
Sex after pregnancy: 5 tips from Rosie Pope to help you get back in the saddle again
Sex after pregnancy isn't exactly the hottest topic ever, because when you've just had a baby, well, it's probably the last thing on your mind. But, it's definitely important for a relationship, and one that a lot of parents have a lot of questions about. So, on this...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Exquisite gifts that give back from a shop you need to bookmark, stat.
I mean wow! One bowl is made of woven grass. One bracelet is crafted from a parachute cord. And there’s so much more! These gifts are truly unique.
If you’re going to believe in unicorns, pick this one.
There's a lot of chatter going around that things just haven't been right with the world since Prince and David Bowie left it. I'm kind of in agreement. So I'm all for bringing them back in any way possible -- like this totally rad "Carry Me Home" Bowie and Prince...
Eliminating food dyes from your kids snacks? Start with these 3.
When it comes to treats and candy for our kids, we've always take a pretty common sense "everything in moderation" approach around here. Hey, we love candy! What's a trip to the movie theater, a birthday party, or a special occasion lunchbox treat without some sweet...
New play kits for kids make playing doctor a respectable endeavor
These are medical pretend-play kits designed by professionals… for kids!
Summer ice activities. They’re so hot right now.
During these dog days of summer, when there's really no other word to describe the heat but "blergh," we parents have to think way beyond the sprinklers and water balloons that we've been relying on to keep our kids cool (and occupied). It's time to seriously up the...
In memory of the 11 year old who died at summer camp from meningitis this week
"Were your kids vaccinated for meningitis?" my father asked as I picked up the phone tonight. He's always asking me questions like this after seeing something or other in the news or on Facebook. He's a good Grandpa that way. "Sure," I said with some relief. "Our...
Made in America shirts with the ultimate made in America story.
While it isn't realistic that every article of clothing we all own is made in America, I'm always thrilled to share ones that are. And I just discovered a company called Bridge & Boro that's getting ready to design and manufacture gorgeous some new premium US-made...
8 must-read summer reading books for tweens and teens who want to stay woke. That’s a good thing.
Lately, as my kids are getting older and the world has gotten (ahem) a little crazier, my 10- and 12-year-old have been questioning what's going on. I chat with them about my own observations and beliefs...and ask them about theirs. But one thing that helps us both...
Scaring your friends: The best part of summer!
If you thought Michael Phelps racing a great white was the summer's biggest shark-in-a-pool news, that's because you haven't seen this hot water accessory yet. Yes. It's a wearable shark fin. We know our own aquaphiles will get themselves into a frenzy the second they...
The 10 most read fiction books on Amazon this week: Are they worth adding to cart?
Beach reads are one of the greatest things about summer -- whether or not you actually make it to the a beach. To help you find your next great literary escape, I checked out the top 10 most-read books on Amazon this week a new list they've started publishing. It's...
4 great websites and videos that teach kids how to tie knots. Road trip entertainment, check!
One of the items on my son's bucket list this summer is to learn to tie a bowline, a half-hitch, and a square knot...with his eyes closed. They are requirements for his scouting program, but have easily become at-home entertainment for the whole family. They're...
Oh, please please tell us they’ll come out with one for adults.
Since unicorns show no sign of going away -- nor would we want them to -- I couldn't wait to share the most adorable baby gift ever: The soft, cuddly new unicorn hooded bath towel from Pottery Barn Kids. I saw it at a recent press event for all the new goodies coming...
4 stylish summer diaper bags to make schlepping your crap bit more glam
Now that my son is 4 months old, I'm craving a diaper bag that's a little more stylish and summery than the workhorse tote I hauled around when he was a newborn. Because now that he's screaming slightly less often -- or at more regular intervals, anyway -- I've been...
11 of the coolest emoji accessories for back to school. Or any time of year!
If your kids are like ours, they still can't get enough of emojis and emoji accessories, whether on their smartphone cases, their notebooks, or their name labels. Insert praise hands emoji here. With World Emoji Day coming up (it's July 17!), and back to school season...
Cards Against Humanity for Her: The most absorbent pack…ever!
What do we girls do after we've fixed our men their martinis, fetched them their slippers, and they retire with the paper to catch up on those boring old things like economics and geopolitical conflict ? Why, we play Cards Against Humanity...for Her. Of course. The...
Tips for getting a better night’s sleep: 8 tips you may not have tried.
What no one tells you about becoming a parent is the total and complete lack of sleep you'll suffer. Sure, we all know it's rough when they're new babies. But, spoiler alert: It lasts way beyond the infant years. We know moms who can't fall asleep because they're...
Come on, rap me Amadeus: Mozart meets hiphop for kids!
As long time fans of funky kindie artist and now Grammy winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, we knew that their latest 5-song EP Mozartistic would be cool even before we listened to it. And... it is. As you might have guessed, the album blends the classical Mozart with hip...
A new baby swaddler that completely reinvents the baby swaddler. Whoa!
Is there really anything new in baby swaddlers. Not much, generally. Mostly variations on fabrics and Velcro positioning. But as a new mom myself, I am flipping out over the Kepi Kozy Support Swaddle and Dock. You heard that right: It's got a dock. This swaddler...
Plus, you get to hum the Jaws theme while you push it.
Yes, it's a few weeks until Shark Week, a much-awaited tradition around these parts, but I couldn't wait to share this awesome shark stroller that one of our eagle-eyed staffers spotted around Brooklyn this week. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the...
The best Amazon Prime Day deals that don’t look like leftovers from your grandmother’s yard sale
It's Prime Day! Which means those of us savvy shoppers are kind of glued to our screens today, checking in just to see if there are any amazing deals on stuff we would be buying anyway. That being the operative phrase. Whether it's kitchen goods, art supplies for the...
Cool crafts you probably never knew you could do with pool noodles.
When researching our post about the coolest water activities for your yard, I noticed something pretty awesome: pool noodles are the hot crafting supply of the season. Maybe it's because they're only $1 each (or less) at dollar stores, or because their versatile...