Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
The best advice for new parents: 29 essential, honest, supportive tips from some of the smartest parents we know
There's no shortage of people who claim to have the best advice for new parents. The hospital janitor. The cashier at Target. Your mother-in-law. Someone else's mother-in-law who you've never even met. Caring for a newborn is already overwhelming, but when you add in...
What’s it really like to be a solo parent (and what other parents can learn from them)
If you've ever wondered what it was like to be a solo parent (or a single married parent, as they're sometimes called), you're in luck! Both Kristen and our special guest co-host Courtney Greisman have been there, and share their honest experiences about...
A look at the brand new curvy Barbie: Will you buy her? | Thinking: Parent
Well, after oh, only sixty years or so of women complaining about Barbie's unrealistic figure, Mattel has decided to get with the 21st century zeitgeist and the changing look of the world, today releasing Barbies with three brand new body shapes -- curvy, tall and...
More coolness from recent weeks…
5 sleepaway camp postcard sets that are cool enough for cynical kids.
Since old fashioned pen to paper is usually the required form of communication at camps, cool sleepaway camp postcards make it easy! They keep writing short and sweet, don't require envelopes, and if you give your kid a set all stamped and ready to go, the odds are in...
All about that babe: 7 of the most outrageous kids’ amenities at hotels and resorts
Sometimes it's the little things that make your vacation really special ... and sometimes it's the huge splurges you'll remember forever. If that's what you're looking for on your next vacation, check out these five luxury resorts and hotels with some incredibly...
This board book about breastfeeding wins baby shower gift of the year!
Graphic artists Tupera Tupera are known for pushing boundaries with their cheeky, irreverent books. I mean, have you seen their Japanese-language book about poop for kids? Well, their newest board book is a winner too, though it might be moms who are more interested...
Raising curious kids: Expert tips from Brains On host Molly Bloom | Spawned ep 80
This week, we are talking about the importance of curious kids -- how to raise them, how to keep them that way. And there's no better person to join us for this chat and answer our questions than Molly Bloom of Brains On, the popular science podcast from Minnesota...
Paint it forward: How to turn rocks into random acts of kindness
Kids like rocks. Kids like painting. Kids like giving gifts. So it's pretty brilliant for Creativity for Kids/Faber-Castell to come out with the brand new Hide & Seek Rock Painting Kit which brings all three together. Admittedly on first glance I was like, okay,...
The travel toy box that solves every parent’s travel toy nightmares
Traveling with kids is never (ahem) easy, although we do have some pro-tips that make road trips or air travel a little easier on parents. But one of the easiest ways to keep the kids happier while they're stuck in a seat is to give them access to their toys. Right?...
The 90s are calling. They want you to wear these handbags.
Holy 90s redux! The Rugrats, one of my favorite all-time cartoons is back in the form of fabulous handbags, t-shirts, backpacks, hats and pet accessories. But wait! It's not just Rugrats! It's more like an entire 1993 Nicktoons marathon collided with Boxlunch and the...
14 cool, creative summer camp care package ideas for your happy campers
If your kids are headed to sleepaway camp -- or already there -- you're probably already planning out a great summer care package, filled with items your kids will love, to help ease the anxiety, keep them busy during quiet hours, help them make friends, or just make...
The new personalized books for kids that make the best birthday gifts
We discovered the cool parent-run company that creates personalized Lost My Name books for kids nearly four years ago, and became instant fans. From the gorgeous art to the compelling story, and the clever customization that makes every single book different, they...
Great fireworks photo tips to help make those shots Instagram-worthy
If you're heading out to catch some fireworks on July 4, or any time this summer, check out Cool Mom Tech where we've got 10 photo tips for shooting fireworks, to keep you from coming home with a bunch of blurry blips in your camera roll. Whether you're shooting with...
What does being American mean to you? We love these artists’ answers.
In honor of the Fourth of July (happy 241, America!) I'm grateful to our friends at Tattly Tattoos who put together this lovely photographic series, in which they asked all different makers, creators, and entrepreneurs to describe what it means to them to be...
The best white t-shirts for women, from a white t-shirt junkie. (Psst…lots on sale if you hurry!)
One of the most frequent questions I've gotten from Spawned listeners is: what is the best white t-shirt for women? Well, hey! I'm the perfect, super opinionated person to answer that question because white t-shirts are a staple for me year round; over skirts, over...
The Hamilton Instrumentals: Now YOU (or your kids) can star in the musical
If your kids are as obsessed with the The Hamilton Musical as mine are, then they probably know pretty much all the lyrics to every single song. And, you probably do, too. Well now, you can see how well they do thanks to the release of The Hamilton Instrumentals. ...
The sweet kids beach poncho that multitasks in a big way
The thrill of watching a joyful toddler play in the ocean is almost enough to outweigh the pain-in-the-neck routine of swim diapers and sunscreen and sand and coverups. Not to mention the wagon full of towels, toys and other gear. But I just checked out a press sample...
Unicorn Vans in big kid sizes! Join us in freaking out.
My girls have been eying those unicorn Vans forever (because who isn't obsessed with unicorns right now?) but they've only been available in baby sizes. Until now. That's right, they're available in big kid sizes, and you know I'm snatching up a pair before they sell...
Tea Collection summer clothes go on sale, parents rejoice!
Several times a year, I stalk my inbox for notifications about the seasonal Tea Collection sales. And now, right in time for summer (and my kids' outgrowing everything, sigh), here it is again! With nice prices on their Australian-inspired summer collection, and more....
The life-changing magic of tidying up, now as a manga graphic novel. For real.
I'd be willing to bet money that you've probably heard about Marie Kondo's uber best-selling book The life-changing magic of tidying up, aka The Konmari Method. But now, the author has launched a new version of her book to make it even more appealing to read. That's...
12 fun, creative 4th of July crafts for older kids who have outgrown fingerpainting.
We've seen so many 4th of July crafts over the years, and admittedly, my own bag of craft tricks for the kids can use some freshening up. So I've scoured the web and tracked down some really creative (and relatively easy) 4th of July crafts for kids who have outgrown...
Here’s why you may now need a passport to fly domestically, and how it impacts family travel.
If you're a parent in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (sorry, Kristen!), South Carolina or Washington State, a simple family trip to visit the grandparents is about to get trickier. And a lot more expensive. All thanks to the REAL...
Our honest review of Function of Beauty custom shampoo and conditioner | Damn You, Social Media Ads
We're so glad you've all been loving our Damn You, Social Media Ads review series, in which we purchase products from those ads flooding our social feeds, then test them out just for you. Today, we've got the honest scoop on Function of Beauty custom haircare...
Fun July 4th party must-haves because hey, you only turn 241 once.
Do you like July 4th parties? I like July 4th parties. I mean, what's not to like? Sparklers, hot dogs, watermelon, friends -- and I don't have to wrap any gifts! If you're planning on hosting a shindig -- or just bringing something to a July 4th potluck -- I've found...