Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Friendships after kids: Smart tips and resources for making new mom (and dad) friends | Spawned Episode 30
Making new friends as adults is hard enough as it is, but it can be especially challenging when you have kids. And it's not just making new friends, but also maintaining those old ones too. I know first-hand that when you've already gone all those life changes that...
Decluttering tips from 5 top organization experts: Which is best for you? | Spawned Episode 29
I fully admit that home organization is the bane of my existence. If you're a hard-core reader of this site or a listener of the Spawned podcast then you know that while Kristen is an avid purger, I'm what I like to think of, fondly, as a Nostalgic Hoarder. It's like...
19 cool Rey Star Wars toys and gifts: She might not be in Monopoly, but she sure is here. | Spawned episode 28
We've been super frustrated with the lack of Star Wars toys for kids featuring Rey. Not just because she's a woman, and all of our kids -- male and female -- love her, but uh...she's the hero. How the heck do you make a Star Wars Monopoly set or a Star Wars 6-piece...
More coolness from recent weeks…
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...
Bandages to heal kids’ emotional boo-boos: Helicopter-y or helpful? | Thinking: Parent
This post is written by guest contributor Anna Caudill, Executive Director of PALS (Post Adoptive Learning Services) and adoptive mom of two. Recently, Dutch bandage company Hanasplast created a limited time box of Hearts bandages designed to "heal emotional wounds."...
How to wear stars this summer. Stripes, optional.
If you've ever bought that awesome American flag t-shirt for July 4th only to feel like it's kind of passé on July 5th, I just found the perfect fashion solution in these totally fab new star-adorned Lily flip-flops from TKEES spotted at ShopBop. They come in three...
Do you know where your kids are? This new device could help. | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Jiobit Keeping track of your kids just got a whole lot easier thanks to Jiobit, a location tracker designed to help give parents peace of mind. Don't miss the special offer for Cool Mom Picks readers, below. The Jiobit works with a...
Who was John Newbery? This children’s book makes finding out so fun.
We've shared so many children's books over the years that bring history's most wonderful real-life heroes to life for kids. From specific heroes like Frederick Douglas (whom a few adults need to read more about too, ahem) and Josephine Baker; to pioneers of space and...
4 of the most gorgeous baby bassinets you’d keep in the bedroom, even when the baby has moved on.
Since my husband and I sleep with our 3-month-old in our bedroom, I wanted to share some of the more gorgeous baby bassinets I've come across as a new mom. Because I know I don't want to look at swirls of neon plastic every time I lay my exhausted head down on my...
The new Crayola nail polish by Sally Hansen: Sorry kids, these are just for us.
As parents, we're familiar with colorful crayon masterpieces pinned to our walls and, let's be honest, on our walls. But on our nails? Shut the front door. Sally Hansen has teamed up with Crayola to launch Crayola Insta-Dri Nail Polish in 12 of their crayon shades. So...
The Beyond Tablet: Is this cool new screen-free gaming system worth the price?
When my kids get bored over the summer, their go-to entertainment, other than the Xbox (of course), is board games. So when we got a chance to try out the new Beyond Tablet -- an electronic, but screen-free, tabletop gaming system -- in advance of its release, we were...