Support the National Parks Foundation with these cool Camelbak water bottles

by Kristen Chase | Food + Recipes, Doing Good, Family Travel

A new water bottle is one of our back to school staples, and we’ve always been big Camelbak fans in my house. So how cool that they’ve teamed up with the National Parks for this new collection of water bottles that actually give back when you buy them....

The lunch box napkins that can help kids make new friends

by Kate Etue | Living

I’m not even ready to think about back-to-school season yet, but it’s coming — and sooner than later for parents like me in the south! While I’ve never been the type of parent who attempts to learn Bento arts or making a panda bear rice ball...

Lisa Frank adult coloring books! Because who can’t use more rainbows?

by Caroline Siegrist | Books for Adults

When I was a kid, one of the most exciting things about going back to school was getting to pick out a new Lisa Frank notebook. What would it be this year? A unicorn with wings and a flowing, rainbow mane? A dolphin family swimming in an exotic cove while a neon pink...

Fun emoji gifts: For kids or kids at heart.

by Kristen Chase | Uncategorized

Based on what you’d see in pretty much every text message on my phone right now, it’s clear that emojis aren’t just for kids. Yes, I might have even used one in an email the other day. I know I’m not alone in the grown-up emoji-lover camp,...

5 brilliant hacks for easier mornings with kids, from a mom of 4 who knows what she’s talking about.

by Liz Gumbinner | Tips + Tricks

Today on the TODAY Show, our own Kristen, co-publisher, editor, and single mom of four extraordinaire shared some of her best tips for making mornings easier with kids, staying organized, and getting her kids to help out more around the house.  I will tell you I get...

Letting kids fight their own battles: Should parents intervene?

by Cool Mom Team | Spawned Podcast

Do you let your kids handle their own battles, or do you step in to help? Or, gulp, do you fight the battles for them? On this week’s episode of SPAWNED with Kristen and Liz tackle this pretty sticky parenting question and offer some solid approaches for how to...

18 of the coolest ankle boots for fall: The best deals and the big splurges.

by Kate Etue | Fashion

Fall is my favorite time of the year, because boots! Also coffee and pumpkin spice and back to school, but cool boots are way up there. Right now I’m thinking about ankle boots, because it’s really still too warm to be wearing anything taller than that....

Cool printable chore charts to motivate kids of all ages to clean up. Even your toddlers.

by PJ Feinstein | DIY, Tips + Tricks

Have your kids been slacking on their daily chores lately? Or really, have you been slacking on enforcing them? First, give yourself a break; summer just unofficially ended. Second, I’ve got help for you: Download one of these cool printable chore charts for...

How to make your own photo-real gifts and gear: One cool trend you can totally DIY easily.

by Kate Etue | DIY

You may not have heard the term “photo-real,” before — I hadn’t — but you’ve most likely seen this trend all over boutiques, fashion spreads, and your kids’ own gear, since it’s been growing steadily for the past few...

13 outrageously cool sneakers for kids not satisfied with the same old same old.

by Liz Gumbinner | Kid Style

If your kids are like mine, and want to express their personality through cool kids’ sneakers, you’re in luck. That’s pretty much what’s on the shelves these days, and they’re not just the so-called fashion brands. Even the big athletic...