12 excellent children’s books to start conversations about prejudice and discrimination.

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids, Doing Good

While I’ve seen such a beautiful swell of love, support and compassion for all kinds of people all over my social media through the years, I’ve also talked to lots of moms who are wondering how to talk to kids about prejudice, racism, antisemitism,...

This giant Connect Four game that’s taken over suburban lawns this summer is on sale

by Cool Mom Picks Deals Team | Toys + Playthings

If you’re looking for a fun new outdoor toy for summer, we have plenty of backyard swings and water toys to check out. And now there’s one more: This giant Connect Four game (technically, “Four in a Row Connect Game”) that’s been spotted...

Help kids be the change they want to see in the world with these 7 terrific children’s books about activism

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

We have written often about raising activist kids and what we can do to encourage them to get involved with whatever cause inspires them. One of the first place we turn are books, and in this case, wonderful children’s books about activism. With the looming...

Kids, social media, and mental health: Devorah Heitner on what we’re getting wrong and how to fix it

by Liz Gumbinner | Spawned Podcast

This episode is a must-listen for all parents of kids who have smartphones, especially if you’re worried about the impact of social media on mental health. And isn’t that all of us, these days? Dr. Devorah Heitner a renowned author and expert on kids and...

Answering teens’ (brutally honest!) questions about college admissions | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Liz Gumbinner | Spawned Podcast

For our final podcast in our Insider Guide to the College Application Process, I thought we’d do things a little differently.  This week, we gathered questions that teens themselves gave us about college admissions and applications — and I’m joined...

The best summer camp care package ideas for tweens and teens: A comprehensive list from a mom who’s been sending them for 10 years

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks

There is a certain joy in putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens each year. It’s not just loading them up with stuff so I can make sure they remember me (ha), it’s that a summer camp care package can provide them with some...

How do I know if a college will provide a safe environment for me? | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Cool Mom Team | Kids

Next up in our Insider’s Guide to College Admissions podcast series, a question we’ve been getting more and more from both parents and prospective students: How to know whether a college environment will be a safe place for you physically, mentally and...

The Definitive Guide to Gen Z Slang: Written by actual teens who think all the other guides to Gen Z slang are mid.

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks

When we asked our readers about your favorite Gen Z slang words, the second most popular answer was low-key. But that’s only because the first most popular answer was what the heck are you talking about? So I reached out to my teens and their friends to put...

A grade-by-grade guide to college admissions: What to do when (and why not to panic) | An Insider Guide to College Admissions

by Liz Gumbinner | Spawned Podcast

I’m so happy to be back with Alyse Levine, one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country, to continue our Insider Guide to the College Application Process. This week, we took a cue from you, our readers and listeners, who wrote in to ask what you...

These are the 5 most meaningful gifts for teachers, according to a longtime educator

by Becca Reed | Gift Guides, Tips + Tricks

We’re happy to welcome Becca Reed to share her choices for 5 meaningful gifts for teachers as the school year draws to a close.  Close your eyes and think about the people in your life who helped shape you for the better. Those who sparked a belief or curiosity...