Spawned With Kristen And Liz Of Coolmompicks

Has intervening in your children's issues become the new parenting pastime? Kristen and Liz discuss when to step in, when not to, and why it's important for kids to fail. But first, we're laughing about our own family members who might possibly be bringing their own condiments to restaurants. (Sometimes it's like we're living in a Seinfeld episode!) Have you ever brought your own coffee or, you know...an entire kids' meal? Is there any time it's okay? Plus, we're sharing our cool picks of the week. If you have a question or comment for Liz and Kristen, we love getting your emails! Just write to spawned@coolmompicks.com. You can also tweet us at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and your favorite social medium of choice. And of course, you can check out coolmompicks.com where you'll find links to all the articles and topics we referenced today. Don't forget to subscribe to our feed so you don't miss an episode, and thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

Today Kristen and Liz weigh in on Kim Cattrall's recent statement that you don't have to have children to be a mother. Which....uh. Well, we have a few thoughts about that. Then, we take on "the last parenting taboo": Admitting you let your kids walk to school alone. Are kids really unsafe these days? Or is it really the parents who are unsafe from all the people out there calling 911 for no reason? We also share the world's most hilarious WARNING sign from a children's playground. And as always, we've got our cool picks of the week.  If you have a question for Liz and Kristen, a funny story, or you just want to say hi, we love getting your emails! Send them to spawned@coolmompicks.com. You can also find us on Twitter and other social media @coolmompicks, and use the hashtag #SpawnedShow. Also be sure to visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and references to everything you've heard hear today -- and subscribe to our feed so you never miss an episode. Thanks so much for joining us! Learn more about your ad ch

Today we're trying to navigate one of the many parenting mysteries: Kids and chores. Because, really, who doesn't love free labor. Though, if you're paying for them, is it really free after all? But first, we have a good laugh over Liz's address book, which is apparently full of names like "Sally GymasticsMom." We're not the only ones who can't remember anyone's name anymore, are we? And as always, we share our cool picks of the week.    If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, or just want to say hello (and we can say hello back, which we always do), find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also, make sure to visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to what you heard here today. And don't forget to subscribe to our feed so you don't miss an episode! So glad you joined us.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Kristen and Liz are laughing -- hard --  about the most embarrassing Google searches by state, and we share some of the (seriously, seriously weird) queries that have lead people to our own sites. Then we're talking after-school activities, clubs and teams: Are our kids overscheduled? Underscheduled? When do you let kids quit and when do you push? And who the heck are the saintly parents out there letting their kids play drums, so we can give you a medal? Plus, as always, we've got each of our cool picks of the week.   If you've got questions, comments, a topic idea or a funny story, we like hearing all of it! You can email Kristen and Liz at spawned@coolmompicks.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, and Instagram @coolmompicks using the hashtag #SpawnedShow. All of the show notes and links for the topics you heard us discussing in this episode can be found at coolmompicks.com  Thanks for joining us!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we answer a listener's question about how not to screw up your kids. We may or may not have given her the advice she was hoping for but hey, it's the truth! We also talk about NFL player James Harrison's controversial move to make his son give back a participation trophy he didn't think was "earned." Should he have done it? Should there even be participation trophies? And guess which trophy Liz really wants for her mantle? Plus be sure to stick around for our cool picks of the week. If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, or just want to say hi (and we can say hi back!), find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to the things you heard about here today. And don’t forget to subscribe to our feed so you don’t miss an episode. Thanks for joining us!  This episode of Spawned is brought to you by Amulet Books. Frank Einstein and the BrainTurbo is the t

Today we get feisty about the people protesting target’s removal of BOYS TOY signs from the store. Because without that sign, how would boys even know what to play with? But first, we try to figure out why there are so many of these weird holidays popping up. National Middle Child Day! More Herbs, Less Salt Day! How is this happening? And as always, we share our cool picks of the week, one of which is for a very worthy cause.    If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, or just want to say hi (and we can say hi back!), find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to the things you heard about here today. And don’t forget to subscribe to our feed so you don’t miss an episode. Thanks for joining us!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you need a break from all things children, lie back and get comfortable with this very special R-rated episode of Spawned. Today we discuss the Lenny Kravitz wardrobe malfunction, Kristen's Netflix (and Lenny Kravitz gif) addiction, and Liz plays the Binge Watching Matchmaker, to help fix Kristen up with the perfect series to binge watch after the kids are in bed. Also stick around for the funniest cool picks of the week yet. Well, Liz thinks so; Kristen is still a little embarrassed.   If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, or just want to say hi (and we can say hi back!), find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to the things you heard about here today. And don’t forget to subscribe to our feed so you don’t miss an episode. Thanks for joining us!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're talking about sending our girls off to sleepaway camp and by God, if it doesn't make you crave a cold pitcher of bug juice and a steamer trunk full of s'mores, we don't know what will. Then we rewind a bit to answer some listener letters about surviving the newborn years. Which you will! Actually, we're not sure if our walk down sleep-deprived, leaky-boobed, postpartum memory lane is helping, but we can assure you that yes, it does get better. Finally we've got our cool picks of the week complete with random bachelorette party gift references.    Do you have a topic idea, question, friendly comment or off-color joke? Tell us! Find us on Twitter and Facebook @coolmompicks with hashtag #SpawnedShow, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit CoolMomPicks.com for show notes and links to the topics you heard about here today. And don't forget to subscribe to our feed so you don't miss an episode! We are sponsored by Audible. Get a free audiobook and 30-day trial today by signing up at www.aud

You picked a fun day to join us! Today on SPAWNED, we’re talking about kids and media — when do you let your kids watch certain movies? Are you more concerned about sex or violence? Which classic kids' musical actually terrified us more than the Hunger Games? And who else thinks the Dark Crystal was totally creepy?    Also, Kristen regales us with online dating stories, and her list of Instant No’s. Some of which Liz definitely disagrees with. (Although we both agree that misuse of apostrophes is unforgivable, and Liz even had to Twitter-breakup with her celebrity crush over his grammar.) Finally, we’ve got each of our cool picks of the week.    Do you have a question for Kristen and Liz? A topic idea? A traumatizing movie moment to share? Tell us! Find us on Twitter @coolmompicks with hashtag #SpawnedShow, on Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to all the topics you heard about here today. And don’t forget to subscribe to ou

Thanks for joining us! In this episode, Liz shares sordid tales from her high school reunion, and some of the surprising benefits of turning 40. Then we take on the delicate topic of picky eaters, and break down 10 top tips that we've found from experts. (Some of which are like...what? We're not supposed to do that with our kids? Oops.) We debate whether we supposed to hide healthy foods in other foods, and whether serving your kid "Jedi Broccoli" lying or just necessary parental spin. Plus, we share each of our cool picks of the week that we think you'll love too. Do you have a question for Kristen and Liz? A topic idea? A funny story? What is the weirdest thing your kids won't eat? Tell us!  You can find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks with hashtag #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to all topics you heard about here today. And don’t forget to subscribe to our feed so you don’t miss an episode b

In a previous episode, Kristen mentioned putting on your grownup panties (metaphorically) as a parent, and now a reader wants to know about our recos for actual grownup panties. We may reveal too much here. Literally. Apologies. Also, are we the only ones who hate the word panties? And why do we keep talking about them? WE DON'T KNOW EITHER.   Then we talk about three-year-olds in nail salons and other signs that kids may be growing up too soon. Who are these grade schoolers getting cartilage piercings? Why is Dora the Explorer perfume a thing? Finally we've got our cool picks of the week, in which Kristen confesses  her crush on Rob Delaney. Can you blame her?   This episode of Spawned is sponsored by Little Passports. You can save 40% on their first month today with promo code SPAWN. Learn more at www.littlepassports.com/SPAWN   Panoply’s conducting a survey. Click here to fill it out: Panoply.fm/survey By filling it out you'll help Panoply make great podcasts about the thing you love, and things you didn't

Once again we get an explicit language warning, probably because we make a tampon joke. (Or four.) Today we're talking about summer birthdays, and how to get away with a total Type B Mom, non-Pinterest-y birthday. Then we're onto one of our biggest hot-button topics: Girl toys and boy toys. What's with the labels? Do "girl toys" require ovaries to make them work? Are maxi-pads involved? Why is Liz defending LEGO Friends? And does Kristen really carry around an inflatable soapbox? All will be revealed! Plus, we've got our cool picks of the week.   This episode of Spawned is sponsored by Little Passports. You can save 40% on their first month today with promo code SPAWN. Learn more at www.littlepassports.com/SPAWN   If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, or just want to say hi (and we can say hi back), you can find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to all

Today we're talking about email etiquette and some of our own pet peeves. NOTE: Please don't send us angry emails, Comic Sans fans. Or can you at least send them in Helvetica? We're also answering our first listener question from dad James, who's having some serious playdate problems. We've been there, so we discuss some helpful tips and funny anecdotes that we hope will help other parents too. Although when Kristen suggests we all need to put on our grownup panties from time to time, we need to clarify that we are not implying in any way that James currently wears or should, in the future, wear panties. But if he did we'd be cool with that. Just so you know. And as always, we're sharing each of our favorite cool picks of the week: One for the kids, one definitely not for the kids.    If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, a pick to suggest, or just want to say hi (and we can say hi back), you can find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email u

Today Kristen and Liz discuss the beginning of bathing suit season, and the egregious lack of skinny mirrors in the world. We also talk about family size (without a single Duggar reference, promise) and Kristen describes some of the most outrageous things that total strangers have said to her as a mom of four. Liz is actually still stunned about it. Plus, we share our favorite cool picks of the week that we think you’ll love too.   This episode of Spawned is sponsored by Little Passports. You can save 40% on their first month today with promo code SPAWN. Learn more at www.littlepassports.com/SPAWN   This episode of Spawned is also sponsored by Casper. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting www.casper.com/SPAWN, and using promo code SPAWN.   If you have a question for Kristen and Liz, or just want to say hi (and we can say hi back), you can find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks using #SpawnedShow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks

We're glad you found us! In this episode, we talk about parents trying to keep up with TV and movies, and Liz springs a pop culture pop quiz on Kristen, who is the best sport about it ever. We also discuss the new hot sport in America: Public shaming of parents on cell phones in the playground. (So fun!) Is there legitimacy to the complaints or is it overblown? Maybe a little of both? Plus we share each of our favorite Cool Picks of the Week that we hope you like too. Oh, and keep an ear out for lots of milkshake references and a random mention of postpartum mesh panties.    Do you have a question for Kristen and Liz? A topic idea? A funny story? Are you just feeling the need to talk to someone who can actually discuss R rated movies with you? You can find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks with hashtag #spawnedshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, on Instagram @coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to the topics you heard about here

Kristen and Liz welcome you to the premier episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz. (What are the chances that we are hosting a show with our own names in it? That worked out so well!) In this episode we talk about how we came up with the name Spawned, and why we decided not to go with The Cereal Podcast. We also discuss tips for managing your kids’ screen time—and maybe your own — and our idea for a 5 Judgy Things List that every parent is allowed to have. Plus we share each of our favorite Cool Picks of the Week that we hope you like too. And there may be a reference to the Grease lyrics that went over our heads when we were kids, if you listen closely.   Do you have a question for Kristen and Liz? A topic idea? A funny story? Are you just feeling the need to talk to someone whose food you do not have to cut on a regular basis? You can find us on Twitter at @coolmompicks, on Facebook at Facebook.com/coolmompicks, on Instagram @coolmompicks, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. Also visit coolmompicks.c

Hi, we're Liz Gumbinner and Kristen Chase of CoolMomPicks.com. We've got a microphone and more than the two minutes the Today Show gives us, and we're not afraid to use them. Join us for parenting culture discussions, non-judgy (mostly) tips, and humor, if we've had enough coffee.   "Spawned is the best podcast ever! I love Kristen and Liz. I even schedule my shoot days around the new episodes." - What Jennifer Garner might say if she ever listened to it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices