Spawned With Kristen And Liz Of Coolmompicks

At times, we've got eight kids between us (that we know of - ha), which can create some parenting challenges. Over the years, we've learned how to survive (and thrive), so we figured we'd share our tips, tricks, and advice that could help families of any size. We hope they help make life at little easier. And as always, we close out our our show with our Cool Picks of the Week. Thanks to this week's sponsor Tide, who wants to make sure you have the power needed to clean your families’ clothes. Make sure your detergent and dosage are the perfect match for your large laundry loads. And for the best clean, always follow dosing instructions on your detergent’s label. Visit our podcast page for links from this show, and be sure you're following us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlike other parenting milestones, like the sex talk and the drug talk, there's no precedent (yet) for having the tech talk with your kids, which is just a small part of the wild west that is digital parenting. On this episode of Spawned, we're sharing our own tips, tricks, and advice on what it means to be a tech-positive parent, and how we can mentor and empower our kids in this digital age. And as always, we close our show with our cool picks of the week. This week's sponsor is Zulily, where you can find amazing deals on tons of kid favorites. From toys to clothing, and pretty much everything in between, head over to Zulily to get your holiday shopping done. We love hearing from you! You can email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com, or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. And don't forget that all of the links we mention on our show, including our awesome sponsor, are available on our Cool Mom Picks podcast page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you feel like this holiday season came earlier this year, and the pressure is more pronounced, you're not imagining it. On this week's Spawned parenting podcast, we're (complaining) talking about the very real reasons this year feels more intense. BUT! It's okay! We've also got tons of expert tips for managing the 4 biggest stressors of the holiday season: Gifts, money, family, and external pressure. // Find all the links from today's show including our cool picks of the week on the Cool Mom Picks podcast page. // Extra thanks to our fantastic sponsors, FAMfriendly.com, which offers helpful resources for raising smart digital kids; as well as Ritual Vitamins, who is offering Spawned listeners 10% off your first 3-month subscription of their Essentials for Women multivitamin. // Thanks SO much for listening, and for and all your truly lovely (sniff), thoughtful (sniff), very kind reviews lately. You're the best! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Liz is joined by Suzy Chase, host of the #1 cookbook podcast, Cookery by the Book. Each week she talks to a different cookbook author to open our minds up to different cultures, experiences and ideas through our shared love of food. So today, we're talking about the best cookbooks for families right now, the hot trends in cooking, and some truly excellent tips to make feeding your kids easier. And can't we all use that? // Find show notes and links on the Cool Mom Picks podcast page and come chat with us in our Recipe Rescue Facebook Group! // Thanks so much for your lovely reviews - you can leave one right now in fact! Another way to help support us and keep us independent ;subscribe to the Spawned parenting podcast so you never miss an episode. You can do that right now too. TECHNOLOGY! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Spawned Parenting podcast, we're talking about a topic we all struggle with: Priorities. How do we make time for the things we love when are all just so busy? How do we fit family, relationships, friends, hobbies, passion projects and our own health and well-being into our lives? (Phew!) Liz + Kristen check in 9 months after our interview with Jake Knapp on making time for things you love, for a candid discussion about where we're succeeding, where we're failing, and what's helping. Or...not. // Show notes and related links on the Cool Mom Picks podcast page // Thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Candlewick Press and their new boxed set of Jon Klassen's hat trilogy. Your kids will love it! //Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and thanks for all of your kind 5-star reviews. Best. Listeners. Ever.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the recent news that Japan Airlines will soon be letting customers know where babies and kids will be sitting on the plane, it got us thinking about kids in restaurants. Will there be a kids-only sections soon? With Kristen's husband and Liz's ex both in the food industry, we decided to tackle this classic parenting topic and share why we think it's so important, and how you manage it. And as always, we close our show with our cool picks of the week. This week's sponsors: Kristen is loving her Plant Package, a super cool gift idea that delivers a mini-garden, with everything you need, right to your door. Use code COOLMOMS through this link for a free starter kit. And, be sure to subscribe to a new parenting podcast The Mother Load, with hosts Constance Zimmer and Missi Pyle. It's available on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to Spawned. Check our podcast page for all the links from our show! Follow us on social, we love hearing from you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho

The new parenting panic du jour: Kids and social media. TERRIFYING! But...wait. What if social media isn't really the problem some experts will tell you it is? What if parents are essentially just handing car keys to kids and being shocked that they don't know how to drive? There's so much more we can do! We think you'll love this episode, full of helpful tips and advice that go way, way beyond "don't send nudes." (Which, duh. Don't send nudes!) Whether your kids have their own Snapchat accounts or seem years away from phones of their own, we think this honest, non-alarmist, positive discussion can help us all raise the next generation of responsible,  thoughtful digital citizens. // Big thanks to our sponsors VSP Vision Plans and Ritual Vitamins (and their special discount for our listeners) for supporting what we do. // Find the show notes on the Cool Mom Picks podcast page, and join the discussion in the Spawned FB community. And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. 5-star reviews are al

Here's an obvious statement: Motherhood is hard. And often, we feel like we're doing a sh*t job at it. That's why I was so glad to chat with author Leslie Bruce about her new book "You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom." I just love her honest, hilarious take on motherhood that I think you'll enjoy hearing too. Our sponsor: VSP Individual Vision Plans allow you to give the gift of affordable eyecare. As someone who had a child with an undetected vision issue and no vision insurance, I would have loved this as a gift. You can find us on social media, and our website CoolMomPicks.com. Leave us a 5-star review and tell a friend about us.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're sharing a thoughtful, revealing and intimate chat between Liz and author/single mom advocate Rachel Sklar about the term "single mom" -- who gets to use it, why it's a loaded phrase, why there's a single mom heirarchy, and how race, age, and income are a factor in how single or solo parenting is perceived. Liz reveals some personal details she hasn't shared on the show before, and Rachel helps all of us rethink the complex and nuanced world of single parenthood.  // We are grateful to the support of this week's sponsors, BiOBUDDi eco-friendly building blocks (20% off through this link with code SPAWNED) and Ritual Vitamins (10% off your first 3 months through this link). // Full show notes on the Spawned podcast page or join the discussion in the Spawned Facebook community. // Thanks so much for listening, subscribing, telling friends (you are telling friends, right?) and all of your amazing five-star reviews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working motherhood has evolved since our kids were babies. How has it changed? How has it stayed the same? What can women do to make the transition back to work easier? We chat about all these questions and more with Amy Nelson, CEO of The Riveter and mom of 4 (including a newborn, who makes a cameo on our show). She shares her advice about asking for help, setting boundaries, and making time for yourself. And as always, we close out our show with our cool picks of the week. Our sponsors this week: Don't Wait Up, the new hilarious book about motherhood by Liz Astrof, available now wherever you buy books. And Osmo, a unique gaming accessory that brings healthy screen time to kids of all ages by combining both physical and digital interactions with play-based, hands-on learning. Try an Osmo Sampler for free! We love hearing from you! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or drop us an email: spawned@coolmompicks.com. You can find more links from our show on our podcast page on Cool Mom Picks.  

After Kristen spotted the pile-on that was Jessica Simpson's choice to let her oldest daughter dye her hair, we decided it was high time we chatted about sanctimommies. On this episode, we talk about how to deal with them, and how to quell your own inner beat. Hint: We all have one inside of us. And as always, we share our cool picks of the week. This week, we're thrilled to welcome back our sponsor Don't Wait Up, the new hilarious book by Liz Astrof, now available wherever you get books. Also, Ritual is back as a sponsor, and Liz is still taking them. We've got a special offer just for Spawned listeners too: 10% off your first three months when you order through this link. Thanks for supporting our sponsors! They help us bring our podcast to you each week for free. Yay! We love hearing from you. Hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Or drop us an email at spawned@coolmompicks.com. And be sure to visit our podcast page for all the links from our show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

This week we're talking about birthdays with older kids -- the preschool party-every-weekend madness is over, but new challenges begin! Like, "Can I get tickets to Hamilton, Mom?" (Answer: probably not.) Join us as we laugh and share some helpful tips for parents of tweens and teens, about gifts, parties, birthday traditions, saving money, social media birthday FOMO, and Liz's nightmare lemon poundcake story.  Shownotes: Cool Mom Picks podcast page. // Graciously brought to you by the hilarious Don't Wait Up by Liz Astrof, and by the Osmo learning toy, a Cool Mom Tech favorite. (This link gets you a free sampler!) // Questions or comments? Join our Spawned Listeners FB community. We're very friendly, promise! // Thanks for listening, subscribing and all your fabulous five-star reviews. You all rock. [insert rock sign hand emoji thingie here] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could you use a little more calm around the house? This episode of the Spawned Parenting Podcast, we're going to help you reduce conflict in your family (also known as screaming and yelling) thanks to tips from parenting mentor and author Sue Groner. We think you'll find a few surprises here, We sure did. And if you can make them work? Well then we'll be coming to your home for playdates. // This episode generously brought to you by TeenCounseling.com - Spawned listeners save 10% at TeenCounseling.com/coolmom // Show notes and links: Cool Mom Picks podcast page // Join our Spawned FB community to chat about today's episode...or any episode at all // And thanks so much for all your great feedback + 5-star reviews! They're a free, easy way to support us and make us feel all warm and tingly inside.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning your summer travel or looking ahead to your holiday vacation? We've got expert tips and tricks from Shellie Bailey-Shah, CEO of Kidtripster. Let's just say we had never heard most of the insights she shared with us. And they've already saved us money. This week's sponsor is Never Thought I'd Say This, a new hilarious parenting podcast from Jodie Sweetin and her BFF Celia Behar, a life coach. Each week they share the funny things their kids have said, chat with celebrities about parenting, and share helpful insights. Subscribe wherever you listen to Spawned. We love hearing from you! Be sure to head over to our Podcast Page to get all the links from our show. And follow us on social: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Thanks for subscribing and leaving us a 5-start review. Mwah!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're like us, then you're often confused by all the different research, reports, and news when it comes to feeding kids. More protein! Less protein! You get the idea. Well, our guest Nicole Turner Ravana, a nutritionist who's working with our sponsor Ready Pac Foods, has lots of great advice and insight into knowing who to trust, plus lots of great, practical tips too. And as always, we close out our show with our cool picks of the week. This week's sponsor is Ready Pac Foods Bistro Salads, a fresh, convenient on-the-go lunch option perfect for busy parents. You can find their class salads, along with creative combos, as well as their Ready Snax snack packs in the produce section of your supermarket, or learn more at readypac.com. Make sure to visit Cool Mom Picks for all the links we mention in the show. And be sure to follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've always said that if we weren't laughing about motherhood, we'd be crying. Hey, parenting is hard! And from what we learned from our chat with comedian and NPR host Ophira Eisenberg, we're not alone. So, ever wonder what it's like being on stage at 8 1/2 months pregnant? We can already think of all the pee-yourself jokes we'd make. Ha. We think you'll enjoy our conversation with Ophira as much as we did. And, as always, we share our cool picks of the week. You can find more about Ophira and where she'll be next on our podcast page, along with all the links from our show. Please follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. And don't miss our Spawned Facebook Group. We'd love to have you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're joined by Evangeline Lilly! And she is not just an Orc-defeating Tolkien elf and quantum realm-traveling Marvel superhero. She is also a super cool parent, and author of the fabulous new young series, the Squickerwonkers. Join us as we talk parenting, privacy, work-life balance, Scottish accents (hers is better than ours), our favorite children's authors, and what it means when your own kid thinks you're a (real) supeherro. This is such a fun episode, we could have talked all day...and almost did.  // See the show notes on our Cool Mom Picks podcast page // Questions/comments: Join the Spawned Facebook community // Thanks for listening and subscribing and all your kind reviews! -Kristen + Liz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Spawned Parenting Podcast, we're talking with Emmy-winning staff writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Jill Twiss, about finding humor when times are tough, and how humor can be a great tool for imparting important messages -- especially to kids. And that's what she did with her best-selling picture book, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo and in her brand new book for kids, The Someone New.  It's all about choosing kindness over fear when meeting people (or...snails) who are different from us -- and yes, it's funny! // An easy way to support Spawned is to subscribe right now and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. // Connect with us in the Spawned Podcast Community on Facebook so we can chat about this episode and more. // Thanks so much for listening! - Liz + Kristen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents love a tidy home, but that's a difficult task when kids are involved. On this episode of Spawned, we chat with organization expert Nikki Boyd, author of Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home, who is partnering with our sponsor Tide. She shares tips and tricks to help us think about safety as we tidy up. And, as usual, we share our cool picks of the week. Want to win a free consultation with Nikki? Head to our Instagram page, share a completed Tidy Home | Safe Home bing board in your story and tag her, and you'll be entered. Find all the links to our show on Cool Mom Picks! And be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest on the Spawned parenting podcast is Katherine Goldstein, award-winning journalist and host of the brilliant new podcast, The Double Shift. Ever since her viral New York Times article about anti-mom bias at work went viral, she's been investigating, writing about, and advocating for changes to make the workplace more mom-friendly. Because when parents get the support and resources we need -- at work and at home -- everyone wins. Whether you work out of home or not, this is a fantastic episode to help us all lose the mom guilt and help make change instead. Yes! // Show notes on the Cool Mom Picks podcast page, or join the Spawned parenting community on Facebook to discuss. // If you love what we do, please consider leaving us a positive review on Apple Podcasts. It really helps support us. And thanks! -Kristen + Liz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices