Spawned With Kristen And Liz Of Coolmompicks

Today Kristen and Liz are talking holiday shopping, the hell that is Black Friday (unless you shop from home in PJs like we do), the apps that save you money, and some of our very favorite gift ideas for kids of all ages. Basically, it's like an entire cool picks of the week episode. Fun! We're so glad you joined us today! Remember to subscribe to our feed so you never miss any episode. And if you have comments, questions, or a holiday gift conundrum, email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com, or catch us on Twitter or Facebook @CoolMomPicks using hashtag #SpawnedShow. We love answering gift questions -- even the hard ones.   This episode is sponsored by Little Passports. SPAWNED listeners can save 40% on their first month today with promo code SPAWNED. Learn more at www.littlepassports.com/SPAWNED. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Okay so yeah. The Starbucks red cup controversy. We just couldn't help but weigh in on whether we approve of Satan's own minimalist design. Then Kristen and Liz talk about raising kids in a world that's so obsessed with beauty and image. How do we talk to them about makeup, retouching school photos, Instagram trickery, self-esteem and other tough questions? Plus, we've got two very cool, and very different, cool picks of the week Thanks so much for listening to Spawned! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can find all the links we reference today on coolmompicks.com, and if you have any questions, comments, or your own tips about talking to kids about beauty, you can email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com or find us @coolmompicks on Twitter with the hashtag #SpawnedShow. We're glad you joined us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've had so many emails from our awesome listeners on topics from helicopter parenting to our musical tastes (and lots in between!), we thought we'd take them on one by one in our first ever very special Spawned Listener Day episode. Whoo! Plus, we've got a special surprise with this week's Cool Picks of the week. And if you've got a question for us, email us spawned@coolmompicks.com and maybe we'll answer it on the show. You can find us on Twitter @coolmompicks.com with the hashtag #SpawnedShow, on Facebook, and on our site CoolMomPicks.com. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whoo, we're legal! Well, actually we're 21 weeks but that's legal in podcasting years, so Kristen and Liz have a very funny discussion about what we were actually drinking at 21, versus now. (Uh, Kristen is mixing vodka with WHAT?) Then we have a little...okay, let's call it a vent session about Pinterest Syndrome. What's great about all those recipes and DIY photos and what makes us crazy. Because we can't be the only ones who look at some 32-ingredient "easy" Thanksgiving stuffing recipe and think, are you freaking kidding me? Plus, we share each of our cool picks of the week. You'll find all of the show notes and links for this episode of Spawned at bit.ly/SpawnedCMP. Don't forget to subscribe to our feed so you never miss an episode! And if you have a question, comment, or an awesome drink recipe to share, email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com, or find us on Twitter using hashtag #spawnedshow. Thanks for sharing our 21st birthday with us! We raise a glass to you. This week's episode was sponsored by Amulet

Kristen and Liz talk thank you note etiquette because wow, our Facebook fans have strong feelings about this one! Are we all doing it wrong? Will a text message thank you or an email blacklist you from parties forever? And what's with those weird thank you notes for baby gifts "from the baby?" We're also confessing all our Halloween candy sins that we hope our kids never discover. And as always, we've got our cool picks of the week, including one of the funniest yet. Especially if you like seventh grade humor. Which we absolutely do. We sure to subscribe to Spawned so you don't miss an episode! And if you've got a comment, a question, or you're just feeling a little lonely today and want to say hi, we'd love to hear from you: Tweet Kristen + Liz @coolmompicks using hashtag #spawnedshow, find us on Facebook, or email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com. We'll even write you back. Pinky swear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After one of you awesome iTunes subscribers mentioned you'd have Liz and Kristen at your famous person dinner (aw!), Liz and Kristen discuss who would be at their own famous person dinner... well, beyond Kristen's request for a table of hot guys. Then we tackle getting your kids started on email. Wow, so many things you might not have thought about that we bet you'll appreciate hearing, whether your kids are email-age or not. And hey, if you've got a question for Liz and Kristen, a funny story, or you just want to say hello, we love getting your emails (or letters, as Liz still likes to call them). Send them to spawned@coolmompicks.com. Catch us on Twitter at @coolmompicks, and use the hashtag #SpawnedShow. Also be sure to visit coolmompicks.com for show notes and links to everything we discussed today -- and subscribe to our feed so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So let's talk about kids and cursing. Kristen has some interesting rules at home that really surprised Liz! Actually, we talk about parents and cursing too -- what do you say around your kids? What do they say around you? What do they say when they think you're not listening, and how do we talk about it with them? Is a more lax media to blame? What's the surprise benefit of cursing that we recently learned from research? Plus, we talk about me-time and how moms definitely need more of it. Especially compared with Denmark. (Anyone want to move to Copenhagen with us?) And of course, we've got each our cool picks of the week. (psst...you might want to listen to the very end.) You can find all the links we mentioned in today's show on coolmompicks.com And if you've got questions, comments, hilarious knock-knock jokes, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at spawned@coolmompicks.com, tweet us using #SpawnedShow @coolmompicks, or find us on Facebook. And don't forget to subscribe to our show on iTunes so you don't

Here's hoping Emily Post doesn't roll over in her grave after hearing Liz and Kristen's discussion about kids and manners. What should kids know? How do you decide what to teach your kids? Also, Kristen and Liz talk about Halloween costumes for kids and why they seem to have gotten so sexy, or as Liz's daughters call them, sassy. And as always, we share our cool picks of the week. Catch up on all the links from our show over at coolmompicks.com, and don't forget to subscribe to Spawned on iTunes so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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