Free Kindle books for World Book Day! Don’t mind if we do.
If you're looking to add some new books to your summer reading list, you'll want to head over to Amazon right now and download the 9 free Kindle books they're offering today in honor of World Book Day. But hurry, you've got about 30 hours (and counting to do it). The...
New study says increased screen time linked to ADHD in preschoolers
If you tend to stick to hard and fast time-limited screen time rules with your preschooler, it might actually be a good thing. According to a recent study at the University of Alberta, kids by the age of 5 who spent two hours or more looking at a screen each day were...
Obé gives you studio fitness classes, right on your phone
I recently fell off the Orange Theory Fitness wagon, and have been looking for something to get me moving again. So, after watching our friend Lauren Jimeson's Obé workouts daily on her Instagram stories (Hi Lauren!), I figured it was worth a try. And well, let's just...
A cool new Do Not Disturb feature on iPhone that’s perfect for parents
We're big fans of the Do Not Disturb feature on iPhone, which, if you're not familiar, allows you to temporarily block notifications (including texts and calls) with lots of customization too. As you can probably guess, it's perfect for meetings, dinners, or pretty...
These secret Netflix codes can help you find lots of hidden shows and movies
If you're like me, you spend a fair amount of time watching Netflix and generally see the same shows and movies every single time you scroll. Sorry, Netflix, I'm not in the mood to watch The Perfect Date, for the 15th time. Well, our friends over at Good Housekeeping...
How do you change the font on your Instagram bio?
Every so often, you probably see an Instagram name that pops up in wedding script, some gothic type, or even upside down, and if you've wondered how you change the font on your Instagram bio, it's so simple! There are apps you can download or keyboards you can...
The outrageous, high-tech marriage proposal that required Google Earth, GPS, and 4500 miles of travel over 6 months
We have shared a ton of clever pregnancy announcement ideas and sex reveal (FKA gender reveal, inaccurately) ideas over the years, and surely you've seen Pinterest boards packed full of creative marriage proposal ideas. But having just watched this video about a...
The future is here and it’s an alarm clock that brews coffee
Forget the hoverboards and watches that talk. The future is here and it is the Barisieur Coffee Brewing Alarm Clock. Yes, it makes pour over coffee (or loose leaf tea) when your alarm goes off. And it even has a refrigerated compartment for your milk. Seriously. If...
A new iOS 12.2 Screen Time app feature parents will want to know about.
If you haven't updated to the new iOS 12.2, it's worth it just to get the new Screen Time app feature that allows you to customize your child's downtime by the day. It's pretty easy to do once you have your phone running on the new iOS. Related: How to set limits for...
5 podcasts I’ve listened to this month
Last month, I shared 8 podcasts I listened to, some of which I loved and a couple that I sort of hate-listened. Ha. Well, this month I added 5 podcasts to my list, most of which I've been really enjoying. If you love podcasts as much as I do, I hope these reviews help...
6 ride sharing safety tips that parents should know
As someone who uses ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft pretty frequently (and is often distracted by what's happening on my phone), I know how easy it can be to just hop in a car that pulls up in front of me without checking everything out. But as many of us have...
How to set limits for specific apps using the Screen Time app on iPhone
You've probably already figured out how to use the Screen Time app on iPhone to help manage your child's screen time. Screen Time makes it easy to block and set limits on categories of apps, specific apps during Downtime, or just screen time overall, but if you want...
Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way!) Easier
A cool new Do Not Disturb feature on iPhone that’s perfect for parents
We're big fans of the Do Not Disturb feature on iPhone, which, if you're not familiar, allows you to temporarily block notifications (including texts and calls) with lots of customization too. As you can probably guess, it's perfect for meetings, dinners, or pretty...
These secret Netflix codes can help you find lots of hidden shows and movies
If you're like me, you spend a fair amount of time watching Netflix and generally see the same shows and movies every single time you scroll. Sorry, Netflix, I'm not in the mood to watch The Perfect Date, for the 15th time. Well, our friends over at Good Housekeeping...
How do you change the font on your Instagram bio?
Every so often, you probably see an Instagram name that pops up in wedding script, some gothic type, or even upside down, and if you've wondered how you change the font on your Instagram bio, it's so simple! There are apps you can download or keyboards you can...
Here’s how to get a free year of Nintendo Switch Online
If you're an Amazon Prime member like me who also happens to have a Nintendo Switch, you'll definitely want to check out this awesome offer from Twitch Prime (which, if you didn't know, is owned by Amazon). All you need to do is connect your accounts. Related: 7 of...
How to save your Google+ content before it shutters on March 31, 2019
If you're like us, it's been awhile since you've spent any time over at Google+, which is why you might want to take a peek at your content before it shutters on March 31, 2019. Keep in mind, Google+ will be deleting all posts, as well as your uploaded photos or...
quip for kids: A grown-up toothbrush that’s made for tiny mouths.
I have been a hard core fan of the quip electric toothbrush, long before you probably heard their ads on podcasts (though not on Spawned just yet!) or could find them at your local Target. I have even bought them for my kids, though that was before they decided to...
Tokimeki Unfollow helps you Konmari your Twitter feed
We know lots of folks have been cleaning up their social media feeds, which is why we had to share Tokimeki Unfollow, a twitter plug-in that allows you to Konmari your Twitter feed. Related: Spring cleaning your tech - the best tips and tricks Once you sync your...
Here’s the quick and dirty on the new iPad Air and iPad Mini
In advance of their big video streaming announcement which is supposed to hit next week, Apple shared a bit of good news, especially if you're an iPad fan. They've got two new iPads, with some exciting features, that are available for order now (and ship next week)....
4 new Amazon Prime benefits, in case you’ve been holding out on a membership.
I've been an Amazon Prime member for many moons now, reaping the benefits of everything from free 2-day shipping to awesome bingeworthy shows, and lots in between. If you've been holding out on an Amazon Prime membership, they've added 4 new benefits that might make...
What is 5G? 5 ways this new wireless technology will make life easier for kids and families
Thank you to Verizon Wireless for sponsoring this post. If there's anything all parents can agree on, it's that we could use a few more minutes (or hours!) in the day, and we do our best to try to find that extra time where we can. It's something tech can certainly...
4 awesome YouTube alternatives for kids of all ages
With all the not-so-great news coming out around YouTube recently -- from their pedophilia problem to the horrific content spliced into kids' videos to the infamous Momo challenge -- I've been looking for some YouTube alternatives. From now on, at our house, YouTube...
16 of the riskiest social apps for kids right now that parents should know about | Guide to Digital Parenting
While parents are still freaking out about Snapchat and the Momo challenge, the truth is there are some risky apps for kids that can fly right under our radar. Some of them seem completely innocuous -- while some are clearly bad news waiting to happen. To be clear,...
How do I keep kids safe on social media? | Guide to Digital Parenting
We couldn't create an Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting without including tips about how to keep your kids safe on social media. After all, for our tweens and teens, the Internet is social media, and they could sooner give up the games, the videos, and even their...
What are the best services and tools to monitor my kids screen time? 5 top picks | Guide to Digital Parenting
As part of our Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting, answering parents' top questions about family technology, we're sharing the best services and tools to help you monitor your kids on their gadgets. While most routers, phones, tablets and computers have basic...
How do I know when my child is ready for a smartphone: 7 essential questions to ask | Guide to Digital Parenting
We can't tell you how much debate we've seen over the simple question, "when is my kid ready for a smartphone?" It brings out nearly as much stress, passion and well, sanctimony, as questions about breastfeeding or sleep training. Well, after spending so many years...