Mom Tips

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m walking a tightrope of mental health. Any move in the wrong direction could send me toppling, and it’s exhausting. I feel like my bipolar diagnosis has been standing at the back of the room hanging out and suddenly, the pandemic has got behind that diagnosis and begins to nudge it uncomfortably forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real talk: Breast is best, except when it's not. As a mom of two back-to-back daughters, I was shamed, questioned, and attacked for opting out of breastfeeding to maintain my mental and physical soundness — and I don't regret it one bit. Here are my top five reasons for why bottle feeding is a no-brainer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When my daughter was around 6-months-old, I noticed other parents talking about preschool. Wait, what? I looked at my baby and couldn’t imagine sending this small, drooling person to school. I started to panic about my daughter’s certain future: She would be 40 years old and living in our basement because her lazy mother didn’t care about preschool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Now that the holiday season is officially upon us, the endless Elf on the Shelf photos are already flooding my Instagram and Facebook news feeds. But even though my daughter is still a baby, I have already decided I’m never getting her an elf, and there are a few main reasons why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sponsored by ADT. The holidays are upon us, and while many of us will be celebrating a little differently this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t get creative or nurture important connections that will last after the last gift is unwrapped. In order to keep festivities healthy and (mostly) stress-free, here are a few ways families can spread the love while staying safe at home. Hosted on Acast. See...

Why do kids spew their version of the truth when they’re around strangers or at the doctor’s office? We want to hear our kids talk (most of the time anyway), but instead of them telling people at the grocery store our job is drinking wine or yelling at Daddy, these are the things we really need to hear from our kids instead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before I had kids, I had this idea in my head that I never wanted to be seen as “just” a mom. I was going to retain my identity, OK? And that extended to social media. My Instagram feed wouldn’t be filled with pictures of my baby. It’s not her Instagram, it’s mine. But now that she’s in the world, things are much different. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When people hear that a married couple doesn’t sleep together in the same bed — let alone the same room, inevitably, people wonder if there’s something wrong with their marriage. Rest assured — they’re likely much happier than most couples — and all their girlfriends are jealous. Here are 3 reasons why sleeping in separate beds (or rooms) from your husband is awesome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Before my daughter was born, every mom in my life made it clear that I wouldn’t be getting any sleep for years. “Sleep while you can!” they’d say, as if anyone can sleep with a watermelon belly and a bladder that’s being squished by a fully formed child. I’m not gonna lie: they were right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The holidays are upon us, and while you may be scouring Pinterest for ideas on how to make your baby's first holiday season special, it's important to not get overwhelmed. Let this be the year that you finally embrace simplicity. Here are five ideas to help make the most of baby's first holiday without stressing yourself out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My 20-month-old son has been an angel throughout his young life, but now, as the terrible twos approach, he's beginning to develop the following devilish — or at least extremely frustrating and confusing traits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In addition to worrying about COVID-19, it's also time to start thinking about the annual cold and flu season. Even with good hand-washing practices and social distancing, it can still be all too easy to catch a cold, especially for families with kids or babies at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We emphatically present: the shower Popsicle. Sounds weird? We thought so, too ... until parents in droves began testifying that it works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A baby changes everything — especially our relationships. Here are just four ways your marriage might be different after bringing home that sweet little baby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s what you should know about intermittent fasting before jumping in headfirst to this popular method of weight loss and eating. It's definitely not for everyone — especially when it comes to those of us who love to snack all day long — but for some, it really has been a game-changer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for the perfect Thanksgiving tradition to start with your family? These ideas, which range from traditional to out-of-the-box, will give you plenty of inspiration! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that my girls are 5 and almost 4 years old, it's time for this mom to draw some lines in the sand. I want to make sure these little ladies continue to develop in a positive way. No lazy bums growing up here. Here are a few of my brand-new rules that I have for my kids. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While some schools have opted for remote learning this year, it’s not the ideal situation for everyone. But there are ways to make it work, and we've always reminded ourselves that we can get through the hard stuff. The main thing we need to be able to do this is to be kind to ourselves, let go of that perfectionist voice in our heads, and hold on to the belief that everything is going to work out...

I recently put together my baby registry, and as cute as the cozy sleepers and baby blankets are, along with necessities like diapers and nursing pads, I found what I really need after I actually have the baby to be lacking. After a few babies, I’ve come to realize how absolutely essential these non-baby registry items are. If I could truly add anything to my baby registry, here's what I would wan...

As parents, we know that our kids love their things. Like really love them. What mom hasn’t tried to throw out that extra-dingy blanket that’s a completely different shade from when it was purchased? Or the stuffy that only has one eye? Yep, those prized possessions are sticking around for the long haul, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep them looking their best — even if their best is a little,...

It’s normal for kids to be self-centered despite all of our efforts to help them be more empathetic or appreciative. The good news, though, is that we can help them broaden their perspectives and see beyond themselves. We can help them think about others and help them approach life with an attitude of gratitude. Here are a few suggestions for fostering thankfulness in your kids. Hosted on Acast. S...

The Halloween decorations have come down, and it’s nearly time for turkeys to take center stage! Thanksgiving is a time of great food, family togetherness, and lots of football on TV. This year, many families are planning a different kind of Thanksgiving. Big family gatherings aren’t safe for many folks, so people are having to think creatively about new ways to celebrate the season of gratefulnes...

Three kids is normal, but anything more turns you into a baby-making factory in other people’s minds. So, imagine what I’ve been hearing now that I have a visible baby bump PLUS four kids. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The holidays are upon us, and there's no question that this year will be different from all the others. It's arguably been one of the most stressful times of our lives, and it's not letting up yet. All we want is for the holiday season to take our minds off of these challenges for a little while. In order to do this, we need to simplify the holiday season. We can do a lot to keep this fun for our...

While family time has taken a front row seat for most of 2020, something about the holidays makes spending time together that much more special. Whether it’s the annual traditions of bountiful table settings, colorful home décor, gift exchanges, or just gathering together after a big meal to get cozy on the couch, family time feels extra special year. Here are four ways to make the most of your ti...