Mom Tips
1,186 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsWelcome to Mom Tips, your 60-second dose of positive parenting content from the team at Mom.com. Created with your busy morning routine in mind, these hacks and motherhood anecdotes are perfect to listen to while you're scrambling to get your family up and out of the house!
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Episodes
4 Ways To Keep Your Child Connected To Friends During A Pandemic
March 02, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesWe often underestimate the importance of our child’s social life. But think about how vital our social interactions are to us as adults. Just replace that glass of wine over dinner with a juice box and a game of tag, and you can relate.
My Baby's First Word Was ‘Dada’ & I'm Okay With It
March 01, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesMy daughter recently hit a major milestone: Babbling. For months, I’ve been practicing with her, repeating “mama” over and over again, hoping that would be the first word out of her mouth.
5 Ways Raising A Newborn In Quarantine Made Me A Better Mom
February 26, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesSure, it would have been easier to have a baby without a worldwide pandemic going on, but here’s how I ended up being a better mom for raising a newborn in quarantine.
How to Keep A Baby Entertained When It's Cold Outside
February 25, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesThe four walls of a home are limiting, so here are 6 ideas for keeping your baby entertained when you’re stuck inside.
What Are Sensory Bins?
February 23, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesWhen a local sensory gym in my area closed due to the pandemic, the owner asked if I’d like to purchase a sensory box for my daughter. Since I have a special needs child, I said yes — and now I’m a sensory bin addict. Both my daughters love them — and no, they’re not just for kids with special needs. But what exactly is a sensory bin?
Expectation vs. Reality: What Moms Really Do With Their Day 'Off'
February 22, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesWhat really happens when we finally manage to escape for a little bit of “me time”? More often than not, the fantasy doesn’t really line up with the reality. Here are the expectations, and the sometimes brutal realities, of a mom’s quest for a little time to herself.
Why My Mom Friends Need To Start Binging “Bridgerton”
February 19, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutes“Bridgerton” is the ultimate show for exhausted moms. If it’s not calling your name yet, here are just a few reasons why you need to watch this new Netflix series stat.
Why Grocery Shopping & Running Errands Isn't "A Break"
February 18, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesYou know how they say being a mom is a full time job with no breaks? That’s 100% true. Even when we’re away from our kids, we’re still Mom —Â we’re the ones who get called if something’s wrong, and we’re the ones who will probably have to clean up whatever mess was made while we were gone.
5 Books With Black Leads Your Kids Will Love
February 17, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesBy now, most folks know that it’s important for children to see the world around them reflected back in the books they read and the media they consume. Not only because children who are underrepresented can see themselves and their lives in stories, but because it is a good habit for our kids — but especially white kids — to normalize other voices.
5 Jobs For Teens During A Pandemic
February 15, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesThe pandemic has been hard on all of us. It’s been especially difficult for our teenagers, whose social lives have been upended, and their schooling drastically impacted. And for those teenagers who are trying to find work, the pandemic economy has made their job searches frustrating and sometimes futile.Â
5 Romance Novels By Black Authors You Must Read
February 12, 2021 06:02 - 2 minutesThe romance novel industry has a pesky representation problem — and if you’re looking for a sexy story featuring folks who are not straight, white, and cis-gendered, it can be difficult to say the least. We can likely all agree that diversity in romances would benefit us all. So just in time for Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, here are some romance novels by Black authors that you should put on your “To Be Read” list right away.Â
5 Secrets Your Kids Will Never Tell You
February 11, 2021 06:02 - 2 minutesYour kids have secrets they will never tell you, no matter how great your relationship is. Here are a few of them:
Taking A Shower Is Not Self-Care When You're A New Mom
February 10, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesWhen moms talk about those early newborn weeks and months, there are two things they talk about going without: Sleep, and those long, hot, daily showers that once were a part of their regular routine. I lost count of the number of times that people told me to “sleep while I still could” while I was pregnant, but what was really alarming to me were the number of moms who emphasized how little I’d have the chance to do something as small as take a shower.
5 Things To Do When Your Tween Starts Going To Parties
February 08, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesAt some point, after it’s safe for us to go outside again and socialize, it’s going to happen. Your tween is going to put down their video game, interrupt your binge watching of Bridgerton and say, with all the earnestness of a twelve-year-old, “There’s a party, and I want to go to it.” Here are five things to do when your tween starts to flex their social muscles.
5 Positive Things About Being A Work-At-Home Mom
February 05, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesBeing a work-at-home mom to a baby is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot of hard things in my life. My full-time job is a full-time job… and so is caring for a baby. There are only 24 hours in a day, so the struggle to get it all done in the midst of everything else that’s going on in the world can definitely be a challenge, but along the way, I’ve managed to find that there are actually things I really love about this set up.Â
6 Things I Regret Buying My Kids
February 04, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesThere's nothing like preparing for the arrival of your first child: the excitement, the anticipation, the hysterical buying of so many incredibly unreasonable and impractical things. Time and wisdom have showed me that I've wasted my money on quite a few items for my child.
Why Parenting Adult Children is the Hardest Stage of All
February 02, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesOne day, back when my oldest daughter was in kindergarten, she was refusing to put on her coat as we were leaving school during a thunderstorm. I was at the end of my rope. Her teacher, who was a grandmother, laughed and said to me, “Wait until they’re adults and then you’ll know real frustration.”
4 Money Mistakes You Should Avoid in 2021
February 01, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesToday, let’s talk about money and the biggest financial mistakes most folks make. If money is already tight, these mistakes could be devastating — but regardless of your financial situation, avoiding these common money mistakes in 2021 can keep you from ruin.
5 Habits of Happy Toddlers
January 29, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesAs a general rule, toddlers aren’t necessarily the best at regulating their own emotions. But they can develop habits — thanks to a little parental influence — that will help them be their happiest toddler selves. Want to learn more? Here are some of the habits of happy toddlers.
4 Reasons You Should Still Be Careful Even If You Tested Positive For COVID Antibodies
January 28, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesMany people think that if you test positive for COVID antibodies, you are now inoculated against the virus. In other words, you can go back to your pre-pandemic lifestyle because you’re now invincible. That is totally false. Here are some reasons why you still need to take the necessary CDC guidelines for COVID safety — like social distancing, wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated areas, and washing your hands often.
7 Lifelong Lessons I Learned From Zoom School
January 27, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesMy 7-year-old’s remote learning is a whirlwind of work that, some days, neither of us wants to tackle. I wish I could say that after months of virtual learning, our schedule is seamless, but I cannot. With this busy pace, I didn’t expect to find time to take in any new life lessons. Still, inspired by my kid’s online schooling, here are seven of the best ones I’ve learned over the past months.
Comparing My Baby To Others Her Age Is The Worst Part Of Being A New Mom
January 26, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesAs a first-time mom, I tried to go into parenting with the mindset that my child is her own kid — she will do things in her own time, including meeting milestones like crawling and eating solid food. I wasn’t going to stress about it; logically, I knew that not all babies do the same things at the same time. It’s not a competition, right?Â
4 Reasons Not to Put Your Kids on a Strict Schedule
January 25, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesWould breaking your child’s sleep schedule be catastrophic? For some parents it is, which is why we never put our kids on a strict schedule. Here are some reasons you might want to consider not doing it, either.
5 Diverse Books to Read with Your Children
January 22, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesIn our ever more connected world, it benefits everyone to have more empathy and understanding of how people of different backgrounds and experiences live. One of the ways to teach our children about people who are different from them is through reading books and stories featuring diverse people. After all, reading is literally seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. Here are a few books you can consider for your children of all ages.
4 Reasons To Stop Stressing About Potty Training
January 21, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesPotty training went off without a hitch, but there was no convenience in having a toddler who uses the potty instead of a diaper to do their business — aside from not having to buy diapers anymore. For all you parents who are feeling the pressure to potty train your littles, here are a few reasons to stop stressing and just enjoy the diapers while they last!
6 Ways To Teach Kids Essential Life Skills Through Play
January 19, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesKids love to play, and there’s a good reason for that — it’s how they learn! Not only do kids have fun while they’re playing, they also develop essential life skills, especially if they have adults to teach them while they’re playing. When kids play — whether that’s with toys, other kids, their parents, or even by themselves — they boost their imaginations, enhance their creativity, learn problem-solving skills, develop concentration skills, and so much more.Â
An Ode To Baby Jail, AKA The Pack & Play
January 18, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesDepending on the baby, sometime between months five and seven, something changes in a major way. Rolling in both directions, army-crawling across the floor, and sitting up on her own, my daughter is finally considered mobile. Fellow moms who are dealing with a similar issue, I have two words for you: baby jail.
5 Reasons To Buy – And Use – A Planner This Year
January 15, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesI wasn’t going to bother buying a new planner for 2021, but the more I thought about it the more I realized it would give me a way to plan for a year to look forward to, something better than 2020. Here are five reasons to buy yourself a planner and use it.
10 New Year's Resolutions for a Working Mom in Quarantine
January 14, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesIt is traditional to start the new year off with self-flagellation and promises to add more to your already heavy burdens of working, caring for children, distance learning, managing a household… and oh, did we forget that we’re still in the midst of a pandemic? But don’t worry: we’ve come up with some resolutions guaranteed to give you a break — and not one of them is about losing weight.
6 Ways To Build Rest Into Your Routine
January 13, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesRest reduces stress, improves overall health, and allows your body and spirit to replenish itself and heal. However, it’s one thing to know the benefits of rest, and another to build it into your life. So, here are a few ways you can build rest into your routine.
5 Things Teachers Want Parents To Know
January 12, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesKindergarten, elementary school, high school – every phase of your child’s schooling has its unique circumstances and interactions. One thing is certain: It’s vital to have a good relationship with your child’s teacher, no matter what grade your kid is in. As you enter these important phases, here’s some advice that teachers would give to parents of students transitioning through these grades.
5 Things You Can Teach Your Kids To Make Your Life Easier
January 08, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesI don’t know about you, but though I love being a parent, I most certainly do not love the crushing amount of tasks you have to do for your kids. It’s overwhelming. However, since our role is to raise future adults, there’s no time like the present to teach our kids how to survive as a grown-up. Here are a few things to teach your kids — no matter their age — to make your lives easier.
Don't Worry, You Won't Hate Your Pets After Having A Baby
January 07, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesMy dog and two cats were my whole world, and when I got pregnant, I was even more emotionally attached to all three of them than I had ever been (thanks, hormones). But immediately, people began to warn me: “You just won’t love them the same way after your baby is here.” I knew that I would love my baby when she arrived — that was a given. But would having an actual human child diminish the love I had for my furry kids, too?
8 Things You Will Definitely Not Miss About The Baby Stage
January 06, 2021 06:02 - 2 minutesI think sometimes we romanticize every aspect of our kids’ lives and start to believe everyone when they say, “Enjoy this because you’re going to miss this stage.” Sure there are moments we all miss about our kids being babies, but there are definitely certain things we don’t ever want to relive. Here are a few.
My Baby Rolled Off The Couch, But It Doesn't Make Me A Bad Mom
January 05, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesI knew the day would come when my baby got hurt. Everyone warned me that it would happen. I understand that people (even moms!) are human, but I didn’t want to believe that applied to me, too. These kinds of things are totally avoidable if you’re careful, right? Uh, not exactly.Â
5 Ways To Start A Conversation With Your Tween
January 04, 2021 06:01 - 2 minutesIt’s been said that trying to have a conversation with a tween is like pulling teeth. But I disagree; I think it’s way more difficult than that. Sometimes it’s more like trying to glue those teeth back in. With a pair of tweezers. That are made out of paper. But it doesn’t always have to be painful to connect with your tween. Here are five ways to start a conversation with them – no teeth pulling involved.
This Year, Instead of New Year's Resolutions, Try A Word or Phrase of the Year
January 01, 2021 06:00 - 2 minutesIf your social feeds are anything like mine, you’re likely inundated with headlines about New Year’s resolutions and diets. This year, try a Word or Phrase of the Year instead.
Social Media Was Ruining My Mental Health, So I Finally Did Something About It
December 31, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesPrior to 2017, I used to throw around the words "mental health" as a respectful yet passive casual catchphrase about self-care and self-worth. Mental health has now become a top-tier, personal weekly priority that precedes pretty much all else in my house. So what do we do? Well, I've distanced myself from social media. Here's what continues to work for me.
4 Things No One Tells First-Time Moms About Diapers
December 30, 2020 06:02 - 2 minutesWhen I was pregnant, I was busy making lists trying to prepare for motherhood. Magazine articles said my baby needed organic sheets, a giraffe called Sophie, and that I needed something called nipple cream. I heeded their advice and was sure these items made it to my catalog of “must-haves.” But diapers weren’t on my list to research because I figured there was nothing to it. Here are four discoveries my newbie mom brain uncovered about diapers.
5 Ways to Connect With Friends During the Pandemic
December 29, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesI miss my friends. And with our current situation, it looks like I’m going to be missing them for a little longer. But even amidst the lockdowns we’ve managed to keep in touch. Here are five ways to stay connected during the pandemic.
I'm Introducing Solid Foods To My Baby & I Have No Idea What I'm Doing
December 28, 2020 06:02 - 2 minutesFeeding your baby is never as simple as it sounds. It starts when they’re born with the breastmilk vs. formula debate, and just as you think you’ve settled into a solid routine with bottles, it’s time to start solids. I’ve always been excited about introducing my daughter to food, but when the pediatrician gave us the go-ahead to start solids, I definitely panicked. Two months later, I still have no idea what I’m doing.
How to Teach Kids to Stand Up for Their Views
December 24, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesWith the state of politics, the climate, the pandemic — you name it — stakes are high right now. People have no qualms about sharing their beliefs, and there are signs and slogans everywhere. But what does standing up for your beliefs look like when you’re a kid? Or a teen? Or in places where such open displays of political beliefs are more frowned upon?
5 Things I've Learned From Being A Work-From-Home Mom
December 23, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesThis year, I became a mom for the first time, and that means I’ve also had to learn how to be a working mom for the first time. It hasn’t been easy, but here’s what I’ve learned from being a work-from-home mom so far.
5 Reasons I Don't Buy My Kids Christmas Presents
December 22, 2020 06:16 - 2 minutesWhenever I tell people that I don’t buy my kids Christmas presents, people seem both appalled and jealous at the same time. In an effort to curb materialism but also be celebratory, some folks are of the 4-present philosophy. They give their kid something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. That’s 4 too many presents for me. Here’s why...
6 Tips for Daily House Cleaning
December 21, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesHousehold chores are a never-ending reality of life. Keeping up with kids, pets and a hectic schedule make it seem like there's always something to clean. With a few housekeeping tricks and these tips from some pros, though, you can keep on top of the cleaning and make life much easier.
5 Small But Empowering Ways To Treat Yourself During the Pandemic
December 18, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesIn a meeting recently, I noticed the host wearing a beautiful pair of earrings. She said she’d recently bought them to wear at home, just to make herself feel more put-together for her day. What a revelation! I glanced at myself in my Zoom window, wearing pajamas at 4pm, and decided I needed to follow her lead and start practicing more self-care. Here are five ways we can treat – and empower – ourselves during these trying times.
Being A Mom With A Mental Illness Right Now Is So Hard — But It Doesn't Make You A Bad Mom
December 17, 2020 06:02 - 2 minutesLately, 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.
5 Real AF Reasons To Formula Feed
December 16, 2020 06:02 - 3 minutesReal 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.
Can We All Just Chill Out About Preschool?
December 15, 2020 06:01 - 2 minutesWhen 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.
4 Reasons I Refuse To Give My Kid An Elf On The Shelf
December 14, 2020 06:02 - 2 minutesNow 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.