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
5 Parenting Tips I’ve Learned From Eavesdropping on My Kid’s Zoom
October 05, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.58 MBOne unexpected benefit of overhearing my son’s Zooms is hearing how his 4th grade teacher manages to wrangle two dozen kids, even teach them a thing or two, and not lose her head in the process.I’m starting to adopt some of her tricks, and it really does make me a better, more effective parent. Here are a few of my favorites.
4 Ways to Explore New Adventures From Your Living Room
October 02, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 4.27 MBWhile many of us are pining for outings that involve airplanes, cloth napkins, or typically crowded spaces, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy creative family adventures right from our very own living rooms. We might have to kick our creativity up a few notches, but isn’t that half the fun? Here are four ways that families can explore new adventures without having to walk out the front door — let alone pack!
4 Ways to Add Magic to Everyday Activities
October 01, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.86 MBWhen it comes to our daily activities — think cleaning, homework, or even bedtime routines — most of them could use a serious glow-up. After all, we’re spending a lot of time at home with our families these days, and routines can get a little, well, routine. So why not make the most of the everyday and turn the magic up to 11?
6 Ways to Make Mealtime Fun for Babies
September 30, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 2.82 MBMealtime can sometimes be a messy chore that’s no fun for Mom or Baby. Luckily, there are so many ways to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner more exciting. Here are six tips for parents who want to make sure their kids are both fed and happy.
5 Moms Reveal the Little Things That Make Them Happy
September 29, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.46 MBBeing a mom can be super stressful — some moments more than others. But what most busy, tired moms can agree on? The fact that motherhood is always worth it, especially when we consider all of the smaller moments that add up to a life with kids that’s even more wonderful than one without them (despite the sleepless nights and inevitable tantrums). Yes, as a mom, self-care is incredibly important, but it's not always easy to come by. Sometimes, we need a little help remembering the posit...
4 Natural Childbirth Myths — Busted!
September 28, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 4.11 MBI've given birth twice. With my first, I couldn't ask for the epidural fast enough, but with my second I did it completely drug-free. My two very different births made me realize how many myths there are surrounding “natural” — that is, a drug-free vaginal — childbirth. Here are four things I used to think were true of giving birth naturally.
3 Activities That Will Brighten Your Day
September 25, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.33 MBGood news is always in season, and the same goes for activities that will add an extra mood boost to your day. While our routines can sometimes get a little too predictable — Zoom, eat, sleep, repeat — now is a perfect time to get creative so our outlook can be a little more “glass half-full.” Sponsored by got milk?
5 Ways to Celebrate Halloween That Aren't Trick-or-Treating
September 24, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.82 MBFor those die-hard fans of "spooky season," the big "ghost" in the room is this: What will happen to Halloween this year? It might not be safe enough for everyone to take to the streets in large groups, especially as kids dip their hands into the same bowl of candy all night long. So we’ve found ways to make sure that Halloween is not canceled.
The 5 Stages of Parenting Exhaustion
September 23, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.37 MBWe've all been there: those endless nights when our baby (or toddler) is just fussy and leaves us wondering if we'll ever sleep again. Those are the nights we inevitably cycle through the five states of parenting exhaustion.
5 Things No One Tells Us Will Happen Postpartum
September 22, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.09 MBThere is so much to look forward to when a baby is born. Those cute little fingers and toes, the sweet smell of a newborn baby head, and the cries that sound like little baby animals are just a few. We often spend so much time reading up on pregnancy and labor that we forget to pay attention to the advice and notes on how to survive the postpartum period.
8 Super Realistic Tips for Raising a 2-Year-Old
September 21, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.16 MBWhen my first child turned 2, I didn't know whether to call a therapist or an exorcist. My husband and I combed book after book searching for tips on how to get her to stop kicking the walls for two hours after bedtime or stop defecating in rage, and there was nothing. Nothing beyond: "Be firm and consistent." Thanks for nothing, parenting books.
4 Ways to Enrich Your Child's Streaming Experience
September 18, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.31 MBWatching a movie or show with your kids can be both fun and unpredictable, whether it’s hearing them laugh at a joke they find hilarious or listening to their questions when characters or situations don’t seem to make sense. (How is George Jetson driving a flying car, Mommy?) Whatever you’re watching with your kiddos, help them to stay engaged and challenged by enriching their experience in these four ways.
4 Things I Wish My Friends Would've Warned Me About When It Comes to Breastfeeding
September 17, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.21 MBAt my baby shower, my family and friends were eager to share their best birth and pregnancy advice. Now looking back, it was breastfeeding I really needed the scoop on. So if you’re planning to breastfeed, here are a few things I wish I would have heard at my shower.
5 Genius Tricks to Get Even the Laziest Kids to Help Around the House
September 16, 2020 10:18 - 2 minutes - 2.63 MBGetting kids to do their chores is no easy feat. It's pretty common for kids to moan and groan about having to clean up their toys and feed Fido — and pretty normal, too. But study after study tells us it's not just helpful to get kids to pitch in around the house; it's good for them, too. So how do you make them step up? Bring on the mom hacks!
6 Things Every Co-Sleeping Parent Thinks in the Middle of the Night
September 15, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.98 MBCo-sleeping might not be for everyone, but it was for us — the good, the bad, and the ugly of it. So if you're a co-sleeping parent like me, I’m guessing you’ve thought some of these very things in the middle of the night.
How 4 Couples Stopped Fighting About Chores
September 14, 2020 10:02 - 3 minutes - 4.64 MBAccording to a survey, sharing the chores fairly was considered more important to a happy marriage than shared political views, having common interests, and even whether or not you make enough money.
Yes, You Can Formula Feed and Breastfeed at the Same Time
September 11, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.32 MBThere's a group of moms who are a perfect fit for using both breast milk and formula to feed their baby: the moms who, like me, will never pump enough or who have done everything in their power to remedy weight-gain issues with their baby and nothing has worked.
5 Effortless & Effective Multitasking Tips for New Moms
September 10, 2020 10:02 - 1 minute - 2.98 MBLife with an infant pulls you in a million directions at once. The only way to get it all done, it seems, is to take on six things at a time. But that’s easier said than done, so we’ve assembled these surefire tips to help you multitask through your crazy, busy, baby-centric days.
3 Things Parents of Babies Get Judged For (But Science Has Their Backs)
September 09, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 6.87 MBThere are plenty of examples of parents getting criticized for doing something that scientific research actually endorses. If you’re regularly practicing any of these activities and worry what people might think of you, don’t. Science has your back.
5 Tricks to Get Your Baby to Sleep
September 08, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.1 MBGetting baby to go to sleep is not an easy feat. They're fussy, they cry, and are sometimes unwilling to get some shut-eye. They also seem as if they'll do whatever they can to stay awake. So it's time to pull out some tricks from your parenting arsenal and get that little one snoozing.
5 Signs You’re a Mom Stuck in the Baby Bubble
September 07, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.92 MBA “baby bubble” is a strange phenomenon that swallows the parent of a newborn into a small, enclosed nothing-but-baby world. If you’re wondering if you’ve gotten stuck in your own baby bubble, here are five giveaway clues that you are.
4 Easy Shortcuts That Will Add Extra Time to Your Day
September 04, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 2.91 MBWhat if you could save a minute here and there and, by the end of the day, have a full hour to pursue a hobby, veg out, or just get to bed early?
5 Back-To-School Traditions To Still Keep
September 03, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.11 MBWhether your kids are going back to school in person or diving back into distance learning, that doesn't mean back-to-school traditions need to be forgotten this year. We've rounded up five back-to-school traditions to keep alive this school year, no matter how or if the kids are going back to class.
Tips for Surviving With 3 or More Kids
September 02, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 2.51 MBMany people choose to have one or two kids, but once you start adding more than that, life can become, well, a bit more interesting. And as a new mom of three, I thought it could prove useful to ask other moms who have lots of kids to share their secrets for not only surviving, but also thriving, as a mom of many.
How to Survive Remote Learning
September 01, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.25 MBThere’s a lot we didn’t miss about remote learning over the summer. Now it’s back. And for many of us, we’re all still at home.
5 Potty-Training Tips From Expert Moms
August 31, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 2.65 MBSuccessfully potty-training your child is a rewarding milestone for both parent and child — but what's the best approach?
How to 'Pandemic-Proof' Your Marriage
August 28, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.09 MBYou vow to be there “for better or for worse,” but no one said anything about 24 hours a day, in lockdown, for 150-plus days and counting. It’s enough to break — or, at the very least, strain — even the strongest of unions. What
5 Tips for Tightening Loose Skin After Pregnancy
August 27, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.14 MBAfter the baby arrives, moms can be left with a lot of hanging skin. While it’s totally natural and nothing to fret over, some mamas want to help their skin “bounce back” as much as possible. While there’s no one “fix-all” solution, there are a few things moms can do to help the elasticity of their skin.
Work-from-Home Moms, We All See You Now
August 26, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.34 MBI’ve always sung the praises of all moms. Stay-at-home or working, we all bust our butts for our families. It wasn’t until recently — you know, March — that I realized who the true superhero parents are, the ones who never get their due respect — the work-at-home moms.
5 Expert Tips for Saving Money While Grocery Shopping
August 25, 2020 10:02 - 3 minutes - 3.74 MBThe grocery store is a double-edged sword. It's a place you can't avoid, but it also can cause some serious stress on your wallet each week. How do you buy quality food and other necessities without breaking the bank? Here, one expert shares her best tips for shopping wisely and frugally.
6 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
August 24, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.34 MBExpecting a baby comes with a lot of excitement and joy. Every mom looks forward to the day when she can hold her newborn in her arms. Along the way, it's important for Mom to take steps to help support a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery. Here are some things to make sure you’re doing (or not doing).
Talking to Your Child About Going Back to School
August 21, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 4.19 MBIf you walk through your local store, it’s obvious that it’s back to school season. The stores are filled with school supply sales and aisles of gear to make the school year a success. There’s just one thing missing: a full understanding of what to expect when school starts back up again thanks to COVID-19. When you don’t know what to expect, it’s hard to prepare your kids mentally and emotionally for the challenges of the new year.
5 Tricks for Getting Through a Divorce
August 20, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 2 MBI never expected it to be so hard. I know that's what they always say when you're getting a divorce, but it's so true. I've never spent so much time feeling like utter dog poo about myself, my life, my goals, and my aspirations. I didn't get married so I could get a divorce. It's not my style. And yet, here I am — on my own for the first time in my life. And while it IS hard, I'm surviving. And guess what? You can, too. Here are some tips I've learned about getting through a divorce. 1....
I'm a Teacher, and Here's How Parents Can Help Kindergartners Get Ready for This School Year
August 19, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 2.48 MBAs a teacher, I always get questions this time of year from parents wanting to make sure that their soon-to-be kindergartner is ready for school come fall. In addition to focusing on activities like daily family reading and practicing counting to 10, pencil grip, and letter recognition, I always tend to focus more on the less academic-type skills that are equally, if not more, vital to your student’s school success. This year, however, life is a bit wonky.
5 Tips for Getting Baby to Burp
August 18, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 2.37 MBIf Baby doesn't burp after a feeding, you might worry she'll get a tummy ache and even lose a bit of her lunch. "The reason little babies are burped is to help relieve the discomfort that can accompany swallowed air,” says Dr. Deena Blanchard of Premier Pediatrics in New York, N.Y. “There are two typical methods used for burping an infant. One is to hold the infant upright against your shoulder supporting the head and neck. Then, with the opposite arm, pat on the back.
7 Stages of Breastfeeding That No One Warns You About
August 17, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.22 MBYou’ve decided to breastfeed, and so there you are shopping for nursing bras. Everything seems so exciting. Then the baby comes. After the baby gets here, your milk arrives shortly thereafter — unless it takes a hot minute, which can happen — and then everything is totally different than you imagined. Here are seven stages of breastfeeding — the good, the bad, and the ugly — that no one else will tell you about: 1.
How to Plan a Fun (and Safe) Family Vacation
August 14, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.45 MBSponsored by the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park With families reimagining their summer vacations, safety is taking top priority. Whether that means extra hand-washing, packing more gear, allowing for a little more time, or all of the above, moms and dads are stepping up to keep their kids — and themselves — healthy. That said, the fun factor can still be off the charts. Here are four ways families can plan a fun (and safe) vacation. 1.
Self-Care for Parents During the Pandemic
August 13, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 2.51 MBIt can be said that in times of crisis, self-care goes out the window. I can attest to this. Ask me what I’ve done for myself in the past month of the pandemic, and the answer would be that I thought about scheduling a massage when they opened back up only to back down from the idea when scheduling became an ordeal. That’s as close to self-care as I’ve gotten! That isn’t to say I don’t need it.
Baby Tips and Tricks That Will Save Your Sanity
August 12, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 1.83 MBEvery mom has those days when she could really use a magic parenting bag full of easy and helpful tricks. So we asked seasoned parents what their favorite go-to baby tricks were, and they gave us so many good tips that we kind of wished our kids were babies again so we could try them out. Hopefully these tried-and-true parenting hacks will work magic for you! 1. “Get outside as much as you can.
How to Support Teachers as Schools Reopen
August 11, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.26 MBWhile everyone is talking about the new school year, no one yet knows exactly what to expect. Most people are talking about whether schools are reopening or not, what to expect if they do, and the stress these decisions are putting on students and parents, and rightfully so. However, let's not forget about our teachers, who have had to step up and learn to teach from Zoom and may have a whole new set of requirements placed upon them when the school year does start.
3 Reasons Being a Stay-at-Home Mom Is Testing Me
August 10, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 2.56 MBThe thing is, I’m not the world’s greatest stay-at-home mom. Here’s my truth bomb: While I love staying home with my kids, I do not love the fact that staying at home usually means long days of being totally alone and hours and hours of drudgery, cleaning, and other household tasks. I do it because it’s what works for our family of six. But I don’t do it because staying at home comes completely naturally to me.
4 Ways to Get ‘Me Time’ During Nap Time
August 07, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 2.71 MBSponsored by HBO Max When we’re busy making meals, organizing schedules, and cleaning up random messes (How did chocolate get on the wall?), we sometimes forget to take moments for ourselves, which can be all we need to recharge. After all, it’s amazing what even 20 minutes can do, especially when our kids are taking their much-needed naps. And let’s face it — some days, the laundry can just wait.
The Truth About the First Month With a Baby
August 06, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 3.22 MBI've just reached the other side of Month One with our baby girl. And, to sum it up, I’d describe it as total survival mode. I read every baby book, article, forum and post in preparation for this. And, of ALL the content I consumed, this simple mantra is the only thing that got me through that first month: Trust your instincts. Ditch the need for order and routine. Follow your baby's cues. Because the first month is hard. So hard.
4 Ways Doulas Help Moms Manage Labor Pain Naturally
August 05, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 2.81 MBIt's a question doulas often hear from moms-to-be: How much is labor going to hurt? And, how am I going to deal with it?! Luckily, these childbirth pros have many completely natural and effective pain management tools and tricks at their disposal, so we asked doulas to share some of their favorite methods for making labor and delivery more comfortable and they didn’t hold back. Doula Deena Blumenfeld says to keep moving. "Pain is the body's signal to move.
5 Signs You're Living With a Threenager
August 04, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 2.28 MBWhen my oldest son turned 3, I didn't realize there was a term for his newfound defiance and teenage-like behavior.Then I figured it out: he was a threenager. Here are some signs that you, too, might have a threenager.
4 Surprising 'Tricks' To Getting Pregnant Fast + 8/3/20
August 03, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 2.52 MBOnce you've decided to start trying for a baby, you want to get pregnant fast. Unfortunately, when it comes to all the tricks and tips that purport to speed up conception, you'll probably hear a lot of crazy myths. But there are other lesser-known tips and tricks that could help you get pregnant faster. Use An Ovulation Kit Ovulation kits you can get over-the-counter measure your levels of luteinizing hormone, which rises every month during ovulation.
4 Summer Illnesses That Aren't COVID-19
July 31, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 3.26 MBEarlier in the pandemic, I read a story about a family of three who struggled to get COVID-19 tests. Each presented a slightly different set of suspicious symptoms: the son was pale, sweaty, achy, and clearly ill; the mother had a tickle in her throat and a persistent headache; the father, a lingering cough. Turns out, the sickest one — the son — didn’t test positive for COVID-19. Instead, he had a pretty straightforward case of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
5 Super-Stealth Skills All Moms Have
July 30, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 2.21 MBAll moms can relate to the video of another mom inching her way out of her baby’s nursery — on her back — after she finally gets him to sleep. We've all had to tiptoe, crawl, or slither our way out of some sticky kid situations. After this whole motherhood gig, most of us could have a second career as a spy, thanks to skills like: 1. Holding your breath If you’ve ever changed a diaper, you’ve already developed the ability to hold your breath at superhuman levels. 2.
As a Fat Mom, This Nutritionist's 'Toddler Tip' Helped Me Conquer Some Huge Meal-Time Fears
July 29, 2020 10:01 - 4 minutes - 5.49 MBI should start out by explaining that I have a very complicated relationship with my body. It's one I've been open about — both pre-baby and postpartum. The summary is: I try not to actively hate myself for being fat, but I am keenly aware of how my being fat plays into every facet of my life. And, despite what online trolls have tried to tell me in the past, it's really not a "me" problem — it's a social one.
5 Fun Summer Backyard Games
July 28, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 2.55 MBJust because we can't go anywhere doesn't mean we can't still have fun in our own yards. Here are five ideas to keep the kids active and having fun: 1. Lawn Bowling You can easily make the pins by painting used plastic bottles, and a tennis ball works just fine in lieu of a bowling ball. 2. Kick Croquet No need for a mallet and wooden balls with this DIY version. Just cut a few Hula-Hoops in half, insert a stick on either end, and arrange around the yard so that they form a series of ar...