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 Tips for Picking a Baby Name
May 15, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.06 MBWhile no pregnancy or path to parenthood is exactly the same, there is one major decision that every family has to make — what to name the baby! A name can say so much about a person, like his family history or origins, what his parents value, and even what kind of hopes a parent might have for a child's personality. So, yes, picking the perfect baby name is a BIG decision. But thankfully there are tons of resources out there to help a family choose.
3 Huge Regrets I Have About First-Time Motherhood
May 14, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.07 MBFirst-time motherhood is full of questions, confusion, anxiety, and flat-out "what the eff was that?!" moments. The highs are high, and the lows are so low. Six years and two kids later, I can't help but look back and have a few regrets about some choices I made back when I was totally clueless about how motherhood would shake out. So, learn from my mistakes. Don't let these happen to you. 1.
Best Ways for Plus-Size Women To Take Back Summer
May 13, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.07 MBWhen it comes to seasons, summer and I have a complicated relationship. On the one hand, the weather is lovely, my garden is blooming, and every day seems like a good day for an ice cream cone. On the other hand, let's keep it real — sometimes summer can be challenging for plus-size ladies. There are so many unique struggles that people who aren't of a certain size just can't relate to.
5 Surprising Ways to 'Travel' From Home
May 12, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 1.41 MBYour travel goals may seem further away than ever, but they’re actually closer than they’ve ever been, since the entire world is staying indoors, bringing the travel industry inside as well. While the best thing you can do for yourself and others right now is to stay put, check out how you can access the world outside of your door and "travel the globe" from home. 1.
4 Things Moms of Small Babies Don’t Want to Hear
May 11, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.01 MBInstead of sporting chunky baby thighs and wrist rolls, my youngest daughter is a small, lean baby without a lot of extra chub on her. I admit that after having given birth to very chubby babies first, being on the other end of the spectrum has been a real eye-opener. I've been surprised by some of the comments that have bothered me as the mom of a small baby, such as the following: 1.
5 Tips to Start Decluttering Your To-Do List
May 08, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.25 MBAre you a perpetual list maker — even for fun activities? Do you keep adding tasks to an ever-growing pile of things to do? Do you ever wonder why you do a ton of stuff all day and yet still seem as if you get nothing done? Here are five easy tips to help you declutter your to-do list and finally get things done. 1. Make a long list Air Force veteran and mother of three Amiyrah Martin recommended this tip to Mom.
5 Ways Moms Are Keeping Their Marriages Intact During Isolation
May 07, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.28 MBTraditional marriage vows tell couples that love means promising to be together in sickness and in health and for richer and for poorer. Nowhere do those vows talk about having to spend weeks, and maybe even months, trapped in the same house with the same person. But then isolation hit, and couples everywhere are finding themselves with tons of togetherness and maybe way too much time on their hands.
5 Things to Do with Kids When You’re Stuck Inside All Day
May 06, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 958 KBStaying indoors all day with kids is hard work — for all of you — and you might be running out of ideas. Here are five activities to try this week: 1. Have slime school Find all the glue in your house and get to it! If you don’t have a slime recipe book on hand, search online for cool recipes using food coloring, metallic foil, and other things lying around your house. 2. Start a book club If your kids are old enough, they can start a virtual book club with friends.
This Sunburn Hack Is the Save Everyone Needs This Summer
May 05, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 969 KBThere are many things to love about summertime, but getting a sunburn is not one of them. And with summer just around the corner, we are all at risk — even if we might not be outside as much as we were last year. That's why there are many suggested products for curing an especially torturous sunburn. Unfortunately, those can be pricey and we may not always have them on hand. However, one Facebook user has shared her genius hack for getting rid of her sunburns, and the internet is amazed...
3 Ways My Marriage Has Been Tested After Having Kids — And How We Fixed It
May 04, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 953 KBI always assumed my husband and I would be one of those couples who were on perpetual solid ground. But I found out that it doesn't exist. Marriage requires work, and our kids — though we love them deeply — can deplete us. Here are three problems our relationship faced and how we fixed them: 1. My kid wanted to sleep with us and we weren’t down with that I have 100% respect for people who want to co-sleep. The problem was, we didn’t want to.
Embarrassing Things That Happen to Your Body During Pregnancy
May 01, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 816 KBEveryone talks about all the same parts of pregnancy: feeling the baby move, morning sickness, swollen feet, ultrasound pics, gender-reveal parties, or getting up constantly to pee in the middle of the night. But no one tells you about the embarrassing parts — until now. Here are three things that will happen to your body that only your very close girlfriends might reveal to you — if at all: 1.
Mom's Bike Hack for Her Kids Is So Genius We Wish We'd Thought of It
April 30, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 834 KBWe're weeks into the very, very real homeschool and work struggle. And while some of us are still trying to figure out how to balance our own work along with making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, teaching lessons, and providing the kids with fun activities, there are a few moms who have come up with some genius makeshift ideas to make sure kids can still burn all that energy while being stuck indoors. Take Tracy Juliano, for instance.
How to Have a Playdate During Quarantine
April 29, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.03 MBBy now, most of us understand that social distancing is crucial to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Many schools have closed for the rest of the school year and are devising solutions using technology to provide continuity of education for all students. However, parents — in looking for things to do with kids at home — may be tempted to arrange playdates at their houses. Please don’t.
3 Things Only Moms of Shy Kids Know
April 28, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.02 MBMy son has never been the kind of child that always answers if you say “hello” to him in public. He might answer, or he might shyly look down at his feet. Many of us moms of shy kids have to deal with this on a regular basis. Here are three things only we know: 1. We don’t want you to be offended by our kid's shyness Usually, a comment like “Is he shy?” is followed by “Hey, look at me! I’m nice. I won’t bite.” That makes our kids squirm.
5 Ways to Entertain Kids Without a Backyard
April 27, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.2 MBFinding yourself inside with the kids a lot recently? When weather or circumstances prevent little ones from playing outside, things can get a little hectic. It’s hard for kids not to run off all of that energy outside. But there are many ways to entertain kids without a backyard. Parents just have to get a little creative. Here are five ways to entertain kids without a backyard. 1.
3 Things I Would Do Differently as a First-Time Mom
April 24, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 837 KBMotherhood is crazy. Being a first-time parent, I knew nothing. I relied heavily on the internet and my mom friends to tell me what to do. I’ve managed to keep my daughter alive for six months now, so I’m not a total failure. But there were some things that I wish I could do over: 1. I wouldn’t have given up on bottle-feeding This is one of my biggest regrets.
How to Declutter: 4 Ideas for a Tidy Home in a Hurry
April 23, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.05 MBThe fight against clutter seems like a never-ending battle for most moms. Between kids, work, and just life in general, it's all too easy to go a few days (or weeks) without properly tidying up. Before long, those random piles of junk and dirty laundry turn into an overwhelming mess that seems impossible to clean up. If only it were practical to move to a new house every month and start over. (We kid!) Luckily, there are some easy ways to declutter the house that won't take all day. (Re...
5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System in the Coronavirus Era
April 22, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 1.44 MBWashing your hands, wearing masks, disinfecting surfaces, and social distancing are the first-line methods to protect yourself against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But you don’t have to stop there. You can also keep yourself and your family as healthy as possible by boosting the body’s immune system in scientifically proven ways. 1. Go big on micronutrients The immune system depends on an abundant supply of vitamins and minerals, also called micronutrients.
4 Parenting Goals for the Average Mom
April 21, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 877 KBGoals, we all have them. But I'm an average, doing-the-best-that-I-can-on-five-hours-of-sleep mom, and my parenting goals are modest. I’d like to think they're simply realistic and feel pretty good if I can achieve half of them, half the time. Here are four of those goals: 1. Feed my kids something nutritious at least once a day Nutrition is important to me, so I strive to create a balanced diet of nutritious foods whenever I can.
5 Low-Prep Backyard Ideas for Family Fun
April 20, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.08 MBNow that we're spending more time inside the house than ever, it's become crucial that parents come up with a wide range of fun ideas for the kids. But let's get real, even a grade-A Super Mom can't come up with new games 24/7. How many times can kids really play “hair salon” or — our favorite game — “Who wants to help Mom wash the dishes?” For now, the park is a no-go, but there are many ways to make the backyard feel just as fun.
People Are Sharing Their Secrets to Falling Asleep Quickly
April 17, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.01 MBIf there’s one time that I seriously side-eye my husband, it’s when we go to bed. We kiss goodnight, and no less than eight seconds later, he is peacefully snoring. No tossing. No turning. No painfully rehashing the details of the day. This guy just puts his head to the pillow and boom! ASLEEP. I, on the other hand, am staring at the ceiling, jumping at literally every single creak, and making my to-do list for tomorrow while stressing out about every minute that ticks by.
3 Things I Gave My Second Baby But Not My First
April 16, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 938 KBRemember the super important parenting musts you swore by as a first-time mom? Watch what happens when the second kid is born. Take these three things, for example. 1. Sugar I was adamant that my first baby would not have any sugary treats until his first birthday cake. Prunes, smashed peas, and oatmeal would be his foods of choice. Fast-forward to many years later, and he loves all things sweet.
A Few Things You Should Never Say to Moms
April 15, 2020 10:02 - 3 minutes - 1.5 MBI've got a near-constant group text going with the three best friends I grew up with. Over the years, that text group has evolved from Sunday afternoon messages of "How's your hangover?" to "How did the baby sleep last night?" I have other friends and a sister-in-law whose conversations have taken pretty much the same turn. We've evolved a lot throughout the years. There were times when three of us were mad at one of us. We've thrown bridal showers and attended heartbreaking funerals. ...
5 Things to Do With Kids When You’re Stuck Inside All Day
April 14, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.21 MBWhether your state has ordered a mandatory "safer at home" order or you’re just being responsible and socially distancing, long-term life indoors with kids can mess with a person's head. While I try to lead the charge on keeping our spirits up, I’ve realized the best way to do that is to distract my kids from solely thinking about the doom and gloom of what's going on right now. Here’s what we’re doing to keep the walls from creeping in. 1.
5 Reasons I’m Glad My Kids Are Close in Age
April 13, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 974 KBI’m the mom of two boys who are 21 months apart, and whenever one of my new parent friends tells me how much work it is to take care of a baby, I tell them, "Have another one." They look at me like I'm crazy, but trust me on this one. Here’s why: You get the hardest stages out of the way faster. 1.
Online Places to Visit the Easter Bunny Virtually This Year
April 10, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 907 KBIf you're anything like me, you may be looking forward to Easter as a reason to celebrate well, anything, at the moment. Although Easter is definitely going to look different in our house this year — no getting together with family, no egg hunts at grandma and grandpa's house, and no showing off new Easter dresses at church — I have felt more determined than ever to make sure my children have a special holiday.
I’ve Finally Accepted That I’m a Short-Order Cook
April 09, 2020 10:02 - 1 minute - 651 KBWhen I became a mom, I didn’t realize I would be a short-order cook to so many little customers with very bold and specific requests. But I totally am. Spaghetti with no sauce and extra butter? You got it! PB&J with light J? Sure! Fried egg with a broken yolk? Mama can do! Oh, you don’t like eggs? You’d like yogurt with granola on top instead? Be my guest. Now, some might argue that I should serve up our family meals with a take-it-or-leave-it philosophy.
9 Things All Moms Are Thinking While Watching 'Love is Blind'
April 08, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 933 KBI couldn’t help myself after hearing all the hype about the new Netflix series "Love Is Blind," about singles falling in love and getting engaged before they even see each other. I knew it would entertain me, but I have to admit I was judging the show. It sounded too dumb to miss.
My Family by 'Heart' Is Just as Important as My Family by Blood
April 07, 2020 10:01 - 3 minutes - 1.48 MBWhen I was around 5 years old, I remember looking at my mom's best friend, whom I called "aunt" and saying out of the blue: "You're not my real aunt." It wasn't intentionally malicious and was a true fact — she isn't my mother's sister by blood, but I could tell it hurt her nonetheless. "We're not related by blood," she admitted, "but we are by heart, where it counts." At the time, I probably shrugged, said “OK,” and went back to playing.
4 Hacks to Banish Bedtime Fears for Good
April 06, 2020 10:17 - 2 minutes - 1.06 MBAny parent who's struggled to get their kids to go to sleep in their own bed has probably heard this explanation ad nauseam: "I'm afraid of the dark." This is no lame excuse: Fear of the dark can feel very real for kids, so it's not something for parents to brush off without considering what they can do. But that doesn't mean you need to spend the rest of elementary school with a scared kiddo in your bedroom.
4 Ways to Encourage a Love of Music in Your Kids
April 03, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 864 KBSponsored by Little Tikes As the saying goes, no one ever regrets learning how to play an instrument. But whether or not Mom or Dad can sit down and bang out some rad tunes, they can always encourage their kids’ love of music by using an adorable singing storybook instead of a personal drum kit. Here are four ways to kickstart a love of music. 1.
Mom's Easy Hack Will Help Your Kids Stop Interrupting You (Finally!)
April 02, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 1.1 MBRaising a small child can truly test your patience, as kids are notorious for bombarding parents with random stories and never-ending impromptu monologues. As much as we love our little ones, it would be so awesome to get through a single conversation without a million and one interruptions. Thankfully, we have parents like Jessica Martin-Weber, whose simple trick to get her kids to stop interrupting her is the blessing that keeps on giving.
5 Things Not to Say to a New Mom
April 01, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 975 KBAs a new mom, I have experienced an outpouring of love and kindness, even from complete strangers. But there are, of course, those select few who just don’t have the whole “tact” thing down yet. Here are a few things one simply must never say to a new mom — unless you want her to burst in to tears: 1. “You know what worked for my kid ...” No, I do not know what worked for your kid, and, frankly, I don’t care. My kid is not your kid. Thanks, but no thanks. 2.
I'm Putting My Son Through 'Husband Bootcamp,' and Frankly Every Boy Mom Should, Too
March 31, 2020 10:02 - 3 minutes - 1.63 MBMy 15-month-old son exploded with personality right after his first birthday. Although he's always had little quirks, we're now getting to see his genuine interest in things. He loves "The Nightmare Before Christmas," he seems to be really into playing catch, and he loves to "clean." It started with him stealing the baby wipes. As soon as he could pull himself up to the coffee table, he'd snag a wipe and begin buffing.
How to Stay Connected While Social Distancing
March 30, 2020 10:02 - 1 minute - 899 KBIn this time of the coronavirus pandemic, voluntary social distancing has turned into full-on mandatory self-isolation for many of us, and it’s becoming clear that, at least in the short-term, we’re all going to have to get clever about how we connect. Here are just a few ideas: 1.
5 Ways Moms Can Relax on a Day Off
March 27, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 997 KBSponsored by Nintendo Switch. Every mom deserves time to herself every so often. After all, moms can only raise happy, healthy kids if they're happy and healthy themselves. If you're totally exhausted and overwhelmed, try taking a break from the everyday craziness to refresh yourself! 1. Go to the nail salon Pick out your favorite color and indulge in a little “me time.
Mom’s 'Disney Food' Hack for Toddlers Is Genius
March 26, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 1.01 MBEvery now and then, a truly clever parenting hack will go viral and leave you wondering why you didn't think of it. Well, prepare to be amazed by the latest parenting hack to take social media by storm. It's being referred to as the "sticker hack," and it was invented by a mom named Jane Stine, who has the entire internet bowing at her feet. The clever mom shared the "hack" on Facebook, where it's been shared more than 100,000 times.
5 Devilish Things Moms Do to Their Kids
March 25, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 1020 KB5 Devilish Things Moms Do to Their Kids We all love our kids. But still, there are times when we find ourselves being just a little bit deceptive when it comes to parenting those little darlings. Hey — it's not like grown-ups get to go trick-or-treating, OK? Besides, that candy was going to go bad anyway. Pretty sure.
5 Things I Will Absolutely Not Miss About the Baby Days
March 24, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 977 KBThese are the days. I know this to be true. I’m reminded of it daily. My little ones are still babies; they rely on me for everything. They give me kisses and love me more than anyone else. Sure, I can enjoy a lot of it, but there are also lots of moments that make me want to lose my mind. And today, I want to talk about those moments. Like these five, in particular: 1.
5 Diaper Bag Hacks Every Mom Should Know
March 23, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.29 MBFor being so adorably small, babies sure do require a lot of stuff. When it comes to putting together a diaper bag for a day out, knowing what to put in and how to organize it all can get overwhelming quickly. Spare diapers and wipes are obvious, but what else? Will Baby need a change of clothes? Toys? What about feeding? And why didn't we register for a bigger diaper bag? Here are five diaper bag hacks so moms and dads can rock this parenting thing from day one. 1.
3 Ways Your Newborn Will Test Your Relationship
March 20, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1020 KBYes, having a new baby is beautiful, but it also creates a domino effect that impacts every other area of your life, most notably the relationship with your significant other. No one ever really tells you that. So here's the truth that baby commercials and family shows never really cover: Your newborn tests you and your relationship. Here's how: 1. Crazy sleep deprivation Staying up all night with a newborn is CRAZY. And your partner is likely very sleep-deprived, too, making for the pe...
Which Type of Spring Cleaner Are You?
March 19, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.34 MBWhen spring arrives, there is a palpable joy in the air. We can throw our kids outside without layering them in mountains of clothing and open our windows for a little fresh air. But with the delightful changes come a few not-so-fun ones, like spring cleaning. For some of us, spring cleaning hangs over our heads like a dark cloud of doom, whereas others hear "The Eye of the Tiger" faintly playing in the background as they prep their springtime purge.
I Traded My Clean House for 4 Kids & I Don't Regret It
March 18, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.23 MBOnce upon a time, I had a really clean house. Even when I had two kids (nearly five years apart, by the way), my house was almost always clean. Did I mention that I was also a stay-at-home mom at the time? Yeah, I'm laughing at myself now, too -- while I am literally sitting at the kitchen counter with my laptop, staring at a sink full of dirty dishes and wondering why my elbow is sticky. Probably has something to do with the yogurt my 2-year-old was eating earlier. Look.
Mom of 9 Shares Genius Costco Cookie Hack
March 17, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.25 MBAs a mom of nine (yes — nine!), Lois Sue Baker knows a thing or two about feeding a large family and saving money while you're at it. It's part of why she began shopping at Costco years ago. And recently, she decided to take to Facebook to share one of the many tips she's learned over the years — one that has left a lot of people wondering how they never knew about it before. "Everyone deserves to know this!!" she wrote in her February 16 post.
4 Ways Weekends Change When You Become a Parent
March 16, 2020 10:39 - 2 minutes - 1.04 MBTGIF tends to lose its luster when you become a parent. I don’t even remember the last time I went out on a Friday night when it didn’t involve getting pizza with the kids. Here are just four ways weekends change when you become a parent: 1. Sleeping in is not happening Little kids have an inner alarm clock that seems to be far more reliable than any other clock on the planet.
5 Things Even the Biggest Pregnancy Hater Will Miss About Being Pregnant
March 13, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 722 KBAfter three kids, I can confidently say that pregnancy isn’t my jam. However, despite my discomfort, it turns out that pregnancy does have a few perks. Here are just a few things that even the biggest pregnancy hater might miss once their little one arrives: 1. Maternity pants Maternity pants are pretty much the best thing ever — and secret confession: I totally still wear my maternity jeans on occasion.
Why I'm Starting a 'Miss Independent' Account for My Daughter
March 12, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.05 MBMy friend — let’s call her Betsy — is a stay-at-home mom. She loves her two children, but she has serious marital issues. She knows that her husband has a problem with alcohol. As her friend, I desperately want her to leave him. She wants to leave, too, but one thing stands in her way: money. Betsy married young and hasn’t worked outside the home in years. She has no money in her own name and barely has a credit score.
My Toddler May Be in Diapers Forever After Our Huge Potty-Training Fail
March 11, 2020 10:02 - 2 minutes - 1.34 MBBy the time my third child was about 2-1/2, she started showing some definite interest in the potty. After all, that’s where all the big people go to do their business, and none of us wear those diaper things. I had already potty-trained my two older kids, fairly easily, I might add, so off to Target we went to get the necessary supplies. We got a pink plastic potty and a large tarp to cover the carpet in the living room for a few days.
Mom Shares Hysterical Baby-Wearing 'Hack' for Exhausted Parents
March 10, 2020 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.11 MBMom Sheena Turner’s creativity skills were on full display when she devised a hack so simple — and yet so genius — that the entire internet is bowing at her feet. (OK, and also laughing hysterically, because it’s just that good.) The stroke of genius happened while Turner was walking around the house with her 8-month-old daughter, Kelani, in a baby carrier.
Stop Acting Like I’m Overreacting to the Coronavirus
March 09, 2020 10:01 - 1 minute - 825 KBI’m nervous about the coronavirus. There. I said it. In a world where there seems to be two extremes of opinion about this widespread illness — you’re either panicked or think everyone who is panicked is crazy — it feels risky to say that out loud. That’s why, when I hear my mom friends accuse people of overreacting to the coronavirus, I get a bit touchy. I’m not an alarmist. I’m not a germaphobe.