Need a laugh to pass the time while you trudge through another night feed? Hilarious TikTok moms to the rescue.
It’s the middle of the night, your baby’s up, and you’re desperate to go back to sleep but someone is taking their sweet time, apparently enjoying the snuggles and nourishment. Don’t watch the clock—watch #MomTok! There are so many hilarious moms on TikTok who are also in the thick of it, sharing the most relatable rants, jokes, and observations sure to help the time go by (and make you feel seen). We’ve watched a lot of videos to get here; these are six of the funniest moms to follow on TikTok.
A writer, comedian and content creator, 28-year-old Myers tells personal stories to her TikTok following of more than 6.6 million, sharing funny and sometimes embarrassing moments from her everyday life in that rapid-fire, energetic way that works so well on the platform. Her content is often themed around mental health—she lives with introversion, anxiety, depression and ADHD—but Myers, who is based in Omaha, has one kid and is pregnant with her second, providing her with lots of funny parenting-related material, too.
With four kids and a baby running around her Vancouver home, Ssonia Ong has no shortage of antics to draw from for her wholesome-yet-hilarious TikTok. Since launching the account during COVID lockdown, Ong has found her niche and amassed more than 9 million followers. We can’t get enough of her funny conversations with her daughter (especially during cooking tutorials), responses to people’s ridiculous questions, and seeing her baby stand for the first time in the background of a post about laundry.
Unafraid to be silly and real, and often found in a bathrobe in her kitchen, Oregon-based Soliana jokes around about life as a wife and mom to her following of 364,000, tackling topics from the “joys” of having her kids home over the summer break to how she feels when they use the decorative towels in the washroom. Her facial expressions alone are often LOL-worthy.
Xennial moms, take note: Chrissy Allen’s Tiktoks are pure fun and silliness, making light of all the highs and lows of parenting life, but with a focus on ’90s nostalgia (she’s a baby of the ’80s and child of the ’90s). Some of her funniest videos make use of popular TikTok sounds and songs, like this Britney filter (her Little Mermaid is also beyond).
Like so many of us, Aly spent a considerable amount of time trying to get her daughter to say “mama,” and her 238,000 followers were invested until it finally happened (though she’ll still only sing “dada”). But there’s no shortage of side-splittingly relatable moments for the toddler mom to lean into now, often using popular TikTok soundbites, like the weird things that crack her kid up (e.g. fake coughing), a toddler’s wildly short attention span for activities, and being forced to be a morning person (sigh).
Guess who’s obsessing about her baby’s sleep just as much as you are? Emily of Maverickmother, that’s who—which means plenty of videos showing the British mom of five passed out when she shouldn’t be (smushed against her kid’s crib bars in one). That’s right, figuring out baby sleep doesn’t actually get easier the more kids you have. When she’s not using the perfect movie clip to bring your every mom thought to life, Emily hilariously pokes fun at married life and her husband’s horniness.
Although we here at Tinybeans spend most of our days celebrating the women that create this amazing community of moms, March is officially Women’s History Month! And what better place to kick it all off than by highlighting some of our favorite women-owned brands? Supporting these businesses puts funds directly into the hands of female entrepreneurs and allows them to continue pioneering the ever-growing landscape of women-owned brands. We know it won’t come as a surprise, but women face a level of challenges in business that their male counterparts traditionally don’t.
Being intentional about where we spend our money means researching the brands we’re buying from; we’ve done that part for you, though. These women-owned brands are offering some of our absolute must-have products and services that we love year round. Beauty, fashion, lifestyle, kitchen—there’s no shortage of incredible goodies
SPANX
Sara Blakely, Founder After Sara solved a wardrobe crisis of her own by cutting the feet off a pair of pantyhose, SPANX was born. It's now the standard for shapewear and has evolved into a full line of women's fashion that we adore.
Cherie Hoeger, Founder & CEO It started with a call Cherie had with an aunt in Venezuela, where pads and tampons hadn't been available in stores for years. She immediately thought about what living without easy access to those products would be like for herself and her daughters. Months later, Cherie designed what she considered to be the ideal menstrual cup, and this idea turned into a line of period care, absorbent underwear, and more. Saalt is committed to donating 2% of their revenue to donate period care to regions with the most need, and help fund initiatives in menstrual health, education, and sustainability.
Ameeta Jaim, Co-Founder & CEO Ameeta created a program to help struggling readers gain reading and comprehension skills by integrating educational screen time. With Readability, your child can read out loud, independently and receive real-time feedback and assessment from the interactive voice-based AI tutor, while you track their progress. This personalized approach provides immediate feedback and tailored assessments, making the learning process engaging and enjoyable. The AI tutor's guidance helps your child become a confident reader, developing strong comprehension skills that will benefit them throughout their academic and personal lives.
Carolyn Ansley, CEO If you’re anything like a ton of parents out there, struggling to find nutrition for little ones who have a sensitivity to cow’s milk can be a long journey. KABRITA USA completely understands that struggle and created their goat milk formula based on what is best for baby, using the highest quality, European, GMO-free ingredients. It’s a gentle, non-GMO alternative to cow’s milk and soy, and KABRITA offers infant formula, toddler formula, junior nutrition, and snacks that are ideal for sensitive kiddos.
Swoon now has a full line of zero sugar, monk fruit sweetened lemonades and iced teas and is on track to eliminate one billion (yes, billion!) grams of sugar from the supply chain. Swoon was born out of necessity. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of six, Jennifer Ross knew she wanted to create a healthier beverage option that still felt fun and celebratory. Her friend Cristina Ros Blankfein, the Cuban American mom of three, was also seeking better options for her family. Together, they created the zero sugar beverage brand with the mission of tackling the sugar-filled beverage market.
Founded by Greek-American and olive oil sommelier, Katina Mountanos, Kosterina is a wellness brand centered around the extraordinary benefits of high-antioxidant superfoods and the clean, Mediterranean lifestyle. Katina, a former beauty and ecommerce industry executive turned is on a mission to make ultra-healthy products more widely accessible to consumers, and created a cross-category brand carrying extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, dark chocolate, and olive oil based skincare.
Three Wishes, founded by Margaret Wishingrad, is a healthy-while-delicious cereal. After welcoming her first son, Ellis, Margaret realized the white space in the market for a nutritional cereal she wanted to feed her son. She created these delicious cereals that we can't get enough of!
Proofwas founded in May 2020 by Lori, Jodi, and Kari Caden. Proof offers a line of really (really) leak-proof period underwear that empowers women to live life worry-free. These are the only triple-patented underwear for protecting against leaks and periods on the market – the brand’s patented Leak-Loc technology holds up to 5 tampons or 10 tsp of liquid, fights odors, and wicks away moisture all day! They even have a line specifically for teens.
Born and raised in central Seoul, Annie Chun grew up eating foods from the ocean - including seaweed that her culinary-gifted mother would roast and serve. The idea of reinterpreting a favorite food from her childhood became the catalyst for gimme. Gimme was the first brand to offer USDA Certified/Non-GMO Verified Organic seaweed snacks, and Annie had to influence South Korean farmers to change their practices to do this! She not only ensures that these snacks are sustainably grown, but also that they incorporate the highest quality ingredients possible.
Amber Murray, Founder Fidget Stickers Textured Sensory Stickers are a fun a discreet way to help people ground themselves when they're feeling anxiety or overstimulation!
Sarah Ribner, Founder PiperWai features natural deodorants, body wash, and oils, all created to "create a more sustainable future through products we use every day."
Jennifer McMillan, Co-Founder Jenny and her husband Dave launched home decor brand JennyGems in 2015, and in 2020, they began manufacturing their own products!
Megan Benson, Owner Ethically sourced from a New Zealand sheep farm, felted by fair-trade certified female artisans in Nepal, and hand assembled and packaged in Egg Harbor, NJ.
Claire Watson and Nicole Hairfield, Co-Founders Claire and Nicole are best friends, moms, and neighbors who launched lifestyle brand Moonlight Makers in 2015!
Alaina Moulton, Founder Mom of 1 and military wife, Alaina Moulton, launched Baby’s Brew in 2019 as the world’s first portable, battery-powered bottle warmer!
Tara Williams, Founder Tara came up with the idea for Dreamland Baby weighted swaddles and sleep sacks when her 4th baby, Luke, kept waking up multiple times a night. As seen on Shark Tank!
Amanda Hunt, Founder As a mom of 3 and former Senior Technical Designer and Product Development Specialist for All Brands Intimates & Swimwear at Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie, Amanda knew she could improve the traditional nursing bra and actually make one that was cute, trendy, and wearable!
Leanne Sherred, M.S., CCC-SLP, Co-Founder As a Speech Language Pathologist, Leanne has years of experience treating patients with communication disorders and challenges, but she quickly noticed that too many families were struggling to get access to the care they needed. So she created a new care model focused on research-based techniques that were aimed at meeting children and families where they were with 1 on 1 virtual sessions from home.
Kelly Morrissey & Lisa Loyd, Co-Founders Kelly and Lisa came up with the idea for chic, comfortable loungewear that can be worn braless when they decided they were tired of being uncomfortable in loungewear around unexpected guests or family members. The JJwinks "light hug" support allows you to wear their pieces without a bra while still feeling comfortable!
Arpi Khachatryan, Founder Born in Armenia and emigrated to Barcelona at the age of 10, Arpi developed a passion for designs when she moved to the U.S. and had her first child. Her pieces are created to help support mothers through their journey!
Helen Reavey, Founder Originally from Ireland, Helen's education-first approach to scalp (and ultimately hair care), has led to her regularly debunking hair myths across the industry, while simultaneously growing her celebrity fan list and cult-following. Celeb fans include: Marissa Tomei, Sienna Miller, Sarah Snook, Mark Ronson, Bella Hadid, Kourtney Kardashian, Melissa Wood, Halsey, Molly Sims and more.
Stephanie Lee, Founder Daughter of immigrants, Stephanie created selfmade, a ritual-based psychodermatology brand. It connects clean, sustainable products with the human pursuit of self-exploration. Their collection of face and body essentials is linked to online resources and a proprietary wellbeing app.
Jennifer Fisher, Founder Jennifer Fisher is best known as “the Queen of Hoops” for her eponymous NYC-based brass and custom fine jewelry line and A-list celebrity cult following that includes Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Tracee Ellis Ross, Emily Ratjkowski, Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, Bella Hadid, and many others.
Eunice Byun, Founder Material has become one of the most beloved kitchenware brands introducing collections that span useful food prep tools and cookware to gorgeous hand-finished tabletop ceramics.
Phoebe Yu & Kat Dey, Co-Founders ettitude is a purpose-driven lifestyle brand pioneering the world’s first, proprietary CleanBamboo® fabric. Made from 100% organically-grown, non-toxic bamboo lyocell, ettitude’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and comfort has resulted in some of the world’s softest, most breathable bedding, bath, and loungewear anywhere.
Aishwarya Iyer, Founder A cult favorite AAPI-owned pantry essential bran known for making some of the freshest, highest quality olive oil, vinegar, and honey on the market.
Hannah Mendoza, Co-Founder Clevr Blends is the Meghan Markle-backed and Oprah-approved SuperLatte brand making decadent and delicious oat milk latte drinks infused with adaptogens, probiotics, and superfoods.
Jing Gao, Founder Fly by Jing has become one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer startups and modern Asian food brands in the country, redefining the narrative around Chinese food in the Western world.
Heather Jiang & Jen You, Co-Founders Allégorie’s eco-friendly collections upcycle discarded fruits and plants (yes, really!), collected from grocery stores and juice factories, and transform them into stylish lifewear while ensuring health and fairness for all workers involved. Allégorie’s signature Gala Collection is crafted from apple peels recycled from apple juice factories and each Gala Card Holder upcycles about 25 apples.
Cassey Ho, CEO & Lead Designer POPFLEX offers products that are designed to not only look cute, but also serve a purpose. Best known for their viral sensations like their Vegan Suede Yoga Mat (designed to get grippier as you get sweatier), the Hourglass Legging and the cozy Cloud Hoodie. This fun brand is a small, BIPOC-owned business made up of mostly women.
Sloane Grossberg, Founder Sloane's background as a designer has allowed her to fabricate luxurious details without creating a bag so precious that it needs to be babied or so trendy that it will soon be out of vogue. shortyLOVE was born out of Sloane's desire to create her own version of a smartly designed, fashionable AND functional bag that's perfect for moms on the go!
Lindsey Laurain, Founder ezpz was created when Lindsey got fed up with the mess her 3 boys created as young eaters. Today, ezpz is a leading developmentally-focused feeding company providing mealtime solutions for first foods all the way to independent eaters!
Tera Henderson, Founder Inspired by her sons, Ford and Wyatt, born almost a full trimester early, Tera created a brand to honor moms and their little ones. She focuses on mom + me matching whenever possible, and all of their hand-designed styles are cut, sewn, and washed for softness in L.A., California. You'll find faves like Raising Legends, Raising Boys, Raising Girls, Bubby, Sissy, and more!
Ines Rosa, Founder With a strong presence in European perfumery, cosmetic, and drugstore chains, JCOS has introduced its line of intentional Japanese beauty products to the US market, designed to bring balance and beauty to the lives of women of every age, race, and ethnicity. JCOS offers collections of holistic self-care products.
Amanda Victoria, Co-Founder Siponey is the first B Corp certified cocktail company that dedicates 2% or more of their annual revenue to environmentalist organizations. They're committed to saving honeybees and creating a delicious canned cocktail, too!
Coco Quill, Founder Whiskey & Woof is a luxury scent brand that's Leaping Bunny Certified, vegan, and hand-poured. They offer candles, room sprays, diffusers, and more.
Jacynda Smith, Founder TYME is the hair tool brand that revolutionized heat tools with their original all-in-one styling iron that just requires the flick of your wrist.
Lynne O'Brien, Founder Line in the Sand is a line of active/waterwear and accessories that take a stand for empowering women and the planet. Their various UV swim leggings, tops, and dresses are made from recycled materials. 100% of the profits go to cancer and ocean organizations.
Linda Balti, Co-Founder Amour Vert is the ethically made, women-led, sustainable fashion brand that combines Parisian sophistication with Northern California ease while also giving back through partnership with American Forests.
Meena Harris, Founder & CEOPhenomenal Media is a values-driven, 360-degree media company that centers women and historically excluded communities. They're committed to lifting up the stories, experiences, and talents of underrepresented groups, helping to build community, shift dialogue, and shape culture.
Kelley Higney, Founder The chemical-free solution to bug bites and stings, BUG BITE THING is a suction tool that extracts the saliva/venom the insect leaves behind. Goodbye, itch.
Kelly Oriad & Callie Christensen, Co-Founders Plushes and lovies that come with kid-friendly board books and affirmation cards to help kiddos develop social and emotional skills early.
Jenni Morse, Founder Simpli Press combines the timeless qualities of a French press with modern-day innovation to achieve the smoothest complex brew with effortless cleanup. Get a rich cup of customizable home-brewed coffee with all the flavor coffee has to offer AND without the grit, in just three minutes.
Elizabeth "Pebby" Haislip, Founder "Our brand is built on a real human understanding of what it's like to struggle with accepting your body after a baby, postpartum depression, motherhood, anxiety, dating woes, and more." Pebby Forevee tees and accessories are designed to be flattering, fun, and confidence-boosting.
Violette Serrat, Founder & CEO Violette couldn't decide between becoming a painter or a fashion designer, and with the French-inspired makeup and skincare line she created, Violette_FR was born.
Pia Rappaport-Goldman, Founder PILLOWPIA offers home accessories that are eclectic, minimalistic, and chic while staying totally accessible. It's easy to match these pieces to almost any of your existing decor.
Lauren Brooks, Founder Bakery Bling started out offering glittery sprinkle baking decorations that are totally edible. Now they offer everything from glitter sprinkles to premade cookie decorating kits and houses.
Meredith Madsen, Founder Sunshine & Glitter creates fun, sparkly, and effective suncare that's eco-friendly, good for you, and reef-safe. They offer sunscreen, hair care, lip balm, and lotion.
Bonnie Blackburn, Owner "Hi! I'm Bonnie and the owner and creator of Hey June. I started this business five years ago out of desperation—to feed babies and pay the mortgage during years of a difficult marriage and then single momhood." Hey June offers beautiful, affordable, wearable jewelry pieces that are everyday staples.
Candice Collison, Co-Founder & CEO Candice found herself suffering from PPD and anxiety after giving birth to her daughters, and trying to dress her postpartum body made it that much worse. She developed Fair Trade Certified Of an Origin for motherhood in all its stages.
Tierra Forte, Founder & CEO, Barrie Brouse, Co-Founder, & Anya Emerson, COO Mightly is the brainchild of Tierra and her 8yo daughter Eloise. They create durable, adorable, eco-friendly kids clothes that can be mixed and matched.
Eliana Lopez, Founder All MUKUPATI products are made in a family-run factory, in Venezuela, that is committed to zero waste. For every purchase, MUKUPATI donates a percentage of sales to Fundacion Esperanza de Vida, an organization that helps children in extreme poverty in Venezuela. They offer soft, safe, and comfy kids essentials.
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Everyone has spent more time reading the last year than ever before, so why not update your bookshelf with a few fresh finds? This year brought us plenty of gorgeous picture books, historical tales and feel-good reads for audiences of all ages. Keep reading to see our picks for the best kids’ book of 2021.
Mommy Goes to Work Jossy Lee creates the perfect book for families with working parents. While kids go to school, Mommy goes to work! With adorable illustrations by Nila Aye, kids of all ages will find this story reassuring and a positive take on career-minded parents. Ages: Baby+
Courage Is Courage looks like a superhero or a firefighter, but it also looks like a lot of every day things. Jason and True Kander's new board book explores how everyone can have courage everyday––and be scared, too! Ages: Baby to 3
DC Super Heroes: Diversity Is A Superpower & The Power of Kindness Julie Merberg is back with two new titles in the DC Super Heroes series and they're all about diversity and kindness. The DC Universe is packed with people from all over, with unique traits and qualities that lend a hand to others in need. With bright illustrations and simple narrative, these board books for baby are just as fun to look at for adults. Ages: Baby-3
Little Observers On the Farm & In the Park Claire Beaton's two board books introduce baby to the big world around them. Simple narratives take readers through the farm and park, pointing out the beauty along the way. Each story ends with two pages dedicated to search and find, where everyone can make sure they caught all the details. Ages: Baby+
B is for Bison Greg Paprocki's introduces young readers to 26 National Parks. Each letter of the alphabet shares something that can be found in each park, with beyond adorable illustrations. Ages: Baby+
Trees- A Count & Find Primer Count to 10 and learn all about trees along the way with Greg Paprocki's new primer. This book ends with plenty of fun facts about each tree and a search and find component. Ages: Baby+
Words of the World: Ocean Animals & Birds Beautifully simplistic collages by Motomitsu Maehara come together in these multilingual board books. Each one comes with over a dozen animals, each one translated into seven languages that include English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, French, Arabic and Esperanto. Ages: Baby+
Glow The duo from Curls is here with a new board book for baby. Ruth Forman and Geneva Bowers bring Glow, which highlights the beauty of Black Joy and tells the story of a little boy who uses the moon to celebrate his lovely skin. Ages: Baby+
Rise and Shine From legendary children's musician, Raffi comes a new board book with the lyrics of his song, "Rise and Shine." Accompanied by adorable illustrations, your youngest reader will love this addition to the Songs to Read collection that encourages kids to wake up and start the day with a smile. Ages: Baby+
Return of the Underwear Dragon The Underwear Dragon is back! This time, Sir Cole wants to help learn how to read, so he can't wreak havoc ever again. Ages: 3-7
Lila Lou's Little Library Lila Lou has too many books––or is her house just too small? Maybe she can make a library where she can share with her friends! Written by Nikki Berggstresser, this book comes with helpful tips on learning while reading. Ages: 5-7
Home Britta Teckentrap is back with another peek through picture book. Told with stunning illustrations, this story demonstrates how everyone needs a place to call home. Ages: 3-7
What's That? Jax and Meena don't have typical school lunches, thanks to their unique cultures. Karen Chan's poetic story follows the two on a journey told through food and imparts that mealtime is so much more than just eating. Ages: 3+
The Capybaras Alfredo Soderguit's capybara creative story is a tale of acceptance. When the hairy creatures encounter the local hens when they're looking for a place to stay, can they open their hearts to the foreign creatures? Ages: 3-8
Little Narwhal, Not Alone Based on a true story of an unlikely friendship between a narwhal and a beluga whale, this sweet tale from Tiffany Stone is fun for readers of all ages. Adorable illustrations from Ashlyn Anstee accompany the whimsical story. Ages: 4-8
Goodbye, Old House Moving house can be sad and scary, but exciting too! Margaret Wild and Ann James share a sweet story of saying goodbye, but hello at the same time. Ages: 3-7
Cat & Dog: A Tale of Opposites Is there anything more opposite than a cat and a dog? This sweet book of differences from Tullio Corda shares that opposites don't mean enemies. Ages: 3-6
Mister Fairy Fairies are usually smiling and happy, but Mister Fairy just isn't a morning person and has a hard time enjoying his job. When he decides to leave the forest, his adventure takes him on a journey where he learns his role and how amazing it is to bring joy to others. Ages: 4-8
Teatime Around the World Many people enjoy teatime, but did you know it's celebrated differently around the world? Follow along on a trip across the globe and have po cha in Tibet, afternoon tea in England and matcha in Japan in this gorgeous book by Denyse Waissbluth. Ages: 3-7
See the Dog That's not a dog, that's a cat! This silly tale from David LaRochelle follows Baby Cakes, a cat on dog duty. How will this furry pal handle all the duties of a dog? Ages: 4-8
Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change Do you want to be a change maker? Miranda Paul's book shares real kids making a difference, no matter their age. With illustrations by Bea Jackson, learn all about Jazz Jennings, Greta Thunberg and more. Ages: 4-7
ABC of Feelings From Anxious to Zany, feelings are a curious thing! Written and illustrated by Bonnie Lui, this simple book helps kiddos identify their emotions and learn what to do with them. Ages: 3-7
Maybe... Three little monkeys are getting into some mischief! Christ Haughton's bright tale about maaaaaybe pushing boundaries proves a fun and delightful message to young readers. Ages: 3-7
Cat Problems Cat lovers will fully appreciate this hilarious tale from Jory John. With perfectly textured illustrations from Lane Smith, this fun book follows the completely difficult life of a house cat as he navigates his day. Ages: 3-7
Trick or Treat, Crankenstein Crankenstein is back! Samantha Berger and Dan Santant follow the lovable character as he navigates his fave holiday. But will a toothache, pumpkin carving issue and terrible costume nightmare take out all the fun? Ages: 4-8
Archer Otters: Megalodon Outbreak The Archer Otters are out to save the day. When seaweed starts to run low, threatening their food supply, the trio heads to the ocean to find more. Can they battle the evil submarine and scary megalodon and find the seaweed they seek? Ages: 4-8
Sonny Says Mine! The first book in a new series by Caryl Hart and illustrator Zachariah Ohora introduces little readers to Sonny and his friends. When the little fox finds a new toy bunny at the playground, he's thrilled! It's the best toy ever––until his friend Boo tells Sonny it's HER toy. It's up to Sonny to say he's sorry, but can he do it? Ages: 3-6
Stick and Stone Best Friends Forever! Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld are back with the second installment of Stick and Stone. The two have set out to find Stick's family tree, but encounter some scary things along the journey. This sweet tale helps readers see the importance of family, whether its blood or found in friendship. Ages: 3-7
The Perfect Plan Maya is headed to the forest to build her dream fort! Leah Gilbert's beautifully illustrated and written tale shares the adventures of her protagonist as she relies on her forest friends to work together, share creativity and exhibit perseverance. Ages: 3-6
Dozens of Doughnuts LouAnn is prepping for winter by whipping up dozens of doughnuts. But, uh oh! Tons of friends are stopping by and she gives out all her food! In this sweet story by Carrie Finison, kids will learn the basics of counting, sharing and being a good friend. Ages: 3-7
Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter Tiny mouse Dakota is on a mission. Late at night, she scurries through the museum with her treasure map on the hunt for artifacts she can share at later at the Mousehole Museum. Young readers will love the followup activity that has them flipping back through the pages to find their own treasures in Jamie Michalak's book. Ages: 3-7
Paletero Man Latin Grammy winner Lucky Diaz brings a bright and colorful story that follows our young narrator on the hunt for his friend Paletero José. Only the sweet treat will cool everyone off on such a hot day. With Spanish throughout, the story is a celebration of kindness and the Latin culture in Los Angeles. Ages: 4-8
Dozens of Dachshunds Is there a cuter pup than a Dachshund? How about when there's a dozen of them? Stephanie Calmenson explores the whimsical and adorable nature of the famed "wiener dog," with sweet illustrations by Zoe Persico. Count along in this fun poetic tale that will have you woofing and wagging. Ages: 3-6
Wolfboy Andy Harkness’ artistic skills come alive in his second book, Wolfboy. When Wolfboy gets hungry, he gets growly and drooly and just wants rabbits! With unique images that were made by clay and then photographed, this taunting tale is delightful for the whole family. Ages: 2-5
How to Apologize Do you know how to apologize? David LaRochelle takes a rather humorous approach in explaining not only the importance of apologizing, but how to do it sincerely. With whimsical illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, even adults will learn a thing or two about the art of the apology. Ages: 3-7
That’s Cool, Tallulah! Stella Bella has a special doll and they have a magical friendship. Tallulah causes her share of mischief and one day Stella Bella hears a voice in her head that tells her to do the right thing. Written by the voice of Rugrats Angelica Pickles, Cheryl Chase and illustrated by Giulia Iacopini, this sweet story demonstrates the importance of listening to rules. Ages: 2-5
Wishes Inspired by actual events in the life of author, Muon Thi Van, Wishes is the story of one Vietnamese family’s search for a new home. Victo Ngai’s beautiful illustrations further the gentle approach taken to make a story of fear and the unknown approachable and relatable to the youngest of readers. Ages: 4-8
Send a Girl! Jessica M. Rinker and Meg Hunt join forces in this true story about how women joined the Fire Department of New York. Brenda wanted to become a firefighter more than anything, but the FDNY made it near impossible. When she refused to give up, Brenda ended up changing the course of female firefighters forever. Ages: 3-6
Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion Fluffy McWhiskers can't get any cuter. When her cuteness causes people to explode, she escapes to an island, where she meets an equally cute pup. Ages 4-8.
My Daddy Can Fly! Principal ballet dancer for the American Ballet Theater Thomas Forster shares a sweet story of a little boy talking about his father. With traits that include strength, gentleness and speed, this story shows the wide range of talents that accompany a professional dancer and daddy. Ages 4-8.
Hope at Sea Hope doesn't want her father to leave on his clipper ship. Unless...she can stow away and go too? Told with simple prose and stunning illustrations by Daniel Miyares, this book will inspire young seafarers. Ages 4-8.
a kids book about your microbiome This last year, kids want to know about germs more than ever. But what about all those healthy microbiomes? Follow along in Ara Katz's word-focused book on the goodness living within your body. Ages 6+.
It Fell from the Sky A mysterious object fell from the sky and everyone wants a peek. Told with stunning illustrations from The Fan Brothers, this tale shares the woes of keeping beauty for yourself, when it could be shared with everyone. Ages 4-8.
Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal Written by former Navy SEAL Howard McWilliam, this sweet story about Skipper the Seal shares his journey in the Navy. Perseverance and courage, along with the ability to overcome obstacles are just a few things Skipper learns as he becomes a SEAL. Ages 4-8.
Goodnight Ganesha Told with stunning illustrations by Pooam Mistry, Nadia Saloman's bedtime story explores the rich beauty of an Indian night. Children will follow along with the rhyming prose as grandparents and grandchildren get ready for bed. Ages 3-7.
Beautifully Me Author Nabela Noor tackles issues of body positivity as readers follow main character Zubi. She's never thought of her size as a bad thing, but when she hears others complaining about their bodies, she begins to question: "is there something wrong with me?" Ages 4-8.
Walter Does His Best: A Frenchie Adventure in Kindness and Muddy Paws Sing Who's a good boy? Walter! Well, kind of. Walter tries to be good but sometimes, he makes a mess of things. Eva Pilgrim's fun tale of a dog's adventure in NYC demonstrates that you don't have to be perfect, so long as you're kind. Ages 4-8.
Make Meatballs Sing, the Life & Art of Corita Kent Matthew Burgess' picture-book biography of Corita Kent shares the story of the famed artist in alluring color and detail. With gorgeous illustrations by Kara Kramer, young and old readers alike will be challenged to notice to the details in everyday life. Ages 6-12.
I Hear You, Forest Head into the forest in Kalle George's newest book. Follow a child into a magical place as she listens to the sounds of the forest. Accompanied by Carmen Mok's illustrations, readers will feel transported into another world as they read along. Ages 3-7.
My Dog Banana Roxane Brouillard's hilarious tale of a boy taking his "dog" for a walk will have you chuckling. When Banana is out and about, no one takes him seriously. With sweet illustrations from Giulia Sagramola, this book will have you questioning whether or not a banana really can bark. Ages 4-8.
Animal Architects The world is a construction zone, and we're just living in it! Amy Cherrix dives deep into the wonderful world of architecture and how our fellow animals and insects are constantly building around us. With beautiful illustrations by Chris Sasaki, you just might be inspiring an architect of the future! Ages 3-8.
The Longest Storm Hitting close to home in the wake of the pandemic, Dan Yaccarino's gorgeous and heartfelt tale of navigating a seemingly never-ending storm provides the perfect narrative for discussing difficulties with children. With simple illustrations and story-telling, parents will find this book perfect for talking loss, family conflict and more. Ages 4-8.
Prehistoric Pets Perhaps the greatest pop-up book on the topic of prehistoric animals, Paleontologist Dr. Sean Lomax takes kids on an adventure exploring seven of the world's favorite pets. Using vibrant pop-ups with the help of illustrator Mike Love, kids will follow fossil clues to unveil ancient animals and fun facts. Ages 5-9.
Indelible Ann Late governor of Texas Ann Richards inspired women everywhere and she's back in Meghan P. Browne's book to encourage young readers. The Carlynn Whitt-illustrated book follows Richards early life and rise to political prowess where she went on to inspire the likes of Hilary Clinton and take on the "boys club" of politics. Ages: 4-8
Except Antarctica Todd Sturgell's debut children's book is hilarious and educational for young and old alike. What would happen if animals didn't like what the narrator had to say? That's where this sweet book kicks off, as Turtle decides he wants a visit to the coldest spot on the planet! Ages: 4-8
Lala's Words Little Lala doesn't like to stay inside––she loves to escape to her garden where her kind words help plants grow! Though her mother doesn't understand her, Lala knows that the power of kindness can cause everything around her to flourish. Ages: 4-8
A Most Clever Girl The ultimate tale of girl power, Jasmine A. Stirling’s A Most Clever Girl is a must for every children’s bookshelf. Beautiful illustrations by Vesper Stemper accompany this inspiring story about how Jane Austen used her love of words to define her life, becoming one of the most celebrated authors of all time. Ages: 5-9
Kindness is a Kite String It’s easy to spread kindness, you just have to try! With illustrations by Claire Laforte, Michelle Schaub pens a lyrical approach to starting the day off with kindness and demonstrates how it ripples throughout the day to everyone around you. Ages: 5-7
Faraway Things They were called faraway things, the things that Lucien would find washed up on the shore below his home with the lighthouse. Written by award-winning novelist Dave Eggers and accompanied by Kelly Murphy's detailed illustrations, this lovely picture book tells the story of a young boy who finds a cutlass after a storm. He takes it home, and for a short time, calls it his own. When he meets the cutlass's owner, he must make a trade for another treasure, and when he does, what he gets in return is even more important. Ages: 5-8
Words to Make a Friend You don't have to speak the same language to be friends! This sweet tale by Donna Jo Napoli and Naoko Stoop shares the story of two little girls, one American and one Japanese who don't let language stop them from friendship. Ages: 9-12
War What is war? This stunning story uses creative illustrations and little verbiage to share the origins and stealthiness of war and how to share the difficult concept with kids. Ages: 9-12
Where Snow Angels Go Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night for no reason? Sylvie awakens one evening to find her very own angel––could it be the same one she made in the snow last winter? Maggie O'Farrell's tale follows the relationship between Sylvie and her protector when she needs him the most. Ages: 7-10
The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection This adorable book by author Ben Brashares is a story about a boy named Chuck, who, while insisting he's bored and his stay-at-home-dad is "boring," comes to learn about his ancestors and their great contributions to the world. Determined to make his own mark, Chuck looks for a mountain to climb, an ocean to explore, bugs to collect. When things don't turn out as he'd hoped, Chuck ends up doing something completely new and cool. A wonderful addition to your kids' book collection. Ages: 4-8
Jenny Mei Is Sad This sweet story by Tracy Subisak just might hit you deep down with its profound yet simplistic exploration of friendship when one friend is sad. It's not our place to always cheer up our friends. Being there is what is important. Ages 4-8.
Dad, the Man, the Myth, the Legend He can wrestle pythons to the ground, he can fly to the hardware store, he's a certified genius: he's dad! Written by Mifflin Lowe with stunning illustrations by Dani Torrent, this all about dad tale praises the amazingness of fathers and even has a special place in the back to brag about your own padre. Ages 4-8.
Sharky McShark Sharky is a bully. All the fish in the sea swim furiously away when she approaches. But when a tiny crab enters her world, all things change. You'll love this story from Alison Murray that delves into themes of bullying, vulnerability and the importance of friendship. Ages 4-8.
Dragonboy Follow along on a day of adventure with Dragonboy in this colorful story by Fabio Napoleoni. You'll love how Dragonboy treasures the differences of his friends and has empathy for their struggles. Ages 4-8.
Jonah's Adventures in the Enchanted Garden You'll love diving into this delicately illustrated story of a boy who spends the summer with his grandparents and discovers a land beyond the confines of their garden. Author Rodica Niculescu penned this lovely story for her grandsons and you'll be immersed in the story from page one. Ages 1-11.
Sharp Eye the Eagle Series If you are looking to impart some lessons into your reading time, this series is perfect for you. Each of the seven stories in the series has Sharp Eye the eagle imparting wisdom like why too much screen time is not a good idea, or why sharing benefits us all.
Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal This clever story by Admiral William H. McRaven shares the story of how Skipper goes from being a seal to becoming a Navy SEAL (and why making the bed is always important!). Ages 4-8.
Little Messy Marcy Su Author Cherie Fu brings us this lovely tale of a tired mom and her exuberant child who come together to get their house ready for the grandparents' visit. Lovely rhyming with Chinese words interspersed gives us a glimpse into this family's everyday life. Ages 4-8.
I Am an American, the Wong Kim Ark Story This story by Marth Brockenbrough is an important picture book that introduces young readers to the young man who challenged the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen and won, confirming birthright citizenship for all Americans. Ages 4-8.
Bravo Anjali Young readers will enjoy the story of Anjali as she struggles with friendship and owning her exceptional talent in the tabla world where she is the only girl. A follow-up story to Always Anjali, this story inspires young readers to never dim their light and to never let anyone make her feel bad for being good at something.
A New Harvest You'll love this sweet tale by Cristina Expósito Escalona (that's available in both English and Spanish). It tells the story of a farmer, devastated by tornados, who bring his field back to life and receives support from homeless people in his community, who are then able to be supported by the land and the work. Bonus: this book is sustainably made using stone paper. Ages 4-8.
The Secret of the Magic Pearl Elisa Sabatinelli and Iacopo Bruno's story will take readers on an adventure. Told in long-form and with stunning illustrations, follow young Hector along as he searches for the illusive magic pearl. Ages 6-10.
Lotería Karla Arenas Valenti's debut middle grade novel is packed with action. Combining Día de los Muertos imagery, Mexican folklore and the game of Lotería, readers will follow Clara on an adventure of fate. Ages 8-12.
The Other Side of Luck Perfect for young fantasy readers, Ginger Johnson's tale explores the relationship between Princess Una and Julien, a pauper in the kingdom. When both enter a contest to find the illusive Silva Flower, can the two find a sense of belonging in their otherwise lonely worlds? Ages 8-11.
The Gumazing Gum Girl! Stick Together! Gum Girl, aka Gabby Gomez, returns in this fifth book of the series. Fresh off a trip meeting her uncle, Gabby must now take on an overgrown hamster alongside friends new and old. Ages 6-10.
Stolen Science Ella Schwartz and illustrator Gaby D'Allessandro are setting the record straight when it comes to inventions, science and who should receive credit. The two explore underrepresented communities, immigrants, women and more who made strides in science but went unnoticed over the last few centuries. Ages 9-11.
The Kids of Cattywampus Street Meet the kids of Cattywampus Street! This delightful 11-chapter book dedicates a story to each of the unique and whimsical children on the block. Perfect for lovers of Sideways Stories from Wayside School, this book also has carefully placed black and white drawings throughout to keep young readers entertained the entire way. Ages 7-10.
Mightier Than the Sword Rochelle Melander's collection is a must for budding writers. With illustrations by Melina Ontiveros, Mightier Than the Sword shares the stories of writers from diverse cultural backgrounds who changed the world with the pen. Not only does this new book details stories like Frederick Douglas and Helen Keller, but it includes robust writing tips and activities, too. Ages 8-13.
Starfish Lisa Fipps debut novel faces off against the world of fat-shaming with her lead character Ellie. Follow along as the young protagonist finds new friendship that will take her from wanting to blend in, to becoming comfortable with who she is––no matter her size. Ages 10-13.
A Total Waste of Space-Time! Book two of the Space-Time series is here! Get back on the potato with Jide and Petra as they travel to the planets of their friends. Jeffrey Brown's graphic novel is the perfect, can't-put-down read for middle graders. Ages 8-12.
How to Win a Slime War Author Mae Respicio is back again with a darling story that middle-grade readers will love. Twelve-year-old Alex Manalo and his dad have recently moved back to Sacramento to help with the family's Filipino market. In his free time, Alex loves to make slime and a friend at his new school encourages him to sell his concoction, sparking a battle with a girl who previously enjoyed a slime-opoly on campus. To make matters worse, Alex's dad thinks Alex should be focused on more traditional "boy" pastimes, like sports, which Alex hates. How to Win a Slime War is filled with heart and hope as it explores the fun and hard work of being an entrepreneur, navigating family and boyhood expectations, and discovering what it means to win. Ages 8-12.
Kitty Quest What happens when two kitties who need cash team up to become monster slayers? They head out on a Kitty Quest! This debut graphic novel by Phil Corbett follows Woolfrick and Perigold as they awaken ghosts and battle monsters––without any experience! Ages: 8-12.
Mellybean & the Giant Monster, Mellybean & the Wicked Wizard Meet Melly, a lovable pup who just wants to play with her feline friends. When a prank goes awry, Melly finds herself falling down a magical hole in the backyard! Join her as she takes on monsters and witches in the first two graphic novels by Mike White which are equally fun for kids and adults. Ages: 8-12.
The Islanders Themes of environmentalism and conservation permeate this debut middle grade novel for author Mary Alice Monroe. When Jake is forced to spend a screen-free summer with his grandmother on an island nature sanctuary, he befriends two other kids and they bond together to save loggerhead turtles from predation. Ages: 9-12.
Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas Without any formal training, young Dian Fossey embarks on a journey to Africa to study and protect the few mountain gorillas left on Earth. This book creatively tells Dian's story, inspiring young readers to follow their dreams. Ages: 8-12.
Ways to Grow Love Ryan Hart is back in Renée Watson’s second installment of her series. The young heroine is headed off to sleepaway camp, where she’ll meet a new camper that requires her to share her best friend. Follow along as our leading lady navigates tons of changes, including the birth of her baby sister. Ages: 7-10
EINSTEIN – The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time You'll love Torben Kuhlmann’s brilliant new picture book that bends time and imagination through the adventures of a clever mouse. When this mouse misses the world's largest cheese festival by only one day, he is determined to travel back in time to experience all the Emmental and Gruyere he desires. He enlists the help of a mouse clockmaker and together they delve into Albert Einstein's notes as they set about on their adventure. Ages: 8-12
The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast This sequel to the Eisner Award-nominated The Cardboard Kingdom follows the kids as they solve the mystery of a new neighborhood monster. Through a unique collaboration of 10 authors, each character is given an individual and authentic voice that makes this vibrant, profound, and utterly moving children’s graphic novel series truly shine. Ages 9-12
Gamora and Nebula: Sisters in Arms Author Mackenzi Lee is back with the second installment of this highly-popular series that's full of the Marvel Universe characters you love. Find out what happens when Gamora arrives on Torndune―a once-lush planet that has been strip-mined for the power source beneath its surface―with a mission to collect the heart of the planet. Ages: 12+
She Persisted: Sally Ride Award-winning author Atia Abawi brings young readers the story of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. As she broke barriers in space, this amazing woman went on to change the face of NASA and developed engineering programs that would enable women of the future to follow their dreams. Ages: 6-9
The Firebird Song Fans of Shannon Hale will thoroughly enjoy this new novel by Arnée Flores. Travel to the Kingdom of Lyrica, where the Firebird has vanished. Once the protector by its song and feather, its absence is felt strongly as the evil Spectress reigns. Can Young Prewitt and Princess Calliope solve the mysterious message found on the castle wall and bring back the Firebird for good? Ages: 8-11
Dead Wednesday It was anything but a typical school day when Worm Tarnauer hopped out of bed on "Dead Wednesday." It was the day he'd been looking forward to his whole school career, when eighth graders were assigned a teen who had died over the past year, donned their black shirts and became invisible. Worm didn't anticipate that his journey with Becca Finch (age 17, car crash) would take him where it did. This book by Jerry Spinelli will have you thinking about what it means to truly live.
The Wild Ones This one's all about feminist power when a group of teenage girls must band together and use their special powers to save the life of the magical boy who saved them all. This is the second novel from author Nafiza Azad and the deep character development will have you reading well past bedtime. Age 14+.
Daughter of the Deep Fans of Rick Riordan will love this new release that pays homage to Jules Verne in this exciting modern take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Young readers will be enthralled with the characters as they dive deep into the action and humor that are Riordan signatures.
Paradise on Fire Author Jewell Parker Rhodes is back with her follow-up novel to critically acclaimed book Black Brother, Black Brother. Paradise on Fire is inspired by the devastating Camp Fire that devastated the town of Paradise, CA in 2018. Addy is haunted by the fire that killer her parents and spends the summer at a wilderness camp learning new outdoor skills. But mostly they learn how to rely on each other. This poignant story has themes of environmentalism, racism and activism and is a must-read for teens and parents alike.
Dust & Grim Bestselling author Chuck Wendig comes through again with this charming tale of two rival siblings who must bond together to save their family business, a mortuary for monsters. Ages 8-12.
The Hawthorne Legacy In Book 2 of the Inheritance Games series, you'll find heiress Avery Grambs sorting out the pieces that come after Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to her, a complete stranger. With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, Knives Out-like family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike. Ages 12+.
The Land of the Pines In her debut novel, author Summer Pines teaches readers about the gift of empathy and how friendship can help us through trials. Lush illustrations capture the magic found in the Piney Woods of Nilsson’s East Texas hometown and bring the cast of creatures vividly to life.
Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood From seventeen acclaimed Black male and non-binary authors comes a vibrant collection of stories, comics, and poems about the power of joy and the wonders of Black boyhood.
Mermaid Tears Susan L. Read’s debut novel helps young readers understand struggles with their mental health and provide essential resources to help them. Sarah is a hard-working student, a good friend, a kind daughter, and a creative soul. Lately however, maintaining her grades and friendships has become harder than usual, and nothing brings her much joy anymore. With the help of her family, friends, trusted teacher and mental health professionals, Sarah learns that there is a name for what she is dealing with. She develops tools, not only for coping, but for thriving. In learning about her condition and gaining the support she needs for managing it, she begins the long journey back to her life. Ages 8-12.
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar This story by Payal Doshi chronicles the journey of Rea as she goes on a quest with her friend Leela to find her missing twin brother Rohan after a fight on their 12th birthday. Rea must solve clues that lead to Rohan while experiencing many hurdles, challenges and unexpected encounters along the way. Ages 8-12.
Little Jagadish and the Great Experiment This book by Ajali Joshi chronicles the journey of a young boy named Jagadish who sets out to find solutions to unanswered questions using the scientific method. Inspired by the life and work of Indian physicist, botanist, and author Jagadish Chandra Bose, this story encourages young readers to embrace their curiosity and unleash their inner scientist.
The Girl from the Attic When a mysterious black cat leads Maddy Rose into an unknown attic, she meets Clare and his very sick sister Eva. Together Maddy and Clare jump into a money-making scheme in his uncle’s dangerous soap factory to buy a cure for Eva. But an unexpected tragedy befalls them before Maddy is pulled back into her own time to confront the premature birth of her own sister. Will the skills she learned in the past help her solve the problems of the present? Can the strange shape of the house make a difference? Age 11+.
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching Young readers have been eagerly awaiting the third and final book of the Tristan Strong trilogy by author Kwame Mbalia and the time has come! Will Tristan be able to make his way north to his home in Chicago, or will the ghosts and evil spirits of the south, known as the haints, stop him along the way? You'll need to read to find out!
National Geographic Kids World Atlas Where should your family vaycay next? Let this comprehensive atlas help! Packed with maps, facts and tons of photos, inspire the wanderlust in your fam, stat.
Skygazing Two books in one, this exploration of both the night and day sky covers everything from ancient beliefs and spiders, to creatures of the forest.
It Takes Guts What exactly is the science behind barfs and burps? And what about poop? Dr. Jennifer Gardy gives up all the juicy details on the magnificent human body.
Palm Trees at the North Pole Perfect for young environmentalists who want to learn about climate change, Marc ter Horst's book is all about inventors, scientists, activities, volcanoes and more. Alongside Wendy Panders' illustrations, adults will learn just a much as kids in this detailed work of art.
The Ultimate Art Museum Ferren Gipson is ready to take you on adventure. Travel through time and all over the world finding the most famous art of all time in this perfect coffee table book. With over 40,000 years of art, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Wild Child: Adventure Cooking with Kids Sarah Glover, the James Beard Award-nominated author of Wild: Adventure Cooking, brings us this lovely book that will definitely motivate you and your kids to get cooking outdoors. From campfire bananas to food cooked in coconut, this book will definitely up your camping food game.
Guide to the National Parks of the United States, 9th Edition If your family is planning a National Parks visit this year, you need to pick up a copy of this great reference book. It gives you road trip routes, hiking suggestions and lots more.
Birds: Explore Their Extraordinary World Stunning illustrations by Angela Harding abound in this nonfiction compendium by Miranda Krestovnikoff. Young learners will explore the vast world of birds, from the coldest regions and beyond. Perfect for a coffee table or a keepsake, this gorgeous book has something to teach everyone.
Want to be more productive? You might want to consider becoming a morning person. We asked a handful of entrepreneurial San Francisco Bay Area mothers to share what they do to launch into a successful day (or week), and yup, getting up early was on the list for these organized moms. Here are 10 tasks these boss mamas check off their to-do list before 10 a.m.
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Get the kids on board.
When Erin Wallace's children were 7 and 9, she started teaching them to pack their own lunches each morning, so she had time to prepare for work. "I made sure there were some easy-to-grab basics like baby carrots, chips and fruit, but otherwise left them to pack what they wanted," says Wallace, brand director at thredUP. "Instead of micromanaging their efforts, I let them know there were occasional surprise inspections, and that I needed their lunches to be reasonably healthy and well-balanced. If they passed inspections, they were eligible for 'nutrition-free Friday,' when I promised to look the other way, and they packed themselves whatever they wanted." Wallace said she was surprised how motivated her kids were by this task and found their Friday lunches were funnier than they were unhealthy: dry cereal to Nutella sandwiches and stale Halloween candy.
Workout a window
"Once a week on Fridays, my husband takes my daughter to school, and I do a quick at-home workout in the time that it normally takes me to drop her off at school," says Connie Wong, president and founder of Moderne Press public relations. "This lets me get a cardio workout—albeit short—in at least once a week."
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Make the most of every moment.
Stylist and editorCat Dash is used to being on the go. So, when she's tied down nursing her newborn daughter Coco each morning, she makes the most of her downtime by listening to an audiobook. "So I feel like I'm doing something productive," says Dash. Having an electric kettle on hand also makes it easier for her to heat a quick cup of tea, which always feels like an indulgence in those early baby stages.
Set an alarm for me time.
Lisa Jackson, co-owner of Morningtide shop in Albany wakes up 15 minutes before her boys are out of bed. "I can wash my face, get dressed and take care of myself before taking care of the kids," says Jackson.
Jackson's morning self-care routine also includes drinking a big glass of water. "It's always been a habit of mine since I was a kid—my mom made me do this every morning—and I feel like it wakes my body and mind up." Jackson also makes breakfast a priority. "I like to make a giant green or fruit smoothie. Many times I will make extra French toast, pancakes, or waffles and freeze them so it's super easy to heat up on a school morning," she says. "Sometimes I'll have the kids add fruit or something so they feel like they helped make their own breakfast."
Skip the guilt trip
Kelsey Schmidt, director of marketing and partnerships for Elise Green, starts her morning routine every night before she goes to bed. "After the baby goes to sleep, I make his bottles and get anything he needs to be organized for the next day," she says. But she also accepts help, without feeling guilty. "Our daycare opens at 6:30 a.m. and most days I'm waiting there at 6:20 to drop him off. That way I can get the rest of my morning sorted out without the distractions of a little human."
Catherine Weis, founder of the gifting company Bestowe makes a list with three columns every Monday morning. "Column one has the easy-to-do tasks that I know I need to do. Column two has the bigger tasks. Column three is the day of the week," she says. "In column three, I take one big task and place it there and fill in the smaller tasks everywhere else. It's like taking big stones and putting them in a jar and filling up the rest with pebbles."
An organized kid equals an organized mom.
But Weis isn't the only list maker in the household. On Monday mornings once her weekly list is set, she sits down with her son to help him create one of his own. "We make a list for things that he can do to help out the family, house, himself," says Weis. "This is usually daily and tends to coincide with what he has to do that day: if it's school, we talk about when he wants to shower, read, etc. so that we can all manage expectations."
Etienne Fang is a researcher, and creator of Having It All, a project that shares the beautiful diversity of what "having it all" means to women around the world. "After I wake up, I do a 10-minute meditation before the day gets started," she says. "I have a whole ritual around it. I bring out my meditation cushion into the living room, light a giant Le Labo candle, and turn on meditation on Headspace. When I am done, I feel less anxious about the day ahead. And my home smells lovely from the candle."
Get to ground zero
What's next on Fang's morning checklist? The dishwasher. "The simple act of putting clean dishes away in their place is my equivalent of starting with a blank canvas for the day," she says. "If I have to come home after work to a full dishwasher and a sink full of dishes, I would not be able to quickly prepare dinner and shield the onslaught of hangry kids coming home from a long day at school."
Longing for a schedule that really works for your kids? We all need to transition into a new, fall routine, and, for many parents, we also need to manage a home schedule alongside some kind of school schedule. No matter what learning looks like for your family right now, kids really need a predictable schedule supported by easy-to-learn routines And, frankly, us grownups need this too! Schedules reduce anxiety and take the guesswork out of our day-to-day—which is super important at a time when none of us needs to worry more. So, how best to get started?
Thinking about the Time of Day Can Help
For many kids, scheduling certain activities at specific times of day can make a big difference. That’s because we humans have our own internal timing mechanisms called circadian rhythms that repeat roughly every 24 hours. These dictate how we wake, sleep, and shift energy and focus throughout the day. And, though rhythms can vary, for many little kids, mornings can be pretty marvelous.
What Is Marvelous about Mornings?
Though really young brains are hard to study, parents and teachers often notice that young kids tend to be calmer, better able to focus, and less likely to frustrate in the morning. This is especially true after a good night of sleep and a solid breakfast. Here are a few, easy ways to make the most of mornings.
Not a morning person? Get a coffee and read on…you can incorporate many of these ideas into your end of day routine!
Capture Early Hours to Connect
Not all kids wake up sweet and snuggly, but many can enjoy special mornings. Although each of my kids need a slightly different approach, the morning is generally a super sweet chance to touch in with all three. The trick is to go to bed at a time that allows you to wake up slightly earlier and find a way to connect before the craziness of the day starts. Cozy up and read a book together, go on a short walk or just cuddle and listen to beautiful music. If you can, make sure you are able to make physical contact—since we’ve long seen how loving touch reduces children’s anxiety and deepens bonding. Think of it as putting some sweetness in the bank that you can both draw on as the day, and whatever challenges it brings, unfolds.
Not a morning person or just had one of those mornings? Focus on the day’s end. Brew some tea, put on PJs and snuggle it up with kiddos between dinner and bedtime—sustaining moments of connection can happen at any time of day!
Transition into the Day with a Morning Meeting
A simple, fun ritual to signal that the day is starting can really help turn on kids’ bodies and brains for learning.
We call ours “morning meeting” and it happens as part of breakfast. It goes like this: We ding a glass. It takes a while for everyone to quiet down, but eventually, they get the signal. We name the date (reinforcing months, seasons, etc.), sing a song (selected by a different person each week), walk through the day’s schedule, then each share one personal goal or wish for the day. We started this ritual this summer, and it has made the day feel like it has a real start, even though none of us actually go anywhere.
If a whole meeting is too much for you to pull off each morning, try just making time to sing a song together. Singing together actually fires up our brain and gives us a feeling of amplified joy and bonding. Whether you are homeschooling, overseeing online learning or getting kids ready to head off to a school or care center, even a quick song together can elevate the quality of the day for everyone!
No time in the morning? Make time at dinner or before bed to reflect on what went well during the day and what you can look forward to and wish for tomorrow. Or just add in a sweet sing along before bed to punctuate the day with an extra bit of happiness.
Make the Most of Mid Morning
Young kids generally rock learning activities in the morning, once they’ve woken up and digested a good breakfast. So, it is helpful to schedule cognitively challenging activities or lessons at that time. This is why many elementary schools teach reading and math early in the day. One district in Massachusetts actually saw tremendous positive impact overall when they rescheduled the start time of elementary school one hour earlier.
Morning is also an ideal time to schedule something physically demanding like a learning walk, field trip or hike. And, if you are taking a playful learning approach, morning is a great time for guided play, when kids have the stamina and active memory ready to take an idea and run with it.
Snack keeps morning working.
The stretch between breakfast and lunch can get long for kids, especially if you pack a lot of mental or physical activity into your morning. A healthy snack, especially those that deliver a little protein along with the carbs, can keep kids going strong until lunch. Try to schedule snacks at the same time every day to give kids a sense of control and to establish that snacks are available only at certain times. For example, serving snack around two hours after breakfast can help make sure kid can maintain both the energy and the mood they need to enjoy all that morning has to offer!
Let the Rest of the Day Unfold
There is a zero percent chance that every morning will work like clockwork—these are small humans we are raising, after all. But, there is something really nifty about focusing on the early hours—even if the rest of the day is out of your hands, or even if it all goes downhill, you’ve still made the most of your morning, and that can often feel good enough!
After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Today, Meghan serves as co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Tinkergarten, the national leader in outdoor play-based learning.
My husband and I both work full time in demanding jobs. To add insult to injury, my husband travels for work. A lot. When he’s home, he takes the kids to school and I pick them up. Their regular routine has them leaving the house 30 minutes later than I do. So when my husband travels and I have to get them out of the house earlier, chaos naturally ensues. To have even a chance of getting to work at a reasonable hour, I’ve implemented a series of tricks:
1. Pick out clothes the day before. This goes for everybody. My baby isn’t picky, but it’s nice to lay out clothes for him anyway. It’s good to choose my own so I’m not holding a screaming baby with a toddler attached to my leg trying to choose an outfit that doesn’t scream “hot mess” in the morning. This is most important for my three year old daughter, who can be especially difficult in the morning. We’ve made a game of looking at the weather together and picking out everything from underwear to colored hair bands so there are no power struggles in the morning.
2. Meal Prep. I HATE cooking. I mean, I truly loathe it. If I could order take out all day every day, I would. I found myself spending an ungodly amount of money on food out during the week, but what ultimately got me to meal plan was a toddler that stopped eating lunch at school because she was so picky. Now, I plan food for both lunch and dinner, shop late Saturday night (in an empty grocery store sans kids with my favorite playlist or podcast going), and put together one Crockpot and one oven meal on Sunday. The kids’ school lunches are pre-packed (cut up fruit, crackers, yogurt) so all I’m doing on weeknights is re-heating our dinner, making sandwiches, and defrosting breast milk, which takes enough time as is. You’ve heard it a million times before, but for my family, meal planning really has meant healthier food, on-time dinners, and considerably less money spent. Bonus points for being able to eat lunch at my desk for those days when I don’t have a prayer of getting into the office before 9:00 am.
3. Tandem Tooth Brushing. If you haven’t already picked up on it, my daughter is a tad hard-headed. Trying to get ready and herd small children with any hope of showing up to work on time is a feat on its own, so we’ve made a game of getting ready together, including brushing our teeth, seeing who can get dressed the fastest, and “putting makeup on” together (she with her pretend set or a clean brush). To my daughter, it feels like a fun thing to do together, rather than a trick to get her to put her pants on instead of asking her 20 times and listening to her complain that the pants she wore three days in a row are suddenly not comfortable anymore. And in reality, it really is a fun way to spend the otherwise mundane morning tasks.
4. Get Up Early. I am NOT a morning person, and that hasn’t changed despite 3.5 years of children waking me up before dawn. I used to hit snooze until the absolute last second possible (and often still do) but I’ve found that 30 minutes of less sleep for me doesn’t actually make a difference in terms of my level of exhaustion, and being completely–or mostly–ready before the kids get up can be a sanity saver. It has also helped me minimize the amount of time I’ve left the house with mascara on only one eye or mismatched shoes (yes, that really happened). Be warned, though. If you’ve established a routine of getting ready with your kid, (see number three above,) you may brush your teeth twice or re-straighten your hair to avoid a meltdown.
5. When all else fails, bribe. I’m not above bribery. After a long week of my husband being out of town, I’ve been known to entice my daughter into the car in less than 15 minutes with the promise of a donut or some iPad time on the way to school. My husband and I refer to this as our “nuclear option,” and like it sounds, we try to use it as sparingly as possible. Careful with those sharp toddlers, though! My daughter is an expert manipulator and by day four or five of my husband traveling, she knows just a little push back on the morning routine will buy her an entire episode of Paw Patrol on the way to school.
What are some of your best tips for efficiency in the morning with little ones?
Keren is a business owner x2 (flat-fee lawyer and digital marketing operations) in active pursuit of the elusive work-life balance. With a couple of demanding jobs, a husband who travels for work and two little kids, she maintains her sanity by reading and engaging in inappropriate banter with friends, family and strangers.
My first kid was always a morning person. He’s 10 now and wakes himself up at 5:30 everyday. He get’s himself ready and rarely complains. He is cheery and talkative even if he had a late night. He is like the male version of Snow White–singing with birds in the forest, obnoxiously happy.
Let’s just say he created some really unrealistic expectations for me.
My second kid hates mornings as much as a taco bell janitor hates cleaning toilets after Taco Tuesday.
This is what last school year looked like.
If I could manage to get her up at all she would hide in blankets, stare at me but refuse to talk to me, make a lot of whiney noises, and test every ounce of patience in my entire body.
She could never find clothes to wear, or breakfast to eat or lunch to pack. She often “had a stomach ache,” hated school (she didn’t really), and didn’t have any friends (also not true).
I really did try. I’d try to go in early and snuggle her in the mornings, I’d sing her songs to wake her up or turn on music I knew she loved. I’d try to pick out cute outfits to make it easier for her. But no matter what I tried, she wasn’t interested.
And then it would happen…
I would turn into a “momster.”
I hated who I was when this side came out.
Yelling to the point that I was sick of my own voice.
Making threats and taking things away.
Going off on these long diatribes about how spoiled she was and how kids in other countries would be grateful for her life, or how I would go to jail if she didn’t go to school and she’d have to find a new mom, stuff like that.
I was desperate and nothing ever seemed to work. The few good mornings were tiny miracles that I couldn’t figure out how to duplicate.
Summertime meant our relationship was easier. She slept till 10 a.m. and I was grateful.
This new school year brought on a fresh start and I can finally say…we are doing so much better.
Monday’s are still the hardest, but we figured out a few things that give us more good days than bad.
1. Acknowledging Anxiety.
One day while scrolling through Facebook I saw a headline that said, “Kids don’t say they have anxiety, they say they have a stomach ache.”
My heart sunk. I lost count of the times I had dismissed her “stomach aches” as an excuse to get out of responsibility. I read the article and felt like the worst mom on the planet, but I also felt like I finally had a clue that could help my child and save my sanity. It all made sense. I immediately ordered the book they recommended for helping children understand and work through their worries.
As we read through it together I realized that as much as this described my child, it described me even more. Another gut punch. So a mom with unknown anxiety was trying to get a kid with unknown anxiety to suck it up and take on the world…every morning. A horrible combination.
This was a game-changer for us because it allowed us to both feel seen and gave us the language and understanding to communicate with empathy. Now, when she says she has a stomach ache, I respond with “What’s troubling you?” Or she’ll say, “Mom, I have a stomach ache, but not anxiety, a real one, maybe I need to poop.”
2. Soft Transition. I used to let her sleep as long as possible, thinking it would help her wake up in a better mood, but she ended up feeling rushed and overwhelmed and would freeze up. This year, I started getting all of the kids up earlier and letting them watch one show before they have to get ready for the day. We try to keep it educational (Current favs are “The Who Was Show” and “Brain Child” on Netflix). This has made a huge difference. I like to have a few minutes to read a devotional, sip my coffee and journal a bit before the day begins, she just needed the same soft transition.
3. Gratitude Practice. Even though mornings at home were getting better, I noticed that once we got in the car that anxiety would spike back up (especially since her older brother wasn’t at the same school this year to walk in with her). So, we implemented a gratitude practice while we drive. It’s like a game where we take turns sharing things we are grateful for. There is a visible difference in her face before and after we do this. And bonus, I end up a little more cheery too.
We still have good days and bad days, but overall we are both improving in how we deal with each other. I feed my inner “Momster” dark chocolate to keep her from rearing her ugly head and take herbal oil every day to manage my own anxiety so I don’t contribute to hers. Our relationship is not as strained, and that definitely belongs on the gratitude list.
Nicole is an artist, children's book author, and a free-spirited creator gracefully raising three wild offspring while chasing her bearded husband on his oilfield adventure in Midland, TX. Nicole paints pictures with words and tells stories with art that encourge people to reclaim their maker identity and live a life of colorful authenticity.
I am not a morning person at all. It’s actually really bad. Let me take you through a brief history of my wake ups. As a kid, I used to iron grip my covers over my face to shut out the sunlight, because it was so warm and cozy under those sheets. I battled the repeat attempts to wake up until I was on the verge of serious lateness. My dad used to try and “peel” me out of bed and literally drag me into the bathroom because I gave him “dead legs” and refused to walk. I would hold onto doorframes just to prove my point that I preferred to be in bed, not getting ready for school. He even tried waking me up with wet cotton ball drips in my ear and on my face to wake me up, which just pissed me off—nothing worked well.
Over time, he avoided the fights all together and wouldn’t utter a word. He would quietly remove the covers, slide my feet to the edge of the bed (as I continued sleeping, of course), sit me up, drag me into the bathroom (with a quick grab of the doorway for dramatic effect), prop me up against the sink, turn on the light, and close the door. Done. Yes, I did sleep while sitting up on the toilet for a bit, but I eventually managed to get myself to school on time.
So naturally, one would only expect that my children would avoid the morning routine like the plague. I do have to give them credit, though, because they are much better than I—thank goodness!
I have been through most of the school morning drama by now, with children ranging from 3- to 10-years old. Yes, I am fully aware that the pre-teen years don’t even come close. Believe me, I’m starting to see it already. Anyway, I digress…
Since I am queen of the anti-morning routine and master of the snooze button, I decided to find a way to wake up the kiddos without a fight or a fuss. As determined as I am, I did find a few—and of course, I will share.
Meaningful call-to-action
The call-to-action is your most important driving force. What I mean is that a quick wake up with a smile is virtually impossible, UNLESS, there is a really good reason. Creativity, my friends, creativity!
Here are my top five tips:
1. When in doubt, play it out. Such an enormous request from your tired little ones must be worth it. One option is to wake them up with a fun game that has a time limit. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT pit the kids against each other, or you will end up with a morning rivalry that will send you running for another cup of coffee and some chocolate before breakfast. Make it an individual game for all.
Here’s one: Walk into the room, turn on the lights, and ask your little ones to get out of bed and line up on the floor in front of you in the best statue of an animal, Disney character, or anything else. Close your eyes and tell them you will count to whatever number you choose (change it every day for variety), and then guess their pose when you open your eyes. Sounds silly, but it works every time. Kids unbelievably run out of bed and start their day with laughter and a smile, especially if there are multiple siblings. Over time, the results may nearly always have something to do with pooping, farting, or butts—but they ultimately get out of bed for a laugh.
2. Eye on the prize. You could also make a time limit to get fully dressed for a small reward of your choice (i.e., an activity, chance to play outside before leaving for school, or even a tiny morning treat). You know your kids, so do what works. Help him/her win, but do the time limit thing again that is secretly stretchable. After a while, they will do this to see if they meet the time, and your reward can disappear.
3. Guess what?! A third idea is to simply wake up with humor and a secret. This works especially well with the older kids. Walk into the room with an exciting anecdote about anything (i.e., something you remember, something that happened, or your faux pas from the other day). Waking up can be serious business and can turn ugly quick— so remember to tread lightly, my friend!
The next goal is to get your child out of the snuggly sleeping position with a mention, “Oh, I have something really [fill it in—important, funny, silly, scary, etc.] to tell you. First, you need to sit up and I’ll give you a hint. You’ll really want to hear this!” After your hint, complete the story only when the child visibly starts getting ready. Then find anything to tell them, but make it worth it. Curiosity gets them every time, especially when you change it up and make it fun and interesting.
4. Always wear your best smile. Last—and most important—no matter what you do, fight your anxious urge to speed up the morning and rush your kids out of bed in haste. This is the biggest time drainer and ultimately a timeliness death trap! Code red on the “get out of bed now, we’re late” talk. The struggle, resistance, annoyance, and sloth-like behavior will only result and cast a dark cloud on your morning, beware! Remember, no matter what: stay light, funny, playful, positive, and thankful for their considerate pace.
5. Star awards. If you plan on turning your peaceful and punctual morning into the new mainstay, make sure to praise, praise, praise! After the morning hustle at home, give your child a verbal or tangible “Star Award” (i.e., waking up with a smile, getting dressed quickly, no whining, eating a good breakfast, cleaning up after eating, sharing with siblings, helpfulness). These positive acknowledgements, as part of your morning routine, not only demonstrate your appreciation for even the smallest positive behavior, but also help to build self-esteem that your child will continue seeking. This routine also serves to start a positive day, no matter how the morning transpired. I typically do this during the car ride to school. Start off with an announcement and clues about the child, and then reveal his/her name at the end. We all celebrate top effort with a round of applause, and my kids feel so proud. At the end, they even make sure to include me in an award announcement too.
So that’s it. Adjust those top five strategies as you need, and you will experience a happier, more peaceful, and timely morning with your kiddos. I hope this helps ease your morning hustle and flips those wake-up frowns upside down. Until next time…
Ruthi Davis is a the Founder of Ruth Davis Consulting LLC with over two decades of success in advertising/marketing, media/publicity, business development, client relations, and organizational optimization for a variety of clients. Ruthi is a proud mom and influencer in the parenting and family market as founder of the Superfly Supermom brand.
You did it! You’ve crossed the finish line that is the end of summer and are sending your kiddos back to school. Whether you’re a first-time mom who’s wiping away a few tears or a seasoned parent cheering in celebration, here are a handful of tweets that are all about this most wonderful time of the year.
1. Maybe next year.
No thanks, "30 adorable lunch ideas for back to school."
In our house, getting out the door on time in the morning is an exercise in futility. Two adults, two kids under four and not one “morning person” in the bunch. It’s rare that everyone is awake more than 30 minutes before we have to walk out the door on any given day.
Then there is the getting dressed, the brushing teeth (this quickly becomes optional) and maybe hair, the breakfast thing, making sure bags and lunches are packed, putting shoes on (I know, I’m terrible for asking them to wear shoes) and then if you are lucky, walking out the door without forgetting anything.
IT’S A LOT!
Since I like to keep things simple, let’s try to make mornings simpler with these tricks and with as few tears as possible (adults included).
1. PACK LUNCHES THE NIGHT BEFORE
Start by putting all of the non-perishable items into the lunch bag the night before. Leave it on the counter and open. Gather the items that need to stay cold overnight and put them together in the fridge, ready to go. That way, in the morning, you are trying to assemble lunch, you are merely placing items into the bag.
2. PRE-MAKE ALL YOUR SANDWICHES FOR THE WEEK
Want another trick to make packing lunches even easier? Credit to Danielle Renov of Peas, Love and Carrots for this incredible hack for making sandwiches ahead of time. Make your favorite sandwiches, then freeze them in individual labeled zip-top bags. In the morning, pull one out of the freezer and plop it into the toaster or your sandwich maker, warm through, wrap it in foil and plop into a lunch bag. You can also just put them in their lunches frozen. They will defrost by lunchtime. Genuis, right?
3. USE THE WEEKEND TO PREP FOR THE WEEK
On Sunday, have the kiddo’s help portion out their snacks for the week. Then it’s just grab-and-go when it’s time to make lunches. This works for crunchy dry snacks, fruits, and veggies. Having your kids help with this can sometimes thwart even the worst case of the “Why’d you pack that?” or “I don’t wanna eat that.” When they have a hand in choosing, they are less likely to fight with you about it.
4. MAKE AHEAD BREAKFASTS
Again, get the family involved. Ask what they would like to have for breakfast in the upcoming week and prep and freeze these items. Want to go a step further? Label each breakfast item by the day and then when its crazy in the morning, everyone knows what is for who and then they can almost take care of themselves. Well, almost…maybe….kinda?
My favorite go-to for this are muffin recipes that freeze great. Some other ideas for make-ahead breakfasts include smoothies, overnight oats, and breakfast sandwiches. You can even pre-portion cereal into bags if that helps.
5. ENERGY BITES
Don’t know what to pack your kid to round out their lunch. Do they seem like they need a little pick me up first thing in the morning but aren’t quite ready for breakfast? Are you needing a little pick me up to deal with it all? Keep a batch (or two) of energy bites in your fridge on a shelf the kids can reach. Let them grab one as they need to. You know they are eating something good, they think they are pulling the wool over your eyes. Score one for the good guys!
6. LABEL, LABEL, LABEL
Label everything. I really mean it. Label everything and your mornings (and most other things you set out to tackle) will be easier. Here are a few of the things that I label to keep me sane:
Lunches
What day of the week each snack bag is for
Type of sandwich in the freezer
Type of smoothie in the freezer (although mostly I just tell ask them if they want red, orange or green)
I use stick-on labels for my kid’s clothes, sharpies for labeling zip-top bags and a label maker for stuff around the house. But, I want you to use whatever method works for you. The only thing that matters is that stuff is labeled!
7. UNPACK AND REPACK BACKPACKS WHEN THEY GET HOME, NOT IN THE MORNING
The worst thing ever is when you go to put lunch in a bag in the morning and there is still old lunch, scrunched art project and smashed notes from the teacher about the theme day for tomorrow rolling around in the bag.
Have your kids unpack their bag as soon as they walk in the door and take off their shoes. Have them put the dirty clothes in the laundry, the lunch box in the sink, art projects on the table, etc. Not only does this start teaching responsibility, but it’s also a huge help to you. Then, as soon as that bag is empty, go ahead and repack it for the next day (dry snacks, permission slips, water bottles, etc) and place it in its spot. Then in the morning, you just drop in lunch and off you go! Now, I don’t promise that any of this will help with the grumpy pants that stayed up too late or the toddler who refuses to eat anything (until they get in the car and are suddenly starving). But, I promise having things ready to go in the morning can set you up for a better day. You might even have time to enjoy your cup of coffee!
The quick story is that I'm a Detroiter, living in Chicago, married to a guy from Louisville. We have two hilarious munchkins who are nonstop. I'm an reformed MSW, former camp director turned full time blogger, I'm all about helping people keep life simple!
