When kid sensation Blippi whips up his next YouTube video, he’ll bring some new skills to the table: parenting. That’s right, Stevin John (aka Blippi) is now a dad! And since the baby’s birth in Spring, John has been sharing the most adorable updates.

The suspender-wearing host welcomed a son on Mar. 9 with fiancée Alyssa Ingham, sharing the happy news on Instagram. World, say hello to Lochlan David John.

The new parents shared more details about “Baby Blippi” in an interview with Parents, and they have a lot to say. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces, dad shares “He is so cute. We love him so much! It has been heaven having him with us!” Along with some key metrics, the couple shared some adorable photos of the newest addition.

We’ve been waiting for this exciting announcement ever since Stevin and Alyssa shared the news that they were expecting back in October. “I’m going to be a Dad! @alyssaingham and I so excited!!! 🍼🧸 Parenthood coming 2022!” went the caption.

Blippi has been hard at work prepping for baby Lochlan’s arrival. Alyssa shared that “Stevin has filmed three week-long trips before taking his time off for paternity leave. We wanted him to be close to home [in Washington] rather than filming in Los Angeles just in case there was anything that happened with the baby or preterm labor.”

Now that the newest member of the Blippi brigade has arrived, Stevin’s been taking time off to focus on his family. Together for seven years, he and his fiancée also have some wedding plans to make, but only after they’ve soaked in all the baby bliss.

“Literally the best week of my life,” Stevin shared after his first week with Lochlan. And their adventures have only been getting cuter.

In May, the family took a trip to L.A., and from Stevin’s update, it all went well! Especially meeting “Blippi” for the first time.

Honestly, this father-son duo is the cutest.

Initially inspired by his nephew, Stevin’s Blippi character has given him a leg up on the parenting game. When asked if he felt prepared for dad-dom, he shares, “Definitely. I know what kids’ interests are more now. And having met so many kids throughout the years, I feel more in tune with how kids act in their younger years.”

 

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Andy Cohen’s daughter has been filling up our Instagram feed for a few weeks now, and it’s about time she leveled up to TV. So on his first day back on set, the now dad-to-two decided to share all about Lucy Eve and cap things off with her on-screen debut.

To start his segment, Cohen gave several shout-outs to fans and, most importantly, to his surrogate. “I have to once again thank my incredible surrogate. What a partner and friend she has been to me…I am so grateful for her and so grateful she could deliver and carry Lucy in New York state, where surrogacy is now legal.”

Cohen referenced how supportive his fans have been through his journey to become a dad, and his Instagram comments tell a similar story. In particular, he’s getting tons of love for his surrogate shout-outs.

Comments have poured in like, “Love the shout out for surrogacy in New York and the love and respect you have for your surrogate!” and “And while you’re celebrating a beautiful family moment you still take time to appreciate your surrogate and woman’s rights in general. You are and have always been a class act.”

On his first taping back after paternity leave, Cohen went on to share all about his newest addition, including details on her name: Lucy Eve came to be as her dad honored his own parents, Louis and Evelyn.

The talk show host did point out his utmost respect for the Ashkenazi tradition, in which parents do not name their child after a living relative. Cohen did, however, speak to his Rabbi on the subject and decided to embrace the fact that Judaism is a multicultural religion filled with many honoring traditions.

Then it was finally time for sweet Lucy to hit the screen. Cohen shared a pre-recorded video with him singing a new version of his own Watch What Happens Live theme song, “Lucy Cohen’s got the 4-1-1, queen of midnight fun. LC, MC, late night, on Bravo TV.”

Mazel tov!

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When I was in my late 20s, the first batch of my friends started to have kids. I visited one of my college friends to meet their new baby—we chatted about our good ‘ole days, gave each other some status updates, and I just giddily flitted over baby even though I was scared to hold him. During this hangout, my friend said something that really stuck with me. While recounting to me the early days with baby and the challenges that ensued in a comical, light-hearted manner, she also mentioned that she and her husband started to fight more and that the baby, “Really took a toll on our marriage.”

I had been with my now-husband for nearly a decade at that point, and like many high school sweethearts, we had had our biggest fights during our hormone-raged youth and had settled into a routine by then. We knew each other well and had learned how to avoid a fight before it even started. So when I heard this from my friend, I remember thinking that it was such a sad thing to say and even vowed (as many dumb childless people do) that I wouldn’t let that happen to MY marriage when I had children.

What I didn’t realize then is that I would owe my friend an apology for having missed the point completely on this statement that is so honest and vulnerable and 1000% true. So if you’re reading this, I am so sorry for not understanding until now how freaking amazing you were to have shared this with me, and I want you to know that having heard this probably saved my marriage.

To the naive and idiotic mind of a know-it-all childless dump, the admission of their marital hardship sounded like a sad, deflated white flag to say that the relationship could not overcome this new chapter in their life. But the truth is, if you have children and it *doesn’t* take a toll on your marriage, you might be doing it wrong. Of course, there are those shiny rainbow couples who take every new stage with stride, love, patience, and sweet cuddles…and those guys can just leave this conversation. My husband and I, despite having been together for such a long time, were not and never will be that couple—and I imagine most of us fall out of that unicorn camp.

Having children changes you. Remember before we had kids and someone asked us if we wanted one, we would say something along the line of “Yeah one day, but for now, I enjoy ‘X’ too much,” filled in with things that we knew from all the clichés that babies take away: going out, spending an obscene amount of money on frivolous things, etc., things we felt we weren’t ready to give up. I always thought that I had to be ready to give these things up voluntarily to be “qualified” to have kids.

But that wasn’t it at all. When baby came I didn’t *want* to go out, sleep in, spend money, or eat fast food the way I used to, because the moment that the nurse plopped that cottage-cheese-covered red monkey of a baby on my chest was…to say it conservatively, a transformation. The person I used to be, the things I used to enjoy, even the things that I thought were hills I’d die on, all became insignificant and dull compared to this person I just made and have been endowed with. Call it hormones, even call it brainwashing. Whatever it was, it completely and permanently altered my very being. Sound frightening? It really really was.

So imagine, while this is happening to me as I pushed out a human that I baked from scratch—the same thing is happening to my husband, who I’ve known since I was 17. And I see him crying and laughing as this baby is peeing on him. And if you know my husband, you will say “He CRIED?” because it’s that surprising. And I didn’t know it then, but it was also a sign that some stuff was about to go down.

We fought so much those early days. My husband was lucky enough to have gotten a 6-week paternity leave, which was amazing because he got to bond with our son, but it probably also contributed to a lot of the fights because he was in the trenches with me. He knew about the bad latch, the sleeping and feeding schedules…and for the first time in our relationship, we both had something that we equally cared so deeply about that we were willing to put anything on the line for it—even our relationship. Up until that point, we were each other’s top priority. That shift was wild. And don’t forget, we’re not even the same people anymore, so the strategies and techniques that we had previously learned meant nothing. The baby was a wrecking ball, naked Miley Cyrus and all, who came in and totally demolished everything that we’ve built up as a couple. Now we had to try to rebuild it, while keeping a baby alive, which meant we had to do it with zero time and zero sleep. I wonder why we had so many problems? (ha!)

So yes, our kid took a toll on our marriage. But because of that, it forced us to build something in the aftermath that’s more resilient and deeply rooted in our being. We had to, or else we wouldn’t have survived. I now understand that having a kid to save a marriage would never work because it’s the absolute opposite—a kid is going to tear you up into shreds so small that you won’t want to pick those pieces back up to put it back together unless your marriage is worth saving. And you know what, I think that’s totally okay. The truth is, anything worth fighting for, there will be fighting for it. And I think we can all agree that our kids are worth the fight.

Lisa Aihara is a writer and artist based in Los Angeles. When she's not busy keeping her toddler alive, she's growing another human and has no time for any BS. For an honest, practical take on motherhood, relationships, and just life's struggles through comics and stories, follow her on Instagram and her Blog.

My son was 17 months old when my twins were born. Like many moms of multiples, I had complications giving birth to the girls and was sent home on bedrest after a long stay in the hospital. My husband is self-employed which basically means if you don’t go, you don’t make money so paternity leave wasn’t on the table for us.  My mom was a great help, but caring for twins who eat every 2 hours (24 feeds in 24 hours!) and a young toddler was wearing on her to say the least.

Because of my long recovery time and basically feeling shit-scared most days, I sort of felt robbed of the joyful parts of bringing our babies home for the first time. I thought it was just my family that had this kind of experience.  I started Let Mommy Sleep to help new parents like us and since the first day we opened 7 years ago, our phones haven’t stopped ringing. Turns out it’s not just me. It’s a LOT of us, maybe even most of us.

For this reason, In Home Postpartum Visits by a Registered Nurse should be a national healthcare standard for US families. They’re a standard in many other countries and the benefits to families include better safety, lowered readmissions and evidence based education for new parents. Two Hour In Home Visits aren’t paid leave and they might not change things for some families. But for moms on the cusp of postpartum depression, parents who are drowning in the sea of misinformation and families who don’t have help of friends or family, the care of a nurse might be the difference between sickness and health.

Photo: Denise Stern, Let Mommy Sleep

With twin girls and a boy born 17 months apart, I'm the owner of the world's most ironically named business, Let Mommy Sleep. Let Mommy Sleep provides nurturing postpartum care to newborns and evidence based education to parents by Registered Nurses and Newborn Care Providers.  

My son was 17 months old when my twins were born. Like many moms of multiples, I had complications giving birth to the girls and was sent home on bedrest after a long stay in the hospital. My husband is self-employed which basically means if you don’t go, you don’t make money so paternity leave wasn’t on the table for us.  My mom was a great help, but caring for twins who eat every 2 hours (24 feeds in 24 hours!) and a young toddler was wearing on her to say the least.

Because of my long recovery time and basically feeling shit-scared most days, I sort of felt robbed of the joyful parts of bringing our babies home for the first time. I thought it was just my family that had this kind of experience.  I started Let Mommy Sleep to help new parents like us and since the first day we opened 7 years ago, our phones haven’t stopped ringing. Turns out it’s not just me. It’s a LOT of us, maybe even most of us.

For this reason, In Home Postpartum Visits by a Registered Nurse should be a national healthcare standard for US families. They’re a standard in many other countries and the benefits to families  include better safety, lowered readmissions and evidence based education for new parents.  Lactation Consultations are already covered by most plans so it makes sense that a less expensive, more comprehensive service can be available.

In Home Postpartum Visits might not be needed by everyone. But for moms on the cusp of postpartum depression, parents who are drowning in the sea of misinformation and families who don’t have help of friends or family, the care of a nurse might be the difference between sickness and health.

With twin girls and a boy born 17 months apart, I'm the owner of the world's most ironically named business, Let Mommy Sleep. Let Mommy Sleep provides nurturing postpartum care to newborns and evidence based education to parents by Registered Nurses and Newborn Care Providers.  

With the year drawing to a close, its time to look ahead to what’s trending in 2020 when it comes to parenting styles and other topics like home design. The new year promises lots of gender-inclusive styles and names, in addition to a return to homemade and upcycled cuisine and fashion. Keep reading to see the top parenting trends we found on Pinterest, Google, and other resourceful spots, that are bound to take charge come January first.

Unisex Kids Clothes

Primary

When it comes to curating your kiddo's wardrobe, unisex kids clothes are on the rise. Neutral colors, simple styles and all gender-friendly prints make getting ready in the morning a breeze. Check out awesome companies like Primary, Quirkie Kids and Mochi Kids to get started on crafting the cutest gender-neutral closet.

 

Gender-Neutral Names

The Honest Co. via Unsplash

Ellis, Shea, Rowan––gender-neutral is the name of the game when it comes to trending baby names. Monikers that are fit for boys, girls or non-binary babes will be big in 2020, giving parents a little extra leeway when it comes to picking the perfect name for baby.

Homemade Baby Food

iStock

Ditch the storebought pouches and packs of pre-made food and spend your Sunday's whipping up homemade baby food. Simple ingredients make for easy purees and other tasty treats like teething biscuits, all with the peace of mind of knowing each and every ingredient.

Secondhand Styles

Anastasiya Pavlova via Unsplash

Not only are you reducing your carbon footprint by cutting back on the use of consumable goods, but you're giving your kiddo their chance to show their one-of-a-kind style when you shop secondhand. Thrift store shopping and buying used garb is predicted to be a big trend in the new year, so get ready to shop your fave local shops, online consignment sites and set up that account on ThredUp.

Gender-Neutral Party Themes

Adi Goldstein via Unsplash

Trolls, LEGO and Superheros––2020 will see tons of gender-neutral party themes. Ideas surrounding food, non-pink and blue colors and gender-inclusive activities all make for fun parties on the horizon. 

Outdoor Play Spaces

Yasin Hoşgör via Unplash

Indoor play areas are great for chilly weather, but outdoor play spaces are the place to be in 2020. Whether your kids love unstructured play, splash pads or traditional playgroundsgetting your kids outside is not only the trendy thing to do, but it's great for them too.

Unisex Nurseries

Havenly

Nurseries fit for any baby are taking the design scene by storm. Neutral color palettes with mixed textures like greenery, wood and iron are great for boy or girl, and don't restrict your design prowess to traditional blues and pinks.

Learning Vacations

Fas Khan via Unsplash

Next year is the year of trips that make your kids smarter. There are tons of domestic options, in addition to countless trips abroad to take the kiddos that will expand their experience and knowledge of the great world out there.

Space-Themed Parties

Inspired by Alma via Etsy

Whether your little is big into Star Wars or is a budding astronaut, 2020 is the year for out of this world parties. Gear up with galactic decor, space-themed activities and cosmic cookies and cake to celebrate the big day.

Better Parental Leave

smpratt 90 via Pixaby

We've seen plenty of companies make the move to improve maternity/paternity leave for parents, starting with these companies who have paved the way for other corporations (see Lowe's, Microsoft, and Walmart) to follow suit, and in 2020, the federal government may offer paid leave for more than two million non-military employees. This is one parenting trends that we can get behind! 

Revamped Kids Menus

Laterjay via Canva

Kids are starting to take over the kitchen! The year 2020 is predicted to be more adventurous when it comes to mini foodie palette's, with brands branching out into more organic products, powerful flavors with rich spices and new takes on old faves. Get ready to see lots of fresh items on the kids menu on your next outing.

Subscription Boxes

Kidpik

Fashion, crafts, food or STEAM activities––there is nothing to big too fit inside a subscription box for kids! Monthly or quarterly subscriptions not only keep kids on their toes in anticipation, but keep them yearning for more knowledge and creativity. Whether your littles like to express themselves through style or works of art, sub boxes are the trend of 2020.

––Karly Wood

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Photo: Christen Noelle via Unsplash

These days, there are apps for just about everything—even pregnancy tips for men. While a pregnancy app specifically designed for people who can’t get pregnant might seem strange, these apps are actually very helpful for men who want to support their partners through the process of carrying a baby.

Here’s why you should download pregnancy apps if your partner is expecting a baby, plus recommended downloads to try out.

 

There’s a Lot to Think about during a Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be all over the map. Some moms feel great throughout their pregnancies and even get that mythical “glow.” Others suffer from near-constant morning sickness and find themselves uncomfortable during most of their pregnancy.

Expectant dads can use pregnancy apps to get advice and learn more about what their partner is going through. They’ll also help men prepare for the birth and support their partner through any health concerns that may come up during the pregnancy. These can include:

  • Depression and anxiety
  • Tokophobia (fear of giving birth, which affects over 20% of pregnant women)
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum (severe, persistent morning sickness)
  • Preeclampsia
  • High blood pressure

There’s a lot to think about during pregnancy, and expectant dads can do their part by getting educated and being prepared to help out in any way they can. The following are five pregnancy apps that dads can use to make life a little easier for expectant moms.

1. DaddyUp

Known as “The dad’s field guide to pregnancy,” DaddyUp is designed to be a fun, informative tool for expectant dads. Besides the customizable preparations checklist, a journal to take down notes during the pregnancy, and a weekly progress report, the app offers dads “rugged” comparisons for the baby’s size at every stage (no more peach-sized babies!).

Dads can use DaddyUp to do their part and keep track of their pregnancy responsibilities in a fun, approachable way.

2. Quick Tips For New Dads

Feeling overwhelmed? Quick Tips for New Dads gets it. The app was created for new dads by the guys who have already been there and have wisdom and encouragement to share. The tips are bite-sized and easy to use, offering practical advice and ways to cope with the stress of being a new parent. Plus, you can post specific questions for other dads to answer!

3. BabySparks

Want to set your baby up for the best start possible? Of course, you do! With BabySparks, you can start learning about early learning and prepare for enrichment from day one. The app has a huge library of video activities for different developmental milestones that you can use to help your baby grow and thrive.

BabySparks adapts to your child’s unique needs, adapting based on their actual development and allowing you to track their progress. It’s a great program for bonding with your new baby while helping them achieve important milestones. The app is available in English and Spanish.

4. Who’s Your Daddy

Based on advice from midwives but written by and geared toward men who are trying to help their partners during pregnancy, Who’s Your Daddy takes the mystery out pregnancy. With funny, straightforward advice, the app guides fathers-to-be through the entire pregnancy, offering tips and updates.

5. Pregnant Dad

Pregnant Dad provides tips for each phase of pregnancy, even letting expectant dads know when it may be time to go shopping for larger bras. An appointment tracker, “survival” tips, and a birthday calculator are just some of the features Pregnant Dad offers. There are even built-in features for couples expecting twins!

Sharing the Responsibility

Today’s dads are more engaged than ever before. It’s a great time to be a father! Attention from both parents can help kids live happy, healthy lives. Since maternity and paternity leave can vary depending on a couple’s situation and more women today stay in the workforce after having children, it’s very important for both mothers and fathers to be involved in early childcare.

Sharing the responsibility and getting prepared for the birth signals your support and shows your partner that you care about her health and well-being. Pregnancy and parenthood is a shared responsibility—and seeking out knowledge via apps for expectant dads can help you prepare for your share of the responsibilities.

Sarah Daren has been a consultant for startups in industries including health and wellness, wearable technology, and education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life, including her position as a yoga instructor and raising her children. Sarah enjoys watching baseball and reading on the beach. 

In a recent essay for The New York Times Parenting section, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian got real about career expectations, becoming a father and paternity leave.

While Ohanian was lucky enough to take 16 weeks of paid paternity leave after his wife, tennis star Serena Williams, gave birth to daughter Olympia in 2017, not all dads are as fortunate.

In his essay, Ohanian writes, “Before Olympia was born, I had never thought much about paternity leave and, to be honest, Reddit’s company policy was not my idea. Our vice president of people and culture, Katelin Holloway, brought it up to me in a meeting and it sounded O.K., so why not?”

But after Williams’s complication-filled delivery of Olympia, Ohanian realized just how important his paid paternity leave was, writing, “Nothing could have dragged me away from my wife and daughter in those hours, days and weeks—and I’m grateful that I was never forced to choose between my family and my job.”

So why does Ohanian think men aren’t asking for paternity leave? He wrote, “The short answer is stigma. Men are conditioned to be breadwinners, exclusively—and another mouth to feed calls for more bread on the table (to say nothing of college tuition)—so off to work we go. Our sense of duty is often fear-based: Men assume their bosses will frown on paternity leave, so we don’t dare to go there.”

Underscoring the importance of the post-birth time for dads, Ohanian added, “I took my full 16 weeks and I’m still ambitious and care about my career. Talk to your bosses and tell them I sent you.” While a direct order from the Reddit co-founder may not score your S.O. paternity leave, it may start a conversation that’s all too necessary.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Alexis Ohanian via Instagram

 

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We’re in full #RoyalBabyWatch mode and some royal fans are wondering if Prince Harry will take some time off from royal duties with the birth of his first child. Recent reports revealed that the Duke of Sussex will take off two weeks (give or take) following his baby’s birth. And here’s what we know about Prince Harry’s paternity leave.

Unlike U.S. dads, papas from across the pond can receive paid paternity leave. While American dads are entitled to 12 weeks of leave (provided they have worked full-time for at least one year for a company that has at least 50 employees), it isn’t paid. The result is that 70 percent of new fathers in the United States take 10 or less days off, according to the Department of Labor. And just about every expert agrees—that isn’t good for anyone.

What exactly does paternity leave look like for a prince? To start, in the United Kingdom new dads are entitled to up to two weeks paid paternity leave. So if you’re wondering where Harry’s two-week post-birth selection came from, there you go. While two weeks doesn’t sound like a lot, eligible parents have the opportunity to get Shared Parental Leave, where mom and dad can share up to 50 weeks of leave—with up to 37 of those weeks paid.

During a recent interview with Us Weekly, Dickie Arbiter, Queen Elizabeth II’s former spokesman, said, “It’s a modern thing. Prince William did it for his children and Harry’s going to do it for his, when his child is born. I mean, the older generation didn’t do it. The older generation just got on with it. But it’s a new thing.”

Arbiter speculated on the exact length of Harry’s paternity leave, saying, “I would have thought no more than about two or three weeks.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Kensington Royal via Instagram

 

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Studies have shown that dads are more satisfied with their lives and parenting skills when they take paternity leave—and yet only one in five employers offers fathers paid leave. One company is hoping to change that with’s Dove’s paternity leave grants.

It’s no secret that Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian believes dads should take paternity leave, which is why he has partnered with Dove Men+Care on a new campaign to award dads grants in order to spend time bonding with their new babies.

“Through my own experience becoming a father, I saw firsthand the importance of taking paternity leave and being there for my family during a critical time in our lives,” Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and managing partner of Initialized Capital, said in a press release.

Ohanian continued, “No dad should have to sacrifice taking leave, and I’ve been very public about taking mine in an effort to show other men that you can still be an ambitious businessperson while also taking time for your family. And it’s not just fathers who reap the benefits—it’s in the best interest of families, workplaces and communities to support dads in taking leave.”

Dove Men+Care plans to award $5,000 grants to 200 dads who don’t get more than 10 days of paid leave from their jobs. You can learn more about the campaign and what you can do to support men taking paternity leave at DoveMenCare.com/Pledge. Show your support on social media by tagging @dovemencare and using the hashtag #PaternityLeavePledge.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Nicole De Khors via Burst

 

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