Mom of One in Mt. Lebo

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

The tonie box and scheduled weekly outings to run out energy !

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

dandelion kids consignment for seasonal favs !

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

We wake up brush teeth which is my 18 month olds favorite lol and breakfast is messy so we definitely do it in our jammie’s !

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

I work one day a week as a stylist ! my husband works full time and we balance it great !

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

Find things your child loves and do them often! Get out of the house and get active because as good as it is for them it is for you too!

Mom of Four in Mt. Lebo

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

Honestly, the best thing for me has been getting absorbed in REALISTIC mom culture, both in my own writing, and following other real-life moms online. Realizing that, in reality, most of us are living pretty far from Insta, picture-perfect family lives. Letting yourself off the hook for not being perfect and finding the humor in everyday life, helps me let go of the guilt from the bad days. Reading and sharing those experiences with other moms helps me feel like I am not alone.

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

After years of confusion and crazy schedules, I broke down and bought a digital calendar that also allows you to make family grocery lists, meal plans, chore charts, and reminder lists. With part of the family on Android and part on Apple it was hard to share calendars. It really helps us all be on the same page.

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

Fortunately, my two oldest are now away at college and therefore responsible for themselves in the morning. That said, packing a lunch and getting myself ready for work while trying to convince 9 and 10 year old boys that they need to put down the video games to get dressed and that YES IT IS necessary to brush their teeth even if they brushed them before bed is not always easy. There is often a lot of yelling up and down the steps while I am applying make-up. I probably threaten to take their devices at least once each morning to get them to cooperate. Add to that, my 10 year old LOVES to torment his brother just to hear him scream, and that no one ever wants to take the dog out, I am usually pretty rattled by the time everyone is out the door.

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

This is the first year that we have been able to get our boys into the schools Extended Day Program. The last three years we had relied on a combination of a local babysitter (a pricey option) and the help of our daughter. This year with her in college we needed another option. Our babysitter does one day a week, we use the Extended Day Program, and I am off on Fridays. For early dismissals and non-holiday days off it becomes a scramble. Our babysitter has another job that she works and is not available most days until after 2. I am lucky enough to have a family friendly job that I can bring the boys to. However, I don’t get as much done those days so if I have a project to work on, or a client meeting, we will try to reach out to one of the other mom’s in my village, or we will send them to what we call Camp Pup and Nunna (AKA my parent’s house in the mountains).

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

Don’t compare your story to other peoples’. We are all out here just doing the best that we can with the tools we have been given. We all have different needs, different kids, and different tools. Just because your story looks different doesn’t mean that you are doing it wrong.

Mom of Two Toddlers in the South Hills

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

Prioritizing self care… whether that means a spa appointment, a workout, or even just taking a walk!

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

I share so many fun finds on my LTK page!

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

Our mornings usually consist of an early wake up call courtesy of our two tiny roommates and then having breakfast as a family (and much needed coffee with my husband!) before our day begins!

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

My husband and I both work from home, but I have a very flexible work schedule as a Senior Stylist for Stitch Fix and fitness instructor at Sweat PGH, so I watch the kids during the day and when my husband finishes up his day, I log in for a bit before dinner and resume work after bath time/bedtime. My parents live down the street so if we need a hand, help is never far! My sisters and in-laws are also close by!

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

You are not alone. Remind yourself on tough days, that this is only a season and take time to prioritize your needs! Making sure you are the best version of yourself allows you to show up for the ones you love!

Mom to Three Girls in the North Hills

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

For summer Chore Challenge has saved my life ! Each of my kids have small chores whoever gets them done daily with out the harassment or reminding by the end of the week gets a small prize. Keeps the kids motivated helps me out a ton as a working mom and honestly it’s hilarious to watch how competitive they can get !

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

We have truly enjoyed the farmers stand on 19 and Rowan rd! Great items and supporting small business- plus our kids think it’s fun to go so we do this every Saturday morning !

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

As a mom of 3 and two full time jobs the mornings are MY time. I am up and out the door before any of the minions even open their eyes - until school begins I won’t lie I have not even given how I am going to work those schedules out one thought yet … art of procrastination..

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

My husband is Superman here - the two littles go with him to work at the play cafe until I get off and then we play role swap. I take them get them to all the extra curriculars so he can have the early evening to decompress. Balance is the key for us!!

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

It’s everyone’s first time living - give grace always and be kind

Mom of Three in the North Hills

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

“Abundant Ever After” by Cathy Heller was an amazing read on mindset

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

For mom and kids, we are loving epsom salt baths! It’s a great way to restore magnesium and calm little bodies before bed

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

One thing we’ve been doing for the last few months are screen free Mon-Thurs and it hasn’t been nearly as hard as I expected! I’ve come to really prefer those days although they are MUCH louder and more chaotic. A lot of music (Benson Boone “Mystical Magical” is a current favorite) along with crafts and legos or magnetiles have been keeping them entertained before daycare. After daycare, we typically eat dinner (I prep before they get home since I work from home) and then spend the evenings outside before bath.

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

Full time daycare since I’m pretty much in back to back meetings all day

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

You’re always doing better than you think you are :)

Mom of Three in the West Hills

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

My mindset right now is to remain calm amongst the chaos. It is always overstimulating with three kids, especially when attempting to go do anything fun. I feel like the more I try to stop it the more overwhelmed I get. So my current mantra is being one with the chaos 😂

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

We love these reusable water balloons in the summer

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

Summer morning—Get woken up by my 5yr old, change my 1yr old, let my 8yr old sleep in a little, get everyone breakfast and milk, watch cartoons/play Roblox, I get my shower while my 1yr old is in the packnplay outside of my bathroom door either watching cartoons or playing with toys, I finish getting ready, get everyone else ready, pack diaper bag and lunches and we head somewhere fun. My older two will fight and argue pretty much every 15 min unless occupied so we try to get out most days.

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

I am a stay at home mom right now. My husband leaves super early in the morning for work so I’ve always juggled mornings solo. I started off motherhood working full time+overtime, then eventually went part-time after my second, and then finally was able to quit entirely after my third. We always used daycare up until I quit.

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

Every season of parenthood brings new positives and negatives. Some seasons feel way harder than others, but they are always temporary in most cases. As moms we always think “how am I going to be able to do this?!” but we always get it done. We always find a way bc we love our babies.

Mom of One in the South Hills

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

Chat GTP. I asks It to meal plan. I ask How to introduce new foods to my baby. So much advice!!!

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

A first birthday gift list. No we don’t need a 3+ toy that she can’t use yet. 🙃

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

I wake up before her to throw on mascara and blush. She wakes up with a bottle and outfit of the day. She loves eating my breakfast in the morning. Then we’re watching good morning America!

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

So I am A STAHM but I watch A 7 month old on M/T and a 15 month old W/T and F off. It’s so great to get that extra income.

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

Everything is a phase. It doesn’t last forever.

Mom of Two

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

Scheduled working days! This allows me to be totally and fully present and allow for major fun mom vibes and still be able to align with clients and meetings needed throughout the week! I have an amazing family willing to help me on Wednesdays and Fridays and those days I get SO much done and they don’t lose out on any attention! Nap time is also game time for this mama!

Your Favorite Amazon or Local Find for Moms/Kids:

We are suchhh snackers in this house so I grabbed a snack box for on the go from target and love! My oldest is a little picky so this makes it fun for him too!

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

Wake up, clean the dog hair off the couches (SOS lol), get my oldest set up with breakfast, and nurse my 3-month-old. Once everyone's settled, we usually try to get outside for a bit—walks, bubbles, the water table, anything to burn some energy. But if it’s too hot, we rotate through our indoor go-tos: coloring, kinetic sand, toy cars, and bin activities. It’s a mix of chaos and cozy, but it works! Naptime for my oldest is 2-4 (work time for me) and then dad is home and we enjoy family time the rest of the day!

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

Grandparents two days a week to get out of the house (because that will drive you nuts) and then I work there while they play and then we go home for nap! My husband is off on Fridays too so us sticking to our fun little schedule works really well and such a balance!!

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

I saw a quote “ she didn’t pause the dream, she took the kids with her “ and I couldn’t encourage that more! My boys are my why and I’m grateful to grow this dream WITH them.

Mom of Two in Fox Chapel

One Hack That’s Saving Your Sanity Right Now:

Podcasts in general! As a work-from-home mom, it’s easy to feel isolated and listening to podcasts (including my own) helps me feel like I’m having conversations with other adults.

What Your Mornings Actually Look Like:

My husband is the MVP of our morning routine unless he’s on a business trip. He’s the morning person (I am NOT), so he makes breakfast. The kids and I sleep in as long as we can. Then I shower while they get dressed, and I have my coffee while the kids eat breakfast.

Childcare Setup or What’s Working for Your Family Schedule:

My kids are in school, but aside from that, we have grandparents who double as neighbors. But as a working stay-at-home mom, I am often doing double duty.

One Thing You Want Other Moms to Know:

It’s okay to want time to yourself. You are a person outside of motherhood, and there a lot of narratives that suggest otherwise. Ignore them!