In today's Birdie, we're teaching your worries to wait their turn, cracking the code on phrases kids actually hear, and serving up Mother's Day gifts that won't end up in the donation pile by June. Plus, the surprising reason everyone suddenly wants to smell like a doughnut.

Let's master worry windows, nail the parent-speak, and invest in self-care that smells suspiciously like dessert 🍩👇

PS: Want more parenting hacks, hot takes on tiny bikinis, and a community that actually understands your 3am Google searches? We're keeping the conversation going at facebook.com/wearebirdie.

LINKS FOR TODAY

🌄 51 bucket list views that'll make you wonder why you're living where you are. 

📝 What your teen is actually reading online (and why you might not need to freak out). 

🥚 The ancient reason we put eggs in baskets (plus dye hacks that won't stain your counters). 

🪠 The $0 trick plumbers don't want you to know for unclogging that sink. 

👙 Tiny bikinis, huge debate: The baby swimwear controversy dividing parents. 

🌎 Preschool Earth Day activities that won't trash your actual earth.

PARENTING

Communication cheat sheet.

Ever notice how kids have selective hearing? Like, somehow they miss your repeated requests to put on shoes, but can hear a cookie wrapper opening from three rooms away? Good news: we've collected phrases that might actually break through the noise.

"I need to think about that" is your new best friend when kids ask for things that make you internally scream. It models thoughtfulness while buying precious decision-making time.

Instead of automatically praising every crayon scribble like it's headed for the Louvre, try asking, "How does that make you feel?" This works surprisingly well when things go south, too — like when your child realizes they left their water bottle at school for the third time this week.

When disappointment strikes (and it will), resist rushing in with solutions. After the tears subside, gently suggest, "Let's see if we can find something good in this." They might resist, but you're teaching resilience in real-time.

THE RESET BUTTON: "Would you like a do-over?" offers kids a judgment-free chance to try again when behavior goes sideways. It's particularly clutch in public without causing a scene.

SMALL PHRASES, BIG IMPACT:

• Replace conversation-killing "but" statements with "at the same time" to keep communication flowing

• "Tell me about..." opens doors without assumptions (bonus: works wonders with teenagers)

• "How can I help?" offers support without taking over their problem

The real magic happens when these phrases become part of your regular rotation. Kids feel heard, you feel less like a broken record, and somehow everyone maintains their dignity—even during those grocery store standoffs over candy.

🤔What's your go-to phrase when communication gets sticky? (Because we all know parenting requires an ever-evolving playbook!)

HEALTH

A time-out for worries.

Feeling like anxiety is your co-parent these days? We get it. When your brain is spinning between soccer schedules, work deadlines, and why your toddler will only eat foods that are beige, it's time for a mental management hack: Worry Windows.

WHAT IT IS: A scheduled 10–15 minute chunk of your day dedicated solely to worrying. Yes, you read that right — actually planning time to stress out.

WHY IT WORKS: Instead of letting anxiety interrupt your entire day, you're telling those worries "Not now, I'll see you at 6pm." Think of it as putting your anxious thoughts in a digital waiting room rather than letting them crash your mental Zoom calls all day long.

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN:

• Pick a consistent time (not right before bed!)

• Set a timer—keeping it short is key

• Choose an uncomfortable spot (that hard kitchen chair works perfectly)

• When worries pop up during the day, jot them down for later

• During your window, go wild: journal, voice memo your concerns, or brainstorm solutions

• End with something soothing (tea, bath, hug) to transition back to regular life

THE PAYOFF: Better focus during the day, improved relationships (less snapping at your partner about the dishwasher), and that rare commodity we're all after — mental peace.

BOTTOM LINE: By giving your worries their own appointment, you're telling anxiety, "I see you, but you don't get to run my entire schedule." And that's a parenting win we can all use.

CHILDREN

BAGS: Helping Your Kids Lighten the Load

Do you ever feel like your child is carrying too much?

In today's high-pressure world, our kids are shouldering more emotional, social, and spiritual baggage than ever before. As moms, we see it in their eyes when they come home from school, in their slumped shoulders during those difficult conversations, and in their late-night worries that keep both of us awake.

That's why we couldn't wait to share Chris Sasser's groundbreaking book "BAGS: Helping Your Kids Lighten the Load" with our mom community!

What Makes This Book Special

This isn't just another parenting theory book. Chris Sasser, a parent himself and experienced family ministry leader, gives us practical tools to:

• Identify the "bags" your child is silently carrying

• Learn proven strategies to help lighten their emotional load

• Create a home environment where kids feel understood

• Develop deeper connections during challenging seasons

Purchase BAGS on Amazon today - Here

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

Mother’s Day edition.

Mother's Day is creeping up faster than your toddler during a Zoom call. Here's our roundup of gifts that say "I appreciate you" better than that gas station bouquet you're considering.

FOR THE MOM WHO MICROWAVES HER TEA THREE TIMES BEFORE DRINKING IT:

• Smeg Electric Kettle - Retro-chic design that boils water in under 4 minutes with auto shut-off. For when mom deserves something prettier than that $15 kettle from college.

• Cuisinart PerfecTemp - The budget-friendly option NYT Wirecutter loves. Multiple temperature settings because apparently different teas need different temps (who knew?).

FOR THE "I JUST NEED FIVE MINUTES OF PEACE" MOM:

• Fishers Finery Silk Pillowcase - Good Housekeeping winner that users say prevents morning face creases. Like Botox, but fabric.

• Eberjey Gisele PJ Set - Buttery-soft modal fabric that's basically socially acceptable loungewear. Upgrade from her college T-shirt that's older than her children.

FOR THE MOM WHO HAS 47,000 PHOTOS OF THE KIDS ON HER PHONE:

• Frameo Digital Frame - Holds 40,000 photos and lets you send pics from your phone. Perfect for moms who want to see their grandkids/kids/pets without navigating Facebook.

FOR THE MOM WHOSE LOVE LANGUAGE IS "ACTIVITIES":

• NYT Games Subscription - All the word games that'll keep her entertained during carpool wait times. Because Wordle screenshots are clogging the family chat.

FOR THE MOM WHO DESERVES SOME ATMOSPHERE:

• Vitruvi Stone Diffuser - Stylish enough to display even when not diffusing, with 500 sq ft range. For when she needs her space to smell less like "eau de soccer cleats."

FOR THE KITCHEN QUEEN WHO DESERVES BETTER TOOLS:

• Our Place Perfect Pot - A multitasking marvel that goes from stove to table without losing style points. One pot that does the work of seven (unlike certain family members).

Let's be honest—she deserves all of these plus a day without anyone asking where their clean socks are.

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