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March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

March is here, and so is the madness—both in basketball and in our daily mom lives. After a little spring break hiatus, we’re back in your inbox, just in time for bracket season. I’ve filled out my fair share of brackets over the years, but let’s be honest—I still don’t really know what I’m doing. But nothing like a little social pressure to bring out my competitive streak, so here I am, fully invested in teams I just Googled 10 minutes before joining my pool. Here’s hoping my guessing game skills are as strong as my ability to find lost water bottles and rogue socks. Now, let’s dive into this week’s lineup!

Game. Set. Parenting. How to Win at Youth Sports.
Squeeze the Day! How to Master the Art of “Lemonading.”
The Nose Knows: Freshen Up Your Home the Natural Way.

PARENTING

Finding the sweet spot.

Let’s be real—navigating youth sports as a parent is a bit like playing Tetris. You’re trying to fit schedules, emotions, and expectations into a constantly shifting puzzle, all while making sure your kid actually enjoys the game. So, how do we strike the right balance? Enter RobertAnthony Cruz (aka "Coach RAC"), former minor leaguer turned Savannah Bananas star, who’s got some game-changing advice.

Let Them Lead 🏆

Ron Cruz dreamed of his son playing baseball—but RobertAnthony? He had Olympic gymnast aspirations first. Instead of pushing, his parents let him explore. When he finally picked up a bat, it was his choice, and that made all the difference. The takeaway? It’s their journey, not ours.

The Ninth Batter Reality Check ⚾

Not every kid is destined to bat cleanup, and that’s okay. RAC reminds us that sometimes, your child is hitting ninth not because of a coaching conspiracy but because… well, they should be hitting ninth. Hard truth, but learning to work their way up is part of the game—literally and figuratively.

Sideline Parenting 101 🤐

We’ve all seen (or been) that parent yelling instructions mid-game. Turns out, it usually makes kids play worse. Instead, jot it down for post-game practice and let them focus on just playing.

Celebrate the Strikeouts 🎉

Wins are great, but failures? They build resilience. RAC credits his parents for teaching him to embrace mistakes, making him fearless on and off the field. So next time your kid has a tough game, remind them—and yourself—that growth happens in the losses too.

For more on how to be the best sports parent you can be in 2025, check out these 14 parent pledges. (Hint: #12 is our favorite.)

HEALTH

When life hands you lemons… 🍋✨

You could wallow. Or… you could try lemonading—aka, the science-backed art of turning life’s sour moments into something sweet (or at least manageable). Researchers have found that people who embrace a playful mindset aren’t just more resilient—they actually enjoy life more, even when things get tough. And no, this isn’t about slapping on a fake smile or forcing “good vibes only.” It’s about realistic optimism: acknowledging challenges while staying open to silver linings.

So, how do we start lemonading like a pro?

🍋 Reframe the moment. Instead of spiraling, ask yourself: “What’s the best, worst, and most likely outcome?” The goal isn’t blind positivity—it’s about shifting your perspective in a way that helps you move forward.

🍋 Find your go-to mantra. “You got this” > doom-scrolling Twitter. And if traditional affirmations make you cringe, talk to yourself like a coach. Studies show it actually helps.

🍋 Laugh—even when it’s dark. Turns out, a well-placed eye-roll or sarcastic joke about your chaos can lighten the mood. Humor = instant mood booster.

🍋 Do the opposite. Been hiding under the covers all day? Force yourself to dress up and step out, even if it’s just to grab coffee. Small shifts break the cycle.

🍋 Change things up. Stuck in a rut? Try a new workout, swap your usual playlist, or take a different route to work. Novelty sparks dopamine, your brain’s feel-good chemical.

Bottom line? Lemonading isn’t about pretending everything is great—it’s about finding ways to thrive even when it’s not. And in this wild ride called motherhood, we could all use a little more of that. 💛

AND ALSO

Smells like home.

Your house: a cozy haven or a mystery mix of last night’s dinner, gym shoes, and… what is that smell? Instead of drowning your home in artificial fragrances, try these simple, natural ways to keep things fresh.

🍋 Simmer Pot Magic – A little stovetop alchemy goes a long way! Boil water, toss in dried lavender, lemon slices, rosemary, and flower petals, then let it simmer. Your home will smell like a spring meadow in no time.

🧼 Baking Soda = Odor Superhero – Sprinkle it on rugs, stash small bowls in stinky areas (pantry, fridge), and let it absorb the funk. Vacuum it up, and voila—freshness restored!

🌿 DIY Room Spray – Mix vodka (yes, really), essential oils (lavender + citrus = chef’s kiss), and water in a spray bottle for a chemical-free air refresher.

More tricks where these came from, but trust us—your nose will thank you!

Parents are using "dinosaur time" to get kids to eat their greens—no T-Rex tantrums required. The TikTok trend has families chomping on raw spinach and kale to the Jurassic Park theme, pretending to be herbivorous dinosaurs. Whether it’s a friendly competition or just a fun way to power through veggies, this prehistoric parenting hack is taking off.

SNIPPETS

Eating fish may make kids kinder – A new study from the University of Bristol found that children who ate little to no seafood at age 7 were less prosocial (aka kind, cooperative, and altruistic) at ages 7 and 9 compared to those who regularly ate fish. This highlights the link between nutrition and social development—giving parents one more reason to make fish a dinner staple.

An app that forces you to "touch grass" – The new iOS app Touch Grass locks distracting apps until you literally step outside and snap a photo of grass. Developer Rhys Kentish created the app to help break doomscrolling habits, adding real-world friction to curb excessive screen time.

The right age for a first pet – If you want a pet the whole family helps with, ages 6 or 7 is ideal, according to psychologist Dr. Gerilyn Worthy-Thayer. But if your child will be the primary caretaker, waiting until they’re 10 or 11 ensures they have the responsibility and empathy needed to care for their new furry friend.

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

@holasoyjanelle
She’s just a girl 😇🎀 #girlmom #toddlersoftiktok #fyp #parati #momanddaughter

INFLUENCER HIGHLIGHT

Juggling four boys, a bustling home, and a thriving online community of 800K+ moms, Brooke Raybould—aka Southernish Mama—is redefining modern motherhood. She’s here to prove that life as a mom doesn’t have to mean drowning in laundry and snack crumbs. From genius mom hacks to grocery hauls with real prices (because who isn’t tracking that these days?), Brooke shares practical tips and motivating pep talks to help moms streamline routines, reclaim their time, and build a life that’s both fulfilling and functional. Whether you’re a stay-at-home powerhouse or balancing work and family, Brooke’s systems and strategies help make motherhood work—without the overwhelm.

📲 Follow her for all the mom inspo: @brookeraybould