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Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas

September 22, 2022

Today we’re rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!

Fall is a big deal here on Long Island. The weather is beautiful, the leaves change in waves, pumpkin patches and corn mazes cover the North Fork. After some unbearably humid and hot summers, fall feels like a gift.

Today we're rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!

I love creating fall-themed posts for my blog that match my love for fall! I really wanted to creat this post prior to #blogtober, so that I would have something to reference for ideas.

I’ve written before about how much I got out of #blogtober21 and writing consistently. Writing challenges are an excellent way to become a consistent blogger. Whether you blog for money or treat it as a labor of love, fall is the perfect time to start writing.

Why do content creators produce more content at the end of the year?

Every wonder why your favorite blogger/influencer/YouTuber puts out seemingly infinite amounts of content or videos at the end of the year?

The answer is obvious and the answer is always the same!

Money.
Ad networks and brand deals typically pay more at the end of the year. Brands want to use up their marketing budgets in preparation for the next year.

More content = more clicks = more money.

I remember when I spent more time on YouTube and would see #Vlogmas and think that it sounded absolutely exhausting, it didn’t make sense. Wouldn’t you want to take December off? That’s where the money makes it worth it, of course.

I personally don’t want to spend my favorite time of year (October-December) in front of a computer screen, which is why I schedule a lot of my posts!

5 Blogging Lessons I Learned in 2021

Fall Writing Challenge Tips

Before we get to the list of 30 fall-themed lifestyle blog ideas, let’s look at some tips for creating fall content.

Get outside of the house and get inspired.

Get up and go outside! Enjoy the weather while it lasts. Being out in the world is a surefire way for my brain to start firing off ideas for blog topics.

Go through your current daily routine.

Do you do anything different now that it’s fall? Do you change up the vegetables you eat or drive the long way home so that you can see the changing leaves? Your daily routine may hold more subject matter than you know.

I know I have a special candle that I bring out for fall (I feel like such a loser typing that out but my people know what I mean). I love changing out my wreath and drinking out of pumpkin cups. We also do a lot more chilis and savory meals when the humidity tapers off.

Revamp your own favorite blog posts.

If you’ve completed this list or are looking for more inspiration, why not scroll back to your old blog posts?

Maybe last year you wrote about autumn date ideas, and this year your single. You could write about solo date ideas or fall activities for groups. Maybe this year you had a major life chage, like a new work opportunity or had a child, which changed your perspective on an ideal autumn day.

Fresh perspectives on old topics is nothing new, but it’s a great place to start when you run out of ideas.

Try a new blogging challenge like #Blogtober.

What is blogtober? According to Tea & Cake for the Soul, “Blogtober is where bloggers from all over the world publish a post every day during the month of October. They also link up with other bloggers who are also taking part to share the love.”

You can see my post How to Prepare for Blogtober 2022 for more information about how to get started! I highly recommend blogging challenges if you’re a beginner or you’re stuck in a “writing rut”.

I believe writing is a muscle and by exercising it everyday, we get faster and our writing grows stronger.

I also have a post Why You Should Try Blogtober, which shares my results from last year.

Fall Graphic Printed Tops for Cozy Autumn Days

Below is the list of the autumn blog post ideas!

  1. Your essential fall playlist
  2. Describe your favorite Thanksgiving memory
  3. Your favorite fall baking recipe list
  4. Fall reading list
  5. Best places to see the leaves changing
  6. Best pumpkin patches near you
  7. Fall bucket list
  8. Your sweetest fall memory
  9. Autumn movie list
  10. Halloween costume ideas
  11. Fall fashion finds (see my favorite sweaters here)
  12. Autumn soup recipes
  13. Favorite fall decor (I’m loving velvet pumpkins)
  14. Fall photo dump with stories
  15. Ways to use different fall produce (apples, pumpkins, etc.)
  16. Favorite fall drinks (sweet fall mugs here)
  17. How to plant and take care of mums
  18. TV series to start this fall (HBO, Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
  19. Plan a fall date night
  20. How to roast pumpkin seeds
  21. Fall photo challenge
  22. Describe the process of helping at a food bank or donating school supplies
  23. Unique s’more recipes
  24. Pumpkin carving how-to
  25. Rank cafe’s pumpkin spice lattes
  26. The best fall nature hikes
  27. Rank the best fall scented candles
  28. Describe your ideal fall day
  29. Fall bonfire party planning checklist
  30. Take family Christmas card pictures

So, those are the 30 fall-themed blog topics to keep you inspired and writing this season. I know I plan on writing a post for each and every one this year!


What do you like to write about this time of year? Have you ever written about one of the topics on this list?

What would you add to this list?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Autumn 2021 Playlist
  • The Most Romantic Autumn Date Ideas
  • Get Your House Ready for Fall!
  • 7 Things I Do Every Day as a Stay at Home Mom
  • Autumn 2021 Bucket List
  • 10 Fall Decorations Under $10

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas
30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas

Filed in: blogging, Uncategorized • by Olivia • 1 Comment

Easy Oatmeal Round with Sliced Fruit and Whip Cream Drizzle

July 29, 2022

Baby M and I needed a quick, yet decadent breakfast to celebrate the end of the heat wave this summer. We tried this delicious oatmeal cake with sliced fruit and whipped cream drizzle and were not disappointed!

The Base:

2 cups oatmeal

1.5-2 ripe or slightly-browning bananas

2 tsp vanilla

Whipped Cream Drizzle:

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon sugar

The Toppings:

Maple syrup

Blueberries

Sliced strawberries

1. Preheat the oven to 300

2. Mash oatmeal and bananas in a bowl

3. Add in vanilla

4. Place a slip of parchment paper onto a baking sheet

5. Pour the mixture onto the parchment paper and form into a patty

6. Bake at 300 for 15 minutes

7. Whisk together heavy cream and sugar

8. Slice fruit

9. Once the oatmeal base has cooled, assemble your slice however you’d like!

What’s your go-to breakfast?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
  • Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved
  • My Baby Knows What She Needs
  • How to Keep Your Toddler Cool in the Summer
  • Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life
  • The Runaway Bunny Inspired Nursery

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Home • by Olivia • 1 Comment

The Runaway Bunny Inspired Nursery

June 21, 2022

Mark my words: my next nursery will be The Runaway Bunny themed.

It’s my favorite children’s book and it’s iconic imagery is absolutely inspiring. I collected items for my dream nursery below – now all I need is the baby 🙂

To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of heavily themed nurseries (or themed weddings, parties, etc). I love simple motifs and little details. That’s why this inspo board isn’t loaded with bunnies; it’s a subtle interpretation.

I wanted to include different textures and colors inspired by the book. It’s a little bit whimsical, a little bit grandmillenial. It would be perfect for a little boy or a little girl!

Some of the links in the post are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission, at no cost to you.


Did you do a theme for your child’s nursery?

Have you read The Runaway Bunny?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
  • Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved
  • My Baby Knows What She Needs
  • How to Keep Your Toddler Cool in the Summer
  • Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Favorite Things, Uncategorized • by Olivia • 3 Comments

How to Keep Your Toddler Cool in the Summer

June 21, 2022

Summer is here and things are starting to heat up! I’ve amassed some easy ways to keep your baby or toddler cool in the summer.

Here on Long Island, the temperatures can easily reach the high 90’s in June. On top of the stifling humidity, it can get pretty dang hot!

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Some of the links in the post are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission, at no cost to you.

I’m always careful to make sure my toddler doesn’t get too hot. Some days, you just need to stay inside to protect yourself. However, we do try to get out as much as possible. There’s nothing quite like fresh air and sunshine!

Stay Inside During Peak Hours

Some days, it’s much to hot to stay out from 10-3pm, so we usually save our outdoor activities or errands ’til the end of the day.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

This is basic first aid that should be in your repertoire. Make sure to know the signs!

Water, Water, and More Water

Always keep your baby and toddler hydrated! Whether that’s with water or breastmilk or both. We also love the Pedialyte hydrating ice pops on days when it’s super hot.

Try an Ice Cream Maker or Make Your Own Ice Pops

This nostalgic ice cream maker is sure to keep your little ones entertained and cool. I still remember using one in my childhood.

These ice pop makers are perfect for frozen treats.

Did you know you can also make breast milk popsicles?

This one is another quick ice cream maker.

Use a Stroller Fan

A stroller fan is a registry must-have. It’s small enough to throw at the bottom of the stroller when you don’t need it.

This one is super cute! It is re-chargable via a USB port.

Invest in a car seat cooler.

Who ever invented these is a genius! Simply freeze it and place it in the car seat or stroller for a few minutes before letting your little one sit. If it’s really hot I give my little one frozen teethers to hold onto while the car cools down.

Get the Sprinkler Out

Running through the sprinkler is a childhood classic. It seems only kids can tolerate the freezing cold hose water. My toddler also loves playing in her kiddie pool for as long as I’ll let her!

Always Carry Ice Packs

You can use old teething rings, your own coolers ice packs, or these fun ones for kids.

They are great to use in transition from activity to activity, or just as an extra way to keep cool!


Are you looking forward to summer? What do you to do help your kids beat the heat?

How do you keep cool?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
  • Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved
  • My Baby Knows What She Needs
  • Turning Off the TV
  • Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Favorite Things, Uncategorized • by Olivia • 4 Comments

Toddler Backyard Essentials for Summer 2022

June 15, 2022

Baby M (should I be calling her toddler M now?) is obsessed with ‘side. She wakes up talking about ‘side. She goes to bed talking about ‘side. She doesn’t care if it’s raining or 95 degrees out, she only wants ‘side.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

She means outside, of course. We are so blessed to have a large, fenced in yard perfect for her to safely explore. Between her love of the outdoors and the new puppy, we are getting a lot of use out of our yard.

How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Puppy? (In the First Month)

Our collection of outside toys started with a simple baby swing and has grown to a full kid-sized compound. It’s starting to look like a Little Tikes catalog back here.

Since we are outside constantly, I thought I’d share the items that we are using!

Let’s start with the house. Baby M is always asking for “house”, which means her house of course. No parents allowed (not by choice, we literally can’t fit in the house). It took my husband almost an hour to set up, but it was well worth it. Baby M moved a bunch of her toys in there and loves opening and closing the windows and doors. The best part – no taxes and we paid off her mortgage for her!

Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse for Kids – Outdoor Playset and Indoor Playground for Toddlers with 2 Working Doors (Amazon, $129.00)

Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life

Next, let’s talk about “sly” aka The Slide. This one is a little tall for Baby M, so she isn’t keen on going down completely independently yet (she’s 19 months as I write this). She does, however, enjoy pushing her stuffed animals down and trying to walk up it, which is a wonderful gross motor exercise. It folds up for easy storage!

Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide, Easy Set Up Playset for Indoor Outdoor Backyard, Easy to Store, Safe Toy for Toddler, Slip And Slide For Kids (Amazon, $29.99)

I know what you’re thinking – a brand new swimming pool? In this economy? You heard right folks; my kid has her very own pool.  The water might run a tad cold if her butler (me) forgets to put it out in the sun to heat up in the morning, but it’s usually pretty refreshing.

The best part is it doubles as a dog swimming pool.

We got ours at Target last year – I can’t find it online anymore, but here’s a beautiful, classy second option!

FUNBOY Giant Inflatable Luxury Italian Tile Kiddie Pool, Year-Round Fun for Ball Pits, Swimming Pools, a Summer Pool Party and the Beach (Amazon, $54.40)

To complete the aquatic theme we have a splash pad, which also features your signature ice-cold water that only children can tolerate. This one has little sea creatures that float around and your spigot can control the height of the fountains.

Winique Splash Pad, Sprinkler for Kids, Wading Pool for Toddlers, 68″ Inflatable Outdoor Summer Toys for Babies (Amazon, $16.00)

Not to brag, but my not-even-two-year-old has a horse. A real life, plastic rocking horse. This one is from Little Tikes and is a classic summer yard staple. We make sure to feed it grass every morning.

Little Tikes Rocking Horse Magenta (Amazon, $29.92)

To add to the zoo we have a few cows that came with this amazing water table. This one is so cute since we love all things farm over here! Our only complaint is the dog won’t stop drinking out of it.

Theo Klein 3948 John Deere Farm Sand Play Table, Water Play Table I with Farm Animals and Vehicles I Water and Sand Basins I (Amazon, $120.21)

How does Baby M manage all her land and animals? With her tractor, of course! She got this one for her birthday and it’s been a wonderful addition to her outside set up.

John Deere Ride On Toys Sit ‘N Scoot Activity Tractor for Kids Aged 18 Months to 3 Years, Green (Amazon, $39.94)

Here we have the swing that started it all! We have the blue.

Little Tikes 2-in-1 Snug ‘n Secure Swing (Amazon, $26.99)

I wanted to include some of our other outdoor summer necessities below!

Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Pump Spray, DEET-free Mosquito Repellent, 4oz (Amazon, $4.68)

RuffleButts® Baby/Toddler Girls Baby/Toddler Sun Hat with UPF 50+ Sun Protection and Floppy Wide Brim (Amazon, $19.99)

Badger SPF 40 Baby Sunscreen Cream – Reef-Friendly Broad-Spectrum Water-Resistant Baby Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide – Chamomile and Calendula, 2.9 oz (Amazon, $13.76)

Pampers Splashers Swim Diapers Disposable Swim Pants, 11 Count (Amazon, $11.99)

Big Bubble Bottle 12 Pack – 4oz Blow Bubbles Solution Novelty Summer Toy – Activity Party Favor Assorted Colors Set (Amazon, $14.99)

We have this lawn mower, but it looks like it’s sold out everywhere – here is another option that makes bubbles!

Sunny Days Entertainment Bubble-N-Go Deluxe Toy Bubble Lawn Mower with 4 oz Bubble Solution | No Batteries Required | Amazon Exclusive – Maxx Bubbles – (Amazon, $23.99)

Little Tikes Easy Store Picnic Table with Umbrella, Multi Color (Amazon, $89.99)

Lastly, I always stick our JBL Flip 5 portable speaker in our summer basket. It’s small and lightweight but powerful! It just hooks up to bluetooth on my phone.

JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Bundle with divvi! Protective Hardshell Case – Blue (Amazon, $129.95)

So, those are our favorite summer outdoor items for 2022!


What are your backyard summer essentials for your child?

Do you have any of these things?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Life with My 8-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
  • Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved
  • My Baby Knows What She Needs
  • How I Get Over Writer’s Block
  • Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Favorite Things, Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Doll Accessories with Madame Alexander

April 25, 2022

We love our stroller from Madame Alexander!

Madame Alexander was so kind to gift us Lily, Baby M’s first and favorite baby doll!

Now, we have the perfect matching stroller.

If you’d like to read more about dolls and play, check out my post “Why Your Child Needs a Doll with Madame Alexander“.

Click here to see more accessories from Madame Alexander!

#gifted

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • My End of Summer Bucket List for Baby!
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
  • How to Survive Your 1-Year-Old’s First Blood Test
  • How to Build a Portable Breastfeeding Bin

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved

January 20, 2022

One of my favorite things about being a mom is showing my daughter just how much I love her! There’s nothing quite like the bond between a mother and child. One of my jobs as a stay-at-home-mom, or any mom, really, is to make sure her world is filled with comfort, happiness, and love! 

Since she is one, she is spoiled by simple pleasures. This is what I love about tiny children – they find joy in the smallest things. Yesterday, Baby M entertained herself with a half-filled sprinkle container, shaking it back and forth.

We all know the stories of the kids who would rather play with the cardboard box that the toy comes in rather than the actual toy, and those anecdotes are completely true!

If there’s one thing we all can appreciate about children it is their innate ability to find enjoyment in the most unassuming things.

We took her to a local holiday light show at Christmastime. It brought tears to my eyes to watch her little face light up with amazement. Last summer, we took her to a farm in Lancaster, PA, and she was absolutely ecstatic to see so many chickens.

It’s true that having children really does make you notice and appreciate the little things.

There are some acts of kindness that I like to practice with my daughter every day. I want nothing more for her to feel safe, loved, and cared for. I have such fond memories of my own mother taking care of me with tender, loving care.

So, here are some of the ways I’ve been giving my girl the love she deserves lately!

Loads of Affection

This one is completely natural! Hugs, kisses, pats…showing constant affection for my baby shows her I’m here and I love her.

Cut sandwiches into shapes

The easiest way to do this is to get a pack of cookie cutters. I use them on everything, from cucumbers to apples to sandwiches.

Bubble Baths

My baby loves a good bubble bath (who doesn’t?)! Burt’s Bees Bubble Bath is our soap of choice.

Set Up Toys

My husband and I set up her toys in the family room play area in different arrangements each night. I have a post on how to set up a learning center for your one-year-old here. I feel like Dwight Schrute setting up Michael’s action figures every night – ha! It makes every morning feel like Christmas morning.

Adventure

Baby M is my “little adventure buddy”. Although I’m pretty introverted, having a built-in travel companion has been so much fun! We visit the local farm, the pet store, the library – anywhere we can go, we go! If it is winter where you are too, check out my post on 5 Free Indoor Places to Go with Baby.

Lots of Fresh Air and Sunshine

We love being outdoors any chance we get. Even though Long Island winters are dark and gloomy, we try to get out anytime the weather warms up. Baby M loves to “travel” by stroller or wagon.

Validate Feelings

This one should go without saying! Labeling and validating my little one’s emotions helps both of us. It helps my daughter learn to identify her feelings and that all feelings are valid! It helps me because it causes me to slow down and put myself in her shoes rather than getting frustrated. She is right on the cusp of toddler-hood so it must be so hard for her to figure out what she needs and how to communicate to me! Empathy is key.


These are just some of the things I do to make my daughter feel loved and that help me feel like I’m being a “good mom”. If cutting sandwiches into shapes isn’t your thing, or you aren’t able to take them on adventures, that’s cool too.

I believe that there are countless ways that we can show our love. At the end of the day, I think patience, kindness, love, and consistency is what makes a good mom.

Do you do any of these for your child? What was the most important thing your parent did for you growing up?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Cloth Diapering with Charlie Banana
  • How to Survive Your 1-Year-Old’s First Blood Test
  • How to Create a Home Learning Corner for Your One-Year-Old
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 6 Comments

2022’s Word of the Year

January 1, 2022

2022’s word of the year is…drumroll please….COURAGE!

You may have heard of the idea of choosing a word of the year instead of or in addition to a New Year’s resolution.

Each year, my friends and I select a word for the New Year. We share them with each other and then check in throughout the year to see how much progress we’ve made with it!

This year, I’m going with courage.

I have so much that I want to accomplish in 2022, and I can’t do it without f

I remember being a preschool teacher and being SO anxious to talk to this, ahem, intense parent about their child’s behavior.

Right before I had to meet with them, I was discussing my fears with my boss, terrified.

“Don’t be scared,” she told me, before doubling back.

“Or be scared, and do it anyway”.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s being scared and doing it anyway.

That’s the kind of energy that I want to bring into 2022.

Why choose a word?

Choosing a word of the year can be a less stressful alternative to a New Year’s resolution. Resolutions are easily broken or difficult to maintain for a full year.

Picking a word that you’d like to bring into the New Year offers infinite opportunities for practice and growth with that principle.

How do I pick a word?

There are plenty of lists out there online. Taking a few moments to meditate on what you are leaving behind in 2021 and what you want to cultivate in 2022 can be helpful. 

I noticed that in 2021 I was holding myself back in a lot of areas of my life because the logistics of getting what I wanted seemed too complicated or scary. Part of why I chose my word was because I felt myself turning away from opportunities because I wasn’t willing to practice courage.

I wanted to leave all the self-doubt and fear in 2021.

Ironically, the word courage scares me. That’s how I know it’s something I need.

How do I use my word of the year?

You practice it!

My word last year was discipline. I practiced discipline in my day to day life by exercising, writing consistently, and working hard to keep my house clean. 


It’s cool to sit back at the end of the year and see how that principle has altered your life.

There have been a few years where I can’t even remember what mine was by the time the next ball drops, and that’s okay.

I think the important thing about New Year’s resolutions and choosing words is really about acknowledging that we still have room to grow and we are capable of change.


Do you choose a word for the New Year?

If so, what’s your word?

What do you want to bring into 2022?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Reflecting and Moving On: Goodbye 2021
  • Winter Quote Wednesday
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week
  • Zero Waste Laundry with Kind Laundry

Filed in: Living, Personal • by Olivia • 8 Comments

The Best Books about Snow for Babies

December 8, 2021

Brrr! Winter is coming.

If your baby is interested in winter then these books could be a great place to start!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

I can’t wait until the day that my backyard is covered in snow and I can show my daughter the magical quiet of winter. I love how snow decorates the world around me. I love being snowed in, warm and cozy inside.

If your little one loves to read and is curious about the snow, check out the books below!

Babies in the Snow Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Book by Ginger Smith

Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Dream Snow by Eric Carle

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Winter by Roger Priddy

Ten Sparkly Snowflakes by Tiger Tales

Biscuit’s Snowy Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

The Mitten by Jan Brett

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman by Jeffrey Burton

Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer


Do you like the snow? Do you have a favorite book on this list?

Let me know below!

O.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

10 Mom-Influencers I Follow for Inspiration

December 7, 2021

If your Instagram feed has become dull and boring, try following some of these mom influencers for inspiration!

Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat“? Well, the saying can apply to anything we can consume – especially social media.

I limit my Instagram use to maybe 10 minutes a day, if that. That’s 10 minutes a day of looking at other people’s lives (and inadvertently comparing myself to others).

For me, having social media on my laptop and not installed on my phone drastically cut down on how much I was on the site.

I used to have the app on my phone and would scroll constantly until I realized that it just didn’t make me feel good. All the “connecting” and peering into friends or strangers lives felt really weird.

It’s still super weird, if you think about it! We post carefully curated pictures of our lives in hopes that others will literally “like” us.


A few months ago I had that revelation that social media wasn’t doing it for me. I would much rather be here, blogging and being honest, than posting photos trying to make other people feel some type of way.

Especially since becoming a mom, I felt like there was so much comparing on the app. Everyone had expensive baby gear or was down to their pre-pregnancy weight after like two days and it just didn’t make me feel good.

Worse, my baby hit some milestones later than other babies, so then I was comparing my baby to other babies on social media.

I hate to admit that, but it’s true.

I wasn’t feeling connected or inspired, which I consider the point of Instagram.

It was making me feel like a worse mother, wife, and woman.

That’s when I knew I needed a change.

One of the best things I did was a massive unfollow of any account that did not feed me.

More important than who I kept on my feed was who I left behind. I wrote about my experience with the dark world of baby sleep pages below. I’m so glad that I was able to see what was going on with me when I was constantly viewing those pages.

Your Baby Doesn’t Need to Sleep Through the Night

So, I did this massive unfollow and I muted dozens of friends or acquaintances that weren’t bringing me joy.

My feed is pretty sparse now, and I like it that way.

There are a few influencers I did end up keeping.

And I’ll tell you why.

I was craving honesty after my baby was born. I had such a great group of friends who gently told me hard truths of parenting. I wanted more. I wanted to see other moms who didn’t have their life together, ones that didn’t have it all figured out yet. I wanted to see other people standing up for what they believed in when it came to motherhood, not just women desperate to make a quick buck off of exploiting their kids or dragging out a gender reveal (what even are those) for a week in a half to boost engagement.

The mothers on this list aren’t constantly shilling unethical companies or just trying on clothes in front of a mirror. They are honestly sharing their stories of motherhood or doing so with style and letting you in on the behind the scenes of those perfect photo shoots.

They aren’t doing the most snarkable influencer move – making you feel inadequate so that you spend money and they get rich.

I wanted to see pictures of authentic motherhood without bounds.

I hope you check out the following accounts and let me know what you think! I think we could all use some inspiration and connection in these cold winter months!

Here are 10 mom-influencers that you can follow for some carefree parenting inspiration!

  1. Amber Fillerup Clark (@amberfillerup)
  2. Bekah Martinez (@bekah)
  3. Juila Dzafic (@lemonstripes)
  4. Steffy (@steffy)
  5. Kristen Lemmon (@kristen.lemmon)
  6. Taylor Giavasis (@g1avasis)
  7. Marissa the Milk Mom (@marissathemilkmom)
  8. Krystal Duhaney (@krystalduhaney)
  9. Aspyn Ovard Ferris (@aspynovard)
  10. Ashley Stock (@littlemissmomma)

Do you have social media? Who do you follow for inspiration? Are you familiar with any o f the accounts above?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • 10 Baby and Toddlers Advice Accounts You Should Follow on Instagram
  • Zero Waste Laundry with Kind Laundry
  • How to Survive Your 1-Year-Old’s First Blood Test
  • Mommy and Baby Day Off Schedule
  • Your Baby Doesn’t Need to Sleep Through the Night

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