Marisa (@socialstudies_withsalasky ) ❤️ Cupkin

You have to trust your heart and your gut above all else.

Hey Mama-

Yeah you! You - up in the middle of the night feeding your baby, researching if what your doing is right... wondering if your doing best by your baby.

Could you do me a favor and put down the phone for a second?

Now I want you to take a couple deep breaths for me...

in... out... in... out... good. :)

Now I want you to place your hand on the left side of your upper chest, feel that heartbeat? THAT is what will guide you and give you the answers you're looking for.

Not Google, not Instagram. I was you, in fact I still am you!

However, if there's anyting I have learned over the pas 12 months of being a mama, it's that you have to trust your heart and your gut above all else.

It doesn't matter what your Mom, or Sister, or Cousin or Aunt may have done... what matters is what you are doing for your baby - and that is giving him or her all the love and care you can.

That's all they need, Mama!

XOXO,
Marisa

My top 4 parenting hacks / advice

Hack 1

Buy yourself the Fels Naptha stain remover stick- it's a miracle worker

Hack 2

Use those small "hockey puck lights" for middle of the night situations to avoid turning on a bright light

Hack 3

Place the clean diaper under your baby's bottom first before you start changing the dirty diaper!

Hack 4

Don't spend your money on toys... babies will play with everything but toys!

7 questions about my journey

When did you become a parent?

May 20th, 2020

How was the 1st night home with your first child?

Hectic! Stressful! We were clueless- No swaddle fit him, I had no idea of where to feed him, he only wanted to be held... looking back we laugh at it but man we were a mess!

What is the hardest thing about being a parent?

Managing expectations (yours and others) of what it means to be a parent

What is a super power you wish you had?

I wish I had the ability to clone myself

Where is your favorite family vacation spot?

Hawaii

What is your favorite thing to do with your kiddo(s)?

There are too many to choose from! Crawl around with him, play blocks, read books, shake noise makers..flip him around (he loves being upside down!)

How do you keep yourself sane with the stress of parenthood?

I read at night to wind down and de-stress. It's my favorite past time