Whitney Barthel

Whitney Barthel is a freelance writer and mother of four who has been writing about parenting and family life for over a decade. She received her Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has since created content for a variety of publications, including Scary Mommy, The Huffington Post, and Parenting Magazine. With four children ranging in age from toddler to teenager, Whitney brings a wealth of personal experience to her writing. She is known for her humorous and relatable approach to parenting, and has been praised for her ability to tackle difficult topics such as mental health, special needs parenting, and pregnancy loss with sensitivity and honesty. In addition to her writing, Whitney is also a passionate advocate for children with special needs and has served on the board of several organizations dedicated to improving access to services and support for families. She is a sought-after speaker and has presented at conferences and events across the country. Whitney lives in Minnesota with her family, and enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops.

Parties with a Purpose: How to give back on kids’ Birthdays

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Parties with a Purpose How to give back on kids’ Birthdays

I don’t think we give kids enough credit. Sure, they love their games and toys and electronics. They don’t always like to share (I’m looking at you, 2-year olds!). But they can also have an empathy for other kids that we don’t recognize. I see it when we’re clearing out some of our toys here. I … Read more about Parties with a Purpose: How to give back on kids’ Birthdays

(Play) Dating Tips for Moms who need Mom Friends

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Forget romantic dates with actual real life men. Now that you’re a mom, you’re facing something even more terrifying: mom dates. A first-time mom date can be even more fraught with anxiety than a romantic date. Although hanky-panky is off the table, the potential for mom shaming, guilt, and the hopes that you just may be meeting the love of your mommy-friend life abounds. By subjecting myself to a constant barrage of mom-dates I’ve found some serious mommy-friend keepers, and have fallen victim to cringe-worthy fails, many of them my own fault. Here’s what I’ve learned in the trenches: 1. Wear yoga pants. There is a certain je ne sais quoi about yoga pants that allows everyone to take a big sigh of relief, our butt included (everyone’s butt looks awesome in yoga pants.) Seeing you in the official mom uniform will remind your date that you’re just like her, you’re in it together, and there is no need to compete. Unless of course you’re discussing the best brand of yoga pants at Target. 2. Research your date ahead of time. Get on the good ole Book of Faces to remind yourself what the heck your date looks like. This will help prevent you from needing to ask every poor mother who enters the park (because you’ll probably be at a park,) whether she’s there to hang out with you. 3. Don’t forget the essentials. I get so nervous before first dates, I inevitably forget the diaper-bag 60% of the time, and my son does a bust-out-of-the-diaper poop 100% of the time. If you’re on a date with an awesome mom, she will happily hand over a few wipes, a diaper, and even a changing pad if she is truly saintly. The essentials may also include items like water, Goldfish, shoes, and your child. 4. Thou shall not utter the word “vaccinations.” Just don’t do it. 5. Be honest, but not too honest (that’s for date number 6). You want to share enough of yourself to take the initial step into bonding, but not so much that she wonders whether or not you should be spending this time in therapy; and let’s be honest, we could all use some therapy. Let her know about the funny mishap you had with your in-laws last week, but leave out the part about you being convinced your mother-in-law secretly feeds your children soda and is out to ruin your life. 6. Wear makeup, but not too much. The uniform mom look for mom dates: you should look pretty, tired, and only partially put together. Therefore, you want to look pretty, but not too pretty. You want to look tired, but not too tired. You want to look like you tried, but not like you tried too hard. 7. Meet on neutral territory (aka, the park). There is nothing like meeting at one’s home to make them crazy-pants. When a new mom-date is coming to your home, or vice versa, there will be immense stress sparked days in advance in regards to the GMO-full food that needs to be hidden, urine soaked bathroom mats that need to washed, and electronic toys that need to be stashed and replaced with the latest-and-greatest in developmentally appropriate wooden toys. When/if she becomes your best-mom-friend-for-life, you can invite her over, serve her a pop tart, laugh about the splatter marks of your kid’s pee on the bathroom wall, and ask her to help you program the electronic tablet you just bought for your kids. But for now, meet at the park. 8. If you run out of things to say, DON’T gossip about other moms. It will come back to bite you. If you get nervous and start rambling about the judegy-mom in your Wednesday baby-betterment class, your date will inevitably be the half-sister of judgey-mom’s best friend. 9. If necessary, don’t be afraid to ditch the date. If all she wants to do is talk about why you’re making the wrong choice in regards to vaccinations, gives you an impromptu baby sleep training lecture, admonishes your toddler for not using proper grammar, asks you if you “allow” your child to eat gluten and other such “poison,” and chastises you for having that tiny hole in the butt of your yoga pants, RUN. 10. Remember, you may be too cool for her. If she doesn’t ask you on a second date, she’s so not cool enough for you, and there are oodles of other rad fish in the sea that have mated and created offspring a similar age to your own. (play) dating tips for moms who need mom friends

Forget romantic dates with actual real life men. Now that you’re a mom, you’re facing something even more terrifying: mom dates. A first-time mom date can be even more fraught with anxiety than a romantic date. Although hanky-panky is off the table, the potential for mom shaming, guilt, and the hopes that you just may … Read more about (Play) Dating Tips for Moms who need Mom Friends

5 Recipes and Finger Foods for Babies Learning To Self-Feed

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5 Recipes and Finger Foods for Babies Learning To Self-Feed

Almost 2 months ago, right about the time Hayden turned 8 months old, he started refusing to be spoonfed.  I could barely feed him 2-3 spoonfuls of the beautiful purees I had lovingly made, before he would close his lips so tight that my strongest grip couldn’t get his little mouth open.  At the time, I took … Read more about 5 Recipes and Finger Foods for Babies Learning To Self-Feed

12 Words & Phrases the British Use for All Things Baby

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12 Words & Phrases the British Use for All Things Baby

The moment the UK, and much of America, has been waiting for has finally arrived. Earlier today the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, went into labor and has been admitted to the hospital. Suddenly this turn of events gave new meaning to the Royal Baby Watch, as thrones of reporters descended onto St. Mary’s Hospital … Read more about 12 Words & Phrases the British Use for All Things Baby

20 Things you’ll most definitely need for your next “meternity” leave

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20 Things you’ll most definitely need for your next “meternity” leave

By now, you’ve most likely heard of Meghann Foye, the writer and editor on a quest to ensure that all childless employees get a “meternity” leave like the rest of of us selfish parents. “I want all the perks of maternity leave — without the kids” she titled her now infamous New York Post article. We’ll just let the fact … Read more about 20 Things you’ll most definitely need for your next “meternity” leave

Are backless booster seats putting our kids at risk?

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Highback Booster vs Booster Cushion

A new car seat campaign out of Great Britain had me re-thinking the back seat of my car. My older daughter turned 7 last week and my younger daughter turns 4 later this month. In anticipation of their advancing ages, I evaluated their car seats not long ago, did some research, and moved the little … Read more about Are backless booster seats putting our kids at risk?

15 Life lessons I didn’t expect to learn from motherhood

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15 Life lessons I didn’t expect to learn from motherhood

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, I decided to press pause on these past three years of motherhood to stop and consider all that I have learned. It has been quite a journey of ups and downs, lessons learned and re-learned. But here are my top 15: 1. You can’t be selfish. I had no idea how … Read more about 15 Life lessons I didn’t expect to learn from motherhood

This is why moms can’t just shut the bathroom door

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This is why moms can’t just shut the bathroom door

“Why don’t you just shut the door?!” My husband is shouting at me after he, once again, barged in on me while I was in the bathroom. I shout back an unkind retort, frustrated that someone always seems to need me the second I go to the restroom. This time, instead of mumbling something and … Read more about This is why moms can’t just shut the bathroom door

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