Hey, friend.
Let’s talk about something every parent has probably done: searching social media for parenting advice. Raise your hand (or just nod along if your toddler is currently climbing the furniture) if you’ve ever gone down the Instagram or TikTok rabbit hole at 3 a.m., trying to figure out why your baby won’t sleep or how to deal with a toddler tantrum in the middle of Target. No judgment—we’ve all been there.
But let’s be real: parenting advice on social media can feel like a blessing and a curse. For every life-changing tip, there’s a mountain of conflicting opinions waiting to stress you out. Sound familiar? Good, because today, we’re tackling how to use social media as a parenting tool without feeling like you’re failing at, well, everything.
And yes, this topic is fresh off the latest episode of my podcast, Caffeinated Chaos!
Social media is a quick fix for desperate moments. Need help with potty training? Tips for picky eaters? Ideas to keep your kids entertained while you attempt to drink hot coffee for once? Instagram and TikTok are full of parents sharing their hard-earned wisdom.
But here’s the thing: while there’s a ton of good stuff, it’s easy to fall into the “advice overload” trap. One expert says to do this, another says to do that, and suddenly you’re spiraling, wondering if you ruined your kid’s life because you didn’t do tummy time “perfectly” when they were a newborn.
Spoiler alert: you didn’t ruin anything.
Let’s break down how to keep your cool while scrolling:
1. Vet Your Sources
Not everyone on the internet knows what they’re talking about (shocking, I know). Before you take advice, ask yourself: Is this person a qualified expert, or are they just sharing what worked for them? Both can be valuable, but it’s important to know the difference.
2. Take What Works, Leave the Rest
If a tip feels right for your family, great! If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. There’s no one-size-fits-all in parenting. Trust yourself to know what’s best for your little chaos-makers.
3. Set Scrolling Limits
Listen, I love a good binge, but there’s a fine line between looking for advice and falling into a black hole of stress. Spend a little time searching for solutions—but don’t let it take over your day. Decision fatigue is real, my friend.
4. Context Is Key
What works for one family might not work for yours, and that’s perfectly fine. Your family is unique, and so is your parenting style.
When social media feels like too much, try these instead:
• Parenting Books & Podcasts
Stick to one or two trusted sources that align with your values. Deep-diving into one perspective can be way less overwhelming than scrolling through endless Instagram reels. And, hey, my podcast Caffeinated Chaos has plenty of tips if you need a mix of parenting and entrepreneurship advice (just saying).
• Local Parenting Groups
Sometimes, real-life connections are better than the internet. Look for groups in your area—you’ll get advice that actually fits your local environment and challenges.
• Digital Notes
Create a running list of tips you want to try in your phone’s notes app or Google Drive. This gives you time to cool off and decide what actually fits your parenting style before diving in.
• Curate Your Feed
Follow accounts that lift you up, not ones that make you feel judged. If someone’s content makes you feel less-than (hello, perfect Instagram moms with spotless houses), it’s okay to hit that unfollow button.
Parenthood is messy, chaotic, and exhausting—but it’s also beautiful. Social media is just a tool; it’s not the authority on raising your kids. Trust your gut, embrace the chaos, and remember: you’re doing an amazing job.
If this post hit home for you, go check out the full episode of Caffeinated Chaos for even more tips on navigating the wild world of social media parenting advice. And don’t forget to follow the podcast so you don’t miss next week’s episode—we’re talking about connecting with your teenagers (don’t worry, I’m bringing in an expert for this one).
Until then, friend, go reheat that coffee for the third time today. You deserve it. And while you’re at it, give yourself a little grace—you’re rocking this parenting thing, one chaotic moment at a time.