Motherly

What went viral this week: A mom defends Shakira and J. Lo + the beauty of working motherhood

There's a lot of heavy news this week so let's look at the lighter side of this week's headlines.

8 powerful, award-winning birth photos you need to see right now

This is what birth really looks like.

Trump talks about paid leave in the State of the Union—and this is how it affects you, mama

Here's what you need to know about President Trump's speech.

15 no-cook dinners for hot summer nights

These dinner ideas will quickly become your family's favorites.

20 perfect names for your February baby

Love-filled names for the month of love.

Why Jessica Simpson’s sexual abuse revelations are so powerful

"I was a preacher's daughter. I was taught to be a virgin until I got married, and so I never wanted to share these sexual things that were happening because I didn't want to hurt anybody," shares Simpson. Eventually, she summoned up the courage to tell her mom and dad what was going on—knowing even at that young age she was dropping a bombshell on them.

You have to hear this viral song written by a 3-year-old

'Dinosaurs in Love' is amazing.

A mom shamed for breastfeeding at Chick-fil-A gets a massive show of support

A crowd of angry moms showed up to stage a nurse-in at the restaurant.

50 no-tech, super-fun winter activities for kids

Cold, gray days are no match for this ultimate winter fun list for kids.

What I want my kids to know about real love

Even when it seems like it would just be easier not to. It is always, always worth it.

I’m the helicopter mom I ‘never’ wanted to be

The thing is, when I look at them with their smooth cheeks and bright eyes, I see their soft hearts and tender innocence. The thought of them being wounded or broken or hurt feels like a knife in my heart that I just couldn't take. It's too much.

All I want for Valentine’s Day is a break

A break from the very real and very exhausting daily grind of motherhood.

This TEDx talk explains what would happen if we nurtured mothers

"Somewhere along the way we stop taking care of mothers. As you'll see, the consequences are pretty dire. But that also means that when we fix it, the impact will be profound," Spalding says.

Kezia on when she knew she wasn’t OK and needed help

I’ve never understood depression. I’ve never understood the stigma. Or the severity, until the day I did.

This SAHM’s Facebook post is going viral because it’s so real

We see you, mama.

I tried it: Why doing my baby registry in person was the best decision I made

When to schedule your baby’s first dentist appointment

Spoiler: It's probably earlier than you think.

The eye-opening lesson my daughter and I *both* learned from my potty mouth

Don't panic, I tell myself. Kids are going to say bad words.

51 easy ideas for self-care this Valentine’s Day, mama

Because you deserve it.

The Iowa caucus is not set up to include mothers—and that’s a problem

When Cedar Rapids Gazette columnist Lyz Lenz asked "How do you caucus with a baby?" she sparked a national conversation