Let's Dish Series No. 1: Take Mama's Sex Quiz

Location-based Mobile App Mamasoup Helps Moms Connect to Their Community to Reduce the Emotional Impact of Social Distancing

March 26, 2020 PETERBOROUGH, ON - Joanne Ilaqua, the founder of Mamasoup, an app that is a support network for mothers, is working hard to provide online information and tools for women feeling the impact of social distancing.

Cash Giveaway Contest for Moms

Cash giveaway contest for moms who download and post in the Mamasoup app! Click to learn how to be entered in 3 simple steps.

The Physical and Emotional Load of Motherhood: Are Moms Partially to Blame for Mom-Burnout?

I don’t think it really matters what stage of mothering you’re in: If you’re a mom, you are taking on most of the physical, mental and emotional load. No matter how amazingly supportive your partner is it’s a thing that moms naturally acquire. Like menstruation and stretch marks. But can blame ourselves for some of it?

6 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was a Single Mom at Christmas

I wish someone had told me all those years ago that I didn’t have to prove anything then, either. But that mom-guilt runs deep, and there ain’t no mama feeling guiltier than the one who can’t afford the latest toys and Elf on the Shelf. Just know that you can provide magic and love by giving your time and attention to your kids, and they need that more than a LOL doll.

5 Ways to Build Long Lasting, Never-Waivering, Confidence in Yourself

When was the last time you felt confident in yourself? I’m talking ass-kicking, not gonna stop confident? You wouldn’t be alone if you can’t really remember. It’s a lot of work for some women to feel confidence after lending out their bodies for babies and giving up the majority of their time (and sleep) for kids.

8 Ways to Stay Sane While Raising Teenagers

Look, Sister- we can be frank, here. We’re not new moms anymore. Deep down, don’t you feel like you should have this “motherhood thing” figured out by now? New moms everywhere are watching us and they think we’ve got all the answers. And we probably had a lot of them until our kids hit about 11, don’t you agree?

How I Went From Surviving to Thriving as a Single Mom on Welfare

If you’re separated or divorced and you’re doing that mom-life all by your lonesome, you’re truly doing the hardest job. Like, it’s the Iron Man of the mom-world. It’s like running the Boston Marathon but you never reach the finish line.

If You've Ever Lost Track of your Toddler You're Not a BAD Mom, You're Just a Normal Mom

It seems as though moms are expected to be super-human and do this almost impossible job of raising kids perfectly and when we’re not, we’re penalized. It’s no wonder so many women aren’t seeking help for depression and anxiety after they have babies: if we admit that we’re not handling motherhood well at this moment, we’re terrified that our children will be taken away.

Stop Judging Moms for 'Distracted Parenting' When We're Raising Kids in the Digital F**king Age

Once again the media is calling out parents for another thing we're doing wrong out here. As if the pressure to raise human beings in a scary world where men like Trump are running the free-world isn't enough, now we can't check our phones while we do it?

The Postpartum Period Can Last for Years, Not Weeks

I always feel that the best way to shine light on a dark subject is to talk about it. Let's stop being ashamed that we may not be handling motherhood as well as society says we should. Let's talk about how tough it is to adjust to this new life and help other moms understand that they're not alone.

Your 'Perfect' Instagram Life is Ruining Motherhood for the Rest of Us

The problem with the perfect feed of the "InstaMommy" is that women are feeling crappy after looking at it. Because at the end of the day, if you’re a mom you’re a woman with problems. Let’s stop pretending this is the easiest and most rewarding job in the world all the time and start talking about how tough it can be.

Motherhood is Lonely AF. Mamasoup Can Help.

I’m just a mom like you. I don’t have millions of dollars and an army of app developers at my disposal like Facebook and Instagram. I’m just one woman with a burning desire to help us all connect and lift each other up while we’re doing the hardest job on the planet.

Join my Free Virtual Book Club and Discussion Just for Moms (Starts September 8th, 2019)

I've wondered if I'm the shittiest mom around because I don’t look at my life with the heart-eyes emoji. I’d look around at other moms at the grocery store, the park and even in the waiting room at the doctor’s office and they just seemed to have never-ending patience and admiration for their kids, even when they were clearly being little assholes.

7 Effective Ways a Partner Can Support a Mom While She's Raising Kids

If the first 6 weeks postpartum are like a short sprint in the race of raising a family, then the first few years are a marathon. And while it’s true that you've probably recovered from childbirth by the time your baby is a toddler, there’s a good chance that you’re still going to need emotional and physical support while you’re doing the hardest job on the planet: raising little humans.

DIY- Diaper Wipe Spray

If you've been looking for a good diaper-wipe spray so you can avoid using wipes, I've got you covered!

How to Reverse PMS, Hot Flashes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

If you're suffering from hot flashes, infertility, next-level periods or if you just can't seem to move the needle on your bathroom scale, consider making some of these changes. It may seem a little inconvenient at first but it just may transform how you feel physically and emotionally!

The One Thing a Mom Can Do to Make Raising a Teenager Easier

Did you know there’s a group for moms of teenagers on the Mamasoup app? Join the conversation now and start finding the support that we all need doing this most difficult stage of parenting- the stage where we have to let go and trust that we’ve done our job well.

I Don't Always Love Being a Mom (And You Don't Have to Either!)

The faster we accept that motherhood doesn’t have to feel like one big dance through the daisy-field, the better. Let’s all acknowledge that even if you’re a mom who did fertility treatments, even if you navigated the adoption process for years, even if you didn’t think you’d ever become pregnant- you don’t have to feel a constant flow of positivity about motherhood.

Suffering Through School Holidays

Christmas vacation is about to start over here, Mamas! This is a special time of the year to stand in solidarity with other moms. We are all going to do our best over the next couple of weeks to hold it all together.

What if my Baby is Born With a Disability?

In my career as a labour and delivery/postpartum nurse, I’ve seen a lot of babies born and they aren’t quite what their parents were expecting. With all of the testing available during pregnancy, you may wonder how an unknown birth defect or disability can even happen. But that is one of the mysteries of creating life.

Mamasoup is A Blog for Moms at ALL Stages

As a nurse, doula and Lamaze educator I like to think I know a few things about moms. But as a woman who has been doing this mom-gig for almost 28 years, I've gained some on-the-job experience and wisdom that nobody could ever learn from books.

Did You Have a Traumatic Birth?

Before I retired from nursing to start Mamasoup, I worked in Labour and Delivery/Postpartum. People would always smile when I told them what I did for a living, and usually someone would say You’re so lucky to work in such a happy place! And I did feel lucky, because when it was happy it was so happy. But when it was sad, it was almost unbearable.

Have You Ever Felt the Crushing Pressure of Providing Your Kids a Christmas?

It may seem like an insignificant thing to some people- supporting a mom and her kids during a highly marketed season. You may think, Why on earth would she put her efforts into Christmas when there are so many other times a mom needs help?

Wondering How Mamasoup Works?

A video tutorial of how the Mamasoup app for moms works. It's a new level of mom-tastic!

Sex, Drugs and Alcohol: The 3 Things I've Learned About Talking to My Teens About the Hard Stuff

Raising well-adjusted kids means keeping an open line of communication and unfortunately that’s our job as parents. Those times when you really don’t want to talk because it’s uncomfortable or just plain hard? Those are the times when it matters the most.

How to Have a Happier Marriage While Raising a Family (Hint: it's NOT Date Nights)

Over the last 18 years we've blended a family, had 2 kids of our own, stumbled through a child with drug addiction and we're currently raising our second set of teenagers. I'm not saying we have all the answers at all, but we've managed to get ourselves here.

The #1 Way to Remove Mom-Guilt is a Profile on the Mamasoup App

Recently, I asked my Instagram followers to tell me what they were struggling with at their stage in motherhood. Let me tell ya, Mom-Guilt was the NUMBER ONE. In fact, it was so resounding, that I created a conversation on Mamasoup about it, using one mama's own words. (Hop over to check it out and join the chat!)

4 Ways to Do What's Best For You and Your Baby (and SHUT DOWN the Mommy-Trolls!)

If you’ve never experienced a mom-troll, hop onto any Facebook mom-group and post something about vaccines, breastfeeding or sleep training. Or post a picture of your baby in a carseat. The trolls just can’t help themselves: they’ll tear you down and eat you up. Apparently, they are the "Moms of Perfect Choices". They do everything right, even the carseat straps.

The 10 Things I Realized While Raising a Child Addicted to Drugs

When you’re pregnant, you kinda have a vision of what kind of parent you think you'll be. I remember thinking that I would be a very cool, open mom who wouldn’t let too much get to me. I’d be the mom that other mom’s kids could talk to. I have to say, that for the most part I’ve been pretty damn relaxed in this mom-gig.

But NOTHING could have ever prepared me to raise a son addicted to drugs.

What I've Learned From Being a Teen Mom and Why I Wish People Would Stop Passing Judgement.

You see not all teenage moms are strippers, drug addicts or unaware that they happen to be carrying an extra 30 pounds of baby. And contrary to popular belief, we’re not all girls with “Daddy issues” or a need to be loved.

My Friends Can't Believe I Buy Condoms For My Teenagers

As a strong woman who is raising strong, independent and well-adjusted kids I like to bring up the really tough stuff: consent, drugs, birth control, sex…you know, the kind of things that they’re going to be dealing with for the rest of their lives. I want to make these conversations easier on them because I want them to feel like they can talk to me about this stuff.

The One Thing You Should Know Before You Have Your Tubes Tied

I decided to have my tubes "tied" when I was pregnant with my fourth baby, who was a real surprise by the way! My doctor didn't tell me anything about the symptoms I would suffer with for the rest of my freaking reproductive life.

Spoiler Alert: You Don't Have to be a Perfect Mom to be PERFECT For Your Kids

Perfect moms don't exist so stop beating yourself up. You don't need letterboards and the perfect nursery decor to prove yourself to anyone. As long as you let love guide you, you'll be everything your kids ever need.

5 Ways to Solve Homework Stress in Your House

Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different things to make life easier when the backpacks hit the kitchen table, but there are some that have really worked for us!

Are You Tired of Your Inner Mean Girl?

If you’re struggling to move ahead in any part of your life, you’re not alone! Your inner mean girl is a bully and she can paralyze you from having everything you’ve ever wanted. Over the years, I’ve learned some tricks to quiet that voice of doubt and truly take control of my life.

Three Women With Three Different Birth Stories

Ask any woman about her birth(s) and she will be able to recall very specific details: the sounds, the smells and the way she was made to feel while she was bringing life into the world.

In this post: 3 women share 3 very different memories from their birth stories.

Doing Childcare Right: an Interview with a Registered Early Childhood Educator

I am a RECE (Registered Early Childhood Educator) and have been working in childcare for about 4-5 years now. I did a co-op placement in high school in a daycare and even though I always knew I wanted to work with children, that was when I fell in love with the daycare environment!

Is it Possible to Take the Guilt out of Motherhood?

f you’re a mom, you have experienced the feeling of never being able to accomplish everything. And that goes for working moms and stay-at-home moms, too! I used to say to my husband, “I’m so frustrated because I can’t give 100% to anything in my life!”

What Kind of a Sports Mom Are You?

I love watching my kids do their favourite things and I love seeing my different “team families”. But when two sports overlap, it’s hard not to notice how different the culture of those sports is. More importantly, the culture of different sports parents.

Valentine's Day is the Day to Love Yourself.

Over the last 26 years of being a mom on Valentine’s Day, I’ve been single, dating and married. I totally understand why some women get really wrapped up in the importance of the day. Who doesn’t want to feel loved and appreciated? Especially a mom.

You're Not Failing at Motherhood if Your Kid Doesn't Have a "Chore List"

I know it’s good for kids to have responsibilities from a young age. I’ve read the parenting books and they all cover just this topic, and I know it makes them more responsible later in life. I realize that 2-year olds can clean up a few toys, that 4 year olds can help with dishes and that 6 year olds can help pack lunches. I know they’re capable of doing all of these things, but do you know where I get stuck? It’s the fact that it all takes monitoring from me.

The Time to Love Your Post-Baby Body is NOW!

Are you grieving the loss of your former body since having children? You're not alone. It's time to stop beating yourself up and start appreciating your post-baby body, Mama!

New Year Same You Because, Mama, You're Already Amazing

I propose that we stop trying to improve ourselves in the new year and start celebrating how awesome we are!

When it Comes to Moms, There's Strength in Numbers.

Moms need each other more than ever for friendship, support and information. Did you know there's an app for that?

A Kid Who Loses is a Happy Winner

Our kids will never appreciate winning if they never lose. It's tough to watch your kid go through it, but in the end it's worth it!

Travelling With Kids is Worth the Effort.

Travelling with kids is one of the hardest things a parent can do! Lots of parents choose to stay home in the safety of their own environment. But getting away is good for families!

A Balanced Mama Means a Balanced Kid

As adults, we can make the choice to put our phones down and step away from the constant bombardment of technology. But how do our kids know to do the same? They just kind of get stuck in a constant loop of information coming at them all the time.