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

Getting Over Mom Guilt

Mom guilt happens to all of us. Whether it creeps up after yelling at our kids, not falling instantly in love with a newborn or being a working mom, you're not alone. Read on for more on what causes mom guilt and how to get over it.

Hey Mama: The Best Weight Loss Plan is Losing your Negative Thoughts

Imagine closing a social media app feeling better about yourself than you did before you got there, rather than worse? You deserve to feel good in your skin, Mama.

Canadian Parents: Everything you Need to Know About the Disability Tax Credit

It's hard enough to deal with a child with a disability, but then there's the process of applying for the Disability Tax Credit. Talk about complicated!

Join me as I chat with Jon Law from JL Bookkeeping, family and diability tax specialist. He gives us all the tips and tricks to making your application process go a little smoother!

Why Don't Parents Talk Openly About how Hard Teenagers Are to Raise?

Warning: real talk and language in here!

My husband is the most honest, reliable, voice of reason that every parent needs in their life. He shares his wisdom while making you feel like you've got a cheerleader with a really deep voice on your shoulder.

We sat down to talk about why parents don't talk more openly about how hard it is to raise teenagers after a mom posted a question anonymously on the MamaSoup social media platform.

Canadian Parents: Childcare Deductions and Credits you can Claim for 2021

Founder of MamaSoup talks to Jon Law from JL Bookkeeping to chat about childcare deductions and credits you can claim for 2021. It's been quite a year for parents so we want to make your taxes a little easier to navigate. For instance, did you know that if your family members helped watch the kids and you paid them, it's not tax deductible? This is the first in a weekly series of 5 amazingly educational talks about all things parenting and taxes, so make sure you subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a thing!

Division of Parenting Duties: Is it Ever Equal?

Join the founder of MamaSoup and her husband for a weekly chat about issues that have been shared and posted in the MamaSoup community for moms!

Gain perspective from these parents who've raised 4 kids in these completely unedited talks about all things parenting.

Parenting at Christmas: Setting Boundaries and Managing Expectations

Mom of four and founder of the MamaSoup platform talks about ways to set boundaries and expectations for kids around Christmas and tips to make the holidays less stressful and more memorable.

Tips for Talking to your Kids About Sex

There's nothing worse than awkward discussions with your kids about sex. But sex is a huge part of every human being's life, so we may as well learn tips to talk about sex, pleasure, consent and emotional and physical health with our kids. And it should start young!

First Time Mom Inspiration

While you're feeling overwhelmed about becoming a mom for the first time, here's some of the best advice I've given over 22 years of supporting birthing families.

8 Things I've Learned from Being a Mom in Quarantine

Now that we've hit the six month mark, I felt like a little reflection would be cool. Kinda like looking in the rearview mirror. Except since this mother-effing virus isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it's kinda like looking at what's ahead for us as well.
 

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.

Is Your Baby's Sleep Schedule Normal?

Have you been wondering if your baby has a normal sleep schedule? Check out the normal sleep patterns for babies here before you spend money on a sleep coach!

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?

Tips to Reduce Anxiety as a Single Mom During the Holidays

When you're a single parent, the holidays can be especially difficult. These tips will help you stay calm and focused on what matters most.

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?

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?

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.

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.

An Interview With a NICU Mom: What She Wants You to Know

As a nurse, I know how hard it is to have a baby who doesn't get to go home with you. But as a mama, I can't fathom the challenges these new moms are facing.

I interviewed a former NICU mama about her experience and insights, and here's what she had to say...

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?

5 Things to Try When Your Baby Cries

Maybe you’ve been around lots of babies and you’re completely comfortable with your own, but maybe you’re not. Many women have babies and have no idea what to do with them when they cry, and that’s ok! You don’t have to know everything to be the best mom for your baby, Mama!

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.

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.

Shut Down Your Thoughts, Change the World With Your Gifts

There is nothing that you can’t accomplish if you set your mind straight to it. The big problem is drowning out all of your thoughts and fears. I can talk myself out of anything. Just last night I talked myself out of washing and moisturizing my face before bed.

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!

It's Not Too Late to Rewrite Our Stories

Deep down I know it’s wrong, to let extra pounds define myself as a person. I’m an adult now, so changing my “story” should be easy! All I have to do is write myself a new plot, right? But I’m only human and I hear the screams of society telling me how I should look to be worthy of happiness. So, like many, I've desperately tried to change myself.

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!”

When Moms Help Moms, I Do a Happy Dance

People often ask me why I would leave my career in nursing to start a company at this stage in my life. Let’s face it- I’m not young. I don’t have an MBA. Who do I think I am anyway, starting a business?  Trust me, I don’t always feel confident and I often feel terrified. But I'm not offended when people ask me because even I think I’m a little bit crazy, to be honest. Maybe the best thing I’ve ever learned from so many years of nursing is a deep, deep compassion for women.

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.