Can you answer 3 questions for me?

It’ll take less than a minute, and you could win some of my favorite essentials.

I’ve shared so much of my world with you here from the strategies that keep me sane during morning chaos to the frameworks I’ve used to pivot my career as a tech marketing exec to an entrepreneur in the wellness industry. But today, I want to flip the script.

I want to hear from you. Your thoughts, your interests. Because the more I understand what resonates with you, the better I can make this space.

To keep things fun, I’m giving away 2 New Modern Mom Kits filled with some of my favorite things:

• 🧢 A NMM Ambitious Hat

• 🍓 Hiya Kids Vitamins

• 🌿 Perelel Daily Greens Powder

• 🧻 Coterie Flushable Wipes

• 🥤 Beam Dream Sleep Powder (for you) & Superfoods (for kids)

• 🎁 And a few surprise extras I know you’ll love

Here’s how to enter:

1. Answer the 3 poll questions below (View in browser or in the Substack app)

2. Drop a comment letting me know you completed the poll, a “done!” will do (we’re doing an honors system here folks; I can’t see who responds to the poll)

3. Optional but encouraged! If you were torn between answers, tell me what else you would’ve picked, or ask a question you’d love to see me write about in an upcoming newsletter.

The poll is open through 9/17, and I’ll notify the winners shortly after.

For My Bay Area Moms…

I’m hosting a super fun Disney Princess–themed morning with Hiya kids vitamins and would love for you + your daughters to come!

• 📅 Sunday, Sept 28

• 🕥 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

• 📍 MNTSTUDIO Marina (2154 Union St)

Here’s what’s happening:

• ✨ Mommy & Me Pilates class

• 👑 Make-your-own Disney Princess Hiya vitamin bottle (my kids love these!)

• 🌸 Flower crown station

• ☕ Coffee for moms + snacks for kids

It’s totally free, but spots are limited so RSVP asap so we can save your spot:

Currently

• WEARING White button-up on repeat. This linen option is great for this month, transitioning into a crisp cotton version next month.

• WATCHING Platonic on AppleTV. Light, funny, easy to watch before bed.

• COOKING Perhaps the best meatballs I’ve ever had! Disclaimer: we added 2 eggs and a handful of panko to the recipe.

• LISTENING Emma Grede on the Mel Robbins Podcast. My two favorites come together for a powerful episode.

• BUYING Blue & gold steel blue athleisure jacket (and matching pants). It’s MNT colors, so obviously had to purchase.

  All The Things

We just spent four days in Colorado over LDW, and I noticed there are several “unexpected” items I swear by whenever we travel.

• Ride Safer Travel Vest For kids over 2 to 4 on short car rides, or longer rides for kids 4+ this has replaced needing to check bulky car seats at the airport.

• WildRide Toddler Sling I’d describe this as the Artipoppe for Toddlers. Once you’ve hit the age with your toddler where its uncomfortable to put them in a baby carrier, they don’t want to be in a stroller (or your destination isn’t stroller friendly), they claim to want to walk, but say “uppy” 2 minutes later. This has gotten us through 2 European summers.

• Foldable Scooter (Ages 5-12) Alert to the parents who haven’t purchased a scooter yet, or are about to upgrade in size - BUY A FOLDABLE VERSION! Yes its slightly more expensive, but it makes traveling (and putting it in the overhead bin) insanely easy. Here is the link for the version for ages 2-5.

• Toiletry Bag used for Activity Kits This is like a Mary Poppins bag for kids entertainment on flights and in hotels. I use this exact one for activity kits and they have held up through multiple flights.

• Mini Magna-tiles Started using these at restaurants and in hotels over a year ago, and they’ve become an essential travel companion.

New Modern Mom Podcast Spotlight

Hiring a house manager completely changed how our home runs and gave me back the time and energy I was missing. In this episode, I talk with Kelly Hubbell of Sage Haus about what this kind of support actually looks like and how you can find the right fit for your family.

TLDR, here’s what’s inside this episode:

🍴 What a House Manager Does: Laundry, errands, groceries, meal prep, and more!

💵 Costs & Hours: Typical rates and hours.

📝 Hiring the Right Fit: Where to find them and the key interview questions to ask.

📋 Onboarding That Works: Job descriptions, playbooks, and trial periods.

⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid: The top 3 hiring pitfalls and how to sidestep them.

💬 Don’t forget to leave a comment to expand on the poll questions!

And if you’ve found this newsletter helpful…

• ❤️ Give a little love below

• 📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send to your group chat

Thanks for joining me on this journey,

Barbara