From Sippy Cups to Side Hustles: How This Busy Mom Started Creating Content (and What You Actually Need to Begin)

On By Brittany PinterIn Mental HealthLeave a comment

Hi, I’m a mom of three, pregnant with #4, a therapist, and most recently—a content creator.

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be talking to my phone while making lunch with a toddler on my hip, I probably would’ve laughed. But here we are.

Between therapy sessions, diaper changes, school drop-offs, and everything else that comes with this season of motherhood, I somehow found a little corner of the internet where I could show up—not as “just mom,” not as “therapist,” but as both… and more. Creating content has become a creative outlet, a way to connect, and—let’s be real—a potential side hustle that lets me dream beyond the chaos.

So if you’ve been wondering how to get started in content creation while living in the trenches of motherhood, here’s my honest take (plus the tools I actually use and love).

Why I Started Creating Content

I didn’t wake up one day with a 10-step plan or a brand strategy. I just felt this nudge. A desire to share the messy, beautiful, overwhelming truth of motherhood. To talk about mental health in a way that felt real and relatable. And to connect with other moms who feel like they’re drowning in endless snack requests and expectations.

TikTok quickly became my favorite space—it’s quick, it’s casual, and it thrives on authenticity. I didn’t need perfect lighting or a polished look. I just needed a story to tell.

What Held Me Back (and Why I Started Anyway)

Let me be super honest: I almost didn’t start.

I felt silly.
I felt too old.
I felt like there were already a million other moms doing it better.

But here’s what I’ve learned (and what I tell my therapy clients too): You don’t need to be the best to begin. You just need to be you. People connect with you—not a curated version of someone else.

And I started scrappy. Filming during nap time. Editing between meltdowns. Showing up when I felt like it and letting it be imperfect. That’s the magic.

My Must-Have Tools for Mom Content Creators

You do not need a full-blown studio setup to start creating content. But a few affordable tools have made a big difference in my workflow (and confidence):

🧡 Clip-on Ring Light – Gives just enough glow to help you feel human at 8 p.m. after the kids are down.

Linked here

🎤 Mini Microphone – Plugs right into your phone and instantly levels up your sound, even when your toddler is screaming in the background.

Linked here

📱 Tripod with Remote – Lets you film hands-free, whether you’re folding laundry or recording a sit-down chat.

Linked here

🚗 Car Phone Mount – For safe and easy car chats (because yes, sometimes the car is the only quiet place we get).

Linked here

🧠 Bonus: A Simple Editing App – I like CapCut for quick edits on the go. Easy to learn and mom-brain friendly.

My Favorite Amazon Home Decor Finds (That Make Homemaking Feel Peaceful + Pretty)

On By Brittany PinterIn Homemaking, LifestyleLeave a comment

As a therapist, mom of three (soon to be 4), and someone who just settled into our forever home here in Southwest Florida, I’ve been craving a space that feels like a calming exhale at the end of a long day. One thing that’s helped? Thoughtfully layering in small decor pieces that bring warmth, beauty, and a bit of order to our everyday chaos.

I’m all about simple, functional, and affordable — so naturally, Amazon has been a lifesaver. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite Amazon home decor finds that have helped make our new house feel like home. These are things that bring me joy and calm (even when the toddler tornado is in full swing).

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and would recommend to a fellow mama friend. Thank you for supporting this little corner of the internet!

1. Neutral Woven Baskets (Pretty Storage Goals)

I swear by these for hiding toys, books, and random kid-things in plain sight. They’re beautiful, sturdy, and instantly make a space look more pulled together. Bonus: they double as laundry or blanket storage when needed.

Buy here on Amazon

2. Soft Linen-Look Curtains

These give such a light, airy vibe — perfect for Florida sunshine. They feel higher-end than they are and add that cozy, lived-in feel without being heavy or formal.

Buy here on Amazon

3. Faux Olive Tree (Low-Maintenance Plant Mama)

I love the warmth greenery adds, but I cannot keep a plant alive right now — and that’s okay. This faux olive tree looks real and adds the perfect touch of earthy calm to any room.

Buy here on Amazon

4. Cozy Knit Throw Blankets

Nothing says “home” like a comfy throw blanket. These ones are soft, hold up well in the wash, and look beautiful draped over a couch or basket. I keep one in each main room for snuggles, nursing, or a five-minute mom break.

Buy here on Amazon

5. Brass or Black Taper Candle Holders

These instantly elevate a dining table, shelf, or mantel. Pair them with neutral or muted taper candles for a cozy, collected look. I love how they add warmth and character without feeling overdone.

Buy here on Amazon

6. Coffee Table Decor Books (Pretty + Practical)

Stack a few beautiful hardcovers with neutral spines for instant style. Look for topics like interior design, motherhood, slow living, or wellness. They’re great for layering under candles, vases, or trays. A few faves:

“Homebody” by Joanna Gaines

“Still: The Slow Home” by Natalie Walton

“Made for Living” by Amber Lewis

You don’t need a perfectly styled house to feel at peace — but sometimes small, intentional changes in our environment can help us regulate, reset, and reconnect with the home we’re building, both inside and out. These pieces have helped me do just that.

Let me know if you try any of these — or if you have your own Amazon favorites! I’m always on the hunt for simple things that make motherhood and homemaking feel a little more beautiful.

The Sacred Pause in Motherhood: What a Sunset and a Shadow Taught Me About Being Present

On By Brittany PinterIn Mental HealthLeave a comment

It was a regular Thursday evening. The kind of day where everything and nothing happens all at once. My kids had been especially loud, the laundry was half-folded on the couch, and dinner dishes were still sitting in the sink.

The house was buzzing with the usual end-of-day chaos. And I was buzzing too—in my body, in my mind. That overstimulated, overtouched, over-everything feeling that so many of us moms know all too well.

And then…
A pause.

I happened to glance at the sun setting through our living room window. The way the light filtered in stopped me for a second. I picked up my phone to capture it—not thinking much of it—just one of those “wow, that’s pretty” moments. But when I turned the camera around, I saw it.

A soft shadow cast on the opposite wall.
The unmistakable curve of my pregnant belly.
My baby.
A miracle, quietly making itself known in the most ordinary moment.

I felt my breath catch.
In all the noise, I had almost missed it.

(If you want to see the actual moment, I shared the video on my TikTok—a simple clip that says so much.)

It reminded me how often the sacred shows up in the small. How, even on the loudest, messiest days, life is unfolding right here inside me.
And not just physically—but emotionally, spiritually, relationally.

This season of motherhood—especially pregnancy while parenting young kids—is a blur of movement and need. So often, I forget to see myself in it. I’m so focused on meeting everyone else’s needs that I forget to witness the quiet transformation happening in my own body and soul.

That shadow on the wall?
It brought me back to myself.

So this is my reminder to you, and to me:
Pause.
Let the light in.
And notice the shadows—it’s often where the beauty hides.

Even if your home is loud and your brain is louder, even if your body feels stretched and tired and not your own… you are still doing something miraculous.
Even when you forget.
Even when you almost miss it.

Have you had a moment recently that brought you back to yourself—something simple, but sacred? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or over on Instagram or TikTok. Let’s keep reminding each other: there’s beauty in the blur.

Moving with Young Kids (Twice!): Our Journey from NJ to Our Forever Home in Florida

On By Brittany PinterIn Mental HealthLeave a comment

Moving is always a big deal — but moving with little ones in tow? That’s a whole different kind of chaos. In the span of just over a year, our family made two major moves: first from New Jersey to Southwest Florida with our three young kids (then 5, 3, and 15 months), and then again from our rental into what we now call our forever home — all while I was pregnant with baby number four.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

The Big Move: NJ to Florida

When we decided to leave New Jersey, we were craving sunshine, space, and a slower pace of life. But leaving everything familiar — our family, community, and routines — felt overwhelming. We packed up our lives, squeezed what we could into a moving truck, and flew down with our three littles. At the time, our kids were 5, 3, and just 15 months old. Still in diapers, still waking in the night, and very much still needing their routines.

We chose to rent for a year while we got to know the area. Honestly? That was the best decision we made. It gave us time to figure out neighborhoods, adjust to the Florida heat (hello, humidity), and let our kids settle into their new schools and rhythms without the pressure of rushing into a permanent decision.

Pregnant and Moving… Again

Just when we found our groove, we found out we were expecting baby #4. And with that came the desire (and need) to find our forever home. So, with three busy kiddos and a belly that was growing by the day, we packed up again and moved into our new house.

This time, the move was local — but with toddlers and pregnancy hormones in the mix, it still felt like a marathon.

What Helped Us Survive (and Sometimes Even Thrive)

Here are a few things that got us through all the transitions:

  • Lowering expectations: Not everything had to be perfect. Our meals were simple, boxes stayed unpacked longer than I’d like, and screen time? Yep, it happened.
  • Maintaining some routines: Bedtime stories and cuddles stayed consistent. Familiar rhythms helped the kids feel safe amidst the chaos.
  • Letting them feel: Our kids had big feelings about leaving friends, changing homes, and adjusting to new spaces. We made space for those feelings and gave extra grace.
  • Creating “home” quickly: We prioritized setting up the kids’ rooms first — even if the rest of the house looked like a disaster zone, they had a familiar space to play and sleep.
  • Letting people help: Whether it was a friend bringing dinner or a neighbor watching the kids for an hour, accepting help made a world of difference.

Now, We Breathe

Now that we’re settled in our forever home, there’s a peace that’s starting to settle in too. The kids are adjusting beautifully, the baby is growing strong, and we’re slowly turning this house into a home filled with memories, noise, and love.

If you’re facing a big move with little ones — I see you. It’s exhausting and emotional and messy… but it can also be a beautiful, fresh start.

My Home Birth Story: Calm, Chaos, and Catching My Baby

On By Brittany PinterIn Lifestyle, Mental Health, MotherhoodLeave a comment

There’s something sacred about birthing at home—something raw, instinctual, and deeply empowering. I’ve given birth unmedicated three times now, but this was my second home birth. And I’m planning to do it all over again with this current pregnancy.

Every birth teaches you something different about yourself—what your body can do, how your mind copes under pressure, and where you need support. This last home birth reminded me of the beauty that can exist within the chaos.

Labor Came Like a Whisper… Then a Roar

It started quietly. No big cinematic water breaking. No dramatic timing of contractions. Just a sense in my body that things were shifting.

I tucked my other kiddos into bed, feeling that familiar heaviness in my hips. I looked at my husband and said, “Tonight might be the night.”

And it was.

Surrounded by Peace and Pillows

Our bedroom became my birthing space. String lights softly glowed above the bed. A diffuser filled the room with lavender. I remember swaying through contractions while my birth team gently moved in the background—my midwife, my husband, and my mother each quietly holding space for me.

There’s nothing quite like laboring in your own space—free to move, groan, cry, or laugh without monitors beeping or strangers walking in and out.

As a therapist, I talk a lot about nervous system regulation. Let me tell you—labor is the ultimate test of that. I used breathwork, vocal toning, and visualizations to ride the waves. My mantra was, “Open and surrender.”

The Moment I Caught My Baby

I was in the birth pool when I felt the urge to push—intense, overwhelming, and completely unstoppable. My body took over. With the support of warm water around me and my husband right beside me, I let my instincts lead.

There were just three people in the room—my midwife, my husband, and my mom. No crowd. No chaos. Just a quiet knowing that I was safe, supported, and fully capable.

With a few powerful surges, my baby was born into the water—straight into my hands.

That moment will stay with me forever. The weight of a new life in my hands. The rush of adrenaline and oxytocin. The tears in my husband’s eyes. My mom softly crying behind me. And my midwife, calm and steady, gently guiding but never interrupting the moment.

It was raw, intimate, and everything I hoped it would be.

The Afterglow

There was no rush. No being wheeled away or bright lights. Just warm towels, tea, and a baby nuzzling at my chest. My other children woke up in the morning to meet their new sibling, and we all piled into bed like a sleepy, love-drunk pile of humans.

That’s the magic of home birth—it’s on your terms. You are in control, surrounded by familiarity, and able to rest deeply in the cocoon of your own space.

Planning for Another Home Birth

This current pregnancy? I’m planning another home birth. With every experience, I’ve learned what I need—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It’s not for everyone, but for me, it’s where I feel most powerful.

Home Birth Essentials: Amazon Favorites for the Mama Planning to Birth at Home

If you’re considering or planning a home birth, here are some helpful tools and supplies I’ve personally used or recommend:

Birth Space Setup:

Comfort + Labor Tools:

  • Heating Pad – For back labor or general comfort.
  • Rebozo or Woven Wrap – Traditionally used in Mexican birth practices, a rebozo can be used for belly sifting, hip squeezes, and gentle counterpressure. It’s an amazing, versatile tool for both physical support and grounding during labor.
  • Peri Bottle – Essential for postpartum healing.

Birth Supplies

Postpartum Comfort:

Whether you’re dreaming of a home birth or just curious what it’s like, know this: you are allowed to take up space in your birth. You are allowed to ask for peace, slowness, support, and autonomy. You are capable. You are strong. And your story—whatever it looks like—is valid.

Sending so much love to the mamas planning their births from a therapist-mama who’s been there, hands catching baby and heart wide open.