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Yahoo
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
She left the family vacation five days early—what happened next reignited a parenting firestorm
As a mom of five, I've evolved my strategy for 'vacations' with kids over the years—mostly out of survival. Because let's be honest: when we're traveling to a faraway destination or staying in someone else's (non-babyproofed) home, it's rarely a break. The nap schedules disappear. The snacks run out. And somehow, you're doing the same parenting hustle you do at home… just in another time zone, without your support system, and usually with more sand involved. We've learned to adapt: taking one-on-one trips with our kids to places we're excited to visit, bringing a babysitter when we can (even if it costs more), and setting expectations with extended family ahead of time. But still—traveling with kids rarely feels restorative. So when one mom shared she tapped out of her family vacation five days early, it felt instantly recognizable. Related: 8 Signs of Mom Burnout & Tips for Self-Care – Motherly The breaking point at the lake house Every summer, Kelly Hubbell packs up her three kids and heads to her in-laws' lake house. This year, she left five days early. The internet had plenty to say, especially about the deeper truth her exit exposed: the invisible weight many mothers carry every day. In a now-viral Instagram post, with over 20,000 likes, Hubbell explained how illness, disrupted routines, and a chaotic lakeside BBQ with three kids under six pushed her beyond her limit. She and her husband packed up and headed home on day 12 of the trip. The response? A split screen of support and outrage. Payalforstyle: 'The difference in comments from men and women on this post tells you everything you need to know. Men still wish they married their silent suffering moms and pissed when that are held accountable to be being an equal parent.' Titusvdu: 'Cannot imagine my wife embarrassing me by leaving a family trip early and then seeing her post a book about it acting like it's acceptable behavior.' Nancyshuba: 'Maybe just keep family stuff to yourself. Not everything needs to be public.' Scmarta: 'What kind of child care were you expecting to be at this BBQ?' Chayes3200: 'Sounds like you don't communicate well. Why didn't you have support? Probably bc u didn't ask.' Some parents praised her boundary-setting. Others accused her of overreacting, embarrassing her husband, or, predictably, 'making it all about her.' Hubbell's story captured the quiet strain so many mothers endure: the emotional labor that builds with every unseen task and unspoken expectation. The myth of the 'relaxing family trip' Let's be honest: family vacations with young kids is often just like regular life at home, just with fewer routines and more wet bathing suits. Instead of rest, many moms find themselves in overdrive—responsible for everything from swim diapers and sunscreen to bedtime routines and emotional regulation. Family trips often magnify the responsibilities moms already juggle, especially when routines vanish and support systems are left behind. Research backs that up. A Gallup study found that 81% of working mothers report feeling burned out from the strain of 'managing it all'—from juggling meetings and school pickups to answering emails late at night. Add the pressure of being the 'chill mom' during family gatherings and it's easy to see why Hubbell's story struck such a nerve. These trips tend to expose an unspoken truth: moms often remain the default parent, regardless of how many adults are around. They're tracking swim diapers, sunscreen, snacks, and bedtime routines—while trying to smile and soak in the lake view. Related: 81% of working moms face burnout while 'managing it all,' Gallup study finds What happens when the default parent taps out Hubbell chose to leave—a quiet but powerful decision during a moment that demanded more than endurance. She didn't storm out. She just quietly decided to leave—before things got worse. Her decision resonated with thousands of mothers who are increasingly vocal about the unsustainable pressures placed on them. The idea that moms should simply 'make it work', often at the expense of their health, joy, and peace, is being questioned more than ever. These moments of refusal reflect a growing shift: mothers speaking out against the expectation to silently shoulder every challenge alone. Hubbell's takeaway: when the parent doing the most is running on empty, nobody wins. The kids suffer, the marriage strains, and the 'fun' family vacation becomes a countdown to meltdown. Related: Why every mama needs a weekend to do nothing When personal choices reveal a deeper cultural truth We're long overdue for a reimagining of what partnership, parenting, and rest should look like. That starts with questioning why it's still controversial for a mom to say, 'I've had enough.' Real support goes beyond surface-level self-care. Mothers need systems that share the workload and recognize the mental toll. And moms deserve real rest, not just 'trips' that somehow make motherhood even harder. Related: Mom of four shares genius road trip tips for all your summer plans The bigger picture Hubbell left because she was drained—and because staying any longer would've come at the cost of her well-being. Society rarely questions why she's carrying so much—it just critiques the mom who breaks the script. Vacations, like the rest of family life, reveal the architecture of our households. And if the default parent is crumbling while everyone else enjoys the lake view, it might be time to leave. Related: Go away, working mom guilt: I didn't have kids (or a career) in order to feel inadequate Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Fluffier Scrambled Eggs (It's Already In Your Pantry)
Key Takeaways • Adding salt to whisked eggs about 15 minutes before cooking results in a softer, fluffier scramble.• The salt breaks up the proteins and keeps the eggs from getting too firm or getting weepy. My go-to method for making scrambled eggs is to add ricotta and cook them low and slow in a little butter until perfectly creamy. Sounds pretty foolproof, right? It is, but sadly, as a mom of a new baby with a very sensitive tummy, I've recently had to cut back on dairy. My days of using butter and cheese to avoid rubbery eggs are on hold for now. That said, my need for protein has never been greater. I am still craving fluffy scrambled eggs! What's a hungry mother to do? It turns out the answer is already sitting right on my kitchen counter: salt. To be fair, the secret ingredient is sitting on my counter in a salt well, but the idea comes from a cookbook sitting on my bookshelf, The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt. In an extensive chapter called "Eggs, Dairy, and the Science of Breakfast,' Kenji goes into great detail on how to get tender scrambled eggs without adding dairy. It turns out that much like many wonders of the food world (Prosciutto, I'm looking at you!), all you need for superior fluffy scrambled eggs is salt and a little patience. Of course, I have always salted my eggs right before adding them to the pan, or while they cooked, but I'd never salted them in advance. And that's where the trick lies. How I Make Better Scrambled Eggs (No Dairy Required) Kenji's trick for better scrambled eggs goes something like this: Crack your eggs into a bowl, add however much salt you normally do to your eggs, whisk the eggs, and let them sit out on the counter for 15 minutes. After that, cook them how you normally do. Easy! The Science of Salting Your Eggs Salting and whisking the eggs 15 minutes in advance of cooking them changes the texture of the eggs. Kenji explains the scientific reasoning behind this comprehensively in the cookbook, and what I quickly gathered is that the salt breaks up the proteins in the yolk as it sits, which prevents them from clumping together too tightly as they cook. This also helps avoid getting "weepy" scrambled eggs that release water. What I love most about this tip is that my kids and I saw the science at work. As my salted scrambled eggs sat, we could see them go from a buttery opaque yellow to a translucent orange. Kenji explains that this color shift is the salt at work. When cooked, the scrambled eggs should have soft, fluffy curds that aren't rubbery or watery. While my kids are still not the biggest fans of scrambled eggs, they loved seeing this real-life science experiment. My eggs were so light and fluffy that I almost (almost!) didn't even miss the cheese. Enjoy Some Bacon With Your Eggs How To Make Bacon in the Oven Microwave Bacon Air Fryer Bacon Candied Bacon Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heather Rae El Moussa Compares Mom Life to the 'Friday Nights Before Kids': 'Wouldn't Trade It for Anything'
NEED TO KNOW Heather Rae El Moussa is a mom to son Tristan with husband Tarek El Moussa She is also a stepmom to his two kids, Taylor and Brayden, whom Tarek shares with his ex-wife, Christina Haack Heather reflected on how her life has changed since becoming a mom in a new Instagram post on Friday, July 18Heather Rae El Moussa's "Friday nights before kids" were quite different from what they are now, but she wouldn't change a thing. The HGTV star, 37, celebrated Flashback Friday on July 18 by reminiscing on what her life was like before becoming a mom to her 2-year-old son, Tristan Jay El Moussa, whom she shares with her husband, Tarek El Moussa, 43. Heather is also a stepmom to 14-year-old Taylor Reese El Moussa and 9-year-old Brayden James El Moussa, whom Tarek shares with his ex-wife, Christina Haack, 42. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The proud mom reflected on how times have changed by showing before-and-after footage in an Instagram Reel. The clip began with a video of her and her friends having fun partying together. She put a butterfly filter over the video and made a kissy face at the camera. "Friday nights before kids," she wrote on top of the footage, which then transitioned to a clip of her and her son cheering. Her son ate a snack while she sipped on some wine. "Friday nights now ..." she wrote over the video. Heather wrote in the caption: "Friday nights used to mean heels, dinner reservations, and another round of drinks… Now it's PJs by 7, a toddler dance party, and negotiating over bedtime snacks. 🍪🍼 Wouldn't trade it for anything. #MomLife #FridayNightsNow." In the comment section, Haack shared similar sentiments, writing, "Agree 💯❤️." Over on her Instagram Stories, Heather asked her followers what type of content they wanted to see more of and didn't disappoint. In response to a fan writing that she wanted to see "real life/mom life" she shared a clip of her and her extended family working out together. "Always keeping it real over here," she wrote. In response to a fan who wanted to see more "morning vlogs," she shared a clip of her and Tristan hiding under a table, writing, "mornings can get pretty interesting around here ... 😂." In another clip, she showed a video of Tristan giving a house tour to his "mima and papa." Heather and Tarek previously announced that they'd be moving and would be documenting the process of transforming the house. When asked by PEOPLE last month if she would be willing to have more kids, Heather opened up about how being a mom is one of her favorite things. "It's no stress for me, raising kids and being a mom. It's the least stressful thing in my life and fulfills me so much. Why would I not want more of that? It's the most beautiful thing I've ever done," she said. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "So I think that's kind of your answer right there. But, yeah, I still would love another one, but it has to fit into our life. It's a huge change, and you have to be really ready for it," continued Heather. Tarek, Heather and Haack star in HGTV's The Flip Off. Heather and Tarek also star in Flipping El Moussas, which a source told PEOPLE on July 16 was canceled after two seasons. Before joining the HGTV fold, Heather starred on Netflix's Selling Sunset. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rihanna's Messy Bun Is Perfect for a Red-Carpet Mom Moment
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by Allure editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Getty Images Mom life doesn't stop, even when you're walking the red carpet! Just ask Rihanna, who took her two sons, RZA and Riot, along as her dates for the premiere of her movie Smurfs—and wore the ideal hairstyle for posing for pics and chasing her kids around. The singer and Fenty Beauty founder, who plays Smurfette in the animated film, wore her hair in a high, messy bun for a stylish contrast against her espresso brown Saint Laurent gown and leather jacket. Her dark hair, styled by Yusef and Naphia White, was pulled up and piled on top of her head in a loose, full bun, then pinned with plenty of pieces pulled out to add soft texture and movement. The updo of it all feels formal, but the undone finish keeps it effortlessly cool and totally Rihanna. The bun also keeps her hair out of her face and off her neck, which is key a) on a hot summer day and b) when you're hanging out with your toddlers! As previously mentioned, Rihanna brought RZA and Riot along for the event, where they got to meet a few Smurfs and pose with their mom wearing custom Dior. Baby number three—whose arrival Rihanna announced at the Met Gala—will join the family later this year. Rihanna's makeup was as summery as her hairstyle. Makeup artist Priscilla Ono, who has been working with Rih for years, applied a bright pink blush to the star's cheeks, diffusing it upward, and painted her lips with a similar candy pink color with a glossy finish. (Fenty's Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Strawberry Drip would give you a similar look.) Though you can't see all the details in photos from the event, Rihanna's nails aren't just a light, milky pink; according to manicurist Kim Truong, who often sculpts the star's nails, they're embellished with an iridescent, metallic finish for a little touch of Smurf magic and sparkle. More celebrity beauty looks we love: Nicole Kidman's Nails Are Having a Hot Goth Summer You Could Play "I Spy" with J. Lo's Glittery 3D Nails "Voluminous" Doesn't Begin to Describe Cardi B's Massive Curls Now, watch Madelyn Cline's cover shoot: Follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. Originally Appeared on Allure
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Video: Mom Shows ‘Stages Of Going Out Kid-free' Is An ‘Emotional Rollercoaster'
Taking care of kids is not an easy task, especially if you are a new mommy. To prove the point, a mom shows the 'five stages of going out kid-free' in an Instagram video, which shifts between guilt, happiness, and missing her child. Although she delivers a significant message through her reel, the mother creates her outing clip in a fun way. The caption reads, 'It's truly an emotional rollercoaster isn't it.' On Instagram, a mom outing kid-free video has recently gained attention. In it, Hannah, a mother of a newborn, shares the 'five stages of going out kid-free' in a hilarious manner. Celine Dion's 1996 song, 'All by Myself,' adds dramatic effect to the clip as Hannah lip-syncs the track throughout the reel. The video begins with Hannah all glammed up for a party, happily singing the song. It depicts the first stage — 'Freedom.' But, as soon as she gets behind the wheel, the 'mom guilt' hits her, highlighting the second stage in the outing kid-free video. She looks doubtful and concerned, questioning if she should leave her child and husband alone. Her anxious self further thinks, 'Will they be okay?' Or 'Am I the literal worst?' In the next scene of the outing kid-free video, the mom's mood changes when she joins the party, indicating the third stage — 'Enjoying Yourself.' With a smiling face, she enjoys a drink and 'hot' food while having 'uninterrupted convo' and 'gets to sit down.' Feeling relaxed, she drives home thinking, 'Why don't I do this more often?' which is the fourth stage. Finally, stage five says, 'I miss my babies so much.' Hannah rushes inside her home and jumps into a swimming pool to hug her child and husband. Viewers enjoyed the mom outing kid-free video and also found it 'funny.' One user wrote, 'Gets to sit down sounds so incredibly nice,' while another commented, 'So accurate.' An individual also added one more stage, saying, 'STAGE: 6 : Im never leaving you again.' While the Instagram reel received a positive response, it has garnered over 114K likes at the time of writing. The post Video: Mom Shows 'Stages Of Going Out Kid-free' Is An 'Emotional Rollercoaster' appeared first on Momtastic.
