February 4, 2025

Good morning. Beyoncé just made history (again), snagging Album of the Year with Cowboy Carter at the Grammys—because even Queen Bey can’t resist a little yeehaw energy. Somewhere, a rhinestone-studded cowboy hat is having the best day of its life.

  • Shhh… They’re Listening: 5 Things to Never Say Around Your Kids (And a Few You Should)

  • Swipe Right on Savings: The Best Rewards Cards for Moms Who Do It All

  • Decluttering Your Inbox: The Ultimate Power Move

PARENTING

Watch your mouth.

You know that moment when you think your kid is totally absorbed in their snack, only to have them repeat verbatim something you said two days ago? Yeah… they hear everything.

🚫 5 Topics to Avoid

1️⃣ Body talk – Whether it’s self-criticism or commenting on someone else’s weight, kids absorb those messages fast. Let’s keep the focus on what our bodies can do, not how they look.
2️⃣ Parent smack talk – Speaking negatively about the other parent (or caregivers) makes kids feel like they have to pick sides—and that’s not a choice they should ever have to make.
3️⃣ Sibling comparisons – Saying things like "Why can’t you be more like your brother?" fosters resentment and unnecessary competition.
4️⃣ Money stress – Kids don’t fully grasp adult finances, so overhearing money worries can make them anxious (or feel like a burden). Keep money talks clear, calm, and age-appropriate.
5️⃣ Parental sacrifices – Telling kids how much you’ve given up for them can lead to guilt, not gratitude. Let’s not make them feel like an obligation.

🤯 And 5 Surprisingly OK Topics

✔️ Emotions – Kids benefit from seeing adults process feelings in healthy ways.
✔️ Difficult topics (in an age-appropriate way) – Big conversations (loss, change, hard news) shouldn’t be secrets.
✔️ Apologies – Modeling how to say “I’m sorry” teaches kids accountability.
✔️ Boundaries – Hearing you set (respectful) boundaries helps them learn to do the same.
✔️ Healthy conflict resolution – It’s fine for kids to see disagreements—as long as they also see how to work through them.

Basically, if it makes you cringe to imagine your kid saying it at school, maybe save it for after bedtime.

FINANCES

Charge it and cheer.

Not all credit cards are created equal—some just love to give back. Whether you're a cash-back queen, a points hoarder, or a frequent flyer racking up miles, there’s a rewards card out there ready to fund your latte habit (or, you know, your kid’s endless snack supply).

Best for cashback 💸 Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Great for maximizing everyday spending. Bonus cash back on travel, drugstores, and dining.

Best for bad credit 🚦 Discover it® Secured – One of the few secured cards that actually offers rewards. Plus, Discover will match your cash back in year one.

Best for students 🎓 Discover it® Student Cash Back – Earn 5% cash back in rotating categories (hello, coffee runs) and 1% on everything else.

Best for groceries 🛒 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from AmEx – 6% back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K per year), plus streaming, transit, and gas rewards.

Best for online shopping 🛍 Prime Visa – 5% back at Amazon, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh. Plus, a $100 Amazon gift card just for signing up.

Bottom line? If your card isn’t giving back, it might be time to break up. 💔

AND ALSO

Inbox zero.

Last week, we tackled decluttering your home—now, let’s talk about the digital mess taking over your inbox. Spoiler: Those thousands of unread emails aren’t just annoying—they’re also sucking up energy.

Step 1: The Big Sweep Bulk delete old emails with filters. Search by sender, date, or the word unsubscribe to clear out junk fast.

Step 2: Folders Are Your Friend – Create 3–5 key folders (but don’t go overboard). Sort emails weekly for a clutter-free inbox.

Step 3: Unsubscribe, Unsubscribe, Unsubscribe – Commit to ditching three newsletters per day. Need help? Try Unroll.me.

Step 4: Automate Everything – Set up filters to auto-sort emails. Less manual sorting = more time for coffee.

Step 5: The Two-Minute Rule – If a reply takes two minutes or less, send it now. Your future self will thank you.

Ready for a fresh start? Check out this guide to start the new year with an actually manageable inbox.

2025 Might Be the Year of ‘Grandmacore.’ Millennials and Gen Z are embracing “grandma” hobbies like knitting, baking, and gardening to find comfort, nostalgia, and a break from the fast-paced grind. This cozy, whimsical trend isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a lifestyle shift toward slowing down and savoring simple pleasures.

SNIPPETS

Fan Use Can Reduce SIDS Risk by 72%: A 2008 California study found that using a fan during infant sleep is linked to a 72% decrease in SIDS deaths. While not a substitute for safe sleep practices, fans help by reducing heat stress and improving airflow, potentially lowering carbon dioxide buildup around a baby’s face.

Experts Recommend Water and Milk for Kids Aged 5–18: Health organizations advise that kids stick to water and plain milk while avoiding sugary drinks and caffeine. They also recommend limiting plant-based milk alternatives (except soy milk) due to their lack of key nutrients and added ingredients.

Bride Goes Viral for Thrifting Her Entire Wedding: Oregon bride Tarryn Pitt has gained TikTok fame for thrifting over 300 plates, 200 goblets, and vintage décor for her upcoming wedding. Her sustainable approach has resonated with millions, showcasing how secondhand finds can create a unique, eco-friendly celebration.

DID YOU KNOW? A 30-second Super Bowl ad now costs a super $8 million. Fox has officially cracked the $8M mark, selling at least 10 spots at that price ahead of the February 9 game—up from last year’s $7.5 million average. Hope those commercials are worth the price of a mansion.

BBQ Chicken Sliders Are the Ultimate Game Day Snack: These sliders combine shredded chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, sautéed red onions, and smoky gouda for a saucy, cheesy bite. Easy to make and packed with flavor, they’re perfect for feeding a crowd!

🍴 Tiny tummies, big flavor: Little Spoon was put to the test—here’s the scoop!

🎶 Live from Questlove’s mind: A legendary mix celebrating 50 years of SNL tunes

🥦 Picky eater, meet genius hack: This mom’s TikTok trick has parents cheering

🥗 Grain showdown: Is brown rice or quinoa the healthier pick? Dietitians spill the beans

💌 Sweet without the sugar: 12 Valentine’s gifts for kids under $10 (no candy needed!)

How did we do with this email?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

✨ Annalee and Karin ✨

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up here

View our Privacy Policy