YouTube isn't just convenient. We're convinced it was MADE for moms.
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This Mom’s Search History Proves YouTube Was Made for Us

YouTube isn't just convenient. We're convinced it was MADE for moms.

By Ambrosia Brody of Random Aspects of (My) Life

I never really got on board with YouTube when it was gaining traction a few years ago. But that was mainly because I didn’t have too many questions that required step-by-step directions. My main areas of concern prior to raising two humans was where the best Friday night party scenes were, the difference between red and white wine, and how to pull off the Uggs with shorts look. Fast forward a few years later, and YouTube has become my go-to site for everything how-to related. Here four questions I’ve sought out answers to:

How to baby wear: After attempting – and failing – to successfully follow the instructions on the Moby Wrap, I turned to YouTube for help. The moms on those videos were so efficient as they maneuvered the wrap around their waists and shoulders, securely wrapping their babies close to their chests and rocking the material. No matter how many times I replayed the video, wrapping and then rewrapping the insanely long and stretchy material around myself, my daughter did not magically fall asleep once close to my chest. So I gave up and moved on to the Ergo and relied on another set of moms to teach me (via YouTube) how to nurse my daughter when she was in the Ergo. Another time I whipped out my phone while at Disneyland and searched for a video on how to baby wear in the hip position. Thank you, YouTube!

How to look more awake with makeup: Makeup and I do not get along. Eyeliner runs away from my waterline, under eye concealer wears off by noon, and lipstick ends up on my teeth. I used to wear just enough makeup to look put together, but makeup became a must once I had kids after a relative told me I always looked tired. Thanks so much, relative! So I went to YouTube to pick and choose various tips from a series of videos to make myself look less like a zombie and more awake. These videos probably saved me several trips to Ulta since I tend to get talked into everything and anything Ulta employees try to sell me, which only results in buyer’s remorse once back home and always ends with me asking my mom or husband to take the items back to the store because I’m too embarrassed to do it myself.

Easy to make Rapunzel braids: Disney princesses can totally suck it. I’m 110 percent over the glitter, high heels, tiaras, and elaborate hair styles. I can pull off a French braid on a good day. On a good day! So why did I decide to make 20 Rapunzel-yarn braids for my daughter’s third birthday party? I have no freaking idea, but I blame Pinterest. The links provided on the Pinterest articles I pinned were too difficult for me to follow, so I went to YouTube and once again found the simplest braid I could find. Sixty pieces of gold yarn, two rubber bands, and a ridiculous amount of colored ribbon and flowers later, my daughter had a long-ass Rapunzel braid – and so did her little friends.

Brave is the new movie of the month, which makes me ridiculously happy because Merida’s hair is curly and wild – no combing required.

How to wash doll hair: Disney once again can suck it. Why do they make everything so freaking difficult? First they sell adorable dolls that every kid wants. Then they make the hair so freaking delicate. My daughter likes to carry her dolls by their hair, which leads to tangling, knotting, and clumping. Luckily, one of the first videos that popped up when I YouTubed “How to wash doll hair” was a video of a mom washing a Rapunzel doll. Thank you, Jebus! Now I get to spend my afternoons rubbing fabric softner through a princess’s hair instead of shelling out $25 for a new doll.

Thank you, mamas of YouTube! I look forward to seeing more of you in 2016.

*****

About the Author

Ambrosia Brody is a full-time editor, journalist and mother to two spirited daughters. She lives in Southern California in a beach city but hates the sand; enjoys people watching but hates small talk. She started to blog at Random Aspects of (My) Life when she realized everything she knew about parenting was wrong. Connect with her on her blog, Facebook or on Twitter.