The OT Mom

The OT Mom 👋 I’m Olivia, a pediatric OT & mom sharing tips to support your baby & toddler’s development.
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From feeding to fine motor, potty training to play—follow for realistic advice, helpful tools & baby gear recs that actually make sense.

As an OT and a mom, a new year start isn’t about raising “perfect” kids or hitting milestones on a timeline that was nev...
01/01/2026

As an OT and a mom, a new year start isn’t about raising “perfect” kids or hitting milestones on a timeline that was never made for real families. It’s about meeting our kids exactly where they are and trusting that small, consistent support matters more than big, flashy strategies.

If you spent last year worrying you weren’t doing enough, let this be your reminder: play counts, routines matter, connection comes first, and progress is not always loud or obvious.

This year I’m choosing real life over Pinterest, progress over comparison, and support over pressure. Less “shoulds.” More confidence in what actually helps kids grow.

If you’re a mom, a therapy mom, or just a parent trying to do right by their child, I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s make 2026 the year we focus on what truly supports our kids and ourselves. 💛

What’s one thing you’re letting go of as a parent this year?

01/01/2026

Reposting one of my top posts of 2025 🤍

Pouring looks like simple play, but it actually builds so many foundational skills: coordination, hand strength, attention, and independence.

This reel was one of my most saved because it shows how everyday items can support development without extra toys or complicated setups.

As I wrap up the year, I’ll be reposting some of my most helpful reels from 2025, the ones you found worth saving.

👇 Let me know in the comments:
What’s one everyday activity your toddler loves doing on their own?

12/31/2025

🎉 2026 NEW YEAR GIVEAWAY 🎉 Win a calming sensory jar kit made with Glo Pals ✨

If your toddler struggles to calm their body, this is one of my favorite tools to support regulation, especially during BIG feelings, transitions, or before bedtime.

As a pediatric OT, I love sensory jars because they’re a visual sensory activity that helps slow the nervous system without overstimulating. Sometimes they look like “just a toy,” but they can be a powerful way to help toddlers pause, focus, and reset.

For 2026, I’m choosing simpler tools that actually support calm, not more noise, screens, or overstimulation. 🤍

HOW TO ENTER:
• Follow +
• Like & save this post
• Comment one thing you want to bring into 2026 (more calm, patience, confidence, joy, slower mornings, etc.)

✨ Bonus entry: share to your stories and tag me

Winner will be announced Saturday on my stories and ends on Friday at 11:59 EST.

This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram

12/30/2025

Reposting one of my top posts of 2025 🤍

This reel was a favorite for parents of 2-year-olds who wanted simple, realistic activities that actually support development, without buying more toys or setting up anything fancy.

As we wrap up the year, I’m reposting some of my most saved and shared reels from 2025, the ones you found the most helpful.

Comment TWO for a list of my favorite toys for this age that we LOVED!

👇 Let’s chat in the comments:
What part of the 2 year old stage has surprised you the most?

12/28/2025

Reposting one of my top posts of 2025 🤍

As we wrap up the year, I’m going to be reposting some of my most saved and shared reels from 2025, the ones you found the most helpful.

This one was especially loved by parents of 1-year-olds who wanted simple, realistic ways to support development through everyday play.

Comment "play" and I'II send you a link to some of my favorite toys and tools for this age!

As I plan content for the new year, I’d love to know who’s here 👇
Comment a heart that matches your child’s age:

💗 Infant (0–12 months)
đź’™ 1 year
đź’š 2 years
đź’› 3 years
đź’ś 4+ years

I’ll use this to guide what I share next 🤍 be on the lookout for my other top performers of 2025!

12/27/2025

Do you want to help your child regulate their mood and energy, but don’t know where to start? 💛

Many toddlers aren’t being “difficult”, their nervous system is asking for sensory input. When we meet that need first, regulation and behavior often improve naturally.

In this reel I’m sharing simple ways I support sensory needs at home as both a pediatric OT and a mom:
• Heavy work
• Movement
• Deep pressure
• Oral input
• Tactile play

✨ These don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming.
5–10 minutes before meals, transitions, or sitting activities can make a big difference.

💬 Comment SENSORY and I’ll send you more easy at-home ideas
đź©· Save this for hard days
👩‍⚕️ Follow for real-life toddler support from a pediatric OT & mom

12/26/2025

If you feel overwhelmed trying to come up with Christmas activities that aren’t messy, expensive, or overstimulating…

I’ve felt that too, especially during the busy holiday season when energy is low and routines are off.

What I’ve found is that simple wins every time.
Threading beads onto pipe cleaners shaped like a Christmas tree works fine motor strength, bilateral coordination, and focus, with barely any prep at all 🎄

Low prep. High impact.
Save this for later & comment TREE if you want more easy OT-approved holiday activities 🤍

12/23/2025

If you’re thinking “my child is wild, defiant, or never stops moving”, pause for a second 💛
What you’re often seeing isn’t bad behavior… it’s a nervous system asking for more sensory input.

When kids get the right kind of input (movement, heavy work, oral input), their bodies can feel more organized, and behavior often improves naturally.

How to implement it:
• Start with movement first, then ask for sitting, listening, or transitions
• Add heavy work (pushing, pulling, climbing, crashing safely) instead of time-outs
• Use oral input (chewy or crunchy snacks, straws) before focused tasks
• Keep it short + frequent (5–10 min goes a long way)

When to offer sensory input:
• Before meals or sitting activities
• Before transitions (leaving the park, bath time, bedtime)
• After screen time or quiet play
• When behavior starts escalating, not after it explodes

In this reel, I’m using our Play Couch to give my toddler safe, purposeful movement through climbing, pushing, jumping, and crashing, all things that provide big proprioceptive input without overstimulating.

This isn’t about avoiding your boundaries.
It’s about meeting sensory needs so kids can actually follow them.

✨ Save this for later
đź’¬ Comment FIGGY for a link to this play couch

Follow for real-life toddler support from a pediatric OT & mom

12/22/2025

Before expecting toddlers to get dressed independently, I build the skills underneath it. Strong hands. Two hands working together. Pulling, scrunching, stabilizing, and coordinating movements through play first, then we apply it to clothes.

If getting dressed feels hard right now, you’re not behind. Dressing isn’t one skill, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Break it down, practice through play, and confidence will follow.

👉 Save this for later and tell me in the comments: Does your toddler help with dressing yet, or not at all?

Follow for more OT-approved toddler tips đź’›

12/21/2025

Your life is normal, even if it doesn’t look like what you see on social media.

Toddlers aren’t meant to potty train in 3 days.
Boundaries really do need to be repeated (over & over).
Meals won’t always be balanced, colorful, or eaten.
Your house will look lived in.
Some days will feel messy, loud, and exhausting.

And none of that means you’re behind.

Social media shows highlight reels, not regulation struggles, off days, or the unaesthetic side of development. Skills grow in everyday moments, not curated ones.

If today felt hard, you’re not failing.
You’re parenting a real child in real life, and that counts 🤍

👇 Tell me: what’s something you thought was “not normal” until you became a parent?

12/17/2025

Toddler shoes don’t need to be expensive to be good 🙌 As a pediatric OT and toddler mom, I always look for flexible soles, room for little toes to spread, and something my kid can actually walk and run in comfortably. These Amazon toddler shoes are all under $30 and you can score an even better deal right now.

đź’Ą Use code JTEE9SB6 for 50% OFF đź’Ą

Perfect everyday shoes that support growing feet without blowing the budget.
Comment DEAL for the links and save this for the next growth spurt 👟✨

12/16/2025

I’ve had a lot of people lately comment on my weight loss, and I want to be really honest about it. This didn’t happen overnight, and it definitely didn’t happen without support. I tried doing it all on my own for a long time and still felt stuck. Getting help and guidance through Mochi Health is what finally made things click for me.

I share this openly because I never want anyone to think this was just willpower or a quick fix. It was having the right tools, accountability, and support that made the difference for me.

If you’re curious, you can use my code 4NADN3 to get started.
Comment MOCHI and I’m happy to send you more info 🤍

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