As a mom of two, I’ve realized how important it is to block out the noise when it comes to parenting advice, especially the kind that shows up on IG reels in the form of “hot takes.”

Most of those clips aren’t really about helping parents. They’re about stirring up judgment, sparking arguments, or chasing quick engagement in the comments. And honestly? They’re just not worth the energy.

When I’m looking for advice, I start with real research. Not reviews, not quick TikToks, not bite-sized hot takes. I mean thoughtful resources, books, articles, experts, and credible studies. Once I’ve grounded myself there, sure, I might scroll social media for fun. But by then, I’ve already built my own perspective, and a 30-second rant from a stranger doesn’t hold much weight.

Those hot takes almost always leave out: culture,nuance and of course situation. Parenting is deeply tied to who we are and where we come from. I’m Puerto Rican and Guatemalan, and my husband is Cuban and Puerto Rican. The way we raise our kids reflects all of that, it’s in our food, our routines, our values, and the traditions we want to pass on. A lot of mainstream parenting advice is rooted in Western practices and Western medicine. That’s valuable, and I take from it a lot. Example: Culture will never make me skip out vaccines lol. How ever Not everything translates to our family, and that’s okay.

So before you let a harsh opinion on TikTok make you second-guess yourself, pause and think: Is this person anything like me? Do they share my values, my culture, or even understand my life? Most of the time, the answer is no. And remember, the internet is a place where anyone can say anything with little to no consequence.

Parenting is serious, complex, and deeply personal. Don’t let quick clips decide what’s right for your kids. Do your homework, honor your culture, trust yourself, and build your own opinions,before someone else tries to hand theirs to you.

And to be super honest. My kids are excelling lol so I must be doing something right!