Welcome to another laughter-filled episode of 'MissPoppins: The Art of Parenting'!

A candid conversation about messy motherhood, unconventional family structures, and finding joy in the chaos.

Hosted by Nicky Rishi, founder of the innovative parent-tech app MissPoppins and the non-profit platform 180 Elevate for conscious leaders. In today’s episode, Nicky welcomes the wonderfully funny and authentic Linda Fruits, the mastermind behind Fruits of Motherhood. Linda brings humor and realness to every aspect of parenting, sharing her journey of raising three children and navigating an unconventional family structure with grace and laughter.

Linda's candid blog posts, relatable comics, and book "The Mom Life" offer a perfect blend of humor and support to parents everywhere. The discussion will cover topics like mindfulness in motherhood, the benefits of meditation for moms, and the adventures of camping with kids—all through Linda's uniquely humorous lens.

Linda’s approach breaks the mold of traditional parenting discussions by injecting humor and honesty into every topic. From turning her experiences into a book to balancing self-care with the demands of motherhood and career, Linda offers valuable insights. Her emphasis on community, recognizing symptoms of postpartum depression, and fostering a positive body image in today’s society provides support to countless parents feeling isolated in their journey.

Join this heartfelt and hilarious conversation, and don’t forget to subscribe for more parenting insights. Download the MissPoppins parenting app to connect with childcare and parenting coaches for a free 30-minute session.

Episode transcription:

Welcome to the Show!

In this episode of The Art of Parenting, host Nicky Rishi sits down with Linda Fruits, the creator behind Fruits of Motherhood, to dive into the hilariously honest realities of raising kids, navigating life as a queer mom in an unconventional family, and turning vulnerability into a lifeline for parents everywhere. Many listeners often ask, what is a non traditional family? Linda's story provides a unique and inspiring perspective.

Meet Linda Fruits: Humor Meets Realness in Motherhood

Nicky Rishi: Welcome, Linda! We’re thrilled to have you here. Your work resonates with parents who crave authenticity over perfection. What inspired you to start Fruits of Motherhood?

Linda Fruits: Thanks for having me! It all began when I was holding my three-month-old, wondering if I’d “ruined my life” (in the most loving way possible). Social media made motherhood look picture-perfect, and I felt alone in the mess. I realized other moms were scrolling through those same feeds, feeling isolated. So I started sharing the messy truth—sleepless nights, hormonal chaos, and the occasional existential crisis—and suddenly, people said, “Me too!”

From Memes to Books: Turning Relatable Moments into a Movement

Linda’s witty, bite-sized posts evolved into her book, The Mom Life, which became a cheerleader for mothers navigating identity shifts and societal expectations.

Linda Fruits: “There are tons of books on how to parent, but none focus on what moms need emotionally. This book is a love letter to the evolution of motherhood—the joy, grief, and everything in between.”

Exploring these complex emotions is crucial, and resources like the MissPoppins Podcast on Navigating the Waves of Grief in Parenting can offer valuable support.

Her journey from blogging to writing mirrored her parenting philosophy: embrace imperfection and lean on community.

Unconventional Family Dynamics: Love, Queer Joy, and Three Parents Under One Roof

Linda’s family defies traditional labels, showcasing one example of diverse unconventional family structures. She shares custody with her ex-husband and girlfriend, creating a blended household where three adults co-parent their three children. Questions often arise like, are unconventional families beneficial for child development? Linda shares her lived experience.

Linda Fruits: “We’re technically still married—I haven’t filed the paperwork yet! My girlfriend and I used my ex as a donor for our third child. Is it confusing? Absolutely. But we’ve built something uniquely ours.”

This dynamic taught her that judgment often stems from fear—but flexibility and communication can turn “weird” into wonderful. Developing strong coping mechanisms is key, something explored in the MissPoppins Podcast focused on Building Resilience.

Self-Care Beyond Buzzwords: Prioritizing Happiness in Motherhood

Balancing career, parenting, and personal growth isn’t easy. Linda emphasizes reframing self-care as intentional joy—not just bubble baths and wine.

“Self-care starts with asking, ‘What fills my cup?’ And then figuring out how to make time for it—even if it’s stealing 10 minutes to nap while your toddler naps. Happy moms raise happy kids. It’s not selfish; it’s survival.”

Her mantra? “You don’t bounce back—you evolve.”

Building a Virtual Village: The Power of Shared Stories

Linda’s online community thrives on mutual support. One of her most viral moments came when she came out publicly—a post that scared her but sparked waves of solidarity.

“I posted about my sexuality nervously, expecting backlash. Instead, moms wrote, ‘This helps me prepare for my kid’s future.’ That’s the magic of this village—we’re all in this together.”

This “me too” culture reminds parents they’re never truly alone.

Postpartum Wisdom: Flexibility Over Expectations

When asked for her top postpartum tip, Linda’s answer was simple: Embrace flexibility. This period brings unique challenges, and finding support is vital.

“Nothing goes as planned. Be flexible with your baby, your recovery, and yourself. And remember: naps fix 99% of problems.”

She stresses that this mindset isn’t just for new moms—it’s a lifelong lesson in parenting.

For more postpartum guidance, here’s our previous episode on The 5 Universal Postpartum Needs.

Body Positivity After Pregnancy: Celebrating Change

Linda’s viral post on body image struck a chord with parents battling “bounce-back” culture.

“Your body isn’t a project to ‘fix.’ It’s a testament to what you’ve endured. Work out for mental health, not the scale. Celebrate strength, not shrinkage.”

Her message? Let go of pre-kid expectations and embrace the new version of yourself.

Final Thoughts: Laughter as a Lifeline

Nicky Rishi: Linda, thank you for reminding us that parenthood is messy, magical, and deeply human.

Linda Fruits: “Laughter gets us through. Whether it’s potty training fails or existential parenting crises, finding humor keeps us sane.”

Dealing with these everyday challenges, especially with toddlers, requires patience and perspective.

Stay tuned for more empowering stories on 'MissPoppins: The Art of Parenting.' Remember, the art of parenting comes with its fair share of challenges, but it’s the laughter and love that make it all worthwhile.