Mom guilt is REAL. I am guilty of screen time. I am guilty of throwing on Ms. Rachel for Littles to get 5 minutes of peace. I am guilty of saying, “Ugh, not Ms. Rachel again.” And yet, I am guilty of being Ms. Rachel’s biggest fan.
So when I had the chance to talk to the internet’s most beloved toddler teacher, I didn’t take it lightly. I prepared like I was cramming for the SATs—because this woman hasn’t just helped my son learn, she’s helped me survive motherhood (especially at 5 p.m.!)
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Ms. Rachel (Rachel Griffin-Accurso), the YouTube sensation with almost 15M followers, take a seat, take a seat, take a….. seat! She’s ripped straight out of Miss Honey from Matilda (IYKYK): all warmth, no ego, and completely committed to helping your kid learn to speak their first words with joy.
But here’s what makes her different—she’s not just here for the babies. She sees us, too. The overwhelmed moms. The moms on planes. The moms with babies on their laps and coffee in their hands, just trying to make it to bedtime without losing it.
Related: Ms. Rachel has a reminder for moms everywhere: ‘Perfection in parenting does not exist’
The internet’s favorite teacher is just…like us
If you’ve ever whispered “thank you” to your screen during a chaotic afternoon, you’re not alone. Ms. Rachel knows the emotional weight we carry as parents, and she carries it too.
After struggling with postpartum depression and navigating her son’s speech delay, she decided to create the show she wished existed. “It feels good because those things are nothing to be ashamed of,” she tells me. “And hopefully by sharing it helps others let go of shame and feel less alone.”
Her honesty has made her more than a screen time savior—she’s a lifeline. Someone who understands that parenting isn’t perfect, and who’s not afraid to say what too many people don’t: moms need more support.
“I wish people knew that families need more support in the early years such as paid parental leave and affordable, high quality childcare. Investing in early childhood and knowing how crucial these early years are is so important. It can literally change the world!”
Say it louder for the people in the back.
Related: Ms. Rachel went viral for this powerful truth about marriage and parenthood
Let’s talk about the (brightly lit, educational) elephant in the room: screen time
There’s not a mom alive who hasn’t wrestled with the screen time spiral. Is it OK? Is it harmful? Is 22 minutes enough to shower and maybe cry in peace?
Ms. Rachel gets it. Deeply. But she offers a more grounded take than any parenting forum ever could.
“Babies learn best through interacting with their caregivers. Back and forth interactions build their brain and are so important,” she says. But she’s also quick to acknowledge reality: “It’s unrealistic for a lot of parents to do no screen time for little ones—it’s so hard to balance everything as a parent.”
That’s why she designed her show with intention.
“I think try for high quality, active screen time. Co-view if you can… What I’m proud of with our show is we model a lot of great songs, strategies and games that we see parents using away from the screen to bond and play with their little ones.”
I told her that her show is my go-to during flights with my 1-year-old and she responded the only way a real one would:
“I think screen time rules don’t apply for flying and when a child is sick but maybe that’s just for our family! HAHA.”
That’s the magic of Ms. Rachel: she brings the research—but also brings the grace.
I mean, just look at how these babies react to her voice. It’s mesmerizing!
If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking a break, read this part twice
Let’s be honest: parenting often feels like a guilt trip in your own mind. Especially when it comes to needing a moment to yourself. But Ms. Rachel’s advice is what we all need tattooed on our hearts.
“I would ask [moms] to think of a few ways that they are thriving as mamas. Maybe they played peek-a-boo earlier. Maybe they went for a nice walk and pointed out the trees. Maybe they could say to themselves, ‘I’m thriving as a mom and it’s OK that I need a break right now.’”
She continues: “We need to be kind to ourselves and we need breaks sometimes for our mental health and just to breathe.”
Related: Ms. Rachel forgets how to hold adult conversations just like the rest of us
Her best advice for helping your baby learn to talk? Keep it simple
Speech and language development is the backbone of her show and it’s grounded in evidence-based, everyday strategies parents can actually use.
“Modeling gestures is a great way to encourage language development. Model waving, pointing and clapping,” she says. And yes, songs like ‘Wheels on the Bus’ totally count. “Sing to your child, try to read daily (sometimes facing them!) and narrate your day such as ‘I’m washing your hair!’”
It’s not about flashcards or pressure. It’s about connection. And those teeny, joyful repetitions that build both vocabulary and love.
Ms. Rachel doesn’t believe in perfect parents (and neither should you)
With millions of parents watching her every move, I had to ask: does she ever feel the pressure to be perfect?
“I used to but when I realized there is no perfect parent it helped me find peace and not be so hard on myself.”
Relatable queen energy.
“We all shine in certain ways as parents and we all struggle in certain areas. I am a terrible cook and I struggle with paperwork (thank you Mr. Aron for doing paperwork!) But I shine in other ways as a mom such as being playful and patient.”
She adds, “As I get older I look less and less for external approval. It’s like watching a rollercoaster instead of being on it.”
Her life as a new mom—again
Ms. Rachel recently welcomed a baby girl via surrogacy, joining big brother Thomas. And even as she continues to be a support system for millions of families, she’s learning how to slow down with her own.
“We’ve slowed down which is really nice. I’m on maternity leave just enjoying the two of them. Like Thomas, she teaches me what’s important and makes me want to make the world better for them and all the precious, innocent little ones that we owe that to.”
And no surprise, she has to remind herself to rest too.
“Thanks for reminding me to breathe! Luckily snuggles and laughs with her and Thomas pull me into their world and out of my head.”
A full-circle moment at the grocery store
If you’ve recently spotted her face on Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt pouches and squealed in Target… same.
But this isn’t just a celebrity slap-on. It’s personal.
“Our family eats the yogurt so I knew I enjoyed it,” she says. “And I like that it’s organic and supports small, organic family farmers!”
She adds: “I like that their YoBaby yogurt line has a plain option for babies (6 month +) and that the flavored version has no added sweeteners. We are also doing charitable work together which is so important to me.”
This is Ms. Rachel in a nutshell: thoughtful, intentional, and using her platform to do more than entertain.
And finally… the man behind the magic
You know him. You love him. You’d let him babysit. It’s Mr. Aron.
“Oh Aron is the best,” she tells me. “Since we met 15 years ago he’s always supported and helped with everything I’ve done. When I was teaching public school, if I needed a track for the kids to sing to, he’d spend hours and hours making the kids a wonderful track.”
From soundtracks to puppets to editing scripts—he’s been there since day one, helping bring the vision to life.
“He’s the type A to my type Z and I’m forever grateful that he’s my amazing husband, our amazing kids’ daddy and amazing Mr. Aron on the show and behind the scenes.”
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Ms. Rachel isn’t just making toddler content. She’s modeling presence. She’s giving us tools. She’s reminding us to breathe. And she’s doing it all with a baby on her knee and coffee in her hand—just like us.
Related: Ms. Rachel explains the importance of speaking ‘parentese’ to littles: ‘This is not baby talk’