As a pediatric OT and a first-time mom, here's what I wish every parent of a 0–3 year-old knew
M.S., OTR/L · Pediatric OT · 200K+ parents on Instagram
Your Free 0-3 Months Development Guide
- Month-by-month milestones for 0–36 months
- Sensory red flags to never ignore
- OT-approved play activities by age
- Printable checklist for your fridge
Hi, I'm Marissa.
I'm a pediatric occupational therapist (M.S., OTR/L), and somewhere along the way I became the friend everyone texts.
The milestone questions. The "should she be doing this by now?" The "what should we be working on this month?" The screenshots of toddler behavior sent at 11pm with three question marks. I love it. Truly.
But I noticed the same questions were coming from every friend, every new parent in my life — and the answers I was giving over text deserved to live somewhere they could actually find them again.
So I built this page. Everything here — my social posts, the milestone tracker, the activity ideas, the play guides — is what I'd tell my closest friends if they asked.
Real OT-backed guidance, with none of the clinical jargon, and zero pressure.
Every group chat has a friend who's a specialist in something. I'm the OT version.
Welcome in.
What You'll Learn
Milestones
Sensory
Relatable Mom Content
Tantrums and Behaviors
Play and Development
Testimonials of Mom's who've been helped!
Shop my OT-Approved Favorites
Let's Connect!
Questions Parents Ask me
Short answer: probably not. Every milestone has a range, and ranges are wider than the internet tells you. The tracker shows what to look for — not a deadline. If something feels off, that's exactly the kind of thing I help unpack in my weekly emails, and I'll always tell you when it's time to bring something to your pediatrician.
These will become Images on a sliding rotation, OR it needs to be on an ACCORDIAN?
1. "My toddler isn't doing one of the milestones yet — should I panic?"
Suggested answer: "Short answer: probably not. Every milestone has a range, and ranges are wider than the internet tells you. The tracker shows what to look for — not a deadline. If something feels off, that's exactly the kind of thing I help unpack in my weekly emails, and I'll always tell you when it's time to bring something to your pediatrician."
2. "Do I need to buy a bunch of toys or supplies for the activities?"
Suggested answer: "Nope. 90% of what I share uses things you already own — laundry baskets, painter's tape, kitchen utensils, blankets. When I do recommend a specific product, it's because I genuinely use it with my own kid, and I'll always tell you it's optional."
3. "When should I actually call a pediatrician or see a real OT in person?"
Suggested answer: "If you've ever read a milestone list and felt your stomach drop, that's a worth-asking moment. I'll never pretend free content replaces a real evaluation. The fastest path is to bring your concerns to your pediatrician — they can refer to OT, PT, or speech if needed. My job is to help you know what to ask."
4. "My child has a sensory thing / a delay / a diagnosis — is your content still for me?"
Suggested answer: "Yes — and welcome. A lot of what I share works beautifully for kids with sensory differences, developmental delays, or diagnoses, because it's grounded in OT, not in 'typical' parenting tropes. That said, if your child has a specific therapy plan in place, always loop your provider in before adding something new."
5. "What do I actually get in the emails — and how often will you email me?"
Suggested answer: "One or two emails a week. Each one is matched to your child's stage — so if you tell me you have a 14-month-old, you're getting 12–24 month content, not generic newborn stuff. Activity ideas, milestone heads-ups, the occasional honest product recommendation. No spam, no pressure, unsubscribe anytime with one click."