Woman becomes an ‘online mom’ for kids who don’t have one and her videos teach what many take for granted
From baking a cake to booking doctor appointments, Robyn's videos are helping youth untangle their lives and live stress-free
Standardized academic systems and traditional parenting often leave individuals with scanty or no skills to take independent control of their own lives. Once they’re out of school, the gap in these skills adds to their distress as they figure out how to navigate adulthood without anyone’s help. Thanks to a mom named Robyn, all these life skills have now become child’s play. With her YouTube channel, Mom How Do I (@momhowdoi4105), Robyn has made these skills accessible for everyone. From cleaning the fridge to baking a cake, over three million subscribers currently follow her videos to make their lives a tad bit easier.
Filling the gap
With her mantra “no mom, no problem,” Robyn is teaching the youth to do everything from laundry to sewing buttons to braiding hair, cooking spaghetti, making doctor appointments, taking care of mental health, skincare, and whatnot. Robyn’s judgement-free tutorials come from her extensive experience surviving with a stay-at-home mother and 11 siblings, where she was expected to learn household management.
After having six kids of her own, her experience only grew, so she got inspired to share her know-how with those who needed it the most. She calls it a “how-to channel for how to do mom-type things” that helps people irrespective of their gender. Whether a woman needs advice on menstruation or a man wants to learn how to fold his bedsheets, Robyn’s videos teach them the underpinnings of these everyday life processes.
For the youth who miss their mom
Robyn's channel was initially inspired by the “Dad, How Do I” YouTube channel, created by a dad named Rob Kenney, who grew up without a father figure. “I thought it was an amazing idea for how to help people who don't have a dad, aren't close to their dad, or just want to know how to do dad things,” Robyn explained. And unlike Kenney, Robyn grew up with a great father, but often wished that she had a resource like this. From the very beginning, her concept quickly resonated with viewers across the world. Now that she’s a grandmom herself, viewers are urging her to create a “Grandma, how do I” channel as an addition.
Unrehearsed for adulthood
A well-organized bedroom can be just as important to one’s sense of well-being as feeling loved. But sadly, nearly eight in 10 Americans feel unprepared for these fundamental life skills, according to a survey of 2,000 young Americans by PapersOwl. Nearly 80% of the surveyed respondents said they lack everyday skills, and more than 80% admitted that these gaps in skills make them feel anxious about taking on the responsibilities of their adult lives.
Half of the respondents said they are often stressed thinking about their lack of life skills. 33% said they lack the essential skills required for house maintenance. 82% said they need resources to learn about food and nutrition, and 31% confessed to being incompetent in financial literacy, the skill that they called the foundation of independence.
Now we have a new mom
Viewers are showering compliments to Robyn for starting this channel and making them feel like they have a new mom who’s guiding them through their everyday life. @zippitybopumdotupbum7740 said, “I now have an internet Dad and Mom so that I can stop bothering my own parents cause they’ve made it clear that they don’t want to teach me anything. So I really appreciate you and Dad.” @lexishultz2100 commented, “I’m so glad I found this channel. I lost my mom when I was 12, and watching this kinda just helps.”
You can follow Mom How Do I (@momhowdoi4105) on YouTube for how-to tips and self-care advice.
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