Special Blogger Spotlight: Amy Corbett Storch

If you’re currently expecting, you may already be familiar with Amy Corbett Storch thanks to religiously reading her “Pregnancy Calendar” posts on Alpha Mom – or perhaps you are a follower of her frank but largely informative Advice Smackdown. Alpha Mom is a “real talk” resource for all things mom life, and Storch is a longtime columnist (using the moniker “Amalah”). She’s also a veteran blogger, sharing glimpses of her life as a mother of three boys on her personal blog (also called “Amalah”). Storch has a knack for delivering valuable motherhood insight with candor and humor, and as fans ourselves, we are beyond excited to share our interview.


What prompted you to launch a blog and to share your parenting journey with the world?

I actually started my blog about two years before I had my first child. I was an editor for a financial publisher and wanted a creative outlet and a something that might “force” me to do more original writing. In high school and college I wrote a lot of essays and short stories but had fallen out of the habit once I started working. I was a big fan of Television Without Pity (RIP, sigh) and from there started reading a bunch of online journals (the word “blog” was just barely becoming a thing at the time) of the TWOP writers. And so I thought, “hey, maybe I could that too.” I just saw it as a way to set time aside each day to write, and then hit the publish button instead of editing/rewriting/critiquing myself to death. I really never expected anyone in the world to read it!


What’s the most surprising aspect of motherhood (so far)?

How fast it flies by! Such a cliché but it’s really true. My youngest just turned six and my oldest is starting middle school next fall. How can I be the mother of a middle schooler? He was just a baby like five minutes ago.


What’s it really like parenting three energetic boys?

The inmates run the asylum, no question. I don’t even pretend to keep up. They each have a daily list of household chores they’re responsible for but after that it’s like, “Go do whatever. Let me know if there’s blood or fire.”

They’re very independent and self-sufficient and I like that. I never really had too many helicopter tendencies, but by boy number three that’s just not a realistic parenting style, at least if you want to hold onto your sanity. I do wish I could keep up with all the clutter/toys/stray socks all over the place, though.


How do you juggle your blog, writing for Alpha Mom and being a mom? Any secret time management skill you can share?

My blog still generates income (which frankly amazes me) but I really maintain it first and foremost as a hobby/creative outlet. So if I can’t think of something to write about that day, I don’t, so there’s really no pressure there. I’ve been writing my Alpha Mom column for 11 years now, so that one comes pretty naturally at this point too. The rest of my time I spend freelancing for a handful of corporate clients, which is where the time management stuff can get pretty sticky. I am an obsessive to-do list maker and have learned to work and write very, very quickly. There’s not usually time for a second draft of anything so get it right the first time!

I also unplug completely in the evenings and weekends. Over the years I witnessed a lot of personal bloggers get kind of consumed by all the constant feedback and chatter on their blogs and other social media. It becomes this exhausting (and unhealthy) 24/7 thing. You might see me post an Instagram or share something on Facebook after 5 p.m., but I’m not checking email or comments or anything like that. Nothing I do for work is as important as being fully present for my family.


What should every first-time mom carry in her diaper bag?

A change of clothes for the baby AND yourself. Also more wipes. No, more than that.


Confession time: What’s your biggest mom fail?

Our oldest son told his little brothers the tooth fairy wasn’t real because we forgot to leave money (again) and he figured it was better for them to know it wasn’t the tooth fairy that let them down, it was us: “You know, like usual.”


Biggest mom win?

Watching my special needs kid (ASD and ADHD) make the honor roll and first chair in band this year. And tell a panel of judges at a debate presentation that he plans to become a time traveler when he grows up.


What’s your favorite way to spend “me time” (if you’re lucky enough to find it)?

Lush bath bomb, red wine and some stupid game on my phone.


What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve received?

You can’t make them eat, sleep or poop. So deeply, importantly true.