The OT Mom

The OT Mom 👋 I’m Olivia, a pediatric OT & mom sharing tips to support your baby & toddler’s development.
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From feeding to fine motor, potty training to play—follow for realistic advice, helpful tools & baby gear recs that actually make sense.

05/29/2026

Thank you to Mochi Health for giving me the tools, support, and accountability to make lasting changes. The weight loss has been amazing, but the confidence, energy, and freedom I’ve gained along the way mean even more.

If you’re in a hard season right now, keep going.

If you’d like more information comment INFO below 👇🏻

Check out the 🔗 in b!0 & use Code 4NADN3 to save 4️⃣0️⃣

05/28/2026

The 3 year old stage is humbling me a little lately 😅

One second they want to do EVERYTHING independently… and the next they’re melting down because you gave them the snack they asked for but no longer want…

A lot of what looks like “bad behavior” at this age is actually overwhelm, frustration, big feelings, difficulty with transitions, and wanting control without fully having the skills to manage it all yet.

As a pediatric OT & toddler mom, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that routines, movement, connection, and staying calm yourself usually go a lot farther than constantly escalating consequences.

And honestly? Some days surviving this stage just means everyone making it to bedtime. 🤍

If you’re in the thick of the 3 year old stage right now, you’re definitely not alone.

🩷 If you’ve ever learned something from my page, felt less alone, or found a tip helpful, engaging with my posts is one of the easiest ways to support my content. 🤍 Saves, shares, comments, and likes help my posts reach more parents who may need them too.

05/27/2026

Hi, I am Olivia, a pediatric occupational therapist and toddler mom, and p**p refusal is one of the most common concerns I see, as well as in my own home.

Peeing and p**ping are two completely different milestones and so many parents are blindsided when their toddler masters one and completely shuts down on the other. You are not doing anything wrong and your toddler is not giving you a hard time, their brain and body just need a little more time and the right conditions to feel safe enough to let go.

This is part of my ongoing series where I answer your real potty training questions as both a pediatric OT and a mom who has been in the trenches.

Drop your questions in the comments and your question might be my next video. 👇

Has your toddler ever mastered one part of potty training and completely stalled on another? And which part has been the hardest: p**ping, public restrooms, or getting them to tell you when they need to go?

Tell me below because I want to make sure I am covering exactly what you need. 👇

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05/26/2026

The outdoor toy that’s getting used every single day lately 👏🏼 My toddler has been obsessed with this outdoor kitchen and… I get the hype. Between the water play, scooping, pouring, squeezing and pretend play, it keeps him busy forever while working on so many important skills through play.

As a pediatric OT, I love toys like this because they naturally encourage:
• sensory play
• fine motor skills
• bilateral coordination
• imaginative play
• independent play
• problem solving

And it’s a toy that grows with them too. We’ve already gotten SO much use out of it.

Comment KITCHEN for the link and to the “potion” for our favorite pretend play potion recipe

05/25/2026

How my 3 year old learned to ride a pedal bike without ever using training wheels 🚲🤍

I really think learning happened in stages over time instead of all at once.

Around 1 year old, we introduced ride-on toys that helped build coordination, steering, body awareness, and confidence with movement. Then he moved to tricycles where he learned how to pedal. After that, we introduced a balance bike so he could fully focus on balancing and steering without training wheels.

By the time we got to a pedal bike, he already knew HOW to pedal and HOW to balance separately… now he just had to combine the two skills together.

We also used the towel method while practicing, which helped support his body without us holding onto the bike itself. I feel like this gave him a little extra confidence while still allowing him to learn how to balance more independently.

We’ve been loving the Air 14 because it’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and feels really toddler-friendly for early riders.

We kept practice short, low pressure, and focused on building confidence first 🤍

Comment BIKE and I’ll send you links to the bike we used

05/23/2026

Wait… THIS is how other people feel around food?! 😂 Hallelujah

I’m not constantly thinking about my next snack… hallelujah
I can eat a meal and actually feel satisfied… hallelujah
The late night cravings don’t run my life anymore… hallelujah
I finally feel like my brain is quiet around food… HALLELUJAH 🙌

Comment MOCHI and I’ll send you what has helped me on this journey!

CODE: 4NADN3 to save

05/21/2026

If your child is constantly pushing their feet into you or rubbing their feet against different surfaces, they may actually be seeking more sensory input throughout the day.

Some kids crave extra tactile and proprioceptive input because it helps them feel more regulated and aware of their body. This is why adding more heavy work activities throughout the day can be so helpful. Think jumping, stomping, climbing, pushing, pulling, obstacle courses, and barefoot sensory play.

Sometimes these sensory-seeking behaviors are communication before anything else. ❤️

Does your child do this too?

And a little reminder that commenting, saving, and sharing posts are completely free ways to support creators whose content you enjoy. I put a lot of time into creating free educational content for parents and caregivers, and your engagement truly helps support my page and allows more people to see these videos.
💛💛💛💛💛

05/19/2026

Cutting with scissors is more than just a preschool skill. It’s actually a great way to build hand strength, coordination, bilateral coordination, and fine motor control ✂️ One simple trick I use as a pediatric OT and toddler mom is placing a small item under their armpit while cutting to help keep the elbow tucked in and promote better positioning while they learn.

This can help improve control, accuracy, and endurance during cutting activities, especially for little ones who tend to wing their elbow out while snipping.

If you want this cutting activity book I love for ages 3+, comment CUT and I’ll send it to you! 👇

05/17/2026

Watching your child realize their favorite toy exists in REAL LIFE is something I’ll never get over 🥺

He’s been obsessed with monster trucks lately, so getting to watch him see them in person at was pure magic. The excitement, the pointing, the completely mesmerized face… these are the moments that make parenting so special ❤️

What’s your toddler currently obsessed with lately? 👇

05/15/2026

As a pediatric OT, one of the biggest things I look for in toys is whether they challenge kids to THINK without immediately frustrating them.

A lot of toys are either too easy, overstimulating, or they only hold attention for a few minutes. I really liked that this one lets kids build confidence with simpler challenges first, then gradually increases the difficulty as they learn.

My son is 3, so we’re still on the easier levels right now, but it’s been really fun watching him figure out how to rotate the pieces and problem solve independently.

I also love that it’s compact enough to throw in a bag for restaurants, waiting rooms, travel days, or quiet time at home 👏

Comment BLOCKS and I’ll send you the link directly!

Use code Olivia15 for 15% off 💛



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05/14/2026

Apparently my 3 year old already has stronger opinions about shoes than most adults 😂 As a pediatric OT, I’m pretty picky about the shoes I buy for him because toddler foot development actually matters a lot in these early years. So yes… every pair in this collection passed the “OT mom approval test” 👟

Which pair is your favorite?

Comment SHOES and I’ll send you a link to the shoes that he is currently wearing!

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