Niki Smith
Niki is an Iowa native who now lives with her husband Ryan, daughter Riley, and son Merritt in Johnston. She is passionate about paid leave for working parents, thrifting, and Beyonce. Niki is the Marketing Campaign Manager at Homesteaders Life Company in West Des Moines. She is also owner of Bee Thrifty, which consigns designer clothing for clients on Poshmark. Niki is a two-time graduate of Drake University with a bachelor’s in journalism (2008) and a Master’s in Communication Leadership (2015).
How I Became a Mom: An ode to all parents
This is a story of how I became a Mom. Well, when two people love each other...
Haha, just kidding. I hope you didn’t come here for that story. But, I hope you will stay...
Why I Sent My Summer Baby to Kindergarten
If you have a kid who was born in the summer, you know how difficult it is to decide on when to send them to kindergarten. We have a few moms who have weighed...
It’s Time to Pamper Yourself Mama. You Deserve It!
Among your duties as a mom making meals, arranging play dates, and generally caring for the health of your family (and in a pandemic), you may forget to take time for yourself. It’s time...
How to Embrace a Holiday Birthday
I have learned to love my December birthday.
I have lived through years of combined Christmas and birthday gifts, the holiday-themed wrapping paper, and countless fuzzy socks as gifts. I used to complain about my...
Holiday Gift-Giving Hacks for Moms
Who says the holidays have to be stressful? Like anything with being a parent, use your Mom community to learn the best tips and tricks for a smooth holiday season. I asked our contributors...
I ran a half marathon, and you can too!
I ran the Greater Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon in September! This was something on my bucket list that I wanted to complete while I still physically could. I finished (nearly) last, but I...
Why You Should Give Your Kid a Job
I worked from home this summer, so we decided to keep our first grader out of daycare to minimize her exposure to COVID-19. I panicked in early June, wondering what would fill her days....
What’s On Your Des Moines Bucket List?
I visited the Living History Farms for a field trip in fourth grade. I still remember buying rock candy in the general store. My grandparents lived just up the road in Waukee. I told...
Pool Essentials: What to Bring to the Pool
My daughter is a fish, so spending last summer at home in a kiddie pool was quite a downer. We went all out this year and got a pool pass to the two Ankeny...
Father’s Day Gift Ideas + FREE Printable
Father's Day is just around the corner! Some dads are difficult to shop for – but we love them and still want to honor them on Father's Day.
I explored gift ideas that other parents...