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Amy Poehler and Tina Fey sitting next to each other
6 Essential Parenting Lessons From Amy Poehler And Tina Fey, Who Clearly Know Everything

by M. Esther Sherman

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have rocked the world with their wit, humor, and overall badassery. We’ve watched them star on, write for, and host Saturday Night Live, host multiple Golden Globes, and dazzle the attentive world with their ventures in film, television, and even an online community for girls and women. The duo have managed to wrap fans in their brilliance and make us feel that their 20-year friendship is something we can all enjoy. They’ve made us feel loved, accepted, and helped us laugh at all the silly things we might have cried over in the past.

Just when it seems like Poehler and Fey couldn’t be any more awesome, we remember they are also moms. Yes, just like the rest of us, Poehler and Fey have probably been peed on, accidentally licked chocolate that our kids offered us that turned out to not be chocolate at all, and been completely broken by the love and chaos that is motherhood. And because they are the dynamic team that everyone loves (or everyone should), they manage to teach us a few things about parenting just by being themselves. Here are a few things about parenting that I learned from Poehler and Fey. Poeh-ey? Fey-ler? Poef? Feypo? It doesn't work! They are too brilliant to be combined into just one name.

Anyway, here's what all moms can learn from Amy and Tina!

Be Real

Being a mom is a reality all its own, and Poehler and Fey do an excellent job of claiming the title. Whether it's going on a talk show and gushing about how cute it is that children want to murder you but aren't big enough or admitting to other moms how much you really love those monsters, being real about the mommyhood is a lesson we can all take to heart. Like, we all know what's happening here – why lie about the truth of it all?

Be Funny (Because It's So Easy)

Parenting is hard. From pregnancy to post-grad, those little things will take control of your life and change everything. If I've learned one thing from Poehler and Fey, it's that change can be (and, in fact, almost always is) hilarious.

Do Your Stuff Your Own Way

Nobody can parent like you because nobody is you. Amy and Tina have built an empire out of accepting themselves and there's no reason why we can't follow their lead. In being who they are, and doing all the badass stuff they do, these two women effectively shine light on other women and girls who are changing the world just by being themselves. So, when it comes to parenting, you do you. The world might just change around you.

Find Your People

Amy and Tina are perfect proof that the best thing a mom can do is find a best friend and keep them forever. We all need someone we can call at 2 a.m. when the child gets up for that 19th glass of water (even though each previous cup is still sitting by the bedside with water still in it, but is somehow undrinkable). Without a best friend, that child never makes it to the 20th cup. Our frustration might literally cause a hole to open up in the earth and swallow the whole house. Just being able to text your BFF about what's happening, and having them reply with a hilarious-but-totally-mean comment about how evil your child is...it can fix everything. With a best friend, you get to drink an entire bottle of wine without feeling guilt or judgment. Yay! Glug, glug, guys.

Mom Humor Is Totally A Thing

Poop is suddenly a funny word. Poop.

When All Else Fails, Find Someone Who Gets You

The main piece of parenting advice to learn from Poehler and Fey is that it's all messy. There's pee, exhaustion, and one of Tina's children tried to strangle her. Parenting is pure madness. But with the right people by your side, you can laugh through the entire journey.

Images: Michaels-Goldwyn; Giphy(5)