Romper

Caroline Shannon-Karasik

Caroline Shannon-Karasik is a lifestyle writer at Romper where she covers parenting, motherhood and women's health topics. She is a passionate mental health advocate, including bringing more awareness to conditions that specifically affect women during the postpartum phase of pregnancy and childbirth. Caroline's writing has also been featured in The Cut, Narratively, Women's Health, Good Housekeeping, Well+Good, Redbook, Tonic and InStyle. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Caroline lives with her husband Dan, daughter Claire and four — yes, four — adopted cats. She is currently writing a memoir. Follow Caroline on Instagram @carolineshannonkarasik and Twitter @CSKarasik. More can be found at carolineshannon.com.
These 12 Mother & Daughter Halloween Costume Ideas Are Actually Fun & Unique
Let's be honest: When you're a parent to young children, part (OK all) of the appeal of Halloween is that you get to dress your kiddo up in the costume of your choosing. After all, my daughter Claire was not an elderly woman at 3 months old because…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
18 Unique Baby Names With Two Syllables, Because You're Trying To Keep It Simple
I have one of those long names that I apologize for when someone asks me to spell it. "It's a long one, so hold on to your hat." Ultimately, I don't mind it because my name is wrapped in meaning, including the fact that I am named for my…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Weaning Can Cause A Major Shift In Your Hormones, So Here's How To Prepare
At the start of your pregnancy, your hormones shift; at the end of your pregnancy, they make another major swing... and then there are those breastfeeding hormones. If you're nearing the end of your nursing journey, you're probably wondering: When…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
15 Hilarious Things To Write In Father’s Day Cards, Because You Love Making Dad Laugh
While some families pride themselves on the ability to make someone weep uncontrollably reading a greeting card, others compete to see who can make dad laugh out loud reading his child's latest epitaph. If you fall into the latter camp, these…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik and Ashley Jones
10 Mother's Day Gifts For Your Sister To Show Your Love & Support
My sister Amanda is pretty flipping cool. I've said it before, but I will say it again: There are a few people I need by my side to do this thing called life and she is one of them. Sure, Amanda can be a pain and she doesn't understand the concept…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik and Ashley Ziegler
Here's How Your Baby's Movements Change Closer To Your Due Date
When you're pregnant, every test result and measurement brings about all the questions — especially if it's your first rodeo. During the first trimester, you anxiously await your first ultrasound; by the second, you become hyper aware of every…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
16 Sibling Quotes for National Sibling Day, Because You Kinda Love 'Em
I've often said that my sister, brothers, and I are siblings by the grace of this universe (and our pretty awesome parents), but we are friends because we choose to be. Because while being the oldest of four has been one of my favorite journeys thus…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik and Ellen Schmidt
Dads Who Are Constantly Hit In The "Jewels" Need These Padded Briefs
When it comes to the long list of bodily changes that come with womanhood, I have a hard time not rolling my eyes when men complain about pain inflicted upon their family jewels. No, I don't wish ill upon their precious pair, but I don't spend time…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
The Emo Kid In Me Wants Every Pair Of Shoes In The 'Frozen 2' Converse Collection
Frozen is more than just a movie — it's practically a Pantone color with its now iconic Arendelle blue. It inspired you to style your hair in the most amazing fishtail braid for weeks, to exclusively wear powder blue and sparkles in 2015, and to tie…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Here's How To Talk To Your Kid About Your Mental Health, Even Though It's Hard
As a mental health advocate and someone who lives with depression and anxiety, I think a lot about how best to communicate about the various mental health conditions that affect millions of adults each year. But I also often think about how I will…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Here's Why Experts Say You Shouldn't Worry About Ultrasounds Being Harmful
Why is it that so much of the conversation surrounding pregnancy seems to include a lot of talk about too much/too little? Am I exercising too much? How much Brie can I really eat? Are too many ultrasounds harmful? It's a lot of back and forth, to…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
OK, Even *I* Want To Braid My Hair Like Elsa's In Front Of This 'Frozen 2' Vanity
Whether you are in the business of early holiday shopping or simply want to treat a special kid in your life, there's a Frozen product for that. After all, with the release of Frozen 2 on the horizon (Nov. 22), the hype to score some new Frozen gear…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Here's Everything You Need To Know About The BRCA Gene
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means it's not only time to brush up on your general knowledge about breast cancer and how to perform a self exam, but to also learn about more complicated aspects of the disease. For instance, what is…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
OMG, Just Let Your Kids Eat Their Halloween Candy — Experts Say It's Fine
It's safe to say that Halloween is at the top of the holiday list when it comes to the general easiness of the day — let your kid pick out their favorite costume, go trick-or-treating, and you're golden. Which is why worrying about kids eating…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Your Kids Can Now Ride The Water Nokk From 'Frozen 2' & It's Pretty Magical
My daughter is obsessed with horses. (Or, as she likes to say, "a-sessed.") We have several varieties, ranging from plush to oversized to miniature ones that embed in the carpet only to be discovered when we step on them. Moral of this story?…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
This Is How Having A Baby In The NICU Can Affect Your Mental Health
Adding a new baby to your life is, of course, exciting and nothing short of life-changing. But as any parents will tell you, shepherding little humans through this world also comes with its share of stressors. And, for parents of NICU babies, those…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Head To Halloween Town, Because The Vans 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Collab Is Here
Perhaps your idea of a Halloween movie tradition is watching a slasher film, like Friday the 13th or the classic Halloween. Or maybe you like to keep it light with Hocus Pocus? But if your Halloween heart has always belonged to Jack Skellington,…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
This Darth Maul Build-A-Bear Is So Cute, Even You'll Join The Dark Side
OK, so there are Star Wars fans and there are (insert all emphasis here) Star Wars fans. If you fall into the latter category, then there's a good chance the new Star Wars Darth Maul bear being added to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Star Wars line is…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
6 Rosh Hashanah Family Traditions To Start This New Year
The onset of fall means different things to different people, whether you're someone who can't wait to dive into pumpkin everything, or you simply love to dig out your favorite cozy sweaters. For people of the Jewish faith, the arrival of autumn…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
10 Children's Books For Rosh Hashanah To Help You Ring In The New Year
I don't know about you, but when it's time to learn about a new topic or brush up on what I already know, I pick up a book. And the same goes for teaching my little one about everything from her favorite animals to children's books for Rosh…
By Caroline Shannon-Karasik