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Kimberly Zapata

Kimberly is the owner of Sunshine And Spoiled Milk, a blog dedicated to motherhood, mental health, and everything in between. When she isn't writing she is running, snuggling with her cats, watching Doctor Who, or drinking fine wines. (Nah, who am I kidding: I'm a microbrew sorta gal.)

I Spent A Week Asking For Help, & This Is What I Learned About Myself

When it comes to asking for help, I am terrible. Scratch that: My ability to ask for help is abysmal. Sometimes I fail to ask for help because I’m stubborn. Do you want me to carry something? Nope, I’ve got it. Sometimes I don’t ask for help because…
By Kimberly Zapata

I Quit My Job To Be A Mom & I Regret It

In July 2012, I quit my job. It wasn’t a snap decision; my husband and I had been talking about the future and houses and babies and where we wanted to live for quite some time. I knew I was getting older. I knew my husband’s current position was…
By Kimberly Zapata

Kate Beckinsale & Michael Sheen's Approach To Co-Parenting Is So Refreshing

Earlier this week, Kate Beckinsale shared a photo on her Instagram page that gave me all the feels, because with one image Beckinsale was able to convey how valuable time is, how important family is, and how time really is fleeting. But what was…
By Kimberly Zapata

What Is RSV? This Dad’s Horrifying Story Sheds Light On A Common Yet Unknown Disease

Earlier this year, a Memphis father lived through what can only be described as every parent's worst nightmare when he watched his newborn daughter flatline. When he stood by her, helplessly, as a pediatric team worked to revive her. To bring her…
By Kimberly Zapata

How To Tell If Your Entenmann’s Mini Muffins Have Been Recalled

Late Wednesday night, Bimbo Bakeries USA — the company that makes Entenmann's products — issued a voluntary recall of some Little Bites muffins and brownies. According to a statement released by Bimbo, the recalled lots may contain "small pieces of…
By Kimberly Zapata

Why Do Parents Forget Their Kids In The Car? Experts Say We Shouldn't Judge Them

Approximately 37 children die from heat stroke, or other heat-related illnesses, every year after being locked inside a car or family vehicle. And while many cannot understand why tragedies like this occur in the first — "how could you possibly…
By Kimberly Zapata

Zika Virus In Men Actually Poses Just As Big Of A Threat As It Does For Women

For the last several months, Zika virus has dominated the news — and for good reason. Zika, which began as an isolated outbreak in February 2015, became a global pandemic less than three months later. The illness was linked to neurological problems,…
By Kimberly Zapata

What’s Going On At Chris Brown’s House? Reports Say LAPD Is Trying To Get Inside

Earlier Tuesday, the LAPD confirmed it had responded to an incident at Chris Brown's residence — though what type of incident remains unclear — leaving many fans wondering: what’s going on at Chris Brown’s house? At this time, not much is known;…
By Kimberly Zapata

This Mom Says A School "Embarrassed" Her Daughter For Wearing Leggings

Last week, Kimberly Jones turned to Facebook after she said her daughter was “embarrassed” and “harassed” at a Kansas middle school. But what did young Bella do to deserve the alleged ridicule of her peers, her teachers, and other school officials?…
By Kimberly Zapata

Here's Which State-Level Representatives Support Vaccinations

Vaccination is a hot-button issue. In fact, many tense at the very mention of the word. Because vaccination — specifically, mandatory vaccination — is one of those rare topics in which almost everyone holds a strong opinion — you are either for…
By Kimberly Zapata

The Definition Of A Safe Space Has Changed To Hurt Those It's Meant To Protect

University of Chicago Dean John Ellison made waves earlier this week when he sent a letter to all “Class of 2020” students. In the letter, Ellison warned the incoming class that if they wanted their school to provide safe spaces, and to preface…
By Kimberly Zapata

This Route To 47 National Parks Is A Trip Brave Parents Should Consider

On Aug. 25, 1916, Congress established the National Parks Service — a government agency whose purpose was to protect and preserve lands deemed “national parks” — and on Thursday, 100 years later, its mission remains relatively unchanged. What has…
By Kimberly Zapata

Pregnancy Helped Me Overcome My Body Image Issues

My stomach has been the center of my self-hatred for 14 years. It’s the one thing I wish I could fix, and the one thing I feel like, if fixed, would make everything OK. It’s my own battle, and it’s incredibly personal. It’s the place where I dump…
By Kimberly Zapata

Will Ryan Lochte Be At The Closing Ceremony? It Is Highly Unlikely The Swimmer Will Return

Earlier this week, news broke that Ryan Lochte and fellow Team USA swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz, and Jimmy Feigen had been robbed in Rio. According to initial reports (their story later changed), the four men had been held up while in a taxi…
By Kimberly Zapata

This Mom’s Viral Letter To Her Husband About Caring For Their 6 Kids Is Perfect

When I read Meghan Maza Oeser’s Facebook post earlier this week, I nearly died from laughter. Why? Because Oeser’s post was thoughtful, honest, and hilarious, and it was chock full of foul language. (Be still my immature heart!) And because this…
By Kimberly Zapata

Spotify’s New Kids Category Is More Than Just Tunes, Which Is Music To Every Parent's Ears

On Tuesday, Spotify announced it would be relaunching the app’s “Kid’s” category in an effort to offer a more enriching and interactive experience. While the “Kids” section previously focused on children’s music, Spotify’s new “Kids” category, which…
By Kimberly Zapata

How To Get The Baby Buddah Bug Head Wraps, Because They Are Super Cute

Iman Tayla — the daughter of actress and singer Teyana Taylor and basketball player Iman Shumpert — has been captivating the public since her unexpected arrival in December 2015. (Teyana went into labor at home on Dec. 16 but didn’t know it until…
By Kimberly Zapata

Roz MacLean's 'The Body Book' Has A Crucial Message For Young Kids About Body Acceptance

Roz MacLean is an artist, illustrator, special education assistant, and author from Vancouver, Canada. In 2014, MacLean published her first children’s book, Violet’s Cloudy Day, to help kids struggling with anxiety overcome their fears and become…
By Kimberly Zapata

3 Ways To Catch Zika Virus That Aren't Mosquitoes Or Sexual Transmission

The first time many heard about the Zika virus was in late 2015, after an isolated outbreak in the northeastern states of Brazil became a rapidly spreading epidemic. Before long, Zika had infected millions of people in more than 45 countries, and…
By Kimberly Zapata

Who Are Mallory Pugh's Parents? The Soccer Star Comes From A Supportive Family

Mallory Pugh is a name you may not be familiar with, at least not yet. Why? Well, because the 18-year-old soccer player was relatively unknown this time last year. Make no mistake: Mallory had made a name for herself, locally and regionally, and she…
By Kimberly Zapata