Romper

Samantha Darby

Samantha has been the Lifestyle Editor at Romper since 2017 after writing for the site since its literal birth in 2015. She covers anything and everything related to parenting and motherhood, including (but not limited to!) TTC, pregnancy, raising babies and toddlers (and eventually kids *gulp*), sex and relationships, mental health, books, holiday content, and the best pool floats of the summer. Basically, she's there for you, babe. (And yes, your baby will eventually sleep. We've talked to experts.) Before working for Romper, Samantha wrote for Babble, Work It, Mom!, The Huffington Post, Motherlode, Barnes & Noble Kids, HelloGiggles, and other secret corners of the internet. (Please don't go looking for her Livejournals.) She was also once a professional actress and starred in Atlanta's premier sketch comedy group Sketchworks, performed stand-up comedy, and worked with Rosie O'Donnell on an episode of 'Drop Dead Diva.' Based out of Georgia, Samantha works from home with her two little sidekicks: 5-year-old Alice and baby Lucy. The three of them create a weekly episode of their Romper Instagram series A for Effort, where they attempt to make Pinterest-worthy crafts. It almost never goes as planned. You can reach Samantha at samantha.darby@bustle.com or follow along on the adventures of raising two little girls (with the help of Super Husband Nick) on Instagram at @samanthadsingleton.
The Book That Bottles Those Childhood Moments You Already Forgot
In general, I'm a happy person. I take pictures of the way the sky looks while I'm taking out the trash, I pay attention to the weight of my sleeping children as I carry them to bed, I sit outside just to listen to all of the noise around me — the…
Of All The Things My 5-Year-Old Is Teaching My 1-Year-Old, These Are My Favorites
Literature has made sisterhood reverent. There are the March sisters, the Bennet sisters, Beezus and Ramona — all of them weaving tales of love and adoration and also hysteria and I-might-actually-kill-you feelings. Sisterhood is beautifully…
I Am *Here* For Twitter's Reactions To Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston At The Globes
In the world's cutest speech, Brad Pitt made a Titanic joke at Leonardo DiCaprio, gave a cute nod to the media vis a vis why he didn't bring his mom to the ceremony, and ended with a piece of advice for everyone to "be kind." But the camera couldn't…
Tom Hanks Getting Emotional About His Family At The Golden Globes Is *So* Pure
I've always felt a deep connection to Tom Hanks. I think a big part of it is that we share a birthday — July 9 — and also because he was such a huge part of my childhood. My favorite movies included Big, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, That Thing You Do!,…
Beyoncé Has Been Spotted At The Golden Globes, & The Whole Show Just Got Better
She wasn't an interview on the red carpet, and she wasn't asked "who are you wearing" by Ryan Seacrest, but you guys: Beyonce is at the 2020 Golden Globes, and now it's an actual party. I mean, Ricky Gervais is hilarious and anytime Tom Hanks and…
I Can't Stop Gushing About Michelle Williams' Sweet Baby Bump At The Golden Globes
Michelle Williams has been one of America's sweethearts since she first walked into Capeside High, but seeing her on the Golden Globes Red Carpet really made everyone gush. People confirmed Williams' second pregnancy last week, but Michelle Williams…
Kirsten Dunst Is Using The Golden Globes As A "Parents' Night Out" & I Get It
Kirsten Dunst was a literal child when she was nominated for her first Golden Globe, telling Giuliana Rancic on the E! Red Carpet Sunday night that she was just 13. I mean, that's much more glamorous than my own teen accomplishments. ($10 says she…
Willow's Newest Pump Is Still Quiet, But Apparently Yields 20% More Milk — FIRST LOOK
Ask any pumping mom the one thing she's noticed about her breast pump, and she'll tell you: it talks. I spent a lot of time pumping for my two daughters, and my pump absolutely spoke a language that sounded like it could raise zombies from the…
We Cannot Ask Grieving Parents To Keep It To Themselves
On Christmas Day, YouTuber Brittani Boren Leach took to Instagram to share a photo of her 3-month-old son Crew's hand in her own, and ask her followers for prayers. She wrote that she had checked on Crew during a nap and found him not breathing. "We…
The KAPi 2020 Toy Awards Prove That Classic Play & Technology Can Work Together
The year 2020 just sounds like the future Marty McFly showed the world. Everyone's already well beyond the idea of flying cars and hoverboards as their main mode transportation, but the Kids at Play Interactive (KAPi) 2020 Toy Awards prove that…
All I Want Is To Hear 'Thank You' (& Also These Sparkly Tights)
If the Grinch taught the world one thing, it's this: holding hands and singing songs with the people you love is worth more than any present or Christmas decoration you can find. And look, I know this to be true. I am a mother to two perfect little…
Seriously, What Do You Buy A Second Baby For Christmas?
Like a Little Drummer Boy who won't pipe down so baby Jesus can sleep, the ba-rum-bum-bum-bum of Christmas responsibilities can really do in my nerves. But when it comes to shopping for my daughters, I am overwhelmed with glee. This Christmas, I…
Thank You, Greta Thunberg, For Being What My Girls Need To See
I was around 9 years old when I read my first American Girl story. It was one of the books in the Samantha Parkington series, and it included Samantha's friend, Nellie, revealing to her what child labor and factory work was really like in 1904. In…
Thanksgiving Is The Best Holiday
Here's a fun holiday tradition I have: drowning in a puddle of my own tears around 7 p.m. every Christmas Day. It's a leftover reaction from childhood, when all of the build-up and excitement came crashing down under exhaustion and too many candy…
Here's Why Your Vagina May Take On A New Scent While Pregnant, According To Experts
You expect a lot of changes to your vagina when you’re pregnant, but some of the differences are a bit subtle. You may have already noticed increased discharge or swelling, but does your vagina smell different when you’re pregnant? Turns out, you're…
Your Elf On The Shelf Can Also Have Babies, So There's That
The Elf on the Shelf is a seemingly innocent tradition, but so is decorating cookies with your children and we all know how that turns out. The book that accompanies the elf your family adopts makes no mention of your elf wreaking havoc on your…
There's A Middle Child Candle For All Of Us Jan Bradys & I Bet It Never Gets Lit
I am the middle child of three and don't you, for one second, think I let anyone forget it. (Because they absolutely would if not for my constant reminders.) Whiskey River Soap Co. has tried to capture all of my angst in turmoil in a Candle for the…
What's Cute, Sparkly, & Benefits A Good Cause? Rachel Zoe's New Kids' Collab
Metallics, sparkle, and animal prints are popular trends for both haute couture party fashion and children's clothing. The Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Party Collection has combined the two, releasing 38 pieces of children's fashion and accessories…
Mom Is Still Holding The Corner Of The Grocery Cart
The world is made up of children wearing monkey leash backpacks and parents pretending they aren’t walking their child in a monkey leash backpack. Nowhere is this dynamic captured better than in my own childhood, as my mom held the corner of the…
Target 2-Day Free Shipping Is Back For The Holidays
There's no place like home for the holidays, but also there's no place like Target. From your bed. Where you're watching the 10th Hallmark Christmas movie starring DJ Tanner and buying your family's matching holiday jammies. Target two-day free…