EMMA BING

Lifestyle Editor & Podcast Host

EMMA BING

Lifestyle Editor & Podcast Host

WHEN DID YOU LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT IS THE MESSAGE BEHIND YOUR BRAND?

I was lucky enough to team up with my mom, Heidi Murkoff, the creator of What to Expect series after I became a mom for the first time. She’s my idol, so it was really special to be able to work with her. I have such a huge respect for the brand and everything that she has created. The message behind, What to Expect is “motherhood is the ultimate sisterhood”. Truer words have never been spoken.

WHAT WERE DEFINING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER THAT TAUGHT YOU THE BIGGEST LESSONS?

It has been amazing to work with such a massive brand. What to Expect is the longest running book in the history of the New York Times Best Seller List. Ever. Also the amazing humanitarian work, and work with the USO my mom does is incredibly inspiring. There are so many times, especially during covid, where I get incredibly stressed out, because I feel like I’m doing all the work myself, because my husband works full time and we have no help… but then I have to put myself in check and be like “ Seriously Emma? There are thousands of military moms who’s husbands are gone for years at a time, and their families aren’t in the same country as them.. and they’re REALLY doing it all themselves”.

SOMETIMES WE'RE ALL BAD MUTHAS (AS WE SHOULD BE). WHEN DID YOU GO AGAINST TRADITIONAL ADVICE THAT PROPELLED YOU FORWARD?

I think that I never really take any ones advice, and then 9 times out of 10 I fall on my face.. but that’s ok. Its all a major learning experience. I think that I try to do things my own way… I learn every day… what works… what doesn’t… Does my two year old still drink milk out of a bottle because I’m exhausted and don’t want to deal with the screaming right now (‘pandemic vibes)… YES HE DOES. Did my older one drink out of a bottle til 4ish, yes he did. Did he sleep with my until he was 5 ( I was a single mom and wanted the company)… yes. He’s 7 now and he doesn’t drink out of a bottle and he sleeps in his bed… I consider that a win.

WHEN DID YOU LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT IS THE MESSAGE BEHIND YOUR BRAND?

I was lucky enough to team up with my mom, Heidi Murkoff, the creator of What to Expect series after I became a mom for the first time. She’s my idol, so it was really special to be able to work with her. I have such a huge respect for the brand and everything that she has created. The message behind, What to Expect is “motherhood is the ultimate sisterhood”. Truer words have never been spoken.

WHAT WERE DEFINING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER THAT TAUGHT YOU THE BIGGEST LESSONS?

It has been amazing to work with such a massive brand. What to Expect is the longest running book in the history of the New York Times Best Seller List. Ever. Also the amazing humanitarian work, and work with the USO my mom does is incredibly inspiring. There are so many times, especially during covid, where I get incredibly stressed out, because I feel like I’m doing all the work myself, because my husband works full time and we have no help… but then I have to put myself in check and be like “ Seriously Emma? There are thousands of military moms who’s husbands are gone for years at a time, and their families aren’t in the same country as them.. and they’re REALLY doing it all themselves”.

SOMETIMES WE'RE ALL BAD MUTHAS (AS WE SHOULD BE). WHEN DID YOU GO AGAINST TRADITIONAL ADVICE THAT PROPELLED YOU FORWARD?

I think that I never really take any ones advice, and then 9 times out of 10 I fall on my face.. but that’s ok. Its all a major learning experience. I think that I try to do things my own way… I learn every day… what works… what doesn’t… Does my two year old still drink milk out of a bottle because I’m exhausted and don’t want to deal with the screaming right now (‘pandemic vibes)… YES HE DOES. Did my older one drink out of a bottle til 4ish, yes he did. Did he sleep with my until he was 5 ( I was a single mom and wanted the company)… yes. He’s 7 now and he doesn’t drink out of a bottle and he sleeps in his bed… I consider that a win.

“MOTHERHOOD HAS BEEN A WILD RIDE. BUT IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES, EVEN FOR A SECOND, YOU’LL MISS THE BEST PARTS."

WE ALL NEED A CHAMPION. WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED YOU?

MY MOM! 100%. She is the most incredible woman ever. She has supported me through everything I’ve ever done. Every dumb mistake I’ve ever made… especially in my teens and early twenties… she’s been my biggest cheerleader… like she is for all moms and women.

REVERSE THAT. WHO IN YOUR LIFE DO YOU SUPPORT WITHOUT JUDGEMENT?

Other moms. This shit is hard. Everyone is just trying to survive. Who am I to judge the mom who gives their phone to their screaming toddler at Ralph's? Who am I to judge the mom who puts their kids in front of tv for 30 minutes so they can finally do laundry that has piled up. I gave my kid a popsicle and iPad so I could answer these questions. Moms need to support each other… there is SO much mom shaming. It's insane. We are human… all of us. We make mistakes. ALSO my 2 best friends don’t have kids yet.. and I support them and their adventures … and live vicariously through them. NO JUDGEMENT. Get it girl(s).

REWIND. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?

My mom always says “stop and smell the babies” meaning take time and appreciate them while they’re young, its not forever. Enjoy every moment. Also do kegels while pregnant— didn’t listen and now pee when I laugh.

FAST FORWARD. WHAT INSIGHT CAN YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WOMEN IN THEIR CAREERS WHO WANT TO BE A LEADER IN THEIR SPACE?

BE AUTHENTIC.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO MUTHA YOURSELF AND ENSURE YOU STILL HAVE SOME 'ME' TIME?

I don’t. I haven’t had me times in months. A 5 minute shower is the best I get. I do appreciate my nighttime skincare routine. MUTHA PRODUCTS HEAD TO TOE.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO MANAGING MOTHERHOOD, CAREER AND RELATIONSHIPS?

I struggle with this. Motherhood has really taken over lately. I am really trying to put more effort into the other aspects of my life. Even If its putting the kids in bed a little earlier, so my husband and I can watch a movie together (ultimately falling asleep after 10 min), that’s something.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR STORY OR MOTHERHOOD?

Motherhood has been a wild ride. A roller coaster. Its scary. Its Rocky. Its exhilarating. But if you close your eyes, even for a second, you’ll miss the best parts. And now my kid has finished his popsicle so I’m off to mom again!

WE ALL NEED A CHAMPION. WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED YOU?

MY MOM! 100%. She is the most incredible woman ever. She has supported me through everything I’ve ever done. Every dumb mistake I’ve ever made… especially in my teens and early twenties… she’s been my biggest cheerleader… like she is for all moms and women.

REVERSE THAT. WHO IN YOUR LIFE DO YOU SUPPORT WITHOUT JUDGEMENT?

Other moms. This shit is hard. Everyone is just trying to survive. Who am I to judge the mom who gives their phone to their screaming toddler at Ralph's? Who am I to judge the mom who puts their kids in front of tv for 30 minutes so they can finally do laundry that has piled up. I gave my kid a popsicle and iPad so I could answer these questions. Moms need to support each other… there is SO much mom shaming. It's insane. We are human… all of us. We make mistakes. ALSO my 2 best friends don’t have kids yet.. and I support them and their adventures … and live vicariously through them. NO JUDGEMENT. Get it girl(s).

REWIND. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?

My mom always says “stop and smell the babies” meaning take time and appreciate them while they’re young, its not forever. Enjoy every moment. Also do kegels while pregnant— didn’t listen and now pee when I laugh.

FAST FORWARD. WHAT INSIGHT CAN YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WOMEN IN THEIR CAREERS WHO WANT TO BE A LEADER IN THEIR SPACE?

BE AUTHENTIC.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO MUTHA YOURSELF AND ENSURE YOU STILL HAVE SOME 'ME' TIME?

I don’t. I haven’t had me times in months. A 5 minute shower is the best I get. I do appreciate my nighttime skincare routine. MUTHA PRODUCTS HEAD TO TOE.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO MANAGING MOTHERHOOD, CAREER AND RELATIONSHIPS?

I struggle with this. Motherhood has really taken over lately. I am really trying to put more effort into the other aspects of my life. Even If its putting the kids in bed a little earlier, so my husband and I can watch a movie together (ultimately falling asleep after 10 min), that’s something.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR STORY OR MOTHERHOOD?

Motherhood has been a wild ride. A roller coaster. Its scary. Its Rocky. Its exhilarating. But if you close your eyes, even for a second, you’ll miss the best parts. And now my kid has finished his popsicle so I’m off to mom again!