Author: Maggie Rodriguez

Maggie Rodriguez co-hosts the nationally-syndicated lifestyle show, Daytime on WFLA, Channel 8. She recently returned to tv after taking a 10-year break to raise her two children. During her career, Maggie reported and anchored the news in Miami, Los Angeles, and at the network level in New York as the host of The Early Show on CBS. She now lives in South Tampa, which she calls the perfect place to raise a family.
Galentine's Danielle Bayard Jackson
|

Remember Your Gal-entines!

Danielle Bayard Jackson explains why friendships are key to happiness and how to make this Galentine’s a meaningful celebration of connection.

Amy Schmidt author, Cannonball!
|

New Year, New You: Why it’s Never too late to Reinvent Yourself

We’re chatting with Amy Schmidt, author of Cannonball!, on inspiring women to embrace change and start fresh at any stage of life.

Balancing technology and education

Navigating Parents’ Digital Dilemma: Balancing Technology and Education

Tech isn’t all bad! We’re sharing expert tips for parents on how to balance technology and education to promote safe and effective digital use.

OrthoPaws dog in wheelchair
|

Pup’s Injury Inspires Local ‘Dog Mom’ to Start Prosthetics Company

Get to know ‘Dog Mom,’ Danielle Robins, the founder of Palm Harbor Animal prosthetics company OrthoPaws.

Back to School Tips from Maggie and the Moms
|

Back to school tips from Maggie and the Moms’ experts

It’s hard to believe, but our kids will be going back to school this month. Summer always goes by too quickly (if you ask them), and adjusting to the new schedule takes time. To help you and your children navigate the transition as smoothly as possible, some Maggie and the Moms’ panelists use their areas…

Meditation for Kids podcast
|

Tampa mom expands podcast network to include meditations just for kids

Tampa Mom and Women’s Meditation Network founder, Katie Krimitsos, is sharing her new podcasts supporting meditation for kids!

CUP Coffee Uniting People baristas
| |

Fill Your CUP: The mission behind Tampa’s inclusive coffee shop

The barista at CUP on S. Dale Mabry Highway in South Tampa hands me my drink and strikes up a conversation. Chatting with Stephen, I quickly realize what makes him and this coffee shop so special.  “Would you mind telling me the month, day and year you were born?,” he asks politely. He thinks about…

Danielle Bayard Jackson
|

Ladies, It’s Time To Fight For Your Friendships

Navigating the delicate balance of motherhood and female friendships can be a challenge, but it’s essential for our well-being. Discover practical strategies to strengthen these vital connections without sacrificing your family or work commitments.

Spring Break destinations for families
|

Spring Break is for Families: The Best Sunny or Snowy Destinations of the Season

Whether hitting the slopes or the beach is your idea of a perfect family adventure, you can enjoy your dream vacation in spring. We asked writer Terry Ward, an expert on family travel who’s visited 14 countries with her two children (ages 6 and 7), to share her top domestic and international picks for the…

Mike and Brian Kleinschmidt
|

Tampa Bay’s Dream Couple: Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt of HGTV’s “100 Day Dream Home”

Long before Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt were hosts of the popular HGTV series “100 Day Dream Home,” they were classmates at Riverview High School. Now married for eight years, living in their own dream home in Ruskin, and raising Mika’s 14-year-old daughter, Jade, together, they’re reflecting on their journey and looking ahead to an exciting new year.

Protecting Children from their devices

Disconnected – Protecting Kids From Their Devices is in Your Hands

If you had the power to protect your children from depression and anxiety, would you? Even though any parent would answer “yes” to that question, a valuable weapon in their arsenal often goes unused: the word “no.” Psychotherapist and author Thomas Kersting makes the case for prohibiting or limiting children’s screentime in “Disconnected,” which lays out…

"Raising Them Ready" authors Erica and Jonathan Catherman

Raising Them Ready: Preparing kids to handle life on their own

When bestselling authors and co-parents Erica and Jonathan Catherman decided to write their next parenting book, they asked themselves a question: “How well had we done to prepare our “adulting” kids to leave home?” Knowing other parents were likely asking themselves the same question, they came up with “Raising Them Ready,” a guide for parents…

Evermom
| |

St. Pete Based Mom Group, EverMom, is For Every Mom

Feeling the lack of community in this new season of motherhood, the more they talked with other moms, the more they realized they were not alone. That’s when two St. Pete moms hatched an idea that is now a reality: The EverMom Collective.

friends and feelings
|

Friends and Feelings: Expert Tips to Help Your Children

Friendships come with feelings that children don’t always know how to handle. It’s tempting to lash out when we’re angry, but there’s zero possibility that someone will respond to nastiness by being nice.

meditations for mom
| |

A Tampa Mom’s Meditation Focused Podcast Downloaded 100 Million Times

Katie Krimitsos knows what moms need to hear to relax. Her podcasts (recorded in her closet) have been downloaded more than 100 million times.

Kat Stickler
|

Ten Million Reasons to Love Kat Stickler

We’re getting to know Kat Stickler, a Tampa mom and one of TikTok’s most popular influencers.

Procure

Procure in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village: On a mission to support woman-owned businesses

Procure is not your typical boutique. The unique retail concept sells products exclusively from women-owned businesses—most of them from Tampa and we’re getting to know the woman who brought it here to Tampa.

How to help your child make friends
|

Dr. Friendtastic: How to Help Your Kids Make Friends

Psychologist and parenting authority Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, author of “Kid Confidence,” offers advice on how to help your kids make friends in “Growing Friendships” and a new mini-podcast, “Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic”.

Florida Springs
| | |

The Most Beautiful Natural Florida Springs Near Tampa Bay

Enjoying traditional summer fun has been challenging this year, with limited access to our favorite activities but check out these Florida Springs!

Richard Hales
| |

Celebrity Chef Richard Hales’ Hometown Restaurant is a Family Affair

Tampa native and celebrity chef Richard Hales invites us into his home with his flagship restaurant, Black Brick, and talks family life in his hometown.

teco
|

TECO Line Streetcar: Exploring a modern city the old-fashioned way

Amidst the construction cranes dotting the landscape, you will see the electric wires that power the TECO Line Streetcar.

flamenco dancer
|

Flamenco & Freedom: A Renowned Cuban Dancer now Lives the American Dream in Tampa

One year ago, flamenco dancer Irene Rodriguez took the biggest leap of her life, not on the dance floor—in real life. She left her home country of Cuba, where she was the principal dancer and director of the country’s most recognized flamenco company, and moved to Tampa with nothing more than the desire and drive…

Florish
|

Meet the family behind Tampa vegan restaurant, Florish

Keith and Jill Sedita, of Florish Pizza in South Tampa, set out to recreate the pizza they grew up eating—with one distinction—it’s vegan.

Kiley Williams

The Ultimate Soccer Mom: Soccer veteran Kiley Williams is grateful for a second chance after motherhood

As the oldest on her team, Kiley Williams is grateful for the second chance to pursue the passion she put on hold while having children.

Mental Health Day
|

Should Your Child Miss School for a Mental Health Day?

Making the case for school-aged mental health days: 50 percent of all lifetime mental health illnesses start by the adolescent years.

Farron Hipp

Farron’s Unexpected Blessing: Daytime Co-host Farron Hipp welcomes her first child through adoption

Daytime co-host, Farron Hipp and her wife, Colleen, welcomed their first child via adoption after two unsuccessful cycles of IUI.

Zibby Owens

“Moms Don’t Have Time To Have Kids” by Zibby Owens

Zibby Owens has compiled an anthology of short essays written by notable authors who share their parenting experiences, insights and advice.

Enzo DeFerrari Wilson

Electric Enzo! Meet the Tampa Bay Teen Lighting up NBC’s American Ninja Warrior

Besides being a strong athlete, “Electric Enzo” is also an ocean conservationist, YouTube star, a straight-A student and a humble teenager.

100 Things to do in Tampa
|

Just in Time For Summer…100 Things to Do in Tampa Bay Before You Die

These family favorite, kid-tested 100 things to do in Tampa Bay and more are included in the latest edition of author, Kristen Hare’s book.

Maggie and the Moms on Daytime

In Studio with ‘Maggie and the Moms’ on WFLA’s Daytime

Every Monday, I assemble a rotating panel of moms from diverse backgrounds and in different stages of parenting for ” Maggie and the Moms “

Miles and Mom: A story of love, determination and hope in the face of a grim diagnosis

Miles and Mom: A story of love, determination and hope in the face of a grim diagnosis

My journey with Miles started when he was 18 months old. He was diagnosed with SMA, which is a rare neuromuscular condition.

Sleepunder
|

Instead of a Sleepover, Try a Sleepunder

Maggie & the Moms panelist Natassja Prose piqued our interest with a suggestion none of us had heard before: What about a sleepunder?

Roo Powell
|

Undercover Underage: A Mom Goes Undercover to Nab Online Predators

Maggie Rodriguez interviews Roo Powell, a child advocate who disguises herself as a teenager to nab online predators

Siesta Key beach
| | | |

BACK TO THE BEACH – Kicking off beach season with a day trip to Siesta Key

Only one hour from Tampa Bay, Siesta Key waits for you and your family! Enjoy an amazing beach, great food, and a fun atmosphere!

Will Gholston Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|

Will Gholston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A Conversation about Fatherhood & Football

Will Gholston became a father and an NFL player at the same time. Eight years and three kids later, he’s mastered both roles.

Tampa Riverwalk
| | |

Seven Days, Seven Ways to enjoy the Tampa Riverwalk

Tampa Riverwalk – a great place to play, eat, drink and enjoy! Learn about Tampa’s Riverwalk activities, Riverwalk food & drink & fun!