Ready, Set, Vroom
Vroom
March 5, 2026
You already have what it takes to be a parent, even before your baby is born! Science shows that becoming a parent is your Brain Building Moment™, too. Your brain is flexible and ready to grow new skills during this time of great change. Vroom brings this science to life with simple, reassuring ideas as you nurture your bond from the very start.
Whether this is your first child or your fourth, these short, affirming tips from our partners at Vroom fit into your routines and help you tune-in to what learning looks like for you as a parent. These tips offer relief—not requirements—to strengthen connection, confidence, and calm.
Everyday moments help your brain learn and strengthen skills. Are you picturing your future little one, or planning new routines? Maybe talking to a friend about what you’re feeling? That’s what brain-building looks like! Small actions now make a big difference for when your baby arrives. Vroom’s Ready, Set, Vroom Tips offer ways to fit these actions into your daily life.
Our New Morning
Suggested Age: Expecting
What do your mornings look like now? Next time you brush your teeth or make breakfast, picture doing that with a newborn. How may these routines look different when the baby arrives? Remind yourself it’s OK if mornings end up looking different than what you picture now.
Moment to Notice
Suggested Age: Expecting
You might be feeling a lot of different emotions as you wait for the baby. Noticing feelings, without judging them (or yourself!) can help. Name your feelings out loud. Try saying things like, “I feel excited,” “I feel worried,” or “I feel tired.” You can say them to yourself or chat about them with someone else. Notice how doing this makes you feel, too.
Moving and Grooving
Suggested Age: Expecting
Your baby may be moving around a lot right now! When do you notice them moving? At a certain time of day? When you listen to music? Maybe after you eat certain foods? Your baby is already telling you what they like and what gets them active!
You and Me Kid
Suggested Age: Expecting
Hobbies are a great thing to share with your little one! What is a favorite hobby of yours? Think about how you could share this with your child. Maybe find a small basketball to play with together or plan a walk in your favorite park. What else could you do to make this time special?
I Can Do It!
Suggested Age: Expecting
During mealtime, ask your child(ren) if there’s something they would like to teach the new baby. If they’re not sure, share an idea. “You are really good at picking out books. Do you think you could help choose a story for the baby? I know you’ll be such a great helper when the baby comes!”
Prepare and Pretend
Suggested Age: Expecting
During playtime with your older child, explore how things might change once the new baby arrives. Hold a doll or stuffed toy and pretend it is a baby. Show your child how you might feed, bounce, hold, or comfort the baby. Let your child take a turn and pretend.
Lean on Me
Suggested Age: Expecting
Where do you feel connected to other adults in your life? Notice spaces where you feel a sense of community. This can be a large group or one friend’s home. As you prepare for your baby, chat about how you want to stay connected, even when your days look different.
Two at a Time
Suggested Age: Expecting – 3 months
Emotions are cues for what we think or need. It is common to feel different emotions at the same time. Notice two things you may be feeling right now, even if they seem like opposites. “I am happy AND tired.” Or “I am nervous AND excited.” Talk to a friend or loved one about what these different emotions may be telling you.
Through Your Eyes
Suggested Age: Expecting – 3 months
Look down at your baby during feeding time. Are they already looking up at you? Eye contact is a simple, powerful way to connect and build your newborn’s brain! Babies learn by watching your face, especially your eyes.
Breathing Break
Suggested Age: Expecting – 3 months
Is your day feeling busy or stressful? Science tells us that just a few deep breaths can signal to your brain that you are safe. Slowly breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to do this three times. Notice how your brain and body feel.
Helping Hands
Suggested Age: Expecting – 3 months
Use today to make a Helping Hands list. Write down names of people in your life and one thing they could help you with. Who could help with groceries? Who could go on a walk with you? Keep this list somewhere, like on your phone or in a notebook, for when you need a helping hand.
Your Song
Suggested Age: 0 – 3 months
Think of a song you like. Maybe it’s one from your childhood or one that makes you smile. It doesn’t have to be a kid’s song! Try singing it to your baby during the same time each day, like during diaper changes or before a nap. How do they respond?
Baby Clues
Suggested Age: 0 – 3 months
Think of a song you like. Maybe it’s one from your childhood or one that makes you smile. It doesn’t have to be a kid’s song! Try singing it to your baby during the same time each day, like during diaper changes or before a nap. How do they respond?
Ride the Wave
Suggested Age: 0 – 3 months
Feelings come and go like waves. Just like your baby’s cries, overwhelming feelings won’t last forever. When you feel a strong emotion, see if you can name where it is on the “wave.” Is it rising, at its peak, or on its way down? What does that feel like in your body? Wherever it is, remember that it will pass eventually.
Soothing Success
Suggested Age: 0 – 3 months
As a parent, you are building skills to help soothe your child. Take a moment to make a list of things you know help calm your child down, like rocking, lullabies, or going for a walk. Next time they are fussy, go down the list and see what soothes today. Keep trying if the first one doesn’t work out. That’s OK!
Routines for Me
Suggested Age: 0 – 3 months
Caregiving routines aren’t just for baby! Today, reflect on how routines support you, too. Can you be flexible if you need a break? Do your routines also include things you enjoy? What about making time to check in on your feelings? Think of one thing you can do tomorrow just for yourself.
For even more tips for new parents, check out Vroom’s Tip Sheet. It’s also available in Spanish!