When Flo Rosen became a grandmother earlier this summer, she eagerly anticipated the arrival of her first grandchild. Little did she know that the two of them would soon become unexpected social media sensations.
A heartwarming video capturing Rosen’s reaction to her grandson Trent rolling over during his initial tummy time experience quickly went viral, amassing nearly 6 million views on TikTok since its debut on July 1.
Rosen shared the delightful moment, saying, “Trent was only 8 days old, and I was showing my son and daughter-in-law how to position him for tummy time. As soon as I placed Trent on his tummy, he looked at me and rolled over. I was absolutely astounded.”
The retired pediatrician’s astonishment was justified, as such behavior is unusual for newborns. However, the video’s unexpected popularity inspired the 68-year-old to embark on a project she had contemplated for years.
“I always thought that someday, when I retire, I’d love to have an advice column where grandparents could ask questions they might not feel comfortable posing to their children or a pediatrician,” Rosen explained. Her grandparent friends frequently sought her guidance on grandchild-related matters.
Rather than launching a traditional advice column, Rosen, who holds a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and practiced pediatrics for 42 years, followed her daughter-in-law’s suggestion and created “Ask Bubbie” on social media. The platform now boasts a combined following of 240,000 on Instagram and TikTok.
Rosen has since been fielding inquiries primarily from parents on TikTok and grandparents on Instagram, covering a wide range of topics. Among grandparents, she often encounters questions about the significant changes in modern-day parenting.
“There’s still a substantial number of grandparents who say, ‘You turned out fine.’ However, many parents respond, ‘No, we didn’t turn out fine. We want our children to have a better upbringing,'” Rosen observed. “So, I believe it’s crucial to educate grandparents about the reasons behind these changes, with safety usually being the primary concern.”
Consequently, a portion of Rosen’s advice, tailored to both grandparents and parents, centers on safety. One of her key recommendations, especially for new parents, revolves around establishing a distinct bedtime routine.
“One tip is to ensure that bedtime is unique, creating a calming atmosphere with dimmed lights, ensuring the baby is dry and well-fed. Ideally, put them down awake, so they can learn to self-soothe and fall asleep independently. These steps can help ensure a good sleeper for life,” Rosen advised.
Some of the most popular Ask Bubbie videos on TikTok include explanations on “how to burp your baby,” with over 2 million views, insights into “why tummy time is important,” analyses of a “new study on the effects of screen time” and “limiting your newborn’s exposure to illness,” as well as a “message to my fellow grandparents” discussing the evolution of parenting in 2023.
Rosen recognizes that younger generations seek visual content on social media for education, with TikTok and Instagram replacing traditional parenting books. Additionally, she understands that grandparents often grapple with the changing landscape of parenting.
Rosen’s goal is to create a trusted online community for grandparents seeking contemporary parenting insights and for parents who may lack a traditional support network while raising their children.
“I believe this generation of parents turns to social media for answers rather than books, and there are limited reliable sources for them,” Rosen noted. “If I can provide that support during my retirement, I’m delighted to do so.”
