Katie McPherson

Katie McPherson is the associate editor of lifestyle for Scary Mommy, where she edits and reports on all things lifestyle, pregnancy, parenting, and products. She edits and oversees Scary Mommy’s Had to Share series, which highlights the holy grail products that editors and contributors swear by. She pens the occasional essay, and loves diving deep into reported features about all things related to health and children’s safety.

Katie’s career began as an intern at a local health magazine, where she later served as associate editor, until taking a copywriting role within a major hospital’s marketing department. There she worked closely with OB-GYNs, midwives, and other birth providers to promote their labor and delivery services, sparking her interest in covering women’s health. She then worked at a children’s hospital, where she learned firsthand about the intricacies of health care access and how policy affects children’s safety and well-being. She joined Romper as a part-time writer in 2019 while freelancing. Her bylines have also appeared in HuffPost, VeryWell, The Daily Beast, and other regional publications in the Southeast. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida.

When she’s AFK, Katie is usually busy chasing her son down, reminding him that he is not Johnny Knoxville, or checking out a new local brewery with her husband. She enjoys boxing and horseback riding, and is currently reading whatever romantasy is trending on #booktok. You can find her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Calm & Clear

40+ Phrases To Shut Down Passive-Aggressive Behavior Any Time, Any Place

By Katie McPherson

Whether you need power replies, awkwardness displacers, or subtle call-ins.

Yes to hearty dinners

12 Easy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes For Family Celebrations, School Parties, & More

By Katie McPherson

Rice Krispies made of Lucky Charms? Say no more.

sorry, there are hammers involved?

Parents Of Teen Boys, "Looksmaxxing" Is The Dangerous Trend You Need To Know About

By Katie McPherson

It can be pretty harmless or seriously harmful, depending on how far they go.

I'm Sat

The Jury Duty Season 2 Trailer Is Here & It Looks Hysterical

By Katie McPherson

The ASMR at the company talent show is too good.

don't overthink it

“Movement Snacks” Might Be The Easiest Way To Sneak Exercise Into Your Day

By Katie McPherson

Bite-sized bursts of movement that fitness experts recommend to help you stay active.

reproductive rights

A Hospital’s Religious Ethics Committee Canceled A Woman's Sterilization Surgery While She Waited In Pre-Op

By Katie McPherson

The hospital cited “a duty to protect her sacred fertility.”

🦕🦕🦕

26 New Family-Friendly Movies & Shows To Watch On Netflix In March

By Katie McPherson

If your kid loves dinosaurs, get ready.

It's Not "All In Your Head"

New Study Sheds Light On Why Women Experience More Chronic Pain Than Men

By Katie McPherson

And it might open the door for a new kind of treatment.

SSRIs for everyone

Does My Dog Need Anxiety Meds? A Veterinarian Shares The Signs It’s Time

By Katie McPherson

Better living through chemistry — it’s not just for humans.

pucker up

20 Beauty Products Scary Mommy Editors Reached For All February Long

By Katie McPherson

If you’re in the market for a new lip color, look no further.

Something's Not Right...

A New Study Says If You Think Your Child's Seriously Ill, You’re Likely Right

By Katie McPherson

Parents’ gut feelings are a better predictor of serious illness than a kid’s literal vitals, apparently.

let her play

Girls Drop Out Of Sports At Twice The Rate Of Boys. Here’s How We Change That.

By Katie McPherson

Girls face unique pressures in today’s competitive youth sports world — but they don’t have to.

still in the running

Could America’s Next Top Model Cycle 25 Really Happen?

By Katie McPherson

Tyra Banks teased a new season of ANTM. Is she for real?

TBD

WTF Are Exosomes & Why Are They In Every Skincare Product Right Now?

By Katie McPherson

More importantly, are they worth the money?

All Hype Or Actually Helpful?

Are Peptide Skincare Products All Buzz, Or Do They Actually Work?

By Katie McPherson

We asked dermatologists for their take, and they say peptides are more than a trend.

send noods

10 Comforting Pasta Recipes For Those Nights You Just Need Cheese & Carbs

By Katie McPherson

We need dinner and dopamine, ASAP.

pucker up

This $9 Lip Oil Outperforms All The More Expensive Ones, I Promise

By Katie McPherson

Believe me, I’ve tried ‘em all.

Stress ⬆️ Libido ⬇️

Sorry, How TF Are We Supposed To Get Turned On Anymore?

By Katie McPherson

It’s hard to get it up when I can hear democracy crumbling over the sheets rustling.

"Oh, Come On"

Dr. Oz Tells Americans To Get The Measles Vaccine “Please” Amid Latest Outbreak

By Katie McPherson

Oz said RFK Jr. endorses the MMR vaccine too, but his track record begs to differ.

spicy reads

Smut Books To Read When You Want To Get Hot But You're Too Lazy To Have Sex

By Katie McPherson

For when you just need to get there, damn it.