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Scary Mommy

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Scary Mommy
Type of site
Online media
Available inEnglish
FoundedMarch 2008; 18 years ago (2008-03) in Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Headquarters20 W 22nd St Ste 301, New York City, New York, United States
Country of originUnited States
OwnerBustle Digital Group
FounderJill Smokler
EditorKate Auletta
RevenueIncrease$6.8 million (2025)
URLwww.scarymommy.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationNo
Current statusActive
Native client onWeb browser

Scary Mommy is a website that produces content targeting mothers, specifically focusing on parenting, motherhood, current events, and pop culture. The site is owned by Bustle Digital Group, and the website is based in New York City.[1] Scary Mommy began as Jill Smokler's personal blog. The site peaked around 2009-2015.

History

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Scary Mommy was founded in March 2008 by Jill Smokler (1977–2026) in Baltimore, Maryland. A companion book titled Confessions of a Scary Mommy was published by Smokler in April 2012 and became an instant bestseller. Scary Mommy Nation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established by Smokler in 2013, which raised money for families who weren't able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner. In 2014, the website and its service earned its first Webby Award in the "Family/Parenting" category, which was then followed by additional Webby Awards in 2015 and 2018.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

In February 2015, the website was acquired by Some Spiders Studios, with Smokler staying on as chief content officer for the next three years. In March 2017, Smokler announced her split from her husband.[9] Smokler left Scary Mommy in May 2018. In 2020, Some Spider Studios acquired Fatherly, and in 2021, Bustle Digital Group acquired Some Spider.[1][10][11][12]

On June 22, 2026, Smokler died of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, at the age of 48.[13][14]

Content

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Scary Mommy originated as a parenting and motherhood blog by Jill Smokler. The blog incorporated the Scary Mommy Confessions feature, which enabled users to share anonymous messages related to motherhood. Scary Mommy also launched a channel on Snapchat's Discover feature in 2018.[15][16]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Scary Mommy founder Jill Smokler leaves company to explore next life stage". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  2. ↑ Rosen, Jill (April 3, 2012). "Baltimore's Scary Mommy debuts scary new book". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  3. ↑ Rosenthal, Dave (April 9, 2012). "Confessions of a Scary Mommy". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Best Sellers: Combined Hardcover & Paperback Nonfiction: Sunday, April 29th 2012". The New York Times. April 29, 2012. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Kim, Susanna (November 12, 2013). "'Scary Mommy' Blogger Raises Money to Give Away Thanksgiving Meals". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Scary Mommy". Webby Awards. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Scary Mommy". Webby Awards. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Scary Mommy". Webby Awards. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  9. ↑ Hill, Erin (March 23, 2017). "'Scary Mommy' Founder on Dating After Divorce and Discussing Men with Her Gay Husband". People.com. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ Britto, Brittany (May 16, 2018). "Scary Mommy founder Jill Smokler leaves company to explore next life stage". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  11. ↑ "'Fatherly' Acquired by Some Spider, Pools Parenting Resources". Archived from the original on 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  12. ↑ "Bustle Digital Buys Scary Mommy's Parent Company for $150 Million in Stock". 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  13. ↑ Encinas, Amaris (June 22, 2026). "'Scary Mommy' founder Jill Smokler dies of brain cancer at 48". USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  14. ↑ Slater, Georgia (June 22, 2026). "Jill Smokler, Founder of Scary Mommy, Dies at 48 After Brain Cancer Diagnosis". People.com. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  15. ↑ Precourt, Stephanie (December 14, 2011). "Most controversial mom blogs". SheKnows. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  16. ↑ Brusie, Chaunie (September 7, 2015). "The most shocking Scary Mommy confessions ever". SheKnows. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
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