Irina Gonzalez Irina Gonzalez is an editor and freelance writer covering parenting, recovery, and Latinx culture. She is also the creator of the Pandemic Mama podcast, which brings you honest conversations about having a baby during COVID-19 times. Her work has appeared in over 50 publications, including The Washington Post, OprahMag.com, Parents, and more. She is based in Florida, where she lives with her husband, brand new baby boy, and their fur babies. You can find more of her work on her portfolio site or by following her on Instagram. About Real Simple Real Simple, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning, trusted online resource for smart, authentic solutions to simplify your life. We reach 11 million readers a month. Our content is written by experienced journalists and fact-checked for accuracy. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.