The Real Lives of Tulsa’s Mom Influencers

If you’ve ever discovered a new restaurant through Instagram, found a family-friendly event on Facebook or planned a weekend outing based on a local influencer’s recommendation, you’ve likely wondered what life is really like behind the screen.

To followers, influencers often seem to be constantly exploring Tulsa’s newest attractions, attending events and documenting memorable moments with their families. But behind the carefully edited photos and engaging videos are real women juggling careers, motherhood, relationships and the same daily responsibilities as everyone else.

For Tulsa creators Madelyn Cheatham, Teresa Forehand and Molly Buchanan, content creation isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection: connecting people to their community, sharing ideas with other parents and helping families create meaningful memories together.

From Hobby to Platform

Like many influencers, none of the three women set out with a grand plan to build a social media following.

For Buchanan, the journey began during an unusual moment in Tulsa’s history.

“It really started organically during the 2020 lockdown,” she said. “I began sharing the local places we were supporting during their closures, motivating my friends and family to intentionally do the same. And it really snowballed from there.”

Photo courtesy Molly Buchanan

What started as a way to support local businesses quickly evolved into something much larger.

“I didn’t originally set out thinking, ‘I’m going to be an influencer,’ but I did want to connect with other locals in a real way,” Buchanan said. “Over time, it turned into something bigger than I expected.”

Forehand’s path was rooted in her professional background as a family medicine physician assistant. She initially shared health and fitness content, believing people learn best through relatable experiences rather than textbook advice. As her family grew, so did her content.

“As life changed and we had more children, my content naturally shifted into what I needed most in that season of life — healthy recipes, realistic routines and practical ideas that made life feel simpler for busy working parents,” she said.

Cheatham’s story started even earlier.

“I honestly started creating content because I loved capturing moments with my friends ever since I was younger,” she said. “And connecting with people is one of my favorite things.”

Her platform gained traction through sharing local events and activities around Tulsa.

“What started as a hobby grew into a platform where I get to connect with my community and help people make the most of where they live,” she said.

Why Tulsa Makes Great Content

A common thread among all three women is their deep affection for Tulsa.

Cheatham describes Tulsa as a city with “a big-city feel and a small-town heart.”

“There’s always something happening, from festivals and concerts to local markets and family events, and you’ll probably run into someone you know,” she said.

Forehand appreciates the balance Tulsa offers families.

“It truly feels like a big small town,” she said. “It has so much growth, creativity, diversity and amazing local businesses, but it still feels incredibly family-oriented and connected.”

Buchanan echoed that sentiment.

“Tulsa just feels like home in the best way,” she said. “It has this perfect mix of big-city amenities with a small-town heart.”

For influencers whose content centers around family experiences, local businesses and community events, Tulsa provides an endless stream of opportunities to share.

Whether it’s highlighting a hidden gem restaurant, covering a seasonal festival or recommending a family outing, all three women see their platforms as extensions of their love for the city.

Photo courtesy Madelyn Cheatham

Raising Kids in Tulsa

While each creator shares different types of content, motherhood shapes much of what they post.

Cheatham says one of her favorite things about Tulsa is how easy it is for families to create memories together.

“There are so many opportunities to get out and make memories together,” she said. “Whether it’s story time at Philbrook, spending time at the Gathering Place, exploring Tulsa Zoo or attending events together.”

Forehand values the balance Tulsa offers between activity and simplicity.

“We can spend a Saturday at a great park, local event or kids activity, but also come home and ride bikes in the neighborhood or play outside until dark,” she said.

For Buchanan, Tulsa provides something increasingly rare for families: room to grow and a supportive community.

“There are endless things to do with kids, but it still feels safe, manageable and connected,” she said. “I love that my son is growing up with space to play and a community that shows up for each other.”

Their social media content often reflects these values. Followers aren’t simply seeing recommendations; they’re seeing a glimpse of how local families spend their time and build traditions together.

Photo courtesy Teresa Forehand

The Reality Behind the Camera

One misconception about influencers is that every moment is staged or curated specifically for social media.

In reality, these moms say much of their content comes from activities they were already doing.

For Forehand, family life revolves around simple experiences.

“Most of our life outside of work revolves around being together and spending time outdoors,” she said. “In the summertime especially, we love riding bikes, working in our yard and garden, grilling outside, exploring Tulsa and simply letting our kids be kids.”

Buchanan describes a similarly busy family schedule.

“We’re always on the go,” she said. “Sports are a big part of our life right now, so a lot of our time is spent at practices and games.”

But even with packed calendars, all three emphasize the importance of slowing down and enjoying ordinary moments.

Some of their favorite family memories don’t involve sponsored content, perfect lighting or carefully planned posts. They’re movie nights, bike rides, family dinners and afternoons at the park.

Those moments may never make it onto social media, but they remain the foundation of family life.

Molly Buchanan and her son. Photo by Valerie Wei-Haas

What Do the Kids Think?

One question followers frequently ask is how influencers’ children feel about growing up around content creation.

The answers are often hilarious.

Buchanan’s son has his own name for her videos.

“He loves watching my videos, and he refers to them as ‘commercials,'” she said. “He’ll roll his eyes a little when I’m taking a picture or filming food and he has to wait for a bite, but he also loves being part of it.”

Forehand has a similar experience.

“My kids don’t fully understand what social media is yet since they’re still little and not on it,” she said. “When I’m filming campaigns or creating content, I usually explain it to them as making a commercial because that’s something they can actually grasp.”

Of course, the perks don’t hurt.

“They definitely love when PR packages show up at the house — especially if there are snacks or fun products involved,” Forehand said.

For Cheatham, becoming a mother has changed the way she approaches content creation altogether.

“It’s made me more intentional about what I share and how I spend my time online,” she said.

Teresa Forehand and her children. Photo by Valerie Wei-Haas

Drawing the Line Between Public and Private

As conversations about children’s privacy online continue to evolve, all three women say setting boundaries is essential.

Cheatham said motherhood has made her more mindful about what belongs on social media and what should remain private.

“While motherhood naturally influences my content and the experiences I share, I’m also mindful of protecting my child’s privacy and making decisions that are in her best interest as she grows up,” she said.

She intentionally keeps certain family moments offline.

“I think it’s important to have boundaries and create space for experiences that exist just for our family, not for social media,” she said. “If I wouldn’t share it with my close circle or my grandma, it probably shouldn’t be online.”

That perspective reflects a trend among parent influencers, many of whom are becoming increasingly selective about how much of their children’s lives they share publicly.

More Than Likes and Followers

Despite their different backgrounds and content styles, all three women share a common goal: helping others.

Forehand wants her platform to feel encouraging and attainable.

“I always want someone to leave my page feeling like, ‘I could actually do that,’ rather than feeling like the content is unrealistic or unattainable,” she said.

Cheatham hopes her audience discovers opportunities to make memories.

“If someone sees one of my posts and ends up having a great experience with their family or friends, that’s a win for me,” she said.

Buchanan views her platform as a way to strengthen Tulsa’s community.

“My goal is for Tulsans to walk away feeling motivated to support our amazing community,” she said.

Madelyn Cheatham and her children. Photo by Valerie Wei-Haas

More Alike Than Different

For parents who follow influencers, it can be easy to assume their lives look dramatically different from everyone else’s.

But these three Tulsa moms reveal a different reality.

They’re driving kids to activities. They’re figuring out dinner. They’re tending gardens, attending school events and trying to carve out quality family time amid busy schedules.

The biggest difference is that they’re documenting pieces of those experiences and sharing them with others.

Behind every post is a mother trying to make the most of her community, connect with other families and create meaningful memories with the people she loves.

And in many ways, that’s something every parent can relate to.

Follow Along!

Find these Tulsa moms on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

• Molly Buchanan (@mollybuchanan918)
• Madelyn Cheatham (@wonderfully_maddie)
• Teresa Forehand (@teresalforehand)

Lindsay Morris is a native Tulsan, writer and founder of Tulsa Places, where she highlights local businesses and family fun. She works in healthcare marketing and communications.