Last Updated: May 2026
Well-Caffeinated Mom receives hundreds of product review requests each month. This policy outlines what we review, how we review it, and how to pitch us effectively. Reading this before sending your pitch will save us both time.
The Big Picture
A free product does not guarantee coverage. We receive far more review requests than we can possibly accept. We prioritize products that genuinely fit our audience, align with our values, and offer something useful to our readers.
If we accept your product for review and it doesn’t work out (doesn’t fit our needs, arrives damaged, isn’t as described, etc.), we won’t publish a negative review just to fulfill an obligation. We’ll let you know it’s not a fit and move on.
What We Review
Well Caffeinated Mom focuses on products and services relevant to our audience: parents (with kids ranging from toddlers to teens), homeschoolers, coffee lovers, gamers, outdoor enthusiasts, crafters, and people living authentic, caffeinated lives.
Categories we cover:
- Parenting products for kids ages 3+ (toys, games, gear, activities) — Note: We don’t review baby gear since our youngest is past that stage
- Homeschool curriculum, educational resources, and learning tools
- Board games, card games, and tabletop games (family-friendly to adult strategy games)
- Video games, gaming accessories, and gaming tech
- Apps, software, and digital tools (productivity, family organization, education)
- Outdoor and camping gear (tents, backpacks, hiking equipment, family camping essentials)
- Coffee, tea, and beverage products (including mocktails, alcohol-free alternatives, wine, and spirits)
- Food and kitchen products (meal kits, cookware, pantry staples, specialty foods)
- Books (parenting, education, fiction, coffee table books, graphic novels)
- Home organization and cleaning products
- Household products (furniture, décor, speakers, electronics, everyday essentials)
- Indoor plants, gardening supplies, and plant care products
- Sustainable and eco-friendly products (we especially love reviewing sustainable alternatives)
- Pet products for dogs (toys, treats, accessories, care products)
- Lifestyle products (beauty, wellness, hobbies, crafts)
- Tech and gadgets (especially family-friendly or productivity tools)
If your product doesn’t fit one of these categories, it’s probably not a good match — but we’re open to creative pitches if you can explain why it matters to our audience.
What We Do NOT Review
We automatically decline the following:
- Multi-level marketing (MLM) products — No exceptions. This includes Arbonne, doTERRA, Young Living, Pampered Chef, Beautycounter, Usborne Books, etc.
- Products or brands with discriminatory policies — We support LGBTQ+ families and won’t promote brands that don’t.
- Kids’ products with overly-gendered marketing or messaging — “For boys” and “for girls” marketing doesn’t align with our values.
- Baby gear (0-2 years) — Our youngest is past this stage, so we can’t authentically review infant/baby products.
- Firearms, weapons, or tactical gear — Not aligned with our family-focused brand.
- Products contradicting established medical or scientific consensus — This includes anti-vaccine products, pseudoscientific health claims, or products promoting misinformation.
- Overtly religious products or proselytizing materials — We maintain a secular approach to content.
- CBD, cannabis, marijuana, or hemp products — Regardless of legality, these don’t fit our brand focus.
- Gambling, casino, sports betting, or lottery products/services — Not aligned with our audience or values.
- Cryptocurrency, NFTs, or blockchain-related products — Outside our scope and expertise.
- Supplement/diet products making unverified health claims — We’re not medical professionals and won’t promote potentially harmful products.
- Anything misaligned with our brand values — If it doesn’t feel authentic to who we are, we’re not reviewing it.
Our Values & Inclusivity Commitment
Well-Caffeinated Mom celebrates diversity and authenticity. We actively seek out and support brands that:
- Support LGBTQ+ families and individuals
- Prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility
- Promote inclusive representation in their marketing and products
- Make products accessible to diverse families and abilities
- Value evidence-based information and scientific integrity
- Value authenticity over perfection
If your brand shares these values, we’d especially love to hear from you. We actively seek out and prioritize pitches from Black-owned, Indigenous-owned, Latine-owned, AAPI-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and small independent businesses. If that’s you, let us know in your pitch. We want to amplify your voice.
Editorial Independence
We maintain complete editorial control over all content. This means:
- We decide what gets published and when
- We write honest reviews in our authentic voice
- We share both what we love and what could be improved
- We don’t accept demands for “only positive” reviews
- We reserve the right not to publish if the product doesn’t work out
Brands may request to see a draft before publication to check for factual accuracy (specifications, pricing, availability, etc.), but we don’t rewrite content to make it more promotional. If you need guaranteed positive coverage with full editorial control, you’re looking for a sponsored post — see our Advertising Policy instead.
Our Review Process
1. You Pitch
Email pr@wellcaffeinatedmom.com with product details, why it’s a fit for our audience, and any relevant deadlines or launch dates. Include images and links — High-quality product photos (or a link to your press kit) and your website help us decide faster.
2. We Decide
We review all requests weekly (usually on Mondays). If we’re interested, we’ll respond within 5-7 business days. If you don’t hear from us, it means we’re passing on this one — no need to follow up.
3. Product Arrives
Ship products to the address we provide. Please include any relevant info (instructions, unique features, brand story, etc.) and include high-quality product images and links to your website. Should your product have an affiliate program, include information about it. If you have a press kit or media assets, send those too. This helps us create better content. Digital products can be sent via email.
4. We Test & Create
We use the product in real life (not a quick photo shoot and done). For homeschool curriculum, this might take weeks. For games, we play multiple sessions with the family. For outdoor gear, we take it camping or hiking. For coffee or food products, we test multiple times. For books, we read them. We create authentic content featuring the product.
5. Content Goes Live
Reviews are published on our blog and promoted across our social media. We’ll notify you when it’s live and provide links to share. Reviews remain live permanently (we don’t delete or hide old content; there is one exception to this. See below for information about a situation that will cause us to remove a review).
Timeline Expectations
Product reviews are not rush projects. Typical timeline from product arrival to publication is 4-8 weeks, depending on the product type and our current workload. If you have a firm deadline (product launch, seasonal campaign), let us know upfront — we’ll do our best to accommodate, but can’t guarantee it.
Need faster coverage with a guaranteed publication date? Consider a sponsored post instead — see our Advertising Policy for details.
What Happens to Review Products
Unless otherwise agreed upon, products sent for review are not returned. We may:
- Keep and continue using the product
- Give it away to readers via a giveaway or contest
- Donate it to a family in need, a school, or a charity
- Pass it along to a friend or family member who could use it
If you need the product returned (e.g., high-value electronics on loan for review), specify this up front and provide a prepaid return label.
Review Removal Policy
We reserve the right to remove previously published reviews if we discover the company or product is misaligned with our values. This includes:
- Discriminatory practices or policies that come to light after publication
- Associations with hate groups or extremist organizations
- Misleading marketing or fraudulent business practices
- Other significant conflicts with our stated values
If we remove a review, we will not provide detailed public explanations, but we stand by our commitment to only promote brands that align with our inclusive, evidence-based values.
FTC Disclosure
All product reviews clearly disclose that we received the product for free. We follow FTC guidelines and include disclosure statements like “This product was provided free for review” or “We received this product at no cost in exchange for an honest review.”
If a review includes affiliate links (where we earn a small commission if readers purchase), this is also disclosed.
How to Pitch Us Effectively
Want to increase your chances of getting a yes? Here’s what works:
- ✓ Personalize your pitch — Show you’ve actually read our blog. Generic mass emails get ignored.
- ✓ Explain the fit — Why is this product perfect for our audience? “Moms will love it” isn’t enough.
- ✓ Include images and links — High-quality product photos and a link to your website help us decide faster.
- ✓ Be clear about timing — If you have a deadline, say so upfront (but don’t expect miracles).
- ✓ Make it easy — Provide all the info we need in one email. Don’t make us dig for details.
- ✓ Respect our decision — If we pass, it’s not personal. Don’t send follow-ups demanding to know why.
What doesn’t work: Generic pitches, guilt trips (“We’re a small business and really need this”), demands for guaranteed coverage, or pitches that ignore our editorial standards (MLM products, discriminatory brands, etc.).
Giveaways & Contests
Interested in sponsoring a giveaway to our audience? We occasionally run product giveaways as part of partnerships. Email partnerships@wellcaffeinatedmom.com for giveaway opportunities (this is separate from product reviews).
Contact
Product Review Requests: pr@wellcaffeinatedmom.com
General Inquiries: rondab@wellcaffeinatedmom.com
Interested in paid partnerships instead? See our Advertising and Sponsored Posts Policy
