Barbara Costello Celebrates 4 Years As Everyone’s ‘Internet Mom/Grandma’

Barbara Costello is celebrating a big milestone.

Known as “Brunch with Babs” on TikTok and Instagram, the “internet mom/grandma you didn’t know you needed” has been sharing her helpful tips online for four years! She took a chance by sharing her first video and is encouraging everyone to also chase their dreams.

Costello shared a video montage on Instagram to commemorate her fourth anniversary as “Brunch with Babs” on social media. What started out as her daughter encouraging her to post a video has turned into an amazing ride for not only Costello but also her newly found internet family.

“4 YEARS OF BRUNCH WITH BABS ?I can’t believe that it’s been 4 years since, at the behest of my daughter, I posted my very first video on social media,” she wrote in her caption.

“I also can’t believe how my life has changed since that initial experience. I’ve done things I never thought I would do. I’ve connected with so many of you in ways I could have never imagined.”

Costello also shared that her followers have become part of her family and “all your messages and words of encouragement” keeps her going.

Costello also said that we “never know what’s around the corner.”

“We are all here for a purpose. We all have blessings to share,” her caption continued. “So if I could take this plunge, so can YOU! I believe in you!! So no matter what you do or where you are in life, if you want something go for it…because you never know.”

Babs’ Instagram followers shared their thoughts and congratulatory messages in the comment section.

“Happy Anniversary Babs! I love watching you, have gotten so much advice from you. I don’t have my mom anymore so I know you’re always here..Thank you to you and Mr. Babs,” one follower wrote.

Another added, “Happy Anniversary Babs!! Your tips and advice are nostalgic for me. That’s how ladies were with each other growing up. Helping each other out!”

One other follower shared, “This is so wonderful. Thank you Babs for being such a beautiful light on the internet! You really are a mom and grandma to millions!”

Babs is known for sharing tips and tricks for many things – from cooking to entertaining to cleaning – she’s got a hack to make everything easier.

Last year, in anticipation of the dreaded spring cleaning time, she shared a viral TikTok video about cleaning your mattress.

“Step one, rotate your mattress. It’s usually a two-person job,” she said. “This will spread out the wear and tear and extend the life of your mattress.”

Step two: vacuum the mattress to eliminate dust, dust mites, and other allergens. Another tip she shared is to have the kids jump on the bed before you start to vacuum to help bring all the dust up to the surface. No kids in the house? No worries. You can have some fun because Babs said, “You’re never too old to jump on the bed.”

“Step three: Time to spray the mattress with our non-toxic solution. Quarter cup of witch hazel, quarter cup of water, three essential oils – eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender – 16 drops of each. Cleans, deodorizes, and really freshens that mattress,” she said. “Just wait until everything’s dry before you make up your bed.”

Babs also taught us a little trick for cleaning out a pumpkin to carve way easier than most of us have been doing all our lives.

“Did your mom ever tell you the dos and don’ts of pumpkin carving?” she asked in a video shared in October 2022. “Don’t stand and carve your pumpkin. Sit.”

She continued to demonstrate how to cut the pumpkin, proving that many of us have been doing it wrong. Instead of cutting the top as most people were taught, Babs suggests cutting the bottom of the pumpkin instead.

Her next tip is a huge time saver! Instead of using your hands to scoop out the insides, Babs showed us how to use an electric hand mixer to make the job smoother.

Costello’s video quickly went viral with more than 28 million views and nearly 17,000 comments.

“How old were you when you learned to cut the bottom of the pumpkin and not the top? Today years old…today,” one viewer shared in the comments. Another added, “The hero we didn’t know we needed.”

Sometimes, “Mr. Babs” joins in on the content creation fun with his wife. In a video shared on Instagram earlier this year, the dynamic duo shared some tips on how to jump a car without jumper cables.

“Don’t use traditional jumper cables if your car was built after the year 2000. A simple jumpstart with these can send a power surge that can really mess up the electronics in your car,” Babs said.

Mr. Babs jumped in to say, “Number two: make sure you have one of these, a booster pack, in your car at all times. If you have a dead battery, a booster pack will start your car safely and instantly.”

The two demonstrated how to use a booster pack and shared another tip for after the car starts.

“Makes me want to cry every time they say ‘With love from your grandparents.’ My grandparents all passed away and I never knew them. Love this and you guys,” one viewer shared in the comments.

Another added, “I knew ALL of this but what made this video THE BEST was the ending. ‘With Love From your grandparents’ literally made me tear up missing mine.”