Meet Meghan Perazella, a local mom, Connecticut native and one of the founders of The Hangout Spot in Norwalk. A former Special Education teacher and Behavior Analyst, she helped create The Hangout Spot as a “welcoming, inclusive space for kids to do just that—hangout with their friends and find their spot in our community.” Read more to find out her tips for becoming an entrepreneur, finding the right work-life balance and learning about fun family activities in the area.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I am a first-time mom to Leo Anthony Perazella, who recently celebrated his first birthday!
What brought you and your family to Connecticut?
I grew up in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and always knew I wanted to raise my own family in Connecticut as well, so returning home was a no-brainer. Post-graduation from Boston College, I was thrilled to accept a position as a Special Education Teacher in Fairfield Public Schools. Shortly thereafter, I transitioned to the role of Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in Norwalk Public Schools and met my now-husband, Mark, in Stamford, Connecticut (shout-out to the Coffee Meets Bagel app). We established our little family here in Fairfield County and will be moving into our first home in Fairfield, CT this winter! Talk about fate…Leo is districted to attend the same middle school where I began my teaching career at all those years ago, and we couldn’t be happier to raise our son in this community.
What’s your favorite aspect about being part of the community?
Fairfield County is truly special and represents the perfect destination for young families seeking just the right blend of a neighborhood feeling with access to the busy fun that an urban environment brings! We love the safe, family-friendly opportunities that exist for our son and also appreciate that the abundant recreational activities for mom and dad who can no longer journey to New York City without a stroller, diaper bag, and many, many toys in tow. Fairfield County hosts so many events, and it feels like there’s always something happening that our family can enjoy together. Lastly, Fairfield County has a strong sense of community which has proven invaluable to us as first-time parents who are looking for opportunities to connect, share experiences, and develop “mom” and “dad” friends along the way.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
We have loved carrying our traditions from the early days of dating into this next step of our journey with our little guy. In the Fall, apple picking at Silverman’s Farm and pumpkin picking at Jones Family Farm are must-dos on our list. For Thanksgiving, you will find the Perazella family at the Stamford Thanksgiving Parade Spectacular. Come December, we make an annual trip to Wonderland at Roseville and the Fantasy of Lights in New Haven. And, once the warm weather hits, Jennings Beach becomes our home away from home! We look forward to the traditions that mark each season with deep anticipation, finding joy in those moments that make our memories.
You earned your Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Severe Special Needs and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development from Boston College and later completed your Post-Master BCBA Certificate. Can you please tell us a bit about your path to launching The Hangout Spot?
I met my Co-Founder, Justyna Balzar, when we were serving as Board Certified Behavior Analysts in the public-school setting, and the inspiration for The Hangout Spot came from two places. First, we were deeply dedicated to providing gold standard care, which inspired us to open our own private practice where we would be able to say that we were always doing right by our children and families. Second, we wanted to provide something that families desperately needed. So, we connected with our community to identify gaps in services. The stories we heard were heartbreaking, including things like, “My child is thirteen years old and has never been invited to a birthday party or doesn’t have a best friend.” We quickly realized that what makes life happy is other people, and you could be the smartest kid in the world, but if you don’t have real, reciprocal, meaningful relationships with other people, life is simply not as fulfilling as it possibly could be. This became our ultimate mission—to use the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, which is essentially the science of learning and behavior, to teach children how to have real, meaningful reciprocal relationships with other people.
What is the story behind the name?
Simply put, when we picked the name, we hoped to create a space that eliminated stigma and provided a welcoming, inclusive space for our kids to do just that—hangout with their friends and find their spot in our community.
As a busy mama, is there something you do each day to support your own needs?
Each day, I do one thing that brings me joy! It doesn’t need to be something huge, as the small moments of self-care culminate to shift my mood and perspective even on the hardest days. I might take a quick walk outside, buy that pumpkin spice latte, or listen to Christmas music on my way to work (yes, I am that person). It’s the simple pleasures that bring me happiness and elevate my game—both at home and in my career. I’m so blessed to have the most supportive husband who gifts me those moments of time to take care of myself every day—thank you, Mark!
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Being a mom is a full-time job, perhaps the hardest one I’ve ever had! Being a working mom adds a whole other layer of complexity, challenge, and yes—mom guilt. A dear friend once reminded me to talk about the hard stuff. We are surrounded by a world of Instagram perfection that paints a picture of the glamorous vision we have of motherhood. While it is one of the most beautiful gifts, it’s also one of the most challenging. Talk about the sleepless nights, the jarring change to your sense of self, and the feeling of pure overwhelm. When you talk about it, you realize that you are not alone. In finding your community, you find your joy and realize that the messy photo is often the most realistic and most beautiful one.
Do you have any advice for other moms considering entrepreneurship?
When I am at work, I work really hard. And when I’m home with my family, I strive to be passionately present. Doing so requires me to take breaks from the screen. When work-life demands require that you be extraordinarily attentive to your incoming messages, defining those moments where you can feasibly step away from technology to be fully present is what allows me to dedicate my mind, heart, and soul to my passions both at work and in my role as a mother.
How do you unwind when you need some “me time?”
A good book does the trick every time! Reading is a lifelong hobby of mine, and I try to dive into a psychological thriller whenever the time allows.
Anything to add?
Being an entrepreneur mom is such a gift! I’m teaching my child that dreams do come true and inspiring him to see the possibilities that life can offer with a bit of hard work, passion, and belief in yourself!
We love supporting local businesses. Favorite places in town (or near town) to…
Have dinner with/without kids: The Inn at Gray Barns is our favorite spot without kids, and Tacombi in Westport has quickly become a favorite for our taco-loving family.
Grab a drink with friends: Happy hour hopping on Washington Street in SONO is always fun.
Have a date night: We are foodies, so we are always headed to our favorite restaurants. Baldanza at the Schoolhouse has the best carrot cake and short rib.
Spend time together as a family indoors/outdoors: Mead Park in New Canaan has the perfect playground for children who are quite yet walking.
Shop for yourself/shop for your kids: We love to walk through Downtown Westport and explore the shops!
Spa/salon (or anywhere you go to treat yourself): During pregnancy, my sweet husband gifted me a prenatal massage package from Massage Envy… and here I am, one year later, treating myself each month to some much-needed self-care. Ask for Gabi!
Grab coffee: Las Vetas Lounge is the coziest spot to sip a specialty latte and play a classic board game with the people you love most—or to host an off-site work session with your team when caffeine is much needed.
Any hidden treasures or other favorites you want to share?
The Stepping Stones Museum for Children is one of our favorite weekend spots. We love to watch our son play, explore, and meet new friends. They have a small space that is exceptionally well-designed for infants and toddlers—and the outdoor climbing area is perfect for crawlers!