Meet Sneha & Danielle! | Stamford Moms

How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
Sneha:
I have two kids.  My son is 2 years old and my daughter is 7 months old.
Danielle: I have a boy who is one years old.

What do you love about living in Stamford?
Sneha: I love that Stamford has a downtown area as well as Harbor Point. My husband and I absolutely love New York City, so being able to go to the parks, walk by the water, walk downtown, go to the theatre, shop and dine at many restaurants is what makes Stamford so perfect for us. Stamford also holds many events throughout the year (movie night in the park, yoga at mill river park and harbor point in the summer, thanksgiving parade, Christmas tree lighting, restaurant week, carnivals, bubble events and more), which we love and keeps us busy on the weekends!
Danielle: There are so many great things about Stamford. I love how one minute you have a deer in your backyard and the next minute you can be sitting on the beach. The proximity to Long Island is also great as both mine and my husband’s family live there. The great events throughout the summer in Mill River Park are so fun also!

What’s your favorite restaurant and/or place to shop in Stamford?
Sneha: 
I absolutely love Barcelona and Bar Taco.  As for shopping, having a Target right in downtown area is the best, especially with kids.
Danielle: Bar Taco is pretty much our go to. You can typically find me shopping at Trader Joe’s and Target weekly (never for anything specific!)

What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me time”?
Sneha: 
When I need some “me time”, I will go treat myself to a pedicure, a facial or a massage.  I also like to binge watch shows/documentaries on Netflix.
Danielle: Catching up on my DVR or walking around Target.

Pictured Above: Sneha & her family

Tell us about Big Leaps.
Sneha:
Big Leaps is a Pediatric Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy practice that we founded in 2015. In January 2016 our doors officially opened!  We work with children of all ages with orthopedic, neurological, or gross/fine motor delays.   We also provide tummy time classes, motor classes, consults with schools/teachers, and work with Orthotists for children that need orthotics.

Why did you open Big Leaps?
Sneha:
After working as a Pediatric Physical Therapist for 7 years in a private clinic, preschools/elementary schools, and birth to three, I realized that I loved working with families directly and following through with their child’s progress to the end. For me to give the best therapy to a child, I needed to open up Big Leaps which would allow me to work with a child in a one to one setting, educate the family, and work with Pediatricians to really make a difference. Having a space that looks fun and exciting for a child is exactly what I wanted for these children to help them reach their highest potential. So then, Danielle and I decided that we needed to collaborate and open up our own practice. On a trip to Machu Picchu in 2015, we took in the beauty of Peru and decided this is what we need to do and here we are 5 years later!
Danielle: I always wanted to be my own boss. Sneha and I met while working on Long Island – once she left that job, we remained close and decided to take a trip to Peru with our husbands.  While on that trip we were at Machu Picchu and realized it was now or never. I’ve always loved working in diverse settings and with different age groups; however, a clinic seemed to be my “niche.” It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing!

What’s the best thing about your job?
Sneha: 
The best thing about being a Pediatric Physical therapist is watching the children we treat reach their goals & milestones.  We work with children and improve their muscle strength, endurance, balance and coordination. We treat these children once, twice and sometimes three times a week so when we are able to get a child to sit, crawl, stand or walk for the first time, it is the most rewarding feeling.  I love watching the children make progress and what is even more rewarding are the families that get to see their child make big leaps in their motor skills.
Danielle: There are so many great things about being a pediatric therapist. Seeing the kids progress is the biggest reward and specifically seeing how excited some of the children get when they succeed at something that was previously difficult for them – writing their name for the first time, complete a puzzle or catch a ball independently. The rapport that we build with families is also special. There are many families I’ve stayed in touch throughout the years and it is so nice to watch them grow.

Pictured Above: Danielle & her family

What is your #1 tip for parents who feel like their kids need some help with their gross/fine motor skills?
Sneha: 
I always tell parents to trust their gut and if they feel like their child needs some help with their motor skills that they should speak to their Pediatrician, express their concerns and ask for a referral to see a Pediatric Physical or Occupational therapist. The earlier you intervene, the faster you see progress in terms of gross/fine motor skills.
Danielle: You know your child best.  If you are concerned it is always best to touch base with your pediatrician. They can refer you to a pediatric therapist for an evaluation. From there, the therapist can let you know if there are any specific areas your child should work on.

How do you juggle work with mommyhood?
Sneha: 
As cliché as it sounds, it takes a village!  It is challenging having two kids plus a practice but we make it work because I love what I do.  Luckily, my husband gets to work from home when he is not traveling, so that makes things a lot easier, especially getting ready in the morning. We also have a nanny who helps out during the day. I try and prep in the evenings when the kids are asleep to make the following day go as smooth and possible for all of us!
Danielle: I try to stay as organized as possible!  It can definitely be tough, but prepping dinner ahead of time is always key after getting home from a long day!  Some days can be a bit more flexible, so I can run some errands midweek which is so helpful.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Sneha: The best advice I ever got was: You will always worry about your children no matter what, so take every day one day at a time and enjoy the small moments in that day because time really does fly. Since hearing this, I try and spend as much time after work with my little ones & try my best not worry so much about their futures. I try to be in the moment and just enjoy that.
Danielle: Enjoy the little moments and to do what works best for you.  I try my best to spend as much time with my son as possible when I get home from work; however, the nighttime routine takes over and it’s bedtime before I know it!  That was a big factor on being home one day a week, so I am able to spend time with him.

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