How many kids do you each have and what are their ages?
I have two boys – my older son is 2 years old and younger one is 3 months old.
I have two boys – my older son is 2 years old and younger one is 3 months old.
What are your favorite family activities in the area?
Our favorite activity is Stepping Stones Museum. We used to go everyday before COVID. We also love visiting Silverman’s Farm.
Why did you decide to raise your family in this area?
I was raised here, its home. We love the diversity in this area and all that it has to offer for children. It’s a balance of city / suburbia. We are able to go to great restaurants, go to the aquarium, museums but also farms and nature centers.
Tell us about your career.
Currently I’m a stay at home mom. I used to be an analyst in the commodities field prior to have my kids. Recently I started a small Etsy shop out of passion.
What inspired you to start your Etsy shop, CreativeMamaBearShop?
My older son has some sensory needs. When quarantine started I instantly became his OT, along with everything else. I started to scramble to find activities to keep him stimulate with things we already have at home. I started getting creative and I saw that my son was really enjoying sensory bins a lot better than he did his light up toys and things.
Tell us about your sensory boxes.
I make sensory boxes which include a number of different components. They’re a few of different themes to choose from.
I make sensory boxes which include a number of different components. They’re a few of different themes to choose from.
Sensory boxes provide multiple benefits to children including:
• Stimulates senses (such as touch, sight, sound, smell, and sometimes taste)
• Provides children a chance to explore and play.
• Aides in fine motor skills
• Aides in speech development by labeling items in the box
• Can be used to expand learning by pairing it with a book or lesson
Sensory activities provide tactile learning experiences, allowing little ones to practice life skills while working on their fine motor skills and creativity. Watch your little one dig, scoop, pour, and transfer from one container to the next, squish and smash Playdough into different shapes, and explore mathematical concepts like measurements and capacity- all through PLAY.
What are your favorite indoor toddler activities?
Our favorite indoor activity is sensory play, shaving cream, ice cubes, rice, lentils. You name it!
How do you juggle your new Etsy shop with mommyhood… especially during COVID-19?
It’s definitely been a bit of a challenge but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 2020 was all about challenges. It also gave us time to tune out the noise and turn inward to find your passion, try something new, that’s exactly what I did and ran with it !
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Give yourself grace! Everyone parents differently. Don’t look use social media is as standard. What you may see in a posed picture may not be exactly how it seems in real life. I try my best to show that things get messy but that’s part of the fun!