Meet a Mom: Linda | Hudson County Moms

How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
Thank you, this is so exciting! I have one daughter who is turning two this summer!

How long have you lived in Hudson County? What made you decide to live here?
I grew up in Kearny (Soccer Town, USA) on the best block in America! I had an amazing childhood here where I spent a lot of time outdoors. For a couple of years I lived in Jersey City Heights with my then boyfriend, now husband. It was back when Hurricane Sandy really did a number on us. I was working at a school in Hoboken and public transportation was down due to the flooding. What once was a train ride away for me, turned into a 3 bus commute. He was born and raised in Jersey City and to me it was new territory. I absolutely fell in love with how lively the city can be. We bought a house in Kearny a few years ago and started our little family! It’s close enough to the city but just far enough to give you a suburb feel.

What’s your favorite family activity in Hudson County?
My favorite family activity in Hudson County would be doing anything outdoors. Throw in a view and I’m all set! Luckily, we have so many beautiful parks with a waterfront. If we aren’t exploring a new park, we like to head down to Hoboken, pick up some empanadas from La Isla Restaurant and then head to the pier for a picnic. Angel and I would meet there on my lunch break when we were dating & now we go there with our daughter. <3

Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in your town?
My favorite place to eat in town? That’s a tough one because we have a few hidden gems. I would say our town has a couple of popular Brazilian and Portugese restaurants we love to order from. There is a small bakery in my neighborhood that just expanded and is now an amazing Japanese Infusion Cafe! It’s called Curiosity by Intrinsic (@CuriositybyIntrinsic)! It’s a charming little place.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21st which also happens to be my birthday. I think that’s pretty special but I don’t think it’s very well known. We are starting some new traditions in our family in honor of it.

What are you doing to stay sane during Covid for yourself?
I started off baking, I’ve always enjoyed making small treats and desserts. I had fun putting all my gadgets to use and trying out new recipes. My favorite is apple pie cookies! But then I got tired of cleaning the kitchen, which is an endless job already. Writing has also been a favorite pastime but over the years I stopped. Quarantine life gave me my creativity back. Right now I enjoy journaling which has really helped with the influx of emotions that comes with living through a global pandemic.

Any tips or recommendations for parents to entertain/educate their children during this time?
Yoga with Cosmic Kids is great! We also love dancing to Zumba Kids. For me, keeping a schedule has been really helpful. Our days consist of morning walks, trips to the playground, story time, arts & crafts. It helps that she has a routine and it keeps me balanced. As a former teacher I have a few tricks up my sleeve but I would say the last epic idea came from my husband. One day we were stuck inside due to the rain and we were all pretty bored. He took it upon himself to inflate a bunch of balloons and filled up the living room. Talk about excitement on a toddler’s face!

Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
A big heartfelt thank you to my father. He somehow just knows what I need without telling him. Whether it’s making lunch, picking up toys, or getting us out of the house. He always knows how to come in and save the day.

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
My friend and I just started a business specifically for the Hudson County and neighboring areas (Embrace Le Family). We are a personal childcare service agency, offering nanny recruitment, tutor and babysitting services, in addition to educational resources. My business partner, Jessica, and I met while working as administrators in daycare in the Jersey City/Hoboken area. We are very excited to serve our community and share our years of experience in childcare. As a teacher & now Mama, I created an easy to follow activity guide for toddlers as part of our curriculum. I look forward to working with other parents & caregivers to help keep their little ones engaged, active & learning!

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
The sense of community here is unmatched. I am truly blessed to have made some lifelong friends working in Jersey City & Hoboken. They have been super supportive throughout my career as an educator. I hope we can return to the days of street festivals and live bands and enjoy each other’s company like we used to. Social Media has really helped me make connections with other Jersey bloggers, small businesses and creatives, especially during these isolating times. I look forward to connecting with more amazing people!

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