We are a team at The Inspired Treehouse, not just here on the blog but in real life too! We met and worked together for several years at the same school district and have become great friends! Here’s a bit more about each of us.
Claire
Claire is mom to three sweet, noisy boys (Finn, Mitch, and Gray) and wife to Drew, a creative guy who stays busy with woodworking projects and refurbishing an old paratransit bus that their family uses as a camper. Claire began her career with a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism, but quickly changed courses to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy. She has worked since 2005 as an OT in public preschool/primary school settings and now at Claire & Lauren’s non-profit organization, The Treehouse. Claire loves blogging as a way to combine her talents as a writer and her experience as a therapist in a unique way. After spending the day surrounded by noisy kiddos (at home and at work), she relies on running, good food, and time outside to bring her back to center.
Lauren
Lauren is a busy mama of 3 who thrives on chaos. Mija, Sofija, and Nikolas, are living the same active and scheduled life as she did 25+ years ago. With weeks consisting of swim practices and meets, piano lessons, gymnastics, soccer, ethnic dance classes, and constant neighborhood kid meet-ups, they have “wheels on their butts” (as their great-grandmother used to say). Lauren is married to Vel, an amazing husband who balances her completely. She has been a physical therapist since 1998, spending most of her career in pediatrics. Her drive to make a difference in the lives of kids has led her entrepreneurial spirit in the direction of creating opportunities for play-based wellness and skill development. To come down from the stress, Lauren enjoys exercising like she’s still 20, yoga, chocolate, a great book, browsing Pinterest, and anything crafty!
Pam
Pam, a contributor and founding member of The Inspired Treehouse team, is a mother of two beautiful children, Jack and Ella. Their favorite pastimes include baseball and soccer games, dance, gymnastics, biking and scootering, and as much art as can be created in the meantime. Don’t forget aimlessly running around the yard with the neighborhood kids! As for Pam, she enjoys cooking, reading a good book, exercising including walks, yoga, and training with friends. She has been an occupational therapist since 1997 and has worked in several environments including pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, step down NICU, and currently school based. This quote has traveled with Pam to each desk she has claimed while being an OT and helps her stay focused both in her career and as a mom. “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person who passes by leaves a mark.”