Can you introduce yourself and let us know a bit about your family?
Hi! My name is Sarah Todd. I live in Mt. Lebanon with my husband, Tommy, and three daughters, Winnie (7), Etta (4), and Marlow (almost 2!). We also have a sweet labrador retriever named Scout who just had his 10th birthday.
What do you do for work?
I am a speech-language pathologist with experience working both in pediatrics and with adults who have experienced brain injuries or neurological disorders. I like to say I have a passion for “babies and brain injuries.” Currently I co-own and manage a pediatric private practice, Uptown Speech Therapy, with Carly Sweeney. Together, Carly and I proudly run our practice, see clients, and manage our wonderful team of therapists.
My weeks are very much split between my work at Uptown Speech and my work at home, as I spend a lot of time right now with my children and supporting my family at home.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
Most days start with an early workout, sometimes it’s 5:20am class at Mecka Fitness and sometimes it’s a home workout or outdoor run. When I get home, I shower, drink coffee, and reply to emails while making a game plan for the day, depending on what work needs to be done and what the girls have going on. Then my husband and I wake up the girls around 7:45am, eat breakfast, make lunches, get them dressed and ready for their days. Winnie, my 7-year old, is in elementary school right down the street from our house, so she trots out the door at 8:30am. Etta and Marlow are in various activities and preschool programs, so a typical day is spent with me at the library, skating lessons, museums, swimming, and their preschool programs. We have a lot of fun and I work when they are at school or napping. On Tuesdays, my mother-in-law helps so that I have one full day devoted to work which is when I see clients.
At 3:30pm we walk to pick up Winnie from school, then it is usually off to another activity or sports! We try to have dinner together most nights of the week around 6pm and our girls are bathed and in bed between 7-8pm each night. It is important to note that my husband works from home and is very involved in our daily run-around, we couldn’t manage the schedules we have without his flexibility each day!
What is a hobby or passion outside of parenting that brings you joy?
I love to play tennis, ski, and run! I squeeze in a few tennis games each week with friends, it is such a fun way to get together, catch up, and move our bodies! I love to ski and this year both Winnie and Etta are now independent skiers, so we have had an absolute blast skiing this year! And, though I avoid running in the cold entirely, I look forward to running when the temperatures warm up as I am running the Pittsburgh marathon relay with a few friends in May.
What is something that has made your parenting journey easier? (A product, mindset, or piece of advice, etc.)
The first thing to come to mind is my husband! Parenting has never felt overwhelming because of him. We are very much a team, he does everything I do and vice versa. We both really enjoy parenting and enjoy being with our girls. We root for each other and always encourage the other to take time for themselves or to get out with friends.
What is a piece of advice you would give to a new parent?
To have fun! All of our kids are amazing and SO much fun. When you start having fun with your kids, everything becomes so much easier, enjoyable, and memorable. Don’t take things too seriously and have some fun!
What is your favorite baby product that you’d recommend to a girlfriend expecting their first baby?
The MyBreastFriend nursing pillow is my actual best friend. I have worn that thing for more hours than I care to admit, but it has made the newborn phase of life so much easier.
What is a book/show/movie you recently read/saw that you loved?
I wish I could stay awake for a show or movie! I recently got a Kindle which has really helped my reading slump! I really loved Before We Were Yours. I am currently reading The Midnight Library and so far so good!
What is your coffee order?
Very boring 🙂 Large coffee with almond milk.
What are a few other local small businesses you are inspired by?
Dandelion Kids, of course, I love how they have built a community around their business, it is amazing! My go to businesses are: Golden Beetle for a hostess gift, Uptown Coffee for a quick coffee, Barefoot Stitches for a personalized baby gift, Mediterra for lunch with a friend, Mecka Fitness for a sweat, and Il Pizzaiolo wine bar for a night out!
Thanks so much to Sarah for giving us a little peak into her life. Uptown Speech is an amazing local resource (one of my kids has been in speech therapy with them and 10/10!). You can find Uptown Speech Therapy online here and on instagram here.
Cool Parents Club is a fun series featuring awesome Pittsburgh parents. Want to be highlighted? Email us at hello@shopdandelionkids.com! If you’re a parent and you’re here, trust us—you’re cool.
Dandelion Kids Blog 