Smarty Mom: Karen Barrett

Charlotte Smarties, I’m super excited to introduce you to Karen Barrett! I met her pretty early on after moving to this great Queen city and she is such an inspiring mommy! Always running around, literally, with three kids and an amazing husband, I wanted you all to get to know her better, too. Let’s learn more about Smarty Karen!

Karen’s Smarty Mom Quick Facts:

Married to: Rich Barrett
Mom of: Evan Samantha Drew, age 5, Elliot Kate, age 3, Miles Alexander, age 20 months
Hails from: Hadley, MA
Representing what hood: South Charlotte
Occupation: SAHM

Tell us how your three pregnancies were different.

Well, I was still working full time in advertising when pregnant with my first daughter. Also, we didn’t find out the gender so that was a wonderful game-day surprise! The girls are 21 months apart and Evan Samantha kept me pretty busy until her sister came along. And by the time we were pregnant with Miles, I was chasing two toddlers (he and Elliot Kate are 23 months apart). We were very surprised #3 was a boy since all my pregnancies were very similar!

What one piece of baby equipment could you not live without?

I’d have to say a Pack ‘n Play. Our babies slept in the bassinet attachment in our bedroom for the first couple of months and we also used one downstairs as a place to safely put the baby if you needed your hands free for a moment. It performs double duty as a changing table too. And then you have a portable crib for when you travel!

What’s a day in the life like?

Varies depending on the day with my kids’ and husband’s schedules but it usually includes either a morning run or class at the Y, a play date with friends, a little dress-up, dance party fun, reading books, going to the pool and not sitting down until about 8pm ☺

Summer break is here, what are you looking forward to doing with the family?

We love to go to Hilton Head every year, so we can’t wait for that!

What’s your ideal date night?

A casual, non-rushed dinner with my husband, preferably tapas-style so we can try lots of different things and eat too much. Also chocolate fondue dessert at The Melting Pot!

What’s your favorite activity to do with your family/kid(s)?

My all-time favorite is reading books with the kids. But I also love taking walks, going swimming, visiting Carowinds, hitting up the greenways or playgrounds and the bookstore or Target together.

Best kept secret in Charlotte?

The Jewish Preschool on Sardis! In addition to teaching your child the fundamentals of learning, arguably even more important is how they encourage children to be caring individuals who help each other and do for others. Cannot say enough good things. Love JPS!

Minivan or SUV?

Both! I drive a Honda Odyssey and Rich, an SUV.

Favorite Smarty phone app?

Nike + Running — It’s GPS-based to track distance and time and talks to you along the way.

What’s a fun fact that no one knows about you?

I used to do musical theater and performed in Jesus Christ Superstar in Syracuse, NY, with Tony Award winner Steve Kazee as Judas.

I could not live without…

My family, but that goes without saying so I’ll also add running, eating out, reality TV, celebrity gossip, my girlfriends, boy bands and dogs.