Barrett Prendergast is the mother of three boys, an entrepreneur and a blogger. She started her own company, ValleyBrink Road, and is the co-founder of Mamamoods. Barrett connects with over 80k moms through various platforms and provides support and inspiration on their motherhood journey. Learn more about Barrett by checking out her blog: Barrett and the Boys.
Can you tell us about Valleybrink Road?
Valleybrink Road is a luxury gifting company I started almost ten years ago. We specialize in creating thoughtful and memorable gifting experiences for our customers. My husband, Andre Vippolis, came on board a few years ago to help grow the business as well. While we have definitely had our highs and lows, especially during the past few years with Covid, I feel really proud that we are still here and able to do something that we love and have put so much of our time and energy into.
What motivated you to start Mamamoods?
My best friend, Sonja Teri, and I really wanted to create a brand that celebrated an authentic portrayal of motherhood, both the magic and the mayhem. So many of the women who follow me on Instagram are the true inspiration for Mamamoods. They have been on this journey with me for all three of my children and really have been a support system in so many ways, even though many of us have never even met in real life. Sonja and I wanted to capture this idea of being a brand that also offers connection and community, not just a product. A place where we can hear other people’s stories, have some laughs, and share in all the moods we are experiencing.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a mom?
Not having enough time. Now, as a mom of three young boys, time is so magnified for me. It is all going by so fast and it feels like there is always more and more to do piling up.
I try my best to take a “one day at a time” approach to life, but it is much easier said than done.
What is your favorite part about being a mom?
The love and the laughter. It is so pure and unconditional. I feel showered in love each and every day and that is something I will forever be grateful for. That love and happiness is infectious and it really just lights up my life in the best kind of way.
What are a few of your favorite baby products?
In this early phase with Bruno, here are the things that have saved me this time around:
Bonsie Baby Onesies
Mini Bloom Fresh N’Clean Fresh N’ Clean Hair and Body Wash
Miracle Swaddle
Baby Shusher Sleep Soother
Babybjorn Bouncer
What do you love about Bonsie Skin to Skin Babywear?
The Bonsie skin-to-skin baby clothes are such a game changer in those early months. No zippers, snaps, or ties to deal with. The ability to open the top for skin to skin (for both parents) makes it much easier to incorporate that ritual throughout the day. The fabric is soft and Bruno just loves them!
What do you wish you would have known before having kids?
You need VERY little in the beginning. Soooo much stuff is thrown at you, especially with your first. Now, this third time around, I see how keeping it simple and having less around in those early months is better. You need some key basics and that’s about it!
Do you have any survival tips for mothers of 3?
Get that baby on a sleep schedule! We were very loose in terms of sleep training with our first two.
This time around we have been very scheduled since about 4 weeks and it is probably the only reason we are surviving right now. I put Bruno down at 6pm every night which allows me to then give time and attention to the other two boys. Hoping we get him sleeping through the entire night soon, as I desperately need more sleep!
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up at 6:30am, breakfast and get ready for school for the two older boys, bottle for Bruno and then off go Andre and the boys to school. My nanny comes at 8:00am and then I can shower and head off to work until 2:30pm, when I come home to get the baby and start carpooling (Andre does carpool two days a week and I do 3 days a week). Then, homework, making dinner, putting Bruno down and bath time, playing, reading and getting those older kids down. Then, responding to emails before trying to get my butt into bed as early as possible before we do it all over again. Woohoo! It's a lot just reading it!