mom about town
THINGS I’M LOVING RIGHT NOW 5
Mother. Jet-setter. Educator. Advocate. Since 1999, Paula Polito, Ph.D., has owned and operated Beary Cherry Tree, a five-star childcare center in Metairie. Over the last five years, she’s taken a step back from her director role to focus on advocating for early childcare and education. She even recently earned her Ph.D. in Urban Studies. Dr. Polito serves in many vital roles, but perhaps her most cherished one is being a mom. Paula and her husband, Darrin, owner of Performance Therapy Services, have three children: Preston, Sophia, and Pierce. DR. PAULA POLITO ADVOCATING
Brother Martin football is a huge thing for us right now since Preston plays. My daughter plays softball for Mount Carmel, and that kicks in in the spring. My little one does a lot since he’s 11, like flag football and basketball. Between school and Pontiff Playground, we just do whatever the sport is of the season. SUPPORTING THE KIDS
Since purchasing the center from my mother, every day I was developing relationships with families and teachers and making this the very best childcare center it could be. I want all children to be able to access high-quality care and education, so I advocate in many ways, serving on boards and task forces state-wide and as part of a group called Jefferson Ready Start Network.
We knocked a few things off the list this trip: my husband’s birthday, my kids’ love of the sport, and my love of travel. We were in and out so quickly, but my little one got to meet the LSU baseball players, and he was thrilled! OMAHA
OUR ANNIVERSARY
My husband and I have been married for 20 years now. For our anniversary, we went to France, and we took a ship from Nice to Barcelona. When you have three kids and you both own companies, it’s very difficult to put time away. So it was a nice quiet time for us to just get away. My favorite stop was Corsica: so beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil.
SUNDAY FAMILY DINNERS When you have a 17-year-old with a vehicle, you rarely see them except on the field or at dinner. So on Sundays, I’ll cook
dinner and have everybody over, including my dad. We watch football and hang out. I change it up, but spaghetti and meatballs is a popular entree.
14 NOVEMBER 2023 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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