Do It All Mamas (& Papas): Meet the mom behind Charlie's Playhouse

November 5, 1:45 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Early Childhood Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Kate with Izzy and Caleb

In today's Do It All Mamas (& Papas) the spotlight is on Kate Miller, mom to Izzy (8) and Caleb (5) and the founder of Charlie's Playhouse.

Examiner: Tell me something unique/interesting about yourself.

Kate: As a social scientist, I have traveled all over sub-Saharan Africa doing research on women's reproductive health. Wonderful people, great music, jaw-dropping sights and plenty to reflect on. Senegal is my favorite. If you ever get the chance, go!

Examiner: What is your business all about? 

Kate: Charlie's Playhouse (www.charliesplayhouse.com) makes the first-ever games and toys that introduce kids to evolution and Charles Darwin. Kids deserve to know the dazzling story of life on Earth, which comes complete with bizarre creatures, epic battles, volcanoes, meteorites and constant change, among other eye-catchers. Dinosaurs are just the beginning!

Examiner: What is your favorite product that you make or sell and why do you like or recommend it?

Kate: Our flagship product is the Giant Evolution Timeline, a huge play mat illustrating 600 million years of evolution. Kids can skip, jump and play along it, accompanied by 67 bizarre ancient creatures from the fossil record, six mass extinctions, a cartoon "Charlie" Darwin, and much more! With its unique accordion-fold design, the mat can be read on your lap like a storybook for quiet times, or stood up on its side like a fort, or laid out flat on the floor for fully 18 feet of full-body fun! Includes Activity Guide with plenty of raucous, kid-tested games and activities for ages 4-10. Made in the USA from environmentally responsible materials.

Check out this video of the Giant Evolution Timeline:

Examiner: Why did you start your business?

Kate: When dinosaur-mania washed over my kids a few years ago, we started talking about evolution and Charles Darwin. It was all very innocent and unremarkable. Then I went online one day looking for some educational stuff about evolution to buy for them. I found nothing, nada. I dug deeper, I made calls, I scoured. Zilch, zero. Parents can buy educational games and toys about every other branch of science escept this one. How annoying! And so, armed with hope, spirit, and not much else, the kids and I decided to make and market our own toy designs. In late 2008 Charlie's Playhouse was born, and it's been a great ride so far. 

Examiner: What secret do you have to share with other parents about "having it all" with your family and business?

Kate: Wow, I don't have the secret. If anybody else does, I'm all ears. In fact, I don't think we can "have it all," at least not at the same time. For me, the family comes first and the business second. If the business suffers for that, so be it.

Examiner: What is the number one piece of advice you have for other parents?

Kate: Relax. Your kids are fine, their minds are expanding, they don't need another lesson or club. Come on over to my house one day after school, and we'll tumble around on the playroom floor doing nothing with crayons and blocks until we are all laughing like hyenas. It's so good.

Examiner: What is your (and your kids) favorite family activity?

Kate: That whole playroom/hyenas thing. It happens a lot. 

Examiner: Anything else you want to add?

Kate: Living your dream is great. But before you leap, check that the spreadsheet has a reasonable chance of balancing out. It might not, in which case living your dream could actually be a fat old bummer.