Sensory Smart Mom on the Street: Elisabeth Figert
Whether she is creating sensory kits for children around the country or spending quality time with her own two girls, Sensory Smart Mom on the Street Elisabeth Figert exudes creativity and joy. Read on to learn more about this all-around super mom and entrepreneur.
Meet Elisabeth
Elisabeth Figert is a content creator who focuses on sensory play at The Foreign Mom LLC. Elisabeth believes that sensory play enhances language development, sparks creativity, and improves memory in young children. She started her own sensory subscription kit line at The Foreign Mom LLC that ships sensory kits to families every month. Each kit has a new theme and focuses on child development.
Elisabeth was recently interviewed by Fox News, where she shared more about her subscription sensory kits. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in art and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Elisabeth’s focus during her studies was child development and parenting.
Sensory Smart Mom Family Foundation
What brought you to the United States from Germany and why did you stay?
Honestly, I needed a change. I moved to the big city to do an apprenticeship program when I was 16 and worked for a lawyer for 7 years. After 7 years of getting up in the morning and doing the same exact job every single day I decided I was too young for that and I needed to travel the world.I stayed in the US because I was accepted into university where I graduated with honors with a Bachelor in Psychology and a Minor in Art. I later married my husband Bill and we have two daughters together.
The Foreign Mom Blog
What inspired you to create your own blog? Starting a family in a foreign country was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Yes, including moving to a foreign country and learning another language.
Everything is so different from Germany, especially the health system. Navigating this without any female support was incredibly difficult. My husband is wonderful and very supportive but he wasn’t a pregnant mother or mom in general and he couldn’t help me with a lot of questions. I didn’t want that for other foreign moms, so I decided to start my blog The Foreign Mom.
Foreign Mom Sensory Kits
How did you get started creating sensory kits for kids? Within a couple of months of starting my blog, I fell in love with creating and sharing fun activities for kids. Let’s face it: entertaining toddlers all day is an art in itself.
During my studies, I learned about all of the benefits of sensory play. I instantly knew I wanted to focus on that type of play. First of all, it is extremely beneficial to children’s development. That is why you can find it in every preschool throughout the country and because it feels like exploring rather than our traditional form of learning. Studies have shown that children learn best when they get to use as many of their 5 senses as possible and sensory play allows them to do just that.
Plus, it really helps children and their caregivers to create a strong bond. At the end of the day, all our children want is to be seen and heard. Spending meaningful time with them will help them so much developmentally.
How can someone order a sensory kit if they want one? That’s a great question. Parents can visit my website and shop our subscription sensory kits there. We have monthly plans as well as long-term plans. You can cancel at any time under our monthly plan. In addition, we also offer mini kits and large sensory kits.
Sensory Smart Parenting
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family? I love when it’s sunny outside and we all get to play outside and have a BBQ. We usually do some type of sensory play. My children love when it includes water or sensory dough.
What’s been your best family vacation? My family is still in Germany and we try to vacation together yearly. In 2019 we all met in Mallorca ( a Spanish Island). The island is just so beautiful. We spent so much time together and the kids had the best time. Plus, the beaches and the food were just phenomenal.
What do you love about raising two girls? I’m not sure that it is really gender-specific, but I love getting creative with my children. We draw, paint, craft, etc. on a daily basis. But we also love to get active and play soccer in the backyard. What I love most about my girls is their strong bond and that they want to do everything together. That warms my heart.
Best parenting advice: Any information you ever get from friends, family, parenting books, etc. should be seen as a guideline. All children are different and have different needs. Only you and your partner really know what your children need. Listen to your instincts.
Parenting true confession: We went to the Easter egg roll at the White House years ago and my daughter Charlotte squatted in front of the White House going number two in her diaper. Everyone was amused by her. Well, she had to go!
What’s your go-to family dinner? Have you seen this recipe that is all over the Internet where you take a block of feta cheese and cherry tomatoes and bake it in the oven for 40 minutes? You then cook some pasta and add it to the feta and tomatoes. Mix well! It’s so easy and absolutely delicious. Perfect for Meatless Mondays.
What’s your favorite family restaurant? We love Peruvian chicken which makes Sardi’s the perfect family restaurant for my family.
Sensory Smart Life
What’s your favorite show to binge-watch? Right now it is The Last Kingdom. But I love the oldies like Friends, How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family.
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be? I love Charlize Theron. She can really adapt well to her role.
What’s your favorite beach read? I’m a kid at heart I don’t read at the beach. I play in the water or in the sand with my children. Or I really enjoy long beach walks.
What song would you dance to when nobody’s watching? “Try Everything” by Shakira. I listen to this song daily because it reminds me that we all fall at times but we have to keep trying.
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be? Wow, that’s a great question! Probably Steve Jobs. He was such a visionary and I would love to pick his brain about my company and marketing.
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list? I really want to take my family on a Disney cruise. Disney always seemed like a far dream growing up in Germany in the ’80s. I would love to share this experience with my girls and my husband. I heard their kids’ club is amazing and that parents would actually feel like they are on vacation as well. Every parent knows what I mean by that.
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day? A nice bath with a glass of wine. I take frequent salt baths and they really help me to relax from a long day of work.
Sensory Smart Style
Which three words best describe your style? Comfortable, cute, and casual.
Who’s your favorite style icon? I remember when Britney Spears was first pregnant I thought she looked so cute in her light blue tank top with a brown skirt. That was the moment I decided to dress in a cute way when I’m pregnant. Which I did. Nowadays, I keep it more simple since I’m either with my kids, working behind a computer, or packing sensory kits. But I always love a good pair of jeans.
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without? Do my sunglasses count? I cannot live without my sunglasses. I have light blue eyes and they are really sensitive to sunlight. Otherwise, I cannot live without my crystal bracelets.
What fashion/style did you love at the time, but now cringe when you see old photos? When I was a teenager everyone was wearing Palazzo pants and I loved them. I would probably cringe if I saw a pair today.
Stilettos or flats? I own these Nike tennis shoes that have a soft back (where your heal is) and they are so comfortable. No more blisters for me.
Life and Style
Elisabeth’s creative spirit and love for children give us so much inspiration! Her ambitious and caring outlook motivates us to follow our passions and enjoy life. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and her website to learn more about her life journey and sensory kits, perfect for sensory smart family life. And for more fun and stylish moms, be sure to check out FamilyApp’s Mom on the Street!
