Mama Minute with Florence Baras

What’s Halloween like in your house?

Halloween is a little bit magical and a little bit chaotic, which I think is true for most moms. For us, it also happens to fall during one of the busiest seasons at work, so there’s definitely a lot of juggling behind the scenes. But we always try to make it feel special for our boys. I think that’s motherhood in so many ways: holding a lot at once, trying to keep the magic alive, and knowing that even in the craziness, those are the moments they’ll remember.

Are you a DIY-costume mom or add-to-cart mom?

Definitely an add-to-cart mom. We’re also a pretty no-waste household, so my kids tend to repeat their costumes year after year until they truly can’t squeeze into them anymore. If the zipper still closes, we’re calling it a win. I may not be sewing costumes from scratch, but I do love the traditions and little creative moments that come with the holidays. I’ve learned that being a great mom doesn’t have to mean doing everything yourself - sometimes it just means knowing where to put your energy so you can actually enjoy it with them.

What made this collaboration feel like such a natural fit?

This collaboration felt incredibly natural because both Tubby Todd and Sockerbit share a genuine love for family and thoughtful everyday experiences.  At the heart of both brands is the idea that small things can feel incredibly meaningful. We care deeply about creating products that people and their families feel good about bringing into their homes, and that shared perspective made the collaboration feel easy and authentic. Plus, both brands love to have fun and what better way than to bring Halloween to life! 

What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a mom that now you totally do?

I always imagined I would be one of those endlessly patient mothers, calm in every moment. And while that’s still the version of myself I aspire to, the reality is that life gets busy and demanding, and I don’t always have the patience I wish I did. Motherhood has taught me a lot about humility and grace. More than anything, it has shown me that being present and loving matters far more than being perfect.

What would you say is your superpower?

No matter how full work gets, I still make dinner for my family every night. It’s a small thing, but to me it’s one of the ways I stay grounded and connected to home. In a life that can feel fast and demanding, creating that moment to come together at the table feels really meaningful. I think my superpower is being able to hold both ambition and family life with a lot of heart.

What’s a tiny parenting win that feels HUGE?

One of the things I’m most grateful for is that we still take our children to Sweden every summer, so they can experience the same kind of childhood my husband had growing up. It takes a lot to make it happen - especially while still working U.S. hours and managing the time difference - so it’s definitely not effortless. But giving them that connection to family, culture, and a slower, more grounded kind of summer feels incredibly important to us. It’s one of those things that can seem small from the outside, but means everything to our family.

Any Tubby Todd must-haves?

I can’t live without the Hair + Body Wash and the Lotion in lavender and rosemary. They’re always in our bathroom and stocked in the closet because running out is simply not an option in our house. They make bath time feel a little more fun for my boys, which as any parent knows is always a win, but I also love the peace of mind that comes from knowing we’re using products made with high-quality ingredients that feel safe and gentle for my family. 

Any Halloween traditions that you’re excited to pass down to your kids?

One tradition I’m really excited to pass down is what we do with all the Halloween candy after trick-or-treating. Instead of letting it sit in a giant bowl for weeks, we use all the candy for our gingerbread house decorating tradition as a little kickoff to the next holiday season. I love that it gives the candy a second life and turns one celebration into the start of another. It’s such a fun bridge between Halloween and the holidays, and the kids get so excited seeing their trick-or-treat haul become part of something creative we do together as a family and with friends!