This week’s “Meet a Mom Monday” features the incredible Kimberly DeLaura, an Occupational Therapist and the owner of EXPLORE Pediatrics.
Originally from New Jersey, Kim moved to Pembroke with her husband, a South Shore native in 2016. She is a dedicated “boy mom” to her two sons, eight-year-old Charlie Jr. and five-year-old Cade, who are her world!
Kim brings a wealth of expertise to her field. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University, she has continued to obtain numerous certifications to broaden her skillset. Her commitment to professional growth while balancing motherhood and business ownership is truly impressive.
Kim founded EXPLORE Pediatrics in 2020 to address the lack of resources for families who needed support but were unable to enroll in traditional OT. Her practice focuses on bringing families together through nature to promote healing and well-being. Kimberly and her team provide a unique, nature-based approach for children ages four months to 10 years old who are facing social, emotional, motor, or sensory challenges, with the goal of instilling confidence, independence, and joy.
When she isn’t running her business, Kim enjoys spending the summer with her family on Duxbury’s drive-on beach.
Read on to learn more about the inspiration behind EXPLORE Pediatrics and Kimberly’s favorite parts of living on the South Shore.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in New Jersey, in a small beach town called Sea Girt. Life was fully centered around the beach, the ocean and nature! I quite literally spent time at the beach every single day of my life, as we only lived a few walking blocks away from it. It was the best place to grow up, and I still look forward to our annual visits.
Tell us about your family! How many kids, names/ages?
I am happily married to my best friend and amazing husband, Charlie. We met in 2013 and were married in 2016. Charlie is a South Shore native, which is how I landed here. He’s helped me become the best version of myself and is extremely supportive of my company. Together, we live in Pembroke and have 2 wonderful sons. Charlie Jr. is 8 years old, and Cade is 5 years old. I love being a boy mom! Recently, my parents have joined us at our home in our new in-law set up so now we have 3 generations under one roof.
How did you start your business?
In graduate school, I wrote an essay for a course that was centered around entrepreneurship. In it I dreamed of owning many acres of land, to create an outdoor haven for children and their families to escape to. That essay became a reality in 2020. I started my business as a concerned therapist and mom; watching the slow quiet decline of young children needing more support for things that historically were not reasons to enroll into OT. As I dug into the research, and motherhood, the stars aligned for me.
Launching EXPLORE Pediatrics came from a mission to create necessary opportunities for all children, including my own. The entire business has been bootstrapped by word of mouth, networking, posting flyers in every small business you can think of, and from lots of love. The team that helped me build this mission are still part of my life and team! Here we are 5 years later, and it feels more important than ever. Words that bubble up for me whenever I talk about my experience so far include gratitude, humble, love, passion and driven.
Where do you now call home and how long have you lived there?
Pembroke is home now. I have been living here since 2016!
What is your favorite part about living on the South Shore?
The community. Coming from a small town, it feels serendipitous. Small towns, communities that connect – that is what makes it feel like home to be honest. It was hard moving to a new state in my 20’s, but now I value and appreciate this area. I love that I can be the only car driving on a backroad. I love that I can be to the ocean in 10 minutes or the woods in 10 minutes. I love all of the robustness that each season brings in New England. The South Shore is magic.
What family activity do you enjoy most?
This varies season to season but I would say the 4 of us are most happy at Duxbury drive on beach, after a full beach day and then heading off to Blakeman’s for fried shrimp dinner.
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
The connection. It is hard to describe what it feels like to witness growth in a child, and in a family, but I have a front row seat to it. As does our entire team at EXPLORE. The work that goes into each family we serve is quiet and steady. Week after week showing up to help support in whatever way we can. Sometimes that looks like co-regulation, sometimes that looks like digging in the ground together, sometimes we are swinging high in the air in a hammock. The moments vary but the mission does not. Being a therapist is so fulfilling.
Are you involved with any non-profits or do any volunteering?
Yes. I have been a partner in hope with St. Jude for over 15 years. I also donate to local non-profits that have strong meaningful relationships for us. We love the Cohasset Working Dog Foundation as all of our therapy dogs that attend our programs come from this foundation! What an incredible group of people doing meaningful work.
What do you find to be the toughest part about being a working mom?
Making sure I do not completely empty my own tank during the day, so I can continue to pour into my children and family in the afterschool hours, evenings and weekends. Keeping a balance in life is tricky, but I”ve learned that it’s actually easier than you think if you find the right tools and are relentless about using them. Being an OT is a gift for striking balance given the knowledge I have about the human body, brain and nervous system. I am very attuned to my inner voice, my own needs and understanding how to shift my own nervous system at any given moment. This helps me at home, with entrepreneurship and with my long term health goals.
What is the best advice you have received as a mom?
To not get stuck in the day to day weeds. Life is short, unpredictable and can be messy but that is part of the story. I heard from a parent one time that if you can truly view life as a journey, an unfolding story each day, you will feel less stressed about the small moments that seem to throw you off. And, I’ve been able to adopt this mindset shift over the years. 
What is your best advice for a new mom?
Breathe. Know yourself really well (including your triggers and limits). Don’t be shy about having boundaries, and asking for help. Always trust your gut instinct. It is rarely wrong.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m more of an introvert than an extrovert! As much as I love people and connecting with others, I truly value my quiet time. It is in those moments when I get very reflective.
Is there a Quote or mantra you live by?
Trust yourself. I literally write this down in my journal every single day.
Your go-to Pandora/Spotify/Apple Music station?
Yes! Music is the ultimate connector and regulation tool. I float between music and podcasts often. I listen to A Zen Mind for my evening meditation and wind down time. I love YouTube Music because I have a workout mix from the 90’s and 2000’s that gets me pumped up and nostalgic. Podcasts I really enjoy listening to on Spotify are Be That Girl by Emily Judice, and A Diary of a CEO.
Your favorite local spot for: date night, coffee break, workout, new outfit, self-care, “me time”
Date Night: Roht Marine in the summer
Coffee Break: Slacktide
Workout: I actually workout at home using the Ladder App. I love waking up at 5am, heading to the basement and being fully charged up by 6am!
New Outfit: Derby Street Shoppes for all of the goodies
Self-Care: Alluna Skin Care in Hanover for the best facials; The Face Place and Spa for a massage
Me Time: You’ll find me in my massage chair at home, on a trail for a nature walk or at the beach with my feet in the sand
Anything else you’d love to share?
On the profession of Occupational Therapy. There is often much confusion about what we do exactly, and the value this profession brings to the conversation or to a family. I find that our scope of practice is quite large, which can confuse families when they suddenly hear “You should find an OT.”
Occupational Therapists are healthcare professionals. We can work with any age throughout the lifespan, and can support nearly any pathology or diagnosis. That is what makes us unique! We are the only holistic healthcare provider in the industry (meaning we can support the body/physical outcomes, the mind/cognition and mental health, the spirit, the community and the environment). OT’s are experts in the human body as we have strong backgrounds and working knowledge of neuroscience, psychology, anatomy & physiology, life span development and more. All of our interventions and frameworks are rooted in research.
Our goals and interventions should look different from person to person, setting to setting, because that is what creates individualized support. For us at EXPLORE Pediatrics, we choose to work outdoors in nature due to the profound therapeutic benefits of being outside. And, it allows us to move forward with intention towards our mental health initiative in creating opportunities for disease prevention with our youth.
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To stay up to date on their summer programs and latest news, follow EXPLORE Pediatrics on social media. You can also visit their website to learn more about the practice, meet the team, learn how to enroll your child, and schedule your free discovery call.