Rex & Co. (fka Laura Bo Creative)

Tag: family

  • Rex’s Room – The Original Concept Notes

    Rex’s Room – The Original Concept Notes

    In 2021 I set out to open a place in the neighborhood, it got lost in the chaos of life, and has since evolved, but these are the notes.

    It’s meant to be the village hub, about “It takes a village”.
    And I keep coming back to the mixing of generations and cultures. 
    A place for parents to be people, A place for people to be people

    Raise your hand if you have/want kids
    Raise your hand if you know someone who has kids
    Raise your hand if you have been bothered by kids in a restaurant.
    Raise your hand if you have judged someone with kids in a restaurant. 

    I would imagine there are a lot of hands raised right now…

    The vision had a corkboard wall dedicated to spreading kindness, joy, support, advice, as well as community resources like workshops, classes, etc.
    Write out the “manifesto” what would we write on the wall when you enter, what is the purpose, why are we here? 
    “Be gentle with other generations” – community board with notes –

    What is one thing you wish people would stop saying about your generation?
    What is something you don’t understand about other generations?
    Ask a question to another generation.
    And then also include a generation chart and polaroids of multi-gen visitors (self-submit).

    NOTE: How can we accommodate different generations?

    This led me down a path of research post-baby. Going to a restaurant with a baby was an extreme anxiety-inducing event for me. There had to be another way — I was given a book called Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff and it felt like fireworks and lightbulbs. Notes from an internet dive into related issues such as family dining and child development coughed up some of the below notes.

    Kids learn emotional regulation from us, but some of us don’t get to learn it from anybody else, so who are we supposed to learn it from? 

    “It’s that we all have different definitions of what is appropriate and expected in a public space, and often that changes depending upon the mood you’re in, the stress you’re under, and how the planets are aligned.” Via article on Scarymommy circa 2016/2020 here

    Bon Appetit Article Sources/Refs:

    https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/postpartum-care/the-excruciating-loneliness-of-being-a-new-mother/ (2018)

    https://www.vox.com/features/23191527/urban-planning-friendship-houston-cars-loneliness (2022)

    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1745691614568352

    https://www.heart.co.uk/lifestyle/parent-sparks-debate-selfish-let-children-cry-restaurants/

    Quote to respond, which came from the original post via buzzfeed as of April in 2023 https://www.buzzfeed.com/rossyoder/restaurant-etiquette-for-2023

    Ross Yoder -> NY-based food editor. Say hello — ross.yoder@buzzfeed.com

    https://www.parents.com/is-it-ok-to-bring-kids-food-to-restaurants-7506891

    One solution could be to never go out to eat until your kids are in college. But then they miss out on the valuable lessons that can be learned in a restaurant setting, such as how to behave themselve

    s in public and use their manners. Another solution—sharing a meal or letting your kids eat off your plate.

    Using their manners article – 22 manners your kids should know? WHY? https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/25-manners-kids-should-know/

    How restaurants can create a more inclusive experience for kids with autism article is here

    “The relationship between children and restaurants is always going to be slightly strained. It’s nearly impossible for a restaurant to cater successfully to everybody, and one of the most obvious clashing points is always likely to be that between young families and people who don’t like the presence of children.”  https://www.them-apples.co.uk/2010/03/should-kids-be-allowed-to-eat-in/

    https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/kristen-bell-lets-kids-order-nonalcoholic-beers/story?id=101661812

    What happened to American parenting?

    I spent the better part of 2020 at home with my boyfriend and my pets, online scrolling, consuming content, and being isolated like the rest of the world. My anxiety has skyrocketed. 

    “No parent goes to a restaurant and wants their child to misbehave. Not a single parent.”

    Every parent has a horror-story about a meal gone wrong – https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2017-03-03/the-difficulties-of-dining-with-kids/

    “In many ways, the innovation of the children’s menu changed the ways that families move through public spaces, for better and for worse. Indeed, the children’s menu is the story of America, from Manifest Destiny to the postwar baby

    The Brain Dump

    Given my background in branding and marketing, I like to tackle strategy backwards. Here were my notes for an ad campaign and/or pitch deck about the project concept:

    Calling Ridgewood parents

    Rex’s room – a place for parents to be grownups and parent at the same time

    First and foremost we are kid fucking friendly. 

    The space was created for parents to be able to feel like an adult without having to find a sitter or feeling like they are disruptive in a regular cafe setting. 

    First time parent? We got you. 

    Thinking about kids? We got you.

    Looking for comfort classics? We got you. 

    Picky eater? We got you. 

    Call it a practice place. But we also serve beer & wine, seltzer and non alcoholic stuff DUH. 

    Private nursing rooms that are not a toilet. 

    Private stalls like rolo’s or something like phonebooth style for nostalgia (this would probably be more expensive since they would need to be soundproofed) 

    Sound Proof Space or Dining Space for a larger group, a meeting, etc. 

    Private events ?

    How to be a community space but also profit? 

    Minimal overhead & staffing

    Partner with local spots for vendors and food

    What kind of random shit do we sell that’s profitable?

    Easy classics 

    Drip coffee

    Chicken nuggets

    Grilled cheese Add apple

    How do you create a space that makes parents feel relaxed, and also is engaging enough for kids to stay occupied but not overwhelming?

    Interior design and sound muffling, ceiling design, 

  • Dear Parents – part deux

    Dear Parents – part deux

    The following was an email sent to the parent community at my kids school.

    Hi Parents & Friends!

    Laura Rex, back again with some updates, ideas and general thoughts.

    It’s a new year and for me personally it has been an absolute dumpster fire so far. If we haven’t gotten to know each other yet, that’s cool. There is always time. For those of you I have gotten to know, I appreciate you. We might not be cut from the same cloth, but everyone loves a good quilt. 
    Now let’s get some of the admin and reminders out of the way👍

    It’s Tuesday, and the 2nd Tuesday of every month is FAMILY NIGHT at The Seneca. After lots of chats with different folks, I am stoked to share that Family Night is becoming a weekly, we are adding a VCR for that nostalgic 📼 VHS goodness, and revamping some of the deals. Hope to see you there 🎉 


    The 2nd Annual *school* Auction will take place April 7-13 2025, and we need help with sourcing and collecting donations — There is a quick survey HERE for preferences and auction ideas, do me a favor please and check it out. If you have an idea, we want it! Want to promote your business, let’s do it! Know someone who might be interested, let us know!

    In Other News:  THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the parent fund. Back in November I used one of my awkward tokens to ask the community for a monthly contribution ($5/month was the suggestion), and I was blown away at the response. We raised $1100 collectively! ROUND OF APPLAUSE. 

    The $ will be covering the following: All teacher appreciation initiatives, Special events & Supplies (Holiday party, Spring Picnic, Moving Up Ceremony, etc), Ideas have been floated about Leaving a cushion for the crew next year to get started, or donating the leftovers to fundraising, Insert your COOL idea here (but really in the form I will share soon). 

    Let’s Be Real. Hi I’m Laura. 


    I believe that transparency is the best policy – so for me you get what you get at all times, in all places. I have ADHD, I’m on the spectrum somewhere, I am awkward, often loud, brutally honest, filled with love, ideas, and questions. I ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. I use “curse” words regularly, and I do my best to not offend people, but I’m generally an unfiltered person. If you have met me, you’ve probably seen me cry (no shame here). 

    In 2024, the Surgeon General issued an advisory related to parenting, so if you are feeling alone in how stressful this shit is, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 

    We were all people before we were parents. Parenting is fucking hard, and it has recently come to my attention that many of us have been looking for a village, a friend, or literally any type of connection — So let’s connect! 

    Please don’t mistake this for me expecting everyone to be my “friend”, but some of y’all peaked in high school and it shows. If I am not your cup of tea, no harm, no foul. You just keep doing you. However if you’d like to have tea or coffee, vent, rant, walk, etc. I’m looking at hosting it on Friday mornings after drop-off after break. 

    THE FUTURE IN 2025:

    In an effort to not exhaust myself yet again, or “over promise and under deliver” by attempting to do ALL of the things, I have put together a brief list of ideas, events, initiatives, etc. If something resonates, let’s find a way. Throw your expectations and assumptions out the window. I’m here for it. 

    Clothing Swap – As Springtime quickly approaches and everyone starts thinking about “spring cleaning”, a number of folks have communicated an interest in participating in a clothing swap. 

    School Retreat/Vaca takeover – Aiming for Spring break dates. More info coming soon. 

    Community Cookbook – I attempted this last year, made it WAY too complicated, and it got lost in the shuffle when the timing lined up with the auction, spring picnic, and the chaos of life. The goal was to create a communal resource of recipes and meals that our kids and families love, that are easy. We had a decent amount of responses, and I would love to share them with current, past and future families. 

    Parents Night Out Rotation – With coordination and communication, I’d love to explore giving parents a break for personal time, date night, or whatever TF you want to do with your time, while simultaneously fostering connections of the kids.

    Next week, you can expect another update/reminder about all of the things. Feel free to text me at any time, or shoot me an email  with your thoughts, questions, feelings, no matter how weird or silly they may seem. 

    Thanks for coming to my REX TALK – hope to see you out and about. 

  • Dear Parents,

    Dear Parents,

    Last night at Family Night I watched a little girl be inherently mean to my kid, over and over. My kid is 3. In an effort to let her “handle” the situation on her own, I would check in periodically, I stayed close by.

    She looked so sad and confused. And then I just couldn’t.  I told her when she was ready to leave we could go home and have ice cream (yes I absolutely bribed my kid to leave). We left 10 minutes later. 

     We all have varying degrees of what’s acceptable, but honestly this shit is getting old. I refuse to accept the excuses that “boys will be boys, and that’s just how girls are at that age.”

    WHAT? Nope. Sorry. No thank you.

    Can we stop making excuses for our kids behavior when its shitty? It seems like as parents we often excuse certain things because it is a direct reflection of ourselves, or we become aware of how our words and actions have shaped our own kids consciously or not.

    I believe we can do better. I know for a fact that a 4 year old saying “You make no sense, I am going to ignore you and everything you say” while simultaneously blocking and pushing a younger kid didn’t come from nowhere. Not allowing my kid to try and make friends with any other kid is shitty.

    let’s take a minute and think of how we can be supportive of each other and our children. I implore you to approach life from a place of curiosity and understanding vs. judgement and assumption.

    The displays of judgement and snobbiness that are infecting this neighborhood are ugly. Your kids see you. We all see you.

    To be continued…

  • Crazy Bear Lady, Crazy Bird Lady.

    My Grandma was an artist, she was my father’s mother. Everyone called her eccentric. Her house was covered in plants and paintings, she had cats, and the best climbing tree in her front yard. She fed the birds and the squirrels, and pretty much all of the critters that came to visit. She also liked to “chase bears” out of the neighborhood and back into the forest. They called her the crazy bear lady, and she was the absolute BEST.

    Sometimes I forget how much I adored and admired her. She spent all day painting things and talking to the animals, it sounded like the best life to me as a kid. We lost touch shortly after I cut contact with my dad, and i wish we hadn’t. After she passed, no one told me, so all of her art went who knows where and I was lucky enough to have 3 paintings given to me, one of them was of me, and I have the matching photo.

    I love birds. I always have. As a kid I wanted my superpower to be flight, I wanted to fly. When I moved into my current apartment, I was ecstatic to have such a busy backyard. Mind you, this is Ridgewood, Queens.We had squirrels, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, the little chickadees, Starlings, Catbirds, Woodpeckers, and most recently the Crows have moved into the neighborhood, and a Hawk has made it’s home nearby (like in the trees that border my yard nearby).

    I have a special place in my heart for Cardinals and Crows. I taught my daughter to ‘call’ for the crows by calling. They always come.

    To be continued….