Name: Tara Sue Sundem
Facebook: @hushabyenursery
Instagram: @hushabye.nursery
Website: www.hushabyenursery.org
Age: 53
Title: Co-Founder of Hushabye Nursery
Married/Single: Happily married
Kids: 2 boys (young men) Carson 22 yo and Cole 25 yo
City you live in: Gilbert
A typical day in my life… always starts with a cup of coffee.
I was born… in Mason City, Iowa. I have 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
My favorite thing about Arizona… is that there are no below-zero temperatures. In South Dakota during January, the average temperature is between 30 degrees and 10 below zero. Trotting to your parked car causes the hairs in your nose to freeze. I don’t miss that. Seriously, the weather enticed me to move, but the people and opportunities for fun are endless- this is why I have made Arizona my HOME.
I’m listening to… Murder with My Husband podcast. I love true crime mysteries.
My family… siblings- we are all competitive. We don’t take losing very well. My brothers are all things sports. Two of my sisters were all things sports. My oldest sister not so much, but she now coaches cheer- so she has come around to what is important! Ha!
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… Oprah Winfrey.
One thing I cannot live without… Fountain Diet Coke with extra ice! Carmex! I do love sweets too!
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a nurse…I always wanted to care for children. I didn’t think babies would be my love, but I have been blessed to have found the career I truly LOVE. I am so grateful to the parents who have allowed me the privilege to care for the little over the years. I am pretty darn lucky to still love what I do after 30 years of practice.
I’m inspired by… our Hushabye Nursery parents who have taken the big step to ask for help and then trust us. They show up time and time again to receive our support to be able to get well to care for their babies safely. I have witnessed parents healing. Their families had to do tough love- they didn’t think they could heal. Many times, their baby is the firecracker to them starting to get well. It is the best! They give me hope!
The one person who motivates me is… my husband. He is my biggest cheerleader and great supporter. He encourages me every day.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… society’s judgment of others. Stigma!
The perfect day would be… me surrounded by my family and friends on the beach in San Diego with a Fountain Diet Coke in one hand and licorice in the other.
My first job was… a cashier at Target. Still one of my favorite retail stores. (Plus, red is my favorite color!)
My favorite escape… the beach!
My life… has been very blessed. I am so grateful to God as he guides all that I do.
I’m currently working on… learning to delegate.
Always… take a moment to stop and appreciate the ones you hold dear.
Never… let an opportunity to learn pass you by.
Favorite Quote… Life is like a camera. You focus on what’s important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negative, and if things don’t work out, take another shot.
Biggest Dream… I’m living my dream! Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. Helping people has always been a natural instinct. As a neonatal nurse, I witnessed firsthand the nursing challenges we were facing with newborns who were born exposed to opioids. The care for these little ones and their parents needed to be improved. If my family was impacted by the opioid crisis, I would demand it. It is what is necessary and RIGHT. I am caring for every baby and family as if they were my own.
My Pet Peeve(s)… is when someone gives you advice, but it is obvious that they don’t live by their own standards.
Bio-on yourself/company: Hushabye Nursery’s mission is to ‘embrace substance-exposed babies and their caregivers with compassionate, evidence-based care that positively changes the course of their entire lives.’
Hushabye Nursery offers a safe and inclusive space where mothers, family members and babies – from conception through childhood – can receive integrative care and therapeutic support that offers each child the best possible life outcomes. Programs include prenatal and postpartum support groups, inpatient nursery services and outpatient therapies.
