Meet-a-Mom, Kelsey Brar
What’s your favorite family activity in the Hinsdale, Western Springs, La Grange, Clarendon Hills Area?
We love that in our neighborhood there are a ton of parks. We enjoy going to the park where we play baseball, basketball, kickball, or whatever other sport the kids come up with! We also enjoy going for walks as a family to explore the nearby neighborhoods. And, of course, we love going out to dinner as a family. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful restaurants in the western suburbs!
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I am the mom to two amazing children, Giaan and Ellie. They are 11 and 8 years old, respectively. I am also the step mom to Drew (11) and Alex (8). It’s essentially like having two sets of twins, but it has been amazing to see our families merge together so well and to watch our children grow up together as siblings! 
How long have you lived in the Hinsdale/WS/La Grange/CH Area? What made you decide to live here?
We currently live in Downers Grove and we absolutely love it here. It is the perfect location for us with our blended family and we are so fortunate to have all of our family nearby.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop in the Hinsdale/WS/La Grange/CH Area?
We honestly love all of the nearby restaurants! In Hinsdale, we love Fuller House and Nabuki. In Downers Grove, we are currently obsessed with Cadence, Foxtail, and Pierce Tavern!
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am obsessed with True Crime! I have had a very long commute for the last couple of years, which I have secretively loved because I get to listen to all of my True Crime podcasts.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
No words can truly describe the gratitude I have to my mom for helping me raise my children. I jokingly call her their second mom, but it honestly isn’t a joke! I began my undergraduate studies when my oldest child was three months old. I then had my second child my junior year of college. After College, I completed dental school and a three-year residency in pediatric dentistry. I honestly would not have been able to do any of it without my mom! She has been such an important part of their lives and has truly helped raise them into the amazing kids they are today!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am beyond excited to be joining Band & Wire Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Clarendon Hills as their first pediatric dentist! Dr. Ramzi Daibis and Dr. Tamara Oweis have dedicated the last several years of their lives establishing a state-of-the-art orthodontic practice that provides optimal patient-centered orthodontic care to all of their patients. I am super excited to be joining them to offer a collaborative approach between orthodontics and pediatric dentistry!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I grew up in the western suburbs, and I am so lucky to continue to get to call the western suburbs home. I feel all of us are so lucky to live in this area where we are surrounded by a community of activists who collaborate together so well to ensure the growth of our communities.