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Polk County Moms

Polk County Moms is a local online resource dedicated to helping families in Polk County stay in the know and on the go. It provides a place for parents looking for kid-friendly events, local activities, and seasonal fun. We sat down with Maricarmen Chavez, AKA Polk County Moms, to find out what inspired her to start this local gem.



TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!


I was born in Nicaragua and came to the United States in 1979. My parents sought political asylum, and while it wasn’t granted, we were allowed to stay and work toward residency. We spent our early years in Mississippi and Louisiana, where my dad could continue practicing medicine. When I was nine, we moved to Florida. After a few years in Miami, my parents, always looking for better opportunities and a calmer lifestyle, moved us to Gainesville in 1987. I stayed there through college.


As an adult, I moved back to Miami, figuring out life and what I wanted to do. I met my husband when I was 24, decided to study psychology, and earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I absolutely loved the assessment, testing, and forensic sides of psychology and really focused on that.


When we got married and I became pregnant, I stepped away from work due to medical complications.


Turns out, I am not built to be a stay-at-home mom—I needed something to keep me busy. In 2014, I met Cynthia, who offered me a part-time job as her assistant running an online newsletter and social media pages. It was a perfect fit! I love learning new things, and diving into social media felt exciting. I’ve been doing it ever since.


WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START POLK COUNTY MOMS?


In 2018, my husband was offered the Chief Auditor position at Center State Bank. He moved in with his parents in Winter Haven while I stayed behind to sell our properties. By July 2019, we were finally living in Champions Gate. Once I settled in, I realized it was hard to find things to do nearby for my child. Lakeland had a lot going on, but I wanted something closer to us. I decided to start my own social media page, using what I had learned in Miami. I launched Polk County Moms—and a week later, everything shut down due to COVID. Not exactly ideal when you’re building a page about family activities, but we pushed through!


HOW MUCH HAS POLK COUNTY MOMS GROWN?


When I first started, it was just me and a few other local accounts cheering each other on. I was creating content and hoping it would resonate with someone out there. Now, Polk County Moms has thousands of local followers across different platforms—which honestly blows my mind! It’s been amazing to see how much it’s grown.


WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK DO YOU GET FROM LOCAL FAMILIES?


My followers are not shy—and I love it! They let me know what they like, what they don’t, and what they want more of. If there’s an event, they weren’t crazy about, they’ll tell me why and often give ideas for how it could be better next time. Even when the feedback isn’t glowing, I appreciate it because it helps me understand what families really want in our community.


HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY TRENDS IN FAMILY ACTIVITIES?


Events or activities that are a little out of the norm are always a huge hit. Families love alternative markets that have something for everyone—shopping, food, activities for the kids, maybe even live music for the adults. Themed events are super popular, too! Anything with a fun twist, like a night market, a seasonal festival, or a creative family outing, always gets a great response from local parents.


WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPOTS?


The park in Downtown Auburndale is a favorite! It’s shaded (huge win in Florida), the playground is amazing, and there’s the Shake Shoppe right across the street for snacks and ice cream. It’s the perfect afternoon outing.


WHAT HAS BEEN MOST REWARDING TO YOU?


Helping parents find ways to spend time with their kids without spending a fortune has been the best part. Kids are expensive— and even a few hours out can add up fast. I love finding and sharing family-friendly and budget-friendly activities. It’s so rewarding when a parent, grandparent, or caregiver tells me they found something fun through my site!


HAVE THERE BEEN ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS?


One of my favorite moments happened this past March at The Hunt is On event at St. John United Methodist Church in Winter Haven. A local mom came up, gave me a big hug, and thanked me for having free Easter Bunny pictures. It was such a simple thing, but it meant a lot to her—and honestly, moments like that are what make it all worth it. Little things can make a huge difference for families.


WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PARENTS LOOKING TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY?


Start with what you’re passionate about! If you’re all about family-friendly events, show up to city meetings, get involved with local organizations, or find a group of like-minded people to create something new. If you love animals, there are tons of rescues and shelters that always need volunteers. The important thing is just to start somewhere—and you’ll find your community.


Polk County Moms

IG & FB @polkcountymoms


Photo by Amy Sexson

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