Today we’d like to introduce you to Larissa Lien.
Hi Larissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with children in some capacity. I originally went to Moorhead State University Moorhead for theatre, music, and early childhood. Clearly, there were so many areas that I wanted to work with children in! My husband and I moved to Orlando as he got a job offer at Disney World. I began working at UCP of Central Florida Bailes, a school specializing in students with special needs. I worked in a prekindergarten classroom as a teacher assistant and fell in love.
Once my Florida residency was set, I continued my schooling in early childhood development at Florida International University. I enjoyed working at UCP of Central Florida and was excited for my future working with children, whatever that looked like. The intern in my classroom was working towards her degree in child life, Upon discussing this career, I immediately wanted to pursue becoming a certified child life specialist. I continued with my studies, all while having the deepest desire to become a mom. I didn’t always know what I wanted to do in life, but I knew that I was meant to be a mom.
At the first ultrasound, my husband and I learned that we were having twins! I worked on my classes while pregnant, working in entertainment at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort, and teaching at UCP, and continued these classes after my children were born. I graduated with my bachelor’s, had the best study buddies, and walked across that stage knowing that I worked so hard to achieve this degree, while balancing so much, and overcoming it all. What I didn’t know was the process that it took to become a child life specialist at this time.
The four of us moved from Florida back to Minnesota and I began working at various daycares over the next few years because I wanted to be close to my children. I put my career of becoming a child life specialist on pause, and worked as a teacher where we decided to send our children to help cover daycare costs. Working as a teacher, I became close to a child who reminded me a lot of one of my boys, with similar features and personality traits. This boy was later diagnosed with Leukemia. I had already started the process of volunteering in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic to pursue child life, but this child became even more of a driving force.
While volunteering in pediatrics alongside the child life team, I researched the certification process, which was quite the process indeed. But, I was incredibly passionate and nothing would stand in my way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has been anything but easy. When I learned about this career, I did not know what it took to become certified. I sometimes wish I had pursued it with taking specific courses and volunteered with children with every opportunity I had years back, but I know now that this is the journey that was meant for me. I always wanted to become a mom, so when my husband and I decided to become pregnant, I was excited! We just did not know that we would be having twins! Many people ask how I was able to take classes online to get my bachelor’s degree while pregnant and raising twins; that it sounds impossible. Looking back, I am not always sure how I did it! But I know just how passionate I am about studies, which I worked on when my babies were sleeping, and how passionate I am about family, so I engaged with them when they were awake. I created an incredible balance with class, work, and my family, that I was able to achieve so much.
Another challenge for this journey is that I am no longer in school, so therefore, I am pursuing child life without an advisor or affiliation. This creates fewer options for practicums and internships at hospitals. COVID-19 has paused volunteering at Mayo Clinic, so I have researched myself to find virtual opportunities.
Now that I have completed my practicum, my next step is applying for internships. The biggest struggle that I am facing is where to apply because I have a family, and I have to be realistic in the distance from my internship to my family because I don’t want to miss out on milestones. However, not every hospital offers these programs, so there are fewer options. There are many factors that I think about due to this child’s life journey and going the non-traditional route now that I have a family.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been working towards becoming a certified child life specialist because it is so near and dear to my heart, with a child close to me being diagnosed with Leukemia. I think what sets me apart is that I am such a go-getter, have such drive and ambition, and take initiative. I have researched to find incredible camps for children with and beyond cancer as well as their siblings, which I am a camp counselor for due to COVID halting in person volunteering opportunities. I do what is needed to get me to where I want to be because I am so passionate. My husband and children have seen me push and work incredibly hard, which in return, makes me proud of these accomplishments.
On the side, I dress as Elsa for children’s birthday parties! I worked for a company in Orlando and decided to bring that back with me here in Minnesota! It’s something I do every so often and love every minute of it! I grew up in theatrical productions, went to college dreaming of working in children’s theatre, and was honored to work with Nickelodeon and Elsa in Florida! I have many hobbies in life, many of which have involved working alongside children!
I have learned to be grateful for what I have. I cherish each moment with my children and have been very raw and vulnerable on social media both in my journey and as a mom. This has brought me to meet many amazing moms which made me think back to my pregnancy, my desire to become a mom, and the fact that I always want to help others. I began an additional journey and am now a surrogate for families!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
If you hadn’t noticed, family is one of the most important things in my life! Growing up, every year, my dad’s side of the family would get together at my grandparents’ house to celebrate Christmas. Now mind you, his side of the family is HUGE, so the house got pretty crowded as more children were added to the mix! After many years of doing this, we all later would stay at the C’Mon Inn to celebrate Christmas! This was always fun to bring the gifts, eat all the food, mingle with the extended family, and of course, stay warm in the hot tub in these Minnesota winters! It sounds so simple, but I’m all about simplicity and family time!
Pricing:
- Elsa $125 for hour birthday party
Contact Info:
- Email: larissalien0103@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalajlien/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larissa.krantz/
Image Credits
Alison Derome Photography
