👶 MaryvilleKids.com

Your Guide to Kid-Friendly Activities in Maryville & Knoxville, TN

About Me!

March 01, 2026 · by Mary

Hey There! 👋

So you want to know who's behind MaryvilleKids.com? I love that you asked!

Me!

First things first: my name isn't actually Mary. I want to be honest about that . I'm using a cute moniker that's blatantly appropriate for Maryville, and I'm keeping my family's real name private because we value our privacy and don't want strangers digging into our personal lives online.

Why I'm Here

When my husband got a job opportunity in 2021, we packed up our three kids and moved to Maryville. I thought we'd be here for a year or two, maybe. But something about this place just felt right . the small-town feel, the friendly neighbors, the pace of life that lets you actually live instead of just rushing through it.

I fell in love with Tennessee. Not just the place, but the people and the values that make this community special. The way families stick together. The way neighbors look out for each other. The way this place still feels like home, even as it grows.

What I Believe About This Place

Although my family moved here for my husband's job in 2021, I was really looking forward to coming to a smaller town built on strong family values, conservative principles, and the kind of traditions that make life meaningful. I didn't come here to change Tennessee; I came here to join it, to learn from the families who've been here for generations, and to contribute in my own small way.

Maryville and the surrounding areas have a culture that I deeply respect and want to preserve. It's a place where family comes first, where faith matters, where hard work is valued, and where children are cherished. That's the kind of community I want to be part of, and that's the kind of community I want to help build through this site.

I'm not here to bring outside values or try to make this place something it's not. I'm here to celebrate what makes Maryville special, to help other families find their way here, and to share the things I love about living in Tennessee.

Why I Started MaryvilleKids.com

When I first moved here, I spent so many evenings scrolling through Facebook groups like, "Is anyone here a homeschooling mom with a kid who's five and needs math help?" with no responses. I felt judged when I asked "simple" questions (nothing about me is simple, by the way, but you know what I mean).

I created MaryvilleKids.com because I was tired of feeling like an outsider. Tired of Googling "is Maryville good for homeschoolers" and finding nothing but a city government website. Tired of being new and not knowing where to go.

Now, I'm the one making sure you don't have to feel that way.

What You'll Find Here (And What You WON'T)

This site is about kid-related stuff. We've got:

But here's the thing: I'm also a person. A mom, yes, but also a wife, a friend, a human being with her own life. Sometimes I talk about that here. Sometimes I write about romance novels that keep me up way too late at night (shout out to Ana Huang and Vi Keeland if you know what I'm talking about). Sometimes I write about how my marriage is more important than my kids, even though my kids are so cute.

My Philosophy: No Judgement, Just Connection

You know what the best part of Maryville has been? The people. The families who have welcomed us in, who've given us tips, who've invited us to playdates. I started this site so you could find those people too.

This is judgement-free zone.

I'm not here to tell you that one way is better. I'm here to tell you where the playgrounds are, where you can find fun activities, and where you can get some damn good coffee (there's nothing like a third cup in the morning when the baby finally naps).

A Note About My Husband

Okay, so I mentioned him earlier, but let me be clear: my husband deserves a wife who makes time for him, who keeps a nice home, who cares for and educates the children, and who can still be intimate regularly. He's been my rock through this whole thing, from moving here to homeschooling our three (which is a workout, I promise) to running this website in my spare time.

Sometimes I write about relationship stuff. About marriage. About connection. About remembering who you were before kids, and how you find your way back to that person without losing yourself entirely. That's the part of this site that's more personal. It's in the blog section, separate from the family resources (because some people just want playground info), but it's here. Because marriage matters. And so do you.

What About the Future?

I don't have a grand vision of turning this into a media empire or anything like that. I just want to keep it going. Keep it helpful. Keep it real. Add new businesses, new events, new information as I find them.

There's a lot more to discover about Maryville (and Knoxville too!). Every month I find a new playground, a new event, a new business that families should know about. And I want to keep sharing that with you.

Let's Keep This Real

I hope you find what you're looking for here. I hope you find the perfect summer camp, the best playground, the homeschool group that feels like home. And if you do? I'd love to hear about it. Send me an email (it's at the bottom of this page). I'd love to hear what's working, what could be better, and what you want to see here.

You're not a number here. You're a mom, a parent, a person who's trying their best. And that's more than enough.

P.S.

If you're reading this and thinking, "This person has way too much time on their hands" . congratulations, you're right. But I'd rather have that than not be here for someone who needs me. And if you're thinking, "This is actually helpful" . thank you. That's all I could ever ask for.

Coffee's on me. ☕

(Metaphorically, of course. Unless you're in Maryville and we're at the same coffee shop at the same time. Then you're buying. Just kidding. Mostly.)

← Back to all posts