Top Tot

Co-founder of The Tot, a premier destination for safe, non-toxic, and stylish children’s products, soon-to-be mom of three Nasiba Adilova has a firm grasp on innovative parenting in today’s world of endless choices.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place.

NASIBA ADILOVA | While our home isn’t exactly our style yet, we are big fans of mid-century modern. We love our artwork and our children’s room. That feels the most like us, especially the children’s room as we put those spaces together for them. We spend a lot of time there and put a lot of love into making those spaces unique for playtime and learning.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home?

NASIBA ADILOVA | Outside, I love our organic garden. I love the pool in the summer to swim with our boys. Inside, of course, the playroom is where we watch our children stage performances for us. That’s where we see them take off into space or make arts and crafts with them. Both rooms include interactive elements to engage the imagination with themed mural wall paintings, details such as a hot air balloon basket for seating and lava rock tiles for jumping in space (all from The Tot!).

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in the kids’ room?

NASIBA ADILOVA | We love to sit down to craft, draw, and read. A favorite spot for me is the table and chairs we found for them. There are also bookshelves where we store all of our books, toys, and our next project. We always have an activity ready to go. Another favorite is the indoor slide that my boys love going up and down.

MINI | What has surprised you most about motherhood?

NASIBA ADILOVA | The fact that you can carry such a vast amount of love and responsibility and fears all at the same time.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?

NASIBA ADILOVA | I have fears about everything, even the smallest things, but I guess that’s the mother in me. I fear most that I’m not a good enough parent or that I’m not doing my job well.

MINI | What is most important to you in raising your boys?

NASIBA ADILOVA | I hope to raise them to be decent, kind, loving, giving human beings that want to contribute to society and live with purpose.

MINI | What is your greatest joy of motherhood?

NASIBA ADILOVA | It is such a huge blessing. Every single day, being a mother is the greatest joy of my life. I am so thankful that they chose me to be their mother. When I see the real challenges and real struggles of women around the world, I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful from the depth of my heart.

MINI | What have you found to be hardest aspect of motherhood thus far?

NASIBA ADILOVA | Keeping my cool at all times. It’s difficult to not react to when they are truly challenging me.

MINI | Tell us how you decided on your children’s names.

NASIBA ADILOVA | My husband named our first son and he’s named after his grandfather to whom he was very close. My little one, I named. I wanted a name that connected with my culture and background.

MINI | Talk to us about The Tot. How did the brand come to be?

NASIBA ADILOVA | When I became pregnant, I became obsessed with reading everything I could about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. As I researched more about keeping my baby safe, I learned about toxic dyes in toys, BPA in bottles, harmful chemicals used in baby bath wash, and petroleum and alcohols in baby lotion. I was overwhelmed and scared. Eventually, it got to the point where I had done so much research that I wanted to put all of my knowledge in one online destination. I wanted to create a space that would serve as a one-stop shop and take the overwhelming choice in an uber-saturated market out and make it easy for new parents. I also wanted to build a platform that would help educate and offer credible, valid advice on parenting from experts and cover all topics even ones that may be considered taboo. Today, The Tot serves as an online resource guide for parents looking for unbiased information and advice coupled with healthy, safe and innovative products. It’s also a platform where we can shine a light on small businesses trying to make a difference by creating better and safer products.

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

NASIBA ADILOVA | I have wonderful support in the form of my amazing husband. I am grateful to him every single day. He makes it all possible for me.

MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?

NASIBA ADILOVA | When I travel and have women come up to me in the most remote parts of the planet telling me how much they love The Tot and what a lifeline it is for them. Hearing that fuels my drive and makes me want to work so much harder!

MINI | As a working mama, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.

NASIBA ADILOVA | We wake up at 6 a.m. and make breakfast together. My boys help me with smoothies every morning. While they drink their smoothie and play, I make eggs, spinach and millet porridge. Then we all sit together, I’ll have my tea and coffee, and they eat their food. My husband then takes my oldest to school while my youngest goes to our homeschool. I work out and then go to the office before it’s time to carpool and bring the oldest home for lunch together. In the afternoons, my oldest does homeschool with his Montessori teacher while the little one naps. I catch up on errands, emails, appointments. Then we have a free evening to play, hang out, or go on excursions before family dinner. Then it is time for bath and bedtime.

MINI | Do you ever experience self doubt with running such a successful brand? How do you get past it?

NASIBA ADILOVA | Every single day! If you do not doubt yourself, you are not staying tuned in. You risk not challenging yourself as a result. It’s not something I dwell on, but it does push me forward and motivates me to do better.

MINI | How would you describe your personal style? Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?

NASIBA ADILOVA | I would say my style has evolved over the years. I am a creature of mood, so whatever my mood is, then that’s what I’ll wear. It

definitely changed with having had kids because now I look for more practical pieces and wear a lot more athleisure-wear.

MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?

NASIBA ADILOVA | To be humble and be grateful. I hope they always listen to their hearts and stay true to themselves.

MINI | Favorite places to visit in Dallas with kids, GO!

NASIBA ADILOVA | All the amazing museums! Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the zoo, the amazing parks and playgrounds, and the library.

Water for baby and me.

Always spend more time with my children.

The Tot, of course.

Spend as much time at home as I do!

Leon Bridges.

Homemade almond milk, spinach, wild blueberries, dates, pastured eggs, imported Italian Parmesan cheese.

Kiss, Kiss Good Night and Guess How Much I Love You.

Night at the movies.

Almond milk decaf coffee.

Bullion.

photography by KRISTEN DEE PHOTOGRAPHY