Here at The Bedford Mom we believe that moms deserve to be recognized and celebrated! This month we are so excited to feature Paige Najem, a mom of two sweet kiddos.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi all – my name is Paige and I live in Bedford with my husband Pete and our two kids, Brooks (4) and Claire (2). I am the Assistant General Counsel for a health system based in Manchester and Nashua.
Tell us about your work!
I have been practicing law since 2013, with a focus on health care transactions and regulatory compliance. I started my career working for a large law firm in Chicago and then moved to an in-house role after several years. I am currently an in-house attorney for a local health system. My job is different every day. I provide guidance and support regarding the many different laws and regulations that apply to health care facilities and providers. I negotiate contracts, from simple to complex. I also advise on medico-legal issues and support the care teams with day-to-day legal issues that may arise. I work with a great group people, and can say that our local health care providers are some of the most skilled, caring, and top-notch folks out there.
What are your favorite local restaurants?
We love Pizza Bella for our Friday night family pizza nights. We regularly visit Pressed Cafe and the Inside Scoop. We also enjoy Chen Yang Li, River Road Tavern, and Gusto’s.
What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
One of my favorite ways to decompress is to bake. I absolutely love baking (and eating) desserts and breads. My kids also enjoy doing this with me, just like I did with my own parents, and it brings me so much joy. Some other things I would consider self-care: attending a class at Pure Barre when time permits and taking day trips with my family.
What brought you to Bedford?
I am originally from Rockford, Illinois (about 1-1.5 hours from Chicago). We moved to New Hampshire in 2021 to be closer to Pete’s family, and we are so happy to establish roots here in Bedford. Bedford is a great fit for us. We like having restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping nearby. We also love living near the highway, so we can easily travel to the beach or to see family.
What is your favorite thing about Bedford?
We love that Bedford is so close to many of the things we like to do, and we have really enjoyed getting to know other people in town.
What are your favorite local spots in town?
You will regularly find us at the town playground and the Inside Scoop.
What is your best piece of advice for moms who are new in town?
I have had a chance to attend some of the Bedford Mom events, and they can be great for mingling and meeting new people. We have also made friends by introducing ourselves to the neighbors and to other parents at my kids’ daycare. Finding adult friends can be really hard and sometimes awkward, but the moms in Bedford have been very friendly and inviting.
What is your best piece of advice for expecting moms or new moms?
Listen to your gut. You know best, and you are the best parent to your little one!