When Kaitlin Becker moved to New York, she envisioned a grungy city life. Obsessed with theater, she wanted something totally different from what she had been used to in northern Kentucky, where she grew up.
“I was picturing a building that’s really old and falling apart,” said Ms. Becker, 40, who is best known for her title role on the children’s show “Meekah,” a spinoff of “Blippi.”
Instead, she found her way to a quiet part of Astoria, Queens. Seventeen years and three apartments later, she is still smitten with the neighborhood.
She originated the role of Meekah in 2021 as the best friend of Blippi, the beloved-by-children, cringed-at-by-adults character known for his childlike wonder. While they sometimes appear together, Meekah has 1.65 million subscribers on her own YouTube channel (Ms. Becker shares the role with Cashae Monya).
Ms. Becker has also built her own following on TikTok and Instagram, where she shares videos about motherhood and behind-the-scenes snippets of the acting life. “I am a storyteller and sometimes I overshare, but I like sharing relatable content, especially with fellow parents, so that no one feels alone,” Ms. Becker said.
When she’s not traveling for work, Ms. Becker enjoys exploring her neighborhood, where she lives in a colorful two-bedroom apartment. She lives near her ex-wife, and together they co-parent their 6-year-old son, Everett.
“There are times where I will go on an errand and only pass one other person walking. And I like that,” she said. “I like recharging in a quiet environment.”
WAFFLES AND BERRIES My child, thank God, is such a sleeper. On Sunday, we’re up by 9 a.m. (which you can’t tell any other parent because they get angry). We have the slowest, laziest start to the day. It’s like an hour, hour-and-a-half breakfast. Lately, he’s been eating dairy-free protein chocolate chip waffles, sausage and berries. I usually eat his scraps, but sometimes I’ll be good and make myself eggs and toast with my coffee.
MIDMORNING MOVIE When it’s time to leave, we catch the bus. Everett loves the bus! He has this whole thing where I can’t sit by him. Our first stop is Regal Cinemas, where we’ll see the latest kid’s movie (most recently it was “The Garfield Movie”). He always gets a snack pack with popcorn, fruit gummies and a drink, and I always get a small popcorn. Every single time he finishes his popcorn and then he finishes mine.
FANCY LUNCH After the movie, we head to the Bier & Cheese Collective. Everett loves to sit at the bar and order a fruit-flavored sparkling water, while I usually order an I.P.A. I haven’t tried before. We always order a soft pretzel, and I get the “ciabatta be kidding me” sandwich with salami, olive tapenade and Emmenthaler cheese.
MUSEUMS AND MEMORIES After lunch, we may head to the Museum of the Moving Image or the Museum of Nostalgia. The Museum of Nostalgia is newer and very cool because it has toys from the ’70s and ’80s. There’s a store where you can buy your favorite childhood toys. I’m a sucker for nostalgia. It’s tiny, but we were in there for like an hour last time. They have a Cricket Doll, and she was my best friend when I was 3 years old.
AFTERNOON TREAT There are a lot of treat places in the neighborhood that we love, like Martha’s Country Bakery. Everett loves their vegan chocolate cake slice, which is larger than his head, so he eats it in three installments. My go-to is the berry Napoleon. I could talk about Martha’s all day; it’s our No. 1 place, whether we’re celebrating or just want a treat.
CLIMBING TREES We’re lucky, because there are eight kids on our little side street, not counting Everett. We all became friends in the winter of 2020 when we were playing in the snow. It was like: “Wait, there’s another child here. Where did they come from?” Now they’re growing up together, and it’s the sweetest thing ever.
Everett has taught all the kids how to climb the tree in the front of our building, and I just never thought, raising a kid in the city, that he would have a similar childhood that I had growing up in Kentucky, and being outdoors and looking for bugs and climbing trees. I’m happy that he has that kind of play because I didn’t know that exists in a city.
NIGHT IN I rarely order takeout on a Sunday. I really like cooking, and Everett really likes eating, which is great. He’s not that picky. So one of my go-to meals is salmon, broccoli and potatoes. I know he’ll eat that anytime I make it. It’s also a good meal after 10 pounds of popcorn and all the treats.
LAST LAUGH After Everett goes to bed, I watch TV. I love TV so much! The second he falls asleep, I’m in the living room watching TV or editing a TikTok (I can’t believe I just said that out loud). I just finished “Palm Royale” on Apple TV+, which I loved. Now I’m rewatching “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” I rewatch comedies a lot. I want to do more comedies in the near future, so I feel inspired when I watch them.
NIGHTCAP (sort of) Lately, I’m trying not to have a boozy nightcap. I used to have a drink once Everett went to bed, but now I’m trying to do a cup of ginger lemon tea with honey. If anyone’s asking: It’s not as great.