Moms are truly amazing. From the day we’re born they give us unwavering and unconditional love. They give everything they have and take nothing for themselves. They work to guide us, protect us, and teach us how to be better in all that we do with grace and compassion.
To celebrate all the amazing moms and the sacrifices they’ve made we took time to ask the mom’s in our office what their journey has been like for them- from the challenges they’ve faced to the joy it’s brought them.
Michelle Franks – 2 Daughters
Q 1: What has been your biggest struggle/challenge as a mother?
A: Recognizing that each child came with lessons I was meant to learn to become a better person. One child was a challenge from age 0 to age 13. The other was a challenge from age 13 to age 21.
Q 1b: How did you overcome the struggle/challenge?
A: For one child, there were friends to whom I could turn for suggestions. For the other, I leaned on the expertise of teachers, counselors, and coaches.
Q 2: What has been the most rewarding thing as a mother?
A: Watching my kids laugh and take pride in their successes, and striving to help them master the resilience and growth that comes from “falling down and getting back up again”; also, going through all the phases of life with them, from them being completely dependent on me, to seeing me as a mom and occasional friend (now), to watching them begin “adulting” on their own….and through it all, being the one they call when life is very hard.
Q 3: What is your biggest advice for other mothers?
A: It’s important to allow your kids to fail because resilience is an indicator of success. There is a time to be a friend and confidant and there is a time to be a mom. Don’t get them mixed up.
Q 4: How do you enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day?
A: Spending the day with my kids (2-legged and 4-legged) outdoors, being active, without a schedule.
Elena Agustin – 3 Sons, 2 daughters
Q 1: What has been your biggest struggle/challenge as a mother?
A: Poop. Just kidding, I’m used to it now. Balancing my identity as a mother and a working professional. And helping my kid with homework.
Q 1b: How did you overcome the struggle/challenge?
A: One day at a time.
Q 2: What has been the most rewarding thing as a mother?
A: I never thought I could love someone so much. And every day my kids make me realize I still have more love in me to give.
Q 3: What is your biggest advice for other mothers?
A: Get used to poop. Just kidding. Your children are miracles and remember you took part in their creation. So, cut yourself some slack, you’ve already made a miracle happen.
Q 4: How do you enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day?
A: Not having to cook, clean, or do laundry. Just kidding. Spending time with my family.
Megan Mickey – 3 Daughters
Q 1: What has been your biggest struggle/challenge as a mother?
A: Managing expectations.
The number of social and domestic expectations on mothers is stifling and for those who enjoy being professionals, add in a few hundred extra work expectations. I like work and the feelings I get succeeding in my career but it is a constant struggle to balance the expectations of my job (being available before/after work, meeting quotas, managing staff, etc.) with the zillion expectations I face in my domestic life (chief, maid, scheduler, moral compass developer, etc.). It’s exhausting, emotionally and physically. Notice how I didn’t even mention managing my own personal expectations, yeah I know! Crazy stuff.
Q 1b: How did you overcome the struggle/challenge?
A: I take things one day at a time and remind myself that it’s OK to omit/cancel something from my schedule or bail on the chores. I also rely heavily on communication; having a direct communication style with my spouse and colleagues is invaluable. And lastly, I saturate myself with my kids when I’m with them….which works out well because they’re practically my shadow! Really though, the love I have for them gives me extra endurance and strength that I’d never have known otherwise. They remind me of what’s actually important at the end of the day.
Q 2: What has been the most rewarding thing as a mother?
A: Developing legitimately awesome people, of course!
My girls are unlike any others I’ve encountered and my major source of pride. My oldest is a literal angel with a logical mind, clever wit, and an enviable musical talent; my middle daughter has an unapologetic personality, is gorgeous, and was made for the stage; and my baby is the cutest little baby genius you’ve ever seen.
Q 3: What is your biggest advice for other mothers?
A: Figure out a schedule and stick to it (great for boundaries, discipline, and sleep training).
Spend time with your spouse. Even if it’s just hanging out in the kitchen. Do it every day…don’t wait for a date night (they don’t come around very often).
Eat together. Reflect on each person’s day, tell jokes, go over plans for the week or make some for the weekend.
Make mom friends. Having a circle of moms you can commiserate with helps build lifelong friends.
Q 4: How do you enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day?
A: My girls enjoy making me breakfast in bed (so glamorous) and then spending ALL day together…pretty much like every weekend! I’ll be happy if I don’t have to get out of bed before 9, the rest is icing.
Jennifer Penner – 1 Daughter
Q 1: What has been your biggest struggle/challenge as a mother?
A: Seeing myself as a mom and learning how to live again, in a whole new way.
Q 1b: How did you overcome the struggle/challenge?
A: I decided that life is happening right now. I can either lose precious time waiting for things to be right, or I can choose to live in the moments that didn’t happen the way I wanted, expected, and even sometimes tried to deter but happened anyway…
Q 2: What has been the most rewarding thing as a mother?
A: Oh my goodness where do I even begin?! When my 4-year-old daughter looks at me with her big brown eyes and says, “Mommy, I love you. You’re a blessing in my life” it’s worth it! It’s all worth it, every single bit!!!
Q 3: What is your biggest advice for other mothers?
A: Strive to be patient with your toddlers and give them your precious time because in time, the tables will turn.
Q 4: How do you enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day?
A: We are constantly being taken by surprise for various holidays, see learning to live again… We don’t quite have this one down yet, LOL!
Laura Anderson – 3 Sons
Q 1: What has been your biggest struggle/challenge as a mother?
A: Balance.
Q 1b: How did you overcome the struggle/challenge?
A: Learning to say ‘No’ and prioritizing the things that matter most to me.
Q 2: What has been the most rewarding thing as a mother?
A: See my boys independently succeed.
Q 3: What is your biggest advice for other mothers?
A: Trust your instincts.
Q 4: How do you enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day?
A: Just hanging out, my boys always make special handmade gifts.
