Heres how the mom of five is doing it.
Did life happen mostly as planned or were there surprises?
Most of my children and my career were surprisesgood surprises.
I had children early in lifeall before I was 30.
Then I inherited two stepdaughters before I turned 40.
Take us through your morning routine.
I wake up every day at 6 a.m.thanks to perimenopause, sleeping in is a distant dream.
How do you divide household/childcare responsibilities with your partner?
Now that our kids are older and independent, its much easier to navigate who does what.
My husband commutes to a job in California Monday through Thursday, but he cooks dinner when hes home.
How much outside help do you get as a parent?
Who or what cant you live without?
It was like seeing the face of Jesus.
In addition, Ive used the same virtual personal assistant for a decade.
and shell work with me on all of the logisticsI just have to execute.
What are the gadgets, apps, charts or tools you rely on?
I take my Kindle everywhere and, as a result, have left too many on planes.
My husband is frustrated by this, but I like to think Im littering the world with literacy.
I use theHeadspace appto meditate on the road.
Has becoming a parent changed the way you work?
I became much more of a multitasker after my kids were born.
I can do about six different things at once, and do them well.
Thats also what makes moms such great activistswere multitasking mofos (this is a T-shirt in the making).
One of my daughters was diagnosed with an eating disorder two years ago.
As soon as we realized what was happening, helping her get better became my number one priority.
I can do about six different things at once, and do them well.
Thats also what makes moms such great activistswere multitasking mofos.
How do you involve your kids in your work?
Ive brought my kids to many Moms Demand Action events all across the country.
Its important for them to see what it is Im working on all day, every day.
Whats the hardest part of parenting?
Not taking things personally.
It takes awhile to realize that.
I recommend the bookYes, Your Teen is Crazy!
Theres great advice in the book about how to respond to teens like a dispassionate cop.
Thats key to not escalating bad teen juju.
Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly hard.
One of my daughtersthe one who least liked being parented as a teenis now 22.
I said, Ive known you your whole life.
you’re able to do this and you will do this and you will be amazing.
She paused and said, Youre right.
I just needed to hear that.
I reveled in that small moment of finally getting to be the cheerleader instead of the disciplinarian.
