Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, and while moms of all stripes and callings are worthy of a little more love and appreciation this month, 225 is turning its attention to local mothers who balance career and family with equal amounts of grit and grace.
Renee Bacher
Freelance Writer, Editor and animal shelter volunteer, 49
Hannah (21), not pictured, Isaac (18) and Ben (16).
You spend all of that time changing diapers, wiping faces and holding hands, and then you blink, they’re 18, and it’s time to let them go? I’m still wrapping my brain around that.
If you can, live on less income and work part-time while your children are little. When you get sick of your work, you’ll have your kids, and when you get sick of your kids, you’ll have your work. And never be afraid to admit you get sick of your kids. They get sick of you, too.
Do your best to love unconditionally and accept the fact that you don’t control anyone’s behavior but your own.
Off-the-beaten-path Vietnamese food and thrift shopping with Ben. Beignets and hot cocoa with Isaac. Sniffing every essential oil and hand cream at Whole Foods with Hannah. We all talk about books, TED lectures and movies together. I love their perspectives.
Tiffany Dickerson
Comedian and PR Professional, 44
Rachel (9) and Carlos (7).
Saying “no.” I’m a people-pleaser.
Make a realistic to-do list with things that can actually be accomplished by the end of the day or week. And always give your children little nuggets of knowledge and laughter.
She battled cancer for 15 years and taught me how to be strong and graceful in the midst of challenges.
We are a very active family and really enjoy the BREC parks, arts events and museums, the symphony, movies, volunteering and every sport you can think of—especially golf.
When making final preparations for my events, I must work non-stop until what needs to be done gets done. These times are difficult because I miss out on the daily routine with my family. Luckily, I have an understanding husband and an amazing, supportive board.
Unplug! For many people, the workday has no beginning or end, and there is always something to be done.But turning off our phones and computers and spending real time with your kids is paramount.
My mom has always put everyone ahead of herself. She has taken in families as her own, cared for the sick, been a surrogate mom to all of my friends and raised me, which was no small feat.
No matter if I have prepared an elaborate meal or just a simple takeout pizza, we all sit at the dining table with the TV off and discuss our day.
Ashley Jones-Bodie
Director of Basic Courses, LSU Department of COmmuncation Studies, 36
Eden Brooks (6) and Lydia (2).
The fact that I live a state away from my extended family. For now, I’m thankful for FaceTime, phone calls and the ability to make quick trips to Mississippi and Alabama to see our family whenever we want, though it’s never often enough.
Think about what is important to you this year or in this phase of life and question the taken-for-granted assumptions we have about our careers and families. Start conversations about work-life balance and help re-envision how organizations can work better for both moms and dads.
That we can show our love for others through our actions. My mom did everything when I was growing up—Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout troop leader and more—and she was at every event, practice and competition, all while working as a teacher for 25 years.
Since my girls are little, we spend a lot of time making LEGO towers, working on art projects, playing outside, digging in the dirt together and reading lots of books. I try to really listen to them and treat them as real people, whether they’re upset or joyful.
Christin Fudickar Weilbacher
Ownder, B Kids Boutique, 33
Benjamin (Turns 6 this month).
The anxiety of feeling like there is just not enough time in the day. I do everything it takes to make sure my son and I get our time together.
Take one day at a time—but sometimes that means taking one thing at a time.
My advice above is from her! My mom never got caught up in the small stuff.
We play games in the car. It’s amazing that a game of Scattergories can tell me exactly what he’s learning in school. If I ask him directly, he’ll say, “I forgot.”
Renee Bacher
