Connect What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

Those moments when they absolutely need you and seeing their reactions when you’re there. It could be my teenage son needing help with his car or his very first date he’s ever been on (he needed help picking out flowers), my youngest learning to ride his bike, or my daughter having a rough day and calling to cry. Just them knowing that no matter what mom is gonna be there, is so rewarding. I didn’t have that growing up, so I’m determined to be that for my kids.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

You need to love someone enough to hold them, and yourself, accountable. I wasn’t always the best mom. I had a short fuse. Yelled. But I don’t want my childhood traumas to become theirs. Accountability means growth. I want to learn and grow as much as I want my children to. But that also means saying the hard things. I always want to support my babies but sometimes what they need to hear is hard truth. Tell them they were in the wrong. But I also need to accept that sometimes I’m wrong too.

What would you do with $20,000?

$20,000 would be enough to pay off all my revolving debt I currently have. My car payment. Credit card debt. For me and my family that would mean me being financially able to quit my 2nd job and be home more with my kids. My youngest is 7 and is always so bummed when I have to go to work at night rather than ride bikes, or play a board game with him. I could spend dinner time talking and laughing. We could go on walks. This money would give us a real future that isn’t just working all the time.