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

Seeing my kids feel secure and undoubtably confident that I’ll always be there and always support them. I didn’t come from a supportive family. I raised my kids on my own. Their fathers are not involved. My family was never very close. We created our family with my best friend and her children of which she also raises on her own. So I create a positive atmosphere supportive of their sports. We all show up for them no matter what.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Can’t react right away. I have to hear the story. I have to understand their logic before I try to teach them the right way to handle it. I remember growing up people always judged me and always jumped to tell me what to do and how to do it. I had no one raising me. I was trying to figure it out. I want to create an atmosphere for my children that they know they can come to me and we can have a conversation and we can talk about right and wrong and if that was the right way to handle it.

What would you do with $20,000?

Unfortunately, because I work really hard to pay for everything on my own for me and my three kids. My son had to have student loans. In that process of trying to help him do everything I could, our house went into foreclosure and we lost the house. We’re currently renting something nice where they are comfortable and have no negative feelings about it. But I would love to help my son pay some of those student loans back And spend some to take them on a cruise to celebrate their achievements.