Welcome to our latest monthly column, Mom on the Street (ya know, like Man on the Street).
Each month,
we'll be asking moms, just like you, for a slice of their sage advice, insider tips or
tried-and-true wisdom in
the hopes that their unique brand of Mothering inspires, assuages,
calms, strengthens and even amuses yours.
 Anna Getty is the founder of www.purestyleliving.com, creator of Anna Getty's Pre and Postnatal Workout and founder of PAM (Pregnancy Awareness Month). Here's what this Los Angeles-based mother has to say:
“This year is a big one for my family and me. On a personal note, I feel that I am stepping into greater and broader places of self-expression. Everything that I have been focusing on and working on over the last five years is all coming together. I have been working so much in the fields of health and wellness, not only for mothers and families but for all of those who wish to deepen their connections to themselves and the planet.
My focus was initially on yoga and organic food but has expanded to respecting the environment and helping women—and families—to empower themselves through education, self-understanding and self respect.
I am promoting a holistic lifestyle that I feel is all encompassing, covering the way we interact with our spouses or partners, children, colleagues, strangers and the world at large. How can we do better? How can we honor ourselves and our needs while respecting the planet?
I am also creating an awareness campaign for pregnancy and birth. Launching for the first time in May, in conjunction with Mother's Day, PAM (Pregnancy Awareness Month) is intended to remind women that motherhood begins now—before they give birth and even before they are actually pregnant. This campaign focuses on empowering women through one of the greatest transitions of their lives.
As a prenatal yoga teacher and mom pregnancy educator, I know that all aspects of pregnancy and early motherhood are incredibly significant. I have learned that the more women are empowered with knowledge and choices, the easier the transitions for them. It is so exciting to watch mothers take proactive steps in this part of their lives. It is magical.
Essentially, the seeds I am planting now are not just for me and my family, but for everyone. I am working on growing my family, my business and my message. Hopefully, I can do this in a balanced way, as my message includes living a life in balance—that is my intention, anyway.
So, I guess the thing that I want to nurture the most is balance. When I am balanced, I live by example; when I am balanced, I notice my family is more balanced; when I am balanced, I perceive the planet to be in balance as well—even with all its quirks.” |
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Karen Gurwitz is the founder of Mothers & Menus, author of the highly acclaimed, The Well-Rounded Pregnancy, motivational speaker, life coach and an all-round pioneer in the field of mother and parenting-related health and well-being. Here's what this New York City mother of three has to say:
“Before planting, I look over my garden to see what is already there—and I am surprised to witness its bounty: a beautiful family, a spiritual connection, true friends and work accomplishments. From time to time, I am often pre-occupied with all of the seeds that haven’t flourished yet in my life, like my size six figure, other six figures and a beach house to tie it all together. So this year, instead of focusing on a harvest that will come in time, I am first reaping what has already grown: having fun with my kids, being passionate with my husband, enjoying our life in NYC and bringing consciousness in whenever I am aware. And I continue to nurture all the seeds I have planted to date (including the flowers I am reaping—I want them to grow over and over again). But I don’t really have any new seeds to plant right now. So, I take this time to remember what has already bloomed, what bounty that will eventually spring forth, and that, with love, intention and a little bit more patience, the garden will be full again next year.”
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 Tara Pringle Jefferson is a public affairs associate for The Cleveland Foundation, an organization committed to improving the lives of greater Clevelanders now and for future generations, and a freelance writer for THE FAMILY GROOVE. Here's what this Ohio mother of one and one on-the-way has to say:
“Since I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I looked forward to raising a smart, loving little girl who loved food as much as her mother. I believe food is love. It represents celebration, togetherness, good health, etc. When I was younger, my family made it a point to have a big Sunday dinner every week and to use that time together to reflect on what good events happened throughout that week. Sunday dinners were always very special times for me, as the weekdays were so busy that we barely saw each other.
Already my daughter likes to sit in her high chair in the kitchen with me as I cook. With obesity such a huge problem in this country, I believe teaching good eating habits starts early. I take the time to make dinner every night, striving not to repeat any meals for the whole month. It’s hard, and sometimes I want to just heat up a Lean Cuisine meal like any other time-starved mom, but I tell myself that the effort of preparation is worth it. Eating is something that we all do every single day, so why not take a moment to make it special? This is not to knock mothers who don’t cook everyday—we all do what we can do.
Preparing a meal for someone is much more than just throwing some ingredients together. I truly believe you are feeding the soul. When you take the time to create a meal that’s memorable and makes people ask for more, that is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
I come from a long line of talented cooks like my maternal grandmother, whose cooking was always simple and understated, and my mom, whose infrequent meals were always tasty. I’m trying to continue the family legacy of being a woman who knows her way around a kitchen.
I’m looking forward to the day that my daughter and I can cook together, and she’ll come up with her own creative recipes that put mine to shame.” |
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 Mitra Morgan lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with her husband of 11 years and her two young girls, ages six and two. Here’s what the founder of Brooks Pond, a maker of outdoor gear for infants and young children, has to say:
“Several years ago I started my own company and I found that nurturing a fledgling business while caring for a young family took every ounce of my energy. Much of the last several years, including the first year of my youngest child’s life, has been a blur and it made me think about how to maintain those relationships that matter most to me—those with my family and friends.
When I was getting married, a friend encouraged me to take mental snapshots of my wedding day. It was great advice. I have a clear picture in my mind of the comical wince on my husband’s face as the band launched into the wrong song during the wedding procession and how the sun danced on the water as we took our vows. I frequently refer back to those images of distinct moments from a whirlwind, but truly joyous day.
As I look back over the last few years, I find that my album of mental snapshots is more limited. I realize that in my dash to tackle the next task, I have failed to truly be present even in those moments that I do spend with friends and family.
This year, I am taking the time to take more of those snapshots. To savor the images of a joyful child leaping off a dock on a hot summer’s day, my husband’s wind-burned face against a snow covered mountain, and a group of dear friends laughing around a table in a dimly lit pub.
Although my time continues to be limited and my pace frenetic, the time I spend now and the snapshots I take along the way are the small seeds that I am planting to strengthen and grow my relationships with the people I love.” |
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