We inadvertently become researchers of life and motherhood when we study our own as well as other mothers’ experiences and journeys.
This idea is the concept behind our Summer MC Voices Spotlight Series on Mothers Central. Once a month we are honored to share an interview with a different NAMC member who is a part of our MC Voices community in hopes that you, our readers, will continue to research motherhood through your own lens.
This summer we have interviewed NAMC Advocacy Coordinator Valerie Young and Individual NAMC Members Heather Polifka-Rivas and Ginger Garner.
For our last interview in this series we are thrilled to introduce you to Janet Casey, a mother of two young children whose mission has become to stop the spread of parental judgment by persuading mothers to support each other. Through her blog Tell Another Mom, Janet encourages mothers everywhere to TELL ANOTHER MOM that she’s doing a GOOD JOB.
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Q: What 3 words do you think best describe you and why?
A: Honest. Caring. Funny. (Honest with ourselves and others because I believe it’s the only way we can grow and learn from one another. Caring because I am really invested in everyone around me and want to help in any way that I can – even if it is simply by providing a listening ear. Funny because if you can’t laugh at yourself, than it will make for a very long road ahead.)
Q: What are some of your personal passions, hobbies and interests.
A: I love to run and am an avid curler. I spend A LOT of time on the computer both designing and writing. When I’m not doing any of the above I am camping with the family or going on nature hikes in the forest near our neighborhood.
Q: When did you start blogging?
A: I started Tell Another Mom this past February and I instantly became hooked. Blogging is such a great way to reach out to other moms from all over that may struggle with similar challenges.
Q: Speaking of challenges, what is one of your biggest challenges as a parent?
A: One of my biggest challenges as a parent has been helping my son overcome his anxiety. It was so easy to treat meltdowns as behavior issues, but I knew that this was not going to help him at all. Patience was a huge part of getting through this struggle with him.
Q: How has having children changed you?
A: Having children has made me be a little more laid back about life. I’ve had to learn to be more flexible and also more patient.
Q: Do you think your views of motherhood were unrealistic before having children?
A: Definitely. I had no idea that there was no one ‘hard part’ of raising children. As soon as you get through the newborn phase you are on to the terrible twos, and there is always a new challenge around the corner. I also couldn’t possibly have known what it feels like to love beyond all measure and how amazing it feels when your child ends the night with, ‘I love you mom.’
Q: What topics/stories are you most passionate writing about on your blog.
A: I am passionate about writing real, honest reflections about motherhood. I write on the ups and the downs of parenting. I love hearing from moms who can relate to similar things so I try to write about relatable topics including temper tantrums, exhaustion, accidents and mommy guilt.
Q: What is your favorite blog post and why?
A: My favorite blog post is when I admit to having been a ‘mean mommy’. I firmly believe that before you can promote a mission like ‘Tell Another Mom’ you should be completely transparent. This article clearly outlines when I realized I had been judging other moms, and why I strive to never do it again.
Q: How did you become involved with the NAMC?
A: A NAMC staff member who enjoyed reading my blog contacted me. Since then I’ve been keeping in touch and love hearing from all the moms connected through the group.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories as a parent?
A: It has to be my son’s first day of school – the day was such a mixed bag of emotions. I was sad to see him grow up so fast. I was scared as I scurried out of the kindergarten room, hoping and praying he didn’t chase after me. But most of all I was so proud when I heard him at the end of the day boast about what a great day he had and how much he loved school.
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Thank you Janet, for sharing your voice here and for actively promoting your important mission – to tell another mom that she’s doing a good job!
Continue researching motherhood through your own lens by reading more of of Janet’s words. Visit Janet on her blog Tell Another Mom through the MC Voices Page of the Mothers Central.
Are you interested in joining our NAMC Member Blog Directory?
Click here for more information and to submit your blog.
Leave a Comment: Please help us give a warm welcome to Janet. Do you have additional question for her? Share them in the comments section below!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Janet, thank you so much for sharing your experiences as a mother, along with your mission to spread the word to TELL ANOTHER MOM she’s doing a good job. I completely related with your thoughts on patience that you spoke of in your interview when discussing your challenges as a mother. It has been my experience that patience is the single hardest thing to maintain, yet also the most important thing to continue to work on and improve in myself. The more patient I am, the easier my challenges become.
Thank Kate. Yes patience is so hard to come by some days. I’m glad you could relate. And thank you for this great opportunity to share my experiences as a mother with others.
I was on a flight a couple of weeks ago. Across the aisle was a family, mom, dad, toddler girl and a 6 month old boy. The baby was obviously very tired, but was not giving up to just go to sleep. The mom very patiently would walk around the aisle (the best she could) and as we were on the final approach, she sat with her baby, fully “enveloped” the baby in her arms and rocked back and forth for a good 10-15 minutes until the baby finally fell asleep. I was so impressed with her patience and her obvious doing what the baby needed while it must have exhausted her with the rocking. Thinking about it later, I really wished I had told her what a great job she did. This column has given me the permission to say just that the next time I see a similar situation.
Teresa Fiorentino
former member of Merrick/Bellmore Mothers’ Center and volunteer at NAMC
Teresa, thanks for sharing your story. Too often we are reluctant to share our support with strangers. It’s great that this column has encouraged you to tell other moms that they are doing a great job. Let’s keep sharing these kind words with other moms!!!