Moms on the Move
We want to support and acknowledge moms. Each of you is making a difference whether you are a stay-at-home mom, working mom, or volunteer mom. When you become a mom, it is often easy to forget the side of you that is also a woman who may have had a career, hobbies, and education before you became a parent. As moms, we spend our days multi-tasking and juggling. We are now the CEO of our households. Our job description includes diapers, dishes, carpooling, and an endless amount of laundry. Overnight you go from being a woman with style to someone who is happy to just get a shower. Being a mom is wonderful, but it is also important to have a sense of yourself outside of your family.
Email suggestions to info@VenturaParent.com
Tips for Working Moms
Parent to Parent Tips:
Balancing Family Life
- Don't fight change, just plan on rearranging your sleeping and waking schedule to ensure that you get quality time for you (i.e. working out, reading, correspondence etc.)
- Force yourself to get into the habit of cleaning up, moving/folding laundry, preparing lunches, and planning breakfast every night, before you go to bed.
- Prepare extra food on Sundays to use during the week (i.e. chop veggies and large fruits and prepare storable meals).
- Always have crackers or other snacks and water in the car.
- Utilize some of your lunch breaks at work to run errands (grocery shopping and post office), but also reserve some of them to refresh yourself (take a walk or eat with a friend).
- As a working mom, you need to be good at multitasking and staying organized.
- Try to make lunches the night before.
- Pick out kids outfits the night before and
- Make sure to get kids to bed early enough that they get the sleep they need.
- Work as a team with your spouse; get yourselves ready first in the morning. Wake up kids so that they have enough time to eat, get ready and play a bit before you rush out the door to daycare and school.
- Try to talk about something you will do together that night before you all go in different directions. That way, you start the day on a positive note and have something to look forward to at the end of the day.
Websites and Resources
Websites:
Mom in the Spotlight
DeNai Jones
Profile: DeNai is the founder of Petunia Pickle Bottom. Pictured here is DeNai on the right and Korie, her friend and business partner, on the left. See her company's website by clicking here!
Volunteer Involvement: Child centered charities and organizations.
Profession: Founder/Designer pf Petunia Pickle Bottom Corp.
Education: BA in Liberal Studies, Art emphasis
Children: Two boys: 2 year old and 3 month old
Fun Q & A with our Spotlight Mom:Personal:What phrase or motto do you live by? Balance...and one my husband tries to live by: "When you are in a place you ought to be there."
Inspiration: Travel
If you could teach your kids one thing and have it impact them, what would it be? This is a toughie, I would probably say: Always try to do the best you can.
How do you measure success? Doing your personal best.
Greatest Accomplishment: My Children
Proudest Moment: Birth of our sons
Biggest Challenge: Balancing ALL
Wildest Dream: To sail the world with our boys
Sport/Exercise Program: Pilates and parenting a 2 year old!
What would people be surprised to learn about you? That I didn't have children when I started Petunia Pickle Bottom.
Where did you grow up: Ventura, CA
How many siblings: I have one older brother who calls Alaska home.
First Job: Age 3: flipping doggy doo off the grass for a nickel. I guess you could say my parents instilled a strong work ethic at a very early age. :)
Childhood Ambition: To be an artist
Favorites:Favorite Local Restaurant: Westside Cellars
Favorite Coffee Spot: Palermo
Favorite Soundtrack/song: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland
Favorite Movie: Gone With the Wind
Favorite TV Show: No television
Retreat: Korakia in Palm Springs
Last Book You Read: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Indulgence: Quiet Time
Tell us about a product or item that you can't live without as a parent My family-they are a huge help in all aspects of life, but especially with our children.
Your Perfect Day: Saturdays - Farmer's Market with the family, beach, dinner out, early bedtime
Other:What inspires you to go to work every day? I love what I do and I love the PPB family
[Business Owners] What motivated you to start your business? At the time, there was nothing on the market that offered what women want and need in a diaper bag. There was nothing enticing about a black, ballistic nylon fabric diaper bag.
[Business Owners] What is the hardest part about owning your own business? Hands down, taking it home. I guess it will always be my 3rd child.
Each month we feature a mom making a difference in our community. We want to acknowledge working moms and "stay home" moms. Suggest a mom by emailing us!
Past profiled mom...
