We have chosen a few Kiddos Moms to share with us their daily experiences and personal advice.
Andrea Minski
Kids: Samuel (9), Ari (6)
Profession: Journalist, TV host, Influencer. Founder mujerbalance.com
What is the best part of being a Mom? To rediscover the world as a kid once more, this time through their eyes. To feel so much love, you feel as if you can’t contain it.
What has been your most challenging Mom moment so far? When I have to travel for work and be away from my kids. I love my work, but it’s hard to be away from your kids.
How do you feel about being a working mom? I love it! It’s definitely challenging but there is a part of me that needs to keep growing professionally to be productive. I embrace motherhood and am passionate about my work at the same time; balance is the key.
What is a must-have children’s item in your purse? Sunblock. Living in Miami it’s a must, especially since my boys love outdoor activities and it’s important to reapply every two hours.
Photo Courtesy of Ginelle Lago l GMN Artistic
Natalia Zea
Kids: Ekaterina (6), Akash (5)
Profession: Director of Community Outreach for Miami-Dade County Public Schools
What is the best part of being a Mom? Helping my kids grow up to become their own independent people, complete with their own passions and goals. Oh, and cuddle time. Definitely, cuddle time.
What has been your most challenging Mom moment so far? Letting them make their own mistakes without resolving it all for them. Also, navigating Disneyworld as a single mom! It is madness.
How do you feel about being a working mom? I love it. My children are the most important part of my life, and I am also showing them there are many other meaningful ways you can make an impact on the community around you.
What is a must-have children’s item in your purse? Healthy snacks. Snacks keep their hunger at bay, which in turn assists to keep potential tantrums at bay. Win-win.
Photo courtesy of David Sutta Photography
Anne Marie Leon
Kids: Santiago (7), Samantha (2)
Profession: I am a journalist and founder of @miamiconhijos, an Instagram account that informs Spanish speaking mothers about the best entertainment options and activities to enjoy with their kids in South Florida.
What is the best part of being a Mom? The best part of being a mom is to play with my kids, watching them grow up and discover the world, and especially have the opportunity to raise happy children.
What has been your most challenging Mom moment so far? My most challenging moment so far was becoming a mom of two, because I really wanted to be able to share my time with my two kids in the quantity and quality.
How do you feel about being a working mom? For me, It ́s very importantly keep the right balance between work and family, and in my case, the key is to focus in my professional goals, get organized and always trying to create special family moments.
What is a must-have children’s item in your purse? Baby Wipes
Camille Lucy
Kids: Ava Vera (9), Arya Vesta (4), Alessia Veda (3)
Profession: Graphic/Web Design, Marketing, Writer/Author, Yoga & Meditation Instructor, Wellness Coach, Reiki/Raindrop Practitioner, Ordained Holistic Minister
What is the best part of being a Mom? The best part of being a Mother is knowing that you have the ability to make a difference in the lives of the children of this world. Watching my girls interact together, bond and blossom into their own unique way of being is a blessing like no other.
What has been your most challenging Mom moment so far? The most challenging part of being a mother is trying to be everything I can be for them, as only one person. It’s also difficult to want to give them everything, yet knowing that sometimes they will suffer or experience pain or sadness which is part of life. It’s never easy knowing how to handle the “tough subjects” or things that come up as the kids get older.
How do you feel about being a working mom? I designed my schedule around my children and work part-time to be able to be there for them and with them as much as possible. But there are definitely days that I wish I could just spend with them, not worried about what project needs to get done, or when I will be able to get to work. Although I love working, I would love to be there with them all the time.
What is a must-have children’s item in your purse? Pens, paper, chapstick and lollipops 🙂 And definitely snacks!
Michelle Barreneche
Kids: Mia (9)
Profession: Owner & Lead Photographer of Simply Chic Photography, LLC
What is the best part of being a Mom? The best part of being a mom is teaching your kids everything you know so they can do it better!
What has been your most challenging Mom moment so far? I would say not having enough time to do every activity & juggling work. Being present in my daughter’s life is very important to me. I like to help her with her school work and go to her soccer games or take her to tennis practice. Kids now have so much going on that there is never enough time to do it all!
How do you feel about being a working mom? I think all working moms can agree that we are superheroes! Every day is a juggling act between who is picking up your kids from school or how they are getting to their house. Somehow we accomplish the impossible in a short amount of time!
Being a business owner I’m practically on call 24 hours a day, but this past year I started to set some boundaries. When Mia gets home from school I give her 100% of my attention while she is doing her homework. Another important thing we do is to eat dinner as a family when possible with no cellphones.
What is a must-have children’s item in your purse? Right now it’s Bath & Body Works Unicorn Water antibacterial hand gel & a tub of slime!
Lourdes Rodriguez
Kids: Christopher (6), Chase (3), Mila (6 weeks)
Profession: Director of Marketing & Business Development at Dadeland Mall, a Simon mall.
What is the best part of being a Mom? I spend my life staring at my kids bc I’m just in awe of what I’ve created. They are so funny, so entertaining and no matter what stress the day brings you just look at your kids, hear them speak, or give them a hug and all is well with the world.
What has been your most challenging Mom moment so far? Moving to San Diego for a job opportunity – I had a 4 month old and 4 years old at the time and it was a big risk moving to a new city but I decided to go for it bc it was my dream to live in California and in order to be a good mom you have to be a happy mom first. Turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life and an amazing bonding experience for our family.
How do you feel about being a working mom? It’s a careful balancing act managing family and work life, especially in the shopping center industry working a lot of weekends and holidays, but I’m grateful to have a solid support system (my husband, in-laws and my family) because
I could not do it without them. As women we are built to be resilient and handle anything that comes our way, especially if you love what you do, you figure it all out and make it work.
What is a must-have children’s item in your purse? Honest hand sanitizer spray! I try not to be super paranoid about germs but they just insist on touching everything and putting everything in their mouths so it’s a must!
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