Parenting Triumph

Our mothers are human, not the cookie-cutter ideal. Our moms make missteps. What’s important is how much they loved us. 

I’ll always remember these platitudes my mother said to me, like “Your job is your life insurance. Don’t ever let anybody take it away from you.” 

The other day Ava said, “Well, Mom, you said that drinking water with lemon is good for my body.” I burst into tears, going. “Oh my God, you listen to me!” Parenting triumph.

I was 23, when I had my first child. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was young. It was shocking. When people ask, “When’s the best time to get pregnant?” I say, “Pick the best day for when your entire life is gonna change.” There’s no good time to have your world turned upside down. 

As Ava becomes a woman, I'm proud that I taught her to not be ashamed about any of her experiences. Live life fully, with curiosity and love, and be brave.

Don't regret anything. Everything that happens in your life - the good, the bad - is meant to happen. [Reese Witherspoon, Glamour]