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I had the great fortune of attending a conference last night that was sponsored by Mommy Track'd and Flexperience , both working mother based companies. The evening started off with authors who have written books about being a mother or a working mom. After that, we moved on to a discussion moderated by Leslie Morgan Steiner who wrote Mommy Wars. Leslie has a fantastic sense of humor and amazing insight, not only into her own experience of being a mother, but into the experience of motherhood as it stands in the world today. The evening was made memorable by a professional panel of women who spoke in a genuine, inspiring voice and included my favorite, Sarah Clarke from the Alice morning radio show Sarah and No Name (who I couldn't help but hand a Care for Kids DVD !) I left the event feeling as validated as I was confused. Here I was expecting to learn how all of these women balance working and being a mother, but learned that there is no such thing as balance. Anyway, inspired by the working mom phenomenon, it is my pleasure to bring you an interview with Dawne Jacoby, a mother of two from Pennsylvania. Dawne works for her husband's company, Euro-baby . I love this company! Every chic woman likes the idea of a nice european product, right? Even when it comes to baby gear ! And chic is what I think of when I think of Dawne Jacoby. She is a go-getter in every sense of the word, from making sure her daughters are raised in a well rounded atmosphere to making sure her baby products are well received.
Euro Baby products are easy to use, innovative in design and well engineered - strollers, high chairs, carriers and baby food processors are staples of the Euro-baby inventory. Dawne is with us to explain all of them for you!
Thank you, Dawne for joining us today to talk about some great products for new parents. My pleasure!
Tell us, how did you find yourself in this industry? Well, as much as I'd like to take some of the credit, I'd have to say it was 100% my husbands idea and concept. He and his former partner put their two backgrounds together and made it happen. I came into it about a year after Euro-baby was on it's feet. Since then, I'd say I have been a big part in the Business Development for Euro-baby ~ as well as the Primary Salesperson for the company ~ and have been the main Contact with the Dealers for any of their needs or concerns.. My main focus for Euro-baby, is having the Best Customer Service. That is something I put first every day!! My husband and I come from the Restaurant business... so we know how important it is to have great customer service, and it comes natural for us. We want everyone to be happy!
What do you think all parents should know when looking to buy a high chair? I think nowadays, we need to ask where is the wood made? Is it all natural? Is there a finish on it that could be toxic to the child??? What is the reputation of the company that makes these chairs? And how long will I be able to use this highchair, before it's no longer needed?
There are so many different kinds of strollers that many parents park multiple strollers in their homes. What are the most useful stroller features? How do you know when a stroller is worth it's price? Well for me, it's been awhile... my girls are 13 and 11!!! (OMG! I hate saying that!) - But since I"ve been in this industry and knowing what I know today - I would have to say the most important factor for me is the multi-function of the stroller as well as the portability! We moms are always on the run these days and I think that is a key factor in buying a stroller. Also, can it do everything I need it to do as well as look fashionable and be lightweight to carry? Now - we all know... there is NO "perfect stroller" - so you will always have to forgo something.... You may like the fold on a stroller, but not like the fact that the handle bar does not move to allow baby to face you? That is something you have to evaluate, how important is this??? But all in all - I think every woman wants to look their best pushing their baby or carrying their baby, as well as their baby being dressed in the most adorable clothing.... b/c lets face it - we've had 9 mths of stretching our bellies and looking larger than we'd like....now we want to look like a Hot mama or at the least - very fashionable!!!!
Being a parent yourself, what do you wish you had known then, what you know now- as an insider in the juvenile products industry? Seriously... even though my girls are 13 and 11 and to me, they are not old.....(lol) - they never had ANY of these products when they were babies! So being in this industry now vs. when they were little.... makes me want to have another to use everything that is out there for them! :) - As far as knowing better today vs. then.... I wouldn't change anything as far as the way I raised them or how I did things.
Do you have any tips for parents who are trying to balance work and life? LOL.... UGH!!!! I'm going thru this myself! I ALWAYS feel that I"m never 100% at anything b/c I"m always juggling everything and everyone! But the one thing that I do believe is SO important is "communication with your child/children and even your husband" - There are days where I"m just "done" and I still have to be "on" for the kids or my husband - as a wife or a mom or a listener or a baker if need be... or whatever - and on these days I may snap at them or just be quiet if I"m exhausted ~ and usually one of my girls will pick up on this and say, "mommy are you ok today?" - and at that point I realize I need to tell them, Yes - I'm just extremely tired and cranky and human and to just forgive me if I"m being rude or snippy.....And with that - they TOTALLY understand and appreciate me and all that I do... so it's kind of an understanding that we have between us - and I love that.
Is it different for men versus women to balance the live/work? Oh please... don't get me started!!! lol.... I could go on and on here for an hour on this topic!!! Ok, I'll try to keep it brief! ABSOLUTELY!!! Let's say whoever the "main caregiver is" vs. men or women - b/c there are men out there doing the "mom thing" and in that sense, they would fall into the mom category.... But yes - I am forever saying to my husband.... "lets compare our lives today or every day for that matter!!! lol.... We BOTH run our own business daily.... HOWEVER.... you come home to a cooked dinner every night (never fast food!!) around 8pm.... eat and then plop on the couch and basically fall asleep within an hour or so... b/c you're burned out! I ON THE OTHER HAND... have started my day doing the kids and getting them off to school etc.. - taken care of the dogs and the house before work.... gone to work - race out of work at 4:30 to pick up 2 kids in two different places at the same time - fighting traffic the whole way... making sure they get to their next destination on time.... run any errands/ dr's appts etc... sometimes work a little more... - make dinner - pick up kids - doing wash in the meantime... - eat...dishes....more wash, more work... shower... bed at 1- 1:30 am only to arise at 6:30am the next day and do it all again.... All the while, little hubby is snug in his bed since 10:30 - 11:00pm!!! SO.... To answer your question, THIS is what makes one parent different from the other. Not "better" - just different and a little more exhausted!! :)
Thank you so much, Dawne from Euro-Baby for your fabulous insight. Balancing work and life is a difficult thing and something that responsible families must be aware of. We really appreciate your willingness to share your experience and expertise with us.
You're very welcome ~ thank you for asking me to join along! Hope I don't start a frizzy with my last answer I gave you!!! :) Don't worry, it's all said with a smile!
We hope you will join us again soon! I always find it valuable to listen to how others are juggling parenthood. So, I hope this has been helpful to you in some way. Please visit the Euro Baby website for stroller demos, to find the nearest Euro Baby product dealer near you and to learn more about this wonderful company!
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Communication 
