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Being a parent, it is not often that someone takes the time to recognize what you do and put a spotlight on it. I am always looking to others for inspiration and so are our children. In order to succeed in life, we need to model what has worked for others, right?
Today, we are fortunate to have Beth Feldman of Role Mommy who so graciously shares some inspiring food for thought about the role model in many of us. Welcome and thank you, Beth!
Role models are something that I stress often at Responsible Family Company, so when I came across your website, I was thrilled! Can you tell us a little about how you got started with RoleMommy.com and your inspiration behind it?
Role Mommy started after a chicken salad with dressing on the side lunch between myself and Yvette Corporon. At the time, I was publicist for CBS and Yvette was a producer at Extra. We had worked together on numerous entertainment projects and at the end of the television season, we finally had time to sit down and talk about our own dreams and aspirations. At that lunch we both talked about how we wanted to write a book about pursuing your passion while raising a family and doing it in a light hearted way.
What we wanted to show other moms is that they're not alone in what they're going through and that they are not only role models to their children but to each other. And so, at that fateful lunch, Role Mommy was born. Our events celebrate women at the top of their fields balancing work and family and our mission is simple: Helping your children realize their hopes and dreams, doesn't mean you have to give up on your own. While Yvette has decided to remain at Extra and pursue her passion for writing, I decided to leave corporate America and run Role Mommy and a burgeoning PR business full time.
Since 2006, the Role Mommy website has become a prime destination where moms can be inspired, entertained and informed. Additionally our initially self-published book, Peeing in Peace: Tales & Tips for Type A Moms, was purchased by Sourcebooks and re-released with bonus material in April 2008.
Congratulations on the book being picked up by Sourcebooks! So, tell us, what exactly are the common qualities of role models?
Role Models are passionate individuals who are dreamers. They do not believe in rejection or the word no and no matter how difficult things may get, they never give up. A role model also knows their limits and inspires others to be the best they can be.
Are there any tips you can give to parents who are looking to be a role model for their kids?
As busy as you may be in your life, take the time to have fun with your children. They are only young once and as much as it's great to see a parent who is successful at what they do, it's also great to see a mom play Guitar Hero with their kids; or be the team baseball coach or ice skate alongside their daughter while she's taking a figure skating lesson. Kids are inspired to pursue their dreams by their parents so if you're doing what you love, you will be the best kind of role model they'll ever know.
What are the benefits of having a role model?
It's always wonderful to have someone in your life who you can learn from. A role model is not perfect - they have made mistakes, moved past them and still managed to find their way and succeed. To have a person in your life who can be that mentor or role model is invaluable to helping you accomplish your own goals.
So, of course the next logical question is... Who is your Role Mommy?
I've got a few Role Mommies in my life. My mom Lenore and my two grandmothers who were both named Dora. From the time I was a young chlid, my mom has always worked. And her mom worked as a bookkeeper and then came home to cook a five course meal for her family. But no matter how busy my mom or my grandma were, they always had time for me and they taught me some of the most valuable lessons in my life.
My mom has always been there for me, encouraging me to pursue my dreams while my grandma taught me how to blow bubbles, make matzoh balls, crack jokes and even ride a three wheeler all over Florida. To this day, I still have a blanket that my grandmother crocheted back when we had a house in the poconos and I curl up with it every night. My dad's mom gave me the gift sarcasm - she could fill a book with her incredible zingers.
Who is the most common Role Mommy that you hear about on your site?
A lot of the Role Mommies who are featured on our site are mompreneurs who took a chance and left a full time job to reinvent their lives. It takes a lot of guts to give up something that is incredibly safe for the unknown. But in order to truly be successful you have to take chances. And at Role Mommy, we celebrate the risk taskers, the dreamers and the doers because if our children see their parents achieving their dreams, there's no telling what they'll be able to accomplish down the road.
If you would like to read more about Role Mommy , visit their fabulous site and buy their revised book Peeing in Peace! Enjoy!
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