July "Parents Like Me" Interview

Denise is a full-time mom of two girls, Jenna, age 7 and Danni age 3. I've known Denise since probably 1987; after a certain number of years, you just stop keeping track. In addition to being a full-time mom, Denise has a successful home-based business selling Tasteful Treasures to friends and via home parties near her home in Lancaster, PA.

She's a great mom – and a non-traditional mom – and she agreed to a quick interview via e-mail with me to kick off our “Parents Like Me” interview series.
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Let's start with the classic question for full-time parents: What do you do all day?

I start by cleaning a little then of the running the kids here and there for shopping, play dates etc.

What's your favorite outdoor activity to do with your daughters?

Wash things (like the cars), playing in the playhouse or sidewalk drawing. After dark, we have evening fires and make s'mores.

How do you maintain your non-mom identity? What interests do you pursue that have nothing to do with parenthood?

I have my TT business and my friends

What's your favorite toy to share with your children?

Monopoly Jr Princess Edition

How do you reward good behavior?

Hugs and kisses, kind words

What's the most effective punishment?

Time out or small swat to bottom or hand

What's the secret to potty training?

Have an older child just finishing or bribery

What are some of the ways your parenting style differs from your parents'?

I shield my kids from all things I feel are scary or bad. I encourage them come to me with any questions they have about things that they know or believe are wrong but they're not sure why they are.

Share a good tip or trick for everyday parenting.

Consistency

Have you run into much "competitive parenting?" How about Queen Bee mothers?

I try not to compare. I see the cliques and avoid them

Tell us about a time a stranger gave you unsolicited parenting advice.

Jenna was 2 weeks old and I was on my first outing with her to the grocery store and a large woman comes after me, telling me, "That baby should have a hat on! It'll catch its death if a wind gets in its ear." I looked at her and said, “It's mid-May and 76 degrees with no breeze.” I damned near died! Imagine: I might have a clue on how to dress her! Thank you! Good. Bye.

What's the key to successful breastfeeding? How long did you breastfeed?

Patience and a lot of support from a knowledgeable group (breastfeeding classes, on-call support line, etc.) I breastfed 16 months w/ Jenna and 15 months w/ Danni.

In A League of Their Own, Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) says, "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great." Do you think that's true of being a Mom?

Yes, However I completely feel that any one could be a mother but you really have to work to be "Mommy."

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Feel free to continue the diuscussion in the comments. Save your own answers if you'd like to be interviewed for "Parents Like Me."

If you're interested in Tasteful Treasures, just comment or e-mail and I'll put you in touch w/ Denise. It's nice stuff.

Also if you can come w/ a snazzier name for the interview series, let us know!

Thanks again, D :)