The Mother Nature (Nov 07)

THE MOTHER NATURE
THE FAMILY GROOVE'S PROFILE OF A MOM WHO'S MAKING IT HAPPEN

Gone are the days of the traditional coffee clutch because at THE FAMILY GROOVE we're doing it new school,
bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village called the Internet.

This month, we want you to meet Ricki Booker, a progressive mother of two, who helps kids across the
world deal with change.

Here, this inspired and inspiring author and publisher talks about time management,
the balance myth and a why margaritas and Mexican food are so darn groovy.

Ricki Booker and family

1. Who are you?
Ricki Booker

2. How old are you?
39

3. Where do you live?
Boulder, Colorado

4. How many children do you have? How old?
I have two girls, seven and four.

5. What time do you get up?
I get up between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m.

6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
I must drink a cup of coffee and go for a hike or a run.

7. What do you wish you'd do everyday, but haven't been able to incorporate into your routine?
Yoga and pleasure reading

8. Do you work?
Yes

9. What do you do?
I write and publish a series of children’s books entitled Change Is Strange.

10. Tell us about it.
Change is Strange is a series of books about change. The books were designed to help ease the anxiety during life's sometimes overwhelming transitional times. The books walk children through the steps of the change and then offer parental suggestions on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. There are currently fives titles in the series: We’re Having A Baby, No More Pacifier, Mommy and Daddy are Going On a Trip, My First Day of School and We’re Moving? Each book can also be custom made with your child as the star of the story. You can check out the books at www.changeisstrange.com.

11. What's the best thing your mother ever told you?
The best thing my mother ever told me is to use my time constructively.

12. What does being a good mother mean?
Being a good mother means being present and invested in your children as individuals.

13. What's your mantra/personal philosophy?
Stay true to your own set of morals and ethics.

14. What do you tell other mothers?
Balance is a fallacy. Life is messy.

15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know...
...that the goal is the journey and the journey is the goal.

16. Who inspires you?
Marlo Thomas inspires me because she played Ann Marie in That Girl and created Free to Be You and Me. Both the TV character and the album were huge influences in my life.

17. What are you passionate about?
Growing—and I don’t mean in size.

18. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother, a friend?
I don’t—I ‘m still working on that.

19. What do you wish you knew then, that you know now?
I wish I knew that it’s okay to fail and that most things can be fun when you have the right attitude.

20. How do you get your groove on?
I get my groove on by going for hikes at dusk with my husband, followed by cheap Mexican food and margaritas.

For more about Ricki, go to www.changeisstrange.com