Welcome to our latest monthly column, “Mom on the Street” (ya know, like “Man on the Street”).
Each month, we’ll be asking moms just like you for a slice of their sage advice, insider tips or
tried-and-true wisdom in the hopes that their unique brand of mothering inspires, assuages, calms,
strengthens and even amuses you.
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Adena Surabian started Nature’s Baby Organics (www.naturesbabyorganics.com) because she could not imagine putting chemicals on her babies—especially since they were showing signs of skin allergies and eczema. Here’s what this Simi Valley, Calif., mother of two has to say:
“Family. Summer to me means more family time—time to play in the water, play in the sun and just watch my babies grow. It is also a time when time is not so much of an issue. During the school year, we are on schedules for school, which means early to rise and early to bed. During the summer, however, my family and I travel to the beach once or twice a week to have dinner while watching the sunset. One of our favorite things to do is collect treasures (pretty rocks) from the ocean. It is during the summer that life seems to slow down just a bit, so we can all breathe, relax and enjoy each other.” |
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Melisa Tropeano LaTour is the founder and president of MTL Communications (www.mtlcommunications.com), a public relations firm, and mother of 3-year-old twins, Rocco and Venezia. Here’s what this Hoboken, N.J., mom has to say:
 “Summertime was always synonymous with happy, relaxed days when people seemed to have more fun. Now, even in my busy role as a working mom, I can still say that is true. Growing up, I spent summers down the Jersey Shore and I am thrilled to be offering the same oasis to my own children, Rocco and Venezia, as we continue to relocate to Lavallette each summer. Having a home-based business and a husband who’s a teacher provide this terrific opportunity that I never grow tired of. I make it a point to coordinate with my employees and be as organized as possible in summer, so we can head outdoors and take advantage of this great time of year with our families.
When summer rolls around, I slow down the pace of life for, and with, my kids, and help them appreciate some of the good, old-fashioned summertime activities of my youth—swimming in the ocean, going on the rides at the boardwalk and watching fireworks from the beach. During the season, I want my kids to know—and appreciate—relaxing family time. There’s too little of it in today’s world—so many stimuli grab our attention at every turn.
What will be on the agenda? We’re going for tandem bike rides along the boardwalk, walks along the shore break to collect shells and we’ll be sharing stories with our family. The shore house, where my entire family congregates each summer, is the perfect place for my children to enhance their relationships with not only my husband and me, but all of their relatives. We maintain a very harried, frenetic pace from September to June, so summer offers us that rare chance to stop, take stock and cultivate parts of our lives that aren’t as tended to the rest of the year.” |
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Diane Lang is the author of Baby Steps: The Path from Motherhood to Career (www.dianelangcounseling.com) and mother to 5-year-old Lauren. Here is what the New Jersey native has to say:
“As a college professor, I enjoy the luxury of scaling back work a bit to enjoy summer with my daughter. And since I also work as an author, therapist, speaker, life coach and radio host, it all adds up to one hectic schedule. But during summer, the warm weather is my motivator and I try to get outside and enjoy some part of each day.
The best part of summer is that I share my love of it with my daughter. We enjoy taking trips together, but just as exciting, we really love planning them. It makes each one of our adventures to the aquarium, amusement park or the playground even that much more special.
For me, it doesn’t get better than leisurely walks, the smell of barbecues, the sounds of the waves at the beach, and the feel of the hot sun and sand. Not only do I have more fun and feel more alive in summer, but my senses do, too.” |
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Denise Devine is the inventor of Froose (www.froose.com), an innovative whole-food juice for kids. Here’s what this Media, Pa., mother has to say:
 “The days get longer and bring with them the most pleasant smells and heightened sounds that only children can identify in a way that makes me feel I am experiencing them for the first time again—the chirping of birds, the buzz of a fly, the lapping of waves, the freshness of the air and the aroma of honeysuckle. I find that my appreciation for the beauty of nature in the summer is heightened because we live in Pennsylvania. We experience the beauty of all four seasons, but we do have to wait every year for the warmth of the summer and the wonderful outdoor activities that it brings. With the set routines of school and work in the fall and winter, our household is a flurry of activity with only special pockets of time for staying cozy inside and not as much time to take in the sights and sound of nature. That, of course, all changes for my family in the summer.
In the summer, we go to the farmers’ stands and take advantage of all the seasonal fruits and vegetables whenever we can, but because we are on the go so much, a constant supply of Froose keeps us fueled. We are beach people and usually on the road every weekend since we are only a two-hour drive to the ocean. Despite all the road trips, though, summer means slowing down and relaxing. In fact, summer is when I am most attentive to finding some time for relaxation and renewal, including taking time out to enjoy outdoor activities with the family, tapping into new creative ideas and actually reading a few good books.
Slowing down, looking at, listening to and smelling the wonders of nature with my family—that is what summer means to me.” |
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