GFM
Meet Kathy
- Single mom of two children (Cassie Taylor, 19 and Alex Taylor, 16)
- Owner of U S Ad and Embroidery Zoo and partner in Career Smart Employment
- Member of Macon Rotary Club
Her favorite things:
“I live on 11 acres in North Bibb County, and it’s a lot to take care of as a single parent; but I love landscaping chores (in the spring) so plan on staying there even after both kids have moved out. I love tennis, cooking, painting, and making bonfires with my kids and their friends.”
Her typical day:
“My daughter Cassie is at Georgia College & State University, so Alex is my only child left at home. He’s a student at Mount de Sales and just started driving 3 weeks ago. Now that I no longer take children to school, I miss the conversation and prayer each morning during the drive. There is no more mad-dashing around when the kids get out of school, and I surprisingly miss it. It was so hectic for years that I was exasperated with the ‘taxi-driving’ of both kids active in sports and very social. Now those times are very fond memories when we’d talk about everything under the sun while in the car together. If you’re a parent in the hectic ‘taxi’ mode now and you begrudge it, change your perspective. I promise that you will cherish these memories later. You feel like it will be this hectic forever, but it passes in a moment’s time.
Bedtime is very different now with my daughter in college. She would not go to bed so I was constantly telling her “turn out your light and go to sleep” and she’d still be up until 1 a.m. It wasn’t very pleasant. My son goes to bed with less effort; plus his cell phone doesn’t ring constantly at night. There’s a lot less laundry with just my son and me, and meals are much easier to coordinate. But he and I love it when my daughter comes home for dinner and weekends.”
On having teenagers as opposed to young children: “The teenage years are more difficult for a parent because early teens think they know everything and that you’re a moron. You worry about peer pressure and what type of adult they’ll turn into; plus you feel pressure to teach them to handle their finances, relationships, and school/work habits. If you spoiled them too much when they were young, you’ll realize your error during these years! If they’re mentally strong, they’ll snap back at you and hurt your feelings. But I always told myself I’d rather them be strong-willed than a pushover. The bad attitude does pass, so don’t let it rouse you too much. I like the friendship and deeper conversations about life in general that we’re able to have at their ages now, though.”
Her proudest moments as a mom:
Tremblay says her proudest moments were: “When it hit me that my children have turned out to be mature, socially and emotionally adept, smart, kind, and loving towards others. Just knowing they’ve become great young adults with bright futures, having missed the drug culture and excesses that have trapped so many young adults makes me really proud. My daughter is in pre-med school. My son still has a few years to decide the path he’ll take, but I have no doubt that both of them will do well.”
Core child-raising values that are paying off now:
- Waiting to date seriously
- Saving money
- Keeping up with the news
- Praying every day for guidance and thankfulness
- Bargain shopping
Her advice for getting through motherhood struggles:
“There are always trying times at every stage of child rearing, and if you have a miserable attitude during these times, change it! Your attitude sets the tone for the family. Sing a goofy song, pick your little one up and disco dance with them to loud music, pretend you’re a blind, challenged monster monkey, create a dumb game like the sock-fan game. Just draw their attention away from their naturally self centered little selves. It may not work all the time, but it sure makes for some happy home life memories, and you can’t possibly be depressed when you’re making your kids laugh.
“I heard once that children are barbarians and it’s a parent’s job to civilize them. Well it’s the truth! Just make sure you ‘civilize’ them with love and joy, and when you’re ready to cry or scream, focus on the goal of having them move out one day as self sufficient and emotionally healthy adults.” #
Do you know an outstanding mom who is highly visible in the community ,and who would be of great interest to our readers? If so, please contact publisher@georgiafamily.com.