Summer is in full swing, and our jobs as Super Moms is never over. For many of us, our lives revolve wholly around our families. Many struggles with creating a work life balance. The super mom I am going to introduce to you today has struggled with the balancing act, while raising triplets! Rachel has had to reinvent her way more than once, in order to become the awesome force that she is today. And with that, I give you
Related Articles
Super Mom Rachel- A Balanced Life
Hey, Rachel! Why don’t you tell my friends a little bit about yourself!
Hey, I’m Rachel. I am a mom to triplets who are 8, two girls and a boy. I also just recently launched a new business – REL Impact with Rachel – where I help aspiring and existing female entrepreneurs realize their passion, purpose, and potential. As a coach and consultant, I empower my clients with the tools, skills, and resources they need to launch and grow their own businesses and create a life of fulfillment and financial success. My work really is me living – I love it!
I must admit, triplets is a little intimidating! What does a typical day for you look like?
I wake up at 6 am to exercise for 30-45 minutes, then I quickly check email and social media for anything that needs a quick response (but not before I’m done with my workout!), and turn my attention to our trio close to 7 am. Our mornings are busy, loud, and structured as we all prepare for the day! (If anyone has advice on how to make them less “loud,” I’d love to hear it!)
After I drop off my kids at camp or school, I balance my time between business and anything I need to take care of for the kids during workday hours (ie. doctor appointments, school meetings, etc).Most of the time though, you can find me in my home-based office or at one of my favorite Denver coffee shops! Wherever it may be, I meet with clients (in person or through the video service Zoom), write a lot (blogs, marketing copy for new programs, client feedback), connect with my communities on social media, and engage in planning (the next month’s schedule, new ideas development, etc).
Because so much of my work is independent and computer-based, I block out time to meet with 3-6 women each week – or attend a midday networking event or Meetup – so that I continue to meet new people, learn from others, and feel connected to the “outside” world.
Our sweet family of five eats dinner together EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. It’s our non-negotiable “us” time when we reflect on the day and individually share what made it so special. If our kiddos say that their day was lousy, we encourage them to think of just ONE thing that was good. (Always slipping in those life lessons ☺)
One of my most dear friends, who is 15 years older than I, told me this when I was in the thick of life with three 2-year-olds and it’s stuck with me for all these years: “Boring toddlers make boring adults.” I love this. Because it means that my children will grow up to be interesting, fun, active, adventurous people with personalities, minds of their own, and a spark that lights people up. And knowing this helps me get through the crazy moments that pop up throughout each day.
What do you do to unwind? What is your “ME” time?
My ME time is usually spent doing one of two things: working or hanging out with my hubby of (almost) 13 years. I love, and am so fulfilled by, my work. So, retreating to my office and writing or connecting with women online is such a great way for me to decompress after the day. But I also enjoy taking a walk with my husband or watching comedy on YouTube. (We try to do that before bed because laughter is a great way to wrap up the day!)
Have you always wanted to be a mom?
Yes! But getting pregnant wasn’t easy. It took my husband and me four years to conceive, but when it happened, it was that much sweeter. We couldn’t be more elated to become parents; triplets was a welcome challenge – and is a complete joy.
With triplets, I am sure things have not always gone as planned. What do you do when that happens?
I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. So when life throws curve balls, I do my best to hit them out of the park. I’m that gal who makes lemonade out of lemons and always has a way of seeking out the good. I’ve found that this perspective makes everything easier to handle and no one thing ever feels catastrophic.
I’m not sure who said it first, but I read this quote somewhere, and it sums up my action plan for those tough situations: “I never lose. I either win or learn.”
You seem so wise. Do you have any words of wisdom for the other Super Moms out there?
YES! Let’s just say that I’ve had a lot of opportunities to learn and grow and change in ways that have given me great insights… Here are a few pieces of wisdom I’d love to share:
- GIVE. When you contribute, when you give of yourself, you help others. And there’s no greater gift to yourself than giving to someone else.
- Engage in positive self-talk daily. Because if you continue to say it, you’ll start to believe it. And you can only become your best self from within.
- Find the takeaway in everyone and everything you encounter. There’s always something to learn, gain, or appreciate. Find it.
- Be kind and smile. It’s amazing how good that makes others – and you – feel.
The challenges and struggles are what define us, can you tell me your biggest since becoming a mom?
I’m torn between two…
- Turning my kids’ outbursts, meltdowns, and fits into a learning experience for us all… I’m a believer that there are no such things as “bad” kids; they’re just limited in their ability to communicate what’s going on internally. And, as the adults in their lives, it’s our job to help them figure it out, learn from it, and brainstorm ways to handle that same challenge next time. Oh, but it’s not that easy! I’m always working at this ☺
- For many years I struggled with the work-life balance thing. I committed so much of my time and energy to other people and organizations and then had very little left for my family and me. As an overachieving, workaholic, I wanted to work. But I also wanted to be the best mom I could be. And truthfully, the two weren’t in sync.
I’ve had to figure it out the hard way (ie. years of doing it the wrong way)… But the result is that now that I’ve created my work life AROUND my family, so they come first. I still work MANY hours a day, but I’m present for my children and husband when they’re not in school/at work and I sneak in my work over a broader time frame each day (like, off-and-on between 6:45 am and 10 pm). It works, and we’re all so much happier.
Wisdom is often passed on to us by people even wiser than our selves. What is the very best piece of advice you have ever gotten?
TWO:
- Say YES when someone offers. Whether it’s advice or a helping hand, we create community when we say ‘yes’ and allow people into our lives.
Before our babies were born, my husband and I (who are both Type A, do-it-yourself-ers) were the ones to lend support to others, invite someone into our home, offer to do a favor, or whatever. And when we had our babies, someone told me that we won’t be happy if we don’t say yes, because it’s not possible to do it happily all on our own. So, we said yes to all the help that people offered, and found that our wise friend was right.
- When I was going through a difficult break-up in my 20’s, my father said these words to me: “When you walk away, you have to know that you can look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day.” I took these words to heart then, and I keep them with me now. Honesty, humility, and trust are big ones for me, and whether I’m dealing in business or with a friend, I always ask myself if I’ll be able to look myself in the mirror at the end of the day before acting in a way that I’ll regret. This really guides my actions.
I have to ask, whats your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is Edy’s Slow Churned Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream. Let’s just say that I have it more often than I should and out of a grown-up sized bowl.
Share with us your greatest accomplishment to date. And saying the family is cheating!
Creating a life that is fulfilling.
It has taken me many years to get to this amazing place in my life where I am truly fulfilled. Over the years, I have re-invented myself several times and continually engaged in self-reflection and self-discovery to figure out the right mix of this-and-that. And WOW, living it now is incredible.
If you could trade places with anyone living or not who might that be?
Gosh, that’s a tough one. Because in my 39 years, I’ve learned that the grass is always greener and you never really know what goes on in someone else’s world.
BUT, if I had to choose, I’d trade places with my grandmother who has lived an almost 97 years filled with grace, deep love, achievement as a professional woman and mother, financial success, worldwide travel, seemingly endless friendships, peace and compassion, and an amazing legacy…
Everyone has a “guilty pleasure.” What’s yours?
Cooking in my kitchen while I’m home alone and singing full voice to most any Broadway show tune. (Right now I’m obsessed with Dear Evan Hansen, and anything Idina Menzel is pretty fantastic too.)
What are your words to live by? The ones that you remind your self from time to time.
“I’m not a perfect mom, but I’m a supermom.” -me
I’m not perfect (as a mom, wife, friend, businesswoman), but I’m doing the damn best I can… and, it’s pretty super, if I may say so myself. We all make mistakes and have our weaknesses. But to not focus on our greatness, those things that we’re doing right just feels like a lost opportunity to keep moving forward.
If you could leave one last thing for my friends, what would you say?
You own your future! Don’t accept status quo as your forever. Creating a life that fulfills you is within your power… it just takes making that first step to move towards it. Find a friend or an accountability partner who can help you make a plan and stick to it.
Want More?
Getting to know Rachel this go round has been nothing short of inspirational. Even with her hands full, she has made her life one to remember. Rachel didn’t settle, and I can bet we are going to see more of her in the future. Do you want to get to know her more? She’s often found on Facebook Pinterest and Instagram!
Next Time On Super Moms:
I have interviewed lots of amazing moms, and I am always looking to add another to my ever growing list of Super Moms. Are you one? If you are do not hesitate to reach out! And, to add to the fun, I am wanting to interview one dad for an upcoming post! Nominate your dad today!
Until next time
Marlene
If you loved this you should start from the beginning!
Super Moms: May We Know Them!
Super Moms: May We Be Them
Super Moms: May They Inspire Us
Super Mom: Self Care!
Super Mom Sam! The Lighter Side of Motherhood!
The post Super Mom Rachel- A Balanced Life appeared first on She's A Hot Mess.
Super Mom Rachel- A Balanced Life was first posted on August 1, 2017 at 8:00 am.
©2017 "She's a hot mess". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at [email protected]
