—
ZagZig Mom
Kori Reed, Nebraska USA
www.zagzigparenting.com
From Amazing Moms: Parents of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission. By Hogan Hilling and Elise Cohen Ho.
Amazing Moms: Parents of the 21st Century is the 1st coffee table book to feature moms. It features 115 amazing moms from a variety of family dynamics and 13 countries – USA, Canada, Australia, England, Netherlands, France, Italy, China, Hungary, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Mozambique, and Croatia. It is filled with captivating self-portraits that reveal each mom’s unique personality and joyful photos of their families. The moms bear their souls about the challenges and joys of motherhood and share a wealth of wisdom about their parenting journeys. These moms represent motherhood and femininity at its best. Amazing Moms is the companion coffee table book to DADLY Dads.
◊♦◊
I am a mom of four children who also has enjoyed a successful professional career which spans two decades-plus, four states, and Fortune 500 companies, progressing from manager to vice president. I married my high school sweetheart, Mike, who has been the primary caregiver for our family. Together, we have written a book called ZagZig Parenting, sharing comical vignettes of a contemporary family where dad is the primary parent. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism (University of Missouri) and a master’s degree (University of Nebraska) with an emphasis in Communication and business.
My passion involves bringing new life to objects and ideas via reading, writing and creating hands-on art projects, including unique photos and mini-sculptures.
Quote.
Lines are only suggestions. – Jill Reed, my mom, said this when someone else chided me for coloring outside the lines and choosing pink for the sky.
What I do well as a mom:
I ask probing questions, and may admit – not to the kids – that is a strength overused. I champion dreams and potential and inspire family members to see things in new and creative ways.
What I learned from another Mom.
When the kids are teens, learn to rest your chin on the palm of your hand when you listen to them. It will help you control your urge to drop your jaw and gape at some things they say or share.
Lesson learned from my child.
To be present and in the moment. I finally understand what the kids mean when they say I am “too intense.” I don’t want to miss a moment to connect by asking questions and “investigating” their day when they only want me to enjoy the present time and listen to them.
Successful mom moment:
As I typed this, my 17-year-old son called me from his part-time job. He said he was on his way home, asked me how my day was, invited me to share something good about it, and said he loved me.
Mom I admire.
My mom, who passed away too soon, embraced the grace of patience and wisdom with the reassurance that comes from experience. “This too shall pass” was her frequent go-to saying when I was in a panic about my struggles as a young adult, and better yet when I worried in moments raising young adults. She demonstrated strength, compassion and a fierce dedication to her peeps.
—
Originally published in Amazing Moms: Parents of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission.
—
—
Photos courtesy of the author.
—