On Teleflora.com, our Mother's Day shopping guide identifies various types of moms - for example, Super Mom, Gourmet Mom, Modern Mom, Classic Mom, etc. On the blog, I'm highlighting a series of real moms who exemplify each one of the categories.
Finding support and sharing common experiences has been a recurring theme for many of our real mom bloggers. And that's certainly true for today's Modern Mom Jennifer James, editor of the Mom Salon, http://www.themomsalon.com/.
As Jennifer puts it: "I began blogging in 2004 because I needed to find community online. I was desperate for it. I was a mom with two toddlers and was going a little batty. I simply needed to talk with other mothers who were going through the same things I was and who also needed an outlet to share, network, and communicate."
Five Minutes with a Modern Mom
Q What was the biggest surprise for you as a mom?
A My biggest surprise as a mom is that it's not as tough as I thought. So far I've been able to manage motherhood quite well (knock on wood) and still remain committed to who I am as an individual and as a woman who still has ambitions in life. I wouldn't change a thing.
Q Tell me about a tough choice you made as a mom.
A One of the toughest choices I made as a mom was to start my own business. Being a businesswoman means sometimes I have to travel away from my family and I have to make sure some of my work is done before I can play with my daughters or just come together and share our day.
Even though it was a tough choice, I wouldn't change it for the world. I want my daughters to see me as a strong woman and mother. It is important to me to show them a good example of someone who values hard word, ingenuity, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Q What is your favorite piece of parenting advice and how did you acquire it?
A I have no idea where I heard this, but it has been with me for years: If your children know how to read well and know how to travel, then they will make it far in life.
Education is important to my husband and me, and we are raising daughters who ardently believe in the gift of traveling and exploring new places. I believe those two things will make them well-adjusted adults.
Q What inspires you?
A I am inspired by creativity and beauty.
Q What’s your favorite gadget?
A I have one gadget that I do not live without: my Peek. If there is one thing I believe, it's this: There is beauty in simplicity. My Peek does nothing but email, so when I'm traveling I can check my email only without all the bells and whistles of taking pictures, using the phone, getting on the Internet, etc.
I like simple.
Imagination Blooms puts a unique, modern twist on Mother's Day flowers.
