Meet today’s Monday Mom: Beka Dougherty.
Q: What town/city do you live in?
A: I live in Suamico.
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: Two toddler boys.
Q: What are their ages?
A: They are 1 and 2.5 years old.
Q: Do you work outside the home? If so, where/what do you do?
A: I struggle with this answer. I love working outside the home and until a few months ago, I worked and loved it. It’s hard to balance family life and work life, but I had a great circle of people who helped make it work. Leaving work to stay home has not been an easy transition for me. It is what is best for our boys and our marriage…but…I know I can’t be the only stay at home mom who is both loving and struggling with this stage of life! I do enjoy that it gives me the opportunity to help support a few of our working mom friends when they need support.
Q: What is your favorite at-home activity to do with your kids?
A: You mean, besides making meals and changing diapers?! Honestly, both boys LOVE playing outside. I read an article several years ago – long before I had kids – about how important it is to not entertain your children, especially while they are young. I LOVE watching them learn by getting muddy, climbing on things in the back yard, running around in the rain, and trudging through the snow in their little snowsuits! That was a really long answer, sorry! Could have been summed up with “We like to play outside!”
Q: Where is your favorite place around Green Bay to take your kids?
A: Right here in town, we spend a LOT of time at the zoo and the parks around it. We live up near the zoo and we love that it is open rain or shine, snow or ice! They do a great job keeping the sidewalks shoveled in the winter. We enjoy it! Our newest fun find is the Heckrot Nature Center down in Menasha. If you haven’t been, it’s worth the drive! So much fun!
Q: What is one parenting tip you would like to share with others?
A: I read an awesome article years ago. Along with the author encouraging parents not to entertain their children all the time, it also encouraged parents to really train their children that they are not the center of their universe. It encouraged parents to make sure their children are aware of the world around them. Help them see the widow lady next door, require them to have responsibilities in the home (starting at a young age!), volunteer alongside them in church/community settings (greetings, trash pick-up, etc). This article, though I have NO idea who wrote it since I no longer have it, has been monumental in our parenting!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you have time for yourself?
A: I have toddlers. I don’t have hobbies…I nap 😉
Q: Are you a night owl or an early bird (despite what you have to be as a mom)?
A: I like mornings. I like to get up and empty the dishwasher, fold the laundry, and drink a cup of coffee before the boys wake up. It rarely happens that way, as it appears both boys are also early birds!!
Q: Share a funny quote from one of your kids.
A: Our oldest is currently really into sports. He has decided that he loves playing “Hocker” (hockey/soccer). One might think this game would require at least a hockey puck or soccer ball…but no, it involves hitting a golf ball around with a baseball bat…oh to be in the head of a 2 year old! I LOVE IT!
Q: What is your “story” that you would like to share with other moms to motivate/encourage/inspire or help them?
A: I’m still wrapping my head around being a parent. My husband and I had been married 8 years before God blessed us with our children. When I found out we were pregnant, it was so hard to tell a few of our friends who also had not been able to have children. Like in some way I was betraying those friends. It felt so weird to go from the ‘infertile woman’ club to the ‘geriatric mother’ club. BUT. We’ve been supported and encouraged by so many people. Including my friends who long to be mothers but aren’t. I’m so thankful my boys have a few extra “aunts” who love them SO MUCH!
Q: What is your most embarrassing moment?
A: Just the other day!! I was at church with the boys, Kevin was working this particular Sunday. I had just dropped the boys off in the nursery and I turned around really fast and ran right into a floor to ceiling glass panel. I hit it so hard my glasses pinched my eyebrow and got stuck. My face left a FULL imprint on the glass. In the few milliseconds I had to think about it, I willed myself to just turn around and walk to my seat. No one ran to check on me…SO…I assume no one saw it. BUT. I almost guarantee someone saw it (or heard it!) and just sat there and chucked at me!!! Lol!
Thanks for sharing with us, Beka!
Monday Moms is BACK! We’re always looking for more Monday Mom submissions. Help us keep featuring new area moms by filling out the Monday Mom survey on the let’s go mommy website. You can find the link here. Or, if you would like to be featured, you can also email me at lindy@letsgomommy.com.
