Last week we heard from Real (Experienced) Mom, Cindy who also happens to be MY mom. And I am so proud and of her honesty in answering my questions… especially when she confessed to reading my journal in junior high!
Next up is her mom, my grandmother, Phyllis, and her experiences in rearing my mom, aunt and uncle. And I appreciate her honesty in sharing, as well.
I hope you also enjoy her interview and can take something from it to apply to your own parenting. Next up will be my mother-in law, so be sure to comeback next Thursday to see what she has to share.
Okay, on with the Real (Experienced) Mom interview for this week…
Real (Experienced) Mom interview with Phyllis
What are the approximate ages of your children now?
Daughter, Jacquie, 63 yrs.
Daughter, Cindy 62 yrs.
Son, Marc born in 1953, deceased July, 2005
Do you have grandchildren?
3 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren
What are some of the qualities that you admire in your children?
Their independence, loving, respectfulness and caring personalities.
How much of their personality now was a part of them as children?
They haven’t changed much.
Before your children were of traditional school age, were you a stay at home mom or were you employed outside the home? At the time, how did you feel about that decision? How do you feel about it now?
I was a stay at home mom. It was the thing to do at that time as most mothers stayed home at that time. I am glad I was a stay at home mom.
Tell me about a difficult decision you remember making as a mom concerning one of your children. If you could do it over, would you make the same choice?
When my older daughter became pregnant I feel I made her feel like she HAD to get married, and I would never do that again.
Tell me about something you feel you did ‘right’ as a mom.
I taught our kids to be polite, to be gracious, to send thank you notes, and be respectful of their elders.
What were some of your family’s favorite meals that you served?
Chili Soup, favorite snack was graham crackers with a butter cream filling, beef roast with veggies, simmered browned pork chops.
Did you establish or follow any family traditions with your children that you especially cherished… then or now? Tell me about a few of your favorites.
My little girls (2 & 4) attended Sunday School a whole year and received their first perfect attendance pin.
I enjoyed dressing up and watching my children walk off to school every morning. One would come home just as she left in the morning and the other came home a little disheveled.
We took family Sunday rides in the country. We had ice cream on Sunday evenings while watching Ed Sullivan.
How did you celebrate birthdays with your children? What about adult birthdays?
Usually had a birthday cake with candles and a small gift. My husband and I did not celebrate our birthdays… we might have gone out to dinner.
When your children were very young, did you have any hobbies you enjoyed just for yourself? If so, what were they?
Flower arrangements, sewing, collected miniature animal families, collected bells, sang in the church choir and programs, sang solo at weddings and Eastern Star.
What were some of your family’s favorite things to do together when you had preschoolers? Elementary-school age children? High schoolers? Now?
We went to the lake on weekends when they were preschoolers. Elementary school age – I don’t know. High school age – eat dinner together. Just being together makes me happy.
Is there anything about your parenting style that you are especially proud of? What is it?
I tried to give my children a sense of religion by attending church with them… with the exception of our son.
Is there anything about your parenting style that you now regret? Do you mind sharing that with us?
I was probably too lenient.
If you could give newer moms three pieces of advice, what would they be?
My advice to moms would be learn to live on less so you can be at home with your children, always respect your children’s feelings, and don’t expect more than they can give.
Is there a question I haven’t asked that you would like to answer?
No, I’m done.
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