Meet our December Mom of the month, Bunny!!
Where are you originally from? I was born in the Bronx, NYC and lived on Long Island until I was 13, when we moved to Israel.
When did you join FIT4MOM? I joined FIT4MOM when it was only called “Stroller Strides” and run by Misty, about 4 months after it started in Redmond, in about 2010 (I think). My friend from another health program told me about it when I told her I couldn’t find anywhere to work out with a baby – my grandson, Ben, who was a year and a half old – about the same age as her son (they became great friends).
What classes do you attend? Stroller Strides
Who is/are your workout buddy(ies) and their age(s)? I love all the moms and kiddos, and over the years have made many friends with both. During Covid classes on Zoom, I loved to make the kids happy with my bunny, which has now been attacked by Agi, my son’s sweet dog. I have watched children go from infants to big kids, and I have seen pregnancies turn into adorable babies.
What is your favorite thing about FIT4MOM? I love everything about FIT4MOM but especially the community and the sharing of experiences, information, and support for each mom. I love working out outside and the fresh air is so beneficial to all the kids. I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing all the babies!!!
What is your current job? Or what did you do before staying at home (if you don’t currently work outside the home)? I am officially retired but worked at many things: I was a journalist, a tour guide (still am), a tour manager, a hotel sales manager, and a restaurant owner. I enjoyed all my jobs but love being retired and able to travel all the time. I want to remind all the mamas who see me traveling all over all the time, when my kids were growing up there was a period of 20 years when we went NOWHERE!!! So hang in there, the kids will grow and leave home and you will be able to travel BUT enjoy the years that they are little because it goes by too fast!!!
Share your thoughts on the concept of “it takes a village” – is it important for moms to join a village? It is SO important for moms to be part of a village. There are so many difficulties in raising a child and they don’t come with instruction manuals. It is so helpful to have people you can talk to and get advice from. Sometimes, all you need is to talk about things without having to judge or be judged!
What is your favorite beverage? Wine
What is your favorite dessert? Fruit – I know it sounds crazy but I LOVE blueberries and cherries.
You are given 4 hours of FREE babysitting. What would you do? I know what I DID – we would go to a movie or restaurant or to visit friends – always something we could do together because that is the one thing you have so little of – quality time together.
What is your ultimate child-free vacation destination? Club Med but very soon the kids were old enough to come too so having them in the “Kids Club” was a life-saver!!
How has becoming a mother changed you? It was the best thing in the world. Yes, there were troubles and times when I could kill them but I was always so happy to have them around and so proud of their accomplishments. Today I am so proud of the adults they have become.
I am happiest when...I have my family near me.