A Mom in a World of Kindness and Facebook

a local mom keeps it real about finding adult interaction, owning your parenting style, and not keeping up with the Joneses

V1 Staff |

A local mom keeps it real about finding adult interaction, owning your parenting style, and not keeping up with the Joneses ...

name

Stephanie Sirek

family

Husband: Joe 
Kids: Giselle (9), Jamison (6), Graycen (4), and Jackson (2)

neighborhood

The Planets, north side of Eau Claire

background

Stephanie grew up in the small town of Knapp, most famous for the Knapp hill and a single exit on I-94. She graduated from Menomonie High School and went on to received a degree in child care services from Chippewa Valley Technical College. After the day care she directed closed, she took a factory job where she met her hubby, Joe. They were married in Las Vegas in 2005. Stephanie has been a stay-at-home mom for two and a half years and is a moderator for several locally recognized Facebook groups, including Let’s Eat, Women Sharing in the Valley, and Playground Pals, but the one she’s most passionate about is Stay at Home Parents of the Valley.

We love the Chippewa Valley because it’s a great place to raise a family. I feel like it’s big enough to have opportunities for the kids to learn and discover new things, yet small enough that I feel safe letting them play outside by themselves.

I couldn’t live without my family. Joe helps keep me balanced, and my kids help me find the joy in life. But if I were keeping it real, Facebook would also be near the top of the list. Since I don’t get a lot of adult interaction in my day, Facebook helps me stay connected with other adults and the outside world.

Being a mom is the most rewarding and challenging thing I’ve ever done. I’ve learned over the years that moms don’t give themselves enough grace. We feel this incredible need to live up to unrealistic standards. Those “Joneses” are doing everything right and don’t have any problems. I’ve learned that I need to focus on us; the wonderful things I do have and that I do as a mother, and spend less time worrying about what others are doing or what we don’t have. Life is much easier if you can find a way to enjoy what you do have and less on how your life doesn’t compare to the “Joneses.”

My family has taught me to be more kind. Before I had kids I was judgmental and snarky. Youth tends to make you believe that you know everything and have it all figured out. Having a family and going through our own struggles made me realize that everyone is struggling with something and that everyone deserves kindness. You don’t have to like everyone but you do need to be kind is a lesson I try to teach my kids every day, and they remind me when I forget myself.

My spouse would say my super power is ... I asked, and he didn’t know. I must have been at home wiping a butt, or picking up toys for the 19th time, or shuttling kids back and forth to activities the day super powers where handed out. Hmmm … I wonder when the next registration deadline is?

If I could pass on one bit of advice it would be to be the kind of mom that you want to be and own it. If you are doing what’s in the best interest of your child and family, then don’t let anyone else tell you differently. Breast/bottle, attachment/cry it out, cloth/disposable, helicopter/free range, whatever parenting style you choose, be confident in it and don’t allow others to cast judgements or question it. You do what’s right for your family, I’ll do what’s right for mine, and let’s all be OK with that. Remember that not one parenting style fits all and be confident that you are doing what’s right for you and your family – even if someone else disagrees.