“I’ve been telling students who bemoan their first B or C in school that it’s a good reminder you can’t always get straight As in life. In juggling my adult responsibilities, I’ve learned that if I’m earning an A at work, I’m probably giving myself a B or C as a wife and parent. So then I give more time to my family, and the balance shifts. I’m always striving for an A+ in being kind to myself, by giving myself extra credit for small victories and joyful family moments.”
~ Jenny Moore, Coronado High School principal, with daughters Maizy, Camilla, and Faera
“I am blessed to have been born and raised in Coronado by two loving, caring and enthusiastic parents. Now as a single mother by choice, I’m experiencing the joys of caring for and loving my baby. Life is a 180-degree change from my 25-year fast-paced broadcasting career, as her needs, comfort and development are my priority and my immeasurable joy. While I might be exhausted, I’m also the most patient I’ve ever been. I never tire of changing a diaper, nursing or kissing her precious face. At about 5 months old, snuggled beside me one morning, she put her little hand up to my face as if to make sure I was there. It’s moments like those when I fall more in love with her. It’s frustrating, sometimes, when people say, ‘she’s growing so fast’ or ‘she’s sweet now, but wait until she’s in high school!’ Every stage is magical and memorable, and I just want to enjoy each phase with gratitude. I also now know why my mother, at 90, still loves me, worries about me, and wants the best for me. Once a mother, always a mother!”
~ Jane Mitchell with her mother Ann Mitchell and daughter Lily Ann
“Parenting is not what I expected it to be. I am a planner who likes to be in control. I planned my pregnancies, read parenting books and attended classes. I was sure I was in charge of molding this little being into my preconceived ideal. But as soon as he arrived in this world, all that planning flew out the window. God had other ideas and He would be the one to mold him into His ideal. I learned that we must parent the child we are given, not the child we thought we wanted. I quickly realized the importance of leaning on others. I reached out to fellow mothers and joined playgroups to share advice and get support. I learned I couldn’t control everything — certainly not my plans. My son died unexpectedly at age 14 and that was not in my plan. But just as I had learned to lean on and share with others as a parent, the only way I could begin to heal was to lean on my faith in God and to share the sorrow and empathy I gained from the experience. I have gone through the worst thing a parent can go through. But by discarding the fluff in life and cherishing the important things, the worst day of my life has come and gone and I didn’t disappear. I’m missing a huge chunk of my heart but it’s still beating.”
~ Sue Shirey with husband, Jim, and sons Matt and James
“I was blessed with twin baby boys whom I love more than words. The joy is obvious: I have two babies who fill my heart. Double the smiles, cuddles, and giggles; but also double the cries (and sometimes triple if you include my own!). I am often up all night because when I get one baby down the other wakes up — I am outnumbered and it can be overwhelming — but that is nothing compared to the love, joy and patience they have taught me. Not to mention the acquired ability to pick things up with my toes.”
~ Megan Settle West with twin sons Parker and Mason
“The austere and unforgiving combat environment has always tested my ability to remain grounded. But as a dad, focusing on my son and the pride I have in my family at home helps me to do so — deployment puts limitations on my ability to play a direct role in his life, but that’s the conscious sacrifice I choose to make for my country. It’s the simple things — such as memories of reading to Connor at home — that help me keep things in perspective.”
~ Trevor Tingle with son Connor
“When I faced the decision of parenting my children alone, it was obvious where I’d raise them. Coronado is where I am fortunate enough to have not just my loving parents, but a close-knit community supporting me as I raise my two precious ones. They say it takes village, and that’s exactly what we have here. From the security of having my childhood home only blocks away, to the friends, new and old, who have extended their hands, to the many special people I have been blessed to know all 33 years of my life, Coronado has uplifted me and my children — and I couldn’t do it without this village.”
~ Maggie Andrews with mother Judy Andrews (holding a photo of grandmother Faye Albright) and children Ava and Teddy (four generations of Coronadans)
“A parent’s job changes when their children reach their 20s. It’s not that the job is done; rather it’s that we’ve taken on more of a consulting and advising role as they encounter new adult responsibilities like taxes, vehicle registration, apartment leases and 401k investments. We always want to hear about their experiences as they live their adult lives out in the world. Knowing that we’ve raised children into adults capable of making their own decisions is rewarding, but tricky — we’ve learned to wait for questions rather than offer unsolicited advice. It’s about striking a balance between letting go so they can blossom as adults while finding new ways to stay connected as a family.”
~ Ken MacLeod with wife, Jan, and children Kyle, Kathryn and Kristi
“I opened my dance studio 16 years ago, and I’ll always consider it my first baby. Since I had my two children, I realize how much the dance business is like parenting. It’s both rewarding and challenging; it literally takes blood, sweat and tears. Both require constant dedication and diligence, but you get back what you put in tenfold. My business allows me to bring my kids to work with me, and although my son doesn’t like being around all these girls right now, I think he’ll appreciate it in a few years!”
~ Dawn Duryea with children, Sarah and Tyler
