I believe that we have to love ourselves before we can love anyone else… or accept love from anyone else. If we don’t love ourselves we seek out unhealthy partners or ways to find love. So I always focus on gratitude and love for myself.
Name:
Krista Parry
Current Occupation:
COO of CRUDE Personal Care
# of Children and their Ages:
Two boys aged 11 and 13
What do you love about being a working mom?
Let’s be honest, work is easier than parenting, a lot of times! Ha. I am a very passionate person and I am so grateful that I’ve been able to follow my dreams while also raising little humans. In the early years, I traveled A LOT! My husband was the primary caregiver. I think it made us ultimate partners in everything from the beginning. I also loved that I learned early on that it takes a village. I was not there to be the classroom mom or the party mom. But others stepped in. I’m so grateful for that!
We truly are here to mother each other...and mother all those around us.
What is the biggest challenge of being a working mom?
I had to learn very early on that there is NO SUCH THING as balance. Literally. Once you figure that out, life is so much better. I believe in equilibrium. Some days I can juggle every single ball in the air, flawlessly; other days, those figurative balls crash into the ground and I put myself to bed early until I can start over in the morning.
I can do anything, but I can’t do everything, and that’s okay.
What tips do you have for other working moms?
Trust that you know what’s best for you and don’t take advice from anyone who is not in the same ring as you… I remember when I traveled a lot, I would often get comments from other moms at school about “How they just didn’t know how I could be away from my kids?” I would often respond with a very straight-faced, “I just don’t love my kids as much as you do…” and then watch them wiggle uncomfortably trying to get out of the conversation.
But seriously, what is best for someone else may not be best for you.
Remember, we need to mother each other and that is supporting each other in what we choose.
Also, make time for yourself even if it’s at 4:30 am. I’ve always been a morning person, just not a 4:30 am type. But once I had kids I realized that it was the only time that I could control not getting interrupted. It’s my time just for me. 6-7 days a week, I’m out watching the sunrise on my early morning run or doing a hot yoga class to start the day. It’s the perfect way for me to show love to myself first thing in the morning.
Any relationship tips for working moms?
Ask for help! Seriously. Intimacy is found in the little things done each day. When you feel like you have an equal partner, it helps your relationship! My husband didn't have an equal partner for a long time... And we both feel so much more connected now that we can both ask for help.
What's the best piece of advice your own mother gave you?
When I’d complain about getting the same result over and over and over again, she would say, “it’s like a dog chasing it’s tail… don’t that ass look familiar.” You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. You have to change what you are doing!
What stresses you out?
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah where the Great Salt Lake is drying up. We have to take action now to get water back into the Great Salt Lake otherwise it will have catastrophic impacts on our health, our economy and so much more. Things can be very stressful but we also can do something about it. I’m part of a coalition that formed to create Save Our Great Salt Lake to help people take action. Action helps me feel less stressed.
How do you mother yourself?
I believe that we have to love ourselves before we can love anyone else… or accept love from anyone else. If we don’t love ourselves we seek out unhealthy partners or ways to find love. So I always focus on gratitude and love for myself.
