How I’m inspired to be a role model for my daughter
Meet Elena, co-chair of the Cara Executive Council and Executive Vice President at Edelman. In honor of Mother’s Day, she shares how she navigates motherhood and finds satisfaction through her work at Cara and her job.
The first year of parenting….
“I have a little girl. Her name is Gigi and she was born in January 2022.
“The best description that I’ve heard of parenting is that it’s a series of projects. And I love projects. I love breaking things down and then seeing the results of the hard work. I think that the first year of motherhood has certainly proven that to be the case. Some of “projects” are difficult and some are really interesting and funny.
“Something else I’ve heard is to think about parenting as a treasure hunt. Not a checklist. Like you’re trying to discover who this person is versus checking off that you’ve done everything right for them. These are the kinds of sayings that really help frame the way I approach parenting.
On being a role model…
“I love working. I had a long maternity leave, which I’m very grateful for, but I realized how much I missed working when I returned. I feel really satisfied with my job and it’s been a nice balance with parenting. I like to model to my daughter that I’m doing something that deeply satisfies me.
“I feel really satisfied with my job and it’s been a nice balance with parenting. I like to model to my daughter that I’m doing something that deeply satisfies me.”
“I also model how to make choices. I don’t know if I’m making the best choice or the right choice all the time as a mother, but I am making a choice. And I think knowing how to navigate options is a skill. You make a choice, and you make the best of it. I think my experience of being a mother is making lots of choices, and I’d like to model that skill for her.
How the Cara community impacts me…
“I became involved with Cara because my job brings me a sense of confidence and satisfaction, and there’s always a learning experience. And that fills me up. I wanted to support an organization that supports the approach that all people can have access to feel that sense of accomplishment and pride. When the opportunity to take a leadership role at Cara came up, I felt that I could add increased value through my consulting role at work with the mission of the organization.
“This is one of the communities that is important to me because of my values. I hope that my daughter chooses to be a part of a community that satisfies her in the same way. I’m modeling what satisfies me and I’m not sure what that will be for her yet. Again, we go back to that treasure hunt. My biggest hope is that her cup feels full the same way mine does.”
This Mother’s Day, you can support hardworking moms in our community by giving a gift that helps transform a life. You can also read more inspiring Mother’s Day stories just like Elena’s on our blog here.
