Mommybites Chit-Chat: Conversations with luminaries, entrepreneurs and influencers in the parenting world
Tell us a little about you (your background, your job, what makes you tick…)
I’m a mother of two who was planning on being a librarian until my career took a U-turn into the music world twelve years ago. I made a fundraiser CD for my son’s preschool called Fascinating Creatures, a collection of indie-folk songs for kids and their grown-ups.
The album took off in a way I could never have predicted, and I went from playing music time at our little co-op preschool to performing at Austin City Limits and the Lincoln Center. It’s been such a fun ride!
Who or what inspires you?
Women inspire the heck out of me – the inner strength, the capacity truly to listen and respond, the empathy and compassion, the organization, the wisdom. I could go on and on… I feel like we are in such a heavy time in our country, but I’m finding comfort and hope for the future in women.
What is your best piece of parenting advice?
Parenting is about growing too – as your baby grows and develops, so will your thinking on parenting. New parents are so hard on themselves. I was too! But as my kids have grown, I’ve relaxed, and I just know that things will keep changing, and I will keep figuring out ways to best respond.
What’s the worst piece of parenting advice you have heard?
“Dumb it down.” This makes me crazy, especially as someone who makes music for kids. And believe me, I’ve heard some truly horrendous stuff aimed at them. It is so offensive to me. Kids are curious and deep. They deserve better.
What’s the most common question you are asked by parents?
“How do you cultivate creativity in your child?” My answer is always, “Show them by example.”
What are some of your favorite T.V. shows? Books? Foods?
I saw the Mister Rogers Won’t You Be My Neighbor movie twice this summer. It is full of so much goodness that I had to go back and see it again. Also SO MUCH wonderful parenting wisdom.
And I just finished reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee for my book club. I really like historical fiction and this book follows four generations of a family in Korea and Japan from 1910 to the 1980s. Really interesting read.
What parenting books do you most recommend to parents?
Two parenting books that I used way back when my kids were little that are still relevant to me a decade later are How to Talk So Kids will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn.
What are some of your favorite parenting products?
Crayons, markers, paint, and bubbles.
If you could be someone else for a day who would it be and why?
Off the top of my head, I’m going to go with Solange Knowles because I’m so inspired by how she’s creating such powerful art with her music. Solange slays.
What’s up next for you professionally?
I’ve got two new albums coming out soon: one for kids and families called Blue Skies and Sunny Days and one for adults called Everlasting (that tackles coming to terms with some middle-age issues). I like working the contrasts!
