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You have an impressive educational and career resume, so obviously education is important to you. What plans have you and Mayor Reed discussed for Maria’s education? I love the schools that I went to, Pace Academy, University of Michigan and Howard, so I’m always advocating on behalf of those, but I think it’s so important to get to know a child’s personality and understand what really makes a child tick and then understand what schools are best. That’s what we’ve said – let’s get to know her personality a little better to know what school might be best for her. I’m excited for her to pursue different things – right now, music classes, swim classes and little toddler classes.
ABOUT SARAH-ELIZABETH n Atlanta native and daughter of attorney Susan Pease Langford and the late state Sen. Arthur E. Langford Jr.
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Do you feel extra scrutiny in the way you handle your child in public? What happens when Maria is unhappy or even on the verge of a tantrum? We don’t have to be too careful, because I think people in Atlanta are understanding. We’re in a loving community, a loving city, where people know kids and they’re welcome in our city. People are always excited to be around Maria and all kids in general. We’ve always sensed that when we’re out, we don’t feel like we have to censor ourselves or censor her – we can just be ourselves.
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Atlanta is fortunate to have lots of toddler friendly places to go. Do you have some recommendations? We like the city rec centers. Maria has been taking swimming classes there. Also “Music Together” is a class for toddlers and young kids that we really, really like. It’s a lot of fun. And we love the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
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n Worked for U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), for the D.C. Office of General Counsel and as an affordable housing developer for National Church Residences. n Contestant in the Miss America and Miss USA pageants. n The Reeds live in Southwest Atlanta, near the Niskey Lake neighborhood where Sarah grew up and her mother still lives. Photo by Michael A. McGee
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n Graduate of Pace Academy, the University of Michigan (degree in French) and Howard University School of Law
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Has Maria attended many political events at her young age? She’s been to a lot. She has met Hillary Clinton, she’s been to a lot of political events and always is extremely excited. She’s learned to shake hands and say hello to people and I think she feels like she’s a little politician.
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Where do you go for parenting advice? What parenting resources do you use? We are so lucky that we have so much family here in town. My mom and Kasim’s mom and his stepmom and his dad – we have a lot of family here, so we’re really lucky. We have no shortage of people who’ve raised some great kids to ask about, ‘What do you think about this, and what about that? Is eating this OK? Are her teeth coming in OK? Should she be talking?’ So we really stick with family and, of course, like all parents, we use the Internet. And Atlanta Parent is one of the places I turn to for advice – I love the magazine. atlantaparent.com
Sarah-Elizabeth and Maria share a playful moment at Arthur Langford Jr. Park, a city of Atlanta park named after Sarah-Elizabeth’s late father.
May 2016 Atlanta Parent 13