CORNELIUS TODAY • May 2016 • 5 continued from Page 4
At large and in charge
Abby Wyatt juggles jobs, family Abby Wyatt is a thoroughly modern mom. A brilliant multi-tasker, she and husband Zack have five kids, ages two to nine, and she works two part-time flexible jobs. She has to be a brilliant multitasker to run the Davidson Farmers Market, work at Kindred, the Davidson restaurant and keep a busy household moving more or less in the same direction. “It’s like four jobs,” she says, explaining that four of their children are in school, while the youngest “hangs out with us” while mom and dad both work from home in shared office space. On Saturdays the entire family is at the bustling farm and craft food market in downtown Davidson. A Coastal Carolina grad with a degree in sociology, she worked in finance before opting to stay at home for the past six years. The farmer’s market is a perfect gig because she can work from home most of the time. Zack, meanwhile, works from home for a tech company. He is also the founder and director of the Carolina Farm Trust.
Pro tip:“Once you learn what you want to do and put it out there, good things will come your way. Is that a little hippie nonsense? I dont know...passion is good! To be a successful mom, you have to be a success at yourself.”
Pat Cotham has been busy being a mom longer than most people. At age 65, the second-term Mecklenburg County Commissioner at large has four teens in the house. She’s responsible for their care and feeding. Of course these international students—they’re all from China—go to school, but Cotham rises at 5:15 a.m. to read the Charlotte Observer, and then get breakfast ready. They devour five dozen eggs a week, fried, scrambled and hard-boiled. After dinner and a meeting, this popular Democrat might hit the grocery store or an Asian market at 10 p.m. “I often say sleep is over-rated,” she says. Cotham, whose daughter is N.C. Rep. Tricia Cotham, is divorced from her husband, with whom she has a good relationship. Daughter Tricia has two boys, so Pat is a grandmother as well. Pat makes $27,000 a year as a commissioner, and manages to be in all four corners of the county, not to mention
the more urban center, week in week out. She keeps her calendar on an iPad “because if i lose my phone I’ve lost my calendar.” She usually has two or three community events each day, sometimes more. She is quick to strike up a conversation—and provide help—to the downtrodden. Being a grandmother, though, is special because, well, there’s less responsibility than being a mom. Her grandchildren like to play basketball and football with her. “This has never happened before in my life. Athletic ability! I love it.”
Pro Tip:“Talk to your kids. Let them know they are safe with you and you are not judging them. Help them. Talk about bullying—get them to tell you what they hear and see. Become involved in your community as a volunteer. It will change your life and help you understand problems other families face.”
Anita Sabates
Your life...Your home...Your Realtor Home of the Month
7620 Turnberry Lane - $545,000 Cowans Ford Country Club
Beautiful custom home nestled in the desired Cowans Ford community with a golf course view. Stunning outdoor oasis with an in-ground swimming pool, hot tub, stone waterfall & spectacular landscaping display. 4 Bedrooms (2 on main level), 3.5 Bath. MLS#3167254
704-562-2515
Anita.Sabates@AllenTate.com
www.AnitaSabates.net