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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MAY 5, 2022
KEYS WEEKLY CELEBRATES
KEYS MOMS
STACEY MITCHELL & DAUGHTER DEVIN Plans for Mother’s Day? I will spend time at Fort Zach, where many a birthday party was held when Devin was growing up. It continues to be our “happy place.” Best advice you’ve received about motherhood? Feeding my child the “natural way” and the positive impact of a Montessori education. I was fortunate to have a very healthy baby and I attribute it to the chosen feeding method during the first year, and the Montessori education she received during her primary years continues to have an impact on her approach to learning and growing. Best advice you would offer other mothers? In addition to the above, I would add for the parent and child to find an activity/routine/ tradition that only you and your child share. The memories of that bond will carry into your child’s adulthood. On Sunday afternoons we would go for bike rides to visit her “Meka’s” final resting place in the cemetery, then go have crepes at Le Creperie. Whenever Devin comes home for a visit, we still make time to do this activity. Proudest “Mom moment” so far? Devin’s first year as a 4th grade teacher in an innercity elementary school during the height of the pandemic and all learning was remote. Can you imagine? I became her guidance counselor, and as all moms would say, “I was happy to do so.”
LAUREN MONGELLI WITH SONS DAMIAN & DASH RATCLIFF Plans for Mother’s Day? Spend the day at Marvin Key with the boys. Best advice you’ve received about motherhood? Cherish every moment because they grow fast. Best advice you would offer other mothers? Your kids won’t remember if the house was clean or the laundry was done, but they will remember the times you got dirty and played. Proudest “Mom moment” so far? When my kids display kindness to others.
MICHELLE NORWOOD WITH KIDS EVA & BILLY Plans for Mother’s Day? My mom lives in Illinois, but came down for a few days and we’re all going to Benihana for dinner and an onion volcano. Best advice you’ve received about motherhood? “Having a kid is like getting a tattoo on your face. You’d better be SURE you want one because once you have it, there’s no changing your mind.” Best advice you would offer other mothers? In the event of a meltdown, just add water. Put the baby in the bath, let the toddler splash in the tub, or throw the bigger kids into the closest pool. Water makes most things better. Proudest “Mom moment” so far? Seeing them take care of their younger cousins and interacting with younger kids. You can tell a lot about a kid by the way they treat littler kids. (Just not their younger brothers). In a movie about your life, who would you want to play you? Jennifer Lawrence, but add a few years, a few pounds and Andie MacDowell’s hair.
DENISE CHELEKIS & SON MATTHEW Plans for Mother’s Day? I’m gonna work so another mom can spend the day with her kids. Best advice you’ve received about motherhood? Both my parents passed away when I was a teenager, so I had to wing it. But it looks like I did a good job. Best advice you would offer other mothers? Keep kids in sports. Proudest “Mom moment” so far? He constantly surprises me by doing little things to show he loves me. (And not just on Mother’s Day.)
JULIA KALETOVA WITH DAUGHTER EMILIA “EMI” SARISSKY Plans for Mother’s Day? Pool time. Best advice you’ve received about motherhood? Everything is a phase. Best advice you would offer other mothers? Everything is a phase. Proudest “Mom moment” so far? Every day, how kind Emi is. In a movie about your life, who would you want to play you? Lily James.
