Mid-Valley Cover MOM, Carolina amador

As a pediatrician and mother of three, Cover MOM Carolina Amador has a prescription for moms and kids: get outside!

Cover MOM, Carolina Amador, pictured here with husband, Scott Williams, a family physician and children: Lucia, age 12; Oscar, age 10 and Felix, age 7.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

My husband and I met in medical school and have lived in Corvallis for 17 years. We both love the outdoors and many ways of recreating. Before we had children, we had two beloved dogs, Bryce and Dakota, who were precious and awesome. They were our companions during all those school and training years as well as adventure companions. Fortunately, our dogs were still around when our kids were little. When we landed in Corvallis, we didn’t understand just how wonderful this place would be. I am grateful for the village here, which is so important when you have children. The Pacific Northwest is a spectacular place and we hope to explore every nook and cranny.

Photo credit by: Kristin Carroll Photography.

Every family has their own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What’s one of yours?

Our most wonderful tradition is taking many summer camping trips in our beloved camper van which we got soon after moving here. We usually visit a few of the same places every summer with wonderful friends including House Rock, Beverly Beach and Waldo Lake and then we try to find new places too. The last three summers we have done a bikepacking trip in the San Juan Islands and Canadian gulf islands. In the winter, we enjoy skiing at Hoodoo and going to the Methow Valley for some epic cross country skiing.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments?

I love it when my kids appreciate the outside world like when we are out on a hike and they say ‘look how pretty that is.’ I also really love to see them being kind to others. I’m not sure I can take full credit for these experiences but it sure does make me proud of them when this happens.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments?

I’m always humbled when I’m having an argument with one of my kids and he/she says something to me that points out my own bad behavior. Children have such wisdom!

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do?

Drive around so my kid would keep napping.

Your biggest wish for your kids is…

My biggest wish is that they find what fills them up and that they learn grit and resilience.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. Tell us about your work as a pediatrician.

I have one of the best jobs on earth. I have the privilege of having time and space to listen to people’s stories in the context of parenting. I get to witness the beauty and preciousness of the healthy attachment of a baby to its caregivers, which is literally the most important part of a human’s life. I have the privilege of seeing children from infancy through adolescence. I have a genuine appreciation for each child who brings wisdom, courage and joy to the world and I am forever grateful for these opportunities that my job gives me.

“My job helps me to realize that rough patches in parenting are normal and temporary. It helps me to learn patience in parenting.”

What have you learned professionally, that has helped you as a mom?

My job helps me to realize that rough patches in parenting are normal and temporary. It helps me to learn patience in parenting.

How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? Typically, what falls through the cracks?

I realized a long time ago that work-life balance is a lifelong struggle. We’re very fortunate that my husband and I have both been able to work part time. That has been a huge asset, so we split a lot of household responsibilities as well as parenting responsibilities. We both also have the desire/need to be physically active so that has always been a juggling act. I have succumbed to some early morning exercise even though I’m not a morning person. We both just try to respect each other’s needs to take time and go explore but we also want to be active together. It has gotten easier as the kids have gotten older. My older two are now much faster than me on the mountain bike, but I could probably still out run them! Cleaning always falls through the cracks and we have a variety of house projects which go unfinished and there’s no fancy dinners around here!

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent.

This wasn’t so recent, but the first time I finished the McDonald Forest 50K was a pretty amazing feeling!

When was the last time you failed? What did you learn?

I recently referred to someone as “she” when their preferred pronoun was “they” and I felt really awful. I sent them a message and apologized and I was so glad I did. I could have just let it go because it is a common mistake.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years?

I would like to climb some more Oregon volcanoes. Someday, I would love to circumnavigate Crater Lake on skis.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your community/upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today?

I grew up in Atlanta and I wouldn’t really call it a “community.” My parents worked hard and we didn’t have much. The women in my family had to live through some pretty significant challenges: parental abandonment, poverty, earthquakes, immigration. I did not have the ideal childhood, but neither did they. I am grateful that, despite these changes, I was fortunate enough to end up with this wonderful life I have.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you?

Oh, this is complicated. I would say that the most important skill I learned from my family’s circumstances was grit.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I think when you’re a mom, you’re always doing something for the first time.

What is one thing you never had that you want for your kids.

A sense of family and “home.”

What’s your superpower?

I can sleep anywhere, anytime. I never have to pee at night.

What’s in your mom purse right now? No, seriously, empty it out; take a picture and email or text it to us or embed it in the questionnaire.

I don’t carry purses usually but in my backpack, my wallet, water bottle, calendar, knitting—I always carry knitting.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal?

Knitting.

What keeps you sane?

The forest. Time alone.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Massages.

Who is your favorite real life hero?

I don’t have one favorite but I would say Ruby Bridges and so many moms I have met throughout my years of being a pediatrician.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Something that pushes their boundaries and makes them afraid.

They say that everyone has a book in them. What’s the title of your book?

Don’t let fear decide.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?

Not at all what I expected. The exhaustion, I never imagined how deep the exhaustion would be. It is so much bigger than anything I experienced even in medical training. I also didn’t know how lonely it would feel at times. Even when you have friends and your child is healthy and you have support, there are still times when it feels lonely, but I think that’s normal.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today?

My mom friends and my patients. What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom? Go for a run!

What advice would you give your younger mom self—what do you wish you knew then that you know now?

I can’t really think of anything that I wish would be different. I sometimes wonder if it would have been good to get out to the forest more with my first baby, but maybe that uncertainty and nervousness you have with a baby is just what you need.

What message would you like to share with other moms?

Live your life too. Yes, it will be different and you might have to put certain things on hold while you have a nursling or when you aren’t sleeping, but when you get out of that stage, revisit those things that fill you up that may not include your children. Don’t let guilt get in the way. Filling yourself up is good for your physical and mental health and makes you a better mom and partner. It is not frivolous or luxurious. Children learn so much from role modeling, even adolescents! Children need to see their mamas taking care of themselves and being healthy. Get outside. Humans need nature regularly. Find your place in it. There are so many times when I am getting ready for a ski day or a weekend of running and the preparation is exhausting: preparing for my trip, for my absence, for my kids, and to help my husband be the sole parent. I often wonder, at that moment, if it’s worth it. It always is!

MOM’s Favorite…

…place to hide and find some peace & quiet: The forest.

…binge-worthy TV or podcast: I haven’t had a TV since childhood, but I love these podcasts: She Explores, Wild Ideas Worth Living, Outside podcast, Tara Brach, Dirtbag Diaries and Sparkle Stories.

…inspirational quote: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” ~ John Muir “When love is deep, much can be accomplished.” ~ Shinichi Suzuki

…time-saving app or digital tool: All I can think about is how many apps suck up your time rather than save it.

…parenting book or philosophy: The Whole-Brain Child, by Dan Siegel, M.D. and many books by him. The more I learn about trauma, the more I understand how vitally important attachment is.

Cover MOM Photos by: Emily Hall Photography.