I said so

SOCIETY LIFE: What’s one of your earliest memories you have of your Mom? KIM BEDWELL: My mom was an excellent seamstress, and she made matching dresses for us to wear. I remember the first matching ‘mommy and me’ outfit when I was three years old.

SL: What is something you thought about Motherhood that was totally wrong? KB: I think we all worry about doing it wrong or our children not hitting milestones when they are supposed to when they are young. We find ourselves in the comparison game when our children are little and you quickly realize your child will hit the development milestone when they are ready.

SL: What’s something you always wanted to do but didn’t... and why didn’t you? KB: Looking back, I wish my parents would have exposed me to more colleges and career paths. I loved being a teacher for a brief period, but have an entrepreneurial spirit that I wish I had discovered earlier in life.

SL: Was there something your Mom did when you were a kid that you swore you’d never do as a parent? KB: Absolutely. My mother would not share make-up with me or clothes. I never understood it. When my daughter was little and would get into my makeup and lotions, I would let her. To me this was endearing, and she wanted to be like me. To this day I always let her borrow my clothes, shoes or make-up. I love how this simple act creates an opportunity for me to connect with her on her level.

SL: What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up? KB: Ha. Early on I wanted to be a truck driver and drive an 18-wheeler across the country. And even now, I have great respect for the men and women who drive big trucks—transporting all the things that make the world go round.

SL: What’s the best family vacation you’ve ever taken? KB: We recently did a 10-day trip to Disney with our immediate family. There were eight of us. I carefully planned out matching t-shirts for each day of the trip. No one was thrilled with this idea prior to our arrival at Disney but at the end of it all everyone had great fun with it. It was a conversation starter with so many other park guests. The best shirt was the day all the guys wore a shirt that said, “Lets all wear matching shirts—said no man ever.” People took photos and made comments about them all day. It was so fun!

SL: How have your notions of what it means to be a Mom changed over your lifetime? KB: I feel my role as a mother continues to evolve as my children get older and as their needs change. I have to pivot to give them the support they need in each chapter of their lives.

SL: Is there a moment or event that radically changed the way you saw Motherhood? KB: My daughter was born with a hearing loss. This changed me. She was diagnosed at two months old and fitted for her first hearing aids at three months. I knew then I was chosen by God to pour into Addison and research all the auditory resources and specialists she needed for the first four years or so of her life. She is an amazing 16-year-old now and no one can even tell she has a hearing loss. We continue to make sure she has the very best technology and resources available.

SL: When did you know you were ready to have kids? KB: I didn’t ever really know I was ready. I’m not sure any of us are ever really ready, but when it happens your maternal instincts take over. It is the greatest accomplishment I will ever achieve.

SL: What’s your favorite photo of your family or kids? KB: There is a photo from a few years ago with us in a field including our dog Bentley. Chad and I divorced in 2010 and reconciled at the end of 2018. This was the first photo of us all together as one family in 2018 since the kids were young. It will always be a special reminder of God’s grace and healing for our family.

SL: What was the first year of motherhood like for you? KB: People always commented that I was a very calm first-time mom. I loved having my son. He was my sidekick. I didn’t work when he was born and cherished all my adventures with him.

SL: What do you want or wish most for your kids? KB: For them to be fulfilled by God, and to know they are loved unconditionally from their father and me.

SL: What are some of your biggest struggles as a Mom? KB: The should’ve,