Being a mother gave Jacky a new-found meaning in her life. "When my daughter was born, I realized I was meant to be a mom. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a purpose here."
Public Speaker
Mother of a teenager and a 4-year-old, Jo Jo Tabares, 42,
managed to become an author and public speaker after a fellow
homeschooling mom asked her to develop a communications class
which her daughter could attend. With a degree in speech
communication, Jo set to work to develop a homeschooling
program that concentrated on learning how to show appreciation,
conduct oneself in a job interview or to share her Christian
faith. Before long, she had people literally showing up on her
doorstep for her books,
"Say What You Mean" and
"Know Your Audience." Then she began selling her books all
over the world through the Internet, speaking at public events,
and broadening her consumer base to include not only junior- and
senior-high homeschoolers, but adults and children as well.
Jo Jo is a passionate communicator who carries a strong message. She went from running a home-based business at which she excelled, but which ultimately bored her, to creating a business built on passion and hard work. "Find what you are good at, what you are passionate for, and you will succeed!"
Adoption Advocate and Television-Show Host
Kerri Charette married her high-school sweetheart 11 years
ago. As a 33-year old former elementary school teacher, Kerri
has five children ranging from age 9 to age 1. Her greatest
challenge was battling postpartum depression after the birth of
her second child. While she has overcome the illness through
hard work, family support and medication, she still maintains
"numerous safety nets to avoid triggering a panic attack." Such
strategies as getting enough sleep, avoiding stress-related
situations and following nap schedules for her three youngest
children (ages 3, 2 and 1) have helped keep her on track.
Her biggest dream come true was adopting her one-year-old child. Her TV show, "Families in the Making," features a guest each week and covers all aspects of adoption. Kerri does most of her research for the show from home. "Families in the Making" is supported by the Child Adoption Resource Association and is aired all over southeastern Connecticut on three different cable companies.
Her advice for mothers is to "make time for your spouse, be sexy, be fun, and try to remember during the crazy moments that the fun by far outweighs the stress!" Keeping it all in perspective truly helps.
What draws these various women together is not only that they are mothers, but also that they experienced a loss of self, and then rediscovered it in a variety of ways. From best-selling author to TV host, these women lead their lives in a way that can be a lesson for all of us: Live your dreams anyway you can.
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