Today’s “Meet A Mom” Monday we bring you two beautiful badass Mamas. I’m sure most of you follow them but if not – they are the owners of the Simply Whole Moms Platform.
I’ve known Kara for a few years – we used to work together. I had just been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and was feeling pretty worried and a little bit alone in all the things I was feeling and experiencing. Kara helped me navigate through – feeling seen and heard. She offered up advice about things I could do to help with my health. These two speak openly about their health and what they do to help keep their lives on track.
Auto-immune diseases are not often talked about but many of us suffer from them. Take a peek at this interview to find out more about these two inspiring women and their why behind Simply Whole Moms.
Introduce yourself. How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I’m Kara – mom to two 2 kids, one boy and one girl. They are 6 and 4.
I’m Nicole – also a mom of 2 kids but I’m a girl mom. My girls are 7 and 5.
Tell us a little about your backstory – what did you do before you were a Mom, any schooling – what did you study/degree in?
Kara – before becoming a mom I did marketing and product management in corporate America
Nicole- was a teacher/worked for parents in the software business
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in San Antonio?
Kara – I was born in raised in San Antonio. I’ve lived here my whole life.
Nicole – I was born in Amarillo, lived in Longview until middle school and then made the move in high school where I met Kara. We’ve been best friends ever since.
What is your favorite thing about raising a family in San Antonio?
Kara – I love raising my family here because this is where I grew up, this is where my people are. Not to mention we can be outside almost all year!
Nicole – SA is family friendly with lots of activities in town and in the hill country. Both of our parents live here, too, so it’s nice to all be together
What’s the greatest gift about being a mom?
Kara – I love being a mom because this work matters. My kids lives matter. Their love is the greatest gift on this earth
Nicole – The hugs and snuggles. I love when they ask for a hug and actually want to be around me for now…that may change one day when they get too cool for mom.
Whats your least favorite “mom” job ? (i.e packing lunches, washing dishes, laundry, bath time, etc)
Kara – Probably anything that just feels tiredless. Like it never ends…laundry, dishes, etc
Nicole – the laundry situation is never ending and to be really honest, bath time is not my jam.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Kara – I love a good zombie storyline.
Nicole – I’m a total cool dork. I was a cheerleader and newspaper editor in high school.
What are your favorite local things to do in the San Antonio and surrounding areas? (With kiddos or just for mom!)
Anything outdoors. We have some many great outdoor spaces in San Antonio. The Pearl, Raymond Russell Park, CBC Community Park, La Gloria, Botanical Garden, Cibolo Nature Center. Thats just a small list of some really great places to take the family and enjoy the day outside!
Do you have a family favorite restaurant in the area?
Kara – La Gloria
Nicole – Twin Sisters
Best Mom hack – that makes your life easier.
Kara – Oh man this is all we do. Haha. Sheet pan dinners! Throw everything on a pan and into the oven. We have tons of recipes on our website for this.
Nicole – Prep for the school morning the night before: lay out the clothes, toothbrushes, hairbrush, all the things in the same place so there’s no running around the house.
Tell us about your career outside of being a mom? Where are you located (if applicable)? How can people purchase your product?
We are mom bloggers and podcasters. We love to make planners for moms that keep everything super simple. We also love a good mom tee, because being a mom doesn’t have to be dorkie.
Tell us what your inspiration was behind starting this career and what your mission has been?
Mom life is complicated and lonely in our society. Our goal has always been to help moms find true health through simplifying, taking care of our bodies, and finding community.
How important is community and honesty in motherhood for you?
It is everything. Life is so empty and lonely without others.Motherhood is hard! There are no youtube videos on how to do it. Having each other helps us find our way.
Whats the best advice for moms who stay at home but looking to do “something” (whether that means going back to work or starting their own career from home)
Do it! Go for it, and temper your fear about it. Find a friend who is going to support what you are doing.
How important is it for you to have a passion outside of being a mother?
It is easy to lose your identity in being a mother. Children need too much of you. For us having something else we were passionate about has always been a gift to how we mothered.Outlets and thinking about other people has always made us better at home.
Any advice for mom guilt?
Speak out what you are feeling guilty about to a trusted mom friend. Then put it to bed. If you can figure where or who is the root of that guilt try to separate yourself from it.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
Our own mothers. We are lucky to have such great examples of love that doesn’t come with strings.
Kara – At the end of long day I ask myself… do they know they are loved and safe? They do know this, I can sit in that.
Nicole – I always find myself looking at pictures of them after they go to sleep. I hold on to those happy moments when I’m feeling defeated or tired. Resting in those positive moments and memories.
Name one thing you hope your kids look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama?
That they were loved and safe. I want them to look back on these years and know with out a doubt that we loved them deeply, and that we protected and provided for them the best we could.
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