In today’s “From One Mama To Another: 20 Questions” interview, I’d like to introduce Valerie Schimel, Mama of three gorgeous little girls (yes, three…I’m exhausted just from typing it!) and founder of MunchkinFun.com, a Miami-based curated Ticketmaster for kids classes & camps.
See? Gorgeous!
When Dylan was born, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I’ve told you this before, but it bears repeating. His was the first diaper I ever changed. I was one of just a few women in my peer group who had a baby, I was struggling (I mean, struggling) to find a rhythm as a Working Mama, and I had no idea what to do or where to go to enrich my baby’s development. I was, quite simply, an Isolated Mama.
This all happened in late 2006, which wasn’t that long ago, but Facebook and Twitter weren’t prevalent, and, believe it or not, the first iPhone hadn’t been released yet. (The horror!) In other words, connecting with other parents and finding local resources and support were a lot harder to do. Thankfully, the business of parenthood has exploded. Nowadays, we have unlimited online and social media resources at our fingertips (even before we hold our babies in our arms!), which is a good thing, because we all know raising kids is hard work.
Enter Munchkin Fun – a one-stop online destination for the best classes, camps, activities, events, and deals in Miami for kids of all ages. You can search by activity, neighborhood, and age, and everything can be booked online. If you prefer, you can even talk to a human being on the telephone! Wow. Raising little munchkins in Miami just got a whole lot more fun.
Miami Mamas – If you see this badge anywhere around town, you know the place is Munchkin Fun approved!
Introducing fellow Mama and MunchkinFun.com founder, Valerie Schimel (in her own words):
Name: Valerie Schimel
Age: 35
Hometown: Miami Beach, FL
About my kids: 3 girls – Sydney (5), Parker (3.5) and Quinn (15 months)
About me: I’m the founder of MunchkinFun.com, a curated Ticketmaster for kids classes & camps. Munchkin Fun is a single destination to find, enroll in and pay for programs that have been screened by parents, for parents. We personally visit every business in our network and only include those we’d send our own kids to. In Miami, Munchkin Fun has over 65 businesses representing over 30 types of activities – book a class today at MunchkinFun.com. And look for our seal of approval at the best businesses in town!
This morning, I woke up at… 7:30am – on a Sunday!
The last book I read (and actually finished) was… “Steve Jobs.”
In one word, pregnancy is… endless.
As a Mama, I’m really good at… multi-tasking.
As a Mama, I wish I were better at… creative play.
Proudest parenting achievement: Raising three happy, confident, and polite (mostly) girls.
Biggest parenting challenge: Staying calm and collected in the face of incessant whining.
Scariest parenting moment: a medical scare with our youngest daughter.
Before having children, I wish I had… slept more.
My #1 parenting rule is… listen to mommy.
The most surprising thing about being a Mama is… the craziness of unconditional love.
My best piece of advice for a fellow Mama or soon-to-be Mama is… Enjoy the good moments and don’t stress over the difficult ones – they’ll pass soon enough.
The one thing I’d like NOT to pass on to my kids is… my impatience.
A perfect day starts with… a happy family breakfast.
A perfect day ends with… a snuggle in bed with my husband.
I’m a Guilty Mama when… I work while the kids are around.
I’m a Happy Mama when… we have impromptu dance parties.
I’m a Proud Mama when… my munchkins are nice to other kids.
Right now, I’m a… Busy/Satisfied Mama.
Motherhood is… wonderful chaos.
Motherhood is… way harder than I ever expected!
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If you would like to participate in a future “From One Mama To Another: Twenty Questions,” email me at therunawaymama (at) gmail (dot) com.
The Runaway Mama by Jen Gregory 