Parent with a Purpose: Aimee from Jeff and Aimee in the Morning

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Earlier this year I woke up and realized my morning show was missing something. It was missing Aimee. Though I love listening to Jeff, Jeff and Aimee in the morning on 102.7 The Coyote was just not the same show without Aimee. The two work so well together, it is not the same show when one is missing. 

For those who do not know, Aimee was on maternity leave earlier this year and was back on the air in early May. We took some time to chat with Aimee during her maternity leave and have discovered she has a wealth of knowledge for parents. Her answers inspired us so much, we decided to save her story for our Back-to-School Parent with a Purpose spotlight. 

Check out what we chatted about in our interview.

As a new mom, how do you fit it all in? Job and kids. What's your secret? 

I don't know if I have it all figured out now or if I ever will, but I do know I am extremely lucky to have a job that I love to go to every single day, so that makes it easier to be away from my home when I need to be. Whether you are a working mom or a stay at home mom make sure you surround yourself with a great support team to help out. Remember you can't do everything and it takes a village. Asking for help is BEST for your sanity. 

What do you feel all moms need to do? Such as taking care of themselves, spending time with the family, etc.

Being a mom is the hardest most important job you will ever have in your lifetime and it doesn't come with instructions ... or should I say too many opinionated instructions now a days. Right now I am struggling with feeling pretty and figuring out who the new me is with a newborn baby again. You have to take care of YOU first. Figure out what makes you feel pretty and strong and DO IT!  I tell myself to to breath, cry, laugh, and enjoy it all, even the Target meltdowns. It sounds cliche but it's something I try to work on each and every day. Also, make time for your significant other because when your babies move away, what you have is each other and you don't want to turn around and realize you don't even know who that person is. Balance is key, it's hard, but it's a must for a healthy marriage and family. 

Your Baby Bus was a huge success. Any plans for something similar in the future? 

Baby Bus was so much fun and so rewarding. We are going to build on that every year! The look on those veterans faces while being able to pick up diapers, wipes, clothes and food for their little ones was something we will never forget. It still gives me chills. Jeff, myself and the entire Coyote team absolutely love giving back to our community in any way that we can. Las Vegas is our home and we want to make the best for everyone. Baby Bus ended just a few days before I left on maternity leave, but as soon as I get back Jeff and I are hitting the ground running and working on our next project! Stay Tuned! 

There is a significant difference in age between your son and your baby. How did you prepare your son? How is he reacting? Any tips for parents with kids who are far apart in age? 

Our boys are 11 years and 1 week apart. I don't know if we really prepared Jayden (our oldest) enough. We definitely got him excited for his baby brother Roman to come and what their future would be like together, how much the baby would idolize Jayden in the years to come, but we forgot to tell him how much time and energy babies take up in the first few months. I wish we would have done a better job with that. Roman was home with us about a week when Jayden asked out of the blue "why did you and dad want to have another baby?" I told him God has a plan and knew Jayden would be an incredible big brother, with tears in his eyes he explained to me that that he loved being the only one to make us laugh and smile and he was going to be the one to take care of us when we were older. While it broke my heart in a million pieces I was so proud that he was going to be an influence in baby Roman's life and what an incredible human he is. We are all adjusting to the new addition to our hearts and it's getting easier every day. Be open and honest always with the older siblings. 

I loved your idea of not buying anything with "Daddy's Little Slugger" or "Mommy's Little Angel." Any other things or tips you can offer parents to help the older children feel just as special as the baby? 

My husband and I talk to our 11 year old about how much he and the baby look alike, we bring up memories daily about things Jayden did at that age, praise him constantly on what a great son, and brother he is. It has helped a lot and with him feeling special. He is in sports every week and we have made sure there is a big turn out of people that love him there to cheer and support him. It helps to give family and friends a heads up before they come over to  dote on the baby that they remember to acknowledge the older children as well. I always remember my little brother watching 'The Rugrats Movie' when they bring home Dill Pickles (the baby) and Tommy Pickles feels alone ... it broke my heart when I was young and still does today. I never want our oldest to feel that way. 

Anything else you want to add? Most of my readers are moms with kids from birth to middle school and I know they would love some tips if you have any. 

I said this a lot when I was pregnant, when you see a mom of two or six .. or even a pregnant woman with her first on the way tell her GOOD JOB. It is so hard to be a mom.. it doesn't matter the age of your kids, you are always going to look back and wonder did I do enough? Did I do the right thing? Whether you got an epidural, or had an at home birth. breast fed or bottle fed, used organic diapers or whatever diapers were on sale that day ..know that you did what you felt was best for your baby and so did that other mom that did the total opposite. We have to support each other as women. So to all of you moms reading this right now.. I know the struggle is so real but keep it up. As long as your little or big humans know you love them you are doing great. So GOOD JOB mom. 

Thank you Aimee for taking time to chat with us! Enjoy your little ones and we look forward to seeing what new projects you and Jeff have coming up. 

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