Motivational Mom of the Month - Noelle Parent

Megan Ford

Happy October! Is it me or is it hard to believe it's October already!? We will blink and it will be December before we know it so let's take a minute to stop...breath...and be present in this current moment.

While we're here, now is a great time to get to know our October Motivational Mom of the Month, Noelle!

How did you find FIT4MOM Richmond and how long have you been a part of our village?

My coworker, Hannah Sledge, asked me to go check out this "Mom workout thing" with her. I started going to Stroller Strides when my son Leo was about 3 months old and now it's been a little over two years that I've been doing Fit4Mom!

What do you love most about being part of this community?

I love that the workouts are designed for a range of needs and that everyone in the class understands what you are going through on some level. I'm currently taking Fit4Baby classes (Due on October 6th!), but I plan to go back to stroller strides after the baby comes and I look forward to getting back to boost and ignite in the future too!

Who are you a mom to?

I am Mom to a daughter named Alex who is 17 years old, a son named Leo who is 2.5 years old and we have another little boy who will be here any time now!

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

I love watching my kids grow and become their own people. Although every age has its challenges, I have loved every stage of childhood with my oldest. I was so afraid of the teenage years but I am so proud of who she has become. I love having real in depth conversations with her and seeing the world from her perspective. At the same time, I'm loving the toddler stage with my son, he's so curious about everything and he's just the cutest thing I've ever seen.

What two items would you take with you if you were shipwrecked on a deserted island where all your food and water needs were taken care of?

My husband and I like to eat ice cream and watch survival shows together so I really want to list off all of the survival items I would bring from watching those shows, but I'll just say that I would want a Hammock and a bunch of historical romance novels (Outlander, all of Jane Austen's books, Jane Eyre, Etc.)

If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or back to the past?

I love history, so probably the past, but only if I can come back to the present. The past isn't a great place for women!

How do you practice self-care?

Fit4Mom is definitely one form of self-care for me. I also LOVE taking long baths. About once a week, I make a big deal out of it. I light candles, have wine (when I can drink wine) and I usually watch a movie or favorite TV show. It's a whole thing. I also try to treat myself in small ways. I'll get a massage when I can, or I'll treat myself to lunch on my own. If I have an hour to spare without the kids, I'll wander around a store that I've been wanting to go to. I'm lucky that my husband and I both value time to ourselves, and we try to give that to each other when we can.

Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Richmond?

I grew up in Crozet, right outside of Charlottesville. I actually moved to Richmond while I was going through a divorce, which sounds terrible but it ended up being a huge blessing. I've raised my daughter here, met my husband here and we both started our own businesses in Richmond. I can't imagine my life anywhere else!

How did becoming a mother change you?

I became a Mom fairly young (when I was 21) so it was a huge lifestyle change, but it made me a lot more grounded and I became a lot more motivated to make a comfortable life for myself and my kids. As a second time Mom, I've become more patient and I think now I try to find more of a balance in life so that I can spend more time with my kids.

What is the last great book or television series you've read/watched?

I am currently re-watching Call the Midwife which is one of my favorite series of all time!

How did you meet your partner?

Like all great love stories, we met online. On OkCupid to be exact.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I oddly don't really remember having a specific idea of who I wanted to be when I grew up. I know that I wanted to travel a lot! I did travel quite a bit when I was in my 20's and I hope to travel again with my kids when they get a bit older.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

I love the song, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", by Nina Simone. It's just a really unique song that I love!

If your five-year-old self suddenly found themselves inhabiting your current body, what would they do first?

Probably panic since I'm currently 39 weeks pregnant! Lol

Noelle, I would definitely panic if I woke up and was 39 weeks pregnant all of the sudden! You're getting so close!! I love how you value your me-time and that you include FIT4MOM classes in that!

We're so glad Hannah convinced you to come to a class and that we've been a part of all the different stages of motherhood with you! We're wishing you a healthy delivery and can't wait to meet your little boy!

- megan