MetroMom Maggie Grayson
A wife and mother of two, Maggie moved to Arlington in March of 2007, opened Stroller Strides ("SS") in July of 2007, opened a second location in October 2007 and a third location in June 2008 (owner and instructor). She has been chosen as a test site to run a new SS program: Fit4Baby, a prenatal fitness class. Maggie also volunteers as Vice President of Gorbella's, a Tarrant County-based, parent-run, nonprofit corporation with a goal of opening a kid-friendly community resource center to offer support, education, connections, and play for families with young children. She is also a Member of and Leader in training for LaLeche League, an organizer of Luna Moms Club Arlington, and Director of Lunafest in Arlington which will help raise money for The Breast Cancer Fund.

MM - Congratulations, you recently became a mom for the second time. How has your life changed with this new addition?

With two kiddos, you can definitely throw away the idea of doing anything quickly. No quick trip to the grocery store, no running in and out of the post office in 2 minutes, I have had to learn that everything takes at least twice as long and not to stress out about it. That has made me slow down the entire tempo of my life, and really enjoy the moments I get to spend playing with Jackson or quiet time nursing Tucker. "Quiet time" is also rare, so I relish in the moments that I can actually hear myself breathe.

MM - What is a typical day in your life?

I guess a day begins at 12:00am, so that is when I should begin. At midnight, I am definitely sleeping. Tucker wakes at 3:30 to nurse and then goes back to bed by 4:15 or so. I am up by 6 am to get ready for the day: check email, pack diaper bag, get dressed, plan Stroller Strides class, and straighten up around the house. I am always on my toes as to whether Jackson or Tucker will get up first. It is usually at the same time, which is stressful getting Jackson on the potty before he has an accident and getting Tucker fed. Around 8:15 I am loading up the car to head to Stroller Strides. We have Stroller Strides class every morning from 9-10am, and then let Jackson play with all the other kiddos until 11am or go to a Luna Moms Club playgroup. Then it is home for play, lunch, and naptime. The rare occasion that the boys' naps overlap I grab a shower, otherwise it is housework and getting in some business phone calls and emails. Jackson and Tucker and always both awake by 3 when we head back to the toy room to play. I start dinner around 4:30 or so, Todd is home by 5:30, dinner is done by 6:30, baths at 7:00, bedtime routine and put both boys down around 8:00 pm. Whew, then I take a nice deep breath, straighten up around the house, and then the multi-tasking begins. I spend the rest of the evening in the living room with my husband, with the TV on, laptop in lap, finishing all my business tasks for the day. As soon as I put the laptop down I inevitably fall asleep on the couch. Todd guides me into bed around 10 so I don't have to wake up all the way. Ahhh, sleep is so precious!

MM - What drives you to commit so much of your time to volunteering?

I feel so blessed to be a stay at home mom. But, I know that as a stay at home mom I definitely needed the support of other moms to keep me sane. It has been those relationships that I formed through Stroller Strides, LUNA Moms Club, Gorbella's, LaLeche League, etc that have shown me how important it is for all moms to have a "support group" and know that they have someone that truly understands the joys and stresses of motherhood. My involvement in all of these organizations allows me to connect those moms to others I know and grow a support group network. I just want to provide other moms the support that I have received that allows me to truly enjoy motherhood.

MM - Where do you find the energy to teach fitness classes each day and then go about your other work, family and volunteer responsibilities?

Whew, I get tired thinking about it all. Honestly, I have to take it one day at a time. It has a lot to do with my personality, I get a lot more accomplished when there is a lot to do. No special tricks or anything :)

MM - How do you balance your work and volunteer commitments with family time?

I continue to struggle to balance work, volunteering, and family. Someone at our National Stroller Strides conference said it best, "Everyday I feel like I have done an excellent job at being a business owner, wife, OR mother, but never all of them on the same day." I do my best to meet everyone's needs and wants, and most of the time I do, it just may take me a little longer than I would like. I do try to only focus on one thing at a time, so I can give 100% to whatever I am doing, whether it being playing with my kids, returning business emails, or talking with my husband over dinner.

MM - Do you have any tips for moms who want to become entrepreneurs?

If you can run a household, then you can definitely run a successful business. Surround yourself with inspiring, supportive people and be as passionate about your business as you are about being a mother and you will watch your dreams come to fruition.

MM - Do you have a motto you would like to share with other moms?

Not really a motto, just a quote that I like to reflect upon. I try to find those circumstances that will make me a better mom, business owner, and person! People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them. -George Bernard Shaw