The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love (NAPSA)—She’s a doctor who prescribes kisses for scraped knees, a nutritionist who says a bananaisstill a fruit serving even when doused in chocolate sauce, and an interior decorator willing to tolerate Popsicle-stick artwork on the refrigerator door. She is a mom and that makes her the CEO of her family. The Celebrating Motherhood— A True Labor of Love survey, spon- sored by Graco Children’s Prod- ucts, polled more than 3,000 mothers of children under 12 and asked them to share the high and low points of being CEO. According to the survey, a large percentage of moms who are working to make the beds, wash behind the ears and clean the oatmeal that was somehow launched to the ceiling strongly identify with the mantra “Sometimes you just have to laugh.” Celebrity moms such as actresses Jennie Garth and Natasha Henstridge, supermodel Rachel Hunter and TV show host Dayna Devon can relate to this mantra as well, although Rachel Hunter also adheres to the policy “This too shall pass.” What about a salary for what some people would argue is the most demanding profession in the world? Most moms (22 percent) feel rewarded just with smiles from their children or when watching their children discover something for the first time (21 percent). An additional 19 percent found their favorite little reward to be sticky kisses and hugs from their children. Fortricks of the trade, 71 percent of moms surveyed primarily go to other moms for advice, while 57 percent report calling up their own mothers for words The job of caring for kids can be challenging at times but the payoffs make it worth it, say moms in a new survey. of encouragement. Thirty-eight percent say the best part of their day is playing with their children, followed by finding out how their kid’s day went (19 percent). It was love at first sight for 83 percent of moms, whofelt seeing their child for the first time at birth was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen. “As moms, we often feel pressure from our peers, society and ourselves to just give, give, give, all the time,” says Jessica Hartshorn, senior lifestyle editor at American Baby magazine. “Sometimes you haveto step back andstop trying to makelife perfect. Just be yourself, trust your instincts, and remember to take time to enjoy the ride.” While many moms whoparticipated in the poll said they weren’t aware how motherhood would change their lives, TV show host Dayna Devon said she gained a realistic idea by observing her peers as parents. To check out other fun motherhood tidbits, visit www.graco laboroflove.com. For information on Graco products, visit www. gracobaby.com.
