Name: Julie Cole
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Mabel's Labels
Number of children: 6
Maginnis-10, Posy-9, Spencer-7, Jessamy-5, Clancy-3, Finian-1
Claim to Fame: 6 kids in 10 years, need we say more!
1. What has been your biggest success as a parent?
When my son was diagnosed with autism, I digested the news quickly then put a plan into place about how we
were going to move forward. Our family immediatey hired a team to provide ABA therapy, we transformed
our basement into an education centre, and we became strong advocates for my son. There was a lot of cost involved – both financially and emotionally, but the gains he has made have been remarkable. When I am an old woman, I’m quite sure I will say that he is my life’s greatest achievement!
2. How have you been able to balance family and career?
After my son was diagnosed, I left the traditional workforce and started a business a means of trying to find some balance. Being a business owner has provided me with flexibility, but unfortunately flexibility does not get your work done for you. I can certainly spend a morning with my little ones or go on a school trip, but I work late into the evening and keep very unconventional hours. I don’t get a lot of “me time” or sleep, but that’s exactly what I signed up for when I had six kids and started a business!
3. What has been your biggest challenge as a parent and how did you overcome it?
I often say that when my son was diagnosed with autism, I joined the club I never wanted to be a member of. Obviously we life to be easy for our children – no one wants them facing additional challenges. We have faced many challenges with my son, but there have been an overwhelming number of joyful successes. Also challenging can be juggling his needs with those of his five younger siblings. We have a fun and chaotic household but we love the adventure of it!
4. What have you learned about yourself in the course of being a mom?
I’ve learned that I am the expert of my children. No matter what doctors, teachers or other professionals say, I need to listen to my guts. My instincts are good and they need to be trusted. We mothers often feel insecure in our decisions and are made to feel paranoid when we express concerns. I learned that I am the most qualified person to be making decisions about my children.
5. What golden tip or tips can you share that helped you as a parent?
As difficult as it sounds, it is incredibly freeing if you stop caring about what people think of you, your house and your parenting. My house is notoriously untidy, but if I worried about that I would never have friends over and our home would not be as welcoming as it is. I always say, I have far bigger problems than the neighbours thinking my kitchen is a mess!
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