Mighty Moms: 4 Women Who Ace Motherhood
No one can predict what the journey of motherhood will entail but one thing’s for certain—it’s always full of surprises and adventure. Read on for four adventurous stories of motherhood as we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 8. Happy Mother’s Day!
Tiffany Andrews: Mom of Three
When not working or caring for her son and family, Tiffany loves travelling and being out on the lake on her boat, spending time with the ones she loves most.
What has your journey through motherhood been like?
I became a mom at 20 when I had Tyler. I was fortunate [to know] that I always wanted to go to college and become a lawyer so when I got pregnant, he became my purpose for succeeding. In law school, failure was never an option.
What’s your parenting style?
Disciplinarian but nurturing. I try to teach them lessons on how to handle situations, self-reflection, and ownership of mistakes.
What are your dreams for yourself and your children?
For my kids to live long healthy lives and for me to live long enough to [see] all of it. I would also love to fix the caregiver issues for business owners, travel more, learn to wakeboard, relearn water skiing, become a grandma, and live close enough to my kids. And, finally, pay off my student debt!
One thing that gets you through a day: Sugar-free Red Bull.
Best part about being a mom: Knowing you have raised strong children who are self-sufficient and who will make a change in society for the better.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: Not always having the right answers, and making mistakes.
Best mom advice: Teach your kids about red flags in relationships; about how to be self-sufficient and survivors; about taking accountability and never making excuses.
Mom must-have: Peloton bike, running shoes, water bottle, and Lululemon workout clothes.
Melyssa holds a bachelor’s in business management and master’s in organizational leadership, and loves to repurpose thrift store décor and act in murder mystery dinner theatre!
What has your journey through motherhood been like?
It’s been incredible. Being a single mom with my first was hard but so rewarding. My oldest, Quintin, taught me love, patience, and the importance of giving your child plenty of attention.
What’s your parenting style?
I’m extremely hands on. I love supporting my children in their own individuality. And I love cuddle time, and hugging, and kissing!
What are your dreams for yourself and your children?
My dream is that we always stay close together. I want each of them to grow up and follow their own dreams, and every year during holidays, I want us to relive all of the best moments of their childhood.
Q&A
One thing that gets you through the day: Knowing it will always end with the same—story time and cuddles in bed with their dad and me. I can’t think of a more perfect way to end every day.
Best part about being a mom: I made little humans that are going to shape the world. I love seeing all the hard work of parenting pay off by watching them develop their own versions of compassion and love for animals and people.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: The time in your child’s life where they push you away. The best advice I got from my own mom was to just hold on because they always come back…if you’ve built a foundation of love and bonding in their younger years.
Best mom advice: They’re little only once. When they’re sick or scared, let them sleep in bed with you; when they trip and fall, hug them and kiss the boo-boo. Every child needs to hear that their parent is proud of them! Focus on the good things your children do. Apologize to them when you’re wrong. Children also need consequences for bad behavior.
Mom must-have: Self-care time!
When the going gets tough… It means the good is around the corner!
Last January, she was a recipient of the Tim Haley Recognition Program Award given by the Sacramento Disabilities Advisory Commission for her work and contribution to the disabled community in Sacramento County.
I spent what should have been the most joyous first week of my son’s life in hospital hallways praying that he would survive. Except for the day when the physicians said he was not going to survive, I have not shed a single tear in this special journey of motherhood.
What’s your parenting style?
Being a mom of a child with disabilities, I believe and trust that positive parenting can boost self-esteem and confidence.
What are your dreams for yourself and your son?
My dream is to visit Hawaii and Europe with my husband and son, and relive old memories.
One thing that gets you through the day: Waking up to see my son alive, seeing him smile, and hearing him make a sound.
Best part about being a mom: Getting to see and feel unconditional love. You get to make new friends, learn something new, and be grateful every day.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: Feeling overwhelmed and helpless–especially when you see your child sick and unable to express their pain and discomfort.
Best mom advice: As a mom of a child with special needs, my advice is to stay focused on being your child’s mother—the rest will follow. This will help you realize there is nothing that needs to be changed about your child—it’s the world around you that needs changing.
Mom must-have: Independence at all stages of life; having at least one friend with whom you can share happiness and pain.
When the going gets tough… Never give up; stay focused; talk it out; and try to take things one at a time.
Lindsey Pitts: Mom of Two
Her free time is spent with her kids. She also likes learning about cultures and people, and enjoys photography, food, music, and art.
But every experience has a lesson and a silver lining. Learning to enjoy milestones, no matter how small or big, makes parenting my favorite thing in the world.
What’s your parenting style?
Children learn through experiences with the world around them. I let them explore but help them along the way.
What are your dreams for yourself and your children?
I want to see us continue to grow as individuals and as a family as we enter the teenage years. Personally, I plan to expand on career opportunities, providing children and families in the community with new experiences to help them grow.
One thing that gets you through the day: Music.
Best part about being a mom: Getting to help them grow and develop.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: Not being able to fix everything.
Best mom advice: Never stop growing.
Mom must-have: Calendars—physical and digital.
When the going gets tough… Find the silver lining and keep going.
Tiffany Andrews: Mom of Three
Tiffany is mom to Tyler (24) who's a true warrior and someone who never gives up; Kaitlyn (14) who's quiet but full of strength and resilience; and Tristan (11) who's smart, persuasive, and idolizes his big bro. The Folsom resident is an attorney and a dual specialist in family law and child welfare law, and also volunteers as a board member on FLEXCOM, a section of the California Lawyer's Association that vets and provides feedback for legislature. She has formerly authored two pieces of affirmative legislation in the area of family law—one of which was signed into law.
Last August, Tiffany became a caregiver for her critically injured son serving in the Marines. He’d lost two limbs and sustained severe damage to many of his organs when a suicide bomber detonated a suicide vest directly across from him while he was serving in Afghanistan. Since then, she’s been a fierce advocate pushing for legislation to help business owners like her who become caregivers when family members become wounded. She’s come as far as being in communication with the White House to make this happen.
Tiffany Andrews and her children
What has your journey through motherhood been like?
I became a mom at 20 when I had Tyler. I was fortunate [to know] that I always wanted to go to college and become a lawyer so when I got pregnant, he became my purpose for succeeding. In law school, failure was never an option.
What’s your parenting style?
Disciplinarian but nurturing. I try to teach them lessons on how to handle situations, self-reflection, and ownership of mistakes.
What are your dreams for yourself and your children?
For my kids to live long healthy lives and for me to live long enough to [see] all of it. I would also love to fix the caregiver issues for business owners, travel more, learn to wakeboard, relearn water skiing, become a grandma, and live close enough to my kids. And, finally, pay off my student debt!
Tiffany Andrews and her children
Q&A
One thing that gets you through a day: Sugar-free Red Bull.
Best part about being a mom: Knowing you have raised strong children who are self-sufficient and who will make a change in society for the better.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: Not always having the right answers, and making mistakes.
Best mom advice: Teach your kids about red flags in relationships; about how to be self-sufficient and survivors; about taking accountability and never making excuses.
Mom must-have: Peloton bike, running shoes, water bottle, and Lululemon workout clothes.
When the going gets tough… Suck it up and just do it!
Melyssa Descovich: Mom of Three
Melyssa’s kids comprise of Quintin (20) who’s in the Navy and has the closest bond with his mom; Maverick (7) who’s a brilliant mind and friend to all; and Chloe (5) who’s full of love and compassion for animals, children with disabilities, and the elderly. Her nonprofit, The Enchanted Forest Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Colfax takes in displaced exotic animals and makes them part of their family or finds them forever homes. They bring their animals to schools, care homes for medically fragile children, seniors, and more.
Melyssa Descovich
What has your journey through motherhood been like?
It’s been incredible. Being a single mom with my first was hard but so rewarding. My oldest, Quintin, taught me love, patience, and the importance of giving your child plenty of attention.
What’s your parenting style?
I’m extremely hands on. I love supporting my children in their own individuality. And I love cuddle time, and hugging, and kissing!
What are your dreams for yourself and your children?
My dream is that we always stay close together. I want each of them to grow up and follow their own dreams, and every year during holidays, I want us to relive all of the best moments of their childhood.
Melyssa Descovich and her two children
Q&A
One thing that gets you through the day: Knowing it will always end with the same—story time and cuddles in bed with their dad and me. I can’t think of a more perfect way to end every day.
Best part about being a mom: I made little humans that are going to shape the world. I love seeing all the hard work of parenting pay off by watching them develop their own versions of compassion and love for animals and people.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: The time in your child’s life where they push you away. The best advice I got from my own mom was to just hold on because they always come back…if you’ve built a foundation of love and bonding in their younger years.
Best mom advice: They’re little only once. When they’re sick or scared, let them sleep in bed with you; when they trip and fall, hug them and kiss the boo-boo. Every child needs to hear that their parent is proud of them! Focus on the good things your children do. Apologize to them when you’re wrong. Children also need consequences for bad behavior.
Mom must-have: Self-care time!
When the going gets tough… It means the good is around the corner!
Meena Kalyanasundaram: Mom of One
Meena, is brave, outgoing, and outspoken. She’s also a caretaker, entrepreneur, and stroke survivor. Born in India, Meena now resides in Rancho Cordova with her 24-year-old son, Athish Somasundaram, who has cerebral palsy due to severe brain damage at birth. "He's always happy, smiling, and friendly," says Meena fondly. She holds an MBA from India and a master’s in special education along with the title of Certified Autism Specialist.
Meena quit her banking career after her son’s birth to give him undivided attention. “It’s been more meaningful as I’ve found a purpose to life,” she says. She, along with her husband, Som, founded the non-profit WeEMBRACE (weembracefamilies.org), that serves families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Meena strongly believes that “service to mankind is service to God,” and has been working with organizations across the country for over 20 years to advocate for children with special needs.
Meena Kalyanasundaram
What has your journey through motherhood been like?
I spent what should have been the most joyous first week of my son’s life in hospital hallways praying that he would survive. Except for the day when the physicians said he was not going to survive, I have not shed a single tear in this special journey of motherhood.
What’s your parenting style?
Being a mom of a child with disabilities, I believe and trust that positive parenting can boost self-esteem and confidence.
What are your dreams for yourself and your son?
My dream is to visit Hawaii and Europe with my husband and son, and relive old memories.
Meena Kalyanasundaram and her son
Q&A
One thing that gets you through the day: Waking up to see my son alive, seeing him smile, and hearing him make a sound.
Best part about being a mom: Getting to see and feel unconditional love. You get to make new friends, learn something new, and be grateful every day.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: Feeling overwhelmed and helpless–especially when you see your child sick and unable to express their pain and discomfort.
Best mom advice: As a mom of a child with special needs, my advice is to stay focused on being your child’s mother—the rest will follow. This will help you realize there is nothing that needs to be changed about your child—it’s the world around you that needs changing.
Mom must-have: Independence at all stages of life; having at least one friend with whom you can share happiness and pain.
When the going gets tough… Never give up; stay focused; talk it out; and try to take things one at a time.
Lindsey Pitts: Mom of Two
Lindsey is a humanitarian, researcher, lover of the outdoors, and a busy mom to two kids, Mikaila (12) who's creative and works hard at school; and Preston (11) who's loud, friendly, and good at everything he does. The do-it-all mom has a bachelor’s and master’s in child development, and currently teaches at Sacramento State's College of Education in the Child and Adolescent Department. She also works in Early Intervention as a Child Development Specialist where she does in-home therapy and evaluations with children ages 0-3, “supporting children in reaching developmental milestones alongside parent coaching.”
In 2021, Lindsey launched her non-profit, Never Stop Growing, Inc. (instagram.com/neverstopgrowing2021) whose mission is to provide research-based strategies and resources for children of all ages and their families, in order to support them through their development.
Lindsey Pitts and her kids
What has your journey through motherhood been like?
It’s been full of ups and downs. Since birth, nothing really went as planned. I delivered via emergency C-section at 36 weeks with Mikaila, and 37 weeks with Preston. From there, breastfeeding, tongue ties, daycares, kids knocking out teeth...the list goes on!
What’s your parenting style?
Children learn through experiences with the world around them. I let them explore but help them along the way.
What are your dreams for yourself and your children?
I want to see us continue to grow as individuals and as a family as we enter the teenage years. Personally, I plan to expand on career opportunities, providing children and families in the community with new experiences to help them grow.
Lindsey Pitts and her kids
Q&A
One thing that gets you through the day: Music.
Best part about being a mom: Getting to help them grow and develop.
Not-so-great part about being a mom: Not being able to fix everything.
Best mom advice: Never stop growing.
Mom must-have: Calendars—physical and digital.
When the going gets tough… Find the silver lining and keep going.
by Jyo Bhamidipati
Photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.