Moms Talk Network

For Buzz a Mom this week, we chatted with the ultra-extraordinary mommy, Danielle Smith. She is the founder and primary author of ExtraordinaryMommy.com, a website designed to remind moms of the Extraordinary work they do daily while loving and raising their children. The site provides resources as well as a regular blog chronicling life as a Mommy – as Danielle sees it.

She also hosts The Spin Cycle on MomTV.com, co-hosts Why Moms Matter on Blog Talk Radio, and is the Inspiration Channel Editor for MomItForward.com.  Like I said…she’s ultra-extraordinary!

Tell us a little about your background and your family.

I am a Mommy to two small people – they are my world – but occasionally drive me a little crazy! Delaney will be 5 in a month and Cooper just turned 3. They are wonderful and wicked, adorable and wacky. I am married to a fantastic guy – he might be the funniest guy in the world. He makes me laugh at least 5 times a day. We met working in television – I was the weekend anchor and he was the weekend sports guy – we have some fun outtakes.

I am a California girl living in the Midwest – my husband always says getting me to stay here is his ‘best sales job ever’. I live for the beach, the sunshine and of course, my family.

Why did you start ExtraordianaryMommy.com?

As a new mom, I found that moms don’t give themselves enough credit. They second guess, they feel guilty. It is so easy to forget, or overlook,the extraordinary that is happening daily right in front of us. I wanted moms to have a place to go that reminded them they are doing extraordinary work – that they are extraordinary. Moms need to know, even on their worst days, they are EVERYTHING their kids need.

What do you believe makes an extraordinary mommy?

An extraordinary mommy ‘just keeps trying’. We have wonderful days with our family, but we also have tough or even terrible days, but we know we start over again the next day. We know that every day, we have a chance to be the best mother we can be. And that doesn’t mean being Martha Stewart, it doesn’t mean we are everything to everyone all the time – it just means we do our best!

In the show “The Value of Friendship” on Why Moms Matter, you introduced us to two amazing moms, Brandy and Dwan, who’ve made a huge difference in each others’ lives. How have your friends made a difference in your life?

Oh – good heavens, my friends are my sanity! They keep me centered, remind me to keep my chin up, applaud my successes and help me muddle through the mystery that is motherhood. I don’t know what I would do without them – though a padded room and a straight jacket come to mind

I loved your blog post, “S – is for Super” about how amazing moms really are, especially in the eyes of their children. But every mom has those days when they don’t feel like a Supermom. What would you say to those women on those tough mommy days?

You have to remember the mini-Super-mom moments – and focus on them. I may feel as though I have failed during the day – made the ‘wrong thing’ for lunch, raised my voice, said ‘no’ too many times, but then one of my small people will fall down and say, ‘can you kiss it?’. Or they may throw me a spontaneous, “I love you” and I remember – THAT is what it is all about.

I can ‘fail’ a million times a day, but my kids don’t remember that. To them, I am always wearing my cape. I would love to remind moms that kids can see the invisible. Give yourself some slack. Dust off your imaginary cape and know you get to do it all again tomorrow (or tonight!)

Who is the most extraordinary mommy you’ve met and why?

Wow – I’ve met so many. I’ve known moms who’ve battled cancer while pregnant or saved their own child’s life with pure will and determination, but I would have to say my own mom. I think sacrifice is her middle name. For as long as I have been ‘aware’, I’ve known that my mom has put aside her own wishes and dreams, to the point of no longer knowing what she wants to be when she grows up, to support her family. She is, at this moment, still working because she has to. I respect that.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

I love that there are so many moms out there choosing to empower other moms – we can all use the support. Being a mom is the most amazing, challenging, rewarding, terrifying, difficult, joy-filled thing I have ever done. And I am only at the beginning. Thank heavens there is such a tremendous network of moms online who love and support each other. I do truly believe we are all doing Extraordinary things…