BOSSMOM

As a mom, you quite literally do it all! Between working and making sure your kiddo gets to school with a matching pair of shoes, it proves to be the toughest job anyone could do. Our Giggle moms have shared with us what makes them a #BossMom, and we are all for it!

Sarah Beck

Specialty Care Representative

Left to Right: Justin and Sarah Beck, and their sons Will (12) and Ben (15)

Where do you work and what do you do? Tell us a bit about it and what are some of your goals?

For the past 17 years, I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry. In the last 14 years, I have worked as a specialty care representative educating on products in the mental health and psychiatric space. It is always my goal to keep the patient and their families at the focus of my conversations, and the greatest joy in my profession comes from hearing the successes after a patient has been started on one of my company’s products.

What is your favorite part / most rewarding part of being a mom?

I love being a mom! The most rewarding part is watching your kids grow into independent, loving and hardworking human beings. I also love that they make our home a comfortable and welcoming place for all of their friends to hang out regularly.

What is the hardest part of being a mom?

“Mom guilt” is real. I want to give 100% in all that I do, but there are days when that is just not physically and emotionally possible. I pray every day that they know they are loved and that I will always only want the best for them — even when as teenagers they do not always understand it or see it that way.

What gets you up in the morning?

I love mornings and getting the day started! What motivates me to work hard and give my best each day is my desire to want to achieve not only my own goals but to also do what is best for my family and make them proud of me.

What makes you laugh?

I love to laugh — you feel so great after a good laugh. I love corny jokes, dry humor and satire. My husband and boys are pretty funny people, and I am surrounded by lots of funny family, friends and co-workers. You cannot be too serious!

What has been the biggest life lesson that you have learned being a parent?

Each stage is so fun and exciting, but some days we get bogged down in the difficult parts of those stages and we “wish away” those days. It all goes by so fast, and now we are entering the stage of learner’s permits, driving, girlfriends, high school sports and their own desire for

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independence, privacy and less need for me. It is such a scary time, but it’s also so exciting to watch them become their own person in this big world. If you are a parent of a young child, time really does fly — enjoy even the “wish away” days.

What is your parenting mantra?

Never say never when it pertains to your kids or your future children. You will most certainly eat your words! and enjoying being on the boat in Steinhatchee. We were about to head home when we suggested stopping at this little “hole in the wall” restaurant on our way home. As soon as we walked in the door of the restaurant, Will looked around and exclaimed, “Mama, I don’t see a hole in the wall!” The entire restaurant staff heard it, and I would have loved to have been able to disappear in that moment.

The other was a morning that was very busy. I was trying to get out the door and to the middle school for a PTSA meeting I was hosting at 7 a.m. Of course, the boys were not thrilled with having to be at school 45 minutes before it was necessary. Following that meeting, I was driving to Ocala to meet my boss for a day with him. As we pulled into the school parking lot, my oldest (then in 8th grade) said, “Um, I forgot my shoes.” Excuse me... What? I was so frustrated of course. I told him he needed to figure it out and that I was headed into the school for my meeting and that he would likely be attending school barefoot all day. When I got out of the car, he was on the phone calling friends to see if they had an extra pair of shoes in their PE locker. Five minutes into the PTSA meeting, the door to the conference room opens and in walks Ben wearing a pair of my strappy sandals he had found in the back of my car. As moms, I think we can all relate to embarrassing things said by our kids or the “Are you kidding me?” moments that pop up at the most inconvenient times.

How do you balance it all?

I pray often. My boys are very active in sports, clubs, church, friends, etc. My husband and I are also very busy and active in addition to our careers, so we do lots of praying, planning, juggling, sharing responsibilities and communicating. We also have a great support system in our family and friends who help out whenever needed.

How do you relate to other #bossmoms?

I have been blessed to meet and be surrounded by some amazing #bossmoms. Every single one of them could have been nominated to be interviewed for this exact article. The minute we get an opportunity to chat or connect we all have the same goals ultimately — which is to be the best mom I can be while also being the best person I can be.

Share a funny parenting story that all parents can relate to.

There are two that immediately come to mind. When Will, my youngest, was about 6 years old, we had just finished a day of scalloping

What is some advice you have for other #bossmoms trying to balance it all?

Just keep swimming! Some days are overwhelming and challenging, but then there are those days (most days) that are rewarding, exciting and happy that make it all so worth it. Also, it is okay to say no. We cannot possibly do everything, and in order to be the best at the most important things, sometimes you have to say no to other things.

How have you had to change/ pivot parenting/schooling since COVID-19? How is that going?

Other than the struggles we are all facing with COVID-19, social distancing and canceled activities, the most difficult part of the pandemic for us has been the inability to be with my parents. My husband and I go to work every day, the boys are in brick and mortar schooling and both play sports, so we have been extra cautious with my parents.

If you could have any superpower to help parent your kids, what would it be?

Is there a superpower that allows you to be the voice of good choices when you are not around? As the boys are getting older and more independent, I worry most about the decisions they will be faced with when we are not around. I know there will be mistakes made. I just pray that none of them come with lifelong consequences.

What is your go-to meal at home that you cook? Can you share the recipe?

My family would find this one funny! We are on-the-go so much, and we do lots of eating out. When we are at home, I tend to turn to quick and easy options like meats on the grill (my husband loves to cook), soups, tacos, spaghetti, chicken and rice or salad bar. I use my instant pot so much! It allows dinner to be cooking while I am able to get other things done around the house or spend time with my family.

Sarah's

FAVORITES

FAVORITE STARBUCKS DRINK

Iced mocha latte with almond milk

FAVORITE GAINESVILLE RESTAURANT

In Gainesville, Chop Stix Cafe or Ichiban, and in Alachua, Main Street Pie Co. or Mi Apa

FAVORITE MOVIE

Dirty Dancing

FANTASY DINNER PARTY GUESTS

George W. Bush, Morgan Freeman, Reese Witherspoon and the cast of Schitt’s Creek

FAVORITE TYPE OF WINE

Vintner's Red or Moscato

FAVORITE THING TO EAT

Sushi or Italian

GO-TO FRAGRANCE

Bath & Body Works “Into the Stars” and Marc Jacobs “Daisy”

WHAT IS PLAYING AT HOME

The Greatest Showman or a country music mix

FAVORITE THING TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS

Being at my kids’ sporting events or being on our boat with my family

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