Social Worker, Cooperative Academy for Responsive Education (Care); Crestwood, IL
Child: Jack, 2

Why We Love Her
When you’re a single mom raising a child alone without financial support, everyday life can be downright exhausting. but you’d never guess that from looking at this mom’s energy and drive: Kim works part-time as a social-work intern at a therapeutic day school for children with emotional and behavioral problems, goes to school full-time (she’ll graduate this month with a master of social work degree from Loyola University) and also created a dance therapy program for junior high school girls to help promote self-esteem. Her staying power spills over into home life, where there is a no-TV policy—no couch potatoes here.

Q: What’s your best advice for a new mom returning to work?

A: I would tell new moms to focus on work when you're at work and home when you're at home. Worrying about home while you’re working or work while you're at home takes so much energy that we working moms just do not have. Keep it separate.

Q: What’s your biggest working-mom confession?

I STILL feel guilty about this one! I was just about to begin working at a hospital, and my parents really wanted to take Jack for a couple days, which worked out perfectly for me at that time. I drove him three hours to their house and planned to pick him up in three days. Well, one thing led to another and led to another: bad weather, car problems, work problems. I wasn't able to pick Jack up for more than a week! I felt horribly guilty on top of missing him like a crazy person. I don't even think he noticed, however; he was having so much fun, and his Nonna and Papa sure didn't mind!

Q: What’s your best tip for keeping your home life running smoothly?

A: I always make a point to eat with Jack at our kitchen table. Whether it's a bowl of cereal or a full dinner, we sit together and we eat together. Many times, he will ask for a specific book and we'll flip through it together while we're eating. Try to slow everything down and take more time with seemingly mundane tasks.