Nurse, Roanoke Pediatrics; Bedford, VA
Child: Jaylynn, 6 ♦ Husband: Jason Sellers

Why We Love Her
Larissa works full-time at a pediatric clinic, goes to school fulltime and is the president of her class and the room mother for her daughter’s class, which means she organizes all of the holiday parties. And her husband works long hours six days a week. All we have to say is we wish we could offer her a nap as part of the working Mother of the Year award.

Q: If you could ask your boss for one thing to help you better balance your work and family life, what would it be and why?

A: If I could have four hours off a week and work 36 hours instead of 40 that would give me sometime to do my homework, house chores and errands so I could have time with my family at night after work.

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

A: To take life day by day and to keep in mind that you aren't just working for yourself, you are working for your family too.

Q: What does balance mean to you?

A: For me, balance is stability produced by even distribution of family, work, school, and extra curricular activities.