Mom of the Year: Celia Chomón Zamora

“Everything is a phase. Even in your most difficult moments, you need to keep telling yourself that it’s just a phase and it won’t be like this forever.”

Mom to Jude Francis, age 4, Alexandria, VA

Nominated by Edgard Zamora:

After years of trying to become pregnant with her high school sweetheart, Celia finally was able to do so during her doctorate studies at Georgetown She did this while defending her dissertation, presenting at conferences, publishing articles, being awarded Hispanic Scholar of the Year, and graduating. She is her son’s No. 1 fan. Now, Celia is a department chair at an all-girls private school. She mentors girls of all ages and wins numerous nationwide accolades, while still teaching her son to read and volunteer at his school.

Q&A with Celia Chomón Zamora

Occupation:

Chair of the foreign language department, Oakcrest School

Three fun facts about you and your family:

1. My husband and I are high school sweethearts. This year will mark 17 years together, and 12 years married.

2. Our son’s name is Jude Francis. Jude comes from our love for the Beatles. His nursery theme was “Yellow Submarine,” and we’ve been singing him “Hey Jude” since he was born. Francis comes from Pope Francis, after I met him in Rio de Janeiro a few weeks before our son was conceived.

3. Jude Francis is from Nicaraguan (my husband) and Venezuelan/Cuban (me) descent. His favorite foods include one from each country: gallo pinto from Nicaragua, arepas from Venezuela and sopa de malanga from Cuba. He speaks English and Spanish fluently, is still learning Portuguese, and is now starting to learn Japanese.

What advice would you give to new or expectant moms?

Everything is a phase. Even in your most difficult moments, you need to keep telling yourself that it’s just a phase and it won’t be like this forever. Find your mommy tribe (I love you, M14!), talk to people, vent, go out and always ask and accept help. It’s OK!

What goals do you have for your family?

Travel everywhere. My husband and I have been all over Europe, Japan, Thailand, North and South America. Now it’s time to have Jude Francis experience it all with us. We want to raise him as a global citizen and well-cultured, with as many precious memories to share with us as possible. And most importantly, we want him to feel happy and loved.

How has motherhood changed your outlook on life?

Motherhood has definitely taught me to be much more organized and focused. Before, I would procrastinate and thought I had all the time in the world. But of course, balancing a Ph.D., teaching and a baby did not afford me the luxury of time. The few hours I had to work were used to the maximum potential. It also taught me the merit in meal planning, the joy in making to-do lists, and most importantly, to judge and criticize others less.

What’s the best thing you are watching and/or reading right now?

Always has, and always will be, “The Office.” I think I’ve watched the entire series on Netflix like 20 times. As for books, I’m reading “Grace, Not Perfection” by Emily Ley, who also makes the Simplified Planners I’ve used for the last three years. I love the fact that not only do I love her products, I am also able to support a small business and a working mom.

What is your secret to balancing life/family/work/motherhood?

Coffee — lots and lots and lots of coffee. Don’t even waste time drinking it, just put it in an IV.

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