Mom to Scott, age 21, Kelsie, age 20 and Gwyneth, age 17
Potomac Falls, VA
Nominated by Sharon Knipmeyer:
When The Loudoun School for the Gifted needed a full-time mother figure on payroll, we thought of Maureen first and begged her to join. We knew we needed her vibrant personality, her love of caring for teens and her willingness to pitch in regardless of the task. No one was surprised when she agreed to join us, even though she has three children of her own, and owns a competitive gymnastics studio, G-Force Gymnastics. Maureen McCrae is the kind of mom who genuinely loves to be around kids.
Q&A with Maureen
What’s the best parenting advice you’ve ever received?
Model the behavior you expect to see in children. They are always watching you.
What advice would you give to new or expectant mothers?
You ARE going to make some mistakes as a parent; don’t be too hard on yourself. Understand that each child is unique. You have to figure out what approach works for each child personally. When you are reading parenting advice books, remember that not all approaches work for every child. As a young parent this can be frustrating. Take a deep breath, step back and try a different approach, and eventually you will figure out what works. I would also advise not to worry too much about what other moms think about your parenting style. You have to do what works for your family.
How has motherhood changed your outlook on life?
I have learned to delight in differences and find humor in most situations.
How do you think your children would describe you?
Crazy (all kids think their parents are crazy)…but lovable.
Describe a favorite mom moment.
I have spent a lot of time laughing with my kids. I love having my kids and my students hanging out and talking about day-to-day stuff. It is important to talk to the kids and not talk at them; there is a difference. When you respect and trust a kid, they will in turn respect you and want to keep your trust.
Who is your role model?
My late mother Margaret Gall; she was very resourceful. She raised six kids on her own with very little money, and she had a great sense of humor — she had to. And my late mother-in-law Sue McCrae, who was one of the most gracious and selfless women I have ever known. She taught me that I would only regret the things that I didn’t take the opportunity to do.
What goals do you have for yourself?
I feel I have found my purpose in life by helping and mentoring kids. I plan to continue to make a difference in each child’s life to help them truly believe in themselves.
What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
Hearing the words from one of my more difficult students, “Thank you for not giving up on me!”
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