As a primarily work-from-home mom, I completely understand the lengths we go to in order to keep our little ones from interrupting crucial calls. I’m not just talking about plopping them in front of a screen—that’s for the novices. After working from home for the past eight years, I’ve discovered that I need far more ingenuity than that.
I’ve taken calls from the bathroom, balancing my feet on the toilet seat to keep the kids from realizing I’m inside. Once, I even braved a snowstorm just to hold a conversation in peace while the kids were gleefully off from school. And let’s not forget that time I allowed my boys to splash around in the shower for 90 minutes during a particularly lengthy call, which led to a major leak in our living room—a topic my partner and I still avoid discussing.
So, you can imagine my anxiety earlier this week when my 10-year-old was home from school while I had a scheduled one-on-one phone interview with Chelsea Bennett. My middle child, notorious for thinking it’s hilarious to disrupt my focus, tends to shout my name from across the house for anything he might need. Thankfully, when Chelsea joined the call, she immediately mentioned that her daughter, Mia, was also home and could pop in at any moment.
Chelsea, who shared that Mia is currently obsessed with opening and closing doors—describing it as a “great big existential game of peekaboo”—was warm and relatable. Well, as relatable as a mom can be when her child is engaged in a philosophical game while mine is flipping plastic bottles and practicing on-demand belching.
Reflections on Childhood
Reflecting on her childhood in Arkansas, Chelsea spoke fondly about the Saturdays she spent with her mother, with whom she shares a strong bond, as Hillary worked in her law office. Even as a child, she recognized that these weekend office hours were necessary sacrifices to ensure Hillary was home for dinner with the family during the week.
Chelsea reminisced about her grandmother, who once gifted her a pair of bright rainbow Velcro shoes, much to Hillary’s dismay, as she wanted Chelsea to learn to tie her shoes. They struck a deal: for every day Chelsea tied her sneakers, she could wear the rainbow Velcro shoes, but never two days in a row.
Campaign Memories
She also discussed her father’s first presidential campaign in 1992, a time when campaigns were notably shorter. Chelsea expressed pride in how her mother managed to spend all but three nights of the campaign in the same home as her. As she shared this memory, I could sense the respect and empathy from a woman who understands the sacrifices working moms face to ensure their children feel loved and supported. (Remember the uproar when Chelsea’s husband was photographed taking Mia to preschool while she was campaigning?)
When Chelsea described her relationship with her mother as “intensely close,” I immediately grasped what she meant. Those of us fortunate enough to view our mothers as multifaceted individuals rather than just characters in our life stories understand that kind of closeness. It’s the “schism,” as Chelsea puts it, between Hillary the candidate and Hillary the person that makes public scrutiny perplexing for her. “I have never understood the public narrative,” she remarked, devoid of resentment.
Embracing the Role of “Granma”
Chelsea expressed joy in watching her mother embrace the role of “Granma” (with a playful note about it being “No H”) to Mia and Aiden, who adore her off-key rendition of “Moon River.” As Chelsea contemplates her mother potentially making history, she has clearly thought about how to bridge that schism so Mia and Aiden can see that Hillary can be a loving grandmother and a leader for the people.
To illustrate this, Chelsea recently brought home a miniature action figure of Hillary, gifted to her at a campaign event. Mia loves to take her Granma action figure, dressed in a chic blue pantsuit, into the bath with her. However, she recently asked Chelsea, “Why Granma no H?”—meaning why the figure wasn’t wearing one of the H-emblazoned shirts often donned by the family.
“Because Granma is the H,” Chelsea replied.
Indeed, she is.
Further Reading
For more insights on the journey of motherhood and the challenges we face, check out this other blog post. And if you’re looking for quality insemination kits, this site offers reputable options. Additionally, for further information on intrauterine insemination, you can find excellent resources here.
In summary, Chelsea Bennett’s candid reflections on motherhood and her relationship with her mother highlight the complexities and joys that come with balancing family and ambition. It’s a reminder that no matter our circumstances, the bonds we share with our loved ones remain invaluable.
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