Interview with Chelsea Parker by Linda Thompson
Updated: April 17, 2018
Originally Published: Oct. 19, 2016
As a mom who primarily works from home, I completely relate to the lengths we go to keep our kiddos from interrupting important calls. Forget about just plopping them in front of the TV — that’s child’s play. After eight years of mastering the art of remote work, I’ve learned to get pretty inventive.
I’ve taken calls from the bathroom, my feet balancing on the toilet to maintain the façade of privacy. One winter, I even braved a blizzard outside just to secure a bit of quiet while the kids were joyfully off school. And let’s not forget the time I let my boys play in the shower for an hour and a half during a lengthy call, resulting in a massive leak in our living room ceiling — a topic my husband and I still avoid discussing.
So, you can imagine my stress when my 10-year-old was home on the same day I had a one-on-one call scheduled with Chelsea Parker. My middle child finds it hilarious to break wind in my face and thinks nothing of shouting my name from anywhere in the house when he needs something. Fortunately, Chelsea quickly put me at ease by mentioning that her daughter, Lily, was also home and could burst in at any moment.
Chelsea was warm, relatable, and delightfully down-to-earth, even as she described Lily’s current obsession with opening and closing doors, likening it to a “big existential game of hide-and-seek.” It was a refreshing contrast to my reality of kids flipping water bottles and practicing belches on demand.
As we chatted, Chelsea fondly reminisced about her childhood in Arkansas, often tagging along with her mother — with whom she shares a particularly close bond — during her law office hours on Saturdays. She recognized even then that these sacrifices allowed Hillary to be home for dinner during the week, making those family moments special.
Chelsea recalled how her grandmother, who was a big influence in her life, once bought her a pair of rainbow Velcro shoes against Hillary’s wishes, who wanted her to learn to tie her own. They reached a compromise: for every day Chelsea tied her sneakers, she could wear the rainbow shoes, but never two days in a row.
She also spoke about her father’s first presidential campaign back in 1992, a time when campaigns lasted just 13 months (ah, the good old days). Chelsea took pride in sharing how her mother managed to be home with her for dinner almost every night, a feat that highlights the sacrifices working moms make to ensure their kids feel supported. (Remember the uproar when Chelsea’s husband was photographed taking Lily to preschool while she was busy on the campaign trail?)
When Chelsea described her connection with her mother as “intensely close,” I instantly got it. For those lucky enough to see our mothers as the complex women they truly are, we understand that depth of relationship. Chelsea remarked on the confusing disparity between Hillary the person and Hillary the candidate, stating, “I have never understood the public narrative,” with no trace of resentment.
Chelsea has enjoyed watching her mother embrace the role of Grandma (no “H” necessary) to Lily and her son, Aidan, who adore her off-key rendition of “Moon River.” As Chelsea considers her mom on the brink of making history, it’s clear she’s thought a lot about how to bridge that so-called schism, showing her kids that Hillary can be both their beloved Grandma and a leader for the people.
In a fun twist, Chelsea recently brought home a mini Hillary action figure from a campaign event, which Lily loves to take into the bath. But she asked Chelsea, “Why Grandma no H?” referring to the absence of the iconic H on the action figure’s attire. Chelsea replied, “Because Grandma is the H.” And indeed, she is.
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In summary, Chelsea Parker’s candid reflections on her life as a mother and her relationship with Hillary offer a heartwarming glimpse into the dynamics of family love, sacrifice, and the challenges of public scrutiny. As Chelsea strives to normalize her mother’s dual roles, she embodies the essence of modern motherhood.