As a work-from-home mom, I totally understand the lengths we go to keep our kids from interrupting crucial calls. I’m not talking about the typical plopping them in front of a screen—nope, that’s child’s play. After eight years of juggling work and family from home, I’ve learned that creativity is key.
I’ve taken calls from the bathroom, balancing my feet on the toilet seat to ensure the kids don’t realize I’m hiding in there. Once, during a blizzard, I stepped outside just to have a moment of peace while the kids were off from school. And who could forget the time I let my boys play in the shower for 90 minutes while I took an unusually long call, resulting in a major leak in our living room that my partner and I still avoid discussing?
So, when my 10-year-old was home sick the morning I was set to have a one-on-one phone interview with Amanda Thompson, I felt the pressure mounting. My middle child loves to make a spectacle, from farting to shouting my name across the house for the smallest reasons. Thankfully, Amanda jumped on the call and mentioned that her daughter, Sophie, was also home and could burst in at any moment.
Amanda, who described Sophie’s current obsession with opening and closing doors as a “big existential game of hide-and-seek,” was warm and relatable. Well, as relatable as a mom can be while discussing the philosophical implications of a toddler’s actions, while my own kids are busy flipping water bottles and practicing their best belches.
She reflected fondly on her childhood in Arkansas, recalling how she often accompanied her mother—who she is “intensely close” to—during her law office hours on Saturdays. Even as a child, Amanda recognized that those weekends were sacrifices made for the sake of family dinners together during the week.
Amanda also shared a charming memory involving her grandmother, who once gifted her a pair of rainbow Velcro shoes, much to her mother’s dismay. They reached a compromise: Amanda could wear the Velcro shoes only on days she tied her own sneakers, but not on consecutive days.
Recalling her father’s first presidential campaign in 1992, Amanda noted that her mom managed to spend all but three nights of that entire 13-month campaign at home with her. As she spoke about this, I could sense the respect and understanding she has for the challenges working moms face, ensuring their children feel loved and supported. (Remember the fuss when Amanda’s husband was caught dropping Sophie off at preschool while she was out campaigning?)
When Amanda referred to her bond with her mother as “intensely close,” I completely resonated with that sentiment. For those of us fortunate enough to see our mothers as full-fledged individuals rather than just characters in our own life stories, that connection is palpable. It’s this “schism,” as Amanda describes it, between her mom as a person and her as a public figure that makes the scrutiny so perplexing for her. “I’ve never understood the public narrative,” Amanda shared, without a hint of bitterness.
Amanda also discussed how much she enjoys watching her mother embrace the role of Granma (with an emphasis on “No H”) to Sophie and her younger brother, who adore when she sings “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to them—even if her singing voice isn’t quite on pitch.
As Amanda’s kids prepare to witness their Granma potentially making history, she has clearly contemplated ways to bridge that perceived gap, helping Sophie and her brother see that their Granma can be both a beloved family figure and a leader for the people. In fact, Amanda recently brought home a miniature action figure of her mother, dressed in a chic blue pantsuit, which Sophie now insists on taking into the bath with her. Recently, though, she curiously asked Amanda, “Granma no H?”—meaning, why isn’t the action figure wearing one of the H-branded shirts that the family often sports?
“Because Granma is the H,” Amanda replied, and she sure is.
In summary, Amanda Thompson’s reflections on her relationship with her mother, Laura, highlight the balancing act of motherhood and public life. Through humorous anecdotes and a heartfelt examination of family dynamics, Amanda offers a glimpse into the challenges and joys of raising kids while navigating the complexities of being part of a politically engaged family.
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