About Stephanie

Stephanie Elliot is a writer, editor and blogger who has worked, written, or edited for many places, including bettyconfidential.com, babyzone.com, parents.com, kaboose.com, Pregnancy, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Parents Express. She has been blogging since 2004 as MaNiC MoMMy, and if you visit her there, she may be giving away some pretty cool books or sharing too much about her personal life. She’s a real mom to three really great kids and one very understanding and cool hubby. She loves to read, and is writing another novel (the first one got close, but didn’t quite make it on the shelves.). She recently moved from Chicago to Scottsdale. Friend her on Facebook or tweet her on Twitter.

What’s your inspiration?
My inspiration is that I don’t want to end my life not being able to say I didn’t get the chance to do the things I wanted to do. So I’m inspired by my drive and my passions, whether it’s my children, awesome writers, great books, my love for my husband and family or a great frosted cookie and a big China Mist iced tea with lots of ice.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
I’m a very easy-going person, but the one thing I can’t live without is sleep. Well, I guess no one can live without sleep, but I crave it. Like a person might crave shopping. Getting into a freshly made bed and burrowing in for a great nap – that’s something I can’t live without.

What’s your favorite part of being a mom?
Well, the best part of being a mom was when they were newborn babies and they would just lay (or is it lie? I can never remember THAT rule) on your chest and sleep there for HOURS, but that wasn’t the question was it? My favorite part is watching them grow into nice, kind people. My oldest just turned 13 and it’s so fun watching them bloom into regular people. But, I guess, it’s also kind of sad. He keeps reminding me that in three years he starts driving … in five years he goes to college … I want that newborn baby stage back!

What’s the single best piece of advice you can share with other moms?
Never deny your kids a tuck-in when they want a tuck-in. No matter how tired you are, or how much work you have to do, if they are asking you to please come tuck them in, go do it. I need to often remind myself of this one. What’s it gonna take? Seven minutes? And they’ll remember. They’ll remember that you took that time to snuggle them up and spend a few minutes chatting about the day, tucking them in and telling them how much you love them.