Meet Jacquelyn McDaniel, Our January Everyday Mom

Jacquelyn McDaniel is an “everyday mom.” But she’s far from ordinary. Here’s what she says about being a military wife and mother of four busy boys:

Where did you grow up? Fayetteville.

Did you have any siblings? I’m the oldest of three brothers and three sisters.

Where do you live now? Hope Mills.

Names and ages of your children: DeAndre, 18, Deantony, 17, Robert, 11, and Jaydon, 20 months.

What are your least favorite “mom chores”? Laundry. But I love to cook.

What do you do in your free time? Read. I also enjoy going to movies and shopping.

Are you involved in any organizations? I’m involved in my church young-adult mission department. I’m also a member of the usher board. My husband and I enjoy being the husband-and-wife usher team.

Tell us about your work. I really love what I do. I been working with children for at least 12 years. I taught at Head Start in Fort Knox, Ky., and even owned my own day care. Right now, I teach pre-Montessori at Highland Learning Center.

What made you decide to work with children for a living? After having my own children, I realized that there was a need for teachers who really wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. I wanted to teach young children something new every day and see how well they learn. I guess it was my calling.

What is it like with your husband in the military? Sometimes it gets hard if Robert is deployed, and I don’t have the support I need. Being a military wife has not been easy, but it has kept me living a comfortable life. With Robert retiring in two years, we will still have one more deployment coming up to Afghanistan. I have learned in my life that things only last for a moment and to enjoy the time, regardless of your situations. In hard times, I turn to God and enjoy life anyway.

Tell us about your typical day — from the morning wakeup until you finally climb into bed. I wake up about 4:30 a.m. I say my good-byes to my husband, Robert. (He is in the Army and has to get up really early.) I try to lay back down until 6, then watch a little Joyce Meyer. I wake my boys up at 6:30 to get ready for school. I get myself ready for work and then wake up my toddler, Jaydon, to get him ready. I always tell my boys to have a good day and I love them.

After eight hours at work, I head home to do more teaching and mothering with my family. I pick Jaydon up and I’m off to mommy world! I give Jaydon hugges and kisses to see how his day has been. While cooking, my husband and I run through our day with each other. I help my 11-year-old with homework. My 18-year-old and 17-year-old really do for themselves. I just make sure their chores are done and that they’re not on their phones. (You would think that’s easy, but it’s not.) After Jaydon is settled in bed, my husband always needs something washed and the older boys always want something. I try to help everyone end their day so I can shut the house down and end my day.

Finally, I shower and get into bed about 9:30 (my favorite time). Once into bed, I can exhale and read for a few minitues before saying my prayers and thinking about what tomorrow will bring.

What advice do you have for new moms? Don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t be Superwoman. It gets better. Enjoy.

Share your favorite 30-minute (or less!) recipe. I’m a old-fashioned cook. A quick meal is old-fashioned spaghetti. I can’t go wrong. Add a vegetable and some garlic bread and dinner is served!

What time-saving tip do you have for other moms? Pack the car before you wake the children. As a working mom, it really helps me to not forget things. What is most challenging at your children’s ages? My oldest son just turned 18. He’s a senior at South View High and is going into the Air Force this summer. I just can’t seem to handle all of the space he wants and the changes he’s going through. I guess I want to be friend and mom, too. What is most rewarding at their ages? Jaydon is 20 months old. I can see that he wants and needs me — and not just my money, like the older ones (smile). I enjoy teaching him and watching him do new things. What three words would your children say best describe you? Caring, hard-working and helpful.

What is a really silly activity you enjoy doing with your kids? Turning off the lights in the house and playing hide-and-go-seek.

What is your favorite children’s book? Any “Curious George” books. I have boys and they are always into things.