Quite Moms-y

By Lauren V.

This Mother’s Day, we wanted to bring you a special perspective from the Mom who started it all (for this crew at least)! Lauren sits down for a little chat with Mom to “The Brothers,” wonderful Grandmother of Aurora, fantastic Mother-in-Law, and Quite Frankly favorite, Mimi!

What was it like raising boys in the 90s?

My boys were always good. Maybe some of it was fear of me [said mostly jokingly]. I know they did things behind my back. I always kept a close eye on them. But it was the 90’s, you always think at the time it can’t get any worse. But then years go by and you look back and I don’t think I could’ve done it today. 

Did you ever want a girl?

NO, I never wanted girls. God gave me boys for a reason. I would’ve never been good with girls. 

What’s something about Frank as a child that people may not know?

Frank was always easy, smart, loving, outgoing. I guess most people kind of figured that out about him. If I went up to him and gave him a kiss in front of his friends after a baseball game, he would never shy away or be embarrassed. If anybody was looking, he would just say “mothers”.

Did you ever imagine the paths Frank and Anthony would take to get to the careers they love today? What do you think of/ feel about their careers?

I had no idea what the boys were going to do to make a living as adults. That’s the thing you worry about the most! Are they gonna be able to take care of themselves and their families as time goes by? But my God I couldn’t be prouder. They’re using the talents that God gave them to the limit and it’s only getting better.

How have things changed now that Aurora is around and you are Grandma-Mimi?

Aurora, what can I say? That young girl lights up my life. She makes me laugh every single day she’s so smart. Every day I pray she grows to be a healthy, smart, beautiful young lady. 

Do you see a big difference in boys vs girls?

I used to think that there was a huge difference between boys versus girls. Mostly because my boys were so cuddly and loving. But now that I’ve been around Aurora and she’s cuddly and loving… I don’t know. Maybe I was wrong. But then again, come back when she’s a teenager and we’ll talk.

Do you see Frank in Aurora’s personality?

Aurora is a lot like Frank. I especially love when she tries to pull the wool over my eyes. The look she has on her face with such accomplishment. And the feeling I feel with such empowerment! Too funny!! Frank still tries to pull the wool over my eyes. He may not tell me when something is wrong, but I always know.

Do you have any parenting/ grand parenting “advice” or wisdom you’d like to share?

I’ve really learned to “shut up” and WOW, I’m telling you it’s hard… Being older I just see a lot of things clearer. And as far as helping them grow up, you have to just keep one eye on them all the time, and just sort of let them do their own thing, especially when they are teenagers and in their 20s. That’s hard, that’s real hard. And then to deal with how they talk to you, even in their 20s and 30s, sometimes you’re just crushed and have to take it with a grain of salt. Frank will always be my little baby, he is really good about saying “I love you” and all that stuff, but he doesn’t come running into my arms anymore… but Aurora does and she just fixes everything, all the little holes, they’re gone.