From the ParentMap Staff: Our Words of Wisdom from Mom

Linda Morgan, Managing Editor

Photo: With mom, 2011

My mom empowered me by instilling in me the feeling that I could do anything well. When I was a young child, she helped me internalize the idea that I'd be a diligent student with comments like, "Look how well Linda concentrates on her homework!" This expanded to pretty much every endeavor I attempted: piano, dance, singing, writing, speaking. Never exaggerating to the point of coming off as extreme and insincere (I didn't hear "You're the best!" all that often), her encouragement translated as a decisive vote of confidence. I truly believe that's why, to this day, I'm not afraid to meet new challenges head-on — from painting and kayaking to TV appearances and presenting lectures — and generally approach them with self-assurance and tenacity. These are qualities I very intentionally tried to foster in my own two children.