Should Have Listened to My Mother Podcast

HOST JACKIE TANTILLO - Lessons Learned From My Mother With Guest Author Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro

Episode Summary

Dr. Marni Hill Foderaro joins me this week on SHLTMM. This is the story of a mother who helped her daughter find her own voice. My guest had a very successful teaching career working for 35 years as a special education teacher. She completed her postdoctoral studies from Harvard University and is the author of many highly acclaimed and endorsed books. Here is the link to Marni's website https://godcametomygaragesale.com/. Marni says she reached out to SHLTMM to share stories about the positive influence her late mother had on her.

Episode Notes

My guest wrote to me saying "even as a child , my mother had me researching at the library and writing essays on various topics! I went on to pursue higher education and become a teacher, and after retiring from a successful and rewarding career, I went on to write an award winning spiritual fiction and a prominently endorsed 5-book series (in addition to contributing to numerous anthology books." Dr. Foderaro continues, "I am passionate about handling life's challenges with goodness, compassion, honesty and love. I talk about surviving Family Trauma which initially led to being open to the Universe's signs and synchronicities, and then eventually led to my writing to heal and becoming an author.

From a young age, Marni's mother, Elizabeth Ann, taught her daughter many lessons. Often these recurring lessons were meant to instill creativity, discipline and motivation, all skills that Marni says were helpful when becoming a teacher. For example, Marni shares the story of when she was a child and wanted her first ten speed bicycle and many more. Her mother was steadfast and had specific reasoning as to how Marni could get that bike. You'll have to listen to the show to get all the details. Just so you know, both Marni and her mother were writers and teachers.

"My mother was a lover of words and extremely witty and intelligent. She grew up in Florida and North Carolina. She got her Masters Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in an era and area of the United States which typically was unheard of for women, continues Marni. Before completing her Masters, Elizabeth Ann was a high school English teacher in Broward Co., Florida and went on to teach English at Stetson University at DeLand, Florida." Marni is convinced that her mom had tremendous family support and encouragement as a young lady, otherwise "there's no way she could have achieved all that she did" reflects Dr. Foderaro.

Marni has many wonderful stories to share about her mother and how she encouraged and supported her as a child and how her mother still influences her today. " I know my mom was a huge part of who I am."

Foderaro admits that her upbringing was unconventional compared to her peers. It was the 60's and she and her two younger brothers had plenty of freedom. The kids were often on their own, left to raise themselves, yet plenty of time to be creative. Her father was a college professor.

"The freedom had pros and cons", says Foderaro, "I didn't get guidance for many things, it was bittersweet. I was often striving for structure and discipline and I grew up being very organized which helped me with my teaching career."