Applicant #30: Rebecca Pack

Rebecca Pack is a mom from Puyallup.

My video application:

A bit about me:

Hello All! I am a 24 year old mother of two beautiful children, Elam Thomas and Abrielle Riann. We are currently residing in a luxurious, spacious, and always organized 9 thousand square foot mansion in Puyallup, Washington...

Oh wait…so sorry I got all caught up in TLC’s House Hunters again (somehow my imagination has really flourished since my son became a toddler). What I meant to say, is that I am a 24 year old mother of 2, currently residing in an average, somewhat cramped, and rarely put together (see how I got those confused) 900 square foot apartment in Puyallup, Washington.

I have been married to my husband Steven for 5 years, and am currently working as a Telephone Performance Analyst, (sounds much cooler than it actually is) for Call Source, a marketing company located out of California.

My Journey into motherhood actually started years before I ever had kids, during my first job as a preschool teacher. There I saw time and time again frazzled and desperate mothers seeking everything from a shoulder to cry on to budget advice. I had only worked there a few months before I knew exactly what I was supposed to do with my life. My heart ached for those moms, and I desperately wanted to offer the support, and answers they were looking for. But as a 17 year old high-school senior I knew I didn’t have much to offer. However my course was set. Just before our 1 year anniversary my husband and I moved to Portland, Oregon where I got my degree in Human Development, emphasizing in early childhood and parenting. However, after my son was born in 2009, I realized no book could prepare me to help other moms, like actually being a mom.

As Verity Mom, I would love to share life’s crazy experiences with fellow mothers in the Seattle area. I would be honored to share my passion for all things “momish,” … re-purposing, crafting, baking, shopping, cleaning, ect. (you know, all those things only us moms are good at)...perhaps at times commiserate about shortened budgets, diaper changing, laundry, and temper tantrums. Of course do lots of laughing, at times a little crying, and always, always learning. (oh and of course, frequently discuss all the great things about Verity Credit Union) But mainly, I would love the chance to get to know so many great women. And perhaps, if I’m lucky, provide even one frazzled mom the support and encouragement they are looking for.

My blog post:

“Finding Value in a Toddler’s Innocence"

Not long ago, an eerie silence settled over our 900 square foot apartment. I immediately suspected that my 18-month old was into some form of mischief and sure enough, I discovered him in the living room sifting through the loose change we keep in a desk drawer. As soon as he caught sight of me, he threw back the coins and slammed the drawer closed. It was obvious this was not his first offense. Within seconds, he was off again on his next boyhood adventure.

On most days, I am not far behind him, always trying to encourage curiosity yet avoid disaster. That day, however, I was left staring blankly at the drawer. It felt like I had told him to get out of that change drawer at least a million times. And, at least a million times I had overlooked the profound truth buried within a toddler’s innocence.

As I stared into the pile of pennies, for the first time I became aware of the financial baggage I had been hauling around throughout my adult life. Dire headlines: recession, deficit, credit cards, debt, poverty, divorce marched before my mind’s eye in a gloomy procession. Before I knew it, I was silently pleading with my son to come back; to pull out that change again, and show me what it’s like to view money as nothing more than an amusing distraction. I wanted to rewind the clock and linger just a bit longer on my son’s beautiful ignorance; an innocence that knew nothing of a world obsessed with money. Soon, my toddler will be headed out into a post-recession world where he will quickly be bombarded with the importance of wise spending and money management. What am I teaching him?

At that thought, I was jolted back to the present by the sound of various farm animals coming from the bedroom. However, as I set off to encourage an inside voice (apartment living you know), I realized I had been taught a very valuable lesson.

As parents, teaching our children the importance of financial responsibility is one of the most significant, yet challenging tasks in our job description. And perhaps, a silver lining to our nation’s current financial state is that there are more resources available to us than ever before. However, as with any societal trend, the pendulum has a nasty habit of bypassing completely the middle ground, over-correcting, and creating bigger problems. The last thing I ever want to do is inadvertently teach my children that money, even when handled wisely, is the key to contentment. Or convey a value system that places wealth above generosity, spontaneity, and creativity. As moms, may we always attempt to balance our lessons of financial wisdom and frugality, with a love for others and a zest for life’s next adventure. And, when our own monetary stresses threaten to demonstrate to our kids that life is little more than riches, may we take a timeout and have ourselves a g ood, long play in the change drawer.

Rebecca