As a mom who has proudly called Staten Island my home for nearly 13 years I truly cannot imagine raising my kids anywhere else. And when I asked former Staten Island Mom, Danielle Medolla 2014 Armed Forces Insurance Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year ® who is currently stationed in ALASKA, her answer was very much in line with mine.
And although she is not officially a Staten Island mom- her roots and family are here and it was a pleasure and privilege to be able to chat her up and find out more about life as an army wife and how she is juggling career, marriage, motherhood and her new accolade! Keep reading for some insight into Danielle Medolla's life in Alaska!
1- What was it like having to leave Staten Island and raise your kids in Alaska- is that something you ever thought you would do? Absolutely NOT! I remember telling my husband while living in Staten Island while he was in at school in NC that I would go anywhere but Alaska! I was a young, new mother and wife and I lived and breathed NYC. I was willing to follow my husband/best friend anywhere his career took him, except Alaska. I pictured Alaska like many other people – a frozen tundra with igloos and Eskimos.
Eight years, and 2 PCS's later, I grew a lot as a person, a mother and most importantly as a military spouse.
My husband and I look at his military career as a gift. This lifestyle is enabling my children to have experiences that we would not otherwise be able to give them. When it was time to put in our “dream sheet” we dreamed big! We try to think of our children first when it comes to what little control we have over our next location. After spending six years “home” (in the NY/NJ area allowing us to have all 3 of our boys at the same hospital that we were born in and allowing us to be surrounded by our families during this special time) the next natural move for us was to FL and 10 days after our 3rd son was born we hit the road for Air Station Miami. NY to FL is a common move for many East Coasters. We went from one familiar area to another.
So this time around our kids were older (9, 7 and 4) and school and friendships are now important. So we decided that our next move (this current one) we were going to try and go some place with a lot of support. Here in Kodiak we have tons of base support (which is very important) and my kids are not different, all of the children here are newbies or used to moving and making friends so the transition was easier. Plus, where else could you drop your line in and actually catch a fish!
2-How do you juggle it all- especially when your husband isn't around to help– what is your secret to keeping all the balls in the air?
I get this question a lot, and it's because I have a super star husband. I could never accomplish all that I do without him by my side and in the background. He allows me to get all the glory while he supports me and is my backbone. He knows what I need to feel professionally fulfilled and supports me every step of the way. (I am currently a Day Care/Preschool Director for a local Lutheran Church. Happy wife, happy life!) One other thing that I would like to include with regards to juggling it all – my kids have always been included and aware of the work that I have done. I have taken them to almost every event and I included them in the planning and set up for some events in hopes that they will learn the importance of service by my example. Volunteering and doing for others is something that I want them to be aware of and take pride in.
3-What is the best part about military life and is it something you would recommend to other Staten Island moms?
Personally, I love the ability to travel and to see our great nation. This past PCS had us driving across the USA. (We drove from FL – up the East Coast stopping in SI, across the country with stops at the badlands, Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone, before heading up through the Canadian Rockies, through the Yukon and into Alaska before meeting the ferry in Homer, AK taking us to Kodiak Island).
And I can't forget all of the amazing people I have met. I now have friends all over the country. I am so grateful for the time I have spent in each location, because if we were never stationed in these locations, I may never have met the friends that I have made.
#4- What's the one thing you miss most about Staten Island?
That's so hard! Being stationed on a remote island, I miss so much that a big city has to offer, but there is always a ying and a yang. The pros and cons. I miss the convenience of living in a 24 hour city. The prepared for anything and everything attitude. I miss the Christmas tree shop (I even missed that store when living in FL), and most of all I miss my family. My husband and I sometimes feel guilty and he second guesses his career choice because our children are so far from family and are not growing up living a stones throw away from our extended families. But we are quickly reminded that what we are giving them is truly a gift and we are blessed to be able to visit or have our families visit us and those visits are jam packed with love and attention. It's quality not quantity.
#5 What is the best piece is parenting advice you were ever given and why?
Parenting advice, I would say I would be the last person to ask for parenting advice. I am always seeking wisdom and techniques to help deal with 3 growing boys (especially since one of my sons has sensory processing disorder, which can lead to many challenges). But if I had to chose one thing, it would be to keep your marriage strong. To make time for you and your spouse. Having your children see and experience first hand a strong, loving, supportive marriage is so important. The first thing I do when we arrive at a new location is to find a babysitter. We don't have the luxury of family to watch our children so we can have a date night or a small break to food shop together. So we make sure to find someone reliable to watch our kids (sometimes in our presence) so that we can pay attention to each other.
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