In today's 'selfie' culture, how do we teach kids about humility and empathy?
Jo Beth: We’re very interested in ways for our kids to be involved in hands-on activities. For them to learn the idea of empathy and service even when they’re young. There are lots of organizations that love to work with children because they understand that the best thing you can do is to get them out there — get them learning about those things.
Alicia: For example, one day we collected canned corn outside of a Schnuck’s for the Evansville Rescue Mission. We stayed out there with our little girls, and they approached people as they went into the store asking them if they would buy some canned corn and bring it back out to us so we could donate it. And of course, they’re cute little girls, so people tend to do that. But it made them feel really good, they were really excited about it. They spent the time doing it, but they didn’t get anything physically in return for it except knowing that they helped someone. And that gives you a good feeling as a parent — when your kid understands that; so we try to do just little simple things like that to teach our kids.
How do you define success?
Alicia: I always tell my daughter to set a goal. And it’s great when you meet that goal, but there are sometimes when you don’t. That's just a reality, and it will continue to be a reality. You have to learn from those experiences regardless if you met that goal or not. And I believe that even those experiences mean success because it can help you with success in the future.
Jo Beth: I feel like success is happiness. And it may seem very simple; but like John Lennon, I really feel like that’s the basis for everything. I feel that if I’m happy in a situation, I’ve earned that success or I’ve gotten to that point. It gives me butterflies — it gives me that excitement. I’m generally a happy person; I’m very upbeat. That’s what I strive for — to feel happiness in the things that I’m doing.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned from your children?
Jo Beth: Time management! I used to think I was really good at managing my time, but my children have taught me how to do it even better. How to really look at time, to organize things, and to get them where they need to be. And organize my own time and look at a day much differently.
Alicia: I would say, enjoy the simple things. We are very busy all the time. We’re not home a lot. When I was a kid, I was involved in a lot, but we were home a lot more than I am with my kids. The other day it was raining and I said, 'Go out and play in the rain.' You know, just the simple things. Kids are stuck on tablets and phones and tv a lot, and you forget about just some of those simple things that we used to do when we were kids even.