Parent Profile: Melissa Martin
by Melissa Blair
Melissa Martin, mommy to Landon, 5 and Tyler, 3. Lived in Texarkana for 5 years. Originally from Memphis, TN but have also lived in Dallas and Shreveport since becoming married. I am a 3 year old preschool teacher and Jazzercise Instructor.
What are you currently reading?
Do children’s picture books count?? Actually, the last “real” book I read was about a month ago. The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs. It was about Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna from the Bible and their hearts for God. Wonderful, sweet read! Will be one I read every year around Christmas for sure.
What’s the favorite book you’ve read to your kids?
I actually have a weird obsession for children’s books. We have lots and lots!! I am not sure that I have one favorite. I will say that no matter the book, a “favorite” is always reading to my kids (my own boys and my classroom children alike).
Most embarrassing thing your kid has said in public?
I love that kids are so literal and just tell you what they think. I can’t think of a most embarrassing moment, but just recently after I finished teaching a Jazzercise class, we had to quickly run into the store. While there, my three year old told me that I “smelled like mud” to which my five year old added, “Yes, you need to put on some smeller.” Nice boost of confidence!
What was your most embarrassing moment as a child?
This wasn’t embarrassing to me, but apparently when I was three I stuck a rock up my nose at preschool and had to get it removed at the doctor’s office. And, it must run in the family because when Landon was little he got a vitamin stuck in his nose and a year or so ago, Tyler got a piece of candy stuck in his nose.
When did you know you wanted to be a parent?
For as long as I can remember all I ever wanted to be was a mommy. I remember playing with dolls and really role playing being their mom. I vividly remember carrying my dolls around in a play grocery basket as their car carrier and strapping them in the car.
Parent gear you can’t live without?
I am out of the stage where I need a lot of gear. But there are some things that I always have with me: wipes, stickers, and snacks. If I were ever stranded somewhere with my children, I could make it a while with those three things!!
If you could go back in time to a moment with your child when would it be?
As crazy as it sounds now and as crazy a time as it was then(they are just under 23 months apart), I would go back to when Tyler was an infant and Landon was still not two yet. That first year of Tyler’s life is such a blur. I would soak in the “monotony” of our days of playing, experiencing new things, and learning through their eyes.
If you could teleport to anywhere in the world to spend a day by yourself, where would you go?
The beach…sitting in my chair, reading a book, and listening to the waves! Hands down! No question!
I wish my kids would eat…
…MORE..just more!
Proudest parent moment to date:
This is not really a proud parent moment but it just warms my heart when I hear the 3 and 5 year old prayers of my children; so simple yet so profound sometimes. “Thank you God for the wind so I could fly my paper airplane.” And “God I know you are sitting in my bed right next to me keeping me safe and when I get in the car tomorrow, you get to sit by me again.”
When I was a new parent I was terrified of…
pretty much everything!
Advice I offer to new parents:
It’s ok to be afraid to “mess up” because you just will make mistakes. The great news is that the kids will be too young to remember. Remember to laugh at yourself.
Favorite thing to do with kids:
We love baking together. And, lately, on the warmer days we have had some pretty fun scooter races. I also love night-time with my boys. Most nights, my husband and I each get one of the boys ready for bed and then switch so we both have one on one time with each child. Tyler still lets me rock him, so that is one of my favorite times as we have a sweet conversation together. Landon likes to drag his time out and tell me “just (insert a random number here) more things.” Really those are the times I want burned on my heart because they enjoy the time as much as I do.
Best parenting advice you’ve ever received?
“Fess up when you mess up.” I think it’s good for my boys to know that mommy makes mistakes, too, and even when you are a grown-up, you can still learn from those mistakes and ask God to help you make better choices in that situation. My boys get to witness a lot of fessing up from mommy! Also, although it sounds cliché, “don’t blink.” I didn’t think so when they were born, but I’m learning its true-they just are growing up so quickly already!
