Meet Later Mom: Tina Angelotti
NAME: Tina Angelotti
AGE: 40
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Domesticated
RESIDENCE: Culver City, CA
CHILDS NAME/AGE: Madison Olivia Mora, 14 months
Tina Angelotti holds a degree in Kinesiology which has lead to her extensive knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biomechanics as it relates to human movement and performance. She is a seasoned CrossFit competitor and has competed in 2011 and 2012 So Cal’s CrossFit Games Regional competition as an individual competitor. Formerly a competitive gymnast, she found her love for movement at a very young age. She has been with Krav Maga Worldwide as the Director of Fitness for the past 16 years where she is ranked a blue belt in the system at the instructor level. Visit www.kravmagaworldwide.com.
What was your road to parenthood like? I was unsure of whether or not I wanted to take on the responsibility of being a mother. I’m kind of an all or nothing person, so whatever I choose to do, I get a little obsessed with doing it the best I possibly can. Of course, once I became pregnant, there was no turning back. I quickly had to learn everything I could about being a mindful parent in every way possible. The day my daughter came into my life, I had no doubts in myself. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and now I love the things she teaches me.
What fitness tips can you offer a busy 40 or 50 something mom? You have to schedule it into your life the same way you schedule yourself an appointment to get your hair done, go to the doctor, or get a bikini wax. It must be part of your routine. The truth is, if you can maintain a healthy diet, your exercise bouts can be incredibly effective in a short period of time if programmed correctly.
What’s the best one piece of advice you might offer a later mom to balance practicing self care with parenting? I teach my daughter what I’m doing when I’m doing it. For example, blow drying my hair, putting on make-up or filing my nails. She wants to be involved in everything I’m doing so I try to include her in the process as much as possible. It does require more time, but it’s worth it! For appointments outside of the hous,e this is where your friends and family become essential. All of my appointments outside of the house such as pedicures or haircuts are scheduled with a friend so we can take turns hanging out with the munchkin. It’s great time for my daughter to bond with the people close to me, and it gives me a scheduled time to spend with friends that I may not end up seeing since life gets busy with a little one. Everyone wins in this situation.
What do you see as the positives and challenges of having a child at age 35 or over? The positive sides of having a child over 35 is that I had the chance to go out and explore the world and experience being independent, to live in the moment, to be free of responsibility of others and develop myself as a contributing member of society. In my opinion, the ability of having that experience allows me to share more abundantly in raising my child. There are also challenges to having a child over 35. In my twenties, it seemed so easy to stay out late, wake up early and hit the day in full force! Ya, those days are far gone for now at least. I definitely need more sleep than I used to, and having an infant will make sleeping the required hours incredibly difficult. My brain is firing on fewer cylinders these day,s but it’s manageable and all worth it to see the smile of your sweet child when you walk through the door.
Has anything about being a mom later in life surprised you? If so, what? What do you love the most about it? I love being a mother so much more than I thought I would. Seeing the subtle steps of development from that first smile, taking the rattle from one hand to the other, to understanding what you are saying for the first time, to first words… it’s just amazing to see the processes developing daily. It’s inspiring for me as a parent, and it keeps me interested in being present with her as much as possible. I didn’t realize how easy it would be to find the time she deserves to spend with her mother. I absolutely love being with her.
Can you share a funny or AHA parenting moment with our readers? They weren’t joking when they said your child is your greatest teacher! Ya, I am learning a lot about everything I do from my tone of voice, to being personable, to talking with my hands… and she’s only 14 months by the way. I’m sure the best is yet to come.
What do you most want to teach your daughter? I want to teach her the power of the mind. Have the ability to be a high level thinker, be disciplined, confident, strong, and proud of who she is and what she can do. And lastly to have fun, be spontaneous, adventurous, and laugh a lot!
What words of wisdom would you most like to share with others contemplating becoming a parent, particularly if they’re 35 or older? Don’t contemplate any longer! Go for it!
Do you recall anything from your own upbringing that really stuck with you that you’d like to pass on to your child or other parents? The best thing that my parents could have done for me is enroll me into my gymnastics program. I was part of the girls competitive team and being part of something that involved community, camaraderie, team building and also had exercise, skill building, discipline, fear, courage, accomplishment, heart break… you get the point. It doesn’t have to be gymnastics but something that has the elements of life. That is a powerful practice for the development of any human being on many levels.
