Pam LaRoche

By C.J. Johnson

Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a mother who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a woman and a mother. Above all, the Mom of the Month is dedicated to her children. Rich or poor, famous or not, she shines as an example of what mothering is all about.

Meet December's Mom of the Month, inspirational mother and entrepreneur Pam LaRoche. You'll want to learn more about how she overcame the odds when, pregnant with her third child, her husband suddenly died.

During the summer of 2001 when Pam LaRoche was 6 months pregnant, her husband died unexpectedly. She was so overcome with grief and shock she wasn't sure how to move forward. But her immense faith in God and the necessity to care for her two older daughters forced her to keep going.

Today, LaRoche has made it through the toughest months of her life and now has three beautiful daughters who bring her immense joy. She has launched a business from her home in order to care for her littlest one full time and feels so grateful for the many blessings in her life. She knows being a mother is the greatest gift she has ever been given and hasn't taken it for granted a single day.

When baby Annie was born and LaRoche held her for the first time, she was overcome with pure love for her newest child. "She was so beautiful," she says. "I looked at her and knew she was a little angel."

LaRoche hoped her late husband, Stephen, would somehow be able to see what they had made together. "I wondered if Stephen was looking down and spiritually enjoying the moment," she says. "God only allows those that are up there to experience joy. There is no way he allowed Stephen to see any of the hardships we went through. I absolutely think he saw that little angel being born."

Little Annie has red hair and a personality to go with it. "Even at 1 year of age, she is putting her head on the floor when she is upset," LaRoche says. "She is so full of life and such a joy." This newest daughter has been a blessing and a comfort to LaRoche in many ways.

Although LaRoche is thrilled to have three children, she faces many challenges as a single parent. Thankfully, her older daughters help make life easier. "I don't know what I would do without my older daughters," LaRoche says. "My oldest daughter, Emily, is 16 years old and is very responsible, unbelievably considerate and respectful." Emily is on the honor roll and is working hard to reach her dreams of attending Harvard Law School.

Although LaRoche is thankful her daughter is doing well academically, she is most thrilled by their close relationship. "She tells me everything," she says. "Sometimes it is a bit scary because she really tells me everything, and I am amazed what kids know these days."

LaRoche's middle daughter, Elisabeth, now 13, was home-schooled for two years and is entering the public school system this year. "She is doing very well," LaRoche says.

As a mother, LaRoche is thankful for the two years her daughter was home learning with her. "She was here when the baby first came home, and the bonding between her and Annie was immense," she says. "Elisabeth is the second mommy at our house. She knows what the different cries mean and has no problem taking care of her or the poopy diapers."

Elisabeth is so close to her mother and younger sister that all three of them share a bed at night. "We are all together at night unless Elisabeth really needs a good night's sleep," she says. "On those nights she goes back to her own bed."

LaRoche woke up one morning with an idea for starting her own business. "I have always loved pajamas and wearing them around the house all day," LaRoche says. "I wanted to make comfortable pants that could be worn for casual wear or for pajamas. The clothes I like to wear and like to make are vibrant and a lot of fun."

She gathered playful fabrics and set to work. Her products are selling very well in her community and on her Web site. They are comfortable, adorable and very unique. She is happy to design and create pajamas for individuals and loves to see her creations being worn.

She knew being a seamstress was a great option for her because she had been sewing since she was 7 years old. "My mother forced me to take sewing and participate in 4-H," she says. "I hated it then, but now I am thankful my mother forced me to take homemaking classes."

It is not only LaRoche's strong desire to be home for her children that motivated her to start a business in her home, she also has severe neck and sternum abnormalities that have made her disabled. "By creating these pajamas, I am able to take a break when I need to, and my body isn't put through too much," she says. "I feel so lucky to have started my own business because I wouldn't be able to keep a full-time job without aggravating my health conditions."

LaRoche was already entrenched in her pajama business and feeling great about her work when she realized her success had made an impression on her daughters. "I was holding up a pair of finished pajamas for my daughter Elisabeth to see. She stopped for a moment and had the most genuine response," LaRoche says. "She told me she was proud of me and that she loved me so much for what I was doing. It was so impromptu and sincere that it really got to me."

LaRoche wanted to be a mom since she was 10 years old. She remembers daydreaming at that age and thinking what a good parent she would be someday. She is a very dedicated mother and believes it is the most magical gift in this life. With years of experience raising her daughters, she has a bit of advice for other mothers:

• Allow your children to come first in your life.
• Nothing else is as important.
• Be available to your children at all times.
• Kids need to hear how much you love them – tell them!
• If you have teenagers who don't always want to listen, write them a note telling them all the reasons you are proud of them and make it very clear just how much you love them.
• Childhood is temporary. Enjoy every moment with your kids.