SHARON: That they have a safe community, where they have opportunities and can reach their goals, no matter what background they come from, and that they feel loved.
we’re still doing that. He’s in college now, and so I was always home. When Jeff considered running for governor, I asked him to wait until JT graduated high school, because I knew in high school, Jeff would come in to play more. I always say I had him for about 15 years, and in high school, he needed his father. He needed the father figure, and so we agreed, and Jeff didn’t decide to run until JT’s senior year. He’s the most important thing in our lives, and we needed to keep the family together, be there for him, and [for him] to know that he came first. WHAT DOES “HOME” IN LOUISIANA MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? SHARON: Home is back in Acadiana, back in Broussard, back at the camp. We have a camp in Catahoula, which is 20 minutes from our home in Broussard, so that’s home, and being either one of those places with family and friends, hanging out. The mansion is the work home, so we have lots of homes, and we try to make all of them as comfortable as possible and welcoming to everyone that wants to come visit. WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES?
Rapid-Fire Questions Favorite date night... at home cooking on the back porch or by the fire at the camp. One word to that best describes your family... chaos. Favorite television show to watch... Friends. Favorite food... Cajun. Hidden Talent... dancing.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO FELLOW MOMS ABOUT BALANCING FAMILY, WORK, AND SERVICE? SHARON: Family is the most important thing to me. Being a parent is the hardest job you can ever have, and it always comes first to me: God, family, then your job. With Jeff working and traveling, my main focus was to be there with JT. We had one child and I didn’t have another one to try out; I have to get this one right. It was really important for me to stay home, be with him through school, and all his extracurricular activities, being a caregiver, a scheduler, counselor—and
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