One thing: as you evolve as an adult—in general—you see friendships go in and out depending on what phase [of life] you are in. When you have a kid, the people that show up for you become so much more apparent—which is the high— because there’s people that you weren’t expecting. Finding your tribe can be challenging. One of my highest moments is traveling with our son. My goal for him was 12 flights within 12 months. He’s been to Jamaica (for his first birthday), New York, Seattle, Michigan, Chicago, New Orleans, Florida, Hilton Head, and Austin (his first trip). That has been incredible, and hopefully, we can keep up with it as he starts remembering. I think with everything there are ups and downs, but for the most part, it’s beautiful. I love how much I’ve learned in a year and a half. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO PASS ON TO YOUR CHILD? LAUREN: Before John and I moved back to New Orleans, we lived in an RV for two years traveling the country (hence our Instagram: @we.wander.on). Travel is so important to us—whether it’s being a tourist in your own city and learning
the history or understanding why things are the way they are, or traveling to new places and countries to expand your education, your culture views, and your values. Traveling makes you wiser and makes you understand the world. As long as we can afford it, we’ll continue doing it, and I hope [Lincoln] loves travel as much as we do. HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE? LAUREN: I always carve a few hours out of the week—whether I mean to or not—to do things that are just for me. My lash extensions—I get those done every few weeks—[I get] my nails done, or [I go] for a walk by myself. One thing that I think is really important is staying in tune with your own mental health. I do go to therapy once a week; I’m not ashamed of that whatsoever. There’s a stigma around mental health, and there shouldn’t be. Every week I sit down with my therapist for one hour, and that’s a time to talk about myself, how I can improve myself, and [how I can] be more self-aware, because when you raise a family and you have a child, there are a lot of things in the back of your ear, like how you should be doing better, or
you’re doing something wrong, or you’re not prioritizing this. IF YOU COULD GIVE NEW PARENTS ONE TIP, WHAT WOULD IT BE? LAUREN: You can continue doing the things that you love if you want to continue doing them. They’re not going to be quite the same as they used to be, and things might be a little bit more challenging. You just have to find the right people to surround yourself with and support you in that journey. Don’t lose yourself in being a mother. Quick Q’s Favorite vacation with Lincoln… Fire Island, NY Dream vacation spot… Ireland Favorite girls night out… Hitting happy hour Favorite binge-watches… Your Honor, Shrinking, or Below Deck Favorite treat… cookie dough Something that makes you laugh… Lincoln’s laughs
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