Single mom Marsha Riley is a coach, author and passionate parenting advocate who still manages to homeschool her six-year-old daughter.
A firm believer in the power of parenting, she has endured many challenges along her path to success and having experienced first-hand the positive impact of mentorship during her own journey, Riley became dedicated to passing on the blessing. She has developed an interactive workshop aimed at helping parents identify and harness their children’s natural strengths and passions, and she has recently launched Care Parenting, a television show aimed at helping parents like herself whose quest is to constantly improve their parenting skills.
Riley has always been determined to earn an income around her daughter’s needs and as such, she has literally made parenting her business. The inaugural issue of a periodic magazine, dedicated to parenting, is due to be out soon.
Q: Where did you grow up and what area do you now consider home?
A: Prior to my parents’ divorce at 12, I grew up in Petit Valley, then I moved to Big Yard, Carenage. Diamond Vale is where we now call home.
Where did you attain your education?
At Mucurapo Girls’ RC and St Joseph’s Convent in Port-of-Spain.
What does motherhood mean to you?
In Psalms, children are referred to as the heritage of and reward from God, so for me motherhood is the single most important role on this earth. It is the opportunity to mould the future.
What are the top three Mother’s Day thoughts you would like to share with our readers?
While there are basic principles, motherhood is special to you and your situation. Don’t fall victim to advice that’s broad-brushed and not specific to your situation. Take motherhood seriously, there is no second chance at raising a child. Commit to growing and developing as a parent every moment of every day.
Children need time and affection more than anything else, even education. A well-educated child who suffers from feeling unloved does society no good.
Looking back now, starting with your first imaginary thoughts of becoming a mother as a little girl, how does it feel to watch your daughter grow up?
I grew up with four boys and as such, I was as boyish as you get. I did not play with dolls and I guess that meant I did not imagine myself as a mother. In fact, when I got pregnant up until I gave birth I was scared that I’d break her, I’d never held a baby before.
I have enjoyed every single minute of motherhood thus far. I look back and laugh because she was conceived under the worst of circumstances, so much so that some advised me to abort. Jessie-Leigh is an angel living on Earth. She has changed me in ways I never imagined. I love watching her grow and I look forward to every day to see what she’d say to make me laugh and shake my head.
What has given you the most joy as a mother?
The personal growth that is required to be a good mother. I would not have become a better person for myself, but for her I changed daily and continue to change in my quest to be the woman I want her to be.
What advice do you have for the next generations as they begin their own families, and advice is most critical for them to remember...?
You are responsible for the generation after you, not the Government or anyone else. Accept the responsibility and understand the seriousness of it. Your choices in your family will affect the way the world is, so act accordingly.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
After every conversation, after every project, after every anything, always ask yourself…what could I have done better? What could I do to improve?
Who has been the biggest influence on your life (outside of your immediate family)?
There isn’t one person that I can pinpoint. I’d say Leslie Alfonso, Bret Talma and Robert Hadad pre-motherhood, and Michelle Young after becoming a mother.
What is your recipe for success?
Confidence, no excuses, perseverance, and lots of prayers.
Career highlights?
Being a female general manager at 20 in a male-dominated industry. Being headhunted for a senior management position at a reputable firm in T&T at age 24. Going off on my own at 29.
What goals do you still have?
Become a great wife. Impact the life of a handful of girls, see them become more than they ever thought they could be. Watch my daughter become an outstanding young lady. Oh, and make some money along the way!
If you had to solve the ills that prevail in T&T what would you do?
I’d focus on parenting—good parenting is the foundation for a good society. The statistics are there: children excel when parental involvement is high. I’d create balance between the levels of responsibility required for the level of state assistance given. So I’d create a parenting report card: if you want grants, show up and step up.
I’d focus on making mothers self-employable rather than employable. Too many mothers are forced to leave their children to go off to earn an income.
Policies must be put in place to bridge the gap of supervision. School finishes earlier than work finishes. School buses that are properly supervised. After-school care that is up to standard.
To solve our country’s ills, we must focus on the home and we must create a dependable support system for those without. All our ills start from the breakdown (intentional or not) in the home.
What advice would you give to someone contemplating a vocation/career such as yours?
Make sure money is last on your priority list. Yes, money will come, but the passion is what will keep you there long enough to reap the rewards.
Upcoming events? Contact information?
MCTM Parenting Seminar June 2. Just Be Active Academy’s Summer Camp. Care Parenting every Monday at 12:30 on Synergy TV website www.marshariley.com Facebook/Care Parenting.
Describe yourself in two words, one beginning with M, the other with R, your initials.
Meticulous and Radical.