Stephanie Daniel
Mom to Abigail, age 13,
Camille, age 11, Lucy, age 9,
Sebastian, age 7, Jaxson, age 5,
Oliver, age 3 and Violet, age 1
Bristow, VA
Mother to seven and founder of her
own small business, Abby’s Lane,
INC, Stephanie makes motherhood
look like a breeze. Stephanie is an
advocate for postpartum awareness
and natural-parenting options, and
has created an online community for
mothers to turn to for support.

Occupation CEO of Abby’s Lane, INC
What advice would you give to new
or expectant moms?
So many books, social media
pages, friends and well-meaning family
members will give you an onslaught of
parenting advice. In a quiet moment,
see what direction feels right to you.

Research that, and leave the rest
behind. Even if this is a first baby, and
you are “new” to the parenting gig, you
will do an incredible job and be your
baby’s biggest ally in life. And on a
serious note, take at least five minutes
to read up on postpartum depression
mental health issues and awareness,
and ask your partner to do so as well.

If you never experience postpartum,
that is fantastic. But on the off chance
that it creeps into your life after you
have your baby, it’s good to be aware.

Who is your role model?
I would have to say Lucille Ball. She
remained free of controversy, free in an
interesting time in this country, a strong
16 May 2017 washingtonFAMILY.com
Juggling parenting and work
is about putting out fires, sometimes work
needs more attention, and sometimes
your family does.

businesswoman and felt happiness
and fulfillment in making others laugh.

What would you say your secret
is to balancing life/family/work/
motherhood? I think balance is a myth. Ha!
Balance implies that one side of
the seesaw is equal with the other.

Juggling parenting and work is about
putting out fires, sometimes work
needs more attention, and sometimes
your family does. The goal at the end
of the day is to feel both were attended
to, and if one was slighted, to have a
plan to make up the ground.

What goals do you have
for your children?
I want every single one of our
children to reach adulthood and
feel happy and content with where
they are. I’d like them to follow their
passions, regardless of money or
status, and do what they love.

What’s the best parenting
advice you’ve ever received?
Trust your instincts, and never
second guess your desire to fight
for your child.




Dana Leigh Hewartson
Mom to Jacob, age 29, Brooke,
age 25, Sydney, age 24, and
grandmother to Brock, five months
Leesburg, VA
Leigh doesn’t let her cancer
diagnosis define her: She’s a
successful small-business
owner, mother and grandmother.

Although she’s recovering, she’s
committed to helping her family
and herself grow.

Occupation Settlement agent at my own
company, Pride Settlement and
Escrow located in Ashburn, VA. I have
owned this for over 8 years, but have
been in this business for 30 years.

Breathe—time passes so quickly.

This is an adventure that you must
be present for.

What advice would you give
to new or expectant moms?
Breathe—time passes so quickly.

This is an adventure that you must
be present for.

Who is your role model?
How has motherhood changed
your outlook on life?
This life is not about me; it is about
them. I started as a teen mom and
struggled for a long while.

What goals do you have
for yourself?
My current goals are to now
heal from my recent thyroid cancer
diagnosis without missing anything,
possibly going back to school to
finish with a college degree and get
back to a “regular” day. Cancer has
set me back a bit.

My father, Mike Curtis. He is
currently on disability, but as I grew
up, he worked two full-time jobs just to
keep our family going.

What goals do you have for
your children?
All have accomplished more than
I could have imagined. Jacob has
become a new dad and is doing a
wonderful job with our first grandson,
Brock. Brooke is an office manager
at our lawn care business and my
youngest, Sydney will be pinned a
nurse in May, which will be amazing!
What would you say your
secret is to balancing life/family/
work/motherhood? This has always been a constant
struggle. Motherhood started when
I was 16 years old. I did marry my high
school sweetheart, Darrin. We are now
reaching our 29th wedding anniversary
in May. With my family’s help, I was
able to graduate and begin a career
and have my family. Everything that
I have done has been for my family.

Hands down, I would do it all
over again!
washingtonFAMILY.com May 2017 17