Last week, Johnson & Johnson once again continued its tradition of sponsoring the Baby Buggy Bedtime Bash, an annual fundraiser held in New York City’s Central Park. The bash brings together families and celebrities in an atmosphere of fun motivated by a desire to do good. The organization raises thousands of dollars and donations to help families in need with critical items for their children like baby products, strollers and clothing.
I had an opportunity to talk to founder, Jessica Seinfeld, who created the non-profit in 2001 based on very personal motivation, her own childhood.
Jessica told me her own parents had financial stresses while she was a child. Even though she now lives a comfortable life, married to comedian Jerry Seinfeld, she is very aware of the financial pressures many parents struggle with today. And, she wanted to do something to help alleviate some of that stress.
“I was full of guilt and hormones and was very motivated by what could have been me. I very much feel like I understand what these families are going through,” Jessica explained.
In 2001, her organizationstarted working with families affected by the September 11th attacks as well as other organizations to bring donations to New York City families in need. Her idea of “Love. Recycled” and families helping families became a reality soon after with the creation of her non-profit organization, Baby Buggy.
Jessica also discussed her own approach to motherhood. She is mom to three children, a daughter, Sascha, 12, and two sons, Julian, 10, and Shepherd, 7.
As a fellow mom, I wanted to know what her most surprising challenges as a mother have been. Not surprisingly, she shares a lot of the same insecurities we all do.
“You never quite feel that you’re doing a great job. The only time I feel like I’m doing a good job is when I hear people say wonderful things about my children, which I’m very lucky to hear often enough and from people I respect and admire,” she said.
She admits to keeping her kids from being overloaded with a lot of extracurricular but it’s an intentional choice she makes. She considers herself old fashioned in that she insists on a lot of rules in the family but also enjoys giving them all time to “hang as a family.”
While comparisons with other families are inevitable, she tries to stay away from areas that are full of judgment, “People are just trying to go to work, pay their bills, live each day as happily as they can. Let people do what feels right to them.”
It was advice that seemed appropriate given the occasion. Perhaps it’s her background that has made her realize that financial struggles should never keep parents from enjoying the joys of children.
It was an honor to meet Jessica and her honesty and openness made it clear that she leads Baby Buggy (and her family) with her heart.
If you want to learn more about Baby Buggy, visit their website at www.babybuggy.org and follow them on Twitter at (appropriately enough) @LoveRecycled.
And be sure to read our full event recap from the Baby Buggy Bedtime Bash!
Fadra Nally is a Communications Specialist for Johnson & Johnson. When she’s not working, she’s mothering a precocious 6 year old in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD. In her spare time, she writes all.things.fadra, one of the Top 100 Mom Blogs for 2012 according to Babble.com. She’s also the co-founder of Charitable Influence.