Lunch with the First Lady of Utah at the Governor’s Mansion

I had the opportunity to eat lunch with the First Lady of Utah, Jeanette Herbert to learn about an organization she started about strengthening family relationships by strengthening parenting skills. Of course my first thought wasn’t what questions I could ask her about the problems we face today as parents or how parents can be active in raising awareness in organizations such as these, the first question I asked myself was, “What am I going to wear?” Priorities people, priorities. I thought, what would I wear if I was meeting Michelle Obama? And dressed accordingly.

It was at their home, the Governor’s Mansion and it was so beautiful! I loved hearing Jeanette Herbert talk passionately about why she started this organization. When she was a young mom, she realized that having kids automatically didn’t prepare to be a mom, no more than “‘Buying a piano no more makes you a pianist than having a child makes you a great parent.” She said she came from a great family so she thought she would find it easier than she had thought. She also said some crimes are relatively low in Utah which creates a sense of false security when we have plenty of things to worry about such as drugs and suicide. Uplift Families offers many resources on how to become a better parent. 

The 3-fold purpose of “Uplift Families” is to

• 1. strengthen parent-child relationships
• 2. provide tools and resources that improve parenting skills
• 3. help children make safe and healthy choices