OC Moms in Focus: An Interview with Lisa Ackerman
Lisa Ackerman worked in real estate site selection for almost 20 years, before retiring from her full-time career to volunteer her time with Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) and the families served by the mission. In July 2008 Lisa accepted a staff position as Executive Director of TACA. She has two children; Lauren (age 29) and Jeff (age 15).
How do you do it all?
You don’t. You make sacrifices at work and as being a mom to make it all work. With work, I travel less than before kids. With kids, they have learned more about independence and sharing time with mom. When we spend time together, it truly is spending quality time together. Both my children know me as a working mom.
What is one of your greatest challenges as a mom?
Time. Having the time to be there for my kids when they need me but also when they don’t. I want them to know they are the most important thing in my life. Spending quality time with my husband and with my family as a whole is also extremely important to me.
How do you measure your success as a mom?
Success is defined by (at some point in time) they don’t need me (or their dad) anymore. They live their dreams to the fullest. But another success would be even after their independence that they then choose to spend time with me because they want to.
