Photo: JoAnna Garcia Swisher
Location:Tampa, Florida
Occupation: Actress, co-founder ofThe Happy Placeand influencer who haspartnered with Roku to share her holiday tips
Family situation: Married toNick Swisherand mom toEmerson Jay, 7, andSailor Stevie, 4
JoAnna Garcia Swisher
What was your journey to having the family life you have today?
One of the things that really struck me about Nick when I met him was his desire to start a family. Becoming a father was so important to him, so I knew right then and there that we were both aligned and wanted to experience parenthood together.
How did your upbringing influence your parenting style?
The way I was raised has stayed with me into parenthood. Now more than ever, there has been nothing more important than family and that’s how we will always prioritize things — everything for the familia.
What’s your favorite thing about parenting?
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions and what do you have planned this year?
This year’s a little different obviously with COVID. It’s a bit smaller and more focused on our little bubble. We usually have a big family kickball game and it’s highly competitive. We’ll be keeping the tradition alive this year because we’re just going to be with our immediate family. It’s always family versus family and there’s a trophy that gets passed around. It’s really fun and I look forward to it so, so much. It’s one of those things that reminds me of the holidays. Since we’re here in Florida, the weather usually cooperates but come rain or come shine, we play that kickball game.
We also always have pork, black beans and rice, but this year we’re going to implement a little bit of my husband’s heritage. My mother-in-law is cooking a bunch of Italian food. She’s the best cook I know, so we’re very lucky that she’s going to hit that out of the park this year. We also make a lot of homemade treats.
Since we’ve been at home and we’re not running around as much, it’s honestly been really nice. I got all of my wrapping done and everything’s under the tree. I was just telling Nick that I was looking forward to taking a deep breath. It’s been super refreshing to just be able to enjoy each other in a way that we haven’t before.
What’s the best advice you can share with new parents?
Roku
What would you want your kids to say about you as a parent?
I hope that they say that I always saw them for who they were — not for what anybody wanted or expected them to be. I would want them to say that my mom always had my back and that she got me — she got who I was.
source: people.com
