Smarty Mom: Shannon McBride

I am excited to introduce you to this week’s Smarty Mom of two, Shannon McBride. Married to husband, Ty for ten years and mom to Mason (8) and Laney (5), Shannon is a stay-at-home mom extraordinaire. She was the first preschool mom to figure out that carpooling will change your life, she beat me every single year for room mom (both of her children were in my children’s classes) and she volunteered for every single sign up sheet that come home in book bags. They have been in Charlotte for twelve years and she loves being the person she always dreamed she would be when she “grew up”, a stay-at-home mom. Meet my Smarty Bud, Shannon.

You now have both children in elementary school. Whew-hoo! What’s it like living the high life?
Life is a lot less rush, rush, rush. I don’t have to see how many errands I can do in 3 hours! I have a lot more time to relax in the mornings since both kids are out of the house by 7:05am!!! It took some getting used to, but it’s fantastic!!

Do you really play tennis all day and eat bon-bons?
I would love to start taking tennis lessons, but I haven’t yet. My typical day starts at 6:30am getting the kids off to school. After that, the usual make the beds, pick up, laundry, etc. Somehow I manage to volunteer myself for everything, so off I go to do some of that! Plus, my kids got a puppy for Christmas so I have been in potty training mode! Yuck…I thought I was done with that!

Do you have more or less free time and what do you do with it?
I definitely have more free time than when I had my daughter in preschool, but it is amazing how fast you fill your time up. I spend a lot of time at their school volunteering with different things like PTA, etc. Also, I swore to myself that when I got both kids in “big” school, I would get myself in to shape. Something that I ALWAYS had a good excuse for! So far, I have kept my promise to myself and that takes some time in the mornings. Plus, I try to help my husband with his company as much as I can.

How many after-school activities are your children in?
Mason is currently in basketball and Laney is in gymnastics. I TRY to keep it to one activity at a time, but it is hard.

Tell us about the art of becoming a carpool queen?
Oh my….there is an art! Having great friends that you can rely on makes carpooling so much easier. Even with birthday parties, if one can take, the other picks up makes things a lot easier.

What is your favorite thing about being a stay-at-home mom?
Being able to see so much of them each day. They say and do so many great and funny things. Some days are tougher than others, but there is not a job I would rather do. They grow so fast and I just cherish these days.

What is your least favorite thing about being a stay-at-home mom?
I don’t really have one except the pay. I could use a raise 🙂 .

What would you say was the most beneficial activity you did with your kids while they were in preschool?
Read, read, read. My daughter had always loved books so we would go to the library and bookstore a lot.

What do you miss the most?
A couple of things…Seeing all the moms each day – I made a lot of wonderful friends at preschool and enjoyed catching up in the carpool line. Also, when I see moms during the day having lunch with their babies or preschooler you wish your was that young again.

What is your favorite family activity?
We love to go to the beach and hang out….putt-putt is ALWAYS something exciting! Football games are a must in the fall – the kids love tailgating and going to the games. Also, my kids have gotten to the age where the love to play card games and that is a lot fun.

Favorite kid-friendly restaurant?
Hickory Tavern has become a staple for us. They have video games that the kids love to play, not to mention the great kids menu! Also, Hawthorne’s is great….they give the kids pizza dough to play with to keep them busy for a while.

Favorite birthday party you’ve attended?
Let’s see, there are so many to remember. I would say that I really enjoy the parties that are at home. My daughter went to a Tea Party once and it was so adorable! They all came dressed up in their favorite princess dress and had pearls, tea and cupcakes. The little girls’ older brother waited on the girls and made them feel like real princesses. It was really the cutest thing!

Favorite date night venue?
My husband and I really love Rooster’s in Southpark. Great food, great atmosphere. Can’t go wrong with that!

Favorite mommy-time activity?
Oh where do I begin…I love to do crafts, getting together with friends over lunch or for a “happy hour” get together, reading gossip magazines, and getting pedicures!

Minivan or SUV?
I have always had an SUV…I drive a great big green one now and everyone knows it’s my car when they see me!

Favorite piece of baby/kid gear?
Sadly to say, all the baby gear has changed since I had babies, so I don’t even know what is the latest and greatest.

Best place to get a deal on kid’s clothes?
For boys – Children’s Place and for girls – Gymboree. Believe it or not, I find so many clothes at the Harris Y Consignment Sales. You never know what you will find!

Best thing about raising a family in Charlotte?
There is always something fun to do. With all the sports teams in Charlotte, there are endless games to go to. My son loves sports, so this is great! Also, it is located perfectly between the beach and mountains.

Best kept secret in Charlotte?
My neighborhood – Quail View. We have the most fun and the best neighbors!

I could not live without my…
husband and kids. They are what bring me so much joy everyday! I have wonderful sisters and loving parents also, so family is very important to me!

I wish someone told me sooner about…
How much you cry when your kids go to Kindergarten. Good Lord, I cried for 2 weeks when my son went!!

Thank you Shannon. If you have someone you would like to “mominate” please email us at info@charlottesmartypants.com.