Name: Tracee Crockett
Children & Ages: (biological) Elijah- 16, Nicholas-5, Trinity- 4. *Also have two step children in house hold (Devyn-17 and Jaden- 12) and other adult step children not in the home
Hometown/Current Location: Phoenix, AZ- born and raised and still here!
Quick Bio: I am a family-focused, career-driven, 41 year old, busy mom and wife. I currently serve as a Deputy Director for the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. In this role I am responsible for 55 parks, 7 community centers and I oversee approximately 200 staff in the fields of recreation and maintenance.
As if work and having 5 children and a husband in my household is not enough, I also founded Everchanging Woman, LLC (everchangingwoman.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). The goal of Everchanging Woman, LLC (ECW) is to empower women in various stages of life. My first project was to capture the experiences of women in blended families into a book (still working on that- day to day life impedes my progress). In the process of writing the book, I created newsletters to highlight awesome, everyday women. Blended families was a natural topic for me to start on, given I was a single parent for 9 years prior to getting married, and I married someone with children.
Other notes of interest: I attended Arizona State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Master of Arts degree in Public Administration. While pursuing my education, I cheered professionally for the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Rattlers and I coached high school cheer. I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and I previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor to former Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.
My previous recognitions include: In 2011, I was recognized by the Maricopa County YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) as an Emerging Leader (2011). I was selected as one of “Ten Women to Watch” in the March 2006 edition of AZ Women’s Magazine. In 2005, I was noted by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of the “40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders” and I was acknowledged in the February 2004 edition of Ebony Magazine as one of the “Nation’s 30 African-American Leaders Under 30 Years of Age.”
Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: As it relates to my 4 and 5 year olds, I like to have granola or cereal bars and juice boxes available in the car for after school and long car rides. It is not conducive to keeping my truck clean on a daily basis, but it does assist with my peace of mind!
Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: The good thing is that I have been a mom for over sixteen years now, so I have worked through some kinks. I don’t believe that being a good mom means you have to lose your sense of style, fun, or “coolness”. I recognize that my family will always come first and my goal is to raise awesome, faith driven, high aspiration seeking, kind, thoughtful and intelligent children. However, doing that does not mean that I can not take time for me- whether it is alone time, time with my girlfriends or dates with my husband.
Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: You are not perfect. You can not do everything. Worry about the things you can control. You will make mistakes. Kids are forgiving and resilient. Show them love. Teach them respect.
Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: Ugh! This is my struggle in life right now! My goal is to get to the gym at least 3 times a week. Right now, I am encountering schedule challenges given my work schedule and the fact that all of my kids are in extra-curricular activities. So, at the very least I try to do simple things like take the stairs versus the elevator and walk as much as possible. I may do a few sit up and arm exercises with weights before getting dressed depending on my outfit for the day or occasion (smile).
Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I am pretty straight forward and fully engaged. I have high expectations (especially for school age kids). I like setting boundaries, but my little ones are constantly testing them.
Q: Share your best or favorite place for a family vacation and tell us why.
A: Probably Los Angeles, CA. It’s close and usually nice weather. It has beaches and amusement parks, plus other great visitor attractions and I have family there.
Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: This may sound cliché, but the birth of each of my kids. The birthing experience is amazing…and painful.
Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I almost feel like this is a question better served for my kids. Hmm…They are all bright and do very well in school, so I will take some credit in that, but I suppose I should give my husband credit in that as well.
Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: Affordable, but still cute. I am not into super trendy or expensive shoes or clothes (anymore). It makes no sense for my normal work day and I have no interest in chasing kids in 4 inch heels or having barbecue sauce accidentally smeared on a $200 shirt. I will say that I have no interest in “letting myself go” in style or health just because I am a maturing in age.
