Meet a Parent: Meet Johanna Corcoran

Today meet Johanna Corcoran, a Rhode Island-based Family Enrichment Consultant, Founder of Familytopia, mom and panelist from the upcoming Kidoinfo Conversation, Parenting Simply. Please join the conversation on Monday, March 7th at the Speakeasy at Local 121 in Downtown Providence. Click here for details.

Kidoinfo: What neighborhood do you live in?
Johanna Corcoran (JC): I live in a little part of Johnston, snuggled next to Smithfield and North Providence.

Kidoinfo: Where were you born?
JC: I was born in Boston.

Kidoinfo: How long have you been in Rhode Island?
JC: Seven years this March!

Kidoinfo: What is your current state of mind?
JC: Tired of the snow.

Kidoinfo: Who’s in your family?
JC: I’m married to a wonderful and creative guy, and tickled pink every day by my energetic 6-year-old daughter.

Kidoinfo: What trait do you most admire about your family?
JC: I like to think we are adventurous- willing to go “off the beaten path” in pursuit of an unexpected moment or hidden gem.

Kidoinfo: What is your favorite thing to do?
JC: Light a fire in our outdoor fire pit. We do this all year long- not just the summer. It’s especially fun on a winter night with a clear sky and a hot cup of cocoa.

Kidoinfo: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
JC: I love my four-season sun porch- it’s kind of my “retreat” room.

Kidoinfo: Where would you most like to live?
JC: Rhode Island with a slight tweak: I would love to live on a lake.

Kidoinfo: What do you like to do when you are not with your kid(s)?
JC: Have dinner with friends- it’s nice to be able to complete a sentence occasionally.

Kidoinfo: What is the most overrated thing about parenthood?
JC: We hear that when we have babies, we experience an amazing feeling of love and connection the moment we gaze into our newborn’s eyes for the first time. Well the truth is, that does not happen to everyone, and it didn’t happen to me. For me, that connected feeling developed over the first few weeks, but I was surprised because I expected this amazing feeling of mother love immediately. I sure have it now though!

Kidoinfo: What is your most treasured possession?
JC: Our digital photo frame. We have a running loop of photos from our favorite family moments over the years. If the house were burning, I would gab that.

Kidoinfo: What superpower would you most like to have?
JC: I’m slightly afraid of heights, but I’m always trying things that involve flying in one way or anther (indoor sky diving, trapeze, zip lining etc.)- So a flying super power would help with that I think.

Kidoinfo: Who is your favorite fictional mother or father?
JC: Mrs. March from “Little Women.”

Kidoinfo: What are you going to do now that you have answered these questions?
JC: Fix a typo on my website and pour some more tea.