We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chanelle T. Molina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chanelle T. below.
Chanelle T., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
There were an incredible amount of lessons and experiences that my parents, Bobby and Rosee, packed into the amount of time we had together. They really allowed for a lot of independence at a young age, that maybe I didn’t love as a child/teenager, but now as a adult, I can appreciate. They didn’t hover because they didn’t need to. I would have considered myself a “latch-key” kid, most days after school were spent at the local library until they could pick me and my siblings up. I learned how to be considerate (shhh–it’s a library), how to treat people with respect (Librarians are angels on earth), who I could trust (I’m still friends with a lot of my after-school library buddies), and my parents instilled all of that in me– to look out for others, as well as yourself.
My parents truly did what they could with what they had and had some help, we were not a wealthy family. If they were not able to show up financially, they showed up in other ways. Both of my parents were very musical. My mom was a singer in many bands and groups growing up, and my dad was a percussionist (congas, bongos, kit). I grew up with so many different musical influences: from Carole King to Tito Puente, Karen Carpenter to Earth, Wind, and Fire. But when I got older and veered away from the classic legends, they both left the door open for me to explore. More times often than not, they left many doors open without outward judgment. Looking back, that could’ve gone a very different way. I could’ve been closed off to a lot of culture and really digging into my interests and I’m thankful that didn’t happen. They supported as much as possible and that was more than enough.
They divorced when I was in the first grade. It might be an unpopular opinion but that was something I believe they did do very right. I knew that they loved each other deeply, but to show me that it was ok to have boundaries, to stand up and advocate for myself, to recognize when things are no longer aligning that it’s sometimes necessary to create another way. There were a lot of personal issues that they had with each other, but I, to this day, have not seen a better example of two people who put their kids first in that aspect. They never talked crap about each other, they attended family events (my dad even went to my mom’s second wedding– even though I know his heart was broken), they worked together to get us to every practice/game/concert) and that’s just scratching the surface. My dad was my basketball coach and percussion teacher and my mom guided me through many voice lessons while in choir for eight years. These experiences are still the most priceless and honestly, just everything.
My dad died in 2002; my mom in 2010. I try daily to still make them proud.
Chanelle T., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Sure. My name is Chanelle T. Molina, aka “Nanny Belle” and I am a Live-In Infant and Parent Support Specialist. I help parents (new or seasoned) get acclimated to life with their new addition(s). There is so much that happens in those first few months and ultimately, all I want is for parents to be able to get the rest they need to be able to be the best humans for their tiny humans (and for themselves!). Whether that is assisting with sleep training, feeding, napping– for everyone! I do short term contracts (six to eight weeks for newborns ages zero to four months). I am the real-life Mary Poppins for fresh, tiny humans.
It has always made me so sad that new parents are just kind of thrown to the wolves after birth. Everyone is already deeply TIRED. How are you suppose to thrive in that environment without any assistance?
I am the friend that wants to come over and take your baby so you can take a nap. While you’re napping, I might throw in a load of laundry or cook a meal with your kid on my hip. I am so beyond down to clean breast pump parts exactly how you want them cleaned or make sure you’re drinking enough water.
My primary goal in my business to be there for my people in a fully-immersed way, which is where the “live-in” part comes in, but I understand boundaries are important– so it’s a very necessary discussion with every potential client. I think what’s missing a lot in the newborn world is the actual support. My purpose for being there is to keep you from getting to your wits’ end.
I am intuitive and will adapt to any environment and that is what makes me an asset to any family with a newborn. With parenthood, there is no one way to do things and I try my best to never give unsolicited advice. But in that same breath, I am here to help anybody who may be seeking guidance.
I’m so proud that I get to do this and more for each of my families. I get to keep parents from true brain fog and it’s then possible to actually experience the joy of being a parent. It’s amazing to witness and I am so glad that I get to facilitate that in a different way for each person.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes, there’s been a few different times where I’ve had to pivot. Like a “Ross Gellar” style pivot.
The first one came when I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome almost straight out of culinary school. I was working full-time at a Bakery in Oakland making mass quantities and just had to completely stop. At that point, I was pretty bummed because I did enjoy a lot of aspects of the job, but my hands just couldn’t keep up. I was out of the game for a couple years, enduring numerous procedures and surgeries, then physical therapy for even longer.
And that’s when I came up with the idea to just do it myself. I started Just Stick a Fork in It in 2011, doing custom cakes and catering dessert tables, etc. I could work at a pace that was sufficient physically and mentally. JSAFII really saved me and gave me purpose when I needed that.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
With Just Stick a Fork in It, it has almost been solely through word-of-mouth. I had an Instagram maybe halfway through thanks to an old client forcing me to get one. I’m not the best at the internet. lol
With Nanny Belle, it’s the same. I usually only take referred clients. That may change as time goes on, but it’s worked out so far! There is a comfortability for both parties that is formed and that makes the process go as smooth as possible.
Thank you for having me!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.chanelletmolina.com
- Instagram: chanelletmolina
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chanelletmolina
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanellemolina
Image Credits
The Bird and The Bear Photography