Elena Fracchia

A single mom by design means creating a new path…one that turned out better and messier than ever imagined.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

We are a small-but-mighty crew: myself, Nico and our anxious — but deeply devoted — terrier mix, Charlie. I’m a single mom by design, which means this life wasn’t a fallback plan, it was a wholehearted, eyes-wide-open choice.

Our home is filled with music (often accompanied by dancing), books in every room and a constant stream of questions from a curious kid who keeps me on my toes in the best way. Charlie keeps us grounded — usually near the kitchen — where he’s far more likely to steal a muffin than a kid’s toy. There’s no “typical” around here, but there’s plenty of love, a dash of chaos and a deep appreciation for slow mornings, deep belly laughs and stories in all their forms.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

It’s probably the one thing I’ve always known for sure. Like many people, I had a picture in my head of how it would all unfold, but life, in its quietly subversive way, had other plans. Over time, I began to realize that becoming a mom didn’t have to look like the stories I grew up with. New paths emerged, ones that felt more aligned with who I was and how I wanted to show up in the world.

That shift — toward doing things differently, toward trusting what was possible — led me down a winding, years-long path through infertility before I finally held my sweet little firecracker. It wasn’t the easiest road, but it was the right one.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments.

I used to believe — truly believe — that I was just really good at getting us out of the house. We were on time. Early, even. I thought, “Look at me, thriving. I’ve cracked the code.” And then Nico turned 2.5. Now it takes approximately 100 years to leave the house. We need socks (but not those socks), shoes (the black ones not the blue ones, actually no, the blue ones), a jacket (but only if it zips), a hat, a trash truck, Tigger, a water bottle, a snack (even though we’re only driving three minutes to school) and possibly a moment to lie on the floor because feelings. Turns out, I wasn’t a logistics wizard. I just had a baby who couldn’t talk yet.

We’re all moms so we know that no one is perfect all of the time, or even some of the time. Tell us about your most recent “Mother of the Year” moment. You know, like forgetting to pick the kids up from school.

I wouldn’t have known this was my “Mother of the Year” moment if it hadn’t been made abundantly clear. While he was napping, I had the audacity to tidy up the toys he had — apparently — painstakingly arranged across my bed. I simply put them away. Books on shelves, stuffed animals back in their baskets. Order, restored.

But when he woke up? The look I got was straight out of a courtroom drama. Cold. Devastated. Deeply betrayed. And then, with the gravitas of a seasoned judge, he declared, “That was not a good choice.” Needless to say, we now clean up together…before nap.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say…

“Please stop licking the window.”

What are you enjoying the most about parenting right now?

I love experiencing his joy when I ask him to help with the most mundane tasks — laundry, making hummus, feeding the dog, carrying something inside for me. The things I’ve long done on autopilot are, to him, headline events. Start the laundry? Absolutely! Open the door and let the dog out? I’m so glad you asked! Vacuum the sandbox he somehow relocated from the park to our entryway? You got it, Mom! His enthusiasm is pure magic. It makes me wonder if I could bottle it — or at least borrow some on the days when my own energy’s running low.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? What sometimes falls through the cracks?

Becoming a mom has been an ongoing practice of unlearning everything I once believed about balance, boundaries and the blending of work and life. The truth? I don’t balance it all — not all the time, not alone and not with any consistent rhythm. But I’ve gotten pretty good at prioritizing what matters and letting go of what doesn’t. And I’ve become deeply fluent in the art of starting fresh tomorrow.

When I nail a weekend full of kid activities, the workweek starts a little messy. When breakfast is a Pinterest-worthy spread, dinner is dino nuggets and frozen peas. If the house is clean, the yard is a jungle. Something always gives — and that’s okay. What I’ve learned more than anything is that community is everything. I’ve asked for help more in the past three years than I did in the thirty before. And I wouldn’t trade the magic that comes with it for anything.

My parents visit often and not only create magical adventures for Nico, they leave me a full freezer of ready-to-go meals. Friends pick up Nico from school, plan park meetups instead of dinner dates, and schedule lunch on weekdays because they know it’s when I’m most able to show up fully. That kind of support? That’s the real balance.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.

I’m an author, facilitator, coach and photographer — work that spans both strategy and storytelling, life and legacy. I run two businesses that reflect that “&” energy I live by: one rooted in helping others create impact, and one devoted to capturing it.

My newest venture, The Good Philanthropist, partners with mission-driven individuals and organizations to align purpose, generosity and legacy. Whether I’m guiding a board through fundraising strategy or coaching individuals through financial decisions, I believe wealth — of time, resources and spirit — is a force for good.

And for over fifteen years, I’ve offered signature portraits through my photography business, creating images that help people see themselves more clearly and share their story more confidently.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today?

My parents made my brother and me feel like we were their only job. Of course, we knew they had jobs — quietly working before the rest of the house stirred or setting up classrooms on summer break — but we hardly felt that. What we felt was them picking us up from school, coaching our teams, sitting down for dinner together or sewing last-minute Halloween costumes. That kind of presence left an imprint. It’s the model I carry now, even if I’m just figuring it out one snack cup and school drop-off at a time.

What’s your superpower?

I can turn whatever’s in your pantry into a charcuterie board. Crackers and a forgotten apple? Done. Half

a bag of popcorn and some cheddar? Consider it arranged. And yes, it will be styled like it belongs in a magazine because presentation is half the fun.

It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know, it never happens). What do you do?

Nothing. And I don’t mean that in a snarky way. I mean it in the most sacred, soul-restoring sense. The Italians call it dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing. I’d stare out a window, lay down and close my eyes, maybe build myself a solo charcuterie board.

What keeps you sane? Sunshine. Ocean views. Spacious schedules. Coffee, always coffee.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?

Molly Weasley. She leads with love, keeps her family grounded and never backs down from a challenge. She’s proof that you can be fierce and nurturing, tender and powerful. And that sometimes, the best kind of magic is a warm meal, a sharp wand and knowing exactly when to use both.

Who is your favorite real-life hero?

Dolly Parton. She’s not just a country music legend; she’s a philanthropist, a literacy advocate and a beacon of rhinestones and results. Dolly somehow balances the glamour of showbiz with the quiet strength of someone who truly knows the power of giving. She’s shown us that making the world a little brighter can be as simple as giving a kid a book.

Listen to mom.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is.

Don’t take anything too seriously — your routine, your food choices, your screen time limits, the clothes they insist on wearing, whether they bathed or ate anything green, or if you said exactly the right thing in the heat of the moment. There is so much pressure to get it all right, all the time. But the truth is, most of it won’t matter the way we think it will. What they’ll remember is how we made them feel. So laugh more. Play more. Apologize when you need to. Say “I love you” too often. And save your energy for the moments that matter, like when they try to bring a lizard into the car or attempt to Jedi-mind-trick you into eating candy for breakfast. Because it’s coming.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?

It’s better and messier than I ever imagined. I’m working harder than I’ve ever worked in my life, and somehow having more fun than I knew was possible. I thought I’d be the one doing the shaping and guiding, but it turns out I’m also the one being stretched and softened. Watching his personality emerge, watching his imagination bloom — it’s like sitting front row at the best improv show in town, where the lead actor insists on your full participation and the rules change every five minutes. It’s wild and wonderful and nothing like the parenting books said, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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MOM’s favorite…

Tell us about your favorite…

…family game: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

…words to live by: Be where your feet are.

…binge-worthy podcast: Home Cooking

…way to get out of making dinner: Charcuterie boards

…inspirational quote: “Everything is figureoutable.” – Marie Forleo

…parenting book or philosophy: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

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MOMs love local…

We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for friend: Passionflower

…coffee spot: Magpie Coffee Shop

…hair salon: Modern Betty

…restaurant to take the kids: Hey, Neighbor! Pizza House

…restaurants for a night out: Osteria DOP

…take-out, food truck or quick bite: The Garden on Friendly

…meetup spot for happy hour: PublicHouse

…local park where kids can let off steam: Umso Park

…event in your community: Grilled Cheese Experience

…any other local places you love: Thistledown Farm

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