Mom Acts Locally, Thinks Globally
my world • moms making a difference
Barb Likos is as kind as they come. It is simply natural for her to make everyone in her life a priority. It makes perfect sense in her mind to “create a better space in the world by making as many women as successful as possible.”
This is how she teaches her children by example. She reasons, “If I can help make just one mom’s life easier, I am contributing to the success of her children, which may eventually make the world a better place for my children.”
So Barb harnesses her slice of the online and social media world to work on four community websites, was the very first Chapter President for Mom It Forward, and has organized local events that benefit MIF charities.
For each charity she assists, she ensures her children, 13 year old Conner and 11 year old Carter have a front row seat. She makes sure they understand why each issue is important and even has them tackle smaller tasks like putting auction gift bags together. Carter is following in his mom’s footsteps. He created Carter’s Bear Club with his grandmother to deliver teddy bears to kids having surgery in locations around the world.
A former school teacher, Barb now homeschools. Carter was born with spina bifida and requies a lot of surgeries and medical treatments. He was also diagnosed as autisitc. When school became too hard for Carter, Barb quit her job as a 4th grade teacher to teach him at home. Her older son, Connor is homeschooled as well. The flexibility and ability to fully meet her children’s needs makes their arrangement ideal.
Like so many extraordinary moms, Barb isn’t quite sure how she balances it all. She simply, ‘just does it’. She credits the help of family and friends for keeping her centered. This means cleaning house may not be a number one priority – but she does have the time to focus on what matters most, “making the time to have a bear picnic, raise money for a well in Africa and supporting a friend.”
About the Author: Danielle Smith is a mommy to two smart and sassy small people, as well as the founder and primary author of ExtraordinaryMommy.com. You can catch her hosting a brand new live show, The Spin Cycle, on MomTV.com every Wednesday at 9pmEST. She also hosts a show on Blog Talk Radio and contributes to WhyMomsMatter. Danielle is thrilled to be contributing to MomItForward as ‘giving back’ has always been an important part of who she is and what she hopes to teach her children
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11 Responses to “Mom Acts Locally, Thinks Globally”
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Thank You’s! | Elementary Spirits on July 13, 2009 9:09 am
[...] Danielle Smith wrote an article about me called Mom Acts Locally, Thinks Globally. She did a wonderful job with the article and I want to thank her for finding me worthy enough to [...]
Barb on July 13, 2009 9:09 am
Thank you to Jyl and Danielle for thinking of me as worthy enough to write about. Honestly, the Mom It Forward mission is so very important and I am proud to play a small part in it.
I followed up on this with a blog post of thank you’s of my own: http://elementaryspirits.com/2009/07/thank-yous/
Barb
@chaotic_barb
Toni-Lynn @ Grocery Price Blog on July 13, 2009 9:09 am
It is completely impossible to describe what a wonderful and funny person Barb is, but, this article did a pretty good job of it
Barb totally rocks and it is a privilege and an honor to have her as someone I would call an important part of the puzzle I call my life.
Toni-Lynn
Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck on July 13, 2009 10:10 am
I met Barb and her kids at an Influencer event in Denver a few months ago and she is every bit as extraordinary as you say!
Abbysdad on July 13, 2009 1:01 pm
Barb’s spinabifidaconnection.com site has made a huge difference to my wife and I. Our baby was diagnosed pre-natally with spina bifida back in Feb and we have found so much support and information on that site. Barb rocks!
Thanks from Abbysdad & Abbysmum!
Barb on July 13, 2009 3:03 pm
You guys are making me blush. The boys read this and were like “Barb rocks? Are they talking about you?”
Lucretia M Pruitt on July 13, 2009 6:06 pm
You know, you managed to almost capture in writing how amazing she is in person!! I count myself incredibly fortunate for having met her. She is way too modest… trust me!
Laura DeHoog on July 13, 2009 7:07 pm
Barb is such an amazing person. I am so thankful to have her in my life….i hope to actually meet her in person one day! She has helped, encouraged, and been there for us since day 1 that our little Hannah was diagnosed with sb! Thank you Barb…..really!
Dodger67 on July 14, 2009 1:01 am
The Spina Bifida forum is a truly world class resource.
I’m not saying it just because I’m one of the moderators.
We have members from all over the world – US, Canada, Australia, Egypt, UK, New Zealand, Turkey, South Africa, etc. (I’m South African.)
It is the only SB forum with membership that covers the entire spectrum of SB related conditions as well as the full age range – from parents of babies not yet born right up to middle aged grandfathers who have lifetimes of experience living with the condition.
Well done Barb, yes you do rock!
theresa berntson on July 14, 2009 1:01 pm
Now the world knows what a beautiful,careing ,intelligent daughter I’ve been blessed with BARB ROCKS and you do it so well
Sharon Likos on July 16, 2009 11:11 am
Barb does her balancing act so well. I have walked in her shoes for only so many days at a time to take care of my grancdhidren. She is able to stay centered and concentrates on where she is going and not so much about where she has been. She is a true inspiration to all.