A mother who does it all
By Ashley Shah
Sandra Atkinson of Scripps Ranch is a mother who seemingly does it all – raising children, serving in multiple volunteer positions and keeping up with a career.
She described her philosophy for raising children and being a mother.
“What I feel is most important is showing up with consistency and intentions. I think it’s more about being present and not focusing so much on being perfect. Unconditional love is the most important thing I can provide them,” she said. “Mothers need to remember that they have to take care of themselves first before they can show up for others. We model behavior for our kids.”
Sandra has two sons, Nicolas (12), who attends Marshall Middle School; and Carter (9) who attends Dingeman Elementary School.
Nicolas plays Scripps Ranch Pop Warner football. Sandra serves as the secretary for his team.
“I handle the meetings, communication to the families and administrative duties,” she said.
Alongside her role as secretary, she is also a coach for her son’s Pop Warner team.
Carter plays on a Scripps Ranch Little League baseball team. Sandra coordinated the Scripps Ranch Little League Opening Day festivities held in February this year. It’s a huge undertaking.
“The event took about four months of planning. There were several people who helped me with this event. The event was a very fun day,” she said. “We had to coordinate the team parades, bringing the U.S. Marine band to play, the bounce house, concessions, the DJ and more. We also had sponsors that came to set up their own displays.”
Sandra serves as the assistant coach for Carter’s Little League baseball team.
She is heavily involved with Dingeman Elementary School, where she is the vice president of fundraising.
“My responsibilities consist of … gaining new sponsors, getting corporate sponsorships, restaurant fundraisers and helping out with our largest fundraisers of the year, which are the Tiger Trot and the Pledge Drive,” Atkinson said.
This year, she was a backstage coordinator for the Dingeman Elementary play that took place on April 15.
She participates as a co-room parent for Carter’s third grade class at Dingeman.
Outside of her involvement with youth sports and with Dingeman Elementary, she is the special needs counselor at her local church.
In addition to her volunteer commitments, Sandra is an interior designer by profession.
“I take on clients for designing when I have the time, but I have worked really hard to get to this place in my life where I can focus on my kids and watching them grow,” Sandra said.
She shared how she is able to balance all of her commitments.
“I am very fortunate to live in a community with amazing families. I am involved in carpool groups. Being a part of the Family-Faculty Committee at Dingeman Elementary School, I have individuals that I can call on if I need help. The staff at Pop Warner and Little League are like family to me,” she said.
Sandra expressed the main challenge she faces as a mother.
“Time. I was raised by great grandparents, grandparents and parents that all told me that childhood goes by way too fast. I prepared to slow down this time and be present with my kids, but it does go by too fast. Every day I wish I could slow it down,” Sandra said.
Her biggest joy as a mother is watching her children grow.
“Everything is my biggest joy; the good times and the bad times. We are growing together no matter what,” she said.