Meet our January Mama of the Month, Alison Kirkpatrick!

Tell us about your family!

I’ve been married to my husband, John, since 2015, and we have three lovely children, Cooper (4.5 years), Laney (2.5 years), and Mara (11 months). We also have a golden retriever, Murphy, and two orange tabby cats, Harvey and Jay.

Where is your hometown?

I grew up in Clarion, PA. It’s a quaint little town on a river with lots of woods. I enjoyed swimming, boating, and kayaking in the summer, going on trail runs or bike rides year-round, and cross-country skiing in the winter. With a quintessential small-town America main street and a state university, all in all, it was a pretty great place to grow up (even though I couldn’t wait to leave for college).

What is/was your current/previous career?

Since the fall of 2021, I’ve stayed home with the kids full-time. Previously, I primarily worked in engineering project management. Still, after earning my MBA, I transitioned into corporate finance/acquisitions before following my heart to leave the corporate world and spend as much time as possible with my favorite people.

How did you find FIT4MOM?

My neighbor saw FIT4MOM near the Boathouse when she was at North Park. A few of my neighbors planned to meet for a class, and I tried a class in the fall of 2021. I was pregnant with my second, and it didn’t seem like a good time to start a new weekly class. Then, in the summer of 2023, I managed our schedule so that I could try a class again, and it stuck! I’ve been coming ever since!

How long have you been a member of FIT4MOM North Hills, and what has it done for you?

As I mentioned above, I’ve been coming regularly since the summer of 2023. I love that it gives me a weekly reason to get out of the house, exercise, and build friendships with other moms. It’s also nice that I get my workout done in the morning so that I get some extra time to get things done during naptime (which is when I work out on days I’m not at FIT4MOM).

What is your favorite class exercise?

I like all the upper body exercises because I know how important it is for women to maintain their upper body strength as they age (and for holding kids)! I also enjoy the cardio moves in Strides 360, especially those involving the agility ladder.

What classes do you currently attend, and why do you love them?

I’ve been attending classes on different days of the week, so I’ve covered all of them this past year. I love Strides 360 since I love a good sweat. Stroller Barre is great for toning, particularly in the glutes and lower back areas. Stroller Strides is fun because it mixes everything. I especially like the upper-body band work.

What is something that has surprised you about motherhood?

I’m surprised by how much motherhood has forced me to grow emotionally. I’m constantly working on being a better person for my kids. I heard something the other day that said, “Your kid isn’t acting out, you’re just triggered by their actions.” That has stayed with me for several months as I try to manage my reactions to my children’s behavior at different times of the day or throughout the month. I’ve noticed, as I navigate being a mother to three kids, that the amount and quality of my sleep also broadly impact my level of patience with my kids.

What is your proudest mommy moment so far?

There are so many moments that I’m proud of: my kids loving each other and telling me they are best friends, hearing positive feedback from preschool teachers, my son telling me he believes in God, my middle child caring for her baby dolls, and my baby giving me her first kisses. Truly, there are too many moments to name! What stands out to me is that I’m trying to teach my kids to enjoy and love the everyday moments. If they can find contentment in the simple joys of life, I believe they will have a good chance of finding happiness.

What advice would you go back and tell yourself as a new mom?

There are seasons in motherhood, and none of them last very long. These could be seasons of trials or seasons of joy, but whatever the season, it’s fleeting. Try to enjoy the moments and seasons. When you look back, even on times that seemed challenging, you may miss them when they’ve passed.

Anything else you'd like to add?

You’re doing great, mama! Give yourself grace.