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Home › Mom of the Month

Jenny Crawford Moluf

Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a mother who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a woman and a mother. Above all, the Mom of the Month is dedicated to her children. Rich or poor, famous or not, she shines as an example of what mothering is all about.

Describe Jenny Crawford Moluf in one word? Genuine. She's the real deal, and has worn many hats: mother of four, single mom, mother of a supermodel, business owner, grandmother and member of the Silver Foxes.

Moluf credits her success and happiness in life to a positive outlook. "If you're willing to work and do your best, then it will pay off," she says. "Failing is a state of mind." It's easy to see where her three daughters, one being supermodel Cindy Crawford, get their go-getter attitude.

Moluf's eldest daughter, Chris, not only is the mother of two boys, but also has her Master's degree in business and is a computer consultant. Moluf's middle daughter is Cindy – the supermodel, businesswoman and mother of one (and another on the way!). Her career began in 1983 and is still going strong. And don't just take her on face value. She was the valedictorian of her high school class and has attended Northwestern University. How has the family handled Cindy's career?

"All of us have jobs, and Cindy's job is modeling," Moluf says. "If my other children were living in poverty or unhappy with their lives, maybe the story would be different. But Cindy's fame hasn't been a huge issue."

Moluf's youngest daughter is Danielle. She has enjoyed much success and satisfaction as a teacher and mother of two. Jenny's youngest child, Jeffrey, died of Leukemia at the age of 4.

"Jeffrey was a gift from God," Moluf says. "How lucky was I to have known my Jeffrey."

Moluf divorced in the early '80s, when her girls were ages 11, 14 and 16. "I was pretty strict," she says. "I had lines and rules – they knew where I stood. There was no question about it."

Jenny Crawford Moluf's Advice for Moms

As a single mom of three pretty girls, she had to play the enforcer. Here's what got her through those rough teen years:

"I never told them 'no' and turned it into 'yes,'" says Moluf. She would tell her girls that if they wanted an answer right away, the answer was no! She always gave herself time to make decisions.

She explains that when she made a decision regarding her girls, she stuck to it. "Hold the line!" Moluf says. "I never gave a consequence [in regards to punishment] that was worse for me than the child. Make it work for you – have them do laundry!"

"Parents do way too much for their kids these days," she says. "If your child wants something, don't always provide a way. Ingenuity is great!"

A special tip from experience for young mothers: "You can pay now, or you will pay later. Get them under control now as toddlers!" she says with a chuckle.

Moluf's bottom line? Carry out consequences.

When guiding her daughters through their teen years and into adulthood, she tried to instill this principle: "You have to live with yourself at the end of the day." Moluf asserts that if a person is satisfied and at peace with their decisions and actions, then they have done the right thing.

Moluf's girls are all grown up, and she couldn't be more proud of her pack. One of her greatest joys comes from, "knowing that they're all alive and well and having a wonderful life," Moluf says.

What fills her time now? Grandkids, of course! Not to mention her wonderful husband of 12 years. But also, there's owning a clothing store and participating in the Silver Foxes.

Moluf spends her days as a jack-of-all-trades at The Clothes Horse. She does it all: purchasing, pricing, stocking, inventory, etc. She stands fearless at the helm of a business that's been under her savvy management for five years.

In her "spare" time she's a member of the Silver Foxes – an organization for Baby Boomers and older. Over the hill and losing steam? Think again! The Silver Foxes are dedicated to making the most out of their lives, believing that the best is yet to come. Through strengthening their minds, bodies and spirits, the Silver Foxes are encouraged to live with purpose, vitality and zest for life. And that is certainly what Moluf is doing.

"Most of us at age 50 are at least 10 years younger than our parents were at 50. We don't think of ourselves as old," she says.

Moluf has just returned from appearing on the QVC network to promote the Silver Foxes clothing line. "The most fun I've had in being a part of the Silver Foxes is meeting other parents of celebrities. We have a great time together! We may have famous children – but we're just normal people."



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