Name: Amanda Harris

Children: Colorado, 7, and Mary Margaret, 5

Birth order: Second oldest of four. Amanda said she got plenty of practice babysitting as a kid and she enjoys helping out first-time mom friends who need advice.

Best advice? Spend as much time with your children as you can and hold them often.

Best stress reliever? Running or bicycling. Amanda also enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and disc golf. Surprisingly, Amanda says her job is a stress reliever. She’s a masseuse and enjoys making other people feel good!

Favorite part of parenting: “The I love yous,” she said, “and the random hugs and love. That’s the reminder that I’m doing it OK, I think.”

Something she’s proud of as a mom: Cooking from scratch. “I like very back to the basics food,” she said. If she ever went back to college, Amanda said she would enjoy studying nutrition or counseling.

Most challenging part of parenting: Being a single parent and making a living when you want to be with your kids.

Name: Kristen Knight

Job: Architect

Child(ren): Lydia, 3

How long have you lived in Fayetteville? For 13 years. Kristen earned a degree in architecture from the University of Arkansas and stayed after graduation.

Best parenting advice: Snag a copy of On Becoming Baby Wise. “Someone gave us a copy and I absolutely think it changed our world. I still use the techniques I used when she was three months old. I have given that book to so many moms.”

Most relaxing thing I’ve done all summer: “Visited an old friend (alone) in Asheville, N.C. We went to a day spa and did a whole lot of nothing.”

Most interesting travel experience: “I studied for five months in Rome. You can’t beat that. I also spent six weeks in the Arctic Circle as part of an exchange program.”

How did you meet your husband? “In architecture school. I loved him the moment I saw him 13 years ago”

How do you de-stress? “I walk and listen to music (I’m really loving K.T. Tunstall right now) and cook. I’m a vegetarian and I find chopping therapeutic.”

Name: Kayla Michael

Originally from: Born and raised in NWA

Names and ages of children: Kendal-9, Abbie-7

What’s your favorite place to hang out with the kids? Outdoors. We love riding bikes, camping, canoeing and swimming.

What’s your best defense against stress? Taking the time to step back and relax. I also vent a lot to my friends whom I could not live without.

What’s your favorite chick flick? I could watch Steel Magnolias over and over and still cry.

If you a whole weekend to yourself, how would you spend it? I don’t think I could handle a whole weekend alone; a day away is plenty. I would sleep in and take a long bubble bath.

Advice you wish someone had given you when you first became a mom? Pick your battles wisely and don’t overreact.

Best advice you were given as a mom? Enjoy each moment no matter what because time flies by fast and your children grow up right before your eyes. You can’t undo what is already done.

Favorite vacation spot with kids? Anywhere; we love vacations!! The kids get excited no matter where we go. We do love the beach, though!

If the house was on fire, what item would you want to grab first? If everyone was out of the house (along with the dog and hamster), I would grab as many family photos as possible.

If you were going to college in the fall, what would you study? Elementary Education

Who or what inspires you? God is never failing; He gives me the strength to take on life every day.

Best book you recently read? I wish I had time to finish a book.

Parenting is … the best thing that I have ever done.

One word to sum me up: Blessed

Name: Angela Mueller

Children’s names/ages: Joshua, 13; Jeremy, 11; and Bethany, 3

Where were they born: All were born in Fayetteville

Favorite parenting moments: A day with any one of my children by themselves.

Advice you wish someone had given you when you first became a mom: Instead of reacting, to respond. Knowing that I needed to be more patient teaching them appropriate behavior.

If you had three solid hours of alone time, what would you do: Clean my house, read a book and take a nap.

What’s something you’ve been meaning to do but it never seems to be a good time: Come up with a list of good books for my children to read.

Parenting is … the hardest job that brings the greatest joy.

What is your college degree in? I have a master’s in music.

Your most treasured vacation spot? Isla Mujeres, an island off Cancun.

Favorite character trait of your husband? His faithfulness.

What is your favorite hobby? Scrapbooking.

One word to sum me up: Blessed.