The REAL Dance Moms
Published on May 13, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (May 13, 2012) - For most kids, having a mom who works is ordinary. For the children of the three moms on the VooDoo Doll Dance Team, they get a little something extra. The way the "Dance Moms" -Tia, Daina, and Madriana - manage the stresses of being a mother, working and dancing for the VooDoo Dolls is extraordinary enough to earn them the heroic title of "Super Mom".
"I wouldn't call myself a super mom," Tia said when asked whether or not she deserved that title. "It's something you just do. It's not anything special or out of the ordinary. It's like you learn to adjust."
What the single moms have to adjust to is fitting workouts, practices and games in to their already busy schedules.
Tia, an ER Nurse, is the longest tenured VooDoo Doll. She has been with the team since 2005. Her job allows her to work nights, so she gets to spend a lot of time with her 10 year old son Anthony. She said a lot of this time is spent with the two of them laughing and dancing.
"We'll turn on the radio and dance for hours, like silly," she said.
Tia said Anthony enjoys coming to watch his mom dance, especially this year.
"This year he is more into it," she said of Anthony. "He's like, 'when's the next game? I want to go.'"
Daina, a mother of two boys, Tristan, 13 and Noah, 6, earns her living as a dancing instructor when she's not on the sidelines of the VooDoo games.
"It's very busy," said Daina about her schedule. "I have to get a lot family help as far as getting them to practices. Their grandma and their godparents help a lot, with me having to work full time and doing this on the side."
Daina said her sons like their mom's new side job. "They enjoy having a Doll as a mom. They like going to the games and they like all the attention and stuff."
Madriana is new to motherhood. Her daughter, Nahla, is just 9 months old. She said juggling the responsibilities of work, school, motherhood and the VooDoo Dolls is worth it at the end of the day.
"It is tough but it's all rewarding," Madriana said of her daily life. "I feel like I'm making her proud. I'm working hard. I'm going to school, and I feel like I'm living out my passion in dancing. She's smiling so obviously I'm doing something right. I just want her to be proud of me."
Madriana is currently attending the University of New Orleans and studying English. Her love for kids has led her to want to teach. She also requests the booths at the restaurant she works at because that's where most of the families sit.
"I love waiting on families and kids," Madriana said. "We give the kids little coloring pages and blow up balloons for them. I love kids."
All three of the mom's said they love spending time with their children. Surely, the kids love it too. Because whether they will admit or not, these moms are super, and who wouldn't want to hang out with a super hero?
Happy Mother's Day, Tia, Daina, and Madriana!
Arena Football League Stories from May 13, 2012
- The REAL Dance Moms - New Orleans VooDoo
- Chicago Suffers 34-Point Loss to the Arizona Rattlers - Chicago Rush
- Barnstormers Back on Track with Commanding Victory - Iowa Barnstormers
- Kansas City Command Drop Eighth Straight - Kansas City Command
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