Folks We Love with Janel Molton from Oopsie Babe

Tell us a little bit about your journey and how you’ve come to arrive here?

It’s been quite an adventurous journey! I fell in love with a neuroscientist, moved across the country on a whim, and then got pregnant (on a bet) four months before our wedding. Fast forward five years and we’ve got two little ones under three and are back living under the California sunshine.

Professionally I’ve always worked in the fashion/tech/startup world. After a decade working (and learning) from other people I decided to take a chance and venture out into the entrepreneurial space with a new project called Oopsie Babe.

Who’s in your family? Ages? Names?

My crazy (brilliant) husband Nicholas is 32 and we have two children, Carmen (3) and Gustav (1).

How did you choose your kids names?

My husband has known since he was a little boy that if he had a daughter he wanted to name her Carmen after his Great Aunt Carmen Rosa Elisabeth Hertz who was one of the first females to have a PhD. Gustav was also the name of his second cousin Gustav Ludwig Hertz who won a Nobel Prize in Atomic Physics in 1925.

Location

We just moved from New York City to Palo Alto, California!

Occupation

Co-Founder + Chief Brand Officer at Oopsie Babe, a kids clothing startup aimed at making parenting stylishly a little less painful (and much less expensive).

What’s on your manifest board?

Building and scaling Oopsie Babe, settling into our new life in Palo Alto, and attempting to get out of the house in something other than spandex + actual brushed hair/teeth.

Tell us some of your most loved ways to spend the day with your clan?

Unplanned days that lead to unexpected and awesome adventures! We love to get our double running stroller out and literally pound the pavement with no itinerary – letting life (and the kids) dictate the day’s destiny.

What are some silly things the kids do or say?

Outside of momma and dadda, my son’s first words were “uh oh”. So random! My daughter has been saying the most hysterical teenage worthy sentences lately a la “don’t smile at me it’s not funny”. #threenager

When you were a teenager what did you dream of? Do things look different?

I dreamed of my reality. It’s crazy…I always wanted children (Teresa and I would talk and talk about it!) AND a strong career before thirty and I never wanted to sacrifice one or the other Most people thought I was nuts and having both was inconceivable. It’s fucking hard – but it’s doable and the most rewarding thing you can ever imagine.

What are some things you really believe in?

Love, love, and more love. Love of a parent, love of a child, love of a partner, love of a friend. That’s all that matters.

Where do your passions lie?

I’m passionate about raising good human beings who will do good in the world…and also who will truly enjoy, live life, and pursue their dreams.

Has your relationship with your other half changed since having kids?

For sure! There’s a deeper connection of shared DNA that unites you forever. Every little decision affects those beautiful creatures and the importance of true unity becomes paramount. But it can be super challenging (especially as a driven, independent woman) and something we definitely struggle with and work towards on a daily basis. That being said, having children has given both of us an insane amount of respect for one another, much more than we ever knew existed when we were childless.

What are some of your favorite life lessons you’ve grown to love?

Letting go and being okay with losing control. Life isn’t perfect and it’s those imperfect moments that you’ll always remember (i.e. being puked on right before a big meeting or being THAT mom on the airplane) and one day laugh about.

What do you wish you could of told yourself when you were a teenager?

That I would find true love + that perfection doesn’t exist.

What do you find most challenging about being somebody’s parent?

What DON’T I find challenging? Honestly it’s a daily struggle that I feel like I’m constantly failing at. But every night, when they snuggle tight, and give the sweetest little kisses, I get butterflies all over (yay oxytocin!) and it reminds me that I must be doing something right.

What do you want our kids to learn about the world?

I want them to be open to every person and thing that they come across without judgement or prejudice. I want them to be able to really see and experience the world. I want them to live without regrets or fear.

What are four things you can’t live without as a parent?

Our Waldorf School
The Bob Double Running Stroller
Blankies (a blue dog for G and a white bunny for C!)
Instagram! I seriously discover so many parenting tips and products via my feed.