Mom to Mom with Jessi Duval

7 months ago

With both you and your husband having demanding careers, how do you balance those and a full extra-curricular schedule with your kids?

Jessi: It is a lot, no doubt. We have been blessed to have amazing babysitters since the kids were little. Now that the kids are older, I joke that our sitters are basically just Uber drivers, picking them up from school to take them to afterschool activities. But Scott and I are both pretty flexible at our jobs, so that is helpful. We are fortunate to have our parents close by too, and they are always willing to help. We couldn’t do it without our village.

What is your best advice for other moms juggling so many things in their lives, especially on weeknights?

Jessi: I’d say keep it simple. People ask me all the time how we do it all and my answer is usually that we don’t even think about it, we just do it. But I’m not going to lie, sometimes it’s chaos. And dinners are hard. I am not a great planner, so most of our meals are quick and easy. We do make it a priority to have dinner together every night, no matter how simple the meal or if it’s 8pm. I also know that this is just a busy season of life. So, even if it’s messy and chaotic, it can be great!

How did your parents play a role in the way you parent your three children?

Jessi: Oh goodness, my parents are amazing! My mom was a teacher, and my dad ran a tractor dealership, but they never missed anything my brother and I did. My mom is a feisty, passionate lady, and my dad is very chill and even-keel. Somehow, I got some of the best parts of both of them. As a child, my family’s schedule was packed with sports and activities, which prepared me for life with three kids. I don’t know any different now because that’s how I grew up. They also prioritized going to church and their relationship with Jesus, and that makes it so seamless to do that now with my children. My parents were somewhat strict but also trusted me enough to make decisions. They didn’t go too far in either direction, and that built respect and trust between us. It was a great balance, and I try to emulate that with my own kids.

What are some things you do to take care of yourself?

Jessi: Going to the gym is something I enjoy for myself. I have been a 5am-er at Orange Theory Fitness for the last 8 years and that is something I look forward to each day. And I also enjoy going to bed early for that 4:30am alarm.

What is one thing you want your children to remember about you?

Jessi: I hope they remember that I truly loved every second with them. It’s my most favorite thing I get to do. I hope they say that we had fun, and we laughed a lot, because we do. I want them to remember me as a mom who leaned on Jesus and loved the Lord and taught them that their relationship with Jesus is the most important thing they’ll ever do in this life.

The holiday season is filled with so much hustle and bustle! How do you and your family choose to celebrate and make memories?

Jessi: December can be a crazy time of year, so I try to go into it knowing that it’s going to be a little crazy. We are a family with a history of many traditions, so we try to keep those going in some capacity. As kids get older and families get bigger, traditions have to shift a little and they may not be exactly what they were, but we relish it! Our kids are loved by so many people on both sides of our family and we want them to really appreciate that. December is a great time for us to reflect on those blessings.

Rapid Fire Questions:

Early Bird or Night Owl? Early bird
Movie Buff or Book Lover? Movie buff
Favorite Vacation Spot? The beach
Facebook or Instagram? I’m an Instagram girlie.
Name one fun fact about yourself that you don’t normally share. Before getting into the family business of tractors, I was in radio and television. I did internships with the Rick and Bubba Show, I was an intern on Capital Hill, and I interned at the Fox News Channel in New York City. I was the producer of the Auburn University football and basketball radio broadcasts for nine years.

Jessi Duval and her husband Scott met at Auburn University and have been married for 16 years. They have three children – Bronx (15), Tessa (11), and Leighton (8). Jessi is the owner/manager of Beshears Tractor & Equipment in Opelika. Scott has been a Director of Operations in the Auburn Athletic Department for 24 years. The Duvals are very active members of the First Baptist Church of Opelika.