Mom Club with Melissa Mendillo
Melissa Mendillo with her family. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Mendillo)
North Fork mom and portrait painter specializing in pet portraits, Melissa Mendillo, lives in East Marion with her husband and two daughters. After growing up in an artistic household, Melissa credits her parenting style to her parents’ creative spirits and a home filled with music, art, and delicious food.
Read on as Melissa shares mothering on the North Fork in our monthly Mom Club, a Q&A with local North Fork moms.
Q: Describe your parenting style in three words:
Melissa: Firm yet loving and definitely fun.
Q: What is your favorite thing about motherhood?
Melissa: My favorite thing about motherhood is watching them grow as human beings! These little people expressing their strong opinions amazes me. Just hearing about their day is my daily gift! I live for it.
Q: What is your least favorite thing about motherhood?
Melissa: When my youngest daughter fell ill with a brain tumor that turned out to be cancerous, the feelings that scared me most about being a mother were brought to life. This might sound super cliche, but people told me when you have children, you feel like your heart is walking around outside your body. And for me, this was extremely true the moment I gave birth. Then, when you see your child suffering from this terrifying disease, it was the worst part of my life. The lack of control you have over everything, I suppose, is the worst part of parenting. Thankfully, she is in remission, and the whole experience has opened my eyes to appreciating each moment. Nothing can take these precious moments away from you.
Q: Would you change anything about motherhood? Tell us.
Melissa: The only thing I would change about motherhood is wishing I had more family around. When you start making a family, you realize it does take a village, and I have a hard time asking for help, but I realize there is no better place than here because I do have a community of support. I have met the most amazing people, who have helped me through a lot of hardships. This is truly a special place to raise children. Between the people, nature, and the sea, I feel really lucky to live here.
Q: What role does nature play in raising your children?
Melissa: For my family, we spend a lot of time at the sea, exploring the different beaches, and swimming even in the colder months. It never gets old.
Q: What's your favorite recent thing that you've done with your children on the North Fork?
Melissa: The best thing for us as a family is getting together with other families on a different beach and watching the children create worlds and scenarios in this landscape. They are totally immersed in nature and have the freedom to explore.
Q: What's your children's favorite thing you've recently done together on the North Fork?
Melissa: Because there are a ton of activities to do, my children are spoiled. They can't pick one thing! They go to art programs, piano lessons, roller skating, and beach hangs. Even the beautiful school that is Oysterponds offers tons of fun for the kiddos.
Q: Mothering lasts long after we’re gone — what are some things that you hope your children carry with them forever?
Melissa: I hope they carry that creativity through to their adulthood and never stop expressing their imagination. I hate to quote Picasso, but it is a good one: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once (he, she) grows up."