Mom Club with Mariah Mills
Mariah Mills with her family. (Photo courtesy of Mariah Mills)
What I like most about Mariah Mills is not only her ability to balance the unbalanceable, but that she shares the reality of doing it all: the ups and downs, the beautiful and the challenging moments. A North Fork realtor, mother of two young children, and North Fork native, Mariah is vocal about focusing on the things that matter most and encouraging others to do the same.
Read on as Mariah shares mothering on the North Fork in our monthly Mom Club—a Q&A with local North Fork moms.
Mom Club is made possible by Peconic Community School—an innovative option for hands-on, real-world learning on the North Fork.
Q: Describe your parenting style in three words:
Mariah: Present, intentional, structured.
Q: What is your favorite thing about motherhood?
Mariah: The little moments. The morning cuddles, the funny things they say, watching their excitement over something that seems completely ordinary to me, seeing their personalities emerge more and more every day. Motherhood has made me slow down and pay attention in a way I never did before.
Q: What’s your least favorite thing about motherhood?
Mariah: The mental load. There is always something to think about, someone who needs you, a decision to make, or something to worry about. I definitely miss the spontaneity of my pre-kids life. I would love to walk out the door without packing half the house first!
Q: Would you change anything about motherhood? Tell us.
Mariah: I know this is cliche but, I would change how quickly it all goes. I wish there was a way to slow down the stages that you know you’ll miss someday. Motherhood has made me much more aware of how fleeting time is.
Q: What role does nature play in raising your children?
Mariah: I love that nature isn’t something we have to seek out here. The North Fork makes it so easy for us to weave it into everyday life. I love that my kids will grow up with a real connection to the outdoors and an appreciation for where they live, rather than nature being something we have to plan a trip to experience. From summer days at the beach and out on the boat enjoying our local waters, to picking apples in the fall and playing outside in the fields and farms around us, they get to experience the seasons and all the outdoor adventures the North Fork has to offer. I hope that connection to nature stays with them long after they grow up.
Q: What's your favorite recent thing that you've done with your children on the North Fork?
Mariah: We recently took the kids out on the boat for the afternoon, and it was one of those days that reminded me how lucky I am to be raising my children here. We packed up some snacks, went swimming, and spent the afternoon floating over by Long Beach. I grew up on the North Fork, so being out on the water with my own children brings back so many memories of my childhood. There’s something really special about watching them experience the same simple, carefree summers that I remember so fondly. It makes you appreciate those traditions in a completely different way when you get to experience them again through your own children.
Q: What's your children's favorite thing you've recently done together on the North Fork?
Mariah: A trip to Magic Fountain. My daughter is obsessed with ice cream right now, and she loves playing ‘ice cream stand’ at home, so going to Magic Fountain and picking out her own flavor felt like the real-life version of her favorite game. She took the flavor decision very seriously, of course, and then we sat outside and enjoyed our ice cream together. Its adorable that a little trip for ice cream can feel like the biggest adventure in the world.
Q: What is one thing every child should experience on the North Fork?
Mariah: I think every child should ride the Greenport Carousel. There’s something so fun about picking your favorite horse, reaching for the rings and hoping you’re the lucky one who gets to grab the golden one and win a free ride. It’s such a simple tradition, but for a child, it feels like a little bit of magic. It’s one of those quintessential North Fork experiences that I hope my kids never outgrow.
Q: Mothering lasts long after we're gone. It becomes the values that live within our children for their whole lives, too. What are some things that you hope your children carry with them forever?
Mariah: I hope they carry kindness, confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of family with them. I want them to know how important it is to be a good person, work hard, treat people with kindness, and appreciate the little things in life. I hope they grow up knowing that home isn't just a place. It’s the people who make you feel loved, supported, and safe. And more than anything, I hope they always know how deeply they are loved.