Mom Club with Melissa Hobley
Melissa Hobley with her husband Paul and daughters Maddie (9) and Chloe (6).
Can I be real for a sec? I fangirl over local North Fork mom Melissa Hobley a bit. Yep, I said it. And it's not because of her high-powered CMO role, or that she's without a doubt the most fun person in the room, or her invested advocacy in our community and community members, or how she makes motherhood look effortless, but because of her ability to give each and every person she meets her complete undivided attention when she speaks with them. She shows up to each conversation with utter investment, warmth, and sheer sincerity that I admire so very much. I’ve watched her do this with children and adults alike, time and time again. And while she tells me that she’s “so flattered!” to be included in Petite’s Mom Club, I hope she knows that the pleasure is all mine.
Read on as Melissa 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 The Stretch Garden — your place on the North Fork for recovery and rejuvenation, reimagined.
Q: Describe your parenting style in three words:
Melissa: Laughs, unconditional love, and cheerleading!
Q: What is your favorite thing about motherhood?
Melissa: Oh wow, it’s these magical little beings! Their giggles and how they see the world, and the feeling when you make them laugh.
Q: What is your least favorite thing about motherhood?
Melissa: I think it is consuming, and it can be hard to turn, jump from work to parenting to caring for a parent.
Q: Would you change anything about motherhood? Tell us.
Melissa: How much time do you have?! I think the expectations on women and parenting are unfair. I would change the complete lack of support we give new parents in healthcare, with postpartum, breastfeeding, and childcare. We are a country that doesn’t take care of its new parents — especially women and LGBTQ families.
Q: In your opinion, what makes raising children on the North Fork unique?
Melissa: So, we never thought we would leave the city. But we fell in love with this community. There are two things that I could talk about for decades: the community and being closer to nature! I love that I know Noreen, who owns TouchGoods, and I’ll see her at my gym. I love that I’m friends with this iconic photographer, Deb Feingold, and we’ll give each other a hard time at a workout, and that her daughter is teaching my third grader at PCS — a magical school out here. I love waking up in the morning and looking at the bay. Nature has helped our whole family feel more grounded. And I have North Fork to thank for that. I’m much more aware of ecosystems — the sea creatures, but also the businesses. We feel quite protective of this magical place, its characters, its creatures, human and otherwise!
Q: What are some of your favorite things to do with your children on the North Fork?
Melissa: Swim in the bay! The beaches. We also love to hunt for treasures in the cool antique and vintage stores across the North Fork. Lumber and Salt is magical. Boat rides and even the ferry ride to Shelter Island.
Q: What is one thing every child should experience on the North Fork?
Melissa: Orient Beach State Park. On a quiet morning, it’s just you and the shells.
Q: Mothering lasts long after we’re gone — what are some things that you hope your children carry with them forever?
Melissa: To stand up for others. The opportunities to do that out here are substantial — whether it’s with Planned Parenthood or with OLA or the Mattituck Library.