About the Author
Ms. Mom, Jan Nast, was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was sent to live with her grandparents in Michigan for a year and a half when she was seven years old. She experienced more loving words and actions in the year and half she was there than in the entire first seven years of her life. Her grandmother showed her what it meant to be loved.
The differences between her experiences during the first seven years of life compared to the next year and a half stuck with her many years after: After high school, after college, well into her first marriage: A marriage to a horrible emotionally abusive man.
Her graduation gift from her parents was a one-way ticket (and a set of luggage) to California to live with her aunt for the summer. The deal was that she would receive room and board plus $25 per week in exchange for baby-sitting her five cousins. For a girl who did not care much for children and therefore had only babysat twice in her life, this was quite a challenge.quite a challenge indeed!
She went to Junior College for a couple of semesters before she figured out what she really wanted to do with her life. Which turned out be designing formal dresses. She graduated from Brooks College in 1977 and went to work in various retail outlets and created wedding dresses for a few years. One thing led to another and she ended up working for a very large company that publishes automotive repair manuals.
Her experience at the publishing company was valuable because she learned about computers and instructional design, and gained technical writing and public speaking skills. But she also had the opportunity to work with a variety of VPs, managers, office workers and body shop technicians. With over 20 years of experience teaching and writing software application end user manuals, Jan gained appreciation for the type of language that appeals to all readers regardless of their educational background. Whether the client has a high school diploma or a PHD, Jan has found a common ground for communicating with young parents as well as newly divorced moms with masters degrees.
This mom has passion: She loves her children! And she feels the hurt of all the other children out there who have not been fortunate to be raised by parents who know that showing your love is the greatest gift of all.This mom has another passion: She is sick and tired of bratty, misbehaved kids. From two year olds to preteens, they're all the same: a public nuisance!