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A LOOK AT GALLUPARTSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S HECTIC DAYS

As Executive Director of gallupARTS, Rose Eason balances a lot of plates. She runs programs, holds meetings with gallery partners, and just overall makes sure everything is running smoothly for Gallup’s art programs and the ART123 Gallery. On top of all that, she is also a mother.

Eason has two children: four-year-old Demi and two-year-old Kian. Her days can be pretty hectic running after a toddler and a preschooler.

Her “typical” day starts at 5 am. This is when she can get some alone time. She usually pours herself a cup of coffee and does some yoga. Then she’ll answer some emails.

Once the kids are up, she feeds them breakfast and drives Demi to preschool, with Kian tagging along for the ride.

After she’s dropped Demi off, she goes back home and tries to get some work done while Kian plays. She tries to schedule any Zoom meetings she may have in the 9:30 am – 10 am window, and then it’s usually time for lunch by the time she gets done with that.

Once Kian’s done with lunch, she typically takes him out for a drive so that he’ll have an easier time falling asleep. When they’re back home, he’ll take an hour nap and that’s usually when she works on the more research-based projects she has to do for gallupARTS.

After she’s picked up Demi from preschool, she finds some time to play with the kids before getting dinner ready. After dinner she puts the kids to bed, and then might try to do a bit more work before going to bed herself.

Despite her crazy schedule, Eason said she appreciates the flexibility her job gives her.

“On the one hand I’m just so grateful I have a job that has the flexibility where I can kind of work hours that align with my kids’ schedules and I can work from home,” Eason said. “On the other hand, it does mean that I’m trying to write emails and administer grants while my two-year-old is running around. [...] I have had to really adapt my work style to try and get things done in 10-minute increments, which is a whole different way of working for me.”

Having the flexibility with her job means Eason doesn’t have to put her children in daycare. Eason called the daycare options in Gallup “limited” and “expensive.” Oftentimes the daycares that are available have strict potty-training rules. Eason said parents in the region have other options besides public daycare.

“The region just kind of depends on the fact that there are so many people who have extended family here, and they’re able to cobble together a network of childcare,” Eason said.

But childcare isn’t the hardest part about motherhood for Eason. She said the hardest part about being a mom is trying to maintain her patience.

“There’s just lots of different ways your patience is tested, either just by having to repeat things or they have tantrums or they’re having trouble expressing themselves or they just don’t quite understand something,” Eason said. “There are sometimes behavioral issues that you have to deal with, or they’re just taking forever to put on their shoes in the morning. They’re always trying your patience in different ways.”

Eason said no matter what she has to deal with, it’s all worth it to be a mom to her two kids. She said her favorite part of being a mom is watching her kids grow.

“It’s really exciting to watch them grow and develop and learn new things. “[It’s also cool] to see them express themselves more and lean into their personalities,” Eason said.

By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor

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