Coming home

In a daughter’s words

Moving back home after living independently in college presented many learning opportunities for me. I have always had a close relationship with both my parents, especially my mom, but I was apprehensive about returning home after four years.

When I lived at home previously, I relied heavily on my mom for tasks like cooking, laundry, and grocery shopping, which weren’t on my radar as a child. However, having experienced the independence of college life, I was determined to maintain that same level of self-sufficiency upon returning home, which did not come easily.

There are days that I struggle to resist the urge to lean on my mom for guidance, especially when it comes making decisions or seeking advice on what to wear for the day. These situations have served as valuable lessons in finding a balance between independence and reliance on my mom. It’s a delicate balance, but one that I’m continuously working on as I navigate this transition back home.

Moving home after college was an easy choice for me. With all of my jobs located in the surrounding suburbs, it made the most sense. This living arrangement not only allowed me to save money for when I eventually live on my own, but also provided me a chance to get my bearings and plan ahead as I figure out my career path.

However, blending the roles of being a full-time adult working in my childhood bedroom has its challenges. Some days are easier than others as I balance my multiple jobs in a small space. Nevertheless, I am very fortunate to have my mom by my side, serving as both my motivator and grounding force in this transitional phase of my life. Our special support system is mutual, as having me back at home keeps her grounded, as well.

Apart from our nightly watch parties of all the best reality TV shows, my most cherished moments with my mom revolve around her continued support for my dance performances that I choreograph, teach, and coach. As someone who has been deeply involved with dance for over 20 years, I have always appreciated my mom’s dedication to being a dance mom extending even to my college dance company performances at the University of Kansas.

Currently, I teach and choreograph at two dance studios in the Chicago area and serve as the head coach of the Mundelein High School dance team. As I take on the role of a teacher, it brings her immense joy to witness not only my growth but also the success of the students I teach. After more than two decades of attending dance recitals and competitions, her enthusiasm for my passion remains unwavering. These moments have evolved into cherished memories that embody our special bond and I am so grateful she holds such a great role in my adult life and will continue to for many years to come.

Maya Gold is a dance teaching artist and choreographer in the greater Chicago area. She has trained in and teaches ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, poms/dance team, and pointe. Maya shares her passion of dance and teaches her students to develop their technique, build their self-confidence, and encourage their artistic expression.

In a mother’s words

I don’t know of any mother who doesn’t love it when she has all her birds come back home to the nest.

It was a natural progression for my daughter, Maya, to return to Chicago after graduating from college with a degree in dance due. She has a strong network of connections in the dance industry, which has provided her with numerous job opportunities.

In fact, all of Maya’s teaching positions are located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She has been busy balancing her hectic work schedule that consists of teaching more than 15 classes between two dance studios and serving as rehearsal director and head coach for Mundelein High School’s dance team. So, it was a natural decision for her to live at home to be close to all of her positions and start to navigate adulting.

With Maya back at home, I find myself happily involved again in her day-to-day life, but the communication looks and sounds different. I think it is a curse and a blessing for both of us. We have always had a close mother/daughter relationship. There is an effortless nonjudgemental ease of communication between us often as we share, navigate, and laugh through milestones, big or little.

However, there is a difference in how our communication flows compared to before she left for college. This change continues to be the biggest hurdle I have faced. It’s difficult to figure out what the right balance should be in terms of giving Maya her independence because we have always enjoyed spending time sharing the stories of the day and seeking each other’s opinions and advice.

Maya has been immersed in the dance performance industry since she was 3 three years old, and I have cherished being a significant part of her journey. I’ve supported her growth as an artist and performer, accompanying her to all of her dance team competitions, recitals, and performances.

Witnessing the evolution of what her role is now being the dance teacher, dance team coach, and being able to be included in watching her choreography develop into beautiful dances has been incredibly rewarding. Parents of her students often express how positively Maya has impacted their dancers. Maya’s desire to share this part of her life has brought me great joy.

As I get older, I notice that time goes by very fast, and before I know it, she will be sharing that she is moving out to explore her next chapter.

Mindi Gold is a technical recruiter for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Engineers and has a passion for pickleball, Lucky Charms, and wine. She is the proud mother of Isaac (27) and Maya (23), and lives with her husband and daughter in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.