Biography
Celestia Whitehead grew up in Alaska, first on a homestead in the Copper River area, then in Anchorage. She is a professional artist and writer who credits Heavenly assistance as she “somehow managed to paint and write books while also raising twelve intelligent, unruly children.”
She has a degree in Art and English from Brigham Young University and teaching certification from University of Idaho, with additional coursework at the University of Utah. She claims to have honed her Zen-like patience and communication skills while teaching teenagers English and Art in public schools for fifteen years.
Now a widow for the second time, she currently lives in North Ogden, Utah. With all twelve children grown and married, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren are increasing exponentially, and she loves them all.
Read Celestia’s three-minute talk on Motherhood:
And one day I told a group of women in our church as I helped in the kitchen. “Good Heavens, Celeste!” one woman said, “You’ll ruin your health!” My teacher, Peggy smiled, “If that’s what you really want to do, I’m sure you’ll be able to do it.”
By the time I was 38, I did indeed have a dozen children, and I was a little surprised at this myself! My journey was not over, of course; I had a long way to go. By the time my youngest child was four, my life got even more complicated, as my husband became increasingly disabled with Parkinson’s disease. Before long, I found myself a working mother with a teaching career. It wasn’t easy, but I have always felt that my choice to devote so much of my life to my family was as important as anything I could possibly have done.
At each stage of my journey, I have felt divine intervention, guidance and power from Heaven working to help me through the most challenging times. My life has been fuller and sweeter and yes, more complicated than I ever would have dreamed. There was always so much to love, so much to learn.
I know that mothers are a select bunch of ladies chosen for this important calling. I volunteered to be a mother when it wasn’t cool, as they say. I felt it was my destiny. When I consider the brilliant, capable people that are my ever-growing posterity, I know I made the right choice—for the world’s sake, and for my own. It’s almost mindboggling to have so many people that I love and who love me. I had a work to do, and so do you. It may not be to have a dozen children, but you must seek inspiration, and live your own destiny.
Philosophy on Parenting
- Children learn by both what they see and experience. Young children who are able to bond with the one who consistently nourishes, encourages, and cares for them will thrive mentally, emotionally, and socially, as well as physically. A young child needs those interactions over a period of time with the same person, but a teen may be positively and permanently impacted in a relatively short time. As a teacher of hundreds of other people’s children, as well as a foster parent, and having raised and nourished twelve of my own, I know this is essential for a child’s growth and well-being. Sometimes I have been the only caring adult in a child’s life, if only as their teacher or care-giver, but I have been able to impact that child’s self-esteem and behavior in important ways.
- There is a difference between teaching and training. When it comes to learning important skills, (even sitting quietly in church) a child needs first to see the behavior demonstrated, then to practice it. There are four steps in this training. I call it “1. Watch me. 2.Do it with me. 3. Do it with me watching you (rewarding and appropriately correcting). 4. Now, do it by yourself. Yay!”
- Children need to feel both loved and competent. Parents need to give them opportunities to practice the small and large tasks of daily living. This is essential to the well-being of each child and their family.
Motherhood and Community
Since my childhood on a homestead in Alaska, I’ve been entranced by the beauty and order of the earth and sky, flowers, and trees. This awareness of the natural world has made me who I am. I’ve been able to thrive personally and to enrich the lives of my children and others as I’ve developed my talents. These activities have increased my problem-solving skills, centered my mind, relieved stress, and helped me deal with the challenges of my ever-evolving and eventful life. Teaching these skills and sharing with others have helped them in similar ways.
When my children were small, naptime was the only period of the day I could work on a painting. Journal writing had to take place after the rest of the family had gone to bed. Later I had more time and was able to supplement our family’s income using art and writing skills.
After my first husband’s death, I started my career as an Art and English teacher. Since retiring, I’ve continued to create paintings for others’ delight and enjoyment. I’ve also published books that contain lessons and miracles from my journals. I’m told these books have inspired and encouraged other mothers who are struggling with many of the same issues, including keeping calm amid chaos, finding joy in the process, dealing with financial disaster, teaching values and work ethic, loving unconditionally, managing teenagers and teen problems, and starting over after the death of a spouse.
Other activities I’m currently involved in are serving on the Board of Directors of my neighborhood HOA and with the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. I’m one of the younger ones, conscripted to serve, and glad to do it. I am their friend, who cares about them. I miss all the old friends I left behind when I moved here, but I have many new friends to love.
A comment about Celestia: Celestia is a mother who draws on a heritage of pioneering and homesteading roots to provide long term interactions and influence with her children (and many others). In this way she not only teaches but also trains them so that they become competent, all the while feeling unconditional love.