Career, volunteerism, motherhood all add up to rewarding life
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

A CHALLENGING LIFE- James and Jenny Loper of Newbury Park with their three children from left, Megan, 5, John, 1, and Caroline, 3. Jenny says combining her job and being a mother forces her to be more organized.

Teamwork, consistency and good communication are the keys to good parenting, according to Jennifer Loper, a Newbury Park mom and financial adviser for Edward Jones in Moorpark.

"Combining career and parenthood is always a dilemma, but it's rewarding. It comes with many responsibilities, but it's also a privilege," said Loper, who was at home Monday with one of her daughters, who was suffering from pinkeye.

Luckily, Loper said, the occasional change in her family's schedule is not a problem: She's able to manage her clients' accounts from home.

Prior to having children, a large part of her identity was attached to her work, but now her priorities and her approach to life have changed, she said.

"I think my biggest accomplishment in life will be raising my kids and helping them to grow up to be good people."

Motherhood has taught Loper to stay grounded and calm despite the circumstances, and it has complemented her professional life.

"Being a working parent forces you to be organized," she said.

It's also important to be in tune with your children's needs and support them in all their endeavors, Loper said.

"Jenny is one of the nicest, most honest and straightforward people I know," said her husband, James, who works for Amgen. "She's also a 'busy bee' who likes to have many balls in the air at one time," he said.

His wife did say she learned to slow down and appreciate the small steps in life even more, though, after their son, John, was born last year with a mild form of Down syndrome.

"John has been a wonderful addition to our family. He's taught us the value of patience and to really look at each of our kids as individuals with their own needs and potential," Loper said. "His sunny disposition brings a smile to our faces every day and we are so thankful for him."

James and Jenny also have two daughters, Megan, 5, and Caroline, 3.

"My greatest goal is to help them reach their full potential so that they can become independent and productive members of society," Loper said.

She leads by example, making time to volunteer in the community. Loper is a member of the Moorpark Kiwanis, Centennial Guild, Westlake Juniors, Junior League and at St. Jude's Church.

"I try to include the kids in some of my meetings," said Loper, who chaired the recent Centennial Guild Fashion Show at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village to raise funds for the Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles.

"Jenny is a loving, caring mom who, despite all of her interests outside of the family, never fails to puts the interests of her children first, above all else," said James.

"Among the many reasons that I asked Jenny to be my wife was that I knew she was a person with strong morals and grounding who would make a great mom. Turns out I was right," James said.