Cindy and Kayla Caulfield share a little insight
By Nina Livingstone
Kayla Caulfield has graced Destination Mirth before. The local talent started modeling at 14 and starred in her first film at 17. One of her nearly two-dozen roles includes “Off-Key Girl” in the Oscar-winning film “CODA.” With new films coming out, Kayla and her mom, Cindy, took a few minutes out of a busy schedule to answer questions in honor of Mother’s Day.
Kayla and Cindy
NINA: What is a favorite Mother’s Day gift or memory?
KAYLA: My mom once told me that when I was in kindergarten, my elementary school set up a little shop for the kids to go shopping for Mother’s Day. My dad gave me money and I felt proud buying something on my own for my mother…
NINA: What is one of your fondest Mother’s Day memories?
CINDY: My fondest Mother’s Day was my first one, May of 1994, when my son Brian was born. I had trouble getting pregnant and never thought I would be a mother. It was great because my mom got to see her only child become a first-time mom. Then of course, a few years later, April 1997, Kayla joined our family and was just so amazing.
NINA: How would you describe your mother-daughter relationship?
CINDY: We have a very close relationship. Kayla and I work together so we spend so much time traveling in the car to our various jobs. We very seldom have disagreements. I’m glad Kayla still likes to spend time with me.
KAYLA: My mom is my literal best friend. I’m so lucky to have her as a mom, both my parents as a whole. I can’t imagine my life without her.
Cindy and Kayla
NINA: What quality did you inherit from your mother that you are most proud of — and why?
KAYLA: I feel like I inherited her strength. She was by my side and my advocate and fought for me through any situation, with everything, especially when I got sick with PANDAS. Now I am old enough to advocate for myself and having the strength to do so.
NINA: How would you describe yourself as a first-time mother to the mother you are today?
CINDY: I am not going to lie; I was petrified being a first-time mother. I was an only child and did not spend time with babies or little children growing up. My husband was one of eight children, so he had younger siblings and knew exactly what to do when we came home with a newborn. The first bath was a nightmare — my mother was over at the house to help me. She was watching me and I was very nervous. I must admit with the bath that she suggested I practice with a cabbage patch doll, of course she was trying to help me. I felt like a failure, but of course it all worked out
NINA: What constitutes a well-balanced mother-daughter relationship?
CINDY: Well-balanced is making sure we give each other space and respect each other. I am very protective, and even though Kayla is a grown woman, she understands the worry I get at times when she is out late, which is not that often; thank goodness she is a homebody.
KAYLA: I’d definitely agree. We are with each other all the time and so there are times where I’d spend much needed time with my dad such as going to our house in New Hampshire or running errands with him and going to his games he umpires/referees for. I’ll even go out once in a while, but like my mom said, I don’t go out often, but when I do it’s with close friends.
NINA: What would you say to mothers and daughters out there who seek to reconnect or suture any wounds from the past?
CINDY: I lost my mother suddenly and I always think if I was not close to my mother and that happened I would have so many regrets. Your mother is not always going to be around and no matter your differences always make room to make sure you keep her close to your heart. I miss the opportunity to call her to tell her this happened, or did you know about this etc. I wish I could pick up the phone and just call her.
NINA: Do you see yourself as a mother some day?
KAYLA: I honestly don’t think I see myself as a mom. It’s a hard topic for me and so there’s that uncertainty.
