Brookline couple Kiona and Terrel Williams are balancing purpose and passion. Kiona works full time, runs a household of three school-age kids with hectic activity schedules and is pursuing a master’s degree in professional counseling. Terrel, a program manager at the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, is committed to uplifting youth and giving back through service. Together, they’re raising a busy family (four children total!) with Timia (23), Kaysaun (17), Ryan (8) and Terrel Jr. (4). Whether it’s Sunday morning worship or evenings filled with homework, practices and dinner, teamwork helps Kiona and Terrel stay connected.
Responses were edited for length and clarity.
You both have demanding careers and are raising children together, including your two youngest who are 8 and 4 years old. How do you stay connected as a couple and keep your partnership strong through all the chaos?
Kiona: We are intentional with the time we spend together. But we are friends first. We always call or text each other during the day to catch up! We also spend the latter part of the day just enjoying each other’s presence. That time is what is most important.
Terrel: It’s mindset. I push through the chaos because the fun times are always there. The chaos makes fun times more valuable in my opinion. We need it to stay focused.
Sunday church is an important part of your family routine. How has your shared faith shaped your approach to parenting and marriage?
Kiona: Our faith allows us to connect spiritually and keeps us aligned with God’s intentions for our lives, as a union and individually. It’s extremely important for us to lay that foundation for our children.
Terrel: Faith is the rock of our foundation. There is no “Ki-Rel” without God. Once you believe that, then everything else falls into perspective.
What do you think you bring to the family dynamic that helps keep things running?
Kiona: I call myself the house manager! Coordinating schedules, activities and preparing for events. Being a student in the mental health world, I also bring empathy and healthy, encouraging motivators. We are both high energy but on different frequencies. My husband is the life of the party; I keep the party going.
As a working mom of four and a full-time graduate student in [professional] counseling at Carlow University, how do you navigate the challenges of balancing everything?
Kiona: Like Dori from “Finding Nemo,” “Just keep swimming!” Knowing I am doing God’s work, reminding myself this isn’t about me and only about helping others, it allows me to continue to put one foot in front of the other. Being a counseling student has helped me to understand the stages of my children’s development, and that helps me as a parent to set realistic expectations. I can provide more grace to not just my children but to all people around me.
When you look at your life right now, busy as it is, what are you most proud of?
Kiona: I am most proud of our family as a unit! We are doing it! We aren’t perfect, but we strive to be the best for each other, and that’s all we can ask for.
Terrel: I’m proud that we love each other. I know that sounds crazy, but there are a lot of families that look like they barely like each other. So, when my kids are arguing or battling over a game, it’s amazing to see them get over the dispute and just fall back to love.
What has been your favorite thing about raising a family in Pittsburgh?
Terrel: Pittsburgh is my hometown, and I have connected to many people over the years. I love that my young family has connected to some of my community spots having grown up in the Hill District. Pittsburgh has been kind to our family.
FAMILY FAVORITES:
Weekend Activity: Hanging on the back deck with the grill going [and] a cool beverage, watching the kids find their own adventures.
Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers all day, every day!
Family Movie: We try to introduce our kids to some of our childhood favorites like “Garfield,” [the] Peanuts [series], “Matilda,” “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.”
Date Night Spot: We love to choose a new restaurant in the city and give it a try!
Carrie Woodard is a National Certified Counselor, National Certified School Counselor and a Pittsburgh mama of two.
