Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10
With Mother’s Day falling this Sunday (don’t forget!), Farms.com connected with two farm moms for a Q&A about motherhood, what makes it tough, and to share a piece of advice for new moms.
Sarah Hastings (SH), a director with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and her husband Brandon farm about 1,700 acres of corn and soybeans in Sidney, Ill. Sarah also co-owns Hastings CCI Equipment, which designs, installs, and repairs grain handling systems.
They have a son, Ryan.
“Ryan loves to help out,” Hastings told Farms.com “He always wants an update of what we have done each day. When we are starting planting or harvest season, he wants a list made of each field of each crop so he can track our progress.”
And Katie Brown (KB), the current president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, is a cash crop and hog farmer from Morrisonville, Ill., along with her husband, Ethan. In addition, she’s an associate director of research and development at The Maschhoffs.
The Brown family also includes two boys – 8-year-old Andrew, and 6-year-old Tyler.
“Andrew is a typical first born,” Katie says. “He’s very responsible, and driven, and already knows he wants to be a pig farmer. Tyler is a classic second born child. He’s a jokester and is always quick to make someone laugh. I think he’ll be the one who drives tractors and combines.”
Farms.com: Describe where you were when you found out you were going to be a parent for the first time. How did it make you feel?
SH: We have a unique situation. My husband and I were foster parents. We were not expecting to take in an infant. I joke that I went to get lunch and run a few errands and came home with a baby. Who knew you could get an actual infant in the baby aisle at Walmart?
KB: I remember feeling complete joy and also being completely terrified with what’s to come and the responsibilities involved with becoming a parent and having little ones who look up to you and rely on you for their future.
Farms.com: Describe the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time.
SH: My experiences were mostly with kids (cousins/nephews) that were several months old or toddler aged. Newborns are so tiny! There’s no feeling in the world like holding a new baby.
KB: It’s incredible. Andrew was a week early, but he was perfect. Knowing you were part of creating a life is amazing.
Katie, Tyler, and Andrew.
Farms.com: What’s the best part about being a farm mom?
SH: I love that every day is different with new challenges and opportunities.
KB: Seeing how much my kids get exposed to, and to see them learn initiative and responsibility at such a young age.
Farms.com: What’s the hardest part about motherhood?
SH: Wanting to protect your child from the world.
KB: Knowing you can’t do everything for them even though my instinct is to protect them.
Farms.com: What part of parenthood makes you feel the most vulnerable?
SH: I’m in the later stages of parenting. I think knowing that if you did your job right, you are preparing to send your child out into the world and you can’t control how that goes.
Sarah and Ryan.
KB: Knowing the kids will fall, get hurt, and make mistakes, and that you can’t put them in a bubble. We can’t control everything as much as we’d want to for the sake of our kids.
Farms.com: Who is your favorite fictional parent, and why?
SH: Tim Allen’s character from Home Improvement. He was always funny and seemed like he was having a good time, but able to be serious and a good parent when he needed to.
KB: Elastigirl, or Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles. There’s a scene where she’s using her abilities to hold the baby, and catch food that’s being thrown, and juggle everything else going on. I definitely relate to her.
Farms.com: What is something you swore you’d never do as a parent but gave in to?
SH: I wanted to hold out longer in giving my son a phone. I caved the summer he was 13.
KB: I try to be planned and structured and thought I’d have routine. And then I had kids and all of that went out the window.
Farms.com: What’s a misconception people have about motherhood?
SH: That children can be a burden. Sure, there’s extra work but the rewards and joy you receive are innumerable.
KB: That you have to have it all figured out. The reality is you’re learning along the way and that’s what part of makes it fun.
Farms.com: Who is someone you consider a mother figure? What are some special memories you have with them?
SH: My mom and I trained and showed horses together. So we spent a lot of time together traveling and in the barns. But I really remember when high school classwork got very challenging time-wise, she would saddle up my horse and bring him to me and insist I go for a ride to take a break. I was always better off for it.
KB: My mom Laurie. She raised us while my dad was working. My favorite memories are being at home with her learning how to independently take care of a home and a family.
Farms.com: What’s one lesson you learned from that person you try to teach your kids?
SH: Putting in the work will always make you a better person.
KB: The value of hard work and doing the job right even when no one is looking.
Farms.com: How has parenthood changed you?
SH: I am definitely more vulnerable and emotional. My high school friends used to joke about me never crying. Now all of the sappy things get me right away.
KB: I’m more emotional than I thought I’d ever be. But seeing your kids do something on their own for the first time, and seeing them growing up to be good human beings, gets you in the heart.
Farms.com: What’s one thing all parents have in common no matter where they are in the world?
SH: I think everyone wants the best for their children and will do everything in their power to make that happen.
KB: Every good parent will do anything for their kids.
Farms.com what’s one piece of advice you have for new moms?
SH: Our son thrived off of a schedule. I think having a routine/schedule helps you plan your entire day and that routine will help set up your child/ren for success later in life.
KB: Life won’t be perfect. Kids will cry, and schedules will fall apart. Kids are resilient, and as long as they know they are loved, sometimes that’s all you need.
Farms.com wants to wish all moms a Happy Mother’s Day this weekend!