The questionnaire asks about the best and hardest parts of motherhood, and to highlight a favourite fictional parent
With Mother’s Day on May 11 (don’t say we didn’t remind you), Farms.com is once again looking for moms in the ag industry to participate in a Mother’s Day Q&A.
Farms.com has connected with farm moms over the past years for their perspective on motherhood, including its best parts, its challenges, and to share a piece of advice for new moms.
“Being a parent is such a fascinating experience,” said Denise Faguy, Farms.com’s director of marketing and operations, and a mother of two. “Anyone involved with raising children wants the best for their kids, but no two people do it the same way. It’s this great journey we’re all on together, even if we’re doing it separately.”
In addition, Farms.com asks participants to highlight a fictional parent, and why that character resonates with them.
For Faguy, that’s Molly Weasley from the Harry Potter franchise.
“A loving mother, but she stood up for what she believed in,” Faguy said.
Here are some of the farm moms who took part last year and snippets of their answers.
Alberta farmer Sheila Hillmer for example, who has two adult sons, said parenthood changed her priorities.
“I was in my 30s when I had kids, and my life was all about me until then,” she told Farms.com. “Once I had the boys, everything changed, and they became the centre of my universe. They’re the loves of my life.”
Farms.com also connected with Julie McIntosh last year, an egg and sheep farmer with two toddlers from St. Mary’s, Ont.
She wants new moms to know it’s okay when times with newborns aren’t enjoyable.
“Mom guilt is a real thing, so don’t feel guilty for feeling guilty. Everyone says to enjoy every moment because time goes so fast,” she said. “But there are moments that aren’t enjoyable with babies and toddlers. Life gets stressful and there are sleepless nights. It’s okay to not enjoy every moment.”
U.S. farm moms participated in the Q&A too.
Gail Donkers raises cash crops and livestock near Fairbault, Minn., and has three adult children.
For her, the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time is almost indescribable.
“There’s nothing like it. It’s so heartwarming and you just want to let the world pass by and have a little baby in your arms,” she said.
Any mom in ag who would like to participate in the Q&A can receive the questions ahead of time.
Please contact Farms.com writer Diego Flammini by email or at 1-888-248-4893, ext. 208 if interested.
And for any farm dads who see this, Farms.com will be looking for you to be part of the Q&A in June.