The Beechinors farm in Saskatchewan and Alberta
Mother’s Day is on May 11 (don’t forget!) and this week Farms.com is speaking with multiple moms in ag to answer questions about motherhood, its challenges and to highlight how becoming a parent has changed them.
Jaidyn Beechinor (JB) and her husband Brett currently farm alongside Brett’s brother and his wife on about 12,000 acres in Flaxcombe, Sask. They’re also in the process of starting a new dairy farm in Bentley, Alta., where they hope to begin milking cows this November.
In addition, Jaidyn and Brett have two kids – 4-year-old Brooks who turns five in June, and Taitum, who is turning two this July.
“Brooks is a go-getter who has to be busy all the time,” Beechinor told Farms.com. “And if it’s related to cows, he’s all over it. He’s super energetic, compassionate, and loving.
“I like to say Taitum is spicy. She’s your typical two-year-old and is always on the go.”
Farms.com: Describe where you were when you found out you were pregnant for the first time. How did it make you feel?
JB: I was in Saskatchewan during harvest. We did IVF and I was supposed to be going to Calgary for treatment, but I cancelled it because I didn’t want to add more stress to an already late harvest. Two weeks later I was in the grain cart and kept having to stop to vomit. We thought it might be the flu but after a week I wondered if I was pregnant. We were shocked and excited because we didn’t think this was something that would happen for us.
Farms.com: Describe the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time.
JB: It’s surreal. Brooks was born via C-section and was about an hour old before I got to hold him.
Farms.com: What’s the best part about being a farm mom?
JB: Getting to teach them everything we’re doing. The kids are so inquisitive and are always asking questions, and it’s fun to tell them what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and having them learn from it.
The Beechinor family (Jaycee Carlyle/Dallas Olga Photo)
Farms.com: What’s the hardest part about motherhood?
JB: Finding time for everyone. Our lives are busy because we have farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan (it’s about a four-hour drive between Flaxcombe, Sask., and Bentley, Alta.) and so we’re on the go all the time. It’s hard to balance doing things for the kids, for the farm, and for the family.
Farms.com: What part of motherhood makes you feel the most vulernable?
JB: The judgement that comes along with raising kids. We are going to parent differently than the way our parents parented us. We are going to take things from how we were both raised and bring them together to find what works best for us.
Farms.com: What’s a misconception people have about motherhood?
JB: That there’s enough time. Kids join your life you aren’t joining theirs.
Farms.com: What’s your mom’s name and what are some special memories you have with her?
JB: My mom’s name is Diana. We spent lots of time outside, were always in sports, and she never missed any of it.
Farms.com: What’s one lesson you learned from your mom you try to teach your kids?
JB: Respect was huge in our house. My dad passed away when I was young and she instilled in us that our loss wasn’t going to be an excuse for us to grow up being rude.
Farms.com: How has motherhood changed you?
JB: I’ve learned patience and how to adapt with kids. Things don’t happen as quickly as they used to.
Farms.com: What’s one thing all parents have in common no matter where they are in the world?
JB: Unconditional love for their children.
Farms.com: What’s one piece of advice you have for new moms?
JB: Set your boundaries, make sure you know what you want, and have people respect that.