About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
Moms with Moms
silver spoons canada, Toronto
(Mar.26.09)
Motherhood is rather divisive on the best of days: Breast vs. bottle, attachment parenting vs. sleep training, back-to-work vs. stay-at-home. But nowhere is the potential for conflict more obvious than with your own mother.
Growing up, I put my mother on a pedestal (save for a brief hiatus during my teens) – especially once I finally moved out on my own and realized just how much she actually did.
Then I got pregnant, and my mother just could not keep her opinions to herself. Why was I ruining perfectly good, brand new baby clothes by washing them first? Why did I feel like I NEEDED to have an epidural? Now that being in the same room means that there are two mothers in the house, well... sometimes I miss my mommy being just my mommy.
My mom is a terrific grandmother. My daughter’s eyes light up when she walks into the room. But her interests now revolve largely around her garden and her grandchildren. Thankfully, last Sunday, we were able to find a mutually agreeable event that combined both of those things.
Canada Blooms is Canada’s biggest garden show, with stunning, sculptural gardens created indoors to provide inspiration. There’s also a cute marketplace with just about anything a gardener might want. This year they added a fantastic play space for children (easily the busiest exhibit at the show) with sand, a mural painting wall and even tractors for wide-eyed vehicle-lovers to sit on.
So my mother, my daughter and I strolled through tulips and trellises, containers and chrysanthemums with glee. My mother was eager to chat with people who understand her gardening woes (rabbits eating her veggies) and I was happy to chase my daughter around planters. It was positively lovely to have three generations of girls together. And exposing Lucy’s curious little mind to such a sensory experience was a delight to watch.
I love you Mom! Let's go again next year.