We’re celebrating real-life SweetMamas! Whether she’s a famous face or the mom in your playgroup, check back weekly to discover her Sweetest Things, as well as her tips on raising them fabulous.
Catherine Marion
sweetmamas we love canada
(Oct.09.09)
SweetMama We Love: Catherine Marion
Hometown: Ottawa
Mom to: Chanel (14), Alexandre (12), and Nicholas and Jonathan (twins, both10)
Also known as: Co-Host of The Mom Show and spokesperson for Whirlpool
Catherine Marion got her small screen start as the host of "Daytime" Rogers Television in Ottawa. Of course anyone worth her maternity leave knows her as the co-host of The Mom Show.
With a family of six, Catherine knows her laundry, and she's been spreading the word for Whirlpool for two years in a genuine effort to save Canadian women time. (Ed. Note: I've seen her in action with the machines and it's pretty impressive.) Whether she's demonstrating washers and dryers, or talking homework and leftovers to on TV, her humorous take on motherhood and approachable smile (not to mention fabulous hair!) make her this week's SweetMama We Love.
SM: What’s your secret to raising them fabulous?
What was important for us as a family was that our four kids had a stay-at-home mom until they all went to school full-time. It may not be the right choice for everyone, but it was the right choice for our family. I was the one who dealt with it all: illnesses, all their firsts, sending them off to school in the morning and greeting them at the end of the day, kissing the boo-boos away and celebrating the successes. I can’t be sure if that’s why they are fabulous, but I sure do think they are!
SM: What’s been your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and other parts of yourself?
My biggest challenge has been giving myself “me” time. It’s much easier now that they are older, but for the first 10 years everything I did was for them. This means that I often neglected to do things for myself -- even simple things like relaxing in my bath, or reading a few chapters of a book. Looking back, I think I believed that I HAD to be there 24/7. Now I realize that taking time to reconnect with yourself is good for the family too. After all, a happy mom makes for a happy home!
SM: Knowing what you know now, what’s the one thing you wish you could tell all new moms or moms-to-be?
Take some time for yourself -- even if it’s only five minutes at first. Call on your friends and your family to give you a break from your day-to-day chores. Never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Moms need a breather from time to time, and we need to give it to ourselves and NOT feel guilty about it. You’ll be a much better mom for it!
What is the one item you can’t live without for yourself?
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For sure my Whirlpool Duet washer/dryer (MSRP $3366). With four kids, a husband and a pool – my laundry loads are HUGE with towels galore, clothes by the basketfull, and bed sheets. I also have no time for hand washing, but my machines are so gentle they care for all my favourites like I would if I washed them myself. The time I save on laundry each and every week is noticeable -- I don’t know how I did it before I had them!
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What is the one item you can’t live without for your children?
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The Internet. I think back to when we as children did our homework and had to go through bulky ancient encyclopedias to find the information we needed. Today, our kids can find everything they need on the Internet. Granted I need to supervise them (thank goodness for parental controls), but it makes all of their school projects that much easier for them (and for me!).
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It also makes for exciting conversations – when we start discussing something none of us are sure about, we run to the computer to look it up. It’s also a wonderful way for my kids to stay connected with family members and friends that live in far away cities. How did we ever live without it?
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