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.
SweetMama We Love: Samantha Leeson
Hometown: Georgetown, Ontario
Mom to: Fergus (11) and Quinn (8)
Also known as: Doula, childbirth and breastfeeding educator, and founder of babyREADY
SM: Tell us a bit about your business.
I began my business in the fall of 1998. The idea behind babyREADY has always been to create a place where new and expectant parents could obtain all of the information and support they needed to ready themselves for the exciting and sometimes overwhelming adventure of becoming parents.
Initially this was done through prenatal and breastfeeding classes as well as labour and postpartum support. Since 2006 it has expanded to included postpartum breastfeeding classes, in-home eco consultations, car seat installations and a blog, which contains articles on a variety of pregnancy and parenting topics.
SM: What’s your secret to raising them fabulous?
I believe it is essential for parents to remember that our children are here, not only to learn from us, but also to educate us and make us more aware. Everything we say and do is a lesson for them in how to behave, how to treat others, how to speak with other people and how to respect them. Show them respect and you will get respect in return.
SM: What’s been your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and the other parts of yourself (work, me-time, writing, etc.)?
Originally the biggest challenge was finding last minute care for my children when I was called away for a birth but now it is making sure that I carve time into my busy schedule to spend with them, without any interruptions.
SM: Knowing what you know now, what’s the one thing you wish you could tell all new moms or moms-to-be?
Let it happen. Don’t fight your baby. If you give your child a little bit of time s/he will teach you more about yourself and the world you live in than you ever thought possible. They come out smarter than us and have lessons we desperately need to learn if we can let our egos go enough to listen to what they have to say. Parenting is absolutely the very best and very hardest gig in the world!
What is the one item you can’t live without for yourself?
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Now that my boys older I couldn’t live without my Blackberry. There are days we don’t see much of each other but I love that we can email or text one another any time of day to stay in touch. They can come home from school and send me an email to let me know how their day was or I can send them a quick “I love you” when I am at a birth and missing time with them.
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What is the one item you can’t live without for your children?
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When my babies were small (and up to about the age of three years) I could not have been the mom I was without my Heart To Heart (H2H) sling. Each child was so attached to his sling that they each had their own. The H2H just made parenting so much easier because my baby was with me and I could meet his needs as soon as he had them, so we were both more relaxed and happy.
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Are you a SweetMama we could love? Want to nominate a SweetMama you know? Email us at SMWL@sweetspot.ca