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: Debbie Travis
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Mom to: Josh and Max
Also known as: Queen of painting and decorating, former model, author, newspaper columnist and current host of All for One with Debbie Travis, airing Sunday nights at 9 on CBC (beginning October 17).
Once upon a time we faux-finished all our furniture after watching one too many episodes of Debbie Travis' This Painted House (quite possibly the first design show we ever laid eyes on). Later on, weekly viewings of her surprise home makeover show Facelift and her designers-in-training series From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis were a must. This wonder woman has been featured on Oprah, Regis and Kelly and The Today Show.
She made us laugh (and breathe a sigh of relief) with her memoir Not Guilty, which focused on her career rise (working with her husband!), while parenting two kids. And now her latest show, All for One with Debbie Travis, marries her humour, design skills and ability to rally people together as she gets Canada's communities to help out a neighbour.
SM: You built your career (to great success, we might add) while raising a family. How did you juggle it all without losing your cool?
Oh I lost my cool plenty of times! A good sense of humour is imperative when you raise your children, especially if you are working. What helped me most was really including the kids in our work — even to just stop constantly explaining why maybe I was grumpy at night. Telling them crazy stories about what went on at work, about people on the set — this brought us all closer together.
SM: Knowing what you know now, what’s the one thing you wish you could tell all new moms or moms-to-be?
It goes very fast so enjoy every moment, but also look after yourself and your partner. And lose the guilt. Just do the best you can.
SM: Do you have one golden rule for moms decorating a nursery or kid’s room?
Don’t waste money on too much baby stuff — unless you are passing it all down to the next child.
SM: What’s your advice to moms who are dreading the day when their babies grow up and leave home?
They come back I'm afraid!!
What is the one item you can’t live without for yourself?
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Gin and tonic! Just kidding...I think I would die if I got stuck on a desert island without hair dye.
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What is the one item you can’t live without for your children?
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Mum’s check book!
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