One of the greatest support systems to a mother is that of other moms. I honestly don’t know how I would have kept my sanity through some of the more challenging aspects of motherhood if I didn’t have friends to lean on and laugh with. So often this weary mom has been lifted up with a cup of tea and a chat with a friend while the kids played together.
In honor of Mother’s Day, over the next two weeks I’m thrilled to share some interviews with various blogging moms whom I greatly admire. Join me to celebrate motherhood, from raising kids to being mothered ourselves.
Kicking off the series is my creative and tireless friend Cassie of Primitive and Proper. Cassie breathes new life into sad and lonely pieces of furniture, runs a business, and is in the process of making her new house a home, but above all else she is a mom to two young kids. Her love for motherhood comes shining through on her blog.
How many children do you have and how old are they?
I have two children, Sawyer, who is 6, and Emmy who is 5. I feel very blessed and lucky to have one of each. And we are not expecting any more. Ever.
What have you found hardest about being a mom?
The hardest thing for me is seeing my kids hurt. Last year when Sawyer started kindergarten, some girls picked on him and called him a baby, and said he was too small to be in kindergarten. He is small for his age and usually the smallest in his class. Anyhow, he came home from school that day angry and upset and finally told me what happened. Seeing him hurt like that was devastating for me. As a mom, I can do all I can to make him feel better, but I can’t take away the pain that once existed in his mind. That’s tough.
What do you love best about being a mom?
I love watching my kids become independent thinkers, and I love watching their personalities develop. I loved having babies- they are sweet, soft, innocent, and smell nice. But kids that can talk and share ideas, and even tell a joke, and really express themselves creatively and show their personality, well that is amazing!
What came as the biggest surprise to you in your motherhood?
I never understood that I could love so ferociously.
Tell us about a mom you admire.
That would be my own mom. I thank my lucky stars that she is the role model I have for motherhood. She created such a relationship with my brother and me, that we loved her and trusted her, and never wanted to let her down. I remember dreading not being punished for doing something wrong, but dreading my mother’s disappointment in me. That was harder to take than any discipline. We loved her so much that we wanted to do right by her. Aside from that, she was also my softball coach, girl scout leader, room mother, my brother’s den mother, and threw awesome Halloween parties and birthday parties. She was involved in our lives.
What is your greatest wish for your children?
When I hear the song “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts, I cry. And it’s not just a sniffle- I can’t make it through signing without choking on the words and breaking down. It just sums up everything I want for my children, too. I want most of all for them to be happy and to be a positive influence on others. The song says, “My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big and your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to, I hope you know somebody loves you.”
I am crying now just after typing it. I just want me kids to have true happiness, and to know they are always loved.
How has motherhood changed you?
I try to take better care of myself…. I want to be around for a really long time to see their lives unfold. And I also want to be a role model to them of what healthy living is.
What three words describe the kind of mother you want to be?
Nurturing (in the emotional and creative sense), open, supportive.
What is one of your favorite childhood memories of your mom?
When I was a child I was obsessed with “Annie” the movie. We went to Ogunquit, ME every summer and there was a theater there. She took me to see “Annie” there…. It was a fabulous mother daughter day!
In what way(s) do you aspire to be like your mom?
If I try to be half the mom my own mom was, then I will still be doing an amazing job! But I try to be involved like she was. I have coached Sawyer’s T-ball team, and volunteer at the school when I can. Those are little things my mom did that made me aware that she thought I was important. I want my kids to know that they are important to me, too.
What is your absolute favorite thing about your mom?
She is always willing to help people in whatever way she can. She has an enormous heart for such a little body.
What is the most important parenting lesson you learned from your mom?
We were evacuated from Katrina when Sawyer was an infant. Sawyer and I ended up staying with my parents for about 4 weeks while Chris went back to Louisiana, where we were living at the time, to get back to work and also clean up our house. During that time, my mother was an immense help in training Sawyer to sleep through the night. Because of her guidance, he slept through the night at 6 weeks old and on. Then when Emmy came along, I knew exactly what to do, and we had her sleeping through the night by 6 weeks as well.
How would you spend your ideal Mother’s Day?
I would spend mine with my family, of course. Last year we bought roses and planted them at our old house, before we knew we would be moving. This year, I would love to spend the day creating a vegetable and herb garden. Our family loves to spend time outdoors. I am not the type of person who really enjoys being pampered, so spending the day working outside with my family, and ending it with an easy dinner on the grill and a glass of wine sounds like heaven. Oh and on Mother’s Day, Chris gets to do bath and bedtime for the kids. ๐
Do you have any gift recommendations for a father and children for Mother’s Day?
My favorite gifts are the thoughtful and creative ones. I saw an idea for father’s day that would be amazing for mother’s day as well, and I think the best gift ever. You create a photo book and have the kids fill in the answers to questions about mom. That would be an amazing gift.
What morsel of advice would you share with a mom-to-be?
There is no right way. Every family, child, mother, is different, and you do what’s best for you and your family.
Thank you Cassie for celebrating motherhood with all of us today!
Dana Frieling@ Make Them Wonder says
Ummm…loving ferociously! Great way to put it into words.
Val says
What a beautiful post!!!!!
Calypso In The Country says
Great post. I love reading how other moms feel about motherhood. It really changes you as a person and I could relate to so much she said. I also think a lot about taking better care of myself and being a good role model. So important!
-Shelley
Maury Kilgo says
Love her! Every time Cassie talks about her kids you can hear the love she has for them. It's so wonderful. This is such a great idea for a series!
Ange says
Great guest post! ๐ Cassie is a great mom and I loved her answers. Looking forward to seeing who else shows up on here, what a wonderful series Lisa!
pam {simple details} says
Great interview, Cassie! I think you're well on your way to following in your mom's footsteps!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
thank you so much for having me here today, lisa! and thanks, ladies, for all the sweet comments!
Ali Richardson says
I lovve all od Cassie's answers!! She truly is an amazing mom and friend! Love that girl!
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
What a sweet interview and beautiful post!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
What a lovely post Cassie! Sawyer and Emmy are lucky to have you for their mom!
Allison says
What a beautiful post. Cassie is truly a wonderful and genuine person and her love of being a mom really shines through. Great interview!
Connie says
Hi Lisa: I'm Connie at http://hotflashncraftn.blogspot.com/, your new GFC friend. I would love it if you stop by and be mine, too.
Thanks for sharing Cassie's joys of motherhood. She has a beautiful family.
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says
Cassie, you are a wonderful mom…just like your mother! I really enjoyed reading this post and seeing pictures of you and your family!