Moms in T.O.

Story by Renee Tratch | Photos by Emily D Photography

Owner and chef at Saturday Dinette

Warm and welcoming. Those are the feels you feel as soon as you walk in to Riverdale’s Saturday Dinette in Toronto’s east end. The centre and source of that cozy community vibe is chef and owner Suzanne Barr.

Toronto is so lucky to have her. Born in T.O. but raised in South Florida, Suzanne replanted her roots in the city only a few years ago, not long after she left the media world in New York to follow her passion to cook.

This new path has taken her to restaurant and catering kitchens and into homes around the world as a personal chef - adventures which are being compiled into her first cookbook entitled Cooking Alone.

These cooking experiences have motived her to promote and educate healthy food choices and to support others, especially women, in what is often a high-stress predominately male kitchen. She has raised her voice with other female chefs to shine a glaring light on sexism in the restaurant industry.

Driven to provide a safe and supportive space for young chefs, Suzanne created The Dinettes, a program to mentor and employ young women from varied backgrounds who want to enter the restaurant biz.

We're inspired. 

You can feel the positive energy spilling right out of the kitchen and its this desire to empower others that led to her latest venture – a new restaurant location opening soon in the east end providing training and apprentice opportunities for young women.

If you pop by, you may also run into Suzanne’s littlest sous-chef, her toddler who is happily along for the ride. Motherhood, as you’ll read below, began as soon as the doors opened to Saturday Dinette.

Here is how restaurant life meets mom life.

Motherhood at the Moment

It’s a juggling act. Often my son gets dropped off here at the diner and has breakfast – a pancake or scrambled eggs. Then off to school. On the weekends, he is often off to Scarborough to visit family during the restaurant's busy brunch hours.

Current kid challenge

Balance. Work + Life + Myles + Husband + Me. I want more time with my son. However we have, thankfully, a very popular growing business. A balance between it all is my greatest challenge.

That moment

On our opening night at Saturday Dinette my doctor called me to tell me I was pregnant and my husband and I looked at each other and said well here we go!

Smallest change biggest impact

Not allowing Fear be a reason to stop trying and working towards making the Dinette and our lives better each day.

Keep mom sane

My love of music, my desire to create a balance of dancing, training and eating well all helps.

Favourite hood

I love Leslieville but it’s also the only hood I’ve over lived in since moving to Toronto four years ago.

Favourite place to visit as a family

The Waterfront and the Brick Works. Our son is almost two but he loves to people watch so pretty much anywhere that there is people we’re happy!

Perfect day alone

An appointment with my acupuncturist at RESTORE on Queen Street, Star Nails on Broadview, a cup of tea at Hailed on Gerrard Street East, record shopping at Tiny Record Shop and a glass of port at Union on Ossington Street. 

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography. 

Family Chiropractor, Yoga Therapist, Doula

You know you’re in good hands (and a good heart) as soon as you meet Adrienne. She has a superpower of easily connecting with people and is passionately drawn to their quirks, imperfections and the ups and downs of their lives.

The turning point for the self-described ‘self-care junkie’ and owner of Oma Chiropractic was a trip to India and yoga teacher training that laid the groundwork for her pursuit of helping and educating others to take care of their bodies. You'll be inspired. 

The westend-raised now east-side Torontonian explains how meditation has profoundly changed her life, weekly mom+baby yoga+coffee dates keep her sane, and the funny things you find in your kid's ears. 

Motherhood at the moment

My kids are 9 and 6. I feel like with these ages I am FINALLY getting into a good groove with them. I am consciously working at trying to create mindful moments about how I want my kids remember me and times we spend together as a family. So I have been working really hard at keeping my mood in check, and if I am going to have an out of control moment, I try to preface it by: “mom is going to FREAK out.” So at least they know it is coming!

Current kid challenge

My son can sometimes be a bit of a wild card and also doesn’t seem to listen to anything me or my husband has to say. I once grabbed his ear to speak really close to it so make a dramatic point about how he couldn’t hear me and he had shiny silver things in his ears. Turns out his friend at school had stuck small puffy stickers all the way into his ear canal. After some careful “surgery” we got them out. I am not convinced it hasn’t happened again.  

Best decision

Quitting my fashion job to teach yoga full time - that was the move that started the path of where I am now today. It laid groundwork for my desire for my own personal pursuit of self care and to educate and inspire people to do the same.

Smallest change biggest impact

Hands down, meditate. It is so easy, yet profound. It creates space in my brain, creates margins in my life, softens judgments, and allows me to put things into perspective really quickly! 

Keep mom sane

I teach a weekly Riverdale Yoga Babies class at Oma and on Thursdays a gaggle of moms head to Merchants of Green Coffee after class. This is one of my weekly highlights. Gathering, sharing, moving the body, all keeps me pretty sane. Going for a run on the boardwalk with a podcast about leadership, birth or some self-development topic, that is also an ultimate decompresser. 

Favourite hood

The hood I work in - Riverside. I am on the board of the BIA so I do have an intimate connection to all the behind-the-scenes and how much work is put into this hood. I have seen it emerge from locking the door when night falls to having a vibrant neighbourhood filled with families and people who care about it.

Favourite place to visit as a family

We replaced our family pass from the Ontario Science Centre to the ROM, which my kids have loved exploring. Locally we love heading to the Beach, or our local park, Orchard Park to play ping pong or slackline.  You also may find us dining at the Eulalie’s Corner Store - a family-friendly watering hole in our Upper Beach hood.

Perfect day alone

I like the combination of being alone, amongst others. I like hanging at Dark Horse to have a coffee and hang out - but get the “Norm” from Cheers treatment. It would be followed going Toronto Community Acupuncture on Davies to get my insides aligned and then Body Blitz to sweat out all the coffee I drank! So basically it would involve coffee and someone touching me (in a therapeutic way) or putting needles in me (also in a therapeutic way). I am a bit of a self-care junkie!

Story by Renee Tratch | Photos by Emily D Photography

MSc. RD Registered Dietitian and Owner of Vibrant Nutrition

One of the first times I met Nish was on a wagon ride into a strawberry field with our kids. As we picnicked I remember eyeing with envy her kid’s lunch - so healthy and colourful and her little guy was eating it!

I was inspired - as so many people are when they meet Toronto mom Nishta Saxena.

Turns out, she really knows her way around food – healthy food. The mom-of-two is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Vibrant Nutrition, a practice that helps, among many other things, parents who are struggling to feed their babies, children and themselves affordably and nutritiously. 

She knows her stuff and her work-life takes her into hospitals and Family Health Teams as a clinical RD and to U of T as a faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

And you’ll often see her in the media busting the myths on the latest food trends with science-based nutritious ways to fuel you’re families. This week she spoke with CTV Your Morning about foods that can boost your child’s brain power in 15 min a day (yes please), a topic she has written on for an upcoming book.

But when you meet Nish, you know that her expertise is not just nutrition. She connects so easily with friends and neighbours as she does with clients. I love her honest approach to parenthood, the perfect dose of sarcasm that will always leave you smiling, and strong sense of community.  

She has been a Torontonian in all parts of the city but you can now find her and her family enjoying all the awesomeness of the east end. This is how her mom and work worlds mesh and what she loves best about T.O. 

Motherhood at the moment

Just like all moms, it is non-stop. Non-stop moving, talking, walking, scheduling, listening, playing, pooping, learning, being and eating - not in that order. I work in three iterations of being a paediatric and family dietitian, and in between my husband’s and my busy practice, there is very little down time. I feel a bit like there’s always a ball dropping somewhere around me at any given moment. So I just look at the ones that are up. I’ve really taken to celebrating the “small wins” of motherhood. It’s a great way to maintain positivity within the chaos.

Current kid challenge

I have two bright, vibrant kids - three- and five-years-old. They could probably play continuously for 20 hours if I let them. We are working on identifying and creating healthy boundaries, learning that our emotions need not dictate our response completely (especially when it involves throwing toys or pinching!), and helping them to think about their favourite experience daily to develop some gratitude. My daughter is a powerful and strong little person, so we are working on helping her get to her words before her emotions take her over. There is the struggle for both total independence and being little happening simultaneously!

Best decision

Trusting the vision and moving forward with my dream. In my profession, it can be easy to take a position that offers stability and guaranteed income. Leaving “The Institutions” for me was risky, but liberating beyond belief! My work is my passion and after my first child I made the decision to only pursue avenues of work that amplify my passion. I drastically cut hours in the academic and hospital-based realms after second baby and I haven’t missed it one bit.

Smallest change biggest impact

Letting go of the insignificant. Since becoming a mother, I am happy to have friends over to my humble house without making everything just so. Read: perfect hosting. It’s been amazing to realize we can all have a wonderful time, laughing, eating and being merry, without things looking Pinterest-worthy. It’s like when you agonized about the small details at your wedding and nobody noticed because they were all drunk and eating! I can be unapologetic now about the fact that guests may have to step over, or even on Lego pieces during their visit! I just let it go. Don’t get me wrong, the house is “technically” clean, and I promise the eats will be delicious and nourishing but if you wander upstairs, the beds definitely aren’t made. More importantly, I don’t care!

How does being a dietitian help you be a better mom?

Well, without sounding like a total cliché (read: jerk), my children have a great relationship with food and eating behaviour. They understand food is for nourishing and fuelling them. They understand to listen to their bodies, trust their bodies to tell them when to start, what to choose and what to eat most of the time.

Keep mom sane

Sane-ness for me equals movement. I was a dancer in my younger days and I have always found getting out of my head the best way for me to stay sane. It’s medicine for me. Lifting very heavy weights at Fortis Fitness, dancing to heart-pounding music with ridiculous lyrics (what happened to song lyrics?!), yoga or just plain walking really shift my mood and allow me to decompress. I also tend to have great business ideas when I am walking or moving, which is a bonus. A nice hot shower and good quality coffee also keeps me sane, just ask my spouse.

Favourite hood

I love the east end community - Leslieville, Riverside, The Pocket. I fully switched teams from west to east after having kids. I have a sense of community here, which is very important to my partner and me. It’s partly based on the high density of families and it’s pretty neat to watch how Carlaw Ave, where my office is located, has sky-rocketed and is now branded as Fitness Row and one of the coolest streets in T.O.  

Favourite place to visit as a family

We love anywhere we can connect to nature and be a part of it. Evergreen Brick Works is an amazing experience literally any time of year. We recently had the most perfect sunny beach experience at The Bluffs at the end of summer - felt like we had travelled somewhere and left town. Every year we aim to take time to go on a nice fall walk for apple picking and pumpkin patching. Or we hike together to notice the change in colours, the crunch of the leaves and the crisp air.

Perfect day alone

Wake up. As in, not being “woken up.” Delicious coffee freshly ground from an independent (e.g. Tearo, Birds and the Beans, Ideal Coffee.) Head to gym Fortis Fitness (see above) then home for a hot shower. Have some random conversations with neighbourhood people. Later, maybe hit up new galleries or exhibitions or look at amazing fashion - I love the visual massage of beautiful things. Maybe sneak a trip to Bergstrom Originals or Gravity Pope and then after a few texts to BFFs, justify buying another pair. Eat something delicious and satisfying – like a well-executed sandwich, quiche, a warm perfectly crisped burrito, multi-ingredient grain or salad bowl. Urban Herbivore, Via Mercanti and Lady Marmalade are a few faves. More coffee and some reflection on how truly lucky I am, then chatting and unwinding with friends and hubby over some wine and good music.

As silly as this may sound, eventually I would want to see my kids again. So capping the day by seeing them would make it perfect.

Story by Renee Tratch | Photos by Emily D Photography

Editor-in-Chief and General Manager, SavvyMom Group

If you’re a mom in Toronto - or anywhere in the world for that matter – you can guarantee that one of your biggest, strongest and most supportive circles of mom friends is that group of mamas you’ve connected with online.

They’re smart, funny when you most need it, and real.

Toronto mom Natalie Milne knows it. As Editor-in-Chief and General Manager of the SavvyMom Group, one of the biggest parenting digital networks in Canada, she connects moms across the country to share stories, learn from experts and each other, and basically support one another through this thing called motherhood. 

Natalie has been learning about motherhood even before becoming a mom - pre-kids she covered the pregnancy beat for Today's Parent magazine. Now the mom-of-two has her finger on the pulse on all of the latest and greatest in parenting must-have's and must-do's.

So what to do? Sometimes it's the smallest changes that make the biggest impact. Read on. The born-and-raised Torontonian (minus a few teenaged years spent in Newfoundland) shares how she makes mom- and city-life work. 

Motherhood at the moment

Hectic. No different than any other mom I know. I have two little kids who need a ton of love and attention, a very demanding job and an equally busy spouse who travels a lot for work. There are weeks I feel like I fail everyone and other weeks I manage to stay on top of my work, spend quality time with my kids and even have little time left over to work out and be social.  

Current kid challenge

Getting my two-year-old to stop waking up at night – we’re almost there. This was new for us, because while my oldest daughter wasn’t a napper and it was hard to get her into bed, she was always a superstar at sleeping through the night. Right now I feel like I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in years.

Riskiest decision

Career-wise it would have been leaving a very comfortable job at Today’s Parent at the end of my first maternity leave to join a small start-up. Since joining that company, it has grown from eight employees to almost 40 (and still expanding) and we have acquired several other parenting sites to form one of the biggest parenting digital networks in Canada, the SavvyMom Group. It felt like a huge risk, but now looking back I see it was one of the wisest decisions I ever made.

Smallest change biggest impact

No longer feeling bad about taking time for myself. If I get a chance to go away for weekend with my girlfriends or out for an evening after work, I take it. By investing in myself I am a much more patient mom when I’m with my kids.

How being a parenting editor helps be a better mom

I feel like my professional life has been preparing me for motherhood since the beginning. My first big project when I started at Today’s Parent was to update the weekly pregnancy guide—I learned more about pregnancy in those first couple of weeks than I ever wanted to know! In my role at SavvyMom I’m always researching the best products and services for families, attending family-friendly events and reading the latest studies on kids’ health and safety. That knowledge definitely translates into my personal life—probably a little too much as I’m inundated with new information daily on how to raise kids (and I drive my husband crazy).

Keep mom sane

We have a small cottage just outside of Haliburton that we bought just before we had kids. It’s nothing fancy, but spending a weekend up north with my family gives us quality time we can never seem to get in the city. Packing and getting out of town on Friday nights after work is not easy, but once we arrive it’s so worth it. Also, I couldn’t live without date nights out with my husband. We usually end up at Gio Ranas Really Really Nice Restaurant (we need a sure bet when we’re paying for a sitter and actually get out), brunch with my friends at ViVetha Bistro in the Beaches, and a good run on the boardwalk.

Favourite hood

The Beaches. My husband is a born and bred Beacher and I’ve lived in the ‘hood for almost 20 years. It is my favourite piece of Toronto. Many of our friends live within walking distance, there’s a ton of greenspace and we’re close enough to downtown to make commuting to work manageable. We technically live a little north of the Beaches just off Kingston Road, and that area has been blossoming so nicely over the last 10 years.

Favourite place to visit as a family
We love Centreville. It was always a tradition for my family when I was growing up to visit and now we plan a day every summer with the kids. My youngest’s first visit was when she was just three weeks old! For everyday stuff, we love going to the Balmy Beach Club. My husband has been a member since he was in high school. The views are amazing and they’re pretty welcoming to kids. 

Perfect day alone

I’m a pretty social person, if I have time without my kids or husband, I usually schedule time in with my friends, mom and/or sisters. So, on those rare kid-free days, I usually gather up some friends to grab lunch and Caesars at Betty’s and then hit the waters at Body Blitz (the east location). A couple of hours there feels like taking a mini-vacation.

Story by Renee Tratch | Photos by Emily D Photography

Motherhood and Loss: Lynne's Story

Loss.

When you hear that word, your mind goes there - death. You think of the loss of a loved one, the heavy pain of losing that person and the hole that’s left in your life and heart when they are gone.

But loss is not always a physical death.

For Lynne Newman, an occupational therapist whose passion and business lie in supporting moms in their motherhood journey, loss so often goes unspoken and unseen.

“The loss is often the loss of an expectation of how you imagined your life to be,” she says openly. And that’s Lynne – her heart and mind are always open, helping to guide expectant mothers, parents and their families to a place where they can let emotions out and realize their own insights.

She has learned first-hand about the importance of self-compassion and self-care and how to find strength during her own struggles.

Lynne and her husband have been married for nine years. It was a journey that started with doctors to treat fertility issues and then miscarriages.

“I had two miscarriages really early on, only five weeks,” she explains. “For me they were deaths - whether it takes you a long time to get pregnant or not. I really wanted to be a mom.”

When she was pregnant the third time with her eldest, her husband was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. It later spread, leaving them to hope that he might be part of that 10 per cent that lives. 

“I was at the happiest time of my life – finally pregnant after fertility issues and losses – and then he gets diagnosed.”

And that’s how motherhood started.

For Lynne and her husband, the biggest loss has been that their choices have been taken away. They have two gorgeous girls (now six- and four-years-old) who no doubt recognize and thrive in their parents’ love and resilience. But every decision – whether to grow their family and in which direction they move forward - does not come easily.

“I wanted four kids and totally would have a third, but we can’t have another biological kid in our time frame.” 

But Lynne knows that for herself and her clients it’s about “releasing the expectation.”

“What I learned in all of this is a true surrender to what is,” she says. “The loss brings you to the present moment and magnifies what really matters.”

As they wait for the results of new scans, she and her family continue to live in the now and focus on being grateful every day.

~

Lynne loves travelling (ask her family's recent temporary stay in Bali) and the small-town feel of her east-end hood. Here is more on her motherhood and what she loves about Toronto:

Motherhood at the moment

Ah motherhood. My daughter was preparing me for motherhood before I even became a mother. I lost two pregnancies and struggled with infertility as a secondary effect of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and I always loved this quote: “Perhaps every couple faced with fertility struggles is being led by a more advanced soul that is gently moulding his or her new parents.” Motherhood has been a deep spiritual journey for me. I take it seriously and have done a lot of healing work around loving and accepting myself for who I am as well as processing the stress of fertility, loss and mothering while supporting a husband on his own healing journey with cancer.

Best decision

I moved on from my full-time work to focus on my own healing as I knew I couldn’t support twenty families a week while I was going through my own shit storm. That was over three years ago and it was the best decision ever. Not the easiest, but well worth it. Actually it was really hard as we needed the money, but my health was more important and we figured it out. Today, we are living the life we want. It’s not that everything is easy, but we are consciously creating a life and business that feels aligned to our values and what is most important to us. Life is too short to wait until you’re retired to live out your dreams.

Smallest change biggest impact

Simplifying.

What are you really good at?

Listening to my inner voice and helping others hear theirs.

Keep mom sane

I consciously claim time and space to just be. Give myself lots of permission and compassion. I invest in personal and business support. I have a loving and uber supportive husband. I keep a gratitude journal. I meet up with friends and family and new business besties - Mamas & Co. We love to camp - Awenda park. Daily walks around the neighbourhood with the dog. 

Favourite hood

My favourite hood is where I live - a pocket between Leslieville and Beaches.

Favourite place to visit as a family

We often leave the house and come back hours later. We visit the Woodbine Park and then the Boardwalk, we stop for a hot chocolate, go to the Beaches Library and also run errands. I love the fact that we live in a big city yet it feels like a small community town.

Perfect day alone

Every few months or so my husband will take the girls to his parents near Prince Edward County for the weekend to give me some time alone. Once the girls stopped nursing this became a tried and true ritual. As an introvert who loves to be with others yet recharges on her own, I find these weekends deeply nourishing. In university, Friday nights were my favourite nights to stay in. My time is spent doing whatever I want and is often a mix of being at home spending the day in my t-shirt, de-cluttering, watching Call the Midwife or an old movie like City of Angels or P.S. I Love You. Then meeting up with a friend or two for dinner, or brunch at Lady Marmalade after a quiet day.

Creator of Time Out! Stand-up Comedy Night for Parents

Parenthood is a joke.

Of course we mean that in the most light-hearted you-gotta-laugh-or-you-just-might-cry kind of way. And no one captures this more than Erin Keaney - comic, actor, singer, dancer, writer, producer and the creator of Time Out! Stand-up Comedy Night for Parents.

The east-end mom has been in ‘show business’ for nearly 30 years, including lead roles in musical theatre productions across North America and appearances on CBC and CTV. Between comedy and auditioning for film, TV and voice work, Erin also teaches singing lessons to kids, runs a summer camp and works at Upper Beach Health and Wellness.

We love how she pokes fun at all things parenting. The stories are often outrageous, sometimes offensive because they are hilariously true. We cried (from laughter) when we saw her in action at her stand-up comedy night – the first show of the 'new year' is Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Lazy Daisy’s Café.

The Hamiltonian-turned-Torontonian gives some stellar sanity tips on parenting teenagers and the funniest way to describe her favourite east end hood. Add that one to the map.

Motherhood at the moment

Well…I’ve been separated for a year-and-a-half and share my girls with their dad 50/50. My girls are almost 13 and 9. There’s a lot of nagging with love.

Current kid challenge

When my almost teenager loses her shit and not joining her in the shit losing. I read an article about teenagers and their brain developing and this is why they expel emotions that can offend parents. I try not to take it her outbursts personally and ask her to hang out in her room for a break and we can talk later about it later.

Best, riskiest and craziest decision

Deciding at 41 to start MC-ing and producing a comedy show. 

Smallest change biggest impact

Exercise. When in doubt I exercise. I feel like if I have a current challenge I’m facing, I go to the gym, workout and prove to myself that if I can lift a weight that seems like too much ( or even just get to the gym when I don’t want to go) I can do whatever challenge I’m facing with the same determination. 

Keep mom sane

I'm good at being positive, seeing the bright side when I’m not depressed. (No seriously, I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety). And even when I’m sad I’ve learned to be kind to myself through mindful mediation. Difficulties pass. It’s a valuable tool to be able to understand and use.

Keep mom saner

I meditate, I workout at the gym, I do kundalini yoga at home and I try and hang out with my amazing mom friends as much as I can.

Favourite hood

Coxwell and Gerrard. I call it 'The Taint' (perineum as the prenatal doctors like to call it.) It taint the Danforth and it taint The Beaches but without it you couldn’t get to either place. 

Favourite place to visit as a family

We love going to a public outdoor pool in the summer and a public ice rink in the winter. It’s such a great thing to do in the city.

Perfect day alone

I love going to Lazy Daisy Cafe for a coffee and a breakfast Burrito, go for a workout at Goodlife, prep/and perform my comedy night with fantastic comics and an amazing audience.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Founder and Lead Makeup Artist at The Beauty Movement

There was never a moment when makeup wasn’t on Shira Ben’s mind. In fact, it was something that helped her through life’s many changes since leaving her home in South Africa.

The self-described “makeup and beauty junkie” moved to Toronto at 17 after spending her teen years in Israel. As soon as she arrived, the city felt like home.

Studying and working in the field of social work eventually led her to follow her lifelong passion for makeup and create The Beauty Movement, an award-winning mobile beauty business offering luxury makeup and hair to Toronto and GTA clients.

“When I am working and helping women feel more confident, it makes me so happy – a feeling I bring home with me,” says the mom of a very cute toddler. (You may get a glimpse of the sleep-resistant cutie on Shira’s instagram.) 

When she’s not creating a customized look for a special occasion or unique ‘survival kits’ for GTA brides, she is hanging out with her family in her home-hood of the Beach. (Read below for her not-to-miss T.O. destinations.)

Oh, and she’s also getting ready to work alongside Gwyneth Paltrow next month - Shira is one of the few Toronto makeup artists choosen to participate in the launch of the organic beauty line by goop and Juice Beauty.

Motherhood at the moment

I didn't expect my daughter (who is now 20 months) to grow up so quickly. Every day brings new challenges and decisions. I feel like every day she is a new kid. My biggest mommy challenge at the moment is trying to pick a good daycare - turns out I have trust issues I wasn't aware of. I am trying to enjoy every moment as it all changes so quickly.

Current kid challenge

My daughter is pretty much against sleeping and has been that way since birth. It's not exactly a current challenge more like an ongoing one. My partner and I would love some extra shut-eye but we are assured that she'll get there. She's also a bit of a picky eater so I am always trying to come up with cool and creative recipes to get her to eat more of the good stuff.

Best decision

After completing my undergrad I went to the UK to pursue a masters in social work where I also worked in the field for 4 years. My role was regenerating rural communities and helping adults who had been unemployed for many years to get back into work. I found myself burnt out and upset all of the time. I knew I couldn't do it as a career. I came back to Toronto and didn't even bother looking for a job I went straight to the College of Makeup Art & Design and never looked back.

Smallest change biggest impact

Starting yoga. It has significantly helped me stay focused and enjoy the moment. When I am doing yoga I feel incredible both physically and psychologically, which benefits me on many levels.

Mom(preneur) truth

Having your own business is a challenge and I think that I'm a better mom because I am showing my daughter what it looks like to be a strong and resilient woman. I also feel that when I am working and helping women feel more confident it makes me so happy – a feeling that I bring home with me. Being happy and feeling successful in what I do makes it easier for me to take on all the mommy challenges. 

Keep mom sane

I stay sane by walking down to Tori's Bakeshop on Queen St. E and enjoying a gluten-free muffin with a yummy soy latte. My hubby and I like to sneak out to Leslieville once in a while to enjoy some good food and a bottle of vino. Our favorite places to go and relax are Gio Ranna's really really nice Italian Restaurant or Leslie Jones.

Favourite hood

This is a strange one but I love the feel of the downtown financial district. There is always a vibe of success in the air. I also met my husband (to be) there, which always brings back good memories and fun times. 

Favourite place to visit as a family

We live in the Beaches so we usually spend a lot of time together walking our dog and visiting all the parks in our hood. When the weather is nice we go down to the boardwalk and enjoy the beautiful lake. Stopping in at Ed’s Real Scoop for some ice cream seems to be a regular occurrence for us in the summer time. 

Perfect day alone

This must be a trick question...alone?  A perfect day would be browsing the shops on Queen West and walking down to Dark Horse Coffee on Spadina for a delicious Americano. I'm a bit of a nostalgic person and Queen West brings back so many good memories. I would do a bit of shopping then stop in somewhere hip for lunch and probably end my solo day by having a glass of wine with a friend or two at the Shangri-La Piano Bar. 

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Radio & TV Personality

Producer, announcer, engineer, writer, tweeter, blogger, instagrammer and YouTuber - all at the same time and all while chatting live on air to thousands of listeners.

That’s Taylor Kaye. And that’s some crazy-ass multi-tasking. For us moms, it's a serious motherhood skill.

The Toronto radio and TV personality and host at 104.5 CHUM-FM is a mama of three girls. She loves it – like really loves it - and we love that she shares the real deal (check out these videos) of the chaos that is parenthood.

The east-end mom explains why she didn’t wait to start a family, has embraced crafting, savours long bedtimes and why manicure-plus-wine helps you get through it all. 

Motherhood at the Moment

Motherhood right now is a whole lot of fun! I look forward to hanging with my girls. My SpecialKayes and I believe in organized chaos. (Ok, maybe that’s more me!) We have so much fun crafting, playing sports, making Youtube videos and my 9-year-old just got hired to co-host a TV show. It’s called Make it Big, Make it Small. Everyday is different and we like it!

Current kid challenge

Bedtime. Soon as we think we have it locked down - they trick us. We have three girls – 9, 6 and 4 years old - and they all want to read with mommy and daddy and have us both tuck them in. How can you say ‘no’? As soon as we tuck them in, however, out come the questions -- can I have something to eat, can I have another drink of water, can I have another book and please tell me another story! They are only little for a short amount of time so we say yes. As frustrating as bedtime is, I know my husband and I will miss when they don’t want us to read to them and cuddle. 

Best decision

Having children early on in my career. I was going to wait but a mentor, who was in her late 40s when she had her first child, sat me down for a heart-to-heart. I wanted to wait until I got that “big” show or until I was on TV. But my mentor said just do it - that resonated with me. It’s so cliché, but there will never be a perfect time to have kids. After I had my first baby I immediately got hired on the Steven and Chris show and at another radio station. Kids only make your life better! Yes, moms can have it all - just maybe not all at the same time and I’m good with that.

Smallest change biggest impact

Ten years ago I put a broadcast studio in my house. I knew that one day I would have kids and wouldn’t be able to get in to the station sometimes to do an interview. That paid off with my first interview! Kate Hudson couldn’t fly in from NYC because of a snowstorm and I couldn’t get to the station to do a phone interview because of a snowstorm in Toronto. No problem - Kate called my home studio line and we got it done! A couple years later I broadcasted from my home with my second daughter and now I do 80 per cent of my voice work from home. It was a small change and big investment but it’s paid off.

Keep mom sane

I love crafternooning with my kids. My crafts may not be pinterest perfect but we all relax when we do crafts. We also just recently discovered The Doodle Post, a monthly art project subscription for kids. I also love going to The Ten Spot and mine is licensed! You can have a drink when you get your nails done. (I tell the kids it’s mommy’s “special” grape juice if they are with me – ha ha!)

Favourite hood

Hands down the Beaches. Yup I said it. THE BEACHES. Plural! I’m not changing it to “The Beach” sorry! P.S. Matt Damon is living in the Beaches for the summer. Tweet me and maybe I’ll give you a hint on where to find him. But don’t say you heard it from me!

Favourite place to visit as a family

Hmmm so many places. My kids love the CN Tower. They are not afraid of heights. We also love Riverdale Farm and hiking in the Bluffs. We also have so many parks in the east end we just like to walk and discover things.

Perfect day alone

My perfect day would to get my hair done at Fiorio, then get my nails done at The Ten Spot (have a glass of wine there). Then boot over to Leslieville to La Carnita for tacos and margaritas and wrap up at Ed’s Real Scoop back in the Beaches for Burnt Marshmallow Ice Cream. It’s not a late night because I have to be back for bedtime for the kids. I love to cuddle with them at night. Once they are asleep, Netflix and chill with the hubby.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Owner & Designer, Swell Made Co.

“Do good work for good people.”

These are words to live by and the motto that inspired Toronto mom Lesley Pocklington to be a freelance graphic designer, and eventually create her own paper and gift company Swell Made Co.

Lesley has a way with words and design. She brings a simple and modern style into helping clients express exactly what they want to say – even in six letters.

The mom of two explains how she has learned to say ‘no’, the importance of brunch and why life in The Beach is really the best with or without kids in tow.

Motherhood at the Moment

The last few years have been crazy with two little ones, while juggling work, new biz and life. Now that my oldest is 6 and my youngest is 3, we’re departing the world of naps and diapers and heading into “big kid” territory. Things are still busy and the drama continues but we can see a light as the crunch years end. We’re able to do so much as a family now. We’re travelling more, getting involved in more family activities. It’s fun to look ahead at the “golden years” where the kids still want to hang out with us and we can really develop a personality as a family. By that I mean, meshing as unique individuals and making childhood memories - and having inside family jokes.

Current kid challenge

As the kids gets older my current challenge is letting go (a bit at a time). You have to give your kids more autonomy and responsibility as they get older but that constant push and pull of being little and big is hard. You want to do things for them, but you can’t or they won’t let you. It makes me miss those baby years, but excited for the years ahead.

Best decision

Saying “no.” When I said “yes” to everything, I was drowning myself in more ways than one. By simply having the confidence to edit my life (professionally and personally), I am much happier, more intentional, creating better work and just having more space in my life to focus on the things that are truly meaningful to me.

Smallest change biggest impact

Realizing I am responsible for my own happiness in every situation (work, family, life). If I don’t like something, I need to change it. That can apply to anything, really - small or big. In my case it’s been applied to pretty mundane things, but it has a big impact. If I’m happier, my whole family is happier. I do better work. I make better choices. It’s simple, but didn’t come so easily. I don’t what I was waiting for before.

Working mom truth

I love what I do, and just by doing it, I’m a better mom. Being either a graphic designer, entrepreneur or artist (or all at once) has been constant and a priority throughout my life. I truly believe spending your time doing something you love will teach your kids to do the same. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have challenges or doubts, but I can see a bigger picture if I stick it out and work hard.

Keep mom sane

I try to meet up with friends and other creative business owners for brunch at least once a week or every two weeks. It’s a nice way to explore the city and its restaurants, plus have adult conversations with people who inspire me. My days are short and packed. Having brunch “meetings” forces me to slow down for an hour or so. I love the honey-cardamom coffee (life-changing) and Egyptian breakfast at Maha’s on Greenwood. I also like to venture out of the east end to places Rose & Sons and La Cubana. Quoting my favourite plate, brunch is for winners.

Favourite hood

It’s hard to choose. I live in the Beach but really love the east end as a whole. I love seeing it change over the years. Leslieville has a different vibe (and better restaurants - there, I said it), so we spend a lot of time there. To be honest, we make an effort to visit a lot of neighbourhoods in Toronto because some days it feels like a different city and that’s part of the adventure. We typically end up in West Queen West, Roncesvalles, the Distillery and Kensington Market.

Favourite place to visit as a family

It’s nice to feel like you’re getting away without leaving the city. We love to visit Toronto Island and Queens Quay in the summer and Evergreen Brick Works all year round. All spots have lots of events and activities for kids and adults, but you can also lay low and lounge on the beaches or walk through the trails. Flexible places for families, where you can go at your own pace are our faves.

Perfect day alone

A perfect day in Toronto would include yoga, coffee, reading and getting outside. I’d head to my yoga studio for a Vinyasa class in the morning. After, I’d hit up Rooster Coffee on Broadview Ave to have a latte while soaking in the views of Toronto. After reading for a little while, I’d head back to my neighbourhood for a walk through a little known gem - Glen Stewart Ravine, which leads down to the beach and spend some time on the Boardwalk. It’s a simple day. As a mom, you truly appreciate the little things.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, Well.ca

Let’s just say it. Moms steer the ship.

Working mama Erin Young is at the helm of the marketing and merchandising of Well.ca, Canada’s largest online retailer of health, home, baby and beauty products. She is mama to three little ones.  

Like most moms, multi-tasking is the name of the game and since moving from big consultancy firm to a smaller biz, Erin has learned “to live with imperfection and to only push where it really matters.”

Good advice, whether at home or work.

She shares her momhood experiences, fave recipes and products for The Well and squeezes in weekly road trips to the Guelph office to prepare for the company’s first storefront scheduled to open at the Shops at Don Mills in Toronto next month.

Here is the Riverdale mom’s guide to Toronto and working-mom life.  

Motherhood at the Moment

On a good day - crazy and fun. On a bad day - insane! I have three little ones – a son in SK, a 3-year-old daughter and an 11 month old. I went back to work when my baby was 4 months old so juggling work, increasingly demanding (and fun) older kids and a baby has been a bit challenging. Things are finally starting to settle into a routine and I am trying to enjoy this crazy time. I have a wonderful nanny and a great husband. He travels a fair bit for work, but does more than his fair share when he is at home.

Current kid challenge

Every child has its unique challenge, but right now it’s my daughter keeping me up at night. She can be the sweetest, kindest and most helpful kid in the world but she has a real stubborn streak. I know this will pass and will be replaced with another completely different and equally challenging phase.

Biggest decision that got you here

Before my second child was born, I was living an exciting but gruelling lifestyle at a large management consulting firm. Up until the last weeks when I could travel pregnant I was on 17 different flights. So after she was born, I knew I needed a change. I am very risk averse so going from a large company to joining Well.ca, which at the time was a small but rapidly growing business, was a huge leap for me.

Smallest change biggest impact

I have become much better at letting things go and focusing on the things that truly matter. Being in a small business environment with a small team means that nothing is ever going to be perfect, as there aren’t enough people on the team or hours in the day to get even close to perfection. I have learned to live with imperfection and to only push where it really matters.

Keep mom sane

Exercise keeps me sane. I try to exercise almost every day, usually early in the morning before the kids get up. In some ways, it feels selfish to do this but I know that if I don’t exercise, I am not a good person to be around. I also love to cook. This however seems to have morphed from cooking the elaborate multiple-course dinner parties to finding a great recipe that will please the whole family and yield leftovers.

Favourite hood

I love the hood that we live in - Riverdale. I grew up in North Toronto and never knew that this pocket of the city existed, beyond the Greek restaurants on the Danforth. I love the parks, coffee shops, restaurants and the fact that my kids can walk to school. We are close to the Queen St. with its great art galleries, boutiques and restaurants but also close to the Bloor Subway line. Plus, the view from the Rooster Coffee House on Broadview is the best in the city.

Best place to visit as a family

We love to spend time at the Evergreen Brick Works. We are there almost every Saturday morning. We do most of our weekly shop at the Farmers’ Market and we really try to involve the children in picking out things that they want to eat. The kids love getting breakfast (Clement’s Crepes are a fave!) and then going to look at the turtles in the pond or running around the children’s garden. We almost always run into friends, which makes it even more special.

Perfect day alone in Toronto

I can’t remember the last time I did this! I would start the day with a run outside or a spinning class. I would then go sit on the patio at the Riverdale Perk with coffee and a morning glory muffin and read the newspaper or a book. After that, I would take a stroll through the neighbourhood and eventually grab some lunch at Café Fiorentina on the Danforth – they make the most amazing paninis, soups and delicious treats. I would then head over to Queen West for a little shopping – I love the eclectic mix of stores.  And would then treat myself to a little gelato at Terroni Sud Forno. Finally I would meet up with some girlfriends for some great food and wine at Bar Ravel. Apparently my perfect day involves a lot of eating!

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Children's Book llustrator

Sometimes you just need a little reinventing.

Pre-kids Carey Sookocheff illustrated for editorial clients like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. After staying home with her girls until they were off to school, the Toronto illustrator knew it was time for a switch. She returned to her industry but this time as a children’s book illustrator.

Carey is the creator of the images of the loveable animal couple Buddy and Earl, a picture book written by Maureen Fergus and published by Groundwood Books. Two more titles - Buddy and Earl Go Exploring and Buddy and Earl and the Great Big Baby – are being released this year.

The post-kids shift also got Carey writing, and later this fall her very own picture book Solutions for Cold Feet (by Tundra Books) will be published and Wet (by Henry Holt) will be released next year.

And you know what? It all started with a 'no' -- read on about that one decision that got her here and what the Riverdale mom loves best about Toronto. 

Motherhood at the moment

I feel like my role right now involves a lot of organizing and managing. I am the keeper of the schedule, the clothes organizer and toy wrangler. I always feel very accomplished when we actually have rubber boots that fit and no one is wearing a spring coat that is 2 sizes too small. Aside from all the organizing I am also (very happily) the story time reader (we are on book 5 of Harry Potter), the kitchen supervisor (my nine-year old has started baking), and the general activities planner.

Current kid challenge

Being the referee. I have two girls who are 7 and 9 years old. They both have strong personalities and their own interests. It’s no longer always possible to have the two of them doing the same thing at the same time. The younger one is no longer happy to tag along after what her big sister is doing. It means a lot of compromising and a lot of arguing. And I’m (slowly) learning that humour and getting everyone outside are the usually the best solutions.

Riskiest decision

I generally don’t make impulsive decisions. But I suppose it was moving to Toronto to go to art school and really pursue art as a career was a great decision for me. It hasn’t always been easy (or financially lucrative!), but it was the right decision.

Smallest change that made the biggest impact

I turned down a job from a high profile client right after my second daughter was born. He wouldn’t divulge the details unless I said I was available, but I do remember him saying that I would regret not taking the job. After my first daughter was born I had continued to work with some regular clients so this was a turning point for me. It was the point where I realized that I was shifting gears and really committing to staying at home with the kids and not pursuing illustration for a while. I’ve thought about that job periodically and at one point I did regret not taking it. I don’t anymore. I’m happy that I was home with my kids until they went off to school and that I am now able to still work as an illustrator just in a different venue.

Keep mom sane

Spending time with my husband and my friends. I work at home so I spend a lot of time by myself working or with the kids. Time with other adults has become pretty important to me. I try to make a point to meet up with friends for lunch whenever I can. My daily dose of sanity also comes from walking our dog Rosie. I like taking her to Cherry Beach. The fresh air and the walk is good and it’s easy to be happy watching a goofy dog having the time of her life every day.

Favourite hood

My hood! Riverdale.

Favourite place to visit as a family

Everyone loves going for a bike ride on the Leslie Spit. And Cherry Beach with the dog. And Evergreen Brickworks, especially their summer pizza nights.

Perfect day alone

I work alone in my basement studio so if I have a free day I like to spend it with someone and get out of the house. My day would be spent with my husband and would involve pain au chocolate from Bonjour Brioche, a bike ride heading west along Lakeshore/Martin Goodman trail, a stop at the beach, a lunch of french fries from some random food truck, shopping along Queen West, playing frisbee in the park and a dinner with the whole family at Pizza Libretto followed by homemade ice cream (my husband’s specialty) on our front porch.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Moms (and Minis) in T.O.

Moms surrounded by their kids - hugged, held, tugged, cuddled.

“These moments are when moms are the most beautiful,” explains Emily D, the photographer behind the Moms in T.O. series.

Moms and their kids are at the heart of the inspiring stories we share on Moms in T.O.

For Emily, these are the stories she was made to tell.

She calls it a gift – not the ease and ability that she has for capturing the spirit of parenthood in her photos, but the opportunity to spend these moments with moms in Toronto. It’s a privilege and a comfort to hear every mother’s story of challenges and joys of raising a family in this city.

As moms, we can all relate.

Motherhood – wherever you call home and whatever the mom-life you choose - is a powerful and uniting force. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, working part-time, balancing full-time or existing in a unique family-work life world, one-on-one time with moms and their children all look the same.

So capture it.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Emily is bringing together Toronto moms to celebrate motherhood in the city and to help and give hope to mothers around the world.

Emily D Photography has partnered with Oma Chiropractic to offer a ‘Minis with Moms’ photo sessions. All proceeds go to Give Her Hope, a campaign by Mom in T.O. Emily Teo to raise money for maternal health clinics in Nigeria, as part of Plan Canada.

Reserve your spot at Give Her Hope. 

Minis with Mom

Saturday, May 7, 2016

15 minute sessions between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Leslieville Portrait Studio

$100 (1 digital file and tax receipt for the donation)

Reserve your spot by emailing emilychanteo@gmail.com

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

As moms, we all need personal projects. Emily’s is to make pregnancy and birth safe for every woman.

Last Fall while on maternity leave she set out to raise awareness and improve global maternal health by starting Give Her Hope, a partnership with Plan Canada to help fundraise for health clinics in Nigeria for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Since having two healthy pregnancies and safe births in Toronto, Emily has learned that so many women and their babies are at risk in developing countries, especially during the first days of life . According to the World Health Organization, 800 women die every day due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and 99 per cent of these maternal deaths occur in the developing world.

Read more on how you can support Emily’s campaign, what inspires her most and the challenges and joys of raising a family in Toronto.

Motherhood at the moment

My imminent return to work is causing a lot of anxiety. I have been jokingly telling my husband that I need to find a new job where the kids (and a nanny) can come to the office with me. My husband has been affectionately calling me clingy.

Current kid challenge 

Getting them to eat. They will both eat fruit and vegetables but pass on protein and most carbs. They are both small kids—my 10 month old still fits 3-6 month clothes—and need the calories. I smother their food with butter and cheese. However, they tend not to finish their food, and since I don’t want it go to waste, I eat it—that has not been good for my waistline.

Best decision to date  

Traveling. A couple months ago my husband and I decided to take an impromptu vacation in the Philippines. Being in a foreign developing country with two young kids was stressful - we were sleep deprived and jet lagged and had moments when my daughter developed a horrible heat rash or the kids didn’t eat anything but mangoes this one day. But the trip was amazing. My husband and I have travelled to over 25 countries and it was in our travels that I became interested in maternal health. Our son saw children begging for food in the Philippines and it opened up a dialogue on poverty and helping others. He’s become more interested in helping me fundraise for Give Her Hope.

Smallest change that made the biggest impact 

Ask for help. My parents have always taught me to be self-reliant and I have a fear of rejection - that combo means I hate asking people for things. But, I have learned that there is no harm in asking, and instead it opens up opportunity. I have been pushing myself to ask people to help me fundraise for Give Her Hope in different capacities and I have seen how generous and kind people are.

Mom is a project manager

At my day job, I have to be organized but flexible and be able to reshuffle schedules and prioritize quickly. I feel it’s the same with being a mom. Things rarely go according to my plan, but I roll with the punches and shift things around to accommodate for the chance.

Keep mom sane

My husband keeps me grounded. He reminds me that I need to get out of the house, or if I am too lazy to get dressed, it means taking the kids out for a couple of hours and bringing me some bubble tea from ChaTime. We also split the housework evenly and he takes care of the chores I absolutely hate (laundry and dishes). Having domestic responsibilities shared frees up time and energy for me to do the things that make me happy… which is sometimes creating spreadsheets.

Favourite hood

Toronto is so amazing for its diverse neighbourhoods. I live in Willowdale in North York and so I am fond of it simply because it is home. I love Chinatown and Kensington because it was home to my grandparents and I spent weekends and summer days there. The Beaches is great for when I feel outdoorsy; the Junction for meeting up with other young families; King West for coffee.

Favourite place to visit as a family

The Ontario Science Centre because I am science nerd and my family used to go a lot when I was kid. I also love Evergreen Brick Works. On weekends, we like to bring a picnic, pick up a couple of items at the farmers’ market and have lunch there.

Perfect day alone

I would start off with breakfast at Patisserie Sebastien. They have amazing quiches, but I usually opt for a pain au chocolat with a latte. Then I would start meandering from Queen West to Parkdale checking out the bead and fabric stores between Spadina and Bathurst. I like to window shop at the design stores Morba and Design Republic and daydream about refurnishing my home. I would definitely make a stop (and purchase!) at Mini Mioche, Crown Flora Studio and The Workroom. For a late lunch, I’ll have tea and scones at The Kitten and the Bear. Because it’s my perfect day, they will not have run out of scones and there will be seating room when I arrive, no matter how late in the day. I’ll end off the day eating Japanese take-out from Taro’s Fish (in the north end) while binge watching TV.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Doula, Registered Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist

A happy mom makes for a happy family.

Lindsay Witton knows this well. As a registered social worker and mental health therapist at Women’s College Hospital, and now as a doula, she dedicates her time to providing support to new moms.

Parenthood - especially during the early, early days and the long, long nights - is an incredibly vulnerable time for new moms emotionally and physically. As a doula, Lindsay helps expectant parents prepare for birth, provides labour support and offers overnight postnatal care to help families with sleep, build their confidence and ultimately get them started on the right foot. 

We love moms helping moms and saying 'yes' (as Lindsay explains below) to building a support network.

The mom-of-two is also a born-and-raised Torontonian - be sure to check out what she loves best about raising a family in her hometown.

Motherhood at the Moment

I’m settling back into my working (outside the home) mom identity. The end of my second maternity leave was both exciting and sad and a big change for all of us with new routines, caregivers and a busier schedule. My kids do a lot more connecting during the night and I’m more grateful than ever that we invested in a king size bed!

Current Kid Challenge

My biggest challenge is feeling that there is enough time. It’s hard work to sustain the balance between a career I love and being present for two young kids. I think lots of moms struggle with this and I certainly come up against “mama guilt.” I try to be really mindful of keeping my expectations realistic and thinking about the bigger picture (rather than a single day or week where I’ve been really busy with work and had less family time). I also know that my kids see me as passionate, engaged and energized by my work. That’s pretty cool.

Sleep! My daughter (now 4 years old) has always been a great sleeper. After she was born my husband and I went out to restaurants, weddings and parties with her asleep on me in a baby wrap. We thought we were pretty darn clever and cool and easy-going as parents. Then, of course, we had another baby that is the opposite temperament and needs much more connection during the night. Very humbling. 

Smallest change that made the biggest impact

Learning to say “yes” to offers of support and help. It’s a seemingly small thing but has had a huge positive impact for my family.

She is really good at…

I’m good at “sitting with” big, uncomfortable feelings and helping others feel heard and validated. I’m genuine, non-judgmental, and professional. These qualities are why clients seek me out.

What happens when mom is a therapist and doula

My work can be physically and emotionally messy and raw and uncomfortable. The ability to stay calm and grounded amidst this has been invaluable for me as a mom.  

Keep mom sane

I can’t say enough about the importance of my support network. In addition to building my “village,” I stay professionally challenged with new initiatives and learning. I just launched my doula website and I am a guest educator on perinatal mental health at Bloom Toronto.

Favourite hood

It’s hard to choose just one. It’s been really cool to introduce my kids to some of the hoods of T.O. where I spent time growing up. We enjoy browsing the shops and grabbing beef patties in Kensington Market. Strolling the boardwalk and dunking toes in the lake in the Beach. Heading downtown to a Jays game. We have a lot of awesome family-friendly stuff close to home in Riverside. In the summer we love the outdoor pool in Riverdale Park East – stopping at Chino Locos for burritos afterwards. This summer we’ve registered my daughter in the Leslieville Peaches Girls Baseball League. I love baseball and learned to play on the same diamonds, which is neat.

Favourite place to visit as a family

My parent’s backyard.

Perfect day alone

The day would start with coffee at Merchants of Green Coffee (a hidden gem around the corner from home). I’d get outside for a run or rollerblade and enjoy a long shower afterwards. Then comes puttering, browsing, reading wherever and whatever feels good for me that day. At some point a glass of wine and oysters. I’d come home to a clean house, and snuggle up with my crew. Perfection.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Style and Image Consultant and Owner of Your Shop Girl

Suzanne Colmer can find you the perfect pair of black pants - a super skill when you’re in the business of pro shopping.

Suzanne is the owner of Your Shop Girl, a Toronto company offering style consulting and personal shopping. Her fashion journey started well before the born-and-raised Scarborough ‎girl ditched the GTA (temporarily) when she discovered Image Consulting. But it was after studying at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and a summer in Paris that she came back to her hometown to set up shop.

The mom (of a very well-dressed two-year-old) can cleanse your closet, find your style and guide you on how to shop more effectively. But her services are much more than just finding that one sought-after item. Suzanne specializes in helping clients find the best version of themselves. And best of all - her services are judgment-free.

Sign me up.

Here is a fashionable mom’s take on motherhood and the city.

Motherhood at the Moment

My daughter is two but she has the energy of about five Jack Russells‎. So motherhood is very busy at the moment.

Current Kid Challenge

Trying to get my daughter to keep her pants on is a challenge and eating anything new is close to impossible. It's like giving a puppy a pill in peanut butter. She can find the vegetables in anything.

Craziest Decision

Starting a business. I had no background, no network and really no idea what I was doing. But I was great at dressing people and incredibly stubborn, so I just figured everything else would grow organically. And it did. It just took a lot of fertilizer and endless love.  

Smallest Change that made the Biggest Impact

Putting away my iphone and ipad when I am with my daughter. I wanted to be really present for her when we are hanging out. It’s a small thing but has huge ramifications. There will always be a huge to-do list so there is really no point in trying to clear it off when we’re together.

When your Mom's a Style Consultant

I have a very well dressed kid. In all seriousness, I think being an entrepreneur really compliments being a mom. ‎I get to have a flexible schedule so we can hang out and I can show my daughter that it is possible to do what you love and make a living. 

Keep Mom Sane

I drink wine and I workout. Not in that order. I love really hard ridiculous workouts that challenge you mentally as much as physically. It is impossible to be stressed about your day when you are doing burpees.

Favourite Hood

To live, the upper beaches. To eat, the West end. To shop, Core Downtown.

Favourite Place to visit as a Family

I love grabbing a coffee and an ice cream for the wee shop girl and walking along the boardwalk during the summer‎. In the winter we spend a lot of time at Sprouts.

Perfect Day Alone

Alone!? ‎This sounds like a magical day. I would start at Mad Hus with a Latte and then take my time heading downtown on the 501 to shop The Bay on Queen and grab an early lunch at Bannock (the turkey burger is amazing). Queen West West would be my next stop. I love discovering the new little boutiques and rummaging through the Vintage stores like I Miss You on Ossington. I would probably end the day with a trip to Gravity Pope to try on fantastic shoes and then grab a glass of wine at the County General to try and forget about all the amazing shoes I had to leave behind. 

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Artist and Author

Cybèle spends most days playing with miniature worlds made from fine Japanese papers. These beautifully and intricately designed sculptural artworks are her creations and have been on display in galleries around the world since her daughter was brand-new. That was almost 20 years ago.

You can see some of these stunning sculptures fantastically transform throughout the pages of her latest publication Some Things I've Lost. Yes, the internationally renowned artist and Toronto mom-of-two (her daughter is 21 and son is 11) is also an author. She has written and illustrated eight insanely creative and curious children’s picture books. Many are biographical (read below about how her art and family inspired them) and award winning (Ten Birds, a counting fable in pen and ink won a Governor General’s Award in 2011.)

A new book is in the works and she is currently working on a new series of artwork that layers sculpture, film and human actors. We can’t wait to see how it unfolds - literally.

Motherhood at the moment:

I’ve finally left that hunter-and-gatherer stage. With an adult and an almost-teen, it’s not so much about constantly responding. There are now longer periods of time doing your own thing and my kids like that. For my son, I find that the more responsibility that he has, the stronger and happier he is. For my daughter, there is a lot of that "letting go" thing. There is a really beauty in seeing them grow and saying ‘I’ve done my job.”

Current Kid Challenge:

There is a lot of switching gears and needing to find one-on-one activities. My daughter is not living at home anymore and when she is here she needs adult conversations with us individually. For my son who is entering into that puberty zone and being online listening to the you-tubers talk, there is some crazy territory to cover. Fiction is a wonderful way of opening up conversation about difficult topics. Reading young adult chapter books has become our best bonding times. We’ve read Kenneth Oppel’s Silver Wing series - I also read it with my daughter at this age – and we just finished Word Nerd by Susan Nielsen. 

How has being a mom inspired your work?

When my daughter was born, she basically dictated how I worked. I would work when she slept and had to learn to do it in a very limited time and space. For the books, A Few Blocks and A Few Bites are 100 per cent biographical. My daughter was much more adept at inspiring my son to get moving in the morning or even to eat his food. She knew how to speak his language. Nancy Knows draws on my own ability to forget. My son melted down one day and wanted to tell me something and I was in a rush. When I said "Save it for later," he got really upset with the idea that if I don’t tell you now, I’ll forget and then it will be gone forever.

How do you keep sane?

Drawing keeps me grounded. And I go to the gym, which is a very very very new thing for me. I have never been a gym person. One of the best things I’ve done recently was take up sailing with one of my oldest friends. I had my daughter when I was 22. It was conscious decision but a crazy crazy time. My friend had her daughter young as well and we raised our daughters at the same time. We realized that we spent 20 years paying for our kids to do extracurricular exciting activities. It was time to do something for ourselves.

Favourite hood: The East Junction is a wonderful exciting neighbourhood. There is a lot galleries and a lot of artists live here. I think it’s one of the highest concentration of artists in the city. Something new is that you can now hop on the Union Pearson and for $5 be at Union Station in under five minutes. You can get down to the lake, have your morning coffee and back in a half-hour. I also love everywhere that follows the old Garrison Creek. The route starts at Dupont and travels to Trinity Bellwoods with so many parks and cafés along the way. I get a very creative vibe and the best ideas to come me walking along that area.

Favourite place in Toronto to visit as a family:

Our go-to has always been to ride our bikes or subway to High Park. There is something to do through every season and for every age.

Perfect day alone in Toronto

I would start with a coffee at Contra at Shaw, go to Type Books on Queen West then read in Trinity Bellwoods Park. If I could, I would love to end my day at my favourite Shiatsu Clinic at Bay and Bloor or meet my daughter for a pedicure. I also love going to Universal Grill, catching an art show, theatre production like Canadian Stage or taking in one of the great lectures by the ROM or the AGO’s Prints & Drawings department. 

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Therapist and Clinical Social Worker

“Thanks for listening.” It was that response - the impact of simply listening to someone share their story – that convinced her that she had found her dream job. A therapist and clinical social worker, Abby provides individual, couples and family therapy in Toronto's East End through Abby Rozen Psychotherapy.

Having a private practice had always been the goal of the now mom-of-two but it wasn’t until her second was born that she dropped the full-time jobs and focused solely on it. Starting a business wasn’t easy, she admits, but it wasn’t nearly as hard as anticipated, and balance is always an on-going issue.

You’ll find that kind of real honesty, inspiration and support (she offers clients on-site babysitting) when you work with her. Here is a peek at how the born-and-raised Torontonian makes her mom-and-work life work. You'll smile and want to hang out.

Motherhood at the Moment

It’s a bit chaotic as I have two sweet, loving, rambunctious boys – my eldest is six and in SK and the youngest is two-and-a-half. They are both intense in completely different ways, which involves a lot of hands-on parenting, assessing what we are doing and constantly changing our approaches as they grow. That is tricky when you combine it with trying to manage a full-time business in part-time hours. It’s exhausting, but we make it work - and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Current Kid Challenge

The sibling relationship! The amount of antagonizing going on between them is maddening. I know everything is a phase but since this is the first time I’ve hit this particular phase I’m concerned as to how long it will last (years, from what I hear). I also worry about how we handle the tiffs because I don’t want my kids to identify with particular labels. Conceptually, I know all about this stuff, but it’s easier said than done when it comes to implementing an effective way to manage it.  

Craziest decision (at the time!)

I guess that would be 18 years ago, when I took a chance on some guy from Texas I accidentally met online who wanted to chat. One wedding, one house, one dog and two kids later, here we are.  It was especially risky given that at the time, internet dating was not yet a thing, nor was I looking to import a husband from Texas.  

Smallest change that has made the biggest impact

Recently I got involved with sponsoring three families from Syria and helping with the East Toronto Families for Syria Hub. It’s intense but it makes me feel less powerless in the tragedies of the world. Also, I get to spend time with awesome people!

What are you really good at?

Connecting with people. People tend to feel comfortable telling me things, even strangers on the subway (and I have no idea why). It’s a great skill to have in my field - after a first session clients tend to tell me that I’m “really easy to talk to.” I really hope that translates well when my kids become teens.

How does being a psychotherapist help you be a better mom?

Oh that’s so tricky, as therapists are notorious for messing up their kids! I guess the fact that I don’t tell my kids to “suck it up” when they are upset and can (generally) be accepting of their difficult emotions without needing to “fix” things comes from my professional work.  Whether or not these skills makes me a “better mom” is yet to be seen, since in the end everyone talks about their mothers in therapy! Even the acceptance that I will mess up along the way takes the pressure off trying to do things right.   

How do you keep sane:

I love being creative and working with my hands - whether it’s playing in a samba band, making essential oil blends or making mala beads. Sometimes this means staying late up into the night working on a project, but it’s “me” time. I’m planning to convert my utility room into a pottery studio soon too. Once a month I head up to the Yoga Cabin for a retreat which grounds and re-centres me. I also love spending time with friends, both with and without our kids. Whether it’s dinner and a playdate at someone’s house or going to any of the local gems (The Shore Leave, Local 1974, Cake Town Cafe, Body Blitz) for some respite, I find friendships the “soul food” of my life.

Favourite Hood:

Mine, obviously! We live at Woodbine and Danforth and I literally do not need to leave to block to get everything I need. I can go to the bank, get groceries, get art supplies, get toys, take my kids to karate, go to yoga, hit up the dollar store, buy shoes, get coffee and baked goods, go to the farmers’ market and go to the park without ever leaving my block.

Favourite place in Toronto to visit as a family?

We like to take family hikes during the warm weather just outside the city, usually Halton. If that’s too far we’ll hit up Sunnybrook Park or the Brick Works for some outdoor time.  

Perfect day alone:

A massage and chiropractic adjustment at Oma Chiropractic, a soak at Body Blitz and brunch at Lady Marmalade or Bonjour Brioche, with the company of an inspiring book. If I have energy, shopping in a neighbourhood I don’t normally get to and dinner with a close friend.  

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Inventor & Co-owner of SleepBelt

Hayley Mullins can now add inventor to her list of titles. The mom, wife, sister, business owner and mompreneur is the creator of the SleepBelt. If you haven’t already come across this new-mom essential, you’ve probably passed babyhood and are now, like me, jealous of missing out on this cozy swaddle-meets-wrap that keeps babies snuggled in safely while you’re hands-free.

The inspiration (you can read more about 'that moment' below) came almost four years ago, when Hayley’s first daughter was a babe. With idea in mind, the East York mom joined forces with her sister, a mom-of-four, to bring the product to life. And as their business continues to grow at lightning speed, so does the SleepBelt's functionality – Hayley continues to use it with her youngest who is almost two. 

Here is more on Hayley’s story and her Toronto. Want to say hi? This spring, she and the SleepBelt will be at the Toronto Baby Show, Green Living Show and Bump to Baby Show.

Motherhood at the Moment

I get most mornings to work while my big one is at preschool and my little one naps. The afternoons are when we do things together like baking cookies (although I swear baking with a toddler is more stressful than being stuck in traffic), going for a walk, playing at the park or grocery shopping.

Current Kid Challenge

Patience. It’s a virtue I sometimes struggle with. I have a three-year-old who doesn’t understand “just a minute please,” and a one-year-old who thinks it’s her personal mission to tear apart the house on a daily basis. It’s constant chaos…especially when we bake.

What was that ‘ah ha!’ moment that got you here?

It wasn’t so much of an “ah-ha” moment as an “uh-oh” moment. My first daughter, like most newborns, was only happy and quiet when she was asleep on me. We were lying in bed when she was two weeks old. When I took my hands off of her to text my sister, she startled and fell off of me.  We panicked, went to the ER and realized that it happens to a lot of new parents. I tried wraps, carriers, slings and babywearing shirts to keep her secure from then on, but nothing did what I wanted it to do, which was quite literally to belt my sleeping baby to me.

What are you really good at?

Following through. Maybe it boils down to stubbornness, but basically, if I decide to do something, it gets done. When you run your own business, you can’t afford to let things go unfinished.

How does what you do professionally help you be a better mom?

Quite simply, owning my own business lets me be present. Yes, sometimes I might have to answer an email from the park, but I love that I can be at the park in the first place. I feel lucky to have that freedom and flexibility.

What advice do you often pass along to other new moms?

Make yourself a priority. Even if it’s a 10-minute walk alone every day, do it. Take a break and restore your mental and physical balance. Your kids, work, or partner won’t fall apart. In fact, it’s quite the opposite because your family can’t drink from an empty well.

How do you keep sane?

I walk. It’s the best way to clear my head. I recently got a fitbit and that small change has made the biggest impact on my life. Tracking my walks satisfies my competitive nature in a healthy way and reminds me that I need to get out and move (aka take a break and leave everything behind for a few minutes.)

Favourite hood?

The Beach. We are close but not close enough. I would go every day if I didn’t have to park a minivan.   

Best place to visit as a family?

Besides The Beach, the Ontario Science Centre.

Perfect Day Alone in Toronto?

Sleep. Hot coffee. Trashy magazines. Bacon. In no particular order. 

By Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Founder & Head Trainer, Belly Bootcamp

Dara is the mom having the most fun at the park. She does a mean obstacle course and genuinely loves horsing around with her three kids. It’s that kind of energy that she pours into her family, and her clients at Belly Bootcamp. One Toronto’s best-known personal trainers and women’s fitness experts, Dara inspires, motivates and builds confidence for new moms (and moms-to-be) through her bootcamp-style classes in parks and studios across the city.

The Parkdale mom began working as a personal training while on track to study law. Her love and focus shifted to prenatal and postnatal fitness when she was pregnant with her first child ten years ago. Belly Bootcamp was born, followed by two more children. We love how she wants her children to see her as not just being vital but that they witness her hard work at building her own business. She would be so inspired if one of them were an entrepreneur one day.

Motherhood at the Moment

Motherhood at the moment means getting to know the unique personality of our youngest, 18-month old Cael, and witness the interactions between her and her siblings, Cash and Caden. Having a baby and adding to a family is such a transformative experience. I feel very grateful to go through it one more time. Every one of my children has made me a better human being through their unique example.

Current Kid Challenge

Making the leap to three was harder than I expected. I’m learning all over again. Our youngest is definitely our spunkiest, and I’m whipping out all my best tools — sometimes succeeding, sometimes not — to help her flourish while still minimizing the number of times she screams, pushes, or grabs from her older siblings! Ha. Toddlerhood is no joke.

What are you really good at?

I am really good at understanding where people are coming from and relating to them, which is very key in a coaching role. In fact, training and coaching involve a great deal of psychology and personal relations. That part of the job is the hardest to learn and longest to hone, but understanding someone is the only route to really helping her make lasting change.

What was the best decision you made that got you here? Sometimes we don’t choose the things we are good at. Deciding to open Belly Bootcamp while pregnant with our second child was the biggest, best decision I’ve made. I’ve truly learned everything I know about business along the way. I went all in and now made a career in the fitness industry for 16 years. My stressed-out lawyer friends assure me I made the right choice! 

How do you keep sane?

I am a voracious non-fiction consumer. I am constantly reading blogs, books, magazines, and anything that can help me improve my professional and personal performance. I’m always taking at least one continuing education course. I try to shut work down when the kids come home from school and I’ve been reducing my phone and email hours drastically. I love movies and music. I’ve even started getting on the adult colouring bandwagon. Of course, I need to exercise to feel sane, even if it’s just a walk with the kids. There are so many things I like to do. The hardest thing these days is finding enough time.

What is your favourite hood?

Definitely Parkdale, our home for 10 years. I’ve always been a west-ender, and I love how close we are not just to our local spots but Roncesvalles, Queen West, Little Italy and Kensington Market.

What is your favourite place in Toronto to visit as a family?

We do a lot of “urban hiking,” especially when the weather is a little too cool for standing around at the park. We usually meander around Queen West, Chinatown, and Kensington. The streets of Toronto are one of our fave hangouts.

What is your perfect day alone in Toronto?

A day alone? That is hard to imagine! I’d start with two cups of amazing coffee at The Capital in Parkdale while I read a novel (paper, not Kobo). I’d walk to a yoga class. Then I’d get a blow dry from my girl Chanel at Fringe Portland, and a massage from my very own sister Alycia at Anatomica RMT, since those are few and far between these days. I’d meet a group of girlfriends for lunch. I’d drink Champagne. I’d go to a matinee movie by myself. Then I’d meet my family because no great day could end without them, and we’d go trampolining or rock climbing together, then out for sushi. Then I’d send them all home and get a hotel room and sleep like a baby. Is that wrong?

By Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Registered Midwife and Owner of Fifty-Seven

Every mom needs a Carolyn in her life. Expecting moms, new moms and the rest of us who are just trying to figure out motherhood. Carolyn is owner of Fifty-Seven, a learning and wellness resource centre in Toronto’s west end that helps parents through the 57 months from pregnancy to preschool.

But her knowledge and support extends well beyond the many valuable services her business offers. She teaches CPR, parenting prep and prenatal classes, facilitates the new baby groups and monthly workshops, organizes the Bloor West Moms Group, hosts the monthly West End Breastfeeding Café and runs the Humber Cinema Movies for Mommies.

She welcomed Moms in T.O. into her Annette Village home, a beautifully calm space she created for her gorgeous young family - a four-year-old son, two-year-old daughter and third child on the way. Carolyn speaks so realistically about the challenges of mothering and working and shared how her mom’s passing shortly after her first child was born helped her with the decision to shift from midwifery to launching Fifty-Seven.

Here is her story:

Motherhood at the Moment:

It’s always a balancing act. The kids are at really great ages, but also seem to need more connection than ever. Trying to juggle being present for them and running a business is a tough one. Right now I’m trying to be more understanding and kind to myself and know that not everything can possibly get done or be perfect with a tired pregnant mama chasing after two active kids.

Current Kid Challenge:

My biggest challenge is staying patient with the kids when they’re acting up. I think my hormones are getting the best of me because I feel like I get annoyed by little things more than ever. I’ll just blame it all on pregnancy.

What was the biggest decision you’ve made?

The best and riskiest decision I made was giving up going back to full time work to stay home with my kids and create a small business to help support our growing family. It was a very tough decision to make because I absolutely love supporting clients as a practicing Midwife. It felt like I was giving up a part of myself, but at the same time I realized how much I would be gaining and how short this stage in our family’s life would be.

What was the smallest change that made the biggest impact in your life?

Since having my second child and growing Fifty-Seven I have started to accept help from others more. It sounds ridiculous, but I’ve often tried to do everything myself. Over the last few years I’ve learned that if I let people in my life help out where they can it goes a long way toward keeping our family happy and our household running as smoothly as possible.

What are you really good at?

I am someone who can connect with people very quickly. I am very outgoing and personable and this has helped me in my work as a Midwife and also in my role as an educator and leader in the community. I’m also a very organized person, which helps when you’re wearing so many hats.

How does what you do professionally help you be a better mom?

Being a Midwife brings a whole new meaning to the word multitasking. This and the sleep deprivation helped prepare me for the chaotic and tiring world of parenting.

Keep Mom Sane:

I am a big crafter and love to sew, knit and do DIY projects around the house. I love when my partner gives me some kid free time to do these little things that make me feel so accomplished. Practicing yoga at home, going out with friends and getting out for my biweekly manicure also helps keep me sane.

Favourite hood

We have been fortunate to live all over this diverse city in so many incredible neighborhoods, but I have to say one of my favorites is right near us - The Junction. There is so much for young families to do and so much grass root community involvement. It really is a lovely place to raise a family. 

Favourite place in Toronto to visit as a family

The Humber River trails. We’ve spent countless hours biking and walking along the river, watching the salmon, playing at the parks and enjoying the incredible nature that exists right in our backyard. One of our favourite things to do as a family is seasonal nature scavenger hunts and if you bring along a crayon the kid’s can check off the items as you go.

Perfect day alone

A perfect day alone in the city for me would include sleeping in (past 6 a.m. please), having a tea and pain au chococlat from local Patisserie 27 and a delicious smoothie (made and cleaned up by someone else). I would head out for a morning restorative yoga class, followed up by a trip to the Hamman Spa for a massage, their signature Turkish bath treatment, a facial and some lunch. Maybe a little shopping downtown for myself (not kid’s stuff!) and an evening of takeout and Netflix on the couch.

Story by Renee Tratch (of Kids in T.O.) / Photos by Emily D Photography.

Co-founder, Little White Sneakers

Some of the best ideas happen during those precious months of mat leave. Case in point - Kara. Barely two years ago, she was leading the small business marketing department at TELUS. Now she’s the one building a business. Last year, Kara and her cousin Raegan set out to help moms deal with the always-growing problem of kids outgrowing clothes. The answer - Little White Sneakers, a Toronto-based online marketplace where parents buy and sell their kids’ gently used and almost new high quality clothes.

Entrepreneurship has been a wild ride, but the mom-of-three is savouring the newfound flexibility of being able to pick her kids up from school and take the long road home.

Motherhood at the Moment

My kids are six, four and one-and-a-half. The youngest will not go unnoticed. She will actively look for adventure (trouble) until we come find her.

Current Kid Challenge

Balancing with three. They all need time but in different ways. I always feel guilty that I am not spending enough time with them. Even when I am with one I have an inherent guilt about what the other two are doing. They are still all at the stage where they want to spend time with me. I’m holding on to that as long as I can.   

What was the craziest decision you made that landed you here?

While on my third mat leave I met so many incredible entrepreneurs and got the bug. So instead of returning to my corporate job at TELUS, I launched Little White Sneakers.

What are you really good at?

Like most women I am a master at multitasking. I have a daily list of 100 things to do, ranging from taking photos of clothes to developing financial statements. In my past career, I managed pretty big portfolios and that experience has helped me not get too overwhelmed by that never-ending list. 

How does what you do professionally help you be a mom?

The new business gives me a lot more flexibility. I can pick the kids up from school and take them to activities. Because I can work anytime from anywhere I can get a lot done at night when the kids are asleep which frees up time during the day. 

Favourite hood

I love Davisville Village. I love the fact that we rarely use our car and can walk to so many amazing shops (Wish List), parks (Sherwood) and cafes (Café Jules.)

Keep Mom Sane

Working out! I do a bootcamp with a bunch of great moms in the neighbourhood. It is great way to get a little sweat and social time together. I am also very reliant on coffee and wine.

Best place to visit as a family

The Island! It is a little nostalgic for me as I rowed competitively in high school out of Hanlan’s point, just off of Cherry Beach. We have started a new tradition on Father’s Day where we rent a boat from Harbourfront and cruise around the Harbour and then have a picnic on the Island. 

Perfect day alone

I love the running paths and ravines. A nice long run up the belt line followed by a giant latte at one of my favourite cafés (Lit or Jules) reading the paper. A little stroll around looking at shops followed by dinner in a place like the Distillery District.

Home Stager

After a seven-year ‘break’ from ‘work’, Cindy Abols shifted from marketing exec to home designer. The switch happened very organically. While renovating their Ronscesvalles home, the mom-of-three connected with a parent from her daughters’ school. The result, a part-time-turned-full-time job leading Trust Realty Group’s home design services.

Originally from a small-town near Perth, Ontario, she and her husband started a family while living in Nashville (a year-long secondment for her husband’s job) and now call Toronto home. Emily has been photographing Cindy and her sweet family since they welcomed their third child in 2013. We love how she embraces the chaos and makes mothering look pretty beautiful. Her girls flock to her like little birds and it’s not hard to tell that she’s the beating heart of her family.

Motherhood at the Moment

Most days I feel like I am in the circus - juggling the needs of all the people that are important and keeping our house rolling along smoothly. I am working on accepting that "ok" is good enough and being “in the moment" is the ultimate goal.

Current Kid Challenge

I have three daughters (3-, 5- and 6-years-old) who are really starting to develop their own interests, likes and personalities. The days of choosing for them seem to be waning. We try to create a home environment that respects each of them, and allows them to be their true selves.

How did you arrive here?

It started first with what I knew I didn't want. I didn't want something that would impinge on the little moments that bring me joy and keep me in the moment with my kids such as drop off, pick up and just being present.  So I waited for the thing that worked for all of us. I loved my old career - it was exciting and challenging and demanding but after the kids I needed something with more balance.

What was the smallest change that has made the biggest impact in your life?

I am generally risk-averse, thrive with routine and don't love change, so my natural inclination is to say 'no'. But saying 'yes' throughout the years has always resulted in great things for me. This current path all started with a yes.  

What are you really good at?

I am very dedicated, organized and goal-focused. My husband tells me I can never leave my work at the office as I feel ownership over a project. Selling your home can be an overwhelming experience wrapped up in a lot of emotions. I want to help people showcase their home to ensure they can maximize the investment they've made in it.

How does what you do professionally help you be a mom?

Our home is more streamlined. A clutter-free and well-organized home makes it easier for the small people to be independent, enjoy a sense of accomplishment and contribute to our home life.

What skills have you mastered thanks to motherhood?

Negotiation skills! With three girls aged three, five and six, building consensus, getting buy in and being empathetic to each of their own desires and attitudes have been key to a (relatively) harmonious home.

Keep Mom Sane

Exercise keeps me centred. I am religious about Pilates at Generate in Bloor West Village. Also, the support of four incredibly close and inspirational women is immeasurable in my life.

Favourite hood

Our hood, Roncy for its strollers, dogs, kids, coffee and the occasional perogie. 

Favourite place to visit a family

High Park is a gem. My husband has lived in this neighbourhood for 35 years and still it amazes - the zoo, playground, ice cream trucks and beautiful changes in scenery through the seasons. 

Perfect Day Alone in Toronto

A run through the hood, a coffee, a wander along Queen West, a dinner at Giancarlo, the TSO and a glass of champagne at the Ritz would be blissful.

Owner of The Cookery

This westend mom went from a marketing executive to business owner in a matter of months. Alison is the owner of The Cookery, a kitchen and cookware boutique and cooking school in Roncesvalles Village.  Merging her sales & marketing savvy with her passion for scratch cooking has been a dream come true. And most importantly, setting up shop on her own has let her spend more time with her family, connect with her neighbours and build an amazing space for wanna-be-chefs to explore their love for cooking and baking.

The mom-of-two dishes on how it came to be:

Motherhood at the Moment

The holiday rush has me working long hours. I am incredibly lucky to have such a supportive partner who is more of a single dad during this busy time. So my two boys (10 and 7) and I plan things we can look forward to doing together. And, I bake a lot at night so they think of me during the day!

Current Kid Challenge

Finding ways to connect with my 10-year-old who is growing up so quickly, getting him off the video games and finding stuff we can enjoy together.

What was that life-changing nudge that got you here?

When I was let go from my last position, the easiest transition would have been a similar post in a similar company or marketing consulting. Shortly after, I was on my way to dinner with a friend when I stopped into a kitchen store; something I’ve done many times before. Over dinner I reflected on how I wished I could have a similar shop, albeit in a different way. My friend challenged me with a "why not?" The business plan was done in three days.

What has been the biggest impact from that decision?

I love being so close to home and being able to drop by boys off at school. My eldest is 10 and up until now I have never been able to participate in his school or extracurricular activities. Now I’m the mom that goes on all the school trips and I love taking him to his hip hop classes.

How does what you do professionally help you be a better mom?

I'm in customer service, so I practice lots of patience, listening and kindness.  There are no better qualities than that to have at home.

What keeps you sane?

I remind myself to not sweat the small stuff. At home, I need good food, sleep and lots of time with my kids. At work, I am grateful for great staff who support me like they are partners in my business. 

Favourite hood

Our hood: Roncesvalles.

Favourite place to visit as a family

We spend a lot of time in High Park playing in the park or in the woods, going for an early morning run or walking through the zoo.  It's totally free and is a breath of fresh air in the city. 

Perfect Day alone in Toronto

A locally-roasted latte at Outpost Coffee on Dundas West, a mani/pedi at a local Roncy salon, picking up fresh produce at a local green grocer, cooking all afternoon for my sister’s and my family, a big meal and a warm fire.

Co-Founder Shine PR

Emily Ward lives and breathes PR. The Toronto mom-of-two and “chief glitter officer” at Shine PR runs her own public relations business, an adventure that began almost a year ago with business partner and friend Jess Hunichen. Their latest gem - Shine Influencers, a talent management agency that matches social superstars in the worlds of lifestyle, fashion, food, beauty, health, and travel with brands and agencies.

Motherhood at the Moment:

I’m mommy to my five year-old son and two-and-a-half year-old daughter. I have a full-time nanny who is more like my sister than a babysitter. I did the WAHM thing for a while, and although I adore time with my kids, it truly wasn’t for me. We are all so much happier in the mania that we live in right now and I am lucky to have our nanny in my life to help as part of our (parenting) team.

Current Kid Challenge:

We are all trying to get our daughter out of diapers, which I seem to be much less worried about the second time around. We have hundreds of pieces of Lego that are all over the house and my son’s favourite playtime seems to be getting me to look for them. My daughter has a love for a cabbage patch doll whose hair has turned into dreadlocks and I don’t know what to do about it. I’ve debated just buying her a new one and swapping it out, but she’s smarter than that and I’ll surely pay for it. My kids are both at an awesome stage. If I had a good video of them both singing “Thunderstruck”….you’d get it.

What was the biggest decision you made that got you here?

I took a big risk after having my son to start freelancing rather than going back to a traditional agency position. That was pretty scary for me. Bigger risks have come more recently, but my business partner Jess and I have developed a high tolerance for them now.

Keep Mom Sane:

My ex-husband and I have managed to crack the code and remain best friends and parents together. My life is hectic and his support means the world to me. My business partner Jess keeps the other side of me sane. We are so invested in Shine that it is impossible not to also be ingrained in each other’s personal lives. I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s not work when I get to create, network and travel with one of my closest friends.

Favourite Hood:

I am a Toronto girl who grew up in North Toronto, but escaped the bubble to live in other wonderful parts of the city. I currently call a lesser-known nook of East York home. For family time, I love The Beaches. I think everything is better by the water and in the summer my little bunnies can’t tell the difference between a beach in Toronto or one in California.

Best Place to Visit as a Family:

My kids are good little city tourists and have enjoyed the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, the Aquarium to name a few. It is important to me for my kids to experience live theatre, which is a big reason why I support Young People’s Theatre. So much of our entertainment is experienced on screen – being in an audience is an essential experience.

Perfect Day Alone in Toronto:

This has stumped me. I actually don’t think I’ve done it! Sad, I know, but it’s been pregnancy, babies and business for the past 6+ years. Maybe this is my excuse to have a “Me” day soon.

Psychotherapist and Personal Development coach at The Khan Institute

Hina has been in the field of Human Potential for almost 15 years. From a very young age, the Thornhill native (now Toronto eastender) has loved connecting with others. This passion to help others translates into many roles at The Khan Institute - Psychotherapist, Personal Development coach and parenting/relationship expert (you may remember seeing her on CBC’s Steven and Chris.) Through her workshops, seminars and coaching, she has made lasting change for thousands of clients. Her latest is a program to help people Turn Ideas into Income. We all need Hina in our lives.

Motherhood at the Moment 

I have two boys - 8 and 6 years-old. At the moment, motherhood is about schedules! My husband is a chef so his hours are not conventional and neither are mine, so it is can get a little tricky to coordinate our schedules to have our kids in a more stable routine. 

Current Kid Challenge

I always find the holidays a difficult time of year with all the “stuff” that comes with it. My youngest son has his birthday in September and then my oldest is in November and then we go into Christmas and it just feels like the last few months of year has a lot of “stuff” attached to it. 

What was the best decision you made that got you here?  

Perhaps the biggest one was going back to school to do my training in psychotherapy.  That was a big one!  Not only was it an intense program (it took about 6 years to complete) it required a lot of my own inner work (basically having to face parts of myself that I would much rather not deal with) along with learning theory and then tying it all together. 

How does what you do professionally help you be a better mom?

You would think that being a therapist and coach would be a great asset for a mom, but honestly, I think when I am in mother mode my training goes out the window. All kidding aside, I am sure it does somehow help, but I think my biggest asset is having my kids later. I was 38 years-old when I had my first child.”

Keep Mom Sane

Exercise really makes a difference for me and that consists of yoga and walking.  I always know when I am in need of a class when my husband tells me I should try to get to a class! I also don’t put the boys in a lot of activities, with our schedules it would just add more stress.

Favourite Hood

I love Riverdale, I love Withrow Park and the Danforth.  I love the fact that the boys are not in a car during the week and that they walk to school. My husband bikes to and from work and I can walk to my office.

Favourite Place to Visit as a Family

We really like to go for family walks at the Brick Works.  We usually end up there in the fall and the winter.

Perfect day alone in Toronto

I love going for a walk in the neighbourhood and then taking myself out for lunch on the Danforth (Casa Sushi and Mocha Mocha are some of favourite lunch spots.)

National Director of the Interior Design Show

At this very moment, life is utter chaos for Karen Kang. As the National Director of the Interior Design Show, she oversees Canada’s biggest and best showcase of the latest innovations in the design world and the international superstar designers behind them. 

Working parents know that crazy times at work are made even crazier when you have a young family at home. We love how she and her husband have found ways to enjoy their day jobs to the fullest while spending lots of time travelling and exploring the city with their two girls.

Here is how she describes her current mom reality:

Motherhood at the Moment:

It's the same balancing act that every family faces - making sure the kids are happy and engaged while making sure my husband and I have our own time as well. I have a very demanding career and so does my husband (he's the founder of his own software company) and so we couldn't really do it all without the amazing support of our family and nanny. 

Current Kid Challenge:

My eldest is five-and-a-half (going on 15) and my youngest is 14 months. The age disparity between them has worked out in that we haven't had to deal with jealousy issues but their needs are very different. One is just walking and learning to talk, while the other one is trying to be a palaeontologist or a rock star. Her ambition changes daily. Carving out individual time for each of them can be a juggling act. We definitely work at trying to have our own mama-daughter and papa-daughter dates.

What was the best decision you made that got you here?

I made a big jump from fashion to design. It seemed like a far leap but encouragement from some architect friends convinced me that my hobby love for design and architecture would translate well into this new role. I decided to try it for a year – that was nine years ago.

What was the smallest change you made that has made the biggest impact in your life? 

The summer when my husband and I started dating, I was planning to move to London, UK in the fall. We were having so much fun, so I decided to defer for another year just to see where this relationship would take us. By spring, my career and relationship had taken off and all roads have led to this - an incredible family and a job I love.

What are you really good at?

I am equal parts hyper-focused and organized, but on the other hand, very flexible when I need to be. I am a really determined person so even if it takes years to accomplish something (like working with an international designer), I'll keep working on it until it’s done. I am also a great collaborator. It's good to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, but the journey or end result is always made better with others' involvement.

How does what you do professionally help you be a better mom?

Being organized but flexible helps a lot in the day-to-day. My five-year-old is a very proficient negotiator, which is a trait she definitely inherited from me. I vacillate between wanting to blurt out "because I said so" to thinking "she's actually making good points." Communication is key to being a good leader at work and as a parent. The five year old is at the age where she doesn't always want to share details of her life. We work at making sure she knows how to communicate, not just with us but her friends. Many things in life are easily solved if we just share information with each other.

Favourite hood

I love our home hood of Leslieville. It's filled with great restaurants, parks and activities for a young family. But my husband and I also spent a good chunk of our young adult years living in the westend, so easily the Trinity-Bellwoods Park area is a very close second.  

Keep Mom Sane:

I am a fairweather runner and my favourite routes when weather is good are the Beaches and the Leslie Spit. Reading has always been the fallback past time to get mentally away. Type Books and Swipe are my favourite independent bookstores. Spending time with my tribe of girlfriends is always a must. For our family, travel is a big part of our lives my family’s life and we try to get away whenever we can to unplug.

Best place to visit as a family

Winter months are usually spent at the ROM or the Ontario Science Centre and in the summer we like to take the girls on long bike rides, exploring all the cool outdoor spaces that the city has to offer. 

Perfect day alone in Toronto

I don't think I've had an alone day in Toronto in a while but if I did, I would probably start off the morning with a massage with Julie Moore then a facial at Blitz Facial Bar in Leslieville. Once I've been sufficiently buffed and relaxed, I'd spend a few hours at the AGO (I go for the architecture as well as the art), ending it with a glass of wine at Frank restaurant. 

Portrait Photographer

Emily is the creative force behind the camera for Moms in T.O. Her warm personality (she’s from the east coast) and dedication to doing what she loves as a business (she’s a natural light portrait photographer at Emily D Photography) is inspiring. Here is what she likes best about life and work in Toronto with and without Kids in TOw.

Motherhood at the Moment:

My five-year-old daughter is a little dance machine who gets to leap and cartwheel everyday at her after school program. I work like mad three days a week when my three-year-old son is in daycare. On those days – and I cringe when I write this - my kids are often the first to arrive and last to be picked up. But I constantly remind myself that our family makes decisions based on the health of our entire family - having them in care means I can do something that I am excited about as soon as I wake up. On my two days ‘off,’ my little guy and I divide our time running errands, grocery shopping, visiting friends, watching Paw Patrol and going to Sprouts (which is a client and my kids’ favourite place in the hood.)

Current Kid Challenge:

My son crawls into bed with us in the middle of the night.  He is also potty training and whenever we encourage it, he giggles like we've just told him a super funny joke. My husband tries to bribe him like a puppy, which is one million per cent backfiring. My son is really loving and child-like, which warms my heart but makes disciplining difficult when he pinches his sister. My daughter is no longer in the f'en 4's and is the most delightful human I know. She is just as physical as she is artistic and says things like - "hey mom, look at how amazing I am at the monkey bars. I think it's all the practice.' She approaches conquering tricky tasks like it’s her job and that makes me so grateful that all the earnest hopes I have for my kids are coming true. 

What was the ah-ha moment that got you here?

My daughter was born with a non-life threatening birth defect that meant we spent some time at Sick Kids while she had a small procedure. I think when I had her and realized she was ok - everything just shifted. My life became about being a role model for this little person and I stubbornly dug my heels in and demanded I live a life that made me and my family happy. I would be damned if my kids saw me in a job I disliked or constantly engaging in self-destructive behaviour.”

Keep Mom Sane:

I really love what I do. Like a lot a lot a lot. Connecting with people through photography is a gift I am thankful for every single day. I have never done anything in my life that brings me this much joy so consistently. 

Favourite Hood:

I love Leslieville. 

Best Place to Visit as a Family:

We love the farmers market. My parents grew up on farms in Greece and they were deliberate to talk about their upbringing and the quality of a good home cooked meal. I saw a poster recently that said 'food = love' and that's certainly true for our family.  

Perfect Day Alone in Toronto:

Having a delicious cup of coffee before heading to The Workroom in Parkdale to take a sewing class. If I wasn't a photographer I would be a full-time class-taker there – although my husband might have an issue or two with me bankrupting my family in the pursuit of that dream. Home alone, I’m just as happy watching smutty TV and editing photos.

Writer and PR Consultant

Renee is a born-again writer born-and-raised in Saskatchewan. After 13 years (and counting) of calling this city “home,” she still feels like a tourist in Toronto. And that’s just fine. It’s what motivated her to create Kids in T.O., the go-to blog for what to do with kids in Toronto. While out exploring Toronto, she met a ton of moms doing creative and courageous things – the inspiration behind Moms in T.O.

Here is her current reality and current reality and what she loves about Toronto with and without Kids in TOw.

Motherhood at the moment:

I’m a SAHM (an acronym that I had no idea existed until I decided not to return to “work” after my second child.) My boys are 6 and 3. When I can, I write. I am a born-again writer. I spent a dozen years on the dark side (PR) before returning to my roots in journalism. I love the written word and this blog is a chronicle of our adventures in Toronto.

Current kid challenge:

The fighting and arguing. I am an only child so this is my first real taste of sibling dynamics and it’s a constant struggle. Some days I feel more like a referee, negotiator, teacher, magician than a mom. I know, welcome to parenthood.

What was the turning point that got you where are today?

It was when we lost a daycare spot for my youngest that I became a writer. Again. After 15 years on the ‘dark side’ (doing PR for some of the city’s top arts and cultural institutions), I returned to my roots in journalism. It was the heaviest decision of my life – choosing to stay home full-time to care for my kids and launching a career as a freelancer writer. 

How do you find balance with your new reality?

Two years in and I am still trying to figure out this world of being my own boss and spending so much time with my two very busy and noisy boys. Like most working parents, careers and caregiving are never a perfect fit. But for this short precious period, my re-focus on storytelling (and the little windows I have for the actual writing) feels like a gift. It has given the chance to be creative again and the time to explore this city and see it through the eyes of my favourite little people. 

Keep Mom Sane:

I need to get out of the house – whether it’s with and without kids. I’m most happy and comfortable when we’re out exploring. I never feel lonely when I’m alone. I love the quiet. But I do love gathering with girlfriends – they Keep Mom Sane. My best ideas come to me in a spin class.

Favourite Hood:

I love my home-hood of Leslieville. Everything you need is on Queen St. E, plus it’s easy walking distance to The Beach and The Spit. But I am nostalgic for our old stomping ground in Cabbagetown. It’s such a beautiful historic piece of Toronto. We love hanging out at Riverdale Farm.

Best place in Toronto to visit as a family:

Evergreen Brick Works. It’s our escape into nature in the city. I always considered myself a nature-lover, but it wasn’t until the boys came along that I began discovering it through their eyes. It’s so fun and fascinating.

Perfect day alone in Toronto:

Wake up before the kids. (A tall order when they are always up at 6 a.m.) I would spend some quiet time writing, then head to a spin class or run. Meet my husband or girlfriends for brunch at a normal brunch hour or grab a coffee somewhere local like Sidekick Coffee and Comics on Queen St. E. They have the best mugs. The rest of the day could be anything because, really, mornings are the best.