How I balance being a mommy, photographer, and teacher.

From the moment I became a mom I knew I wanted to be an active mom.  Now I don't judge other mom's.  I believe there are many different sides of being a mom.  For me however I LOVE being involved in my kids lives.

When I chose to get into photography it was because I couldn't fathom the idea of putting my son into childcare.  I loved spending time with him.  I wanted to raise him.  I wanted to see him grow.  Photography allowed this plus I was able to work with families and capture moments.  Moments they might not even notice were so important.

Many families don't have the ability to do this.  I take ever day as a blessing allowing me to be a mom.  

Now.  I'm excited to tell you all we HOMESCHOOL!  First off before you think I'm trying to shelter my son from the real world this is absolutely not the case.  He just turned 5 and I just want him to learn about things at a normal pace and be aware of things rather than them in his immediate day to day life.  Also he's ridiculously social so when I hear people say things like "homeschooling makes kids anti-social" it makes me cringe.

Not everyone can homeschool.  However I want you to know as many of you are new mom's that I photograph there are many "options" when it comes to educating these beautiful little souls.  Don't just follow down the "regular path".  Please take some time to make educated decisions on how you plan to educate them.

My way isn't for everyone and I do not judge at all as there are so many options.  I began my hunt online to figure out some alternative options.  I was living in Edmonton full time at the time and they didn't start homeschooling until grade 1.  So I knew I had time.  Since then I have relocated to living full time in Kelowna, BC and when my son just turned 5 this past summer I began looking into school here.  Then I became aware quickly that here they had a Kindergarten curriculum.  I know as a busy mom I wanted to find an alternative that allowed us to do school how it fit into our lives, however still have some structure and guidance from wonderful teachers.  We joined Kleos and when we went to sign up for Kindergarten we met with my son's teacher who actually advised me that based on where he was at she suggested he skip kindergarten and go into Grade 1.  This is something I don't feel would have ever happened if I followed down the traditional school method.

Whichever method you decide for your children just please take some time to make sure it works for your kids and your family.  I see so many posts and comments from mom's in tears not ready to go back to work or not ready for their kids to be in childcare.  Then I see posts from parents struggling with school systems that just aren't working for them.  Please.....take a moment to look at all avenues.

Let's get back to a bit about how our days work.  There is no set time we wake up each day.  This makes for wonderful mornings.  We usually are out of bed by 7 am however there is no packing lunches and hurrying through breakfast.  We enjoy our time together.  We have breakfast and then get ready for the day.  I organise his schooling and we usually spend an hour to two hours on sitting down focused work.  However we also go with the flow.  He has many extra curricular activities.  Swimming, gymnastics, dance, and of course field trips and other meetups with homeschooled kids. He has minimum 30 minute requirement for physical activity each day (this is absolutely no problem to achieve). His baby sister naps in the morning for an hour and that's his time to play in the back yard, have quiet time, or simply just craft or do choose something he wants.  I use this time to respond to clients and schedule sessions.  We also have other homeschool families in the community for us to lean on which is great. One week I do a craft or science project and the next another mom does.  This is where I really notice the "choices" out there.  Even if you don't think you can homeschool full time it doesn't mean that is the only option.

We love to cook as a family and bake which turns into a math lesson with fractions

Things like my ability to book sessions around my schedule and husbands schedule is what makes this possible.  This month we are headed to the Dominican Republic as a family.  I have a wedding to photograph there and my son is able to do school wherever we are.  We are pretty darn lucky I say.

Answering emails and scheduling sessions while having breakfast and staring at a cutie

I do have some mom's asking me for information.  Some of my clients ask a lot of questions.  I get emails and phone calls and want to be here for mom's.  I had a client message me the other day asking why I chose the path I did and that she's been thinking of it however had some questions.  

Don't hesitate to contact me even if it's not regarding booking a session.  Us mommies stick together!

Slow down mommy....just enjoy these moments

Recently I was inspired to write a blog post by reading one of a close friend of mine.  Dr. Sarah is not only a friend but our family chiropractor.  I woke up one smoky morning to a post she shared that she wrote.  Mom's it's a great link at the bottom of this post which I absolutely reccomend reading.

When it comes to my busy life now I realize it's different with this child.  As some of you know I recently had my second child.  She's now 3 months and growing so fast.  The main reason I went into photography after my first son was born (he's now 5) is that I wanted to capture moments and memories for not only myself but my clients.  It's amazing what we don't see even when it is in front of us every day.  I'm pretty lucky to have a studio in my home which allows me to head into there every month for a quick little session with my new girl.  Not all parents get this opportunity.

Birth

One month

Two Months

Three Months

Now many time's after finishing a cakesmash session I warn the mom.  I warn her she may cry. I warn her that she will notice how grown up they are.  I warn her because I see it every day.  These little miracles I get the opportunity to photograph and watch grow.

Mason - One year and birth

I had a moment the other day watching my son skateboard (Yes I said that right) He's just turned 5 and has really taken a liking for it.  I'm sitting on a bench at the skatepark feeding my daughter while watching him.  Watching him talk to the bigger kids.  Watching him interact and learn.  I tear up a bit as I tell him we have to go and he walks over to the other kids and gives them a fist pump. I feel as though it was just yesterday he was in my arms.  So when he wakes in the middle of the night with a bad dream I don't get upset or frustrated I am up in the middle of the night.  I lay down next to him wondering where the time has gone.

These little people grow around us so quickly.   I knew I wanted nothing more than to be a mom.  I wasn't sure I would be blessed to be able to do it again.  Family is so important to us and we take every moment we can to appreciate that.  I was sitting with a couple other families the other weekend laughing at how life is so different with children.  It was Saturday night and we were on the beach watching an outdoor movie. This was perfect to us.

Mom's remember to slow down.  Please.  Remember to put down your phones as much as possible to take in these moments.  As you watch your babies grow just remember it goes so fast.  Too fast! 

This past week the air quality in Kelowna hasn't been good for kids.  The smoke from all the fires is preventing us mom's from taking our babies out to the beach or park.  However it's also given me time to slow down.  To watch my kids grow.  We have spent time indoors baking, crafting, and doing lego.  Its even given me time to write this post while watching my baby try so desperately to fit her whole fist in her mouth as her teeth are on their way.  Wasnt it just yesterday we were watching her move inside me.

We need to slow down.  I know it's harder to do than we think.  Many parents work full time jobs and when they pick up their babies it's go go go.  How do you fit it all in while just simply getting through the day.  Let alone enjoying these precious moments.  Sometimes we just need a little reminder to slow down.  To take in those little moments because before you know it...those little moments will be gone.  They will be all grown up and you wont know where the time has gone.  Oh and just another reminder to capture those moments as best you can.  I offer regular mini sessions for families and they are perfect for families with young kids.

Follow me on facebook to be sure to be notified of these sessions.


Here is that link I promised before take a moment to read it.
http://www.healthinhand.ca/go-to-sleep-little-baby.php

 From my family to yours.....get out and enjoy your babies before they aren't babies anymore.

Photo by Pixel Photography

Happy Mother's Day....some of my favorite mommy moments

Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts one can ever have.  It will change your life entirely.  I know when speaking to many mothers they didn't know they could love something so much until they had a child.  These are some of my favorite mommy moments I've had the chance to capture over the last year.

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother" 

- Lin Yutang

"Without my kids, tomorrow wouldn't be worth the wait and yesterday wouldn't be worth remembering" 

- unknown

"Mother's love is like nothing else in the world!"

If you are wanting to capture some mommy and me moments please don't hesitate to contact me to book a session.  It's always an absolute pleasure because I am a mom who is also a photographer.  I make sure to regularly have photos of my son and I so I capture those special moments and memories.

From my son and I.....Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms.  You truly are exceptional.

Photo taken by Amaryllis Photography