Defining Moments

You won't recognize yourself

Last Saturday, when I was on the Real Parenting show with Shirley Broback on CFAX1070, the last question thrown to our mom panel was "If you could go back to when you were expecting and give yourself some advice or tips, what would that be?" My response was basically "Relax and enjoy the ride," but as soon as it went to the next person, of course, I thought of something else that I would tell myself.

I first heard it from a complete stranger when my oldest kid was about two. I was at the bank, and I guess I had given up trying to control his running around because when I got to the bank teller, right away she said, "I have two boys myself. They used to fight all the time. One day I found myself locking them in their room. I was sitting there crying on the other side of the door...I couldn't recognize myself." I asked her how her kids were now. She said they were grown up and perfectly lovely, wonderful sons. 

I've had low, low points as a parent. I think of that lady at the bank and her wonderful sons, and my own wonderful son who is now five. If I could go back, I would tell myself, "There will be moments when you are not going to recognize yourself. But you are going to pull through them. You will be a GREAT mom. And your kid will be fine."

momstown Mondays

Okay, so it's Tuesday! Yesterday I was in 'tech training' for our fantastic new website, and I am super pumped to be opening our 'doors' on June 1st! In the meantime, please be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get the very first word on our official launch!

Latest and greatest from around momstown.ca:

1. My kids and I love our Crocs clogs, but did you also know they have hundreds of new styles, all with the soft, one-of-a-kind Crocs feeling inside?! Tell us which style you like best, and you could win a $250 Crocs gift card redeemable at crocs.ca!


2. Little Tikes sponsored an awesome playdate with moms and dads at momstown Central Alberta! Kids had fun riding the cute Pillow Racers, and the TikeStix were a huge hit with parents engaging their kids' imaginations!


3.  This momstown moment is a 'must' for new moms on the subject of milestones, by our own Ally Cooper. Seasoned moms: If you could go back and tell yourself as a new mom just one thing, what would it be?

momstown, Chapters and Scholastic - a winning combo!

momstown Victoria is proud to present Tales for Tots, an early literacy program sponsored by Scholastic Canada and hosted by our own local Chapters bookstore! Each month, Scholastic Canada will send us a new book to share at our story time and craft, plus one copy that you can WIN in a free book prize draw! This event will be open to the public, so please grab yourself a coffee, meet us downstairs in the children's area, and enjoy this free momstown drop-in on the third Wednesday of every month, 10-11 a.m., starting in June! 

Chapters will be happy to provide you with a First Hour Free parking coupon for any of the City of Victoria parkades, and there is also a bus stop conveniently located right in front of the store entrance! 

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Defining Moments

I am just like my mother

My mom grew up in the Philippines and was the eldest of five children. She did a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition, and her first job was as a Food Service Manager. Then she became a hospital Dietitian, then Chief Dietitian and Instructor. She immigrated to Canada in 1971 and did a year of Dietetic Internship at Montreal General Hospital.

She graduated, married my dad, and they moved to Toronto where she worked as Head Dietitian of a hospital in Scarborough in 1972. Then in 1980, we moved to High Prairie, Alberta, where she became Dietitian Manager at the High Prairie Regional Health Complex. And her career went on, and up and up. 

I, on the other hand, am a different story. Thanks to contracts and my husband's professional career taking precedence, I think I haven't held a job for more than 10 months. At 31, when I decided that I would not return to work after mat leave in order to stay at home, I figured my mom would be disappointed. I just spoke with her this afternoon to recount what she had told me:

"When your dad and I had you and Mel, we didn't know anyone well enough and couldn't imagine putting our children into daycare or anything like that. We wanted to bring your lola or grandma here but we were not in a financial position to sponsor them, so your dad and I decided that I would put aside my career so that one of us could always be at home with you. I even had to hide the fact of my profession to apply for night jobs - at the Bank of Montreal, Post Office, etc., just to make ends meet. (laughs) On my resume I would put 'Dietary Aid,' and not 'the boss' which had always been the case!

"Five years later, the bills were piling up and I started to think, 'Who will hire me at 40?' And that's when I saw an ad for a high-paying position, but it was in High Prairie, Alberta! I told them my husband was a heavy duty mechanic, and they found a job opening for him at Red Deere. And that's how we came to move from Mississauga to High Prairie."

My mom, the career-oriented, school-board-chairing, weekend-consulting superwoman, had 'put aside' her career in her 30's to stay at home with her kids! I had no idea. And I am proud to report that she resumed her long and successful career track as an RDN, and retired 5 years ago still in high demand as an instructor and dietitian consultant. She has traveled around the world and is regularly described by her family, friends and community as "an inspiration" and "a force." 

You can check out my mom's blog here...super-grandma of six under 6!

momstown Mondays

Rounding up the best of momstown.ca this week:

1. It is the very last week of the Mother's Day Moment contest and your last chance to win a $100 Chapters-Indigo gift card! All you have to do is leave a comment on this inspiring blog article, and remember to check back next week to see if you won. Christy writes a heartfelt piece on being raised with the freedom to play and the incredible love of her single mom.

2. Right here, this has got to be my favourite craft of the week...footprint robins by momstown Newmarket-Aurora! This is our Baby Basics program, where an expert leads a topic for mamas to discuss, alternating with our 'Baby Picassos' mini-art session to create a keepsake craft--just like this!

3. The weather is finally getting warmer, and momstown.ca is here to help you choose the best trike or bike for your kid(s) this year! Here is a list of the latest and greatest top picks in trikes, balancing bikes and big kid bikes, brought to you by our fine mom's panel at momstown Finds.

Defining Moments

A Call to Business

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away from kids, I wanted to be a writer. I even took a few months off to write, when my husband took a position at UNBC. During that time, I volunteered at a local women’s shelter every week, cooking meals and changing beds. Most of the women at the shelter were prostitutes, and many of them were not the weak and battered victims that some would expect. They were often savvy, persuasive, charismatic, and opportunistic. They were business women.

Working with non-profits for years, I knew that business could be a positive force in the community. Not merely by giving donations, but by giving people opportunities for jobs and self-employment. I had no interest in business at the time, but I was at a crossroads. My writing was not great, because I was too focused on the craft and not the content. Also, my husband’s job gave me the opportunity to take university courses for free. I considered doing my master’s degree, but I had become acutely aware that no one at the shelter gave a hoot about English Lit. I wanted to do something with a ‘real world’ application.

I remember one day, I was changing a bed. I had the latex gloves on, and I was handling everything carefully, checking for needles. I was pretty grossed out by a hair on the pillow. I reflected on how I still respected these women, and how in better circumstances they might have been better entrepreneurs, helping not only themselves, but others too. And then I thought about all the good circumstances that I had, which they did not. And was changing beds really the best opportunity I had for me to be making a difference? It was at that moment that I considered going into business.

Fast forward to momstown, and so many of my past choices, which seemed random for so long, are coming together so beautifully: my B. Comm in Marketing, my diverse work experience, my volunteer service, my years as a stay-at-home mom, and now my original desire to write. I feel very blessed.

A Call to Bloggers

Defining Moments will be the new Thursday night feature on the momstown Victoria blog. If you would like to contribute as a guest blogger and share one of the moments that has defined you, please send it to me in about 300-500 words. info.victoria@momstown.ca Cheers.

momstown is Coming to Crumsby's!

Confirmed! Come join us for casual conversation and crafts at the coolest kid-friendly café and cupcake corner! Crumsby's is an award-winning welcoming space for all ages. They carry Silk Road teas, direct trade espresso and coffee, and everything on their menu is made from scratch--with vegan and gluten-free varieties!


This will be an unstructured social time for kids & mamas, a late morning coffee or an afternoon tea playdate. Relax while your kids enjoy the safe and wonderful play area full of toys, or do a craft with them around a monthly theme. Easy peasy.

Image by Crumsby's

Our casual Crumsby's playdate will be on alternating weeks at both the Oak Bay neighbourhood and Royal Oak schoolhouse locations! (This is where you need a 'love' button on facebook!)


Now to plan our discovery field trips for the summer!  I shall continue to keep you in the loop!!! :)