CPO Member Spotlight- obesmom

By CanadianParents.com Community

What brought you to CPO, or how did you find us?

 I remember going through a stack of pamphlets after getting home from giving birth to our son and in one of them I saw a link to CPO.  I thought it was great that there was a Canadian based website for parents.  To be honest, this was the first time I ever joined a message board.  Well, 1587 posts later, here I am!

Any favourite Boards?

 Oh where to start – there are so many good ones.  I have absolutely loved the Birth Club Boards and have made long lasting online friendships with September 2005 and January 2008 (even though most of us had December babies) moms.  While I visit many of the boards from time to time, the Breastfeeding Support board is one of my favourites.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Prior to having kids, my life was pretty much work, work, work.  While I am still attempting to strike a balance, my life right now pretty much revolves around naps, nursing and quick outings in between.  I do play mixed slo pitch which I love for the social aspect.  For years I loved going to the gym and participating in aerobic and weight classes pretty much everyday of the week.  Unfortunately with three kids under three, it is pretty much impossible for me to do this right now – but maybe one day.  I am a social person so I really credit CPO for keeping me sane.

How many children do you have?

 I have three children – all under three.  Owen is almost three and Kate and Sarah are eight months old.  We are planners, we were having two kids and then we had our ultrasound.  Now we have three!  We always say that it is as close to an “accident” that we’ll ever come.

Tell us about your parenting philosophy...

 If I had to fall into a parenting “category” it would be attachment parenting.  Prior to having kids, I would not have considered myself a maternal sort of person.  I was not one of those people who always wanted to be a mom.  Perhaps my greatest fear prior to having my son was not feeling that sort of connection.  How things change.  I didn’t even know what attachment parenting was, I thought people who breastfed for longer than six months were crazy and why on earth would someone “wear” their child???  Well, ds self-weaned at two, the girls are going strong at eight months, and while I find it tough to wear two babies and balance a toddler, we do our best.  I never really thought I would be passionate about parenting of all things but yet it is now one of my strongest passions.  Being a mom has been both easier and harder than I thought it would be.  The logistics of being a mom has come natural to me – I am a multi-tasker by nature so perhaps that has helped.  It’s the emotional attachment that has been more difficult than I thought.  I never thought I would mind leaving my kids and carrying on with my “own life” but I do.  I see things so differently now.  We are a family and it’s as a family we will now experience life.

What are you most looking forward to this fall? 

I am a teacher, so not going back to work in September feels pretty good.  Other than that, I am a little worried.  I love being outside and the rain will make things a little more challenging.  I am, however, looking forward to enjoying my last five months of maternity leave with my kids before I head back to reality.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with the CPO Community?

 

I want to thank all of my fellow CPO’ers for the support and friendships over the past three years.  I have met many new “virtual” friends and have even made a wonderful new “real life” friendship through CPO.