what does being a mama mean to you?
a mother is more than a person who nurtures a single life. a mother is the spirit of a community. she wields beauty and life to create spaces where we can care for each other, empower each other, seek justice for each other. at the heart of any family, community, or nation, you’ll find her honouring our elders and uplifting our children. she is what connects us to the land, she is who reminds us that our value is intrinsic, no matter what outside forces try to tell us who to be.
every community thrives because of these mamas, and we want to connect with some of them who live right here in our neighbourhood. from nourishment to social engagement to helping us embrace our beauty, the five women we’ve spoken to all have something precious to share, and they’ve all made their community richer in their own unique way. together, they embody the life-giving power that is motherhood, no matter in who or what form it comes in.
to me, the word mama embodies unconditional love, the purest kind. It means having your heart become the home to your children. being a mama is happiness and joy, and feeling whatever their heart feels as yours.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE ABOUT MOTHERHOOD?
I don’t have a favourite quote, but being a mom to my daughters is what I am the most proud of. I didn’t know how much love my heart could hold, until I became a mom. I treasure the strong bond I have with both of them, and every moment spent together.
HOW DO WE COLLECTIVELY RAISE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS KIDS?
I believe that to raise socially conscious kids we need to constantly be talking about what equality looks like. and making them aware that helping others in need, in any way capacity, is the only way to go. talks about race are necessary, talks about trans rights and the LGBTQ+ are necessary. talks about the things we all can do to create a better planet. kids are never too young to learn and they do the most learning from how they’ve grown and what they’re exposed to. they learn by example.
HOW DOES BEING A MAMA INSPIRE YOUR RECIPES?
I’m a nurturer and my favourite way to nurture is through food. ever since my daughters were born, cooking for them has been a constant. something I deeply love. because they have travelled quite a lot, and enjoy foods from all around the world, I love creating recipes for them that reminds us about our travels together.
TELL US ABOUT WYNTER AND HOW YOU ARE HELPING THEM
Wynter is a happy, curious 6 year old who loves bugs, space and shiny jewellery. legit he asked me for one of my beautiful bluboho pieces and said “you already have 3 and I have none”?!?!
I have encouraged him to follow his heart and not shut off any part of him, allowing all of the world to be accessible. which I feel helps them find their way in creating their identity and seeing what it is that truly inspires them daily. which is constantly changing and evolving.
I love taking him to explore new places and people and create as much of an openness and acceptance and empathy as he can. all these things will just enrich him as a person and being. and allow him to be adaptable in this ever changing world.
HOW DO WE COLLECTIVELY RAISE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS KIDS?
honestly we have never shied away from the harsh realities of life and the injustices that so many face. Wynter coming from a home which has 2 moms already brings forth a level of difference, maybe not as much as in the past. but recognizing the different types of families, people, adversities that individuals face. we have encouraged from a young age to give back, and be aware of his privilege. he has often used some of his own money to send to different causes, Black Lives Matter Movements, helping rehabilitate elephants, and donating toys during the holidays to less fortunate kids. he also sees us giving people money, coffee, food, or homemade packs of goods to those on the streets and less fortunate.
we want to ensure our child knows and understands that our world is a better place if we take care of one another, no matter what!
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU WANT WYNTER TO LEARN?
I feel like there are so many lessons, but at the basis and root of it all, learning love, openness and security will truly shape and guide you. allowing yourself to fully be who YOU want to be, and be able to impact the people around you. and do whatever makes your heart sing baby!!!!
AS A TRANS WOMAN, MANY CHILDREN LOOK UP TO YOU AS A SOURCE OF GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION. HOW DO YOU NURTURE THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU ALWAYS SHARE?
until coming out recently as a transgender woman, I never realized the importance of visibility and the impact it would have on others, especially young trans children. growing up, there was a lack of representation of someone like me on media. I didn’t have a role model - someone I can look up to, connect with and feel inspired. and, if there was any representation, it was not proper. It did more harm than good.
this is why it is so important for me to show children that people of trans experience can be happy, loved, respected and successful. yes, there will be many obstacles and barriers along the way but it is possible.
I realize that I am not a “mother” in the traditional sense of the word because I cannot create life. however, being a mother to me isn’t just about creating life but also giving that motherly energy in the way you care, nurture, and love those around you. I nurture relationships with children by simply being myself. being vulnerable. showing that I am a multifaceted being. leading with love and light from a place of kindness to give hope.
the one piece of advice I would share with transgender children or really anybody is to keep going. to not stop. It does get better and there is light at the end of the tunnel. life is a journey.
HOW DO WE COLLECTIVELY RAISE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS KIDS?
raising socially conscious kids starts from a young age. surrounding children on a daily basis with different kinds of people that come from all walks of life, whether that be people of different races, sexual orientation, gender identity or different abilities. It’s important to present all the necessary information so they can form their own thoughts. to show that love is love and we are all deserving of that. however, often parents pick and choose what’s “comfortable” and “normal” and will only present that information. for example, only educating children on racism but not on LGBTQ+ experiences. doing this prevents children from expanding their minds and they are not limited to only certain way of thinking. maybe then a gay child won’t get bullied at school by his peers. or a transgender girl won’t need to hide herself.
children should to be raised to be open to everyone and learn how to be good allies themselves. this should be the new “normal”.
WHO IS AN INSPIRING MAMA TO YOU?
there are so many inspiring mamas in my life. women that also give the “mama” energy in the way they nurture relationships around them to mamas that have created life and raising children that are conscious, loving, and show kindness to others. but specifically, three women come to my mind.
one of my best friends, Janelle of @sechespampas lost her baby boy in this physical world. despite going through something so difficult, she continues to share her light and love with those around her. I love watching her with her nephews and nieces, and seeing them shine around her sweet presence. I am also inspired by my other best friend, Amanda, who was adopted. even though she has struggled with her sense of identity or feeling like she doesn’t belong, she is incredibly giving, caring, nurturing and loving to the people she considers family. like myself. I can’t wait to see her creating life and being a mother one day.
lastly, my mother inspires me. I have realized a lot of my humanitarian qualities come from her. In her career, she focused on improving the lives of marginalized women and communities experiencing poverty. she changed her path, made huge sacrifices, and moved to Canada to improve the lives of her children. she is a breast cancer survivor.
although, my mother comes from a conservative, South-Asian and religious background, she has changed immensely and continues to grow her awareness of the struggles faced by transgender people. to understand me. I will never forget the first time she called me her daughter. to feel seen, heard and loved is all we wish for at the end of the day.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR NURTURING HUMANS?
nurturing yourself first. we cannot give from an empty cup. nourish your soul through your mind, body, spirit. be the mirror you wish to see in the world through your actions. allow yourself grace if you need help and/or need to unlearn something yourself.
HOW DO WE COLLECTIVELY RAISE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS KIDS?
giving them the liberation and freedom to explore and to be curious. allowing them the grace to explore their own individuality and what they prefer. teaching them the truth about the land that they live on. reclaim a relationship based approach to life and the world itself.
WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION?
the Seventh Generation prophecy tells us to look at the impact behind our actions for the next seven generations. leave this world better than you found it. create more sustainable lifestyle habits and pass it onto the next generation.
TELL US ABOUT AN INDIGENOUS TRADITION AROUND MOTHERHOOD THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE
matriarchs are the backbones of our communities. the life-givers - the portal between the physical and spiritual realm. motherhood is connected to Mother Earth. knowing it is interwoven and not separate to one another.
WHAT DOES BEING A MAMA MEAN TO YOU?
everything…and nothing. my 4 kids are undoubtedly everything to me. I love them beyond any way words can describe, and sometimes my heart is so full of emotion for them that it feels like it will burst. I remember thinking when I had my first child that it wouldn't be possible to love more, but two, three and then four kids later, I realize that the capacity to love can be bottomless. I have learned so much more about myself being a mother than I have ever before - both positive or negative! At the same time that I am a mama, I am also an entrepreneur, investor, advisor, board member….a friend, a wife….there are so many other facets of how I see myself and define who I am and what makes me happy and fulfilled.
HOW DO WE COLLECTIVELY RAISE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS KIDS?
by being super honest and talking openly as a family about hard topics. I try not to completely shield my kids from understanding things that can be hateful, harmful or difficult, because I believe that if you're faced with that kind of adversity - or if others are that you know - then you will be way better placed and ready to do the right thing, say the right thing or help someone in need if you've already been exposed to it.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AS AN ENTREPRENEUR THAT INFLUENCES HOW YOUR RAISE YOUR KIDS?
being an entrepreneur can feel like you're being pulled in so many directions at the same time, and it's not all glorious or sexy. It can feel more like chewing glass every day! I always say that I have never worked harder, and that can mean very long hours and time away that is not with them. that means that I try to teach my kids to be as independent as they can be (safely, of course), and to learn to do more things for themselves. another way it has influenced me is that I have thought way more about how it influences them. although it can be gruelling at times, I also want them to see and experience the joy in seeing things with a big vision as if the world has no limits, having to wear multiple hats and multi-task and to do the hard work to make things happen.