Tell us a little about yourself
I’m Katherine, a 30 year old mother of two incredible daughters - Ellira, who is 8, and Alaska, now 1 year old. I am so fortunate to raise them with the most dedicated father, my soulmate Tyson. You’ll find me in the ocean, camping, on a mountain snowboarding pretty poorly, stargazing, and getting my hands into something creative. My little family and the simple things in life bring me the most happiness.
Describe motherhood in 3 words
Innate, self-sacrificing, infinite.
What is the best advice or support you have received about motherhood?
I count my blessings to be part of an incredibly supportive family, predominantly made up of women. There’s never been a time in my life, especially throughout motherhood, that I haven’t had their entire love and support. When I’m faced with challenges and seeking advice, my mum, sister, and grandmother often lead me back to myself to trust my own intuition. The best advice I’ve received is that - to trust my motherly instinct. Oh and to double up on baby’s cot sheet, and mattress protector - so if there’s ever a night you’ve got to pull the top ones off to wash, there’s a fresh set ready to go underneath! #gamechanger
What is important to you when choosing goods for your little one?
I take time to consider a number of things before making purchases for my girls, I’m not impulsive when it comes to this. Most importantly, I look for items that will benefit their health and that of the earth, by choosing natural goods. I know they’re safe for play, teething on, and can be loved for many years before becoming biodegradable. Items with more than one use really appeal to me for their value, and sustainability. It’s important to me that I purchase sensibly and support small, local businesses whenever I can.
What are your dreams and hopes for your children?
Essentially, I dream of a happy, healthy life for my babies, with a worry-free childhood they can look back on warmly. I hope for them to be courageous in the pursuit of their own dreams, and to stand for what they believe in. To be kind to themselves, others, the earth, and it’s creatures. To know their worth, and live without feeling the need to change themselves for others. I hope my girls live life to the fullest, and can look on the bright side of things. More than anything, I want for them to know their parents will love and support them unconditionally.
As a parent, what sustainability issue needs the most focus?
As parents we set the standard for our children, so it’s important within our family that we make well educated, mindful choices when it comes to sustainability. At home we do our best to practice more of a slow living approach, and not be tempted to buy more than we need. Out of the many sustainability issues we’re facing, one I’m giving my focus to currently is plastics. Plastic will last practically forever, but the cheap thrill a little plastic toy brings won’t. It hardly seems fair to use disposable plastic items for a few minutes, then throw them in the trash either. So, I’m working on making more sustainable choices particularly when it comes to plastics in our home, by buying items that are natural, biodegradable, and recyclable.
What tips would you give other parents who are wanting to live more sustainably?
Having an almost 8 year age gap between my daughters allowed me to educate myself on sustainability over time as a parent. I’m still learning on the job. It’s definitely not something that happened overnight and I think that’s important to share, because it can seem overwhelming to begin with. Living more sustainably is a lifestyle choice after all, so by making small changes over time it becomes easier to achieve. Opting for natural, safe, sustainable products for my children, over plastic toys, and harmful, chemical-filled products is an easy swap for me. Taking the time to look at ingredients and packaging might be the only motivation required to make some easy changes around the home. Something as simple as taking a refillable water bottle on outings, or reusable bags for grocery shopping is a good place to start. Even the smallest conscious changes for the better are better than none at all.
image supplied by Katherine via her Instagram account @lifebeyondthebump