ERICA EHM
Publisher, YummyMummyClub.ca
“My mom taught me to let my kids follow their hearts. My parents did that for me, and they always supported my interests even though they weren’t necessarily what the average kid did, and that’s how I parent my kids now. I let them show me what they love and who they are, and it’s my job to support them in those endeavours. My mom is still doing it with my kids, too. They are lucky to have such an amazing, powerful grandmother, actually two grandmothers.”
WENDY MESLEY
Host on CBC’s The National
Wendy Mesley says her mother’s influence on her was to be out of the ordinary. “My mother is not normal. She was divorced and raised me on her own, back when that was extremely unusual. She also never did typical ‘mom’ things like tell me my face would stay that way [in a frown] or to wear clean underwear in case I got hit by a bus! She was never preoccupied with avoiding embarrassment. Instead, she taught me to be brave, to think for myself and to try to find a rewarding way to give back. I’m a lucky daughter.”
SARAH RICHARDSON
HGTV Host
She may just be the Martha Stewart of Canada. Viewers especially know Sarah Richardson from her HGTV show Sarah’s Cottage. Here’s what she had to say about her mother’s influence on the mom she became: “At every critical stage, in a very subtle yet supportive way, my mom encouraged me to follow my inner compass, trust my instincts and, most importantly, to make the decisions that were right for me even if they weren’t the most obvious and easy ones. Learning early on to make your own destiny and chart your own path is invaluable.”
RANDI SHINDER
Founder of i smell great
“My mother had a very rare disease that required extensive surgeries in her early 20s. She endured what many of us could never imagine. What she taught me is, ‘Where there is life, there is hope.’ She has always lived life with her glass half full. She showed me that all you need is a loving family and a few good friends. My mother never complains because she has far too much to be grateful for every day. She taught me gratitude as a way of life and that love really conquers all.”
MARY JOSEPHINE EUSTACE
Actress and author
Mary Josephine Eustace’s mom is a constant source of inspiration. “My mother’s strongest and most profound influence on me is how she lives her life. She still giggles at my father’s humour, even though he is an acquired taste. She dreams big and wide for her four children and always looks forward not back. To me, my mom is pure joy. And I am sure my sisters and my brother would agree — she kind of rules the world and made all of us feel like we could, too. Unconditionally.”
KATE WHEELER
Co-host, SiriusXM radio show What She Said
Kate Wheeler learned how to deal with teenage angst from her mother. “The most important thing my mother taught me is empathy. When the teenagers screamed at me for something minor I knew (most of the time) not to react until I determine the reason behind their angst. My mother told me, ‘They will always take it out on the person with whom they feel safest, just as you did with me.’ That skill set enables me to listen, actually hear and ferret out the deeper story.”
JOANNA TRACK
Founder of Good Eggs and co.
Joanna Track introduced her mother’s house rules into her own home. “Growing up, we lived in a household where we had rules and boundaries, but it wasn’t overly restrictive. We got to indulge some of the time and learned to respect the idea that it was the exception not the rule. We also learned by her example of eating well and taking care of herself. I believe that’s why my brothers and I all now live quite healthy and balanced lifestyles and teach our children the same.”
CELINE, NATALIE & STEPHANIE GEE
Co-owners, Gee Beauty
Celine, Natalie and Stephanie are the daughters of Miriam Gee, and all of them make up the team behind Gee Beauty. Here’s what they had to say about their mother: “Our mother is definitely our main source of inspiration and strength and leads by example daily. Creation and compassion were the dominant messages in our house growing up and still to this day ring true. The importance of positive language is also something we learned daily. It’s not about what we can’t do, but what we can do.”