It is not uncommon for me to read, particularly on social media, that mothers feel like they don’t measure up to other mothers. This disheartens me. It can be tough for some people seeing what appears to be perfect lives, perfect homes, perfect parenting and then, looking at themselves, they may feel they have fallen short. With my blog and my inspiring mothers series I don’t want to put myself or anyone up on a pedestal. Most of us mothers and parents are doing our absolute best, and our best is just what our children need. By sharing my own stories and the stories of other ordinary mothers I seek to show that we are all special, we can inspire each other in the simplest ways, and that we are already the mothers our children need. We don’t need perfect houses and all the latest toys and craft supplies, we just need to be present and connect with our children. My inspiring mothers are everyday mothers, like you, like me.

Today I would like you to meet Bree, who I follow on Instagram as @breegalbraith, and who I have gotten to know through her site Peaks and Harbours. You may have heard me mention her excellent blog, which is all about “kid-friendly art and design experiences, delicious diversions and mom-reviving outdoor adventures.” Yes, some days I feel like Bree is my western Canadian doppleganger. Bree’s way of life and parenting really epitomizes her love of connecting with people and place. She’s tops in my books, and I hope you’ll love her too.

We live in Vancouver, BC [British Columbia, Canada]. More specifically, we are lucky to live in the False Creek Neighbourhood. If you are familiar with Vancouver – we are smack dab in between the Olympic Village and Granville Island. If that wasn’t enough we are steps away from the Seawall, and can hop on a bike and get to Stanley Park in under half an hour all along the side of the ocean and past vibrant neighbourhoods and shops.

I have 2 boys, aged 7 and 9. My 7-year old, Oakland, is an old-soul looking for new experiences. He’s the kind of dude who needs to break a glass to understand it’s fragile, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. Big softy. Dario, my oldest is a protector and is one serious little man. I always have to remind him that things are supposed to be fun! Together they are the best of buds, and at only 25 months apart, they have similar interests and often get mistaken for twins. They are my team.

Hmmmmm…. We make sure to treat others how we’d like to be treated, we don’t keep secrets from one another (because secrets cause stomach aches), we don’t judge people on anything but their attitude, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Personally, I split my time between writing children’s books, doing all things Peaks & Harbours, and finishing my thesis. I also have clients that I freelance (design) for, and that’s usually a nighttime job because the boys are asleep and I have the time to get to work. Most of our weekdays are spent at school (all of us, I teach at the same University I do my Master’s degree at) and weeknights are hustling between soccer practice, basketball, dance and piano. If they aren’t busy, they are not fun to be around. At night and on the weekends, there is a lot of drawing and “checking things out around Vancouver.” We like to go to museums and gardens, walk in the woods or take our dog, Raja, to the dog beach. We are outside all the time because it’s the one place we don’t get on each other’s nerves.

My favourite thing to do with them is to go for a walk with no destination in mind.

I am passionate about sharing experiences and stories and getting people excited to do things. I love writing, and I am fortunate to have found a place for my work so that it can be read around the world.

I am inspired when I know that I have connected with someone and shared something that has made them smile, laugh, feel lighter, say “aha!”…. It’s always inspiring to hear feedback from something I have written and find out someone else’s interpretation of my words – especially children. There’s nothing better than doing a reading to a bunch of 6-year-olds, and then having them tell you that they are going to write a story one day too… only theirs will have cats in it, because that will make it better 😉