Angela and her husband Dave have two children
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
As Mother’s Day approaches this Sunday (there’s still time to get a gift!), Farms.com is connecting with multiple ag moms for a Q&A about motherhood, its hardest parts, and pieces of advice for new moms.
The first Ontario ag mom to participate is Angela Cammaert (AC).
Along with her husband Dave, they’re growing crops and raising cattle and their two children, a young teenage son, and a pre-teen daughter, in Elgin County.
“My son is extremely outgoing and very curious about mechanics,” she told Farms.com. “And he loves sports and athletics. My daughter is more creative, enjoys crafts and is more reserved.”
Farms.com: Where were you when you found out you were pregnant for the first time? How did it make you feel?
AC: We were around the farm, and we were so excited that we were adding another branch to the family tree.
Farms.com: Describe the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time.
AC: I don’t even know how to put that into words. It’s an experience you don’t forget.
.jpg)
The Cammaert family.
Farms.com: What’s the best part about being a farm mom?
AC: Watching my kids experience things and learn and grow on the farm. My son is old enough now to operate some equipment. And he makes mistakes, but I get to watch him learn and figure out how to correct those mistakes. And my daughter is getting more involved with the livestock, and I get to see her come out of her shell and blossom.
Farms.com: What’s the hardest part about motherhood?
AC: Not being a helicopter parent. In my opinion, you’ve got to let kids grow, be adventurous and do things on their own.
Farms.com: What’s a misconception people have about motherhood?
AC: That you need to be perfect. Life is not perfect.
Farms.com: What’s your mom’s name? What are some special memories you have with her?
AC: My mom’s name was Janis. I’m very fortunate that she was around a lot when I was young, and she was involved in school activities like parent council and ran us to all sorts of sporting activities. I cherish those memories greatly and I wish I had more time with her.
Farms.com: What’s one lesson you learned from your mom that you try to teach your kids?
AC: My mom taught me how to garden, grow flowers and canning. And I’m trying to pass that tradition onto my children.
Farms.com: How has parenthood changed you?
AC: When I make decisions, I think about how it will affect my children and my family before I finalize that decision.
Farms.com: What’s one thing all parents have in common no matter where they are in the world?
AC: We all want the best for our kids. We want them to succeed.
Farms.com: What’s one piece of advice you have for new moms?
AC: Don’t be discouraged by what you see on social media because it doesn’t always tell the full story.
Be sure to check back this week as Farms.com will have more Q&As with ag moms from multiple communities.
Sheila Hillmer, a beef producer from Del Bonita, Alta., for example, told Farms.com that all parents are writing the rules as they go.
And Trish Cook, a hog farmer from near Winthrop, Iowa, says holding a newborn felt like a miracle and natural at the same time.