If you’re new here, welcome!
This post is a bit of a summary of my #MomADayForMay series I did on my instagram feed (@draliyavisram). Every day in May I highlighted a mom that I admired and respected. Women who are game changers and who aren’t afraid to admit they’ve made some mistakes. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that there are other mothers out there that are just like us.
So here they are! My #MomADayForMay line up:
May 1 – Trisha Enriquez, @nottummymommy
My first #momadayformay is dedicated to the always humble, forever gracious and truly lovely Trisha of @notummymommy. Trisha was one of the first mamas I met in this “instagram-world” and I was immediately inspired by her openness and her drive to help mamas feel better. Trisha is a certified Nutrition Coach and Pre and Post Natal Fitness Specialist. She’s also a mama to the sweetest little mini. Her 4 week fitness and nutrition program is so realistic and has really helped me in my journey back to getting fit and healthy post-baby. She is one of the best people I know and sincerely believes in helping other women reach their goals. Moreover, her superwoman ability to juggle work, family and her passion motivates me daily! Thanks Trisha for being one fit mama!
May 2 – Farah Nasser, @farahnasserglobal
You most likely see her everyday on TV delivering the day’s news with style and ease. But tome, she’s more than a news anchor. She is an amazing mother of two, an active member of our community, a leader in her field, a wonderful role model to so many young girls and I’m so proud to also call her my cousin. We grew up together and she always knew how to push the boundaries, even as a rebellious teen. She makes wearing both the career woman hat and the attentive mama and wife hat lookeffortless and always manages to spend time with her close friends and family despite her crazy busy schedule. Farah is on a mission to change the world for women in media and I am so excited to see what she does next. I love you, Cuz!
May 3 – Cat and Nat, @catandnat
This dynamic duo has been on my list of “mom-spiration” from day 1 and so it makes sense to include them in my #MomADayForMay shoutout. Cat and Nat are mamas that are keeping it real. They share everything that we moms are too afraid to talk about or even admit. Usually, at some point during the day while juggling the kids, household stuff and my career, I find myself in a situation thinking “What would Cat andNat do?” And inevitably the answer is always, “RELAX – as long as the kids are smiling or laughing – you’re doing good”. Their #momtruths are like food for my mommy soul and their unapologetic take on motherhood is so relatable. Thanks Cat and Nat for your honesty, authenticity and for being so damn funny!
May 4 – Emily Weinmann, @ushappyfour
This lady is one of my favourite people of all time – not only is she a truly beautiful human (she has has two tiny beautiful mini humans) – but she is also the super mama behind the East Toronto Young Mothers facebook community of which I am fortunate to be a part. The group provides an opportunity for parents to share advice, exchange resources and support one another through this roller coaster ride called “parenting”. Honestly, it’s like asking advice from 4,000 of your closest friends who are going through it all with you. It’s my village and Emily is at the heart of it. She is one of the most compassionate and kind-hearted people I know and I feel truly grateful to have met her.
May 5 – Lara Marq, @laramarq
It’s Friday (yay!) and I’ve always loved ending the week with a bit of sweat session before settling in to enjoy the weekend. So it’s fitting that today’s #MomADayForMay is one of my fitness motivators – @LaraMarq. Lara is all things health & fitness. She’s a personal trainer, a spin and pilates instructor, a wellness advocate and a mama of 2 sweet babes. And by the way she’s killing it! She does it all and I can honestly say she gives me my daily dose of motivation to get the “job” (aka the workout) done. She’s also one of the sweetest, most down to earth mamas around. Keeping kicking butt lady!
May 6 Tania Joy Antonio, @taniajoyantonio
My #MomADayForMay shoutout is the soulful mama behind the book The Affirmation Station.
This book belongs on every child’s shelf and I can’t believe I didn’t pick it up sooner. Tania’s book empowers children and adults alike to think positively and compassionately and encourages affirmations as a daily practice. I literally just started reading it and I’m astounded by the impact it’s had on my life already, especially as a mama. I can’t wait to share this book with Rosie and Will and I know that it will empower them to love themselves, each other and others wholly and with gratitude. I sincerely encourage everyone to pick up her book today! Life changed.
May 7 Stacey Lipstein, @TinyHouseMama
You know that feeling when you meet someone and you instantly feel at ease talking to them about this, that and the other?! Well, that’s the feeling I had when I first met Stacey – @tinyhousemama. She’s the co-owner of the super stylish, super popular @fusshairstudio in #Leslieville and mama to the sweetest little boy. Stacey is one of the funniest people I know and manages to balance a crazy successful business with family life with grace, honesty and a lot of laughs.
May 8 Zehra Allibhai, @zallibhai
She’s a mom of 2, a personal trainer, an advocate of family fitness & health and a confident, strong & inspiring Muslim woman so it’s not surprising that Zehra Allibhai is becoming a star in the fitness world. She is my shout out for today’s #MomADayForMay, and honestly she has become one of my mama role models. As a Muslim woman ( I don’t wear a hijab), I often find myself feeling a bit uncomfortable in the social media world. Zehra sets a positive example for other women and she isn’t afraid to put it all out there. She is doing some truly amazing things and she has easily become my insta inspo on a daily basis.
May 9 Joy McCarthy, @joyoushealth
This woman is a true inspiration to thousands of people who have transformed their lives by reading her books, following her simple recipes and tips and being motivated by her positivity and warmth. Joy McCarthy of @JoyousHealth is my #MomADayForMay today and I can honestly say that she is my health and wellness guru. She is a certified holistic nutritionist, brilliant author of two successful books and mama to sweet Vienna. Joy has this ability to make simple foods taste delicious with easy to follow recipes for the whole family! Rosie loves her Strawberry Chia Pudding! I am so proud to call her my friend. Thank you Joy for inspiring us to eat well to live well!
May 10 Vanessa Falsetti, @josephineacreativelife
Here’s the thing about this Insta world – it’s actually a lot smaller than you think. Over the last couple of years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many mamas that are doing some pretty creative and amazing things online. Vanessa is one of them! She is a mama of 2, a writer, a teacher and the woman behind the prettiest lifestyle blog @josephineacreativelife. I kept meeting Vanessa at various “mama events” all over the city! She supports so many women in this blogger world by just being present. She is the loveliest of mamas and she shares her tales of motherhood and parenting on a daily basis.
May 11 Jessica Glaze, @jessicaglaze
Life is crazy with 2 kids – daycare drop offs, breastfeeding, nap schedules, bedtime! But this lady makes having 3 kids look like a cake walk! @jessicaglaze is my #MomADayForMay today and her littlest one is just a couple of months old. Jessica’s blog is true honest depiction of what being a mom of 2, then 3 is all about. I love her mom hacks and her tips on home organization – they make my life’s chaos a bit more manageable. She’s also one of the sweetest mamas and her ease and style inspire me to take things day by day. Maybe it’s true what they say…”3 is the new 2”?!?
May 12 Tina, @mombossof3
Tina isn’t just a mom of 3 adorable little boys, but she’s also fearless leader of the “Marmy” (aka Mom Army). She is a mommy vlogger who keeps things real by sharing her daily ups and downs with her followers and her videos are a hilarious depiction of true #momlife! I love her honest approach to motherhood! We recently did a collaboration together and I’m so excited to share our video with you today….head over to my youtube channel (link in bio) to see the full video.
May 13 My Mom, Yasmin
This woman has taught me what it means to be a strong, brave mother for my children. She has taught me to face adversity and how to rise above it with grace and compassion. My #MomADayForMay today is none other than my own mama – Yasmin. (She hasn’t found her way to Instagram yet). If you know our family, you already know how strong she is and what she has been through over the course of her life. The challenges and hardships that she has overcome in the last several years and particularly in the last year. And how she’s always managed to see the l light and positivity in every situation and circumstance. Mom – you are one tough chick and I feel so truly blessed to be your daughter and to have you in my life.
May 14 – YOU!
Today’s #MomADayForMay shoutout is to YOU – all of the moms out there! The messy hair, sleep deprived, spit up stained, carpooling, crazy busy moms. To the moms who stay at home and to the moms who go to work. To the grandmas, the stepmoms, the foster moms, the surrogate moms and the moms-to-be. To the moms we’ve sadly lost and to the moms who’ve lost little ones. And to the dads who are also moms. My father used to say “Everyday should be Mother’s Day” – he was a very smart man! Hope you have a very Happy Mother’s Day!
May 15 Rebel Mamas, @therebelmama
The aftermath of Mother’s Day…cards have been read and displayed, flowers have been received, brunch has been eaten and moms continue to be moms. Today seems like the perfect day to shoutout @TheRebelMama for #MomADayForMay (ah yes, we’re doing this for the whole month!). The Rebel Mamas are a sisterhood of modern day mamas who aren’t afraid to say and do what they want. They are out to revolutionize the way mamas “ought” to behave. Just because we are moms doesn’t mean we can’t follow our dreams and have successful careers and fabulous adventures and FUN! Thank you Rebel Mamas for being straight up, hardcore, no bull sh*t b*tches!
