Mom Talk with Rachael from Rae’s Little Readers
In a few sentences (we know you don’t have much time!) tell us about yourself and your little ones…
Hi! I’m Rachael! I’m a mom of two amazing littles-Max is just shy of 4 years old and Ava is 15 months old. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist in the school board and recently went back to work after an extended maternity leave. I am also an Usborne Books Consultant (on the side). It has been a true balancing act wearing all my many hats :)
Fill us in on everything we should know about Rae’s Little Readers :
Rae’s Little Readers came about in May, 2020. I was feeling extremely bogged down by pandemic parenting and was longing for something just for me. I have a passion for all things speech, language, and literacy, and truly enjoy developing fun activities for my kids. I wanted to share that with whoever would listen! Becoming an Usborne Books consultant was an added bonus and I have loved helping people build their children’s libraries with high-quality, educational, and engaging books.
faves
What is one thing you couldn’t live without as a mom?
(your ultimate must-have!)
Coffee and wine :)
What are your child’s current faves?
(if it suddenly disappeared tomorrow - there would for sure be tears!)
Both of my children are very attached to their loveys. We have four of each to avoid the tears!!
What are three things that you take everywhere with you …
(diaper bag essentials - besides diapers!)
Hand Sanitizer, Mum Mums, Airpods
Book Club
What is your favourite children’s book?
(a childhood fave or a post children discovery)
Oh goodness! I don’t really know where to begin with this because I am children’s book obsessed. We literally have 100s of books all over the house. One of the many benefits of a retired Kindergarten teacher Grandmother and becoming a consultant for Usborne. But my initial gut reaction is Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss. Has a lot of sentimental value to me.
What is your child’s favourite books?
(bet you can recite from memory!)
My daughter loves the That’s Not My... series books and my son really likes anything Robert Munsch, Berenstein Bears, Franklin. But also loves all the Lift the Flap Look Inside Usborne Books; especially the body one!
Mini Style
What are your favourite places to shop for your babe?
(mostly online these days I’m sure!)
Zara, H & M, Old Navy, Target (pre covid), and I’ve honestly had some luck on Ali Express!
What children’s clothing brand do you wish they made in your size?
(because let’s face it, we’ve all once thought “I wish this came in my size!”)
I definitely wish some of the Zara baby clothes came in my size!
Mom Talk
What advice would you tell your pregnant self?
(if only you knew then..)
Try to throw expectations and comparison out the window. Your journey as a mother is your own and it will bring you to your lowest lows and your highest highs. It’s not worth sweating over sleep, food, milestones, etc. etc.-everything is a phase, until the next phase.
As a working mom, how do you find balance between work and motherhood?
(really is there such a thing?)
If you have the secret, please let me know! This is something I continue to work on. I try my best to “clock-out” of work at the end of the day and focus my energy on my kids. If I have to revisit work post bedtime for a bit, I will. Days are long!
Who is your momspiration?
(it can be more than just one because there are so many superstars out there!)
First and foremost, my own mother; but next to her, I am extremely lucky to have a group of 4 girlfriends of 20+ years, who I truly lean on and think they are incredible mothers.
What has been your pandemic saviour?
(we need all the sanity tips!)
Lots of outdoor time, screen time, hot baths, tears, and ice cream :)
Follow Rachael on Instagram: @raeslittlereaders and visit her shop website: www.usbornebooksathome.ca/raeslittlereaders
#TMLmomtalk