Angelika Redweik and her son, Llyr
ANGELIKA REDWEIK
Womenswear Designer, Parasuco
My name is Angelika, coming a long way from Germany over France to Montreal. I am a womenswear designer. As much as designing is beautiful, we are working in a very fast-paced environment…challenging and demanding. We work a lots of hours so it is important to make a line between the mom and the work.
Here I am with my beautiful boy Llyr turning 5 years old by the end of the month of May. So far it was an amazing adventure to share my life with him and every new day is filled with lots of new discoveries.
We are very active and enjoying music classes every Saturdays…we love horseback riding in the fall, swimming classes, and downhill ski to take full advantage of the snow.
Secrets of a WOWMOM
I think filled with love, a mom is capable of turning the world upside down.. 🙂
What inspires me
The own childhood and my own mother is my biggest inspiration. Thinking backwards about how I did grew up…and where I wanted to be in my life tells me which way to go.
My sanity saviour (tips & time savers)
Multi-tasking is a mom’s daily life. My rule is to prepare as much as possible ahead ..setting up a lunch box the night before…He is wearing uniform, this totally helps and avoid any clothes discussions in the morning. Breakfast is set before the boy gets onto the table…If I need to make it work fast I avoid any distraction to him. We are also set up for breakfast in the car and FROSTIES are good without milk 😉 And since we spent lots of time in the car we use these moments to talk about dreams & fears. When he was little, Baby Einstein music was just working like magic on him…They enjoy music so much and and makes a long ride fun. As a time saver …grocery at lunchtime,,,you can do so much in 60 minutes once you have both hands free and a clear mind…
My best WOWMOM advice
Keep you mind open…and if one way did not work out ..just to rethink and try something else.
My WOW moment
That my boy says I had a wonderful day…I love you mommy…It just makes you feel awesome and the daily struggling just seems so little suddenly.
My not-so WOW moment
Frustration comes when when he sometimes forgot everything what you try to teach them daily…The transition from daycare to home is sometimes tough …& in no time all rules are gone…
Keeping it WOW (how not to lose yourself)
Very difficult…finding the time to care and look after oneself…These are the precious moments after 21HR…Yoga helps me to breath better and letting a busy day just cool down. Also doing activities together..like swimming can be great for both in the same time at least you can do some aqua gym simultaneous.
Favourite MOMent of the day
The big hugs…and the sweet good night in german language. I am so happy that he start to manage his 4 languages slowly and being bilingual english / german …and having a good understanding in french & chinese. Kids are like sponges and amazingly they can learn with such an easiness. And something that just made my day yesterday is arranging his shoes between my one and daddy’s…”we are family”…
Does balance exist?
I would say everyday is over speed and rushing everywhere. But a good Sunday pyjama day for the whole family is like rejuvenate…We really find to try activities the whole family can enjoy…so you don’t feel like a taxi driver…started for skiing…we go down the hill together. Having a cinema outing can be real fun for everybody..doing museums visits like the science center…so much to do.
My guardian angel
Yes yes yes we do have one ….and I have to thank this on the survival of my boy. Before he turned 1 year old he lost conscious and stopped breathing after an extreme vomiting. Causes have never been found but the moment of doing CPR to your own baby is earth shattering. Where I have to recommend every parent to do your CPR class during pregnancy…it was a life saver…My boy forgot the moment already after 24 hours but I watched every of his steps since that day…
The last time I laughed out loud
They have the cutest thoughts at that age. And the last one was he was measuring his muscles after each bite of spinach, it was hilarious…
Words Of Wisdom (Mom’s message to My Kids)
You have to try in order to know.
MY WOWMOM MUST-HAVES
Fave things, places and sanity savers for WOWMOMS!
1. Kids clothes from H&M..very cute.
2. Aveeno baby shampoo & shower…still the best.
3. Day out with Thomas in..lots of fun…
4. Dim sum in Chinatown…all the movements and choice of food keeps the little ones curious.
5. Le Petit Gym..fun and sport activities great place to lose energy and make friends.
6. Thomas the train…best wooden toy ever…and he just keeps on playing with it.
7. Leap Frog keeps making him work independently.
8. Good Night Gorilla was his favourite book.
