Tarah and her son Samuel Lennox
TARAH SCHWARTZ
Anchor/Reporter CTV News Montreal
My beautiful son Samuel Lennox is the light of my life. We came together in Seoul, South Korea when he was 15 months old. We haven’t spent a single night apart since. He’s strong, courageous and funny, and he makes me a better person in every way. He makes me better at my job.
The TV news business is a fast paced, constantly moving entity. Ultimately news is about people. How it affects them. Raising Sam has made me even more conscious of my responsibility to be kind and compassionate in every aspect of what I do.
Being a mom has changed how I see the world. It’s made me aware of time passing, of how life is so very precious. When I look at Sam, I simply don’t want to miss a single minute of it.
Secrets of a WOWMOM
I’m quite sure it’s no secret – sleep. As much as you can, as often as you can.
What inspires me
My little man. He made it from a child care centre, to a foster family to our home more than 10-thousand kilometers from where he was born. All before he turned two. And yet when he hugs me, he pats my back, as if it’s me who needs comforting.
My sanity saviour (tips & time savers)
A yoga class. As often as I can sneak one in. Eating well, and that includes chocolate.
My best WOWMOM advice
Lean on your partner when you need to. Asking for help doesn’t make you a bad mother, it’s makes you a sane one. Remember, Daddy can do a good job as well.
My WOW moment
Adoption can be very hard on a child, there’s often fear and confusion. The first time Sam touched my cheek, looked into my eyes and smiled took my breath away.
My not-so WOW moment
When I lose my temper with him. I always apologize and tell him mommies can make mistakes too.
Keeping it WOW (how not to lose yourself)
I try to remember that I’m doing the best that I can. Everyday my best will be different, and that’s OK. I remind myself to be grateful – always.
Favourite MOMent of the day
Waking up and bedtime. The hugs, kisses and baby chat is too beautiful for words.
Does balance exist?
I think so. Some days more easily than others.
My guardian angel
My husband Enrico. He held my hand and held me up on our long, difficult road to parenthood.
The last time I laughed out loud
I laugh out loud every day. Sam is hilarious.
Words Of Wisdom (Mom’s message to My Kids)
I love quotes…so I think I’ll leave the advice to a famous father: “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” Jack Layton.
MY WOWMOM MUST-HAVES
Fave things, places and sanity savers for WOWMOMS!
1. Yoga. Keeps me centered and calm. I practice and teach at Vert Prana.
2. A facial in the hands of the beautiful Jennifer Brodeur at Bella Clinique.
3. My iPad. For keeping in touch, a quick episode on Netflix during naptime, for online recipes
4. My Kindle. I still curl up with a good book before bed, but now I can make the font bigger and have it light up from behind.
5. Date nights with my man…I’m partial to Italian and Japanese.
6. Voluminous mascara by L’Oreal and Burt’s Bees lip gloss. I keep my makeup simple, but those two things just make me feel better.
7. Comfy clothes. The cuter the better, but lots of them.
8. Cocktail hour. When you get up at dawn, you deserve a glass of wine or a cold beer at the end of the day.
