Mama Monday : Kylie from Kylie M Interiors

It's back!

When I first launched the Mama Monday series, I honestly never expected it to run for this long. 

I am so thankful to each of the mama's who has reached out and asked to participate {or agreed to do so when I hounded them}. 
If you are interested in being featured, please shoot me an email at avagracescloset(at)gmail(dot)com :: I would love to have you!

Today, I have the good fortune of introducing you to a fellow Canadian mama! 

Kylie, from Kylie M Interiors, is from beautiful British Columbia. 

If you have never been, you must.

If you have, then you know why it is referred to as such.

What an amazing place to raise a family.

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Do you work outside the home or are you a stay at home mom? What led you to either decision?

Well, I do a little bit of both!  I have my own Interior Decorating business AND I take care of my sweetie's!  I have an anxiety disorder and found that I was unable to hold down a job where I had an 'employer' and at the same time, would go a little crazy being home all the time. Having my own business is the perfect blend of the 2 worlds and I'm very, very lucky to have found something I am desperately passionate about.

Did you always see yourself as stay at home mom/career woman? Was it a dream of yours?

My dream was always to be a mom.  I knew my career would come 2nd.  Some weeks its hard to balance both, but when I sit back and take a deeeep breath and slow down, it's easy to ground myself and get balanced again.

What frustrates you most? What would you change if you could?

FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN!  I wish we had a choice as to whether our kids attend full day or half day kindergarten.  They are just babies and I don't see the need for them to be away from mommy/daddy for a full day, 5 days a week.  Yes, it would make my work more challenging, but I'm okay with that.  I have seen the benefits academically with my daughter who is now in Grade 1, but in the end they all get to the same place and I see no need to rush these things.  I feel that it's a system that is primarily catering to the full-time working parent, rather than focusing on what KIDS need.

If you are at home, do you plan to return to work one day? 

Once my little one, who is now 4, is in Kindergarten I will increase my workload - but I will miss her soooo much (time to get a dog....)  Not that I'm saying a dog would replace my child, but it's having the constant companion that could hang and cruise with me - I love having a partner in crime!

Any words of advice for mama's who are struggling with this decision?

You only get one chance.  There are those parents who HAVE to work for financial reasons which is completely understandable.  If you are not one of those parents then take a deep breath, relax, enjoy this time with your kids.  You have the rest of your life to work and only these few years to be one-on-one with your kids - it is a gift. 

The decision to work outside the home or stay home with your children is such a personal one. There is no right answer or right decision but rather, I truly feel each woman must do what is right for her and her family. I commend each and every mother out there for this. It is not easy. We are women and man, we're amazing.

Kylie, thank you so much for being here today. I couldn't agree more about the full day kindergarten. It hasn't happened in Toronto yet but apparently, it is on the way. 
Boo.