Name: Sarah Harmsen
Child & Age: Evelyn (20 months old)
Hometown/Current Location: Madison, WI
Quick Bio: I’m Sarah, a lifestyle blogger living in southern Wisconsin. My heart is happiest when I feel at home. I’m a mother, a wife, a planner and creator. I love turning spaces into places of comfort and elevating everyday experiences into something special. I graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin and made a career out of planning events. After having my beautiful daughter Evelyn Louise, I quickly realized balancing work and motherhood is quite the challenge, but one that makes life so rich and rewarding. Motivated by my desire to give Evie a beautiful childhood, I strive for balance between work and home and make the best of the time I do have with my family.
BLOG: www.sugarmaplenotes.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/sugarmaplenotes
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/sugarmaplenotes
TWITTER: twitter.com/misssarahlouise
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/sugarmaplenotes
BLOGLOVIN: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/sugar-maple-notes-14548083
Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: Being a mom is a huge part of who I am since having my daughter Evelyn. To me, there is not a “mom” version of myself and a “me” version of myself. It’s all the same. That being said, I do think it’s important to take time out to do things just for me. I have struggled with feeling guilt over this and I write more about how I’m working to change that in my blog post “A Fresh Start To A New Year”. This year, I’m focusing on my health, taking time out to read, and continuing on my blogging journey.
Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Don’t be so hard on yourself. Becoming a mom is a learning process. It’s okay, if you don’t have it all figured out right away because things change daily. Once you think you have something figured out, your child is probably moving on to the next stage! Have fun with it and be flexible. Lean on the people around you for support and don’t compare yourself to other moms. We’re all in different situations.
Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: Teach by example. Kids are sponges and they soak up every little thing you do. I’ve been amazed now that my daughter is 20 months old how often I catch her mimicking me or her dad. It’s been eye opening. Just yesterday, I was building a fire in the fireplace and she came up beside me and starting crumpling newspaper and handing it to me and blowing her lips towards the fireplace, just like mom. I catch her watching me so intently, it’s important to remember that. That’s why I make sure my actions reflect what I want her to learn. Number one, I want her to grow up to be kind. She has a big heart already for such a little girl, and I want to make sure she knows how proud of her I am when she uses it.
Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: The day Evelyn was born. My family grew from two to three. Suddenly life wasn’t just about me, but about my family and baby who needs me to survive. That is a moment you can’t describe. It’s the beginning of a new kind of selfless love you only have for your child. Having a child forces you to slow down and enjoy the little things. Suddenly being home on the weekend, making breakfast and enjoying a cup a coffee in pajamas with your husband and baby is the best kind of day. And you’re perfectly happy with that.