Hey moms! Find all sorts of useful tips and parenting hacks from other moms just like you. The Mom Life: Real Moms Interview Series is a place to get support and advice from people who have been there… or are there. Today we’re hearing about Victoria’s Mom Life.
Murissa is a very busy mama with a lot of ball in the air. She works, takes care of her son, has a food and travel blog, and is launching a food tour company!
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I love hearing advice from other moms. Learning tips from moms who are rocking motherhood is so inspiring to me! Moms who have tips for easy weeknight meals, creating family moments, cleaning hacks, money saving, family travel, and just Mom Life in general.
Today, we’re hearing about Murissa’s Mom Life!
Murissa’s Mom Life
Murissa is an awesome mom who blogs at TheWanderfullTraveler.com & FoodToursKelowna.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instgram – @wanderfulltraveler & @foodtourskelowna.
Tell us about your family:
We live in Kelowna, BC, Canada – considered the heart of the Okanagan wine region. I am a mom to my son Ryker who is about to turn 2 in June. My husband works 5-6 days a week as a superintendent at a local concrete company. I am currently working from home 3 days per week as daycare is incredibly difficult to come by here. I have been on the waitlist for about 2 years now!
Right now is a very busy time for us. I am working my day job with my family where we sell environmentally and innovative building materials, flooring adhesives and temporary floor coverings.
In between then I write my food and travel blog The Wanderfull Traveler and am currently launching a food tour company in April. We are featuring culinary neighbourhoods many travelers overlook as they aren’t quite central to the main street tourists stick to.
As a mom, what is the best part of your day?
When my son wakes up.
Lately he has been sleeping so well. He is excited to go to bed in the evening and wakes up at around 7:30 am. This week he has been shouting for Dada, Shrek or Elmo.
I get kisses when he feels like it too!
3 Words that describe your parenting style?
Relaxed yet involved.
What is a parenting rule you never break?
Don’t forget to get silly with your son at least once per day. We love to dance!
Also Read: How to Have a Beach Staycation in your Living Room
What is a parenting rule you always break?
No phones! I’m the quickest to shout at others about it but suddenly I’ll find my phone in my hands.
How do you prioritize family-time and me-time?
I only work when my son naps and luckily he has been sleeping for 2-3 hours in a day. But It has been a struggle.
I have found that I feel guilty to ask myself for me-time, because my husband works 6 days a week we both need to allow ourselves a few hours for what we enjoy whether that be together or separate.
What is your go-to, easy weeknight meal?
Normally one pan chicken thighs and roasted vegetables. In the summer I turn to our BBQ.
However, I just got a Ninja Foodi for Christmas and have found that it has been making evenings easier. If I forget to defrost something guess what? The Ninja Foodie can literally do it all – defrost, cook then crisp. Last night I made kimchi fried rice entirely in the Ninja Foodi and sweet & sour chicken balls with 45 minutes before it was my son’s dinner time.
Also Read: Chicken and Veggies Sheet Pan Meal
What is your favorite family activity?
Going to the park. The snow just started melting here in southern BC so we’ve been able to get some fresh air around our block.
I find myself intently watching my son just wanting to take in his reactions to everything he sees.
Do you have a “Mom Hack” you can’t live without?
Always bring a change of clothes for your kid.
New mom fail when we went out to breakfast last year. That’s probably an obvious one for experienced moms.
What do you do when you need a break?
Take a bath. Grab a glass of wine and watch foodie shows on Netflix or Amazon.
If it is during the day in spring, summer or fall I like to go out and take photos of the local vineyards and orchards. We have incredible cherries and apples in the Okanagan as well as wine!
What are you reading with your kids?
Right now his favourites are all board books. We’ve been reading The Gruffalo and My Dad is Amazing. I do voices and it’s fun for us. But his picks change daily at this age!
How do you balance work and home life?
It’s hard because I am working from home and sometimes it is unavoidable – Things need to get done before a deadline.
Also Read: Rainy Day Activities – with or without mom
What is your best Mom money-saving tip?
Subscribe and Save on Amazon for diapers! (You can try it free for 30 days!)
I have been paying about $30 (CAD) per month since he was born. When he was little this included a size one or two at a count of 220+ per box. He’s a size 5 now and I’m getting 124. It beats the hell out of Walmart and grocery store prices! I’m sure it is even better in USD. I know it isn’t very eco-friendly with the oversized shipping that Amazon is infamous for but I recycle!
Also Read: 7 Hands-on Experiences to help kids care about the environment
Do you have any tips for staying on top of household chores?
We tried a maid for a bit but that wasn’t working. She was uninsured and I wasn’t comfortable with that. Agencies are double the price.
Today I plan to vacuum and mop after….we’ll I’m embarrassed to say how long it has been. But cleaning is sporadic and done on a moment’s notice when I or my husband have time or when company announces their impending arrival.
You can also find house cleaners with Amazon Home Services!
Do you make a point to stay healthy and fit? If so, how do you fit it into your busy lifestyle?
It’s hard.
I signed up for a 10k this June to get my butt in gear. I’ve been sick on and off since my son got a space in daycare two days per week. We’ve had a cold in the house monthly since then it has been maddening.
When I am well I get up at 5 am and run/walk/run for 20-30 mins. Then 45 mins to an hour of Tracy Anderson to tone and stretch.
Family Travel: What is your favorite spot or family travel memory?
As a kid my family would travel to Northern BC. In the summer we’d take long road trips covering my dad’s sales territory. We went to Queen Charlotte Islands (now known as Haida Gwaii) and Prince Rupert. Walking along the beach, spotting incredible sea life was exciting as a kid.
I love the ocean and want to instill the importance of taking care of our planet with my son. This summer we are heading to Vancouver Island so I am hoping to walk the beach with him and enjoy some delicious oysters with my hubby.
Do you have a can’t-live-without Mom/family products to share?
Zincofax for diaper rashes has been invaluable! No other brand would work! I have 3 jars of Zincofax so I am never without.
Otherwise, a good wine club membership is a great mommy time maker. I live in the Okanagan wine region and my sister and I split 4 between us.
What advice would you give new moms?
I still feel like a new mom and it has been 2 years ha!
Don’t be fearful to go out. I was terrified of leaving the house at first worrying about diaper changes and feedings in public. Just live your life! It’s healthier for you and your kid.
Big thanks to Murissa for sharing her Mom Life!
If you enjoyed reading about Murissa’s Mom Life, check out all of our Mom Life Interviews.
Be sure to follow Murissa on TheWanderfullTraveler.com & FoodToursKelowna.com, and on Facebook and Instgram – @wanderfulltraveler & @foodtourskelowna.
Also Read: My Mom Life… these days
I loved reading about Murissa’s Mom Life! Meet more moms and read their advice and experiences every Saturday! You can also find more Mom Life tips on our Mom Life Pinterest Board.
If you’d like to join in on the fun, leave a comment below or send an email to exploringdomesticity(at)gmail(dot)com with subject “Mom Life Interview Series.”
Thank you for having me! It was fun to write about my mom life for a change!
Be safe and well!
Thank you so much, Murissa! It was such a pleasure to read your answers and learn about your family!
Such lovely family photos!
Aren’t they a beautiful family!