Mother’s Day Q&A with Davina Garner

Garner is a dairy farmer and mother of three

Mother’s Day is this Sunday (don’t say we didn’t remind you), and all this week Farms.com is connecting with moms in the ag sector for a Q&A about motherhood, what makes it great, and what makes it tough.

Davina Garner (DG) and her husband Kurtis run a dairy and cash crop farm in Embro, Ont., with his parents where they milk about 140 cows and raise their three children – 7-year-old Klara, 5-year-old Mitchell, and Kolby, who is one.

“Klara is very easygoing, she loves school, loves being outside at the barn and helping where she can,” Garner told Farms.com. “And she’s very good with her little brothers which makes a world of a difference.

“We can’t get Mitchell away from the barn some days. He has cerebral palsy but is able to walk. He’s working on his speech, and he doesn’t let anything stop him from doing what he wants. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, it’s a farmer.

“And Kolby runs the roost. He loves being around the other kids and loves riding in the equipment whenever he gets a chance.”

Farms.com: Describe where you were when you found out you were pregnant for the first time. How did it make you feel?

DG: I think I was feeling a little nauseous, so I took the pregnancy test and we were good to go. We were excited because we had been trying for a while.

Farms.com: Describe the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time.

DG: It’s overwhelming because you realize you’re now responsible for another person and making sure they’re taken care of.

Farms.com: What’s the best part about being a farm mom?

DG: Having wide open spaces for our kids to play and be with the animals.

The Garner family (See Why Photography)

Farms.com: What’s the hardest part about motherhood?

DG: Organizing everybody including my husband. Sometimes I refer to him as my fourth child.

Farms.com: What part of parenthood makes you feel the most vulnerable?

DG: The things you can’t control. Like sickness, or kids being mean at school. It tugs at your heart strings.

Farms.com: Who is your favourite fictional parent, and why?

DG: Chilli and Bandit Heeler from Bluey. Although it's a cartoon, it's very realistic in raising your children, be providing guidance and responsibility to their young children.

What is a misconception people have about motherhood?

DG: That it’s not a fulltime job. I also supply teach and when I’m not back doing that fulltime I feel like I get judged for that even though I do the bookwork for the farm and help out around the farm.

Farms.com: What is your mom’s name and what are some special memories you have with her?

DG: My mom’s name is Mary. She worked full-time as a nurse and is a great role model. I have three siblings, and we each had soccer, hockey, or music lessons, and we never missed anything because our mom worked hard to make sure we had the opportunities we wanted. I still don’t know how she did it.

Farms.com: What’s one lesson you learned from your mom you try to teach your kids?

DG: Not everything in this world comes easy, and you have to work hard to get what you want.

Farms.com: How has parenthood changed you?

DG: I have a different focus. Whatever my husband and I do now is about setting our kids up for success.

Farms.com: What’s one thing all parents have in common no matter where they are in the world?

DG: I would hope a love for their children.

Farms.com: What’s one piece of advice you have for new moms?

DG: Don’t stress the small things. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. Some days are rough, but you get through it and look forward to a better day tomorrow.