Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child? Was there much discussion about how that life choice would affect your career within the music/entertainment industry?

I had my first child in August 2019. My husband and I had already been together for 7 years at that point but we wanted to make sure that we were in the right spiritual and emotional space in our marriage before intentionally welcoming a child into our lives. My career was making beautiful strides at the time, especially with THE SOUL MOTIVATORS and I had just released my first album with them, DO THE DAMN THING. There was some concern about the timing of having a baby and a new record out but the universe always conspires to my highest good: the pandemic shut the world down when my daughter was just 7 months old allowing my husband and I to be home with her during her most precious first moments in life. And with Canada still locked down in February 2021, I gave birth to my 2nd child in the comforts of my bedroom.

As a working parent in the music industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you are facing?

The biggest challenge that I face as a working mom is scheduling. My schedule, on its own, can be quite hectic, amplified by having to be on top of my children's schedules, and my husband's schedule and ensuring that everyone is taken care of and has what they need. It's exhausting, tbh. I need an assistant but we're making it work. Flexibility is my middle name these days. I make plans for the day but if someone has a fever and my meetings need to be pushed, I go with the flow. I try not to allow the challenges to take focus from the blessing of having the career of my dreams and the family of my dreams.

- What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents?

I think the industry can be more mindful that children are equally a part of society and deserve to be shielded from ideas and concepts that are not child-friendly. I find that some music that I hear on daytime radio is grossly inappropriate for children to hear. I don't like seeing the industry relax on radio edits of songs with foul language or stores blasting radio music with cursing during the daytime. Even some of the music videos on daytime television need to be reserved for adult eyes only.

How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry?

I tend to reach out to the other artist's parents and ask them for advice on how they've handled certain scenarios. Especially mamas with older kids because they've seen more things play out in the lives of their children. I am a part of a Working Artist Mother's Group on WhatsApp and I receive a lot of support there. I am also quite blessed to have many friends with children who are similar ages so I have a very big support network.

What’s one specific example of an organization/venue/company doing something great to help support working parents?

I love the Canada Council of the Arts, they look favourably at artists who need to travel with assistance to care for smaller children so parents don't have to choose between their kids or careers.

What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.), do or provide to make it easier for you to participate?

Offering care for children at events/festivals would make a big difference for working parents, like some type of drop-off program. I'm a very involved parent and love to be with my children but I tend not to bring them on the road because I don't always have extra care for them if I just have somewhere to drop them off while I soundcheck, do interviews and do my set, that would mean that I could have my children with me more often especially when I'm visiting really cool places.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

My favourites are Elizabeth & Magdelys from OKAN. They are two beautiful moms on the road with their toddlers doing what they have to do to be great on stage and they're great moms too!