Mother's Day Q&A With the Toki Team
May 2, 2022
It’s no secret that moms are the backbone of any household. Moms come in many different forms and may show their love in different ways, but one thing holds true—there’s nothing quite like a mother’s love. From sleepless nights to perpetually cold coffee, moms willingly sacrifice over and over again for their children. They love hard and unconditionally, and that’s just one reason that Mother’s Day is the second largest spending holiday in the country. Motherhood isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s hard work that often goes under-appreciated. From the taxing physical and emotional labor that pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery require, to crushing mom guilt, to a seemingly impossible work-and-family balance, the struggles that mothers face daily can make them feel unseen and taken for granted. Although Mother’s Day is the one day of the year that’s dedicated to celebrating moms, there’s no doubt that they deserve more love and appreciation every day of the year. Did you just hear that? Yup, that was the sound of mothers all around the world cheering in agreement!
Toki Mats is a company founded and owned by a mom, that makes products for moms and their babies. It’s that motherly touch that makes Toki so special because we truly get it. In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, we talked to the moms of the Toki Team about motherhood and all their favorite things. Read the Q&A below to get some insight into their lives!
Eli, mother of three
CEO & Founder
Q: What do you want for Mother’s Day?
A: I love how my kids draw us—it's hilarious. So, I'd be super happy with updated family portrait drawings! And, of course, sleep. I can never have enough sleep!
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a mom so far?
A: Seeing how unique each of my kids are turning out to be, and learning that who they are has actually very little to do with me!
Q: What is your favorite way to wind down after a hectic week?
A: Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and Netflix.
Q: What are 3 things that are absolutely necessary in your home?
A: Our portal to keep in touch with long-distance family, a stocked snack drawer, and our Toki mats, of course!
Q: What is something that you wish you had known about parenthood before you became a mom?
A: I wish someone had told me not to listen to anyone but myself. With my first kid, I never trusted my intuition, but I eventually learned that I always had the answers.
Fawn, mother of three
Customer Support
Q: What do you want for Mother’s Day?
A: Honestly, my love language is Acts of Service, so any time I get my house and/or car cleaned by my family, I’m super stoked! I’ll never say no to a new pair of shoes or baked goods though.
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a mom so far?
A: I think my favorite part of being a mom so far is the development of my relationships with my kids as they get older. They’re all so unique, and I have a different special “thing” with each one. It’s just really fun finding our common interests and bonding with them as they get older!
Q: What is your favorite way to wind down after a hectic week?
A: I’m a natural introvert, so any time I can chill by myself and grab a book is the perfect way for me to unwind!
Q: What are 3 things that are absolutely necessary in your home?
A: Nespresso machine, air fryer (it’s crazy how many things you can cook in that), and separate shoe baskets for each kid in the mud room. How they “lose” shoes so frequently is beyond my comprehension, but this helps!
Q: What is something that you wish you had known about parenthood before you became a mom?
A: I wish I had known that parenting doesn’t really get easier as you go, you just adapt and get better at it. And every time you think you have it down, it’s gonna change!
Alice, mother of one
Copywriter
Q: What do you want for Mother’s Day?
A: We haven’t really eaten out more than a few times since the pandemic started, so I’d love to have a nice meal at a restaurant with my daughter and husband!
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a mom so far?
A: My daughter is mixed-race (Korean, Mexican, and English) and I just love being able to raise her in multiple cultures! She is already trilingual, and because I actively foster this connection to her roots, I end up feeling more connected to mine as well!
Q: What is your favorite way to wind down after a hectic week?
A: Staying up past 9 PM to watch Netflix and eat snacks!
Q: What are 3 things that are absolutely necessary in your home?
A: Coffee (duh!), a sound machine (we will never stop using this), and Disney Plus (just for Moana).
Q: What is something that you wish you had known about parenthood before you became a mom?
A: I wish I had known not to form opinions about other parents. Parenthood has been the most humbling experience because I ended up doing a lot of things I swore I would never do. I’m honestly so embarrassed that I ever had all these opinions before I was even a mom, and I owe all the parents I judged a huge apology.
Tara, mother of three
VIP Coordinator & Amazon
Q: What do you want for Mother’s Day?
A: I like to ask for family experiences that would annoy my husband to do normally (LOL). We did a private farm tour last year.
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a mom so far?
A: All of it, but I love the cuddles and watching my boys grow into tiny people.
Q: What is your favorite way to wind down after a hectic week?
A: Going to bed early!
Q: What are 3 things that are absolutely necessary in your home?
A: Coffee, diapers, and the Roomba.
Q: What is something that you wish you had known about parenthood before you became a mom?
A: I wish I could tell myself that it would be okay and that I was going to love it!
Haylen, mother of one
Social Media Manager
Q: What do you want for Mother’s Day?
A: Some cute, new summer clothes and to enjoy the day with my husband and son.
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a mom so far?
A: Experiencing that overwhelming feeling of love that everyone tells you about before you have kids that you just can't put into words!
Q: What is your favorite way to wind down after a hectic week?
A: Crash on the couch and catch up on some Netflix shows.
Q: What are 3 things that are absolutely necessary in your home?
A: Coffee (lots of it), Netflix, and our dog.
Q: What is something that you wish you had known about parenthood before you became a mom?
A: That things will be very hard before they become easier.
Sy'Vonne, mother of two
Content Creator
Q: What do you want for Mother’s Day?
A: I would honestly just love a day, or even two, alone, filled with flowers and coffee shops and taking beautiful photos.
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a mom so far?
A: There are so many beautiful parts and it’s never easy to choose just one. I am definitely in love with all of the small moments, When the kids just want to be loving and hold my hand or give me random hugs and kisses. I also love the days when all of these teachings and love come into fruition, and my girls can make amazing, bold choices for themselves.
Q: What is your favorite way to wind down after a hectic week?
A: I honestly love anything that has to do with creating. Lately, I’ve been into flowers and floral arrangements, and photography will always be the greatest escape!
Q: What are 3 things that are absolutely necessary in your home?
A: Snacks! Snacks and snacks
Q: What is something that you wish you had known about parenthood before you became a mom?
A: I wish that I had known that it’s OK to be real. So many of us moms think that we have to be perfect and polished all the time, and that if we are having issues or speak out about the way that we really feel, then that means that we don’t love our children. I am so tired of that idealistic way of thinking. We can love our children and be having a hard time with them. These two things can coincide and we can still be kick-ass moms.
About the Author: Alice
Alice Mendoza is a copywriter and blog writer based in Los Angeles. She began writing for a baby brand while on maternity leave, and realized she had found her niche. Today, she writes exclusively within the baby space, using her BFA in Creative Writing and her own experience as a mother to guide her. When she’s not working, you can find her chasing down her toddler, going on walks around the neighborhood, or watching reality TV.
