Mother’s Day Reflections: Moms in Meatpacking

Even though Mother’s Day looks different this year, there’s no doubt a new surge of appreciation for the women in our lives who can do it all. From juggling Zoom meetings, preparing every meal, working on new types of projects while simultaneously entertaining an entire household, moms everywhere deserve an award for this challenging season. We asked some of the powerhouse moms who own businesses in Meatpacking to reflect on this special day, from the challenges of quarantining to some of their favorite memories of their own mothers. These women all own their own businesses while maintaining (and building!) a family. Thank you to moms everywhere for doing what you do.

Elizabeth Doyle
Owner, Doyle + Doyle

What has been the biggest challenge during quarantine for being a mother?

The quarantine has amplified the always on aspect of mothering to new levels for me. Pre-quarantine, I could create a schedule around all of the things I wanted and needed to get done. Now my schedule is dictated by meals and children’s needs. Between cooking (and cleaning) everything at home and homeschooling there is barely any time left in the day. I have taken to hiding in my closet to do work.

What’s one thing you’d like to say to your own mother?
Thank you for being a beacon of calm. My mom rarely lost her temper or yelled at us. She also never took the shortcut or easy way out. We were not allowed to eat processed food or watched tv as children. Of course we hated it at the time, but now as a mother I see just how hard it is to not give into a quick meal or screen time.

What’s the biggest challenge of being a working mother?
Honestly, I think it is harder to be a stay at home mom. Maybe I would feel differently if I didn’t love my job, but for me work is a respite, a refuge. It is a time for me to recharge so I have more energy to be a better mom.

Tell us one of your favorite memories of your own mother.
My mom has boundless energy and a willingness to tackle any challenge. There are so many memories I cannot narrow it down to just one, but I would sum up her amazing character by a Mother’s Day memory. We normally go to Mohonk Mountain house for Mother’s Day weekend. It is such a lovely weekend filled with amazing food and all sorts of activities. One of the things the kids particularly like is the rock scramble. It is a long trail that involves squeezing through crevices, scrambling up rock faces and a long terrifying wooden ladder at the end. Over the years as the other parents have decided the rock scramble is no longer for them, my mom is still always game.

What’s one thing you want your children to remember?
I actually hope they will remember this time in quarantine. I don’t think they realize it at the moment, but it is actually a really special time that they would never have gotten without this crazy situation. When NYC closed schools and Doyle & Doyle had to close our brick and mortar location, Pam and I decided the best thing would be to quarantine our families together. That way we would be able to divide the responsibilities of work and child care between the two of us. Our kids have gotten to live in a house with their cousins for weeks, soon to be months. It is a very different experience for them, and while there are the inevitable challenges, I think it is a wonderful experience for everyone.

What’s your mantra for motherhood?
My mantra is “My kids will be fine”. We are so bombarded with things to worry about all the time. Do our kids have the right diet, enough exercise, the best education…..? But at the end of the day not everything needs to be perfect for your kids to turn into happy, well adjusted, successful adults. I look around at amazing adults I know. The majority of them did not attend a top tier private school or Ivy League college, they ate fast food, they watched tv. At the end of the day, I think the most important thing we can do as parents is really enjoy the experience with our children. Be happy and have fun, and try not to stress out too much.

Edwardian locket at Doyle + Doyle

Favorite Mother’s Day gift from Doyle and Doyle?
My favorite Mother’s Day gift from Doyle & Doyle is definitely a locket. Whether a one of a kind over the top antique locket or a simple contemporary locket, they make the perfect gift for a mom. My husband gave me a locket before our first child was born. He put in a photo of our dog (our first baby) and the ultrasound of our son. It is still one of my go-to favorite pieces of jewelry. It is so full of memories for me.

Summer Johnson
Founder, Zach + Zoe Honey

Suzanne Dumaine

Chef + Founder

Three Owls Market