BC Parent Profile – Amazing, Supportive Mother

We’re excited to include Cherie Kai in this week’s BC Parent Profile. This fantastic mother lives in Burnaby with her tight-knit family of four. Her husband, herself, her 12-year-old daughter, Megan, and her 10-year-old son, Owen. During COVID, Cherie launched a business with a new partner, her daughter Megan. Together this mother-daughter team runs a DIY Craft Kit business called Wood + Stencil Co. Cherie also fills her time with contracting in project management and fundraising.

What are you most proud of? Seeing my kids develop into their own, but with strong values.

What is the best advice you ever received as a mother? “Put on a Botox Brow.” I read this recently in a book by Michelle Icard (14 Talks by Age 14). Tweens and Teens can’t accurately read facial expressions as their pre-frontal cortex isn’t developed yet, so they can misread emotions. I am trying my hardest to keep a neutral face (so hard!) so my kids don’t misinterpret my emotions as angry or upset.

What is your favourite go-to dinner recipe when you are short on time? Sheet pan chicken and vegetables. I usually use chicken thighs and toss in any veggies that I can find in the fridge and bake it in the oven – it always turns out great!

What is something about you we would find surprising? We aren’t normally the type to go in the limelight, but we were on an HGTV show called Urban Suburban.

What is your go-to family-friendly Lower Mainland activity? Going to explore different parts of the Lower Mainland by bike! These bike excursions are usually planned around which local bakery or ice cream shop we want to treat ourselves to (and there are many delicious choices here!).

If you want to learn about other inspiring BC Parents – check out their profiles here.