The Mère Inspo - Tricia De Payva
MÈRE INSPO - tricia de payva
says: "Being a mother of three adorable girls of different temperaments, I go through forty states in a day"
entrpreneur, certified massage therapist and a mother of three
A massage therapist, a baker, and a mother of three!
Meet Tricia, a wonderful woman and a multi-tasking mum. She is a certified massage therapist and helps in pre and post-natal massage. She is also a wonderful baker and bakes delicious bread - her focaccia is exceptionally good. And of course, she is also a doting mum to three beautiful little girls.
Today, over some delectable focaccia, we have a heart-to-heart chat. We talk about her experience with motherhood and how she manages to do it all. Tricia tells all and also has a bit of advice for our fellow mummies.
Tricia with her three girls, age seven, four, and two.
1. So tell me, what is your current state of mind?
My current state of mind varies day to day, or rather moment to moment. Sometimes it’s in turmoil, sometimes it’s full of excitement, other times it's peace.
Being a mother of three girls of different temperaments, even though they look absolutely adorable, especially when they’re asleep, I can go through forty states in a day while my hubby, Daryl, goes through two. He goes from hungry to angry and vice versa.
Right now, though, I’m cognitively excited for this interview and I’m at peace.
2. You are a certified massage therapist and were also pregnant earlier while still working. Have you experienced some difficulty at that time?
Yes, I was massaging rather heavily while expecting Naomi, my 3rd daughter. I worked right up to 1-2 weeks before my delivery. I had to go slower than usual, but that didn’t affect the efficacy of the massage. Most of my clients had no clue that I was pregnant! In fact, the extra weight that I’d put on gave me the advantage of providing deeper pressure when needed. I did get slightly winded after the sessions, but I’d recover within a day.
Tricia is wearing Hensley Long Sleeve Tee and Bridget Shorts.
3. What was your birth experience like?
I was administered epidural, and might I say, the anesthetist was so professional. I didn’t feel a thing! And this time, the nurses gave me a nozzle with a button to press if I needed more pain relief. I decided to try it as the midwife was walking out, and she turned and said with a smile, only when you need it.
Since that day was quiet and there weren’t many deliveries, 5 hours later, I had five midwives surround me assisting me with the delivery of Naomi, and it was good fun. We were joking and laughing, and it helped push her out. What a wonderful experience it was!
4. What is the one thing you will advise mummies when they have their post-natal massages?
I tell mummies to relax and have their me-time. It’s important to receive the full benefits of the massages so that they are emotionally and physically rejuvenated to give their babies and hubbies their fullest love and attention.
Tricia is wearing Bridget V-Neck Tee and Bridget Shorts.
5. Why and how did you launch Kashas Kitchen? Focaccia is delicious!
God’s providence really! It was during the Circuit Breaker, when massage jobs took a nosedive, and as a frequent church attendee, I felt really deprived of receiving communion (we call it the Eucharist and it’s like a thin round wafer), and since I enjoyed the focaccia, Italian flatbread from the bakery at Giant, I decided to attempt baking my own focaccia because the crowd deterred me from going there.
After many trials and errors, kashasfocaccia’s very own recipe was born, and the bread somewhat satiated my soul.
My father, who used to be a chef tasted the focaccia and enjoyed it. My sister, a food connoisseur, loved it too. One day, I jokingly asked my dad if I could sell the flatbread, and to my surprise, he gave me the affirmative, which gave me confidence.
So I just had to take the bold step, knowing that it didn’t matter whether it succeeded or not as long as I worked hard and people liked my product.
6. How is it managing business and motherhood?
Working with my spouse has many boons. One of them is that he helps out a lot with ferrying the older girls to and from school, with the household chores and delivery. He’s one super dad. Managing the business from home gives me a lot of face time with my girls, and they are assured because I’m always around, save the times I’m out for my massage work.
The initial part was challenging because we didn’t have a proper system in place, and I wasn’t getting enough rest and was almost burnt out. But it has gotten much better over time with a fixed system in place where I have time and energy for the girls.
Tricia is nursing in Bridget V-Neck Tee and wearing Bridget Shorts.
7. How was your experience with breastfeeding?
I’ve been continuously lactating for almost seven years now. I tandem nursed every time I had a newborn for a couple of years with the older child. Naomi is turning two, and I’m still nursing her. I thoroughly enjoy the bond with them through breastfeeding, even though my sleep is broken, and it gets uncomfortable at times.
I am an advocate of breastfeeding, but at the same time, I understand the numerous limitations that countless mothers face with it, which frustrates them a lot. So I always try to help but assure them that it’s perfectly fine to feed them the alternative. A new mother’s mental well-being must be taken care of.
8. Any advice to fellow mummies?
Every one of you mummies is capable and stronger than you think you are. Continue to be the wonderful caregivers to your precious little ones as they depend on you and thrive when you are around them, physically giving them your utmost love and support.
And remember, self-care is important! Have tea with your girlfriends and pamper yourself with a massage, manicure, or hair wash! Or go for a peaceful walk at the park if you have just a bit of time to spare. You are not alone!