Stephanie de Montigny
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Stephanie de Montigny
  • Boss Mama Diaries
  • About Stephanie
  • Work With Me
    • Sponsored Content
    • Brand Portraits & Headshots
    • Product Photography
    • Image Subscription Plans
    • Family & Newborn Photography

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August 15, 2019

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WELCOME TO THE BOSS MAMA DIARIES

Discussing the daily wins and struggles of being a work-from-home boss trying to raise a business and a baby at the same time, amidst the family adventures, while also trying to feed a household full of allergies.

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Stephanie de Montigny


This kid loves her outdoor time. She loves playing
This kid loves her outdoor time. She loves playing in the dirt, collecting rocks and acorns, and will happily settle for a stroller ride just to get outside. These outdoor adventures are enjoyable for me too because it means I get to escape the house and give the cabin fever a break. It allows for me to get some exercise, get a change of scenery, breathe in some fresh air, reset the mind and enjoy nature, kickstart my brain and encourage creativity, and an almost guaranteed silent or happy baby soundtrack—something that not even the tastiest and fanciest of coffees can rival. ⠀ ⠀ What’s a sure fire way to hit your reset button with kiddo(s) around?⠀ ⠀ #thedemontignyadventures #fallishere #mombreak #mamaneedsabreak #bossmom #bossmamadiaries #workfromhomemama #workfromhomemom #workfromhomeproblems #mentalresetbutton #intothewoods #forrestschool #raisingdaughters #allthesmallthings #letthembelittle ⠀ ⠀ ⁣📷 : @purenaturalfamilies (filter added) --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com ⠀

When your day's joy is getting a new issue of your
When your day's joy is getting a new issue of your favourite magazine in the mail. Or the fact that this is your amazing walk to the mailbox at the end of the road. I am sure I might change my tune in the snow-filled winter, but this trek through the woods to get my new dress was a well-needed calm in the storm that is the pandemic. ⠀ ⠀ Dreaming of the once upon a time, when the simplest things like meeting up with a friend or going thrifting gave us immense joy and relief rather than induce anxiety. Soon, I know, but not soon enough.⠀ ⠀ #pandemicrealizations #workfromhomeboss #smalljoys #enjoythelittlethings #discoverthetreasures #discoverontario #littlethingsmattermost #intothewoods #snailmail #newdressforthestudiocloset #bossmamadiaries #ottawamom #canadianmom #goingcovidcrazy #imissthrifting⠀ ⠀ ⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com ⠀

With the colder weather arriving, it means there i
With the colder weather arriving, it means there is an end in sight for our daily walks and that makes me super anxious. Outside time for little miss is like a reset button for her cranky pants and she becomes a whole different person (the adorable snuggle monster I know and love!), which means it makes ME a happier human as well. ⠀ ⠀ So, the impending arrival of winter means that our walks will become far few in between (cold allergy) and the dread sets in; on top of all the other anxiety that looms over us daily. Ugh. That is why I am trying to figure out some other indoor activity that could theoretically replace most of our stroller walks and keep her just as happy, and in turn keep us both from going insane with all of this isolation (thrifting adventures were our go-to last winter). ⠀ ⠀ What is the ONE THING that you cannot live without for more than a couple of days? Besides caffeine, of course! ⠀ ⠀ #thedemontignyadventures #walkingthebaby #walkaroundtheblock #walkthroughthepark #sweaterweather #winteriscoming #thegreatoutdoors #babylovesoutdoors #wildchildofmine #ottawamom #canadianmom #momlifebelike #bossmamadiaries ⠀ ⠀ ⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

Being a work-from-home boss has its challenges and
Being a work-from-home boss has its challenges and it's perks. When you add a small child into the mix, there are a lot more of each. For me, the biggest difference was that I can only really get work done while little miss sleeps; which means during naptime or after bedtime. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ So while my daughter sleeps—unpredictably on a good day, but way better than stories I've heard!—I tackle as many things on my business to-do list as possible. Starting with things that absolutely require silence and no distracting baby, which means phone calls and video recording for social media. Some days I don’t get silence, so I focus on other tasks like retouching, print ordering, and blog posts. ⁣Social media captions like these usually get drafted during breastfeeding sessions or while she happily plays independently in her nursery and passive watching is good enough to make sure there are no accidental injuries, or let’s be real—in the bathroom! Hence why they have been less frequent than when I was on a break from clients (thanks pandemic!). [clickable link in bio to read the full blog post]⠀ ⠀ What about you? When is your most productive time to get work done? Whether business or household tasks?⠀ ⠀ ⁣#bossmamadiaries ⁣#workingfromhomeproblems #toddlersrunmylife #thisismotherhood #ismarchbreakoveryet #bossmama #momboss #diariesofamompreneur #travellingentrepreneur #travellingmomboss #travellingbossmama #travellingduringapandemic #pandemicvacation #thisismotherhood #workfromhomeboss #workfromhomemom #mombosslife #bossmom #ottawamom #canadianmom #lifeofamompreneur #workingfromhomewithkids #workfromhome #homeoffice #homeofficewithkids #workingfromhomeproblems #workingfromhome ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⁣⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com⠀

Sometimes mama just wants a break. A break from th
Sometimes mama just wants a break. A break from the whining, a break from the always-on-high-alert, a break from always being on my feet, a break to relieve my bladder by myself. I love my kid, I really do, but sometimes I just want a few moments to myself, to turn my brain off. ⠀ ⠀ The pandemic and being home with me almost 24/7 has rendered this independent gal much closer to a stage-5-clinger and I am so over it! Any tips on helping her regain her independence? ⠀ ⠀ #stage5clinger #pandemicblues #mamaneedsabreak #mombreak #bathroombuddy #bossmamadiaries #workfromhomemama #workfromhomeproblems #stayathomemom #ottawamom #canadianmom #thisis18months #thisis20months #20monthsold⠀ ⠀ ⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog —> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

I rely solely on hubby for childcare. That’s how
I rely solely on hubby for childcare. That’s how it is these days because of the pandemic. When I need to travel to an outdoor client session, since they are usually in the evening, we get to enjoy an early dinner together as a family, and then he does the bedtime routine with her while I am out. It’s actually super great and I really like those days and wish there were many more in a week (and not just for the income — I truly enjoy them!). ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ BUT for studio clients, I need the house empty for hours for the session, in addition to the prep time beforehand and the cleanup afterwards (which is now doubled because of pandemic policies, ugh!), so he needs to go out on adventures with her. With the pandemic, that leaves very few options—and increases the odds of no nap days! ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ With the weather as it is has been for the last month has been great: sunny days at the park, teaching her baseball, backyard gardening, and long walks along the river. But with the inevitably rainy fall weather and looming winter, who knows what will happen. I've got my fingers crossed for the universe to be kind and for hubby to put up with cold and wet walks so that kiddo stays warm in her stroller. ⠀ ⠀ ⁣⁣⁣I’ve been a work-from-home-boss for years before the pandemic (hipster moment!) and the only thing that has changed my routine and business more was the birth of my child. My life as a boss has been flipped upside down, but in true mama fashion—I’m making it work! [clickable link in bio to read the full blog post]⠀ ⠀ ⁣#bossmamadiaries ⁣#workingfromhomeproblems #toddlersrunmylife #thisismotherhood #ismarchbreakoveryet #bossmama #momboss #diariesofamompreneur #travellingentrepreneur #travellingmomboss #travellingbossmama #travellingduringapandemic #pandemicvacation #thisismotherhood #workfromhomeboss #workfromhomemom #mombosslife #bossmom #ottawamom #canadianmom #lifeofamompreneur #workingfromhomewithkids #workfromhome #homeoffice #homeofficewithkids #workingfromhomeproblems #workingfromhome ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⁣⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

⁣⁣"This too shall pass" has been my daily remi
⁣⁣"This too shall pass" has been my daily reminder that things will change back to a more normal lifestyle (the old normal is gone forever!), but that doesn't mean it does not take its toll emotionally, and sometimes I just need a break from everything in order to regroup. For me, that is travelling. But alas, the pandemic put a quick stop to that! So we have been finding ways to adjust our scenery, which have been day trips where we don't need to stay over anywhere and mini vacations to visit family. ⠀ ⠀ This summer we took advantage that my parents only live a few hours away and made a few visits. We also made the TWELVE-hour trek to visit my grandparents in northern Ontario and stayed the entire week to make it worth the drive (would have been anyways because I love them!). We were always extra cautious because of hubby's job as an essential worker⁣—let me tell you that the covid test is brutally uncomfortable⁣, but totally worth it!⁣—but the semblance of normal was exactly what I needed to hit that reset button. Even if I did work a little every day: the CEO Vacation is a real thing and I don't mind it because it means I get to travel all I want and still accomplish everything that neeeeds to be done (more about that on the blog). [clickable link in bio]⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #bossmamadiaries #bossmama #momboss #diariesofamompreneur #travellingentrepreneur #travellingmomboss #travellingbossmama #travellingduringapandemic #pandemicvacation #thisismotherhood #workfromhomeboss #workfromhomemom #mombosslife #bossmom #ottawamom #canadianmom #lifeofamompreneur #workingfromhomewithkids #workfromhome #homeoffice #homeofficewithkids #workingfromhomeproblems #workingfromhome ⠀ ⠀ ⁣⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

This kid has been getting rather adventurous and c
This kid has been getting rather adventurous and challenging during meal times. Throwing her empty dishes if we don't take them away fast enough, watching food splat onto the floor, and shoving handfuls of food in her mouth at once. Oie! We try to give her the space she needs to learn and explore different foods, but there comes a time to rein it in when she gets crazy or destructive with her behaviours. Encouraging good habits has been the most successful so far--that and just taking everything away and feeding her ourselves when she gets too 'throwy'. What food stage is your little one at? #thedemontignyadventures #babyeatslikeachamp #sheisaneatingmachine #bumkinsbaby #bumkinsbowl #bumkinsspoon #antilophighchair #ikeahighchair #babysfirstfoods #babyfoodhabits #learningtoeat #selffeeding #selffeedingadventure #babyeats #ottawamom #babyfoodsadultsactuallywanttoeat

When you've lost all creativity but need to entert
When you've lost all creativity but need to entertain your toddler, and also need to get laundry done: roller coaster rides! Anyone else?? ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #bossmamadiaries #workingfromhomeproblems #toddlersrunmylife #thisismotherhood #canadianmom #ottawamom #laundryrides #toddlerlaundry #pandemicactivityideas #ismarchbreakoveryet ⠀ ⠀ ⁣⁣📷 --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

As soon as I saw the back of the camera I cringed
As soon as I saw the back of the camera I cringed at the biggest flaw. I am happy to say it’s not what you think—it’s actually the fact that I accidentally cropped off my foot! (photographer brain!) I actually liked the photo itself and am so grateful that I am finally at a place in my life where I don’t immediately see my flaws as unworthy. Sure, I could easily have photoshopped out my eczema, tucked in my belly a little, fluffed up my hair, evened out my boobs, or whatever else I found along the way. BUT WHY!?!? It’s certainly not for me! ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Why do we feel the constant need to change ourselves to please others—to please complete strangers as if their approval and validation makes our lives even remotely better..? Think about that the next time you are about to refuse a photo because you aren’t dressed nicely or your hair is a mess, the next time you cringe at a photo because someone else might not like it, the next time you look in the mirror and think to yourself something negative. Take a moment to ask yourself WHO told you these things, and if you cannot answer that question or that person isn’t one of your best peeps, then WHY do you believe the lie you’ve been telling yourself...? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ I know, I know, easier said than done. But once you start doing it, I promise you will start to feel better. And saying thank you to compliments as if people actually mean them helps too—eventually you start to believe it. Take it from me: the girl who has been self-conscious about her flat chin every since an orthodontist told her it could be fixed with an implant—to a 13 year old!!!—and truly believed I was ugly from that day forward. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #ottawamom #canadianmom #youarebeautifuljustthewayyouare #recoveringpeoplepleaser #breakthecycle #breakthemyth #womenempowerment #modernboudoir #beautifulisntalwaysperfect #normalizenormalbodies #knixambassadors #knixwingwoman #knixpartner #leakproofunderwear ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⁣📷 : @stephaniedemontignyphotog --> For reposts or use of copyrighted images, please DM or email collabs@bossmamadiaries.com

I am constantly told that I am so lucky. Lucky for
I am constantly told that I am so lucky. Lucky for having such a good baby. Lucky that she never cries. Lucky that she communicates so well. Lucky that she is so eats so well. Excuse me, but luck has nothing to do with it! She rarely cries in public because I do my darn best to prevent it: I feed her when she says she’s hungry, I give her a drink when she says she’s thirsty, I change her diaper as soon as she poops, and I bring her home in time for her nap so she doesn’t get cranky. I do that. Me. The parent. It’s not because I am lucky, but rather because I put in the hard work to keep it that way. I do invite you to read the full article on the blog, where I go into HOW we keep her happy and content as much as we can, and our not-so-secret method. Spoiler Alert! #BabySign is your best friend! [clickable link in bio] #thedemontignyadventures #parentsputinthehardwork #goodbaby #luckybaby #luckyparents #babysign #babysignlanguage #greatbaby #giveussomecredit

⁣Now that much of the world has had the opportun
⁣Now that much of the world has had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to work from home while caring for a child, the work-from-home-mom is finally better understood as to why chores don’t also get done in addition to keeping the child(ren) alive—nevermind getting actual work work done. ⠀ ⠀ To further illustrate the whirlwind that is raising a baby AND a business, this is what my desk time looks like. Fresh outta bed, right? Wrong! This is usually after lunch when kiddo is napping. I am still wearing pyjamas because she wakes me up at the crack of dawn and if I waste time getting dressed, I don’t have the time to pee before she starts screeching. The choice seems obvious to me—ain’t no way I can hold my morning bladder for long enough to get her to nap time! So when she’s finally down (or at least I’m her crib!) the countdown begins so I get straight to work and don’t bother with pleasantries like looking presentable, otherwise my momentum is lost in addition to the wasted quiet and baby-free time (essential for things like client calls!). ⠀ ⠀ What about you? Do you get up before baby or is kiddo your alarm clock?⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #bossmamadiaries #diariesofamompreneur #thisismotherhood #workfromhomeboss #workfromhomemom #mombosslife #momboss #bossmama #bossmom #ottawamom #canadianmom #lifeofamompreneur #workingfromhomewithkids #workingfromhomeproblems #workingfromhome #myuniformismypajamas #pyjamasaremyuniform


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