#ThankYouMom

Thank You, Mom.

August 21, 2016 By Lena 25 Comments

Today, I’m a little emotional.

As the 2016 Olympic Games come to a close, I’m thinking about the highlights from the Games. The women’s 4×100-metre freestyle relay team, including Penny Oleksiak, the 16-year-old sensation from Toronto. Brianne Theisen-Eaton and Andre De Grasse, more-than-ever household names thanks to their medal-winning performances. Olympic gold in high jump, individual trampoline, freestyle swimming and wrestling.
win It’s a great time to be Canadian.

I’m also thinking about the parents of Olympians. I’m thinking about the moms and dads who’ve supported our athletes in the pursuit of their dreams. I’m picturing the early morning practices and the late night physiotherapy sessions. I’m thinking about the fierce hugs and pep talks; the emotional words of encouragement, the calm words of comfort. I’m wondering how many times they waited by the phone for their child to call, saying they have safely arrived.

But that’s what parents do. It’s the job we signed up for. …

Baby on Board… Baby on Plane! Mark Oldershaw’s Packing List

August 17, 2016 By Lena 21 Comments

“Mark Oldershaw bringing young family to Olympics despite Zika threat,” reads the headline. “Canadian canoeist ‘confident’ that situation in Rio under control.”

Travelling with a baby, despite what you’ve read and what you’ve heard, is never as easy as it sounds. There are mini meltdowns and major tantrums. You may (will?) experience delays, cancellations and the dreaded plane descent. And if you’re really, really unlucky, a diaper blowout. Or two. (Always pack an extra set of clothing!)

But does that deter millions of parents from travelling with their young ones? Not on your life. Family travel offers a wealth of experiences and the memories made will last a lifetime (at least for mom and dad!). And for Mark Oldershaw, a third generation Olympian and the fifth member of his family to compete at the Games, family travel means having his infant daughter cheering him on in Brazil.
Mark Oldershaw dad “Excited to have them there in the crowd,” Oldershaw said in a phone interview with the CBC, as part of a sponsorship with Pampers.

Now, while some athletes had expressed reservations about going to Brazil, with some even pulling out of the Games, the Oldershaw family’s plans did not change.

“We know that the COC and International Olympic Committee is very on top of it and making sure that it will be safe for athletes,” said the native of Burlington, Ontario. “I’m very confident it will be safe for me and Annamay (his wife) and (his daughter) Josephine.” …

Thank You, Mom: Road to Rio 2016

June 29, 2016 By Lena 18 Comments

It takes a special kind of heart. It calls for fierce determination. An unwillingness to give up; a remarkable resilience, a selflessness marked in integrity and profound in perseverance.

Thank you, Mom.

Because it takes someone strong to make someone strong, this year, I’m pleased to partner with P&G as they support Canadian athletes at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and celebrate the strength of moms who helped get them there.

Need a tissue? Don’t worry, I’ll wait. I understand.

Of course, my introduction could have also pertained to any one of our Canadian Olympic hopefuls; an immeasurably focused group of athletes vying for gold at this summer’s Olympic Games. …

Recognizing Our Biggest Champions: #ThankYouMom

June 19, 2015 By Lena

Shaping, molding and nurturing one of our most important resources – our children – is no small feat, and is one that requires patience, perseverance and passion. Through countless hours, Canadian mothers play many different roles, whether it’s bringing a forgotten lunch to school, or cheering on a dedicated athlete at her track meet.

Sometimes, that athlete grows up and becomes an Olympian.

Meet Brianne Theisen-Eaton, an Olympian from London 2012. She holds the Canadian record for the indoor pentathlon with a score of 4768 points, and competes in the heptathlon and women’s pentathlon.

And meet Kim Theisen, her mom. “I did my best to be there for Brianne so that she could dedicate herself to the sport she loved. I relied on quality products for my family and taught Brianne to do the same.”

P&G’s #ThankYouMom campaign is about giving athletes an opportunity to thank their biggest champions – their moms. As a proud sponsor of moms, P&G products are used and trusted by moms every day so moms can focus on supporting their children.

This year, P&G has partnered with Athletics Canada to provide members of their team competing at the upcoming Pan Am and Parapan Am Games in Toronto and their moms an assortment of P&G products from brands like Tide, Bounty, Pantene and Gillette.

To learn more, please join us for the #ThankYouMom Twitter Chat on Monday, June 22 at 8pm EDT.
ThankYouMom Graphic v6 We’ll be joined by very special guest Brianne Theisen-Eaton (@btheiseneaton), who’ll share her own experiences and examples of her mom’s support and selflessness throughout the years.

“I was honoured when P&G approached me to become involved in the Thank You Mom program,” says Theisen-Eaton. “This program gives me a chance to shine the spotlight on my mom – one of my biggest champions.” …