Celebrating Mother’s Day

Eloise Windebank, mother to Otis, 4, and co-owner with husband Alex of Farro restaurant, shares her thoughts on Mother’s Day

We definitely celebrate Mother’s Day.

Celebrating mothers needs to be celebrated. All moms are working moms whether they leave the home to work or are at home. I’ve realised I can work at the restaurant and be a good mom. Obviously this is not perfect for everyone but no-one has an ideal solution as modern-day life is tough.

Celebrating Mother’s Day is a very sweet thing for kids to do with their

dads. Alex is a really spectacular dad and we manage to do this [parenting] because we do this together. My first Mother’s Day when Otis was just a baby was at a time when we normally never opened [the restaurant] on a Sunday but did on this particular Mother’s Day. My mom was babysitting and on leaving the house I burst into tears. It’s not like that now because Otis can be with us in the restaurant, we love having him about, he’s good comedy value and very sweet. He enjoys playing the part and puts on an apron and chef’s skull cap. Being on a wine estate and family-friendly environment, one can have a four-yearold walking about and being part of our working life. Working in the hospitality industry, my Mother’s Day usually means I’m working in the restaurant and it is always a busy day.

This year at Farro all moms will be celebrated with a beautiful glass of complimentary pink bubbles.

Last year I was lucky not to be working on Mother’s Day,

I had a lazy morning and enjoyed coffee in bed. We had a walk on the beach and Alex made us a spectacular lunch for the moms in our circle of friends — fresh tuna prepared three ways. We find a lot of joy in food and like to cook at home. One of the big things Otis has taught me, apart from all the obvious things one learns as a mother, is not to be so hard on myself and for Otis who I am is enough. He just wants me to be his mom and that’s OK.