Cannamama Chats with Jenna
Last week, I asked some of the Mamas on our team to answer a couple of questions for me. It has always felt like a balm to hear other women’s experiences integrating cannabis and motherhood, so I hoped that sharing ours throughout this week might feel like that for some of you.
Jenna is up first, sharing her cannamama thoughts. Jenna is Mama to Jolene, who is truly a 4-year-old version of her. They make the best pair and I loved reading through her reflections on parenting a toddler, relying on the patience cannabis provides her, and coming back to weed after leaving it behind during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How has motherhood changed your relationship with cannabis?
Before I had my daughter, Jolene, I had already been smoking weed regularly for about 8 years. In my mind, I was consuming solely to have a good time in the evenings. I chose to stop smoking during my pregnancy and early breastfeeding days, starting again when Jo was 9 months old. By this time I was TIRED. Very in love with my tiny new person but kind of struggling emotionally. Returning to cannabis was the best feeling. Like taking a nice big breath for the first time in forever. Now when I consume, I find myself much more in the moment - taking stock of all the therapeutic benefits I’m gaining from the plant as I inhale. Ever so grateful that I can benefit from weed legally and increasingly without judgement.
How has cannabis impacted your experience of motherhood?
My daughter is now 4 and I can truly say that motherhood has been so much fun. I think the biggest thing cannabis rewards me with is patience and focus. If I am ever struggling with a bedtime pre-bath tantrum I can step out for a second, have a smoke, and come back completely relaxed and ready to handle any of my daughters big big emotions. In my experience, cannabis helps me feel more in the moment and more connected with my daughter.
We’ll keep sharing our stories all this week, as we head into this second pandemic Mothers Day.
As always, we would love to hear yours too.