The Motherhood Redefined Series with Mercedes Palermo

It has been a pleasure getting to know Mercedes Palermo over the past year. She has a big heart and has created such an inspiring platform to give back to the community. She is the owner of Greater Than Gifting, an online gifting shop with a mission to give back. Outside of her small shop, she works as a Public Health Nurse with the City of Hamilton in Ontario and has a heavy background in Psychiatric Nursing. Understanding the human brain, She’s grown to appreciate the impact of giving and how it influences our mood. She started GTG as a way to help, outside of nursing and with a very different twist. Her most important role in this world though is being a mama to her almost 2 year old daughter, Camila and wife to her loving husband of 4 years. She enjoys travelling, being outdoors, trying new food, and being around ALL the babies and animals.

In the Motherhood Redefined Series spotlight, we asked Mercedes about how she is redefining her own journey into motherhood and who she has leaned on the most as she continue to evolve as a woman and mother.

What has surprised you the most about yourself (so far) in your motherhood journey?

What has surprised me the most about myself in my motherhood journey is how much my heart is able to love. Yes, I love my husband and other family members more than words can describe but there is certainly something different and magical about the love that I've developed and embraced since having my daughter, Camila. Everyone always told me that there is no love like it and I didn't fully comprehend what that really meant until she was born. Now, I know and I whole-heartedly agree.

What (or who) have you leaned on since becoming a mother?

I have leaned on my mother-in-law the most since becoming a mother. My mother-in-law is the most selfless, loving, family-oriented, superhero-like human I've ever met.

What aspects of your new identity do you value the most?

I value not caring/sweating the small things, finding joy in life's little moments, and being able to teach Camila everything I can. I'm not a teacher but definitely love the role that teaching now plays in my life as a Mama.