Michelle Buteau: Embracing Imperfection and Prioritizing Self-Care in Motherhood
Embrace Imperfection, Live Authentically: Michelle Buteau's Guide to Modern Motherhood
Morning Realities: Dispelling Myths of Perfection
Michelle Buteau, a celebrated comedian and actress, openly dismisses the pursuit of flawless mornings or immaculate loungewear. As a working parent to her seven-year-old twins, Hazel and Otis, whom she shares with her husband Gijs van der Most, she finds the idea of a fresh start on New Year's Day unrealistic. Instead, she believes the true reset occurs on the first school day back after the holiday season, when established routines naturally resume and everyone settles back into everyday life.
Family Bonds and Life's Lessons
Buteau humorously describes her twins as "mini versions of my mom," highlighting their entertaining and endearing personalities. Beyond the laughter, Buteau and her husband instill core values of gratitude and compassion in their home. During the festive season, they actively involve their children in volunteer work, aiming to cultivate an understanding of social inequality and foster appreciation for what they have.
A Practical Approach to Daily Rituals
Beyond imparting life lessons, Buteau's household also enjoys the simple pleasures of baking and adheres to a realistic morning schedule. For her, a "good morning" is one where her body feels refreshed, free from aches and pains. She describes a typical scene: children waking on schedule, eating breakfast, returning their plates to the kitchen, and lunches packed punctually. Amidst the morning rush, she enjoys a quick coffee, comfortable in her favorite sweatpants, stains and all, viewing them as an emblem of character.
Beginning the Year with Personal Well-being
In recent times, Buteau's morning ritual includes incorporating Premier Protein shakes. Her collaboration with the company for the "Go Get 'Em" initiative underscores her belief in starting the new year with a focus on personal well-being. She emphasizes that inner feelings greatly influence outward appearance and aspirations, advocating for a healthy boost to energize the day.
Echoes of the Past: A Father's Legacy
The protein shakes evoke poignant memories of her father, who, as she has previously shared, lives with dementia. She recalls him as a "Renaissance man"—a weightlifter, corporate professional, devoted homemaker, and an active father who taught her to ride a bike. His consistent consumption of protein shakes creates a sentimental connection, making her current partnership feel like a full-circle moment, one she believes would fill him with pride, perhaps even prompting him to ask for free samples.
Instilling Self-Care in the Next Generation
Following in her father's footsteps, Buteau is now dedicated to teaching her children the importance of self-care. She realizes that her daily actions serve as a powerful example for them, demonstrating her commitment to both their needs and her own. For her, consuming the protein shake transcends a simple act; it symbolizes a broader commitment to personal well-being and setting a positive example for her family.
Defining Personal Rules for a Balanced Life
Despite her demanding schedule—filming her Netflix series, managing a family, and engaging in various partnerships—Buteau continues to tour as a comedian, with her "Surviving and Thriving" tour scheduled from February to May. Maintaining clear boundaries has been essential to her success. She believes that giving her best to her audience necessitates being equally present for her children and prioritizing her own needs. Her strategy involves performing on weekends, allowing her to fully embrace her role as a mother during the week, then transforming into a performer with a touch of lip gloss and a stylish V-neck on Friday and Saturday nights.
Inspiring Through Example
Buteau is keen for her children to witness her professional life firsthand, preventing it from feeling like a "double life." She hopes to bring them backstage to her shows, not only to observe her work but also to inspire them to pursue their own aspirations. In her view, there are no fixed rules for balancing everything, a sentiment she believes all parents can embrace. Her advice is simple: "Do you. You want to do it? Great. You don't want to do it? Great. Do whatever you need. That's it.