McKinstry’s Erin Boas on Celebrating Mother’s Day

My husband and I have two kids — our son Landon just turned nine this week and our daughter Madi will be seven at the end of June. We do not have any pets, as our two kids have us busy enough, but we do have a large extended family where many of the kids are the same age as ours which has been fun for us!

Mother’s Day has always been unique for me and my family because my son was born just before Mother’s Day, and my dad’s birthday frequently falls on or around the same day. Because of this, we often celebrate all three occasions at once, making it a family holiday rather than an individual celebration. For me, it is not about individual recognition or being spoiled for a day but about cherishing the bonds we share and creating meaningful moments with loved ones.

I have been fortunate to grow up surrounded by a strong network of maternal figures, including my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. From my mom and grandmother, whom I got to live next door to while growing up, I learned the importance of being proactive, coupled with an innate consideration for others. I have aimed to carry those traits with me my entire life. Lastly, my great-grandmother on my dad’s side was a huge inspiration in my life. She showed an unparalleled work ethic, raising poultry until the age of 92. Unlike the conventional norms of her generation, she was the leader of her household, and for that, she was truly remarkable.

I hope to continue paving the way and advocating for better support systems for working moms in our field as many women have done before me. If you look at the number of women that are in their 50s and 60s who are still working in the construction industry, there aren’t many. However, recent years have witnessed significant improvements, such as better maternity and paternity leave policies, driven by conversations and shared experiences. By sharing our stories and challenges, we foster camaraderie and offer support to others, reminding them that they are not alone. Together, we can make progress and create safer and more supportive environments for working parents.