Mom Club with Kathryn Casey Quigley
Kathryn Casey Quigley and her family. (Photo credit: Kathryn Casey Quigley)
From her love for North Fork beaches, walks, sunsets, and swimming to her love for snuggling and mothering her children (just not feeding them), North Fork-raised Kathryn Casey Quigley keeps it honest and relatable. Read on as she shares mothering on the North Fork in our monthly Mom Club: a Q&A with local North Fork moms.
Mom Club is made possible by The Stretch Garden — your place on the North Fork for recovery and rejuvenation, reimagined.
Q: Describe your parenting style in three words:
Kathryn: Love-centered, communicative, secure.
Q: What is your favorite thing about motherhood?
Kathryn: Watching my children learn and grow. I get so excited by what they're into and seeing them light up from things. I love seeing how much traditions matter to them and how they hold me accountable for continuing them. I love snuggling. But my number one favorite thing is lying in bed with them at night and talking. I think it's the most important thing I do as a mother, and it's where most of our best conversations happen.
Q: What is your least favorite thing about motherhood?
Kathryn: Feeding them. They've always been picky eaters. I don't enjoy cooking. How is it that they need to eat every day?
Q: Would you change anything about motherhood? Tell us.
Kathryn: I don't think I would. There are things I'd do better — try to be more present, focused, and in the moment, less stressed or harried. But I love my role and feel so honored that I get to be the mother of these two remarkable children.
Q: In your opinion, what makes raising children on the North Fork unique?
Kathryn: Well, having grown up here, I think it's funny how I know so many people. Every new friend they meet, I'm like, "What's their last name?" I most likely grew up with their parents! But, maybe more significantly, I think children who are raised here have an increased ability to cherish and care for the environment. It's just this small stretch of land (especially north/south!), there's water in every direction, the sunsets, and beach walks. But I think being raised in a beautiful place helps you appreciate beauty and want to protect and preserve it. Also, the libraries are fantastic! Seriously, they're so special here, and I didn't know that was unique until recently! That makes me feel proud and grateful, and I love that they have grown up knowing their libraries so well. Also getting to raise my kids with their grandparents and cousins, and aunt right down the road, is a tremendous gift.
Q: What role does nature play in raising your children?
Kathryn: A huge one! I never went on hikes here growing up (‘walks,’ my kids insist. Hikes have elevation!), but we go quite often. Usually, they complain, but once we're walking, they're happy! And the beaches in all weather are such a treat. It's so good to be able to be in a place that takes you out of yourself and into the larger world so quickly.
Q: What's your favorite recent thing that you've done with your children on the North Fork?
Kathryn: This wasn't too recent, but the kids talk about it all the time. We created a ‘North Fork Amazing Race.’ We divided into a few teams and wrote 8-10 clues that brought them to beaches, breweries, wineries, Magic Fountain, Burton's Bookstore, and more. We had so much fun, and it felt like a real North Fork immersion. We love having friends and family visit so we can be tourists in our own community.
Q: What's your children's favorite thing you've recently done together on the North Fork?
Kathryn: One late summer evening, we went down to our neighborhood beach with a charcuterie board and wine and met some other moms and kids. There's this incredible tree limb driftwood at this particular beach that the kids play and climb on. We watched the sunset and went for a swim, and it was pure magic. That's why we live here.
Q: What is one thing every child should experience on the North Fork?
Kathryn: Here's what they said: "a trip to the carousel, ice cream, and the toy store in Greenport!" I'd have to agree — we have many great memories on that circuit.
Q: Mothering lasts long after we’re gone — what are some things that you hope your children carry with them forever?
Kathryn: The answer to the question, What's the most important thing? Love. I hope that they know love when it comes their way because they felt it unconditionally from me. I hope they know that caring for other people will make them healthier and happier beings.