In Conversation with Michelle Senzig
Meet Michelle Senzig, mother of two with her third on the way, who swapped Art History studies in Berlin for a slower life in the French Basque Country. A holiday almost six years ago led her to her partner Paul, and only a few months later the two of them started La Ferme Irougnia together, where they raise grass fed cattle, grow seasonal vegetables and keep a small herd of Jersey cows.
There’s no such thing as a typical day on the farm, but there are rituals Michelle holds onto: family meals, walks with the kids to visit the animals and that view across to the Pyrenees. In this journal she opens up about raising children in close connection with nature, how breastfeeding fits into farm life, preparing her little ones to become big siblings and why being soft on yourself might be the best advice she can give.
For those meeting you for the first time, can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and the life you’ve created at La Ferme Irougnia?
Sure! My name is Michelle, I’m 29 years old and soon to be a mother of three. Before moving to the French Basque Country almost 6 years ago, I was an Art History student in Berlin. I met my partner Paul while being on a vacation here and only a few months later we started La Ferme Irougnia together. We work and live as a family on the farm and mainly produce grass fed cattle, but we also sell seasonal vegetables and a bit of dairy from our Jersey cows.
What does a typical day look like for your family on the farm? What are the little rituals or moments that make this life feel special to you?
There’s actually no such thing as a “typical day” on the farm and I guess that’s what makes it so special. Every day looks different, some days are pretty calm and other days feel endless between unforeseen situations and challenges that you obviously face while working with animals. But the little rituals that we stick with every day are the family meals, the walks around the farm with the kids to see the animals and just enjoying the beautiful view on the Pyrenees.
What drew you to this way of living, and what do you love most about raising your children in such close connection with nature?
I actually grew up on the French countryside with my parents, so as a kid I would spend most of my time outside and I loved it. After a few years in a big and intense city like Berlin, it was about time for me to get back to a slower life. Raising my children in such close connection to nature is, to me, the biggest gift you can offer to a child. It just makes so much sense to me and I love seeing them around our animals, taking care of them, working with us and learning so much about the things that surround them. They know every plant in our garden, feed the goats and sheep, get the eggs in the hen house etc. I’m just amazed about how independent and sensible they already are at such a young age. It makes me really proud to see them evolve so beautifully.
Farm life must bring its own beautiful chaos, especially with little ones. What are some of the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with running the farm?
Absolutely! It can get pretty crazy sometimes. The joys are of course the moments we spend together as a family, completing the daily tasks with the little ones. But when things go wrong, for example the cows breaking the fences and ending up everywhere where they shouldn’t be or a medical emergency to one of our animals it can quickly become a big challenge to handle both at once. But the more the kids grow the more they understand when things get tricky. Especially our eldest son gets more and more involved at his young age and wants to help whenever he gets a chance to do so. It’s amazing to see how responsible he already feels for the farm!
You’re now six months pregnant with your third baby. How are you feeling in this season, and how has this pregnancy felt different from your first two?
The first trimester has been pretty challenging this time around, way more than for my previous pregnancies. I struggled a lot with intense fatigue and nausea all summer long but as soon as I reached the second trimester I felt so much better and now I’m just enjoying every second of it.
How are your children responding to the news of a new baby? Is there anything about watching them prepare to become big siblings that has felt particularly special?
The kids are so excited for their new sibling! They ask every day when baby’s finally arriving and argue about who’s going to spend the most time taking care of him or her. My son comes talking to the belly every day, it’s so sweet. It makes me feel like it’s such a beautiful gift to them and it already made them grow… I can’t wait to see both of them becoming big siblings, especially my daughter who will become a big sibling for the first time!
What has having children taught you about slowing down, letting go of expectations, and finding your own rhythm as a mother?
Literally everything. It made me rethink all of my priorities. Becoming a mother has changed me in ways I never expected. Of course slowing down is a huge part of it and I struggled with that in the past. Fully leaning into this new role has been the best thing ever and I enjoy it so much. It made me softer and more patient and helped me become a better version of myself.
Living and working on a farm, there must be so many opportunities for your children to learn through everyday life. What do you hope they take with them from growing up this way?
Absolutely! This kind of learning is one of the biggest blessings of this life here. I already see them becoming independent, responsible little beings and it’s the best thing to witness. We especially prioritise teaching them how to work with their hands, gardening, taking care of the animals, living and eating according to the seasons, cooking and crafting. I hope all of that makes them become conscious adults with a focus on what really matters in life.
Can you share a little about your breastfeeding journey with your first two children? What did you find most surprising about feeding your babies, and is there anything you wish you’d known the first time around?
I just love breastfeeding. I was instantly amazed by it. Before becoming a mother myself I knew so little about it. Both times it’s been such a beautiful journey and I feel very lucky that I never had any negative experience. The most surprising thing I learned about breastfeeding is that it’s actually so much more than just feeding. It’s bonding, soothing, security, pain killer and so much more. Since I only listened to my intuition from the moment I started feeding my babies I don’t have the “I wish I knew this or that” feeling, it all came so naturally and easily by just following my instincts.
As you prepare to welcome your third baby, is there anything you’d like to approach differently this time when it comes to feeding, recovery, or looking after yourself?
I honestly can’t think of anything really. I’m so lucky to have such a supportive partner when it comes to taking care of the babies, taking care of me post partum and giving me all the time I need to recover after birth. Maybe I’ll try to rest even more this time around and just soak it all in since the first days and weeks are so precious.
Life on a farm doesn’t necessarily stop when a baby needs feeding! How did breastfeeding fit into your everyday life, and what helped you feel comfortable and supported while feeding on the go?
A huge plus while breastfeeding on a farm has been a good baby carrier! It helped me completing the tasks while feeding the baby which is just amazing. But also having a partner who does most of the farm work on his own so that you can focus on the babies is everything.
We’d love to know what are you favourite Milk Label pieces? What do you look for in clothing during your breastfeeding journeys?
I especially love the pointelle collection! The pieces are so soft and romantic. I’m also a huge fan of the leakproof bra and cami, they are so comfortable and offer and incredible support! I can’t wait to wear them daily while feeding baby.
What helps you feel most like yourself when life is full with children, pregnancy and the farm? Are there any small moments in the day that are just for you?
Since I spend every day with the kids I feel like I entirely became this new version of myself. But when I really feel overwhelmed and need a break to get some rest, especially while being pregnant, my partner takes over with the kids so that I can enjoy a hot bath or a little walk on my own.
What does feeling supported as a mother look like for you? Who or what do you turn to when things feel overwhelming?
To me feeling supported as a mother has a lot to do with acknowledgement in the first place. It’s important to me to feel seen as a mother, it’s not easy every day and the feeling of being understood and considered makes it a feel a lot lighter. When things feel overwhelming I turn to my partner and ask him for help, he will then take over so that I can recharge for a bit.
What are you hoping for in this next chapter? And what would you say to another mother who is navigating the beautiful, messy reality of raising a family while trying to nurture herself, too?
I just hope for a healthy baby, another beautiful and peaceful delivery at home and the ability to fully enjoy every second of this magic. I would just say “don’t be so hard on yourself, fully lean into motherhood and you’ll be good”. I really believe this can apply to every mother, all the rest is so personal and individual, but being soft on yourself, knowing that you do your best and becoming the mother you want and you need to be will make it so much easier.
Michelle Senzig: @michelle.senzig
Images: Alina Cherubin
