I am Mum to....
Emily Kate Hayes, 7 and a half months old
The best bits about being a Mum are....
Watching our little girl change every single day! It is just incredible to see her personality develop, sense of humour evolve and determination grow. I love seeing bits of us both in her. She is the image of Daddy, has even started saying ‘Dada’ but she’s feisty like me and I wonder how I’ll cope with that when she gets older! We laugh everyday and she is honestly such good company.
I had no expectations about feeding. If I could, I could, if I couldn’t, I couldn’t. Fed is best! As it happened, I could and I have to say I have really enjoyed it. In the main It’s been a very positive experience and such a special time, it took me by surprise.
Being 1/3 of Team Hayes! Creating a human with someone you love is a miracle; it is a privilege to be a parent. For me, some of the best bits about being a Mum is sharing it with Dad. Spending time as a family is the best and sharing our hobbies with Emily will hopefully encourage her own sense of adventure.
The most challenging bits about being a Mum are....
Emily has been a relatively ‘easy’ baby and I think we have taken it all in our stride so far. I think the most challenging bit is yet to come... In four weeks I go back to work full time as a teacher with a senior position in school. I enjoy my job, I always have and I am not dreading going back. However, I worry that I will be able to have a work / life balance and continue to be a good mum and do what is best for our daughter. Whatever I do, I try my best. It’s not in my nature to do anything half hearted, but will I be able to give 100% to everything? Will something have to give? I do believe if you want something you have to work hard for it and that’s exactly what I’ll have to do. My husband is my rock, we are a team and I know I couldn’t do it without him. It maybe challenging but we will make it work, we always do. I’ll miss Emily like mad but will make every second of family time precious. I know as a working mum who enjoys her career, I will be a positive role model for Emily.The best piece of advice I could give other mums is....
I worried before Emily came, we didn’t have much experience with babies but when people say you will know what to do, you really do! Read, listen and talk for support but always go with your instinct, you know your child better than anyone.
My other advice is to do something you enjoy for yourself. I went back to playing netball and badminton after 5 weeks. This was challenging as Emily wouldn’t take a bottle at the time so I literally fed, pegged it, played sport, bombed it home ready for another feed! It was totally worth it, I need to exercise and this has helped me feel mentally and physically well postpartum and I am definitely a better mum because of it.
Since I’ve become a Mum I....
Become part of the nappy police, how much poo, what colour poo, how often poo!
Often smelt of sick! Not sure you can ever become immune to that smell!!
Felt like a cow!
Learnt lots of nursery rhymes
Enjoyed the guilty pleasure of an afternoon nap!
Gained lots more patience
Thought about consequences more
Worried more
Made courgette muffins!!! (Amongst tonnes of other weaning recipes!)
Realised I am physically and mentally much stronger than I ever thought I was.
Definitely become a better person
Realised it’s the best job in the world!
My best mum photo is this one because....
It was our first family holiday snowboarding in France! Emily loved every minute of it and came on so much during the week. She loved the snow! Nanny and Grandad got to spend some quality time with her, we had fun as a family and Mummy and Daddy got to be Kate and Matt too! For me this photo sums up the importance of balance - I think that’s what hopefully makes me a good mum. Time for Emily, time for family, time for Daddy, time for me.