Motherhood

I knew it was a bad day the day I realized I was dunking a rusk and the baby was sucking on my TimTam like he had just discovered the yummiest thing ever to go in his mouth (other than boobs). I asked the mums on my facebook page what was the craziest/dumbest thing they had ever done when they were suffering from ‘tired mummy brain’. If you have…

“I have realised lately that I have lost myself. All I am now is a mum and a worker (in my job) and the ‘me’ that was once there is long gone. I spend all of my time focused on my family and I don't take time for myself, participate in hobbies or even really see many of my friends any more.” Jane, a mum of two littlies, isn’t alone in feeling…

Sleep deprivation can play havoc with your mind your body and your soul. You know that, right? You know this because you are the mum of a new baby or an older baby or a toddler or perhaps a baby and a toddler. So how exactly are you meant to get sleep when your kids don’t – sleep, that is? Baby sleep studies define ‘all night’ as five hours. Five…

Your baby’s birth marks both the end of your pregnancy and the start of your body’s recovery journey. Credit has to be given to your body for the work that it has done. But sadly after baby arrives, your needs will often take a back seat to your baby’s. It is disheartening also to see images of the stars walk out with new baby, back in their skinny…

There is no shortage of advice for new mums – but most of it just does your head in. Your head (along with your body and your confidence) is pretty much already ‘done in’ anyway as you wonder what the hell am I doing? Can I really do this without having a total Mummy meltdown –or messing up my child for life? Relax and please be as gentle to…

‘Have you tried talking about this in your mum’s group?’ I asked, Sonya, a mum who was struggling with an unsettled baby, a partner who worked long hours and no family close by.   It turned out that Sonya felt very isolated, even though she lived in the city, within walking distance of cafes and her child health centre. She was anxious about…

The use of the word ‘should’ would do well to be banned when it comes to parenting.  Trying to live up to the way you ‘should’ be doing things is a sure fire way to diminish or completely obliterate any internal soundtrack. With the experts of the day peddling their ‘shoulds’ and with well-meaning family, friends and even complete strangers quick…

In those simple days BC (before child) you were completely clear about your personal style – organised? Relaxed? Go with the flow? Neat freak? Messy? Social? Private? Now, it seems there is so much pressure to live up to some unattainable ‘perfect mummy’ image that you feel completely overwhelmed and your personal style seems more of a hindrance…

You have lovingly, gently responded to your baby's cues, you have been respectful about how you interact with your toddler, you have read and researched how you can help your child develop optimum mental, emotional and physical well-being and you have encouraged his joyous spirit. Along the way, you have copped reactions from family,…

I put you in your cot at night waiting for your call, When you cry I rush to you, bolting through your door, Gently picking you up I cradle you, I'm secretly glad you called for me so I can squeeze in some more love, As if I want to sleep all night missing out on our precious time, Your head is cradled on my arm as I hold you close to…