A Letter To All of The Mum’s Out There…
Since giving birth to our 2 beautiful children, I’ve learnt such an appreciation for being a Mother and the things we do for our family that only Mothers can understand. You never really understand what it feels like to be a mother until you actually are one. That might sound obvious, but it couldn’t ring truer. Having my own children has made me realise how everything I do is for my children, before myself. The sacrifices we make for them are just part of the journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I didn’t realise just how strong my love would be for my children until they entered the world and I don’t think I will ever be able to explain just how deep this love is.
Let’s celebrate this day and the gift that Motherhood is. It is such an amazing gift. On a personal note, it took Danny and I a couple of years to conceive Jonah, and the rollercoaster ride of that experience was mentally exhausting. My heart goes out to those who have fought infertility, miscarriage or even the loss of a child. The strength and pain that you have endured is unimaginable and you are all incredible women.
It’s definitely not easy being a Mum - it can be very challenging but also extremely rewarding. As a working Mum, I’ve definitely got quite a few stories I could share with you on this topic! But being a Mother also comes with a good deal of un-warranted ‘guilt’ and you find yourself questioning yourself each and every day… Am I doing enough? Am I spending enough ‘quality’ time with my children? Am I nourishing them with the right foods? Am I teaching them the right behaviour? The expectations we place on ourselves are hard enough, let alone throughout this unprecedented time of COVID-19 when we are also expected to ‘homeschool’… and in many cases, like mine, while also trying to run a business, or for others, who are possibly dealing with the immense stress of unemployment.
I know that I am constantly struggling to balance life and work. I don’t believe there is such a thing as work life balance. I love being a Mother. But I also love what I do. ‘Working’ from home with 2 young children isn’t exactly easy… they demand my attention for the majority of the day and I find myself getting frustrated because I have so much work to do, but at the same time I know I need to BE there for my children! Again, that guilt thing setting in… I believe it’s important to remind yourself each day how time flies, and to hold onto those special moments, the moments you will never get back. And throughout this period of ‘isolation’, which I struggled with so much to begin with, I have finally made the decision to just ‘be in the moment’ and to cherish the hours we have together and to make the most of them. There have definitely been a lot of mental ‘captures’ going on in my brain over the last few days/weeks. Hopefully in the not too distant future this period will be an event we can all look back on and appreciate the time we had to build that strong family union. Arriving at this conclusion has really helped me mentally. I am now able to step back and to prioritise my time and how it will be spent, without the guilt of feeling like I’m not able to ‘do everything’.
But it’s also very important to have ‘your own’ time where possible, in order to truly appreciate your role as a Mother. Make sure you take the the time to enjoy some fresh air, exercise, read a book or even sun bake in the backyard! What you do in your time is up to you. But make the most of it and you will definitely feel better for it - especially when you inhale a big breath of that beautiful fresh air we are so fortunate to have here in Australia.
This Mother’s Day will be significantly different to any other Mother’s Day we have ever experienced. With all of the restrictions on personal contact and the fact that we need to stay ‘isolated’, establishing that deep level of contact we all crave as humans definitely won’t be easy… So we’ve come up with some ideas on how to best enjoy the day during COVID-19…
For Mum’s with Children at Home…
Husband’s and Partner’s this one will be a fun activity for you!
Get the kids involved and start the morning with breakfast in bed (we’re thinking pancakes, coffee or tea, some freshly cut fruit and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice), a beautiful homemade card and of course a big kiss and a cuddle…
The treats shouldn’t stop there - it is Mother’s DAY after all!
Pick a sunny corner of the backyard and set up a bohemian styled picnic for lunch… think rugs or blankets layered on the ground, scattered with cushions, bean filled ottomans or low tables… Create the most elaborate looking cheese platter by filling every part of the cheeseboard with something delicious - cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit, dips, sliced meats… and don’t forget the champagne in a beautiful brass ice bucket! Kids, the kombucha or homemade lemonade is ready and waiting for you!
But the day isn’t over yet…
Keep your picnic setup in place for when the sun starts to go down, get comfy with a bean bag, some popcorn and enjoy an outdoor movie night! Watch home videos projected onto the fence or your Mum’s favourite movie…
For Mum’s with Grown Children…
Organise for a gourmet dinner to be delivered to Mum’s door, complete with wine and a thoughtful note… enjoy a family dinner over zoom complete with a beautifully set table, candles and good music - perhaps you could put together a Mother’s Day playlist. Move into the lounge room afterwards for a trivia or games night that the whole family can participate in.
Create a luxurious pamper package for Mum to enjoy, full of heavenly scented bath soaks, candles, essential oils, body scrubs and moisturisers… For an afternoon of relaxation like no other… make sure you include a handwritten card or a little ‘thoughtful’ just to let Mum know how much she deserves this!
Or, if you’re feeling creative, a Love Actually style video will always be a winner!!!!
Whatever it is you do, the most important thing is to just stay ‘connected’. Let Mum know just how much she means to you and spend ‘quality’ time together in the best way you can. Make it fun! An event to remember! xxx
