Mummascribbles meets…Mudpie Fridays – Mummascribbles
Today I meet the lovely Clare from Mudpie Fridays. Thanks so much for taking park Clare
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family
Hi my name is Clare and I live with my husband in Horsham, West Sussex. Three years ago we were blessed with a fantastic little boy, who for the purpose of my blog is referred to as Monkey. He really is the light of our lives. I am also a career girl, always have been ever since I graduated with a BA honours degree in Business and a major in Marketing. I really do enjoy my job and I am in love with motherhood. Financially I was always going to go back to work, so the question I have been asking myself ever since is it possible to have both?
Determined to reach the right balance between the two its been an interesting ride to date, sometimes its not as even as it should be, and there are days when I don’t feel as though I do either role particularly well. However I am getting better at not beating myself up about the odd mistake and accept that everything is a learning curve and that parenthood is the most wonderful journey of all.
What do you like doing to be you, when you are not parenting, working (if you do), or blogging?
I am lucky as I am still able to work part time – four days a week although I really try to pack five days into four so average around 45 hours a week! Fridays are my Monkey day, I try to make sure that we have something planned either at home, with friends or family or a day trip somewhere to get the most out of the day. Since I have found blogging I have very little me time, although my hubby would say blogging is my ‘me’ time, even if I am writing about Monkey! Other than that I enjoy reading and have bookshelves of books although they do tend to be of the non fiction variety. I also like scrapbooking and storing memories. I try to write a journal every night, sometimes it only a few lines but it helps me switch off before bed!
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Other than getting married and having Monkey probably just juggling!! Its hard work as you know being a career mum and the house is never clean or tidy enough! Other than that I walked on fire to raise money for charity a few years ago which was a great experience and one I use for ice breakers at work. Although I could also now include taking part in a Guinness World Record thanks to Britmums.
From your own experiences, what do you find the hardest part of parenting and what is the easiest/most rewarding part?
Guilt which I am sure everyone can relate to. Sometimes I definitely feel that I am not doing any of my roles well, mother, wife, daughter, career girl. I worry I over compensate for having to work and spoil him too much! When his behaviour is not good, just like many three year olds I often worry its my fault because I work. When I drop him at nursery and he says, ‘mummy I miss you when you go to work’ I cringe inside. However this is far out weighed (thankfully) by the good bits, just watching him grow and develop, the smiles, the cuddles and the simple times together I wouldn’t change for the world. He came into bed with us this morning around 6am and was all giggly and cheeky, making us laugh it was such a nice way to wake up.
Parenting in itself is no mean feat; how do you juggle everything you need to in order to get everything done on a daily basis?
Ha ha – I don’t. Hubby is very good at helping out, in fact we tend to share almost everything equally (although I don’t cook or iron and he doesn’t tidy or know how to work the washing machine!) As far as nursery goes I tend to drop off and he will pick up from which means I can get an extra hour or so out of a day. I have had to become a lot more effective at work when squeezing five days into four. I prioritise everything depending on what I need to achieve that day – something which had spilled over into day to day life. I never ever go upstairs without something in my hands. I drive a lot for work and I use the time to make mental lists and listen to audio books (normally on parenting). I have routines when it comes to blogging doing certain things at certain times of the day squeezing out an extra hour in the day by rising a little earlier and going to bed a little later. I am sure this is something every blogger can relate to! The bit that I am not good at juggling is the housework in general. When we first had Monkey Hubby and I talked about what was more important a clean house or a happy child, obviously the later. If something has to give its always the house but we are okay with that and its not something I feel guilty about.
Why did you decide to start blogging?
Good question – I had been toying with the idea of keeping a note of all the things I do with Monkey and wanting to share them. My day job is not very creative and I was looking for an outlet. I didn’t really know how to go about doing it and then one Sunday when I was hanging out the washing the name Mudpie Fridays came to me and that was it. I didn’t realise it at the time but the name of the blog had been holding me back.
Tell me a bit about your blog?
Mudpie Fridays has only been running four months so its all vey new to me. I wanted to share crafting and learning activities for time stressed parents, to inspire other career mums and dads. I write about ideas which other parents can replicate with their little ones to help offset that guilt we all feel!! The majority are designed to be quick to do and set up. It has also grown to include days out and I have just done my first review. I am really enjoying writing it and meeting other parents through it.
My two favourite posts to date are:
Dinosaur Small World Play – which is the first post I wrote and really what inspired me to take the plunge
Alphabet Boxes – which is such a simple idea but has numerous play options attached to it.
What do you want your blog to achieve and where do you hope to see it go as it grows?
I do not have an education back ground but understand how important play is for development. I want to inspire creativity in others to help with play ideas. I am not sure what a measure of success would be for the blog but I would like to grow views and followers. I have a book idea in the back of my head which may, make its way to a reality, since I really seem to have developed a writing bug! I guess as a newbie I am still trying to find my way.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting a blog?
Do it, I am making some great connections and starting to build some real friendships via social media. There are lots of stories out there of blogging changing peoples lives and they are all so positive and truly inspiring. Parenting bloggers really are some of the most friendly people i have come across. Come and join the party.
If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
1. My maternal grandmother, I defiantly didn’t appreciate the relationship while she was still alive and now being a mother I would love to find out what motherhood was like in her era.
2. One of my bridesmaids Sarah who we lost to cancer two years in the Autumn. She went down hill very fast and I never got a chance to say goodbye as we were out of the country at the time. I don’t regret anything else in my life other than not truly appreciating our last moments together – at the time we all thought she would recover.
3. Paloma Faith – I love her music and I can imagine she is great fun especially to share a couple of drinks with!!
Tell me three random facts about you
1. I am a qualified Chartered Financial Planner and have a BA degree in Business Studies
2. I very rarely wear make up unless out on the town in which case a little mascara and lip gloss, as I am covered in freckles most other make up doesn’t look right on me!
3. My favourite tipple is an Aperol Spritz, we love Italy and I normally bring a couple of bottles of Aperol back. Although it does seem to be becoming trendy here as well now – yipee.
You can find Clare over at www.Mudpiefridays.com and also on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest