Mummascribbles – Mummascribbles meets…It's A Mum's Life – Mummascribbles
This week we meet the lovely Charlotte from It’s A Mum’s Life. Thanks so much for taking part Charlotte
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family
Originally a northern lass I moved down to London 10yrs ago. I live with my hubby and 2 gorgeous girls who are 6&4.
I met my husband on a plane, he was going to Manchester for a conference and I was heading home after a girly London weekend. We sat next to each other and the rest is history!! British Airways has a lot to answer for!
What do you like doing to be you, when you are not parenting, working (if you do), or blogging?
I am a trained Horticultural Therapist and enjoy vegetable gardening. I currently work at a sixth form college on their allotment and with volunteers at the only Vineyard within the M25. Being outside within nature is very therapeutic and helps my mental health enormously.
I am also a Peer Supporter for a postnatal depression support group. Having had Pnd myself twice, I know how alone mums can feel so strive to ensure they know they can seek support in their local area.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Being a mummy
From your own experiences, what do you find the hardest part of parenting and what is the easiest/most rewarding part?
I have to be honest in that I find everything to be the hardest part of parenting. It’s a constant battle between my idea of perfect parenting and the reality which is far from it. Each new step on the parental ladder is equally challenging from weaning to walking, helping them be independent to homework battles.
The rewarding part is nailing each one of these too. And sometimes we can be in that moment and out of it so soon without realising that we have done it! So that in itself is the rewarding part.
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?
I juggle too much but I also know which balls are okay to drop. I know that self-care is vital to me maintaining my mental health on an even footing. And pretty much I try and cram everything in between the school drop off and pick up times. Work, Volunteering, and time for myself. By the time I’ve got the children in bed and eaten something I have no energy except to watch some TV.
Why did you decide to start blogging?
I first wrote things on the notes in my phone as a way of explaining to my husband how I was feeling. Having postnatal depression meant that sometimes I found it hard to verbalise the confusion of thoughts and feelings I had. So I wrote them down as a way to brain dump them and I would send them to my husband so he could understand me better.
He has been so supportive through my Pnd and anxiety and encourage me to publish them in a blog.
Tell me a bit about your blog?
I blog from the heart and I write whatever is going on in my head. I tend to write from the standpoint of having a short conversation with a friend rather than “we did this today”. I find that when I write a post it is written really quickly, almost without thinking and almost always on my phone notes. I rarely read back and change anything other than grammatical errors and generally if the post is personal to my family life then I will forward it to my husband so that he can feel comfortable with me posting about it.
My main theme of my blog is supporting myself and others with post natal depression. I had it twice following the birth of my children and only after my second child was 5 months did I find some help from a charity in my area. Soon after I found online support but to be honest there wasn’t much publicised about Pnd. I feel very strongly and impassioned that no mum should feel alone in their struggle so strive to let mums know that there is help and support out there.
What do you want your blog to achieve and where do you hope to see it go as it grows?
I am not after “likes” or “reblogs” for any personal gain but I get personal satisfaction from knowing that if my blog or blog posts are shared that more mums and families know that if they are struggling with the postnatal feelings that they aren’t alone and there is support out there for them.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting a blog?
Write from the heart and about something you feel passionate about.
If you’re not sure about going live with your blog then practise by writing as if you are live and save the posts in your notes. Don’t think about writing just let it come naturally. It shouldn’t feel like it’s a chore. Don’t stress that you have to write something every day. Set up you blog and blog style to be as natural as possible so that you feel comfortable and not anxious about it. If you’re worried about it but still want to blog then remain anonymous.
When I write, I write as if I am chatting to a friend over coffee (or in my case tea). I might be inspired by a song I heard on the radio or something some has said or commented on via a message. I keep it short and to the point and enjoy writing it.
If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I would definitely have afternoon tea as opposed to dinner with the following people;
1. The Queen, I admire her greatly but equally wouldn’t want her or myself to feel like we were on ceremony. Of course she would feel very honoured to be in my company though!
2. Angelina Jolie. She is quite an amazing ambassador and mother. She could bring Brad as her plus one!
I struggled to think of my last guest so I guess I’ll have to have their afternoon tea as well. I’ll fight Brad for the last chocolate eclair though
Tell me three random facts about you
1. I used to be a synchronised swimmer and Roller Dance competitor.
2. I am extremely proud to be a Guide Leader and have travelled to many countries and had incredible experiences with some amazing girls and young women because I am a Girl Guide and a member of this world wide organisation. (WAGGGS)
3. I’m hopeless at Maths!
You can find Charlotte over at www.itsamumslife2016.wordpress.com and also on Facebook.