Real Mums #06 – It’s A Mummy Thing

I started this feature to celebrate real mums. Mums come in all shapes and sizes but sometimes we can feel alone, we can feel as though we are the only ones struggling to keep on top of things. I want to lift the lid on motherhood so we can all feel a part of sisterhood, to feel proud about our own achievements and know that we are doing the best we can!

Without further a do let me hand over to Lorna!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I’m Lorna and I blog over at It’s A Mummy Thing. I’m a 30-something mummy to 3 year old Wonderboy and have been married to Mr J for almost 6 years (how time flies!).

Describe a typical day in your life

Difficult question to answer! On the one hand we’re a family who thrives on routine as far as meal times, nap times and bed times go, but on the other hand let’s be honest – with a 3 year old around anything can happen at any time so I’m not sure what our typical day really looks like!

Weekdays I can be found hustling Wonderboy out the door for pre school, putting off doing the ironing, batch cooking meals for the freezer, playing in the park or trying to persuade my 3 year old that he’s not full after one bite of dinner.

Weekends we tend to spend together. We’ll often do something with friends or family one day but we always keep one day a week that’s just for the three of us. We love to spend time outside and are most likely to be found feeding ducks, geocaching or going on a long, often chilly, walk.

What is the best thing about being a mum?

I actually find motherhood in general quite challenging – wonderful, but definitely challenging. The reality is very different to when you sat as a couple and decided you wanted to have a little baby. The most challenging things for me haven’t been the difficulties you expect with having a baby like night feeds, changing nappies constantly or sleepless nights. I knew to expect those and have still got the dark circles to prove it! It’s the unexpected issues like having a baby who wouldn’t drink his milk or the dilemma of how to keep them safe without making them scared of the world that I wrestle with most.

How has your body changed?

My body has definitely changed but I think that’s down to different things.

Pregnancy definitely wrecked my boobs, and I didn’t even breastfeed! While they haven’t changed size, they have most definitely headed south. No wonder, I could’ve given Katie Price a run for her money just after having Wonderboy. I ended my pregnancy with no stretch marks but somehow they appeared when everything was trying to shrink back.

My body has also changed in that I’m a bit heavier than I was pre pregnancy but that is definitely down to lifestyle and diet as opposed to being pregnant. I had an awful 9 months being sick up to 8 times a day and quite literally surviving on a cracker or oatcake. As a result, I was actually 2 stone lighter once I’d had Wonderboy. However, I celebrated my ability to eat again a bit too much (hello goats cheese, pâté and cake – I missed you my friends!). That along with spending Wonderboy’s first year too exhausted to put one foot in front of the other and I’m actually a bit heavier than when I started.

Do you wear makeup? If so, what does your routine look like? 

Make-up, what’s that?! A quick slick of concealer to hide the aforementioned dark circles, a sweep of mascara, a bit of carmex and I’m out the door!

What’s in your handbag? 

My handbag actually isn’t too bad now that Wonderboy is 3yrs old – it’s certainly smaller than a couple of years ago when it felt like I carried the proverbial kitchen sink around with me. However, gone is any style priority – I remember rewarding myself after I was promoted with a gorgeous Radley bag but that was when I had the occasion to use it and spare pennies. I’m all about practicalities and general survival these days so you’ll find me with a crossbody Kipling every time so that I have my hands free.

As for what’s inside, just the usual suspects really. Purse, glasses, keys, carmex plus a Goodies Carrot Cake Oat Bar for an emergency snack. Oh, and I’m never found without some baby wipes.

What is your relationship with housework?

I have a very ‘all or nothing’ relationship with housework. I’m completely guilty of putting certain things off for ages only to end up with a much bigger job than it needed to be. I’m usually up to date with the washing but hate folding it and will happily admit to really only ironing Mr J’s work shirts. We do not live in a pig sty but I’m no domestic goddess that’s for sure. I’d rather cook than clean toilets.

How do you relax?

I’m not sure really. I do like to sit down and watch something on TV with Mr J once Wonderboy is in bed – give me some CSI, Big Bang Theory or Grand Designs and I’m a happy lady. For a real treat and some ‘me time’ a spa treatment is my ideal way to relax so I sometimes get that as a birthday or Christmas gift. I used to read lots but I can count on one hand the number of books I’ve read since being a parent – I don’t seem to have the time or concentration.

What’s the best parenting advice you have ever been given?

Without a doubt the best advice I’ve ever been given was from one of my best friends. Her children are a few years older than our son so she’s been there, done that – three times! Whenever Wonderboy was going through an exasperating phase like refusing feeds, being up all night teething or just generally being a monkey and I was at my wits end she’d say, ‘Just think – it’ll be over in a fortnight’. I can’t say her fortnight prediction was true for our family but the idea of ‘nothing lasts forever’ is a something that kept me sane – especially in the early days.

On a far more practical note, someone once told me that talcum powder gets sand off little ones’ skin easily and it totally works!

For any new mums out there, what would you like to tell them?

It’s new, it’s exciting but my goodness can it be overwhelming. I’m not sure how qualified I am to give advice, but if I could go back in time and speak to myself I’d say – you’re doing great, but please stop striving for perfection because it’s a pressure you don’t need. Sometimes good is good enough and trying your best is most definitely good enough.

I don’t think I’d bother telling my new mum self that Wonderboy won’t sleep through the night properly til he’s 2yrs old though – I think that realisation would’ve finished me off! I’ll let her live in hope.

What makes you happy?

My husband always says, ‘Happy wife, happy life’ (good man!) but for me happiness is the feeling of contentment that comes with being happy with your lot. I have a wonderful husband and a happy, healthy, funny little boy. I love where we live and the life we have here. I’m a pretty happy, if a bit tired, Mummy.

And finally, complete this sentence:

I am a great mum because…..  because I’m trying my best.

I really enjoyed reading this Lorna! You sound a lot like me- although I make Mr F iron his own shirts so I don’t do any!! Ha!! Love the talc tip- will definitely be trying that next time we go to the beach! 

Also, I absolutely laughed out loud at Jesus party! HA! 

If you want to find out more about Lorna and her world then pop over to It’s A Mummy Thing.

She is also on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest so go and say hi!