Real Mums- Moderate Mum

I started this feature to celebrate real mums. Mums are amazing and 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 part of a 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 Charlene!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I’m Charlene, I’m 33 and I write an advice blog at Moderate Mum. I’m primarily a stay at home mum to my son Roscoe who’s 16 months. My husband runs a business and I’m lucky enough to be able to help him out one day a week as well.

Describe a typical day in your life

I’m woken by my alarm (toddler) around 6:30AM and try and snooze for a couple more minutes before getting up and bringing him downstairs. I give Roscoe some milk in his playpen whilst I quickly do the thing that I promised myself I would get up early and do the night before. We all have breakfast together, this is one of my favourite times of the day. I try and give Roscoe small pieces of food to eat so I can wipe down the kitchen. After breakfast we attempt to hit the ground running with an activity in the morning, sometimes we head to the gym where Roscoe attends creche and I have a quick workout or we find a local baby group. We head home for lunch after which we negotiate over whether Roscoe is going to have a nap or not. If I win, I have an hour to mindlessly surf the internet. When Roscoe wakes up I panic and try to clean something. Following which I make dinner and Roscoe throws it on the floor. After this we both do our best to hold it together until bedtime.

What is the best thing about being a mum?

It’s a crash course in personal development. I’ve probably challenged myself as much in the last couple of years as the thirty preceeding them. I love how much I’m learning about myself, my son and my family.

What have you found hardest about motherhood?

No surprises here, the lack of sleep. I assumed I’d adjust after a couple of weeks but I’d still run naked through the streets of Brighton for a regular lie in. I remember in the early days telling my husband, ‘I can’t do it, I know others have but they’re special, this no sleep thing is not for me.’

How has your body changed?

It’s a completely different body, not even better or worse, like it’s been replaced in the night. My arms and legs are more toned, probably from all the buggy pushing. My boobs are much more petite and my stomach is, erm, interesting.

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

In the morning I do a quick assessment of how many people I’m going to have to communicate with:
0-3 = no make up
3-10 = foundation, mascara, eyebrows, blusher
10+ = full face

What’s in your handbag? 

Wait let me get it…lip balm, vaseline, a felt tip pen, tissues, headphones, gift voucher, purse, perfume, painkillers, tea tree oil, gum, eyebrow pencil. I’m actually surprised how much useful stuff is in there, I should look in it more often.

What is your relationship with housework?

Evolving. As Roscoe gets older I have had to be a bit more organised. I try and use the touch everything once method so I’m not constantly picking up. I clean the kitchen once a day and then try and leave it for the rest of the day, same with the living room. I’ve also bought lots of baskets so things can be chucked into them to give the general impression of tidiness.

How do you relax?

On a day to day I make the most of a cup of tea or a sit on the garden steps or have a silly wrestle with Roscoe but about once a month I try and get a mummy date in and leave the boys at home and go and have a manicure or something.

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

Baby wipes clean everything! Really walls, toys, pets – you name it.

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

Schedule down days into your calendar so that you have the whole day to chill out, catch up on sleep or chores and hide from the world with your baby.

What makes you happy?

Hearing Roscoe’s ridiculous throaty chuckle, seeing him playing with family, new seasons of shows I love, good friends, shoes and jelly tots.

And finally, complete this sentence:

I am a great mum because….. I want to be a great mum.

Aww Charlene I love this. You are one cool mumma! I love how you assess whether to wear makeup- I am stealing that idea! 

You can find out more about Charlene and her world over at her blog Moderate Mum.

 She is also on Twitter so go say hi!

If you would like to take part in my Real Mums series then email me at katy@whatkatysaid.com. x