Real Mums #09 From Mamma with Love

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 Sammy!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I’m Sammy, I live in the South coast near Brighton. Im 29 (and desperately clinging on to my last year of my twenties) I am married to The Hubs. We have been together for 13 years and married for just over 4. We have a daughter, Cocopops, who is 20 months old and she is our sunshine. I am a planner turned stay at home Mum. I am a little bit soppy, insanely organised and a lover of popcorn.

I know this isn’t the best picture but it is my favourite!

Describe a typical day in your life

A typical day in our house sees us saying goodbye to Daddy each morning and me thinking what the heck are we going to do today?? Even though my daughter is 20 months Im still adjusting to not going out to work anymore.

I try to make our days as fun as possible but its not always easy, especially with my daughter’s terrible twos starting to surface a few months early!  We like going on adventures, seeing friends and eating cake. When we are not out and about I try to fill our days indoors with craft and sensory play activities but to be honest somedays we just make a mess and eat more cake.

What is the best thing about being a mum?

This is a really tough one, I love so many parts of being a Mum. The first time my daughter said she loved me my heart melted, the first time she ran up to me to kiss me I cried (I told you I was soppy) and seeing the world again through her eyes is such a precious gift. But, for me the best part of being a Mum is the feeling of such overwhelming love and pride I get simply from seeing her beautiful little smile

What have you found hardest about motherhood?

I feel horrible for saying it but the hardest thing for me was losing my freedom. I found the routine of motherhood quite hard to adjust to for a while. I still do somedays. I miss spontaneity, things take a lot more planning these days!

How has your body changed?

Stretch marks. Urgh. Need I say more? No matter how much Bio Oil I slap on there they are! I have learnt to live with them now and I guess they are like my badges of honour.

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

I always feel better if I have made a little bit of an effort so every morning I make sure I get up and shower and do my make up before the Hubs leaves for work. Im quite a girly girl and love makeup. I tend to use a tinted moisturiser through the week and couldn’t live without my benefit ‘they’re real’ mascara.

What’s in your handbag? 

A handbag? What’s that? I can’t remember the last time I used my own bag! I simply throw everything in the enormous change bag then spend hours rummaging through it trying to find my keys and phone.

What is your relationship with housework?

I’m a bit of a neat freak, although I have relaxed since Pops was born. But as soon as she is down for a nap I can’t help but tidy. God knows how I am going to cope when she drops her afternoon nap!

How do you relax?

The Hubs and have got quite good at enjoying our evenings when Pops is in bed and spending quality time together. I also like to have a nice bath and a good read. And if we can get a babysitter then we love to go out to dinner.

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

The best advice I was even given was; ‘don’t listen to other peoples advice, trust your instincts and do what feels right for you.’ And this is what I have pretty much done, I figure every baby is different and so is every family so there is never going to be one right way to do things! We just do what work’s best for us.

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

You are amazing! You created a human! You do the best you can for your child and that makes you a brilliant Mum!

What makes you happy?

I know this is cheesy and soppy (but I am a bit cheesy and soppy) but what makes me happy is my family. Life is hectic and it’s easy to forget what you have sometimes.  

For me taking a step back and just watching my husband and daughter together is when I am at my happiest. There is something so wonderful about watching the two people you love most in the world together, playing and happy. It just gets me every time.

They are my life and seeing the bond they share and the love between them is the most amazing feeling for me.

And finally, complete this sentence:

I am a great mum because….. I am a great Mum because I know and accept that I am not perfect. I work hard and do my best everyday for my family. And we are all happy. What more could I ask for?

This was so lovely to read Sammy, your love for Cocopops shines through and you sound like an amazing mum. Your stretch marks are indeed an honour- as you said, you made a human!! That is amazing!

If you want to find out more about Sammy and her world then head on over to her blog

She is also on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest so be sure to follow her on those!