This feature is all about celebrating 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 Becky!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
My name is Becky , I’m 26 and engaged to a handsome scotsman, Steve. We have a 2 year old son called Oliver (LittleO). We live in Oxfordshire and I currently work from home for an online opticians.
Describe a typical day in your life
Oliver wakes between 7-8 am, he sleeps in our bed for most of the night so I’m usually woken by a poke to the face. Steve then gets up with Oliver and sorts out breakfast whilst I snooze or look at social media. I then get up and make the beds etc and put a wash on.
At 8.30 Steve leaves for work and I get Oliver ready, I then grab a shower and get myself ready for the day.
When I’m ready I prepare Oliver’s snack/lunch for the day ahead, tidy up again (toys everywhere) and we go out. We do different activities most days like toddler groups, swimming and play dates or just pop to the park.
1.00pm we are usually home from our activity and Oliver has eaten his lunch, he is a grazer and likes to snack throughout the day so it’s hard for me to keep track on how much he has eaten. We spend the afternoon playing, going for a walk, crafting and reading. Oliver has recently cut out his nap which i’m finding quite tough, although fresh air usually helps us both. We also have a bit of quiet time, I love curling up and watching a film together, we usually only watch 30 minutes or so before ‘O’ wants to move onto something else.
I also get any house work, blogging or work bits done. I don’t like doing too much on the laptop when Oliver’s around but sometimes needs much. I have a terrible habit of tidying up after Oliver so a good part of my day is spent tidying, I need to work on that!
Its then time for more play, by this time I’m flagging and starting to count down until Daddy’s home. Steve usually cooks dinner (I’m not the best in the kitchen!)
Steve gets home about 5pm and him and Oliver have a mad ten minutes playing chase, we then eat dinner.
In the time between dinner and bath time, we do lots more playing, I get some quiet time which usually consists of me catching up on blogs whilst Steve and Oliver spend some time together.We then reads some book’s in our bed as apparently its the place to read according to Oliver!
Bath time is at 7.30pm with daddy whilst I do the last tidy up of the day, I then swap with Steve and get Oliver to sleep.
8.15 He’s asleep! I use this time to blog, work and spend far much time on social media.
10.30 bedtime
What is the best thing about being a mum?
When I take a moment to really look at Oliver, at all his little features, it still amazes me that Me and Steve created him. The bond we have is incredibly strong and it gets me every time. I think I appreciate the bond we have all the more as I had a tough start to motherhood and that initial rush of love took a while to come along.
What have you found hardest about motherhood?
The first three months of Oliver’s life were tough. He was born 6 weeks prematurely and had a two week hospital stay. The ‘baby blues’ hit day three post partum and got gradually worse from there. I wish I had spoken to someone sooner but as a first time mum I thought perhaps every new mum felt like I did. The tiredness has also been a constant issue and I am not sure I will ever get used to the lack of sleep!
How has your body changed?
I found that Breastfeeding helped me to lose the baby weight, so I actually weigh less than I did pre pregnancy. I am really proud of my body for growing a baby and going through childbirth, I definitely look at myself in a new light. My boobs will never be the same again but that’s something a good bra should sort *she hopes* !
Do you wear makeup? If so what does your routine look like?
Yes! In fact until last week I couldn’t remember the last time I went out without make up on. I find make up just give’s me that bit more confidence to face the day. I always put a primer on first, I find it makes such a difference to how long my makeup lasts. I then use concealer and occasionally foundation. I use a Nars Blush, which I absolutely love and pop on some eyeshadow and mascara. I like to wear lipstick but nothing too colourful.
What’s in your handbag?
I have to have an organised handbag otherwise I just don’t feel right! My current bag is a mustard yellow Zara tote, I love how roomy it is but that it doesn’t look like a typical changing bag. In it I have nappys, baby wipes and nappy bags, my purse. 2 toy cars, sunnies, tissues, keys, sun lotion, notebook, pen and a bottle of water.
What is your relationship with housework?
I’m not a fan of housework but I love to have a clean and tidy house, I have a cleaning schedule so that I can just do a small amount daily and it never gets on top of me. Oliver loves to help with the washing and hoovering, I like to think I’m training it up to become my live in cleaner!
How do you relax?
Me and Steve like to flop on the couch and get into a good TV series, Our favourites were Dexter, Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black. I like to read wether it be blogs, books or a magazine. I have just read a few of Caitlin Moran’s books, I am now a big fan!
What’s the best parenting advice you have ever been given?
Not so much advice as a saying ‘The days are long, but the years short’ I recite this if I’m having a bad day with Oliver and try to remember one day I will look back with fond memories and long for this time again.
For any new mums out there, what would you like to tell them?
I would have to say: If you are worried by how you are feeling please talk to someone, whether that be a partner, a HV or even anonymously. There is no such thing as a ‘perfect mum’ we all make mistakes its how we learn, so please don’t think you have to be perfect.
What makes you happy?
Steve and Oliver, everyday I feel thankful that I have them in my life. Steve is an amazing dad and I will never tire of watching him and Ollie together.
And finally, complete this sentence:
I am a great mum because….. I asked for help when I was at my lowest point. It was a hard thing to do, admitting how I had been feeling but I was determined to seek help so that my depression did not affect Oliver. I love him more than words could ever say and everyday I tell him just how amazing and loved he is. I want him to grow up confident, never questioning that love around him.
Ah Becky I am so glad I got to meet you the other day although we didn’t get to chat properly. Hopefully get to chat properly again soon. This is just the loveliest interview! You are a fab mum and you did great asking for help, that takes so much courage. xx
You can find out more about Becky and her world over at her blog, Little O and Me.
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