Children's Author, Teacher & Play Enthusiast
Recently, I had the privilege of spending a long weekend amongst the company of 30 insanely talented authors and illustrators. From the intimate setting of Holland House, in the beautiful Cotswolds, I was one of the privileged few who got to watch James Mayhew draw to music, I created cats and characters with Viviane Schwarz and as a busy mum of two, had the luxury of eating for 4 days without having to do a weekly shop, prepare a single meal or wash a single plate! Privileged? Very!
Mums today most definitely need their mum mates; people who understand what it is to be mum because they're on the same rollercoaster as you. But if you've ever tried to find a new best mate at soft-play, when you're panicking that your eldest is trapped in a cargo net and your youngest is drowning in the ball pool, you'll know that that's easier said than done. Fortunately, mumspiration Jess Sizeland, has brought together hordes of Hertford mums through her business, Social Mama. If you've not been to one of her events yet than you really should - they are fun, friendly and the women are fabulous. I caught up with her to find out how she does it all and what she has planned next...
Today is the final day of the Easter holidays. Like many of you (I'm guessing), having managed the incredible feat of putting the children to bed, I am now curled up on the sofa, slurping cheap prosecco, whilst drooling over Harvey Specter from Suits...
Easter may be over, but in the wake of their new buggy, the Quail Stroller, being released, is the original egg stroller now a little bit rotten?
It's true. Nothing in the world prepares you for becoming mum for the first time. I'd worked with children for years, knew how to comfort them, knew how to care for them, knew how to educate even the most unruly of them; but nothing could have prepared me for motherhood. In the beginning, it was all a bit - well, poo - to be honest. Thankfully, over time, many of the bad bits have been surpassed by tickles, giggles and the miracle of an occasional good night's sleep! Despite the joy, the worst bit about being mum still exists...