WRITER ● MEDIA CONSULTANT ● DESIGN
In light of the recent articles and discussions I’ve been having about motherhood, I worry that the point has been missed. There can be a lot of negativity floating through the parenting atmosphere and I most certainly don’t want to come across as a ranting, begrudging, regretful mother because that could not be further from the truth.
Our first family holiday has just ended. We had a fantastic jam packed week full of brilliant memories. We travelled all the way to Ireland’s Ancient East and settled ourselves down for a week in Kilmore, County Wexford. The thoughts of travelling on a plane, train or boat with Little Bean was stressful enough so we decided a Staycation in the sunny South East would do. And boy did it do! And boy was it sunny! What a week! Here’s our itinerary and tips and tricks to make it through some of the icredible things Wexford has to offer with a four and a one year old.
Don’t hate me but yes I’m already thinking about Summer Holidays. For the first time in my life, I have already booked a family holiday for the Summer. No, we’re not going to Spain or Disneyland, although they were options that soared out of our price range even with the sales. Instead we’re taking the kids on their very first family holiday to a self catering house on a rural organic farm in Wexford. The beach, the quiet, the sunsets, the reminder of the magic of family holidays when I was a kid. I genuinely can’t wait for this staycation.
With the new year just days away, I can’t help but start to consider the ideal that is “work life balance” as a parent. There is no doubt that it is not easy being a parent and working a full time job. Being constantly pulled in each and every direction becomes tiresome and we end up constantly questioning why there aren’t more hours in the day, because damn we need them! The thoughts of returning to work have played on my mind since Little Bean was born and I’m wondering is there an answer to the perfect work life balance.
I did it! One whole week without an anxiety attack. There was plenty of opportunity to feel the rush of panic with stress sitting in the corner laughing at me, needlessly taunting me. But no, this week I am Rocking Motherhood. Next week I’ll keep rocking.
Today marks a very unusual day for our family. A bitter sweet day at the end of an era. Today, is my last working day and technically the start of my year long maternity leave. The start of my year as a Stay-At-Home-Mum. As well as being the beginning of a journey I’m looking forward to and equally terrified of, it’s the end of a time in our lives that admittedly seemed never ending. Three years ago, plus one month, I went back to work after a very, very short maternity leave. I took the standard six months which in reality meant A was a tiny five months old when I wandered back into my office in April 2014. That beautiful, small baby was handed over every day B and I went to work to an incredible woman, B’s Aunty P.
B, you know me better than anyone but did you know…
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I am really delighted to have decided to bring back In Conversation With this year. I debated starting a new series altogether. Instead, I have revived ICW with a host of new questions for those lovely Momma and Papa Bears who would like to take part. ICW with now be published fortnightly, instead of weekly. I have to free up a bit of time if I’m to get that novel written! If you would like to sign up for ICW, drop me a mail. First up, this January, is the beautiful Kirsty who writes a fab parenting and food blog called Winnettes. On her blog, she shares her adventures with her two gorgeous little ones, Pinky and Perky 🙂
2016 was an emotionally mixed year for me and for my family. I’ll be honest, I’ll be glad to see the back of it. I’m looking forward to 2017, hoping it brings us a year of good fortune without the unhelpful worries and stress this year has brought us. At a time when we should have been excited and happy to start our first year in our forever home, we struggled with daily life and issues beyond our control. But lessons were learned, important lessons, which will see us through next year and beyond in a more positive light.
Christmas is my favourite time of year. I know a million other people feel the same and there is nothing new to someone loving Christmas but I can’t be a blogger and not write about what makes me incredible happy when the festive songs start playing in the shopping centers. When I was a kid, growing up in the 80’s wasn’t a piece of cake, not that I noticed. Our parents always made Christmas incredibly special. It was and still is, a time of family, love, happiness and joy. We are the inevitable cliché of Christmas and I love it! Christmas Eve, however, has always been my favourite part of the the festive season. With the build up, the excitement, the day before atmosphere, the prep for the big day, it was always a busy and happily chaotic day. It was, and still is, almost like a mini celebration, a mini Christmas Day without the presents. But presents aren’t always needed. What is important is to be present yourself. To be present, in the moment, with family and friends at Christmas.