This post contains affiliate links to Blogger to Boss.
We went in full steam ahead with regards to taking Amelia
swimming & I’ve said this many a time, but in hindsight I think we took her
too early. We started taking her to Turtle Tots at Temple Newsam in Leeds
when she was two weeks old and for the first month or so she did nothing but
sleep through the classes - And even though it was lovely to get out the house
& meet new parents with their adorable babies, I couldn’t help but feel
like it was a total waste of money.
The vast majority of babies who attended the class were 6
months+ and you could see that they were much more interactive than our tiny
baby was & they were able to enjoy their time in the water. much more than Amelia.
The only
benefit I’d say it had for Amelia was with bath times, but like I say it was a
pretty pricey activity just to get her used to being in the tub. I think we will take her back to Turtle Tots,
but we’re going to wait a month or so before we get her booked in again.
Okay, so this one’s also a bit of a fail! For Christmas my
sister bought me the Harry Potter books & I had all intentions of reading
all seven before the end of my maternity leave. 5 months in & truth be told I haven’t finished the first
one yet!.. Although we have had a movie marathon again, if that counts!
Now I know reading is a matter of priorities because in
honestly I probably have had the time to get much further through the books
than I actually have, however what I’ve done is chosen to prioritise other
things... This blog being one of them – But we’ll get onto that later.
On a side note I’m currently experiencing quite a lot of
headaches which I think has come from a mix of dealing with a crying baby,
being sat staring at either a laptop or phone screen & not getting all that
much sleep and I really think getting back into reading will help alleviate
that. Harry Potter & the philosophers stone is currently sat on my bed side
table, so it’s not as if I can’t see it, it’s a constant reminder for me to
start reading & I really hope I can get back on track with it all – Watch
this space!
I’ve not actually booked onto a course yet, and although
it’s still something I’d like to do, I don’t think I’ll be getting my quill out
any time soon.
I love the idea of calligraphy & setting up my own
business selling prints and making custom pieces, but the reality of it is, is
that I want to prioritise my blog & I really don’t think I have the time
for both… Not when you throw looking after a baby, a husband, a dog and a home
into the mix too.
That’s not to say it’s not something I won’t pick up in the
future though.
I think when you’re at home all day looking after a baby
it’s imperative to get yourself out of the house. It doesn’t even have to be
particularly outdoorsy, even just a trip to a local coffee shop, or to the
supermarket brings a change of scenery & breaks up the day a bit – And I
think for your own sanity, it’s SO important.
When I first had Amelia I was really nervous taking her out,
especially on my own, as it felt like a totally alien situation. In fact, every
first you have with a baby feels totally alien situation, but the more you do it, the
more you get used to it & the more comfortable you become. And that’s
exactly where I’m at today.
Although I don’t put pressure on myself, I try and get out
of the house every day. We have a weekly play group that we go to on a Tuesday,
but throughout the week we’ll walk up to the Asda, go to the White Rose
shopping centre or talk the dog for a walk. Sometimes we’re out for half the
day, other times it’s half an hour. I don’t think it particularly matters how
long you’re outside for, just as long as you have something to do that day.
This one makes me so sad! I spoke previously about how I’d
loved to have taken my family for a little staycation up to Huts in the Hills
in Northumberland, but in reality, I just can’t afford it.
I’ve spoken before on my blog about how I’ve found itdifficult adjusting to a maternity wage and unfortunately as amazing as they
staycation would be, we just can’t afford it right now.
I’m hoping that when I go back to work in January that we
can get ourselves away to enjoy some proper family time.
My body didn’t spring back into place after having Amelia (I
might talk more about this if you’d like to hear about it) but four months
later I’m at a place where I’m relatively happy with how I look – Granted it’s
different, but I’m working with it. I think this is where creating a new
wardrobe and almost a new identity for myself has come into play.
I spent a weekend about a month or so ago gutting my
wardrobe of all my ‘dowdy pregnancy clothes’ ready to make way for new pieces
which I was so excited about that I went out and bought them very next day.
My wardrobe is now topped up with high waisted trousers and
skirts along with smarter, more tailored shirts and crop tops. The only thing
I’d say I need now is a pair of plain black skinny jeans, but I want ones that
actually stay black!... I’ve had some from Topshop and H&M and even though
they look fab to begin with, I’ve always found the colour doesn’t last too
long, so if you know of any good quality black jeans, hook a gal up!
This is the one I’m most excited about and to be honest it’s
only in the last few weeks where somethings changed for me & turned me from
someone who blogs for a hobby into someone who blogs with a more business
mindset.
And I think I have one thing… Or two people to thank… And
that’s Bex & Codie from Blogger to Boss. Last month I took part in their 5 day free course where we
had small daily tasks to complete in order to take our blogs to the next level
and I have to say it’s really worked. Although I don’t have a great deal of
content to show for it over here on this little blog of mine, my mindset has
done a complete 360 & I’m ready to take on whatever this blogging lark has
to throw at me.
Since doing the course I’ve applied for writing jobs
& I’ve even managed to secure myself a paid blog post which you’ll see pop
up over the next month or so. I started blogging five years ago, so you could
say that it’s taken me a hella long time to get here, but now I’m here, there’s
no stopping me!
The mum guilt was SO real when I went to Berlin last month!
I felt awful leaving my baby, but I knew it’d be so beneficial for all parties.
Dan got to spend more time with Amelia, she got to experience daddy daughter fun
time & I bagged myself a much needed break.
While it's on my brain, there was a thread I read only yesterday
on Facebook about how mums shouldn’t take time away from their babies as it’s
irresponsible and neglectful & I for one was absolutely shocked at how judgmental some people can be. I honestly don’t know what is wrong with some
popele…
It’s okay to want to spend time away from your baby.
It’s okay to want to have your partner enjoy your child as
much as you have.
It’s okay if you want to take a bit of time out for
yourself.
So here we are six months in to my maternity leave with
another six months left to go. I’m certainly finding things easier since the
newborn days but I still think there’s room for improvement when it comes to my
productivity. I’ve been listening to Vix Meldrew’s podcasts which have
really been helping me with the extra get up & go, and like I say the
Blogger to Boss course was amazing at making me want to succeed with this
online space of mine.
Here’s to the next six months, whatever they may bring.
Have you got any tips for increasing blog productivity?
Especially when it comes to juggling that with a baby?
Claire.X
This is a great post to read, very real.
ReplyDeleteI think there's a pretence that you'll have all this free time when you're off on maternity. People forget that you have a baby to look after and that is no easy job!
Love that the things you have achieved have been for yourself. Happy mummy, happy baby. :)
Caroline.x
http://www.carolineelgeywhite.com