Welcome to another Together In Mamahood interview. With these interviews I aim to serve motherhood realness from the women who understand best… You! Today I have interviewed Emma Morris about being mum to her 2 year old boy Alfie.
Together in Mamahood interview.
1. What’s one thing you said you’d never do as a parent, but have done since becoming a mum?
That’s a tough one – I don’t think I gave myself any ‘won’t do’s’ because I wanted to be quite open-minded with it, having never done it before – plus I knew they’d probably go out of the window! I also didn’t read too many books. I knew that too much knowledge would just stress me out, instead I tend to turn to my mum for her words-of-wisdom, they haven’t failed me yet. I suppose the one thing I have done, which I tell myself not to, is googling the symptoms of your poorly baby! (everyone does it).
2. What for you is hardest thing about motherhood?
Apart from the motherly tiredness, the hardest thing for me has been being a mum and still having a career; adjusting to that, working out where I fit and making big decisions about what’s best for my family and what my priorities are at this time in my life. In my opinion, having a baby can (and does for many) limit those who want to pursue their career but also need some flexibility, so they get to spend some time with their child. I was aware of the challenge’s women face but until you are a mother yourself you don’t really realise just how hard it is to get both, it has surprised me. I’ve recently set up my own PR business and it’s the best thing I’ve done in my career to date. I should also add at this point, that it wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t have such great support around me. Being a mum and building my business is challenging but I am very fortunate that my career allows me to do both and both are so rewarding.
3. How much of a routine do you have?
Yes. This was the one thing that we were quite strict with from an early stage. We always did the same bedtime routine at the same time and nap times were in his cot, usually around the same time most days. This was hard at first – he’d have happily slept cuddling me all day. As lovely as that is, that was not going to happen… I was firm with this, and it has paid off in the long run, as he’s a great sleeper. Now that Alfie’s a bit older we aren’t as strict with timings, but he does have a long nap in the afternoon each day and goes to bed around 7.30pm every night. We still do the same routine, usually bath, cereal for supper, story and bed. We change it up when we’re out for a special occasion or on holiday.
4. Tell me something that has surprised you about being a mother?
Just how much I love it! Obviously, I knew I loved kids, but I’ve actually surprised myself in a lot of ways. I’m stronger than I thought. It has given me a new kind of confidence. I didn’t think I’d adjust quite as well as I have. Yes, it’s not easy and I am shattered a lot but he’s my best little pal (he doesn’t judge me and laughs at my silly faces). We’ve done so much together already and I love our adventures.
5. Do you think social media portrays motherhood correctly?
Erm, yes and no. There are lots of inspiring women shouting about the highs and the lows of motherhood. Social media is incredibly powerful, but it does sometimes give a false sense of reality – you are only ever seeing someone’s highlight reel, a carefully curated selection of their best bits. I think that’s in general though, not just around motherhood… I suppose it depends on who you follow and knowing to take some things you see on social media with a pinch of salt. My favourites to follow at the moment are Mother Pukka, I believe in everything she’s campaigning for and Stacey Solomon, she seems like an all-round good egg.
6. How do you feel about your postpartum body?
I almost don’t want to be honest on this one – I’m pretty happy with it. Luckily, I didn’t put on much weight when I was pregnant, so I didn’t have much to lose and I didn’t get any obvious stretch marks. I don’t think the truckload of Burt’s Bees oil that I applied each night had anything to do with it, I believe it was just good luck and genetics – I don’t think I’ll be as lucky second time around!
7. What’s your favourite motherhood memory?
Taking Alfie on holiday to Mexico!! After just about surviving the 10 hour flight with an 18 month old (I know, we’re mad), we had a wonderful time. The hotel resort was like a
tropical jungle, there was so much wildlife everywhere you looked… my favourite memory is Alfie seeing the iguanas and little lizards each day on our walk to breakfast and teaching him to say IG-UAN-A. Come evening, he was the first up on the dance floor for the mini disco. Watching him dancing and being so confident was so lovely, it almost brought a tear to my eye.
8. How have you changed since becoming a mum?
I don’t think I’m as tolerant with people’s b***sh**. I never put up with much before
having kids, but I put up with even less now. I don’t have time for mean spirited, selfish
people. Life’s too short for that. But I would say my heart is much bigger for the people I love and who love me. Having your own little family puts a lot of things into perspective and has made me appreciate what I have.
9. Tell me your proudest mum moment?
I take Alfie to swimming lessons every week; I get so much joy watching him, he’s so
confident in the water and loves swimming. A proud moment was when he had a little back float on for the first time and he jumped in and swam back to the side on his own. The back float doesn’t work like armbands – they will sink if they don’t move their little arms and legs, so he was really going for it!! I’ve also been so proud of how well he speaks, I have proper conversations with him now, he’s such a good little chatter. A stand-out moment was when Alfie told me that the Lego dinosaur was in fact a Triceratops, said word perfect! That was pretty ace. I then had to check with his Daddy that it was a Triceratops!
10. What are you most looking forward to for your little ones future?
Just life in general. We have a few years to wait yet but I’m already intrigued about what job he’s going to do. He’s such a busy and sociable little chap, so I’m excited to see what he’ll become…he loves being outdoors, using his hands and playing with bricks and tools so he could end up in quite a physical, manual trade but he’s also very strong with great balance so he could be an athlete, anything from swimming to gymnastics, or ballet – who knows?!
If you’d like to get involved in a Together in Mamahood interview feel free to email me on clairemacblog@gmail.com or DM me @clairemacblog. I’d absolutely love to hear from you!
During your Together in Mamahood interview you can answer whatever you feel comfortable answering, all I ask is that it’s honest! I wan’t to show the realness behind motherhood & just how hard it can be… Because we don’t give ourselves enough credit for how difficult it can be!
