Most things I thought about life with children have been ‘updated’ since actually having them – what’s that saying, ‘I used to be an incredible parent, then I had kids’….yeah that. I’d always been around babies and younger children since my early teens thanks to much younger sisters and cousins. I knew the realities would be different but I really was clueless when it came to figuring out what to do with our first little bundle when she arrived in the world.
My eldest starts school in September and I’m terrified. Not of the crying (mine) that will inevitably happen, not of the nerves (hers so far but I’ll definitely add to it), or the logistics (I probably should be) but I’m terrified I’ll mess it up. She’s about to go through a huge change and I know it’s our job as her parents to help her through it but what if we get it wrong? What if we give her the wrong advice?
One of the best light bulb moments I’ve had over the years was this one – that I can define my own version of success. I think I realised (and accepted it) after returning to the world of employment after having my first little girl, and now it’s one of the most common topics I talk to loads of people about – not just parents, but it seems to strike the biggest chord with them.
Back in April I was scouting through LinkedIn when I saw Lisa Unwin put up a post about her up coming book with Deb Khan ‘She’s Back – your guide to returning to work’. I messaged her to (cheekily) ask for one of the early copies she had – they were in high demand from people wanting to review but I managed to get my hands on one. It’s taken me a couple of weeks to read it, for reasons I’ll explain shortly, but I’m done now and I think there are a few people that will need to read this (and the book!)…
Play to your strengths. Do what you love, love what you do. Build your strengths and weaknesses will take care of themselves. The world is awash with helpful advice isn’t it? It’s also full of feedback, self-doubt, real or perceived judgement, discrimination and struggle.
When I had my first little girl I trooped to a few different classes – yoga, massage and rhythm time were all consistent in our calendar and in the main we both really enjoyed them…well I did, she didn’t cry through them so I’m guessing she was ok with being there.
Sleep. I’ve been obsessing over it since July 2nd 2014 when my first born popped into the world. Popped makes it sound effortless….just to be clear, it wasn’t.
So I know a rather incredible lady called Steph Tranter. She’s a Personal Development Coach by trade, is on a mission to help you ‘be successful being yourself’, has a love of wildlife and is an all round good egg. She works strongly to the method of progress not perfection, something that the world authority on leadership psychology Tony Robbins bases much of his work on.
Glass slippers, being doomed to an eternal sleep until you get a smooch from Prince Charming, always looking immaculate, having the unique skill of being able to communicate to woodland creatures through song…the Princess life has got an interesting daily routine.
There have been some posts and articles recently suggesting women shouldn’t change or be defined by becoming a Mother. It’s a topic that most people seem to be unable to resist commenting on and I’m no different – so here goes.
