Faye

👧🏼 How old are your babies?

Mollie is 7, Penelope my step daughter is 6 and poppy is 19 months.

👧🏼 How is it having two families together?

It was difficult at first as mollie and penelope where very used to being only children and having all our attention, but over time it has got so much better and they now act like sisters.
When I was pregnant with poppy I was really unsure on how things would go but I didn’t need to be worried as poppy has brought us all together as one big family its so lovely.

👧🏼 Any tips? What has or hasn’t worked for you guys?

A good routine is key especially at poppy’s age. The 4 I stick by is bath, book,milk and bed, going to bed the same time evey night. It does take a week or so to get into a routine but so worth it when it works and they sleep through the night.
Make time for yourself even if its a long soak in the bath but also make time as a couple yes we are parents but also a couple aswell.
I’d also say that bringing a baby home when you have older children can be difficult as baby takes alot of your attention so get the older children involved, just by simple small things like helping choose babys outfit or helping change baby it does make a big difference and the older children feel involved.

👧🏼 How do you juggle work and caring for the bambino’s?

The bags under my eyes say it all haha
It’s non stop, tiring, I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s hard but again I live by a good routine.
We have amazing help from grandparents and a lovely childminder plus after school club which helps us juggle work and the kids.
Sometimes it does get to me that I work just to pay for childcare and the fact I miss out on alot at home but I just have to remind myself that I’m working so I can provide for my children.

👧🏼 Having poppy during lockdown must have been super hard, did you learn anything from that time? Anything you have carried with you and still do?

It was soo difficult, with mollie I was really social went to lots of baby classes and made lots new friends. Unfortunately with poppy I was unable to do that due to the situation and online classes just wasn’t the same.
I learnt that going to see my friends and family I took for granted.
I learnt that I’m stronger than I thought I was and I’m a very good multitasker (looking after a new born and home schooling at the same time, not sure how I managed it but we did it)
But I also learnt that it’s okay to feel rubbish sometimes and to talk openly about it really helped and I still do talk openly about how I feel that’s really helped me.

👧🏼 What were some of the most useful things you bought in that first year?

The tommee tippee prep machine if your bottle feeding. It’s the one item you won’t regret purchasing.
A good baby carrier/ sling is so helpfull around the house and when out and about.

👧🏼 Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

A water birth, wish I had one of those.

👧🏼 What parts of parenting have you struggled with? And which parts do you think you’re amazing at?

I struggle with the mum guilt of going to work especially now mollie is older she notices I’m not around as much as I once was. Especially coming out of lockdown and going to work again she was so used to me being home all the time.
I also have really struggled with co parenting, it has been a long and difficult road.
No-one is perfect and as a parent I feel like every day you learn something new but i feel like I’m good at keeping calm and positive and making sure the time I do spend with the kids is quality time.

👧🏼 What advice would you give to new parents?

Your doing a great job and whoever says parenting is easy they are lying haha.
It is hard at times and the sleepless nights can feel relentless but the good out weighs the more difficult times. When they have there first smile, first step or when they just give you a big cuddle you realise it’s all worth it.
Rememeber you need to look after yourself as well so accept help, if your partner offers to help or if grandparents offer to help then accept the help because that half an hour of help while you go for a bath or just to chill can make all the difference on how you feel.