Serenity Lane

  Motherhood is hard.   It’s about choosing your hard though.   No one warns you that you’re going to lose yourself when you become a mother, whether it’s the first time, the second time or whatever number you might be up to.   Every time you see those two lines on a pregnancy stick, you immediately have new hopes and dreams.   Just they’re not for you, they’re for someone else; someone completely new who exists only in you.   Motherhood is hard.   The new version of yourself has plenty to learn each day; balls to juggle and sometimes drop.   Routines to instill and so many skills to teach – life skills, sports skills, learning skills, creative skills, money skills, negotiation skills, time management skills.   Motherhood is hard.   Managing friends – yours and theirs.   Managing time, prioritizing good food and good sleep.   Managing emotions – yours and theirs, especially when we may be learning to manage this for our...

  Doom scrolling on social media tends to show you one of two pictures of motherhood – one who has it all, the picture-perfect family, house, seems to have life and motherhood all figured out, always looking so pulled together, never a hair out of place, house is always clean and organized.  The other is the complete opposite – overwhelmed with the never-ending mental load of motherhood, overstimulated by the unending noise of motherhood (the fighting, the loud TV, music, shouting to get anyone and everyone’s attention), the logistics of multiple people having different activities at the same time in different places, the ceaseless clutter of busy lives, the messiness of children.  The second depiction of motherhood is of one that is, however, much like reality  - it feels like a woman who is (barely) surviving motherhood: but is the first depiction, one of a mother really thriving?  Have we forgotten that both depictions are curated highlight reels into each of...

How exciting!   It is such a life changing event.   There are so many wonderful things that happen when you become a   mama, some not so wonderful things and some downright terrifying things (not to scare you too much just yet though).   Most of the well-meaning advice generally focuses on the ‘sleep while you can – it’ll be years before you sleep properly again’ and ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ – when exactly is that again?   Helpful tip #1.   When I was expecting my first baby, the most practical advice I was given was to wear them in a baby carrier.   This was helpful for a number of reasons but mainly your baby wants to be close to you.   It’s a scary world out here, far from the comfort and safety of mama’s belly.   While they are able to be close to you, your arms are free, allowing you to do something else (‘more productive’) at the same time, such as hanging washing, dishes, looking after other young children or running your own...