You Are More Than A Mother..

Being a mother isn't a part-time job. Heck, it's an understatement to even classify it as a full time job. It consumes you- mentally, physically, emotionally. It leaves barely any space for you to be anything more than that.

So why do we often find the need to do things beyond the roles of motherhood?

Don't get me wrong- being a mother to my two boys is the best, most rewarding job on the entire planet and I wouldn't give it up for anything. They are and always will be my biggest priority in life.

But there was once a time when I didn't have children, yet I still had purpose. I still felt fulfilled. I still felt content, and I was well on my way to achieving my goals and passions.

Where did it all go? How does that suddenly just disappear as soon as you give birth and take on this new role as a mother?

It's hard to answer these questions when you first start your motherhood journey. There's no time or even mental capacity to think about anything other than the tiny human peacefully sleeping in your arms (or not).

It takes time to come out of that bubble. For some it takes months, for others it could take years. But once you do, you will soon realise that there is a part of you inside which is ready to ignite again when the opportunity arises.

Pregnancy and birth stretches your entire body, moving around your ligaments and joints to make space to grow a human for 9 months.
It then prepares to nourish your baby for up to another two years. In this space of time, so many beautiful yet irreversible changes happen to your body. The same thing happens inside, you just don't see it. Motherhood redefines you, stretches you, and pushes you outside of your comfort zone in ways that you didn't think was possible.

On the day your baby was born, you were also reborn.

Let me give you some examples.

I used to be career driven, enjoyed working and loved my corporate life in the city.
Now, my ideal job is one that lets me work flexibly and remotely to allow me to be there for my children.

I used to love trying out new restaurants and cuisines; my husband and I would happily drive an hour into the city for date night.
Now, my idea of a good restaurant is one that caters for children, and date nights are preferably local.

I used to love travelling, having visited over 28 different countries by the time I was 26.
Now, my ideal holiday is somewhere familiar and accessible with enough activities for the children; and don't even think about a flight that's more than 5 hours long!

So where is the line between finding your new identity, rediscovering and reigniting your passions, whilst still prioritising your children and your family?

That's what More Than A Mother is here for.

My hope is that through this blog, together we can embark on this journey of self-discovery, finding the ever changing balance between motherhood and achieving your own goals.

I'd love to know more about you, what makes you more than a mother? What were your passions before you had children that you would love to rediscover again? Tell me in the comments below!