Things I have learnt since becoming a mummy

Well, it’s almost midnight and I cannot sleep, so I thought I would write this post.  I became a mummy 11 years ago at the age of 31 and it was like a switch went off in me. I loved those little people growing inside of me from the moment I learned they were in my tummy.   Life changed overnight, but in the most blessed way.  Anyhow, here are some of the most important things I have learned:

• Nurture them & make sure they know every single day how loved & cherished they are.
• Encourage them to try new things.
• Give them choices & show them that their views are important.
• Have empathy for them.
• Pure unconditional love. I had never experienced anything like it. Children light up the world.
• Make sure they know that they can talk to you about anything.
• Help them with things they get frustrated with and find difficult so that they do not find these things such a challenge anymore.
• If they struggle to do something, find another way.  Each child is different.
• Support and encourage their friendships.
• Find fun ways of helping them learn new things.
• Promote their self esteem.
• Talk to them and encourage them to talk to you.
• Do lots of fun things with them.
• Positive parenting – I completed a really interesting Nurturing Programme course.
• They come first above everything and I have never questioned this. Gone were the days of being out at the pub with friends till late, or rolling in at 3am after going nightclubbing.
• In my case I chose a career working from home where I could not miss those special moments.
• Don’t wrap them up in cotton wool. Let kids be kids.

I read on another blog about #365daysofkindness.   I think this is a wonderful idea as people are what matter and even the smallest gesture could mean more than you know to someone.   In the last year, I have come across way too many people living on the streets, especially in Luton Town Centre and near Milton Keynes train station.  I often stop and ask if they are ok  and share whatever food I have with me, with them.  Why do I do it? Not for thanks, or to get anything from it, simply because it breaks my heart to see people in that position and it literally could happen to anyone.  I will be starting #365daysofkindness tomorrow.

Last year, I had a shock diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome hypermobility type (sadly an inheritable condition with a 50% chance of inheritance), fibromyalgia & Chronic fatigue syndrome.   I have to confess, it knocked me for six at first,even though the diagnosis made sense of a lot of seemingly unrelated issues,  but once I had come to terms with it, I realised something. I am still ME.  I will not be and am not defined by it and to be honest, I do not want to think about it at all and most of all, I want my children to see their mummy just getting on with her life, just like any other mummy.