In celebration of Mother’s Day this Sunday, we wanted to give a special shoutout to all the new mums finding their feet and mums-to-be waiting for bub's arrival.
We asked some of the Mums from our stores to reflect on their experience of being a new mum, the best advice they were given and who they lean on for support.
Bianca, from our Westfield Warringah store, with her daughter Ava.
What do you wish you knew before becoming a Mum?
It is not always as daunting as you think it will be. All that overthinking will cost you more in time and stress than its good for, so follow your intuition. The most valuable thing you can give your children is your love and time. Show them love and respect and they will grow to do the same for others.
If you could go back to when you first became a Mum, what would you say to yourself?
Time is precious. You don’t get to relive these moments again. So put in the hours, make the memories - everything else can wait.
What was the best advice you ever received about motherhood?
Be the person you needed when you were a kid.
Who do you lean on for support?
My parents. I’m very fortunate to have them close by and ready to help out seeing as I don’t have a partner to share the load, so to speak.
What was your biggest challenge in the early days?
Loneliness. As a young single mum, I wasn’t in the same boat as many others my age at the time, or even the mothers in my mother’s group. As a result, I lacked connection with other adults, and found myself being socially deprived for a long time. I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere because I was much younger than most in my mother’s group and missed out on social events with old friends because my schedule and priorities were very different to theirs.
What are you most proud of as a Mum?
How much I could do this on my own. Sometimes I would kill to be able to have experienced motherhood with a partner, but I didn’t have that luxury. Other times its really great not having to run everything I do by someone else. But even though I had full awareness of doing this alone when I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t realise how much I was going to be able to do, especially with a child on the spectrum. Handling it so much better than I ever thought I could.
Any other thoughts on motherhood you’d like to share?
Keep following your dreams. Don’t go after them in spite of your kids but go after them for your kids. You can still have them, even if you have to drag a few little rugrats to the finish line.
Kate, from our Westfield Southland store, with her children Finny and Molly.
What do you wish you knew before becoming a Mum?
It is the most challenging job – but also the most rewarding.
If you could go back to when you first became a Mum, what would you say to yourself?
Relax, you are doing a great job.
What was the best advice you ever received about motherhood?
Your baby doesn’t know that you don’t know what you are doing, so if a routine doesn’t happen at first, take a deep breath and do whatever you need to do to get through
Do you lean on other mums for support?
I never knew how much I needed my mum until I was a mum myself. I still rely on her guidance and support more than she will ever know.
What is your biggest challenge as a Mother?
To know when to let go and let them make their own mistakes.
What are you most proud of as a Mum?
The two awesome humans I have helped grow!
Jean, from our Westfield Marion store, with her son Cameron and daughter Kayleigh.
If you could go back to when you first became a Mum, and give yourself some advice, what would that be?
Stay calm and breath everything will be ok!
What do you wish could have done differently as a new Mum?
I would make sure I had clothing with easy access to help with feeding.
What was the best advice you ever received about motherhood?
Do what’s right for you and your baby – everything can be trial and error.
Who do you lean on for support?
My mum and sister in-laws (I have 6 of them).
What was your biggest challenge in the early days?
Breastfeeding my second child. My first child didn’t take to breastfeeding at all, so it was a whole new experience for me as a second time mum.
What are you most proud of as a Mum?
How affectionate, caring and compassionate both my kids are.
Any words of wisdom for others in the Motherhood?
Never feel afraid to ask for help. The more help, the better. You never know what someone’s advice will do for you and your family in the long run.
Rosie from our Highpoint store with sons Tyler and Josh.
What do you wish you had been told about Motherhood before becoming a mum?
That Motherhood would be the most rewarding job that I would have the privilege of having. Hard, yes, tiring, yes, emotional, yes. But at the end of the day, it's amazing seeing my children grow into the beautiful adults they have become and to think that I created them.
If you could go back to when you first became a Mum, what would you say to yourself?
I remember it being daunting, to say the least! I didn't have my Mum around for support, but hey, I did it and I am proud of my strength and independence. I would say “Job well done Rosie!”.
What was the best advice you ever received about motherhood?
It was from a Maternal and Child Health Nurse. She said "Being a Mum is tough, but always remember that in the eyes of your child, no one does it better than you. There is no rule book, no rights or wrongs, if you are worried about being a good mother it means you already are one".
What are you most proud of as a Mum?
Seeing my second son, who is Down Syndrome, achieving things that I certainly didn't expect him to. Tyler grew up with extra help and support and has become the most amazing, social, loving, hilarious, beautiful gift we have ever received. My eldest son, Josh, is also a beautiful, gentle soul who looks out for his brother and still hugs me every day. So proud of his achievements also, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Both very different yet have the same heart.
Brooke from Westfield Southland with daughters Evie and Scarlett.
What do you wish you knew before becoming a new Mum?
You can’t do it all, so reach out when you need help. I had post-natal depression and the amazing services of PANDA helped me immensely, but I had to reach out to them first.
If you could go back to when you first became a Mum, what would you say to yourself?
Accept all the help that is offered and ask for more if you need it.
What was the best advice you ever received about motherhood?
Everything is just a phase and as soon as you think you have it sorted out, the goal posts move, so try to breathe and laugh with it all.
Do you lean on other mums for support?
Yes. My Mum and my mother’s group mums.
What was your biggest challenge in the early days?
Sleep deprivation and reminding myself that I am doing a great job. I also find it challenging to give both my girls the attention they want.
What are you most proud of as a Mum?
Seeing my girls joyful, independent and expressing their own personalities.
Any words of wisdom for others in the Motherhood?
Let Motherhood grow you rather than trying to curb it into an ideal.
Monique from our Westfield Southland store has 3 children; Ben, Catherine and Nick.
What do you wish you knew before becoming a new Mum?
Not all babies fall asleep on their own.
If you could go back to when you first became a Mum, what would you say to yourself?
Be kind to yourself.
What was the best advice you ever received about motherhood?
Listen to the advice of other mothers (no matter how crazy it may seem!) and use what works for you.
Do you lean on other mums for support?
Yes - My two best friends of 23 years who I met at Mother’s group.
What was your biggest challenge in the early days?
Trying to juggle a preppy at school, one child at 3 year old kinder, a newborn whilst building a new house all at the same time.
What are you most proud of as a Mum?
The way my children have grown into such beautiful young adults.
Any words of wisdom for others in the Motherhood?
Even though it is the longest, hardest job at times it is also the most rewarding and worthwhile.
