Hi Laura, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and how old are your children and what happens with your kids when you are at work?
I re-trained as a Pilates and Yoga instructor along side my corporate career (pre kids I was a senior commercial manager for Dior UK) so that i could pursue an alternative career when i had my children.
During this time I created a Natal Wellbeing service for body and mind supporting the transition from pregnancy through to parenthood - preparation to restoration.
A series of courses and online resources combining exercise, birth prep and mind preparation, through to postnatal Restorative Pilates and yoga.
More recently Pilates and Yoga for children.
I have two children, Eliya is 7 and Phoenix is 4. I share my childcare with a friend who has children the same age. We do two days a week for each other.
An important part of my training and development was becoming a FEDANT-approved Antenatal Educator.
After my first pregnancy I realised i needed physical and mind preparation. At that time I had to go to multiple sources to find the physical experience and educational information I wanted. Realising pregnant mums would benefit greatly, from a single Pilates based course, combining all elements.
I created a comprehensive Pregnancy Pilates course which covered Birth Preparation knowledge & techniques to help expectant mothers.
Using 8 year’s experience teaching this client group I created a NATAL WELLBEING COLLECTION of webinars for Pilates instructors.
1. One word to describe how being a WoMo makes you feel?
Challenged
2. What’s the funniest experience you have had juggling kids and work?
I had to sit my 3 year old son in the equipment cupboard whilst I taught a Postnatal Pilates class, with a disgraceful amount of snacks and an iPad with head phones.
3. What is the one piece of advice you could offer another WoMo?
Keep working on the balance you'll know when it feels good. The journey towards Better balance has to feel rubbish at times to make the necessary adjustments.
4. What’s the least amount of sleep you’ve gone to work on and how did you cope?
With both children up with a noro visit probably a 45 mins stint at most.
Coffee is the obvious answer add in honesty policy when my words didn't come out in the right order. Reminding myself, tomorrow is another day.
5. What have you learned about yourself as a WoMo?
Children grow up fast, keep some thing going that gives you an identity beyond being a mother. Even if it's new and different. You matter as well as your children.
6. If you had a working mother’s anthem or mantra, what would it be?
Don't under estimate the value of protecting your physical and mental health. For you and your family.
7. What is your guilty pleasure to combat WoMo guilt the best?
Taking the kids for a cycle followed by cake or ice cream.
8. Would you rather be dealing with a tantrum or presenting in a board meeting?
If I have the time to prepare (rare now I have children) a boardroom meeting. If the tantrum is in public, boardroom meeting. If the tantrum is at home and I can't escape boardroom meeting.
My answer is boardroom meeting.
9. If you asked your children what your job is, what would they say?
"To cuddle me" was the first answer (4 year old son who thinks the world is about him only) and with a little encouragement "exercise for ladies with babies in their tummy"
10. What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you became a WoMo?
If it feels wrong don't try too hard for too long to accept it, make changes. The balance has to be obviously wrong to make any changes or we just coast along. It's all part of the journey and our strive for balance. What I needed after my first to transition into motherhood was very different to three years after that with my second. It'll become clear along the way
11. To date, what has been your best WoMo achievement?
Creating my webinar series for instructors to share everything I've studied, taught and practised.
Also when my childcare let me down last minute and I managed to use my son as a model in a mum and baby class. When his attention span disappeared I found the equipment cupboard kept him entertained for the rest of the class.
12. What do you want to teach your kids about working mothers?
The value of money and if you work hard you deserve to have more play. Choosing some thing to become an expert in is a very rewarding way of helping others.
Visit Laura online at natalwellbeing.com or on Facebook Natal Wellbeing.