NAVIGATING MOTHERHOOD | WITH LIA FROM PORTIER
Balancing the chaos of motherhood and the demands of running a business can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed. How do you prioritise your commitments and set boundaries?
To be completely honest, navigating the balance between motherhood and running a business is an ongoing challenge that I’m still working my way through. It can quite often feel like organised chaos, I've learned to let go of unrealistic expectations, I’ve stopped overcommitting myself and accepted that it's okay not to have everything under control, all the time. Reminding myself daily that I'm doing a great job, despite occasional slip-ups; like forgetting appointments or purchasing that last-minute birthday presents on our way to the party (eek). I just don’t sweat the small stuff.
Being a Mother of two, are there any learns or things you did differently the second time around?
My postpartum experiences were similar in some ways and very different in others.Reflecting on my two journeys, the most significant shift was embracing imperfection as a form of perfection the second time around. When you have a toddler running around while trying to care for a newborn, things can quickly become overwhelming. You can either embrace the chaos or resist it, which will lead to a very unenjoyable postpartum experience.
I just rolled with it! I didn't adhere to a meticulously structured sleep routine, as our circumstances didn't allow for it. Juggling Xander's activities meant Maxim napped in the carrier. We flowed with the daily demands of life, doing what was necessary. I embraced the reality, letting go of the pursuit of an idealized version of motherhood, and accepted the imperfectly perfect moments.
Is there any advise you would share with new mothers or mothers to be?
I really try not to give unsolicited advice when it comes to being a mother. Everyone seems to have an opinion and particularly as a first time mother, it can leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed.
When asked by friends how I handled certain situations, rather than immediately answering with advice, I try to ask them more questions to understand their situation. Every baby is different and what's works for one doesn't always work for another. Often mothers just need a sounding board. They intuitively know what to do but can lose their confidence amongst the noise. My advice is to go with your gut and don't be afraid to make mistakes. There is no right or wrong, just do you!
Finally, on Mother's Day, what message would you like to share with women?
I would like to share a message of encouragement and empowerment with women worldwide to embrace their own unique journey. There is so much noise out there and It's completely liberating when you can let go of the societal expectations for motherhood. Instead, trust your intuition and honour your unique journey.
