The Conversation - Susie
Susie is 34, she is a Broadcast Compliance Operations Manager for BT Sport and has 2 kids, Theo who is 2.5 years old and Lydia who is 7 months.
How would you sum up how your life has changed since becoming a mum?
It has changed hugely but for the better. I have had to become less selfish; your children's needs come first and your priorities change dramatically! I am more tired physically but more fulfilled emotionally and happier in life. Also, my fridge has never seen so much wine!
What’s the best thing about being a mother?
Hearing my little boy say Mummy and cuddles on the sofa. Seeing them smiling and happy, learning new things and growing up. Also, it’s so nice seeing their relationship with each other grow, when they play together and make each other laugh, it’s the best!
If you could give one piece of advice to expectant mothers, what would it be?
Sleep before it’s too late, have lie ins, do things with your partner that are no so easy to do with a baby – going to the cinema, going for a meal etc. Don't prepare too much as it won't be as you expect, better to go with the flow and relax as much as you can.
Favourite apps for during pregnancy?
Ovia - to see how my baby grows
Favourite apps for new mums?
Hoop and Mush
What do you miss from your pre-kids life?
Being able to spontaneously do things like go out for work drinks or go for dinner, everything becomes a lot more logistically tricky when you have kids and so you have to plan in advance.
How do you manage work and family life? What are the challenges? What have you learnt from others? What do you recommend to others?
I am currently on my second maternity leave but will be going back to work 3 days a week. My husband works long hours so I will be doing a lot of dropping and collecting the kids from parents/preschool/nursery.
Main challenges are if I need to work late or get stuck in traffic on the way home, I have to think about how that will impact my childcare, also if your child is sick having to take time off work. As well as when you come home from work from a long day and have to do the bedtime routine which can be stressful, especially with 2! It's horrible when you only see the kids for an hour or so and the majority of that is the bedtime routine, which can sometimes not be pleasant, you feel like you don't have any quality time with the kids and it’s not nice when they and you go to bed upset, although usually all is fixed by the morning!
I enjoy working as it's a bit of escapism from parental life and you get some 'me' time in the day, you can finish a cup of tea! However, I do look at work slightly differently now as a parent, the children will always come first and what used to seem like a big deal at work, really isn't when it comes to parenting, everything gets put into perspective. I really try to make the most of my days off with the kids, do exciting activities, spend some quality time together, they are only little once and I want them to enjoy their mummy days before they go to school.
I have learnt a lot from my first child and am trying to implement that with my second, for example, not to get stressed when they don't eat, sleep, when they cry for no reason. It's easy to say but try not to get too stressed yourself, as this will impact the kids and yourself. I have learnt that if I remain calm usually the situation will also calm down.
I enjoy working as it's a bit of escapism from parental life and you get some 'me' time in the day, you can finish a cup of tea! However, I do look at work slightly differently now as a parent, the children will always come first and what used to seem like a big deal at work, really isn't when it comes to parenting, everything gets put into perspective. I really try to make the most of my days off with the kids, do exciting activities, spend some quality time together, they are only little once and I want them to enjoy their mummy days before they go to school.
I have learnt a lot from my first child and am trying to implement that with my second, for example, not to get stressed when they don't eat, sleep, when they cry for no reason. It's easy to say but try not to get too stressed yourself, as this will impact the kids and yourself. I have learnt that if I remain calm usually the situation will also calm down.
