Lois Bates
with her Advice to New Mums….

In terms of motherhood, I guess you could say I am ‘experienced’. I have two children, Joseph (5-almost) and Francesca (20 months.) I started my journey with Joseph as a single Mum and have since met my fiancé and Francesca’s Dad, Ste. So I know what it’s like to manage alone, to then integrate someone new into your family and relearn your parenting technique with another pair of hands on board.

I have learned how to comfort them, improve their routines and get everyone back to having a decent nights sleep

Lois Bates

Both of my children have been bad sleepers and I have learned how to comfort them, improve their routines and get everyone back to having a decent nights sleep. Joseph is a fussy eater and I am slowly learning how to broaden his horizons with food. Francesca is prone to throwing wild tantrums and I have, for the most part, learned how to comfort and calm her down.

I have had many Doctors trips to determine what is wrong when they have a rash/temperature/any other number of illnesses and I now know my viral rash from my chicken pox. I have left the house massively under prepared and have now realised that I must always have a drink, snacks, entertainment and spare clothes with me.

They are both little hot bods so I know not to over layer them or use extra blankets. Joseph will sleep an entire car journey, Francesca won’t and so I know we have to schedule in breaks if we are going any distance. I have had holidays abroad with them and now know exactly how prepared I need to be for travel, which comfort teddy each one needs to take, which sun cream Joseph reacts too and just how easily redheads like Francesca catch the sun.

I have made mistakes, lots of them. Joseph’s gums once bled because I gave him pineapple to eat and the centre was too hard, I have not smelt that Francesca has done a poo and she has ended up with a rash because it was left too long, I have shouted when it wasn’t really necessary to name but a few.

These are my experiences, with my children. They will be different to yours. You will learn about your children through time and your own experience, you’ll have incredible highs when you finally feel like you’ve nailed a certain aspect of parenting and you’ll have lows when you just feel like a bad stage is never ending and like me, you’ll make mistakes.

You’ll also receive lots of unsolicited advice, some great, most not. So my only advice to new and expectant Mum’s is do it your way, follow your gut, realise nobody is perfect and listen only to the advice you think is worthwhile. Motherhood is a crazy and at times overwhelming journey and to be honest I think we are all winging it! Welcome to the club Mama, you’re doing great!