Where and how long have you lived in the Sutherland Shire?
We are currently living in Cronulla, but we are building our home in Gymea. I have lived in the Sutherland Shire sporadically since I was nine years old (now 30!) in between travelling and living overseas. We have lived here permanently since 2009 & we’re not going anywhere soon.
Tell us about yourself and your family:
I am always a beginner in this crazy and wonderful life. I am facing the challenges of finding a balance of being a mummy, enjoying life, being a wife, a friend, work and exploring my passions. But I am enjoying the journey and realising everything happens for a reason.
I am currently a stay at home mum, with a couple of side projects and a little business going on. I married my main man in 2015 after being together for nine years (yes, I was ready to get married!), after meeting him when I was 18. We traveled and grew together and today we have a beautiful little girl.
Cluck, cluck, cluck, I am ready for more!!
I love yoga and I am very passionate about being the best YOU! Being your honest self, finding your uniqueness and being super proud of who you are. This has definitely come with age, and as I said above, I am always a beginner to this crazy life. And I can’t leave off – I love a glass of red wine! And dancing. They definitely go hand in hand!
What does a typical day look like for you?
At the moment, I am house-bound with a little bubba with her first flu!! But generally during the weekdays; coffee (first and foremost).
I really do love morning hang out times in bed with the three of us (four including my first born furry friend). With coffee and bottle of milk, then its off to the park in the mornings for scooter time with the little ones and friend’s yoga class or gym session with my bestie (little ones in creche at the gym). I like Fitness First, their classes and creche seem to work well for us.
Lunch (at the park/the beach or home). Nap time for bubba – allowing me to run around the house like mad and do all the chores/catch up on work/emails/have a cuppa etc.
Afternoons, we go to the park/beach with friends, or take first born for a walk, play dates, see family, go to the shops, chill at home etc. Then dinner & B time (we call it B time; Bath, Bottle, Book & Bed).
REPEAT
Favourite park:
We are really enjoying Castelneau Park in Caringbah South and Karimbula Park in Miranda. Good scooter/bike riding areas. Karimbula is warmer in winter though, seems to be less windy!!
Favourite thing to do with your bubs/kiddies:
My little one really loves to dance, and it is the cutest thing to watch and do with her.
Favourite restaurant or favourite night spot:
Oohh, I’d have to say Mr Wong’s in the city. Not only do I seriously love dumplings, but hubby proposed there, so of course it’s my fave. The atmosphere is amazing & they do the best dirty martinis.
But somewhere local, as a family, we always seem to go to Queen Margaritas in Cronulla. Best food, best service and we seriously love it.
Oh and of course, The Big Mexican Rancho, Gymea Bay. Seriously, the best Mexican!
Favourite Mothers Group location:
We seem to always hit up Old School park. It is good because it is gated and central for most.
Favourite wet weather location:
Home, love a day when it rains, so I can have an excuse to stay home and find many things to do indoors.
For an indoor play-centre though, Madagascar Playland seems to be where I keep going back too.
Work or SAHM (Stay at Home Mum):
Both. First and foremost a SAHM but I also have a few little things going on to keep me happy.
I am teaching yoga, studying (pre and post natal yoga and Fascia Vinyasa), and doing yoga and wine nights once a month at Croydon Lane.
You can check any of this out at gallons of wellness and Yoga In Gratitude Instagram pages and feel free to get in touch!
Motherly advice on how to stay sane:
Don’t forget YOU! Go out, see your friends, see a movie, book in date nights with the hubby if you suck at spending time together because neither of you have the time, spend time as a family, don’t feel guilty for leaving the dishes a little longer and watching some trashy show, sit outside, read a book not related to parenting and life lessons, get your hair done, get your nails done if you want. Go to work if you want to work, stay home if you want to be a stay at home mummy, breast feed, don’t breast feed & give your baby a dummy if they want it!
What ever YOU do is the perfect choice for you and your family. You’re doing the best job, and you’re amazing!
Funny mum moment:
Everyday I do something ridiculous.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Online shopping and it’s even worse with a glass of wine in hand..
What makes you lose your shit?
When my bubba doesn’t sleep for the whole sleep time or tries to not do it at all….. lol
What’s the best product/service you can recommend since becoming a mum?
Baby wipes!! I use the brand Natty. They are natural and environmentally friendly. I think I use them for everything… look a spill, I’ll baby wipe anything! Guilty..
I do love my essential oils, doTERRA. I use them for my bubba all the time. Currently she is napping with lavender oil, easy air and on guard in her diffuser to help her sleep and fight off her flu. I am always referring to my doTERRA oils app when something new presents itself for the whole family. Actually, instead of going to the medicine cabinet, I hit my oils up. They are natural and work so well.
How have you changed since becoming a mum?
Becoming a mum has strengthened me, taken myself confidence then returned it in a stronger way. I trust my choices of being a mum because I know I make them for the best of me and my family.
I also know how to cook a lot more too. Lol.
What is the greatest challenge you have faced since becoming a mum?
Losing my identity & finding life balance. I really struggled with finding me again after becoming a mum.
Some mums walk into being a mum, quite naturally, for me, I was overwhelmed by a lot of things, and it took me a little while to find the balance that worked for us.
Would you like to share your local #mumlife with us like Sherridan has?
If you would like to feature as our next ‘Local Mum’ we would love to hear from you! Please tell us about yourself here.
