The time when my creativity looks out for a let out,
There is a series of crisis break out,
The time when my mind says to work on an idea; plant a willow
The body says ‘head for a pillow’
Joys of motherhood with a little space for you
Presenting Catherine Redfern for you
The feature of the month is Catherine Redfern, who has let her creativity flow even with a little one. I am happy to share her story with you. Hope you enjoy it!
Background:
Founder of UK’s biggest feminist website, www.thefword.org.uk, co-writer of a book on feminism called Reclaiming The F Word, founder of a website for people in London who like hiking (www.londonhiker.com) and make hand made books.
What’s new:
Now, she is a mother of a 16 month old baby. And I wanted to know if it’s possible to start a new venture even with a little one.
Here’s what she says,
“When thinking about becoming a mother, I was very much looking forward to adding another facet to my life and identity, and diving into a part of human existence, or life, that I was lucky enough to have the chance to experience.
On the other hand, I did think a lot about how to ‘stay me’ and I really resisted the idea of the baby ‘taking over’ my identity and life.
I had lots of interests and passions and I wanted to believe that I could carry on with them after I had my baby. To be honest, it did worry me a bit as I read a lot of people moaning about how life basically ends when you have children but I refused to believe it – and did everything I could to prepare for it mentally.
In fact I managed to achieve a great deal during the first year of my baby’s life. I’m really proud of myself and posted about what I’d done here” http://www.mylatestobsession.org.uk/2013/12/what_i_did_in_2013
If that was not enough, she came up with the idea of the New Mama Welcome Pack, www.newmamawelcome.com, a three month digital support package for first-time mothers, with 60 contributors from around the world, which focuses on the mum rather than the baby.
Catherine says, “I came up with the idea of the New Mama Welcome Pack (www.newmamawelcome.com) as a direct result of my experiences of looking after my newborn baby. I was amazed by how extremely hard it was (I wasn’t very prepared!), and I felt a deep need to have my experience of this major life change recognised and my hard work appreciated.
I thought about what I’d want to help get me through each day, give me confidence and support ME as a person, and not just a support system for a baby”.
Words of encouragement from Catherine to all the fellow mums:
“Don’t believe people when they say you can’t get anything achieved with children in your life. Don’t believe it when they say your dreams have to be given up. It’s not true! It’s true that life is very different with a baby in your life; it’s often very difficult and incredibly hard work. And you have to adjust mentally and adjust all your routines and expectations… but you can still have your dreams and get things done.
Just go easy on yourself at first. Looking after a newborn baby especially is extremely intensive and hard work – it is more work than you thought possible and seemingly endless at first. But you will manage, and you will emerge fromthe newborn phase, and things will settle down. Then it’s up to you to mould your life the way you want it to be”.
I hope her story inspires you to do the things that you always wanted to do. Please do spread a word 🙂
Much love
Suranjita
Nice read..Keep up the good work Suranjita
Excellent profile. Very well written. Congrats and best wishes to Catherine for her ventures ahead. Looking forward to more such inspiring stories on this page.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words Archana!! Catherine will be very happy to see your post as well.
Thank you Sanj 🙂