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Journeys out of postnatal depression

Tag: parenting

July 22, 2018August 1, 2018 MumVoice

Losing my identity. Answering to ‘mum’.

February 23, 2018February 24, 2018 MumVoice

The Lion Sparkles, founder, Beth Lothian tells us how she’s mum to six kids and still has energy to run her online accessories business

January 27, 2018February 17, 2018 MumVoice

Parenting like Oprah

January 11, 2018August 22, 2018 MumVoice

Trying not to loose my shit in the morning. Failing.

January 3, 2018January 4, 2018 MumVoice

Birth and a cup of tea

December 21, 2017January 3, 2018 MumVoice

Travelling with kids

December 20, 2017February 12, 2018 MumVoice

Self Care – Suzy Reading

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About Me

Hi! I’m Antonia, British blogger, Mum to two wild things and one very domesticated cat. Founder of MumVoice.com, a platform for opening up bravely honest conversations about Motherhood and championing Mumpreneurs.

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I couldn’t bear to parent today as I’m still fighting this chesty cough and so went to see Sonic The Hedgehog. This was after driving hubby to doctors to get antibiotics and before finding Otis asleep on the sofa with a temperature. Basically a really shit week. But Sonic was good, light entertainment for a couple of hours. Please say we all turn a corner tomorrow. Happy half term to us 🧐. . #sonic #sonicthehedgehog #halfterm #parenting #mum #mumblog #badparent #badmun #givethemallthepopcorn #runoutofnurofen #whensits7oclock?

Of course it’s half term and I’ve come down with the lurgy. I’m short tempered (understatement) and morose from a chesty cough. I look at myself in the mirror and look about ten years older (also understatement), I have no desire to shower, to eat anything but carbs. I’m worried I could get addicted to night nurse because the sleep you get from that wonder drug is incomparable, feeling the body go all gooey and fuzzy and not being able to fight the lovely warm sleepy feeling. Guaranteeing 8 hours sleep. Oh man, I’ve gotta wean myself off that green syrup of the Gods. Anyway, today I went and had coffee with a brilliant person and I didn’t feel such a shit mum. The kids were thrilled to have play mates, I had someone who understood, who didn’t care that I looked like a witch, who threw me the anti bac wipes whilst my son shat himself, who said ‘yeah let them play upstairs with anything they want, let’s just have a moments ☮️ ’. Oh Lordy, friendship be good. Sorry to everyone in the cafe, my son does not know the difference between a gourmet cafe and a church playgroup. The ‘stern look’ slips off this one like a rollmop down the throat. *shudder. The pickled herring reference was unnecessary, so was the word ‘shit’ and all the shouting I’ve done this week...but you get the idea. Coffee and night nurse saves my sanity. (So do friends ❤️🦸‍♀️). Better Things on BBC iplayer is BRILLIANT for all those parents with a black sense of humour 🖤 . #son #halfterm #parenting #mumblog #coffee #nightnurse #funny #daily #dailyfunny #cute #cutebaby #toddler #mumblogger #blogger #thursday #mumdiary #realmum #funnymum #badmum #britishmum #southsea #cheeky #betterthings

One of the best thing about my kids childhood is being reminded of some important truths. That we’re perfect just the way we are. I watch my kids uninhibited and free to explore their world and personalities how they want. Otis loves pink and Frozen and painting. Lumen LOVES pandas, anything involving running or jumping 🤣 and ice cream. They choose their own bold and mad clothes, their own friends. They tell me when they’re mad, upset, happy, excited, feeling unloved or that I’ve been injustice. They just say it. No of’s, but’s or justification. They don’t care if they haven’t bathed for 7 days (sorry!) or brushed their hair. They fart and laugh. They hate me one moment and hug me the next. They don’t feel shame, gender stereotypes, pressure to succeed, weird values of perfection. They both look in the mirror and inspect themselves, check their hair, their bizarre outfit choices, watch themselves dance and they love their reflection. If good mental health is based on a strong belief of self worth then we’re off to a good start. Just got to fight societies pressures, expectations, social media bullying, unattainable standards of perfection and we’ll be.... 🌈✌🏼🤣. But right now they’re 5 and 2 and they most beautifully they only know pandas are ‘cool’ and we’re going to spend the next year learning the lyrics to Frozen every school run 🤣🤣 . #perfect #mentalhealth #kids #family #mum #mumblog #mummy #happykids #panda #gretathunberg #gretaquote #quote #powerfulkids #selfworth #selfesteem #cool #daughter #boden #kidsboden #bodendress #happiness #imagine2020

We had a really lovely morning at Southbank Center (@southbankcentre) just me and Lumen. I try twice a year to have a ‘treat’ day with each of them (it’s hard work to make happen - it’s doesn’t always materialise 🙄😆 #lifeofthemultitasker) . Anyway, they’ve got a children’s festival on this week at Southbank and it’s definitely worth a visit. We went to see Duckie, a kids show (4+ years) featuring Caberet singer Le Gateaux Chocolat. He was a very fabulous drag singer with a Brilliant voice singing songs and telling a story about an ugly duckling. Then we went and did the activity trail around the Center. Lumen got her face painted and we did try and get into The Soundpit which are a series of giant sandpits with graphics displayed on them and as you move through them you create sounds. Sounded amazing but it’s fully booked for the week (it’s open until April though so we might get another chance - pre book!). They even had Cressida Cowell (author of How To Train Your Dragon) there giving a talk to kids on creativity. we didn’t have tickets because I thought Lumen was a bit young, but really I was so impressed with everything they had on offer. We’ll definitely be back in the Easter Holidays as they have a Peppa Pig concert (2yrs +) and other cool stuff. Oh, and @honestburgers is literally right outside the door and do a brilliant kids menu and DELICIOUS vegan option. . #easterholidays #southbank #burgers #vegan #qualitytime #parenting #mumblog #mummyblog #blogger #londonmum #londonmummy #daughter #london #londonforkids #duckie #londonshows #kidsfestival #facepainting #whattodo #boredkids #waterloo #daytrip #familydaytrip #motherdaughter

From the beautiful @mattzhaig who is a real life treasure on this planet. Hope IS the antidote to depression. For me this would read to my former self ‘one day your heart will be so full from love for your family, that you will watch and listen to Frozen music on repeat and learn the words (happily). That your two kids are so fulfilling and brilliant that on occasion you picture what three might look like. That you will look it the mirror and feel proud and wake up in the morning happy again (all with no effort). That quiet nights are filled with the knowledge of sleeping children and a happy husband. Free time will exist and with it a drawing pad with endless white sheets to experiment with. That you will feel you deserve to be here on this planet, that you are utterly imperfect but worthwhile, useful and even, sometimes, fun. ‘ Hold on to hope. Find someone who can lead you out of the darkness. to anyone suffering depression the @samaritanscharity are always there. When will we learn the awful power of public trolling and shaming. #samaritans #matthaig #depression #carolineflack

So it appears I’m really into painting people who I find inspiring. Here’s @lizzobeeating looking FINE on a beach in a bikini (work in progress). I’m going to give her a colourful crown radiating inclusivity, body love and a big middle finger up to the idea everyone needs to look the same. I’ll report back ✌🏼🔥. Did you see her at Glastonbury? Something else. I can’t imagine being that fearless and creative. Ps. I’ve never painting in colour acrylics so this is a new process for me. Bear with me. I’ve been giving myself an hour a night to draw and paint. I start off looking for inspiration. Someone bold and bright. Then I draft in pencil. Then the next night I might have time to start painting. I’m going to play around with backgrounds, I want something graphic and super contemporary. It feel tremendous to have something that’s creatively mine and to have this time to myself. In go the ear pods and I listen to whatever I want on iTunes and off I go in my crazy little world... #lizzo #bikini #bodypositivity #beautiful #mum #mummy #mumdiary #mumpaints #todayidrew #dailydrawing #dailypainting #bikini #artist #femaleartists #rolemodel #mumartist #paintingafterkids #selfcare #wip #workinprogress #notfinished #lizzopainting #lizzodrawing

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