Mamaheart
This week’s Mamaheart is the ever-so-lovely Fritha from Tigerlilly
What does motherhood mean to you?
Motherhood for me is about all all consuming, sometimes overwhelming feeling of love that is hard to comprehend let alone put into words. When Wilf was born so was a new part of me and suddenly I felt like I had finally arrived in the place I needed to be.
How has motherhood changed you?
Whilst I feel it has in many ways changed me and my life completely and utterly I also feel like this was the person I was always meant be and was just waiting to become. Motherhood strips you of your selfishness as there simply isn’t space for it anymore. I used to be so insecure and worry about all sorts of silly things, motherhood has grounded me and made me believe I can do anything!
What is the hardest part of being a mama?
My son Wilf only slept for 45minutes at a time for the first 18months of his life. To say sleep deprivation was hard would be putting it lightly and I must admit that it did put a strain on myself and my partner’s relationship. I feel like everything since that has been pretty much smooth sailing because of it but it does make me worry about having another child and going through these stages again.
What is the biggest joy that your children have given you?
Even on the most exasperating of days my son has the ability to make me smile. The unpredictability of everyday is so exciting to me, always having someone to share an adventure with or to see the world differently through his innocence and amazement. I just feel really lucky to be his mum.
What one piece of advice would you give a first time mama?
The first few months may be tougher than you could ever imagine, it’s OK to feel like your out of your depth and loosing your mind. It’s OK to ask for help (I should follow my own advice here), know that is does and will get easier and that ultimately it will be the most rewarding thing you ever do.
Thanks Fritha! You can visit her fab blog, her shop, chat with her on Twitter and see more of her gorgeous photos on her IG
31 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Sarah Bailey
June 16, 2014 at 12:18Fritha runs such an amazing blog – it sounds like she is the most wonderful mama as well :) x
Fritha
June 16, 2014 at 12:40Thanks so much for featuring me! xx
Kate Thompson
June 16, 2014 at 12:45Good advice – it’s all too easy to feel inadequate with so much “advice” thrust on you though -whilst it’s ok to ask for help of course my advice would be to trust your instincts too :)
Amy
June 16, 2014 at 13:08This is such an adorable post. I think the lack of sleep is what hit me the hardest too when being a new mummy. It’s surprising how quickly you get used to it though.
Eleanor (thebristolparent)
June 16, 2014 at 13:53When I think of Fritha I think of a colour explosion, in a good way! How the cheesy wotsiting-heck you managed that on 45 mins of sleep at a time is beyond me. I’d be the colour of a mushroom after two nights of it.
Foz
June 16, 2014 at 14:21Oh I can so relate to the lack of sleep! Can be so physically and emotionally draining!
Shell Louise
June 16, 2014 at 14:23A lovely post with gorgeous photos :)
suzanne3childrenandit
June 16, 2014 at 15:05What gorgeous, happy pictures. Only sleeping 45 minutes at a time though? Wow, that must have been a challenge, to put it mildly!
Michelle
June 16, 2014 at 15:46Oh my, and I thought I had a bad sleeper when he was little! I don’t think I got a full nights sleep until he was about 5 >_< but it was longer stints than 45 mins!!
A lovely post x
Louisa
June 16, 2014 at 15:48That amount of sleep deprivation would’ve been the end of me. Fritha, you deserve a medal!
lisa prince
June 16, 2014 at 15:57I never get sleep form my lot mostly the 4 year old stays up till as late as 1am some times and i have to get him up at 7 for school , no naps durign the day he has more energy than me x
You Baby Me Mummy
June 16, 2014 at 16:56Love Fritha’s blog and what a lovey insight, but wow only 45 minutes sleep at a time- I think Fritha needs a medal! xx
laura redburn
June 16, 2014 at 17:27yay fritha! i hope wilf has grown out of the non sleeping now!
Jen aka The Mad House
June 16, 2014 at 18:37Firtha, my boys also only slept for 45 mins at a time and in the end it sent me doolally. It nearly finished me.
Cass@frugalfamily
June 16, 2014 at 20:11Lovely post and completely agree with your advice to new mums – it really is OK to feel that way x x
Globalmouse
June 16, 2014 at 21:03Lovely interview and as always love Fritha’s photos and pretty much just love fritha!! x
Jane @ northernmum
June 16, 2014 at 21:13I love Frithas blog!
Adele @ Circus Queen
June 16, 2014 at 23:06I love what you’ve said here, Fritha. I absolutely identify with it. I really feel like becoming mother has meant arriving at a deeper part of who I am. I didn’t have quite your level of sleep deprivation but Talitha slept 1-1.5 hours at a time her whole first year. After breastfeeding issues that was the single thing I was most scared of with having another baby. Thankfully it didn’t happen again but I suppose you always have to be prepared for anything because you just don’t know what each new baby is going to be like. It sounds like you all came out of it stronger. x
san
June 17, 2014 at 09:34Great post! So can relate to everything! Apart from the fact I probably lose my temper easily and a lot! Sleep is a bad word in our house! haha
Victoria Mylittlel
June 17, 2014 at 11:17i would love to compare would be motherhood for me the same as for Fritha, great post
Kizzy
June 17, 2014 at 14:21Great post and yes the first few months are the hardest. Children and motherhood bring so much joy it is hard to put into words.
Zena's Suitcase
June 17, 2014 at 15:21Great advice and I know what she’s saying, the first few months are definitely the toughest
abigail
June 17, 2014 at 21:06Oh the sleeping! I remember the no sleep thing, its torture, but I guess it’s good to know that it doesn’t last forever! Some really good advice too!
Gill Crawshaw
June 17, 2014 at 22:24Ah it’s Fritha! Lovely interview and such a great series x
Fritha
June 18, 2014 at 13:10wow thanks for all the love everyone!! x
Emma Cantrell
June 18, 2014 at 13:20Fantastic interview. Can really relate to Fritha’s feeling of arriving somewhere where you belong when becoming a mother. x
KARA
June 18, 2014 at 20:54Lovely interview and never a truer word spoken! I love being a Mum too
Katie @mummydaddyme
June 18, 2014 at 21:26What a lovely post, this is such a nice series. I love Fritha’s blog so nice to read a little more about her. x
Lori
June 18, 2014 at 22:38So lovely to hear more about Fritha and her super cute Wilf! i love these posts. x
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D)
June 19, 2014 at 22:12Congrats for being featured.Its so good to get to know more about you.Your son is so cute and your blog is very enjoyable too.
Laura
June 21, 2014 at 13:10Such a lovely mama heart – I do love Fritha’s blog and Wilf is such a cutie and I think she is an amazing mama :)
Laura x