Alison is Mum of the Month - congratulations!
1 April 2015
Hi Alison! First of all, congratulations on being Mum-of-the-month!
Tell me a bit about you!
I’m mum to Luke who is seven months and I’ve been married to Jonathan for almost four years. I teach art at a secondary school in Leicester and really enjoy my job. I’m a mixed media artist and I also do realistic pencil portraits on commission. I’m a member of ArtSpace and we exhibit regularly. Our next exhibition is at the Sock Gallery, Loughborough in May and June. I also rock climb and run.
What aspects of motherhood do you most enjoy?
I love watching Luke learn and figure things out. His facial expressions are very comical. I also really enjoy watching him and Jonathan playing together, it’s really special to see the bond they have.
And the not-such-fun bits?
The night wakings have definitely taken their toll! As someone who used to need a solid eight hours every night it has been a real shock to the system to be woken up every other hour or on one memorable night finally getting to sleep at 5am! Fingers crossed he is now improving.
What’s your favourite gadget in motherhood, the one you can’t live without?
Not a baby gadget as such, but in the early days I found an insulated travel mug with a lid a must have so I could get a semi warm cup of tea! In more recent months our baby walker is great as Luke loves to be stood up and looking at everything. And slings/baby carriers are fantastic. We have several different types and use them extensively.
You do postnatal fitness with me but have you always been into exercise?
Yes. I was the child/teenager who did sports every night and twice at weekends. There are not many sports I haven’t tried. Water sports are a particular favourite of mine and I also love snowboarding. I have rock climbed for over ten years and just before becoming pregnant I took up running, which I never thought I would do but actually I quite enjoy the time out it gives me.
Are you into healthy eating? What’s your all-time favourite dish?
Not so long ago Jo, you posted on facebook about your batch cooking, asking if anyone else had done any batch cooking that weekend. I have to admit my batch cooking usually consists of batches of cakes! That weekend I had made three banana cakes; one plain, one with chocolate and one with sultanas. Two to freeze and one to eat! I think everything in moderation is the secret. I enjoy fruit and salad, pasta and a good roast dinner. Fresh fish is also on my ideal menu. But I always check out the dessert menu in restaurants first, before deciding whether to eat there!
How do you find the time to fit in exercise with a little one?
It’s hard. Your classes have been great whilst I have been on maternity leave. My running and climbing I fit in on an evening and weekend; Jonathan and I often tag team each other so we both get a chance to run. When I am back at work it may take more organisation, but I think it’s really important to have that me time for exercise as it keeps me healthy both in body and mind. It helps to have a husband who also loves sport so he understands that need for it.
How are you feeling about going back to work and jugging work and motherhood?
I think it will be a challenge at times but I’m good at prioritising and I’m organised. I know Jonathan and I will work together to make sure we get quality time as a family. I am also planning on getting a cleaner!
We all need a bit of “me time” when we’re mums. What’s your favourite “mummy me time” activity?
Socialising with friends and family, be it tea and cake or the theatre, is always good. And finding time to read a good book is something I look forward to happening again soon.
Fitness for ever?
Definitely!
Thank you Alison, for being such a fab mum to have on board :)