Natural Born Mummy

This was an unscheduled post, but it’s something that has been brought to my attention as an issue amongst a lot of mums, so I wanted to address it and find out just how many mums struggle with this. There are so many of us out there who worry throughout pregnancy about their ability to be a mother. We think that it should just come naturally, simply because we are women. When we see other mums out there who seem to take to motherhood like a duck to water it can get us down. Why do they seem to cope so well? They always seem to have a kiss and cuddle for their upset baby. Patience and the “right” discipline for their tantruming toddler. Endless time to sit and just ‘be’ with their child, all while the house remains relatively clean. They’re also the ones who you can also rely on to have in their nappy bag whatever it is that you’ve forgotten. They cope with the sleep deprivation so gracefully! You can’t help but wonder how motherhood comes so naturally to them, while you struggle with aspects of it.


After being an Aunt since the age of 10 and studying and working in child care, I thought that motherhood would come ever so naturally to me. Clearly what I wasn’t prepared for was the lack of sleep and rest. It’s been my biggest struggle since having my son. I don’t always know what to do. There are times when I have ring my family and friends (thank god for older sisters!) and ask them what I should do in such-and-such situation. As a mum we’re told to just listen to our baby and they’ll tell us what to do. Well I’m sorry but when you have a screaming baby at 2am, and you’ve already changed the nappy, tried to feed, tried to burp, ruled out them being too hot or cold, and you still can’t get them to stop screaming, knowing what is wrong with your baby simply because they’re your child feels like an impossibility.

Something that I’ve picked up along the way is that every mum has their struggles. Some mums are fine with sleep deprivation, but cannot handle tantrums. Some are fine with dealing with their toddlers’ independence but can’t cope with a sick, clingy child. And that’s ok! We are not Super Mums. And motherhood doesn’t come “naturally” to everyone. Still, that doesn’t stop us from feeling a little inadequate at times, and that’s ok too. We can’t feel confident and happy 100% of the time. Something that I’ve read a few times and think applies to this situation and is “don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlights reel’.

Motherhood is full of ups and downs. You are not always going to know what is wrong with your child and how to fix it. That friend of a friend who appears to have it all together and cope with it all has her moments of insecurities too. We all need to remind each other of what a great mummy we are. Call up your best friend and tell her how great she is. You might just make her day.

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Stepping Outside your Comfort Zone

Do you have a bucket list? If so what’s on it? Travel the world, swim with sharks, sky dive, race a formula one car? I’m really not an adventurer. I’m terrified of heights, Have only travelled interstate twice in my life, and I drive around in my family station wagon, so no 4 wheel driving through the bush for me! I like living the simple life. Overseas travel never really appealed to me. I would be more than happy to take a holiday on the Gold Coast in Queensland. I have not felt the need to drive a flashy car, they’re not really practical anyway, when you have kids.

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So I think it’s safe to say, I live a pretty simple and safe life. I don’t really do a whole lot to challenge myself (besides having a child), and If something is not like my usual tasks or activities I generally won’t do it. I don’t really step outside of my comfort zone. This is something that I desperately want to change. I don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity to enjoy myself, find a new interest or meet new people just because I’m happy in my little bubble!

When I resigned from my job 6 weeks ago I did so with the intention of discovering what it was that I wanted to do with my life. I went back to work when Master A was 4 months old. I really wasn’t ready. I wanted to stay at home with my son, teach him, be there for him when he hurt himself. So after a lot of thought I decided on doing a few courses and starting my own business, working from home. I can take on as much or as little as time permits me, and it gives me something to do for myself, so that I’m not just “Mummy”. The idea of starting my own business scares me to death though. It’s going to require hard work, initiative, time, and discipline. I’m going to be outside my comfort zone and it terrifies me. This is something that I know, with a little bit of work, that I can achieve and be quite successful. The idea of putting myself out there though is a bit nerve racking!

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Meeting new people is always a scary task. I've always loved the idea of mums groups but actually going along? Walking into a room full of women when I don’t know any of them? Just the thought makes my heart beat 10 times faster than normal. However 2 weeks ago I packed Master A into the car and drove to a play cafe to join in with this mothers group. And I had so much fun! And I will be going to the next meeting in a few weeks time.

Stepping outside your comfort zone is necessary sometimes. Particularly if you feel you are stuck in a rut. I have made a few small changes to my life and I’m hoping to make more in the coming months and years (but I draw the line on sharks and skydiving!). How often do you put yourself outside of your comfort zone? Is it something you need to do more often?

Introduction to a Single Mummy

Hello and welcome to Me and My Munchkin!

My name is Chrissie and I thought that I would do a little bit of an introduction post as my first. I've started Me and My Munchkin as an insight into the life of a single mum. There are so many of us out there, and we all deserve a bit of recognition don't you think? So I thought I would start by telling you all 10 things about me.

1. I am a single mum in my twenties, with a 18 month old toddler. Currently a stay at home mum, I am trying to create a stable and fun life for us.

2. After splitting with my son's father, I moved back home with my parents. I am so lucky to have such a great support system. My parents are great and help out wherever they can with Master A.

3. I am trying to give up an addiction... to iced coffee! I love the stuff, and find it so hard to function without it. Funnily enough I hate regular coffee, opting for a hot chocolate instead when out with friends.

4. I am the youngest of 3 girls. Both of my older sisters have kids, with my youngest nephew only a little over a year older than Master A. The 2 of them are great friends.

5. After high school, I started studying child care, but failed my course due to sickness. I did administration, starting with a traineeship in records management, before finally going back to the retail industry.

6. When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be an author when I grew up. This blog is a great chance for me to explore this, and figure out if it is still a passion of mine.

7. I have a bit of a fetish for handbag and purses. I can't help it. And this is one thing that I will not throw out when I buy a new one.

8. I love organisation. Like, I really LOVE organisaton! I can't help it! I love being organised, and have been called "anal" on more than one occaision!

9. My favourite TV shows at the moment are The Big Bang Theory, Sons of Anarchy and True Blood. But I don't mind watching a bit of Thomas the Tank Engine, The Wot-Wots and Hi-5!

10. I love scrapbooking. Although I haven't been able to do any since moving back to my parent's house, I have every intention over the next few weeks of going through all of my things in storage and creating a little portable scrapbook station, so that I can still do some, even though I don't have a permanent place to store everything.

So there was 10 facts about me. Some pretty useless, but I figured I would include them anyway. I am really looking forward to getting to know my readers, and would love for you to introduce yourselves below.