I’m so happy to be introducing you to this week’s featured mommy blogger! Cisca from It’s A Mom’s Life is one of my favourite Instagram moms! She is always super friendly and sweet. Also, she has a little boy so gorgeous, just looking at his pics make me want to add a son to our little family! ? Let’s get to know her a little better.

In case you missed last week’s feature, you can read it here: Meet the Mommy [Week 20] – Anastasiya from Anniemotion Blog

1. Please tell us a little – or a lot (we like details) – about yourself?

I am married to my soul mate Daniel and together we have the most beautiful blessing bestowed onto us, our son, Hudson. I grew up and live in Cape Town. I am a lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology and lecture in the Faculty of Education- Wellington Campus. I specialise in Curriculum Development and English Communication Skills. Currently, I am on sabbatical leave to complete my PhD. My core focus is on Pre-Service and Beginner teachers’ experience in South Africa.

I have always been a creative; but have always put my academic career first. I needed an outlet as a first time mom, and also just a place where I could share my ideas and thoughts on Motherhood. Five months ago, I decided to start my Instagram account as well as my blog. I had no idea that Hudson would steal so many hearts and I am so grateful to be able to interact and engage with mom’s in South Africa and around the world.

2. What’s the one thing you find most challenging about being a working / stay at home mom?

The one thing I find very challenging is to create a balance between life, work, and family. I have always been someone that gives 110% in everything that I do. But I find that there are just not enough hours in the day to do every perfectly… the way I want it to be done. It took me a very long time to get to the stage where I accepted “that it’s ok“ if I do not get to tick off everything on my to do list. Most important to me is that I do get to spend some time with my husband and Hudson, and to make them both feel unconditionally loved.

3. We all know there are challenging moments – moments which call for chocolate, or wine (or both), to soothe those mommy nerves… Forgetting all that though, what is your absolute favourite thing about being a mom?

My absolute favourite thing about being a mom, is seeing the growth and development in Hudson every single day. I am convinced that he is the next Einstein. At 11 months old, he is able to figure out playing with his toys on his own; he loves playing with his LEGO blocks and building things and taking things apart. He is so inquisitive and I can already hear him asking a lot of “why” questions one day. I probably shouldn’t say this now, as I have heard it will drive me nuts one day; but I love when he calls me “Mamma”. My heart just melts every single time.

4. From the experience you’ve gained since becoming a parent, what is a pretty cool piece of advice you would give to other moms?

Always remember that this is your child/children. You make the decisions when it comes to what is good for them, and not others. We live in a society where everyone wants you to conform to what a “perfect” family or mom is. You do not have to look or act a certain way to “fit” into the motherhood club. I think that we as mothers often put so much stress on ourselves that we often get burned out from all the stress and anxiety that goes together with being a parent. Do not be the mother that others want you to be, be the mom that you want to be.

5. Share with us one of the funniest moments you’ve had since becoming a mom.

Since birth I have breastfed and bottle fed Hudson. I only breastfeed him at night when he wakes up, and usually it’s just to soothe him. A few weeks ago we were at a park celebrating Hudson’s Granny’s birthday. While everyone was sitting and chatting along, Hudson crawled onto my lap and started pulling the front of my dress down (in front of everyone! His great grandfather was also there). So let’s just say Gramps got flashed!

6. Please tell us where we can find you online.

Blog: www.itsamomslife2017.co.za

Instagram: @raising_hudson_dk
On
Facebook: @raisinghudsondk

Thank you Cisca for giving us a glimpse into your life as a mom. ?

How this little series was born… A while back I was thinking about how all the moms I know are different in many ways – be it their parenting style, or whether they go to work, stay at home, or work from home. Some have one little person, while others have three or four. Some of our babies began their journey inside us learning the sound of our heartbeat, whilst some began in another only to meet us later and hold our hearts forever. Whatever the differences in how we became moms, how we parent… Being a mom, plus ALL that comes with it, is what we all have in common.

And that’s how I came up with the Meet the Mommy series – an interview with regular moms like you and I, where we get to “meet” mommies who are different in many ways, yet have so much in common too.