As part of our first birthday celebration, we asked a host of celeb parents and members of the Tiny Happy People community to reflect back on the time when they were expecting their child and to think what advice and messages they’d have for themselves.
Annie Price - TV presenter and mum of two
Annie Price,
You have somehow convinced yourself that you are not maternal.
How do you know? You’ve literally never had a chance at ‘mumming’ before.
So give yourself a chance. You’re gonna do great. You really, really will.
You’re scared stiff, but you’re gonna do great.
It will take a while. You’re not going to have that immediate knowledge and understanding of how to react. It’s going to take you a good few months (plus another few months) to find your groove. But you’re going to relax into it.
And it’s the best thing ever. You’re going to absolutely love it. Truly, you are.
And stop calling 111, yeah? It’s not your own personal service - just relax ok? Go and have a cup of tea. Chill.
Just focus on trying to enjoy it. Because I am so sorry to say, as much as it feels like Groundhog Day at the start, it actually does go so quickly. So enjoy it all!
Rich and Lew - bloggers and dads of two
Hey Rich and Lew,
I know that at the minute you’re very nervous about becoming daddies, but there’s one piece of very important parenting information that your friends with children keep telling you and you don’t believe them. And that is ‘you will be tired’.
But what they also tell you is that you will learn a completely new level of love. And when you have kids that is absolutely the case. That will beat any full night’s sleep that you will ever get.
Neev Spencer - Broadcaster, writer and mum of two
Hi Neev,
Two years from now, that tiny, tiny gorgeous little being that you are carrying in your big belly is going to have changed your world and completed your family in the most magical way.
This little person that you don’t quite know yet is going to form such a big part of your family. In fact, she’s going to rule the roost and take over. But her personality is going to shine. And you’re going to be able to enjoy and spend more time than you ever thought you would with her as she grows. You’re not going to miss a thing.
The first time around with your first child it’s something that you really regretted, that you were away for work a lot. You missed her first crawl. You missed her first roll. I know how much that regret sits within you.
Well, let me tell you something - it all changes with your second. You’re going to be there for everything and it’s going to feel amazing. The support you’re going to get from your husband, your mum, your mother-in-law is going to allow you to really enjoy motherhood more than you ever dreamt that you could.
You’re not going to feel anxious all the time, Neev. You’re going to feel calm and like you’ve really got this.
It’s all going to be more than ok. And you are going to be sitting here, two years on, so grateful, so blessed, and just the happiest you’ve ever been.
Nush Cope, Presenter and mum of one
Hey Nush!
Future Nush here. Just to let you know that you’re going to be ok alright? And that little bump in there that you refer to as Prawny is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Don’t worry, he turns out cute.
But seriously, just know that it is the craziest rollercoaster ride you’re ever going to go on. And have confidence in yourself.
Make sure you’ve got plenty of self-love time in beforehand because trust me, you’re going to have a lack of that afterwards.
But don’t worry girl, you’ve got this. Keep smashing life and stay blessed.
Oh, and make sure you look at Tiny Happy People’s Instagram page because they have lots of good inspo for how to raise a child. Trust me, we need all the help we can get.
Szandra - Tiny Happy People Families mum of two
If you’re stressing, try to think of different ways and techniques to bring down that stress. Take the kids to Nan’s for the weekend or the day, or even a few hours.
Try to ignore people’s judgements and criticisms. You know your child best. Just listen to your gut instincts.
Overall, if your child is happy and smiley, there’s food on the table and clean nappies, and your household is full of laughter and fun, you’re good to go and you’re doing an amazing job.
Don’t ever forget it.
Louise Pentland - vlogger, author and mum of two
If I was to go back to give myself one piece of advice back when I was expecting my first daughter Darcy, over a decade ago now as she’s 10 years old… I’d have to pick two.
Firstly, ‘take a hypnobirthing course’ because that was amazing when I had my second daughter. I look back and wish that I’d have done it so that I would have had a better, more peaceful birthing experience. Then I think I would have also had better mental health once I became a new mum because I really struggled after she was born to cope with the trauma of the birthing experience.
And I would also go back and tell myself ‘Don’t worry’.
Don’t worry about the small things. Don’t worry about your house being messy. Don’t worry about your hair being greasy.
Don’t feel awkward when people offer to help and you feel like you’re taking too much - you’re not. People love helping when you’ve got a new baby.
