Motherhood Series, part 4! Lets chat with this inspiring mama, Leah!

Can you please tell us a little bit about you?

I’m Leah and I’m 32. Before babies I was a primary teacher. I have four kids, aged 6, 4, 2 and four months. 

Did you always know motherhood was for you?

Not really... although looking back, I believe my whole life was setting me up to love this role. I’m the eldest of my siblings and of my 14 cousins. My sister is 15 years younger than me and I’ve loved being close with her as she grows up. I loved teaching the younger grades and dealing with young children on a daily basis. 

What are your little ones names and what do they mean / why did you choose them?

None of our Children’s names were chosen for specific meanings; other than we genuinely just loved them and agreed on them. But as the kids grow and their personalities develop; they become their name and we love them even more.

Harper is our eldest; we both loved the name and he would have been Harper whether he was a boy or a girl. He is a leader, very perceptive and caring; he’s such a great big brother.

Lennox is our girl. She gets called Lenni and it suits her perfectly. Tough yet feminine.

Cassidy is our cheeky two-year-old. We loved this name and it also suits him; he’s an animal lover, rough but affectionate and does everything with intensity. 

And little Sonny man; born in April 2020; what a time to be born. He is the sunshine in our lives and we have all been so lucky to have this time together to welcome him into the family. 

What do you believe to be the most beautiful thing about being a parent?

Being blessed to know so much about your children and to be so unconditionally loved by them. 

What is the hardest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Being a mum comes with a whole new range of emotions. I’ve always been an emotional person; I wear my heart on my sleeve. But being a mum has taught me to feel those emotions, embrace them, learn from them and move on. I also try to teach my children the same thing; even from this young age. Take note of your feelings and emotions and how they make you behave, and learn from those experiences.

What would you tell your ‘brand-new-mama-self’ if you could go back in time?

Feel the feels, trust your instincts, and breathe.

How are you coping at the moment with all of the lockdowns? What is getting you through? 

I certainly have my moments; sleep deprivation, plus four kids at home, plus remote learning and take away all support networks apart from my hubby; it’s hard! But what is absolutely getting me through, is an appreciation of all of the positives that this time has given us. We are so lucky to have this time to bond as a family, to spend it together and to really slow down, reset and do things with a purpose. I can’t focus on all of the things we are missing out on. I have to focus on what we are gaining.