Hello! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Holly’s Mummy.
There was a time when I had a name all of my very own. Now, let me think, what was that name again? Ah that’s right, Helen. My name is Helen, how do you do?
Since becoming a Mummy for the first time in November 2010 I’m finding that life has changed beyond all recognition. No longer can I move around the house independently without a care or worry. I now have to carry a gorgeous tiny person from room to room and find a vast array of squeaking, rattling and fluffy objects to keep her amused as I go about my daily chores.
Popping is a thing of the past in my house. I used to enjoy popping. I’d ‘pop’ to the shops for some milk, ‘pop’ to the post box to post a letter or ‘pop’ out for lunch with my friends. Now don’t get me wrong, I still do all those things. I just do all of those things at less of a ‘pop’ and at more of dull thud. Simply leaving the house has become something of a military exercise involving enough resources and equipment to sink a battle ship and, more often than not, too much under-breath cursing and muttering from yours truly.
Once I am out with all the clutter and bumph that generally accompanies a small child, I love to walk with Holly in her pushchair and I’m a very proud Mummy when total strangers and friends of the family alike stop me to coo and gurgle at her and tell me how gorgeous she is. I know this. I am her (admittedly slightly biased) Mummy after all! However, when I reach my destination (as I generally do, although it has been known not to happen) I meet with a phenomenon, new to me, that I jokingly call ‘Invisible Mum Syndrome’. Other new and experienced Mums will know precisely what I mean. I now enter a room and everyone (yes, even my own dear Daddy) makes a very severe and direct beeline for my darling daughter and forgets (in the majority of cases) to even acknowledge my existence! Harrumph! Ah, the cost of having such an adorable daughter…
Having said all that, I wouldn’t change a single thing about my life as a Mummy. For every con there are one hundred pros and I am one happy lady. For every sleepless night there are countless moments in which her smile brightens my day and for every dirty nappy there are the heart-melting giggles, shouts and babbles that make me laugh out loud.
I’m proud to introduce myself as Holly’s Mummy. It’s nice to meet you.
by Helen Bowman © 2011
Helen Bowman is a freelance writer, editor and proof reader who lives in Whitley Bay and works with small companies, individuals and groups to write, edit and proof read articles, press releases, website copy and all forms of the written word.
Contact her on 07725 196929 or at helen@in-the-detail.co.uk for more information.