Whether called Mummy, Mum, Mama, Grannie, or Nan, all Mothers deserve to be celebrated 🙌
In the lead up to Mothers Day this year, we thought we'd celebrate all things Mum with a special series of interviews! We've teamed with with 5 Mums who are all at different stages of their motherhood journey, all with different stories to share.
In today's blog, we take a moment to chat with Kylie! Kylie talks about her journey building her business Head & Heart Mindfulness, the constant juggle to find balance between work and family, and spending moments everyday being grateful for being a mother...
Hi there Kylie, thank you so much for being part of The Motherhood Series! Let's kick things off with our quick 5....
Tea or coffee? Tea
Flats or heels? Flats
Plan everything or go with the flow: I used to plan everything but im getting better at going with the flow...A little 😉
When I was growing up I wanted to be: A flight attendant or a florist
Describe your ideal Sunday, including breakfast: Actually last Sunday was a pretty perfect Sunday. My husband cooked me a big breakfast, I relaxed with a cup of tea and read blog articles, we went for a bush walk as a family with my daughter and son, and I snuggled on the lounge and watched a movie with my son. Perfection!
Now we know a little about you… tell us a bit about your motherhood journey, and the little people you’re mama to:
I have a daughter whose 8 and a son whose 5. I’m blessed to have had a reasonably smooth journey as a mother. Don’t get me wrong there’s definitely been some downs and stressful times from needing an operation on my endometriosis to help me conceive my daughter, to breastfeeding issues, to reflux and colic with my son, to sensory issues for them both, to separation anxiety with my daughter. But in all these times, and more, I have had a supporting little hub around me which has helped so much. And I am truley grateful for good health in my children.
Whats your favourite thing about being a mum?
Seeing them so proud of themselves! And cuddles, I love cuddles with my kids.
We love following your business Head and Heart Mindfulness. Tell us all about what you do and your business journey...
Thanks Gemma. I started my business as a primary teacher who realised that the intensity, pressure and stress of the profession didn’t align with how I functioned as a person. It was too overwhelming for me and took me away from my family physically and mentally. I tagged along to a mindfulness teacher training with my best friend and decided there and then that this is what I was going to do. As someone who has lived with anxiety since early childhood and who has used meditation and mindfulness to help me, since childhood, I want to help the children of today learn life skills to build their emotional intelligence and self-regulation so that they become better able to deal with life’s difficulties more resilient while living a happier life.
I am also very passionate about working with adults particularly parents, teachers and people in business as I can relate to all of these areas myself and know the benefits mindfulness etc. Can bring. I really am proud of everything that the business now is. We facilitate our programs in preschools, primary schools, businesses, conduct training events, and have our own product line of physical and digital mindfulness based resources. Importantly I want to mention that I have a team of 8 amazingly talented mindfulness educator and admin who have helped in every aspect of the businesses growth.
You’ve built a thriving business whilst raising two children… what’s been the greatest challenge in doing this, and how do you manage it all?
The greatest challenge has been the constant juggle to find balance between work and family as I’m sure all working mum’s can relate to. Isla was 4 and Callum was 1 when I started the business so it's been a bit if a rollercoaster and theres been times of guilt for sure. Practising my mindfulness strategies to be truly where I am, focussing mentally on what I’m doing at that time has helped instead of playing with the kids thinking I have 100 things to do for work. Another challenge has been my time management and trying to fit everything family and work in. I have a pattern of working so intensely and pushing myself too far that I get burnt out. I’m getting better, but I still struggle with this.
What’s the biggest or most important thing that your mum inspired you to do?
To me, my mum is an angel on earth. She is such a kind, thoughtful, generous, compassionate and supportive person and mother. I guess seeing her live her life with these qualities at the forefront of everything she does throughout my life has been her biggest life lesson and inspiration to me and I now try to live my life with these qualities at the forefront too.
What would be your ideal way to spent Mothers Day this year?
I’m a pretty simple person, I don’t need much fuss. Opening the kid’s cards and presents from school and seeing their excitement of giving is my favourite part. A nice breakfast and cup of tea made for me. Spending time with my little family and then also with extended family including my mum and mother in law. I spend moments everyday being grateful for being a mother and on mother’s day we will discuss this gratitude as a family.
Sending a BIG Thank You to Kylie for taking the time to share her story with us! We hope you enjoyed the read, and stay tuned for the next interview in The Motherhood Series coming soon.
Gemma x
Find out more about Head & Heart Mindfulness here:
Website: https://www.headandheartmindfulness.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/headandheartmindfulness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headandheartmindfulness/