SUPERMUM'S PORTRAIT - Kelly
Because every mother is a superwoman, we've been getting to know Mums from all over New Zealand and Australia and the one thing we've learned is that no two journeys through motherhood are the same! Here is a serie of SuperMums who shared their story with us.
Meet Kelly, Supermum to Ryder & Rosa
Tell us a bit about you
I’m a single Mama to Ryder 11 years and Rosa 13 Months. We live by the beach in Papamoa and have an English bulldog called Ruby Rollz.
I’m in network marketing where I get to work from home and choose my own hours which is a dream, especially being a single mum. I get to spend my time with the kids and doing my work where I can. I’m so passionate about health and fitness that I make sure I get to the gym 5-6 days a week which helps me so much being a stay at home mum. The products I sell are all super healthy and so good for you and that’s why I said yes to working with Only Organics. Plus they are so easy for Mums on the go and Rosa loves them! Rosa was an ivf Baby that took over 5 years and 5 rounds to finally get her! In that time I also fell pregnant the natural way only to loose him at 14 weeks gestation. All the infertility and ivf lead me down the super healthy road and what got me into my business. I love to share the products I take and help others live their best healthy life!
Rosa is truly a little miracle babe and the icing on the cake until I became a single mum when she was only 4 weeks old. But we are navigating it so much better as the first year was full on survival mode.
How does it feel about ‘restarting’ your journey with a newborn 10 years after? Do you feel more confident ?
It actually feels like I’m a first time mum again. They are totally different babies where Ryder was an easy cruisey baby who was a great sleeper where his sister doesn’t like to sleep and is a full on little tornado. It’s been a hard road I won’t lie with becoming a single mum when she was so little and went through some tough times at the end of my pregnancy. But we are making it work and I’m so grateful to be a mum to the most amazing children. I was so used to my freedom with having an older child and that’s been one of the harder things is that I can’t really just drop everything and go. Being a Mum is seriously the most selfless thing ever!
What would be your #1 feeding tip?
You know what’s best and always listen to your gut and your baby. There is so much advice out there and it gets so overwhelming. I still breastfeed Rosa and she’s a big comfort feeder during the night, it’s hard but it’s just a season and I do what’s best for us and to get us some sleep. Every baby is so different and only you know what’s best for your baby. I also love to feed her as much variety of foods as I can and to keep trying if she doesn’t like it. I started to feed Rosa on veggie purée first then added in fruit. The only organic pouches are amazing as they are just so easy!
Why do you choose only organic for Rosa and encourage Ryder to have healthy eating habits?
Health is so important and extra important when they are so young as it sets them up. I’ve only ever given Ryder water (after he was breastfed) and now he won’t touch fizzy drink. He will have a juice if we go out for dinner etc but that hardly happens these days hahah! I eat super healthy as I believe in monkey see monkey do and I also believe in a good balance and to not obsess over food. Also not to feel guilty if you’ve had a couple of chocolate biscuits etc.
Your favourite thing about being a mum? Now and then ?
When I had Ryder I had the stress of having to go back to work and the anxiety of it all where with Rosa I don’t have to put her in care full time I get to enjoy all those special times! In saying that I’m looking at putting her in for a few days a week as she needs the social side and the stimulation.
Any advice to someone who’s thinking of giving up on conceiving?
I’m not a quitter so it just isn’t In me to give up. There were times where I was like this just isn’t going to happen and it really gets you down it’s so emotionally and mentally draining. Also physically with the amount of drugs you put into your body while doing an ivf round. I got into acupuncture with my last round and did a years worth once a week. I just had to believe my baby was going and when she was ready. I’m so glad I never gave up and everything I went through to get her here it was all worth it.