The wearer of many hats, Snezana Wood is a Molecular geneticist, a former Bachelor winner, a wife and what she defines as her most important role, a Mother to three girls; Eve, Willow and Charlie. Here, Snezana (our Huggies Mumbassador) chats to us as about the truths of motherhood, the advice she values and shares most and her ‘can’t-live-without’ baby items
Whilst you love and care for your second and third child just as much the first, you’re definitely more relaxed after your first time around the sun. I felt as a first time parent I was a little more meticulous about every minor detail – their sleep routine, first food milestones, when their teeth appeared, why weren’t they walking, what they wore (always well-coordinated of course) and ensuring they were changed the second they dirty their clothes. You’re trying to find your feet and worry you are doing everything wrong, so you tend to be a little bit more of a “textbook parent”, wrapping them up in cotton wool.
But by the third, their first introduction to solids might be something they found on the floor (compliments of your other two kids), you put them in an outfit that looks like you threw it together in the dark (because you probably did)and you’re a little more relaxed with sleep routines and everything else. The cotton wool isn’t wound so tightly, so if they fall, you’re more likely to look at them and say “eh you’re okay, up you get!”
It’s important to remember that everybody has their own approach to parenting and although some may differ to the way we choose to parent ourselves, they should be respected none the less. I try to remember that there is always a reason far from the surface that another parent has their views. Even though I may not know what they are, or agree, they are valid and important, just like my reasons are to me. We need to accept that we all parent differently, no one way is the right way, so I just choose to focus on what’s right for me and my family.
I’m just taking it one day at a time. I think lockdown has been a pretty rough and tough time for all mums and dads and we’ve all been pushed to our limit’s multiple times. Pre-lockdown we worked damn hard, and during this time we’ve only worked harder and longer than ever before. There has been little to no rest for us and I think the only way to get through it is by taking it one day at a time and trying to worry less about what we haven’t done/what needs to be done. We need to embrace this time with our little ones because once it’s done, we’ll wish we could have it back with them again.
Currently the age gap between my girls can prove to be a little tricky. With Eve being a teen and wanting her space, Willow wanting to be a big girl and do everything but give Eve her space, and little Charlie just trying to keep up with both big sisters, the days really do end up being a mad rush to keep the peace. Especially now that Eve is homeschooling and needs some sort of quiet place to learn without little sisters wanting to play.
However, on the flip side, when Eve isn’t busy doing her schoolwork or teen chatting on the phone, she’s a great support with the two younger girls and helps-out during dinner, bath and sleep time. Despite the constant chaos, it truly is the most beautiful thing witnessing the bond blossom between my girls. It’s a very rare and special gift.