2. So what do you DO?
I am the mother of two young children, aged
3 and 6.
Having the kids created huge change in
occupation, as I transitioned from working in
paid employment to full time Mum.
Private Collection, October 2013
3. I am a Mum
Cam arrived on the 11th of March, 2008
Private Collection, April 2008
Lucy arrived on the 8th of October, 2010
Private Collection, October 2010
4. I have people
dependant on me
Babies are obviously very dependant on their
carers, so I became responsible for all dressing,
feeding and hygiene requirements.
In the early days of Motherhood, most of my
time was spend ‘doing’:
Doing housework
Feeding babies
Cleaning babies
Preparing food
Washing clothes
Being a Mum, and Being with my kids 24/7.
Bath time
Private Collection, February 2011
5. I am a teacher
During my time raising my children, I’ve had to
become a teacher – a role I’ve never before
taken on.
Life lessons included everything from how to
carry out self cares such as dressing and
feeding, right up to abstract concepts such as
good manners and societal rules.
Teaching the kids has reinforced my own sense
of being a member of society, and has is
essential if they are to become civilised human
beings.
Road Rules
Private Collection, June 2009
6. I am a Student
Being a stay at home Mum and leaving the
work force has allowed me to follow new
paths of interest.
Not having to work in paid employment has
given me the opportunity to study part time,
leading me to achieve my Certificate in
Health, opening to pathway for me to
continue on to my degree in Occupational
Therapy, with the hopes of becoming a
practising OT.
Graduation Day
Private Collection, 2011
7. I am part of a
community
I have been involved with Plunket since 2008.
I started attending a Play group with other
Mum’s who lived locally, and soon took on
the role of Plunket Volunteer.
This role meant I was able to liase with other
parents in my local area, making friends,
providing and receiving support, and forming
an identity as ‘Community Volunteer’, and a
sense of belonging within an organised
group.
What a Woman Wants Fundraiser
East Otago Plunket Facebook, April 2012
8. I am a rider
As the Children have grown, my input into their
day to day lives has changed. What was once a
very small world of changing nappies and
mashing vegetables has become larger as they
have gained their own interests and required
me to learn new occupations or relearn things I
engaged in myself as a child to support these
interests.
I have had to relearn horsemanship so I have
been able to safely and effectively spend time
with my horses and my family.
Through the kids interest, I have re-become a
horse rider.
Merlin
Private Collection, October 2013
9. I am an angel
My family and I rescue, retrain and rehome
unwanted and unloved animals.
This is quiet a large financial and time
commitment, but we consider it worth it.
We have so far taken in 2 dogs, 6 cats and a
horse, and have had to spend time to train them
and care for them properly.
By taking in unwanted animals, my children
learn compassion, the pets are taught love
manners and respect.
Cole, rescued in April 2002
Private Collection, April 2013
10. I am a fan
Having kids is not the end of fun.
Being stuck at home has meant I have had to
learn to meet people in new ways, rather than
through work.
This has lead me to joining several online music
forums, meaning I have made friends in many
different countries.
These forums have allowed me to plan and
meet people from all over the world at various
live events.
Rob Zombie at Soundwave
Private Collection, February 2014
11. I am me!
Mother, wife, housekeeper, friend, teacher, student, volunteer,
animal lover and community member.
I can’t get the cork off my dinner!
Someecards.com, retrieved April 2014
