OK. So apparently I’m giving blogging a go. Not quite sure why or who for, but I’ve been flirting with the idea for a little while and I’ve taken the plunge!
So I’m wife to Adam, new mum to the beautiful Annabelle and I’m currently on maternity leave from my job as Deputy head and a primary school teacher. I’ve been off work now for over 3 months and I can honestly say, I love not working! I was worried I’d feel a bit lost and disconnected from the world.
I’ve always worked. I got my first job when I was 16 at Gap (best discount ever!) and worked there until I went to university, after a brief spell of working for Kent Police with my dad. During my 3 years at university, I always had a little job to ease the financial strain of uni, and every easter and summer, I found myself a temporary job. Former jobs include mortgage call person (truly sorry to anyone I rang), cleaner for the elderly, sales person for Rosebys, administrator for an employment tribunal and counting people at train stations (a career high). I then bagged myself a job as a teacher in a great little primary school and have worked there for 9 years.
So going on maternity leave was certainly a shock to the system. Before Annabelle was born, I busied myself with little arts and crafts, cleaning the house and wrapping Christmas presents. But I did worry that once my little one arrived, and Christmas was over and done with, I’d be at a loose end.
But the truth is, Annabelle is now 2 months old and I’ve loved every second of my new job; mum. As with many of my other jobs, every day is different, it comes with its challenges, but every single second is filled with the most incredible rewards. A smile. A gurgle. A look. A cuddle. A hand wrapped around my finger. I could go on. And I know that as she grows older and develops with every day, the rewards will multiply, and I just can’t wait! And I love working with Adam to raise her. I know it’s only been 2 months, but I think we make a great team!
It wasn’t quite my plan to waffle on about my employment history in my first blog post, but that’s apparently what I’ve done. I guess that’s one of the biggest adjustments to my new life. But having settled in to this new role, I’m able to see the perks and benefits of my new job.
Firstly, I don’t know of any other job on this earth that involves this many cuddles. Even as I type this, Annabelle is snuggled into the crook of my neck, breathing heavily in her sleep filled state. And when she wakes up, she’ll want more cuddles! How great is that?! I feel like recently she’s reached a state of awareness where she’ll cling on with her arms and head when she’s over my shoulder, and try to hold on harder when I go to put her down or move her. And however I hold her, she fits. She fits my arm, my lap, my side, my shoulder, my chest. She’s my perfect fit.
Secondly, I can see her develop, grow and change every day. I love how all of a sudden, her little brain tells her little body to do something new, or different, or to move in a certain way. This little human is outgrowing clothes and reacting to things differently, and every day is a miracle! It’s incredible seeing her grow without actually seeing her grow.
Thirdly, what other job allows you to make so many new friends! I have loved getting to know other new mummies and I must say, I’ve been lucky enough to get to know some of the loveliest people. Not having family nearby can be tough, and with the majority of my best friends scattered around the country, motherhood could have been a lonely time. But I have been blessed with a group of new mums who live locally and all have babies practically the same age as Annabelle. Not only have I gained some lovely friends, but Annabelle has too! I’ve also recently downloaded the app ‘Mush’ which helps new mums link up, so I’ll see how that works out.
Lastly, I am able to spend time focusing on the important things in life. I feel more connected to my family as I send pictures and videos of Annabelle practically daily. I am able to think more about anything I choose, rather than ‘have I photocopied enough worksheets’ or ‘I’ve only got 90 books to mark today’. I can think about life, and people, and the future. I’ve found some little glimpses of time to read (mainly at 3am while feeding). I’ve loved spending time with my thoughts, turns out there is a world outside of the classroom! Who knew!
Well I had no idea where that first blog post was going to go, but there it is! I’ll see what other thoughts fall out of my thumbs over the next few weeks. I’m sure Annabelle will feature heavily. To finish, I’ll add a photo or two. One of my lovely little family taken on Annabelle’s blessing and Naming day at church, the other, a picture of me on my first day of my new job.
Mummabelle 
That’s a lovely start to your blog. I loved reading it, very special xx
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