Sorry this blog post is a day late but yesterday was a bit mental! We had meetings all morning & a filming session for an Irish TV show in the afternoon...this was on top of all the editing and filming I usually do on a daily basis and unfortunately the lovely girl who normally looks after Alessia for me when I'm working was sick so it was "bring your baby to work day" and we all know how those go! (Not very well...I can tell you right now!) Still we somehow managed to hustle and get everything done that we needed to but my blog will always be last on the priority list, hahaha...sorry!! My poor old blog!
This all got me thinking about a question I get asked countless times in interviews or press that we do and even from some of you: how do you do it all?? The answer is very simple...I don't! I never want any of you fellow mums out there reading this to think for one minute that I do...there is no way that it would be possible. I have three small children, six dogs, a full-time job and I'm pregnant. I am very fortunate to have the ability to work from home but that can sometimes be both a blessing and a curse because the lines get very blurred. Vlogging/blogging, social media and working with brands is my full-time job and although it's not as traditional as perhaps a doctor or a teacher, in order to make a decent living from any profession you need to put in full-time hours.
So when people call me "supermum" or tell me they're amazed at how I manage to keep it all together I just have to laugh...I am no supermum, there are plenty of single mums working two jobs that deserve that title a whole lot more than me. Or the mums dealing with children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities...that's a superwoman in my mind. The stay at home mums who sacrificed their careers to look after their children full-time, or the working mums who are made feel guilty every single day for the time they spend apart from their kids but have no choice as they need to put food on the table. No matter what your situation is, we are all hustling and we're all just trying to do the best job we can do as mothers.
None of us have it all together, even if it might look that way on social media or from the outside looking in. I would be lying if I said that I could accomplish everything I need to in one day with zero help...trust me when I say that there is a whole lot of blood sweat and tears that goes into running a business together with your partner while raising a family and it really does take a village! I have help with my house, I have childcare on the days I work full-time, I have someone who walks my dogs three times a week. Jonathan and I also share a PA who looks after all of the admin involved (which is a whole lot more than you would think!) and we have a whole management team. This isn't a one-woman show, or a one-man show either for that matter, so don't ever think that it is!
Of course Jonathan & I both pride ourselves in being very hands-on, both with our children and our business but there is absolutely NO WAY that we would get our jobs done without some kind of assistance. I also know that by writing this blog post I'm probably going to get the usual judgement from a few little trolls...but I'm used to it and I'd rather that than any of you feeling bad about yourselves. I get the "lazy mother" card thrown at me allll the time for having help (especially when it comes to childcare) but the fact remains that I work my bum off every single day for the job that I have, I know what it's like to have nothing and I don't take anything for granted. I love my children more than anything but I'm also not wiling to give up my career. I take a break from a lot of work commitments during the first 12 months of each of my babies' lives because I breastfeed exclusively and that's important to me. But that doesn't make me better than anybody else!
The main thing I want you to take away from this post is never to glamourise anyone or think they're "doing it all" because honestly there is no such thing, and at the end of the day we are all just trying to do our best. Also remember that no matter how much you think you see of people's lives on social media, it's always just a small portion and there is so much else going on behind the scenes that doesn't get shown! Nobody's life is perfect and even if you think somebody has it all together I can guarantee that she/he is struggling just as much as anybody else. I hope that doesn't sound preachy because that is not my intention at all. I just know how easy it is to feel rubbish about yourself due to social media, all because you're looking at the highlight reel of somebody else's life.
This is why honesty has always been so important to me and on that note, here is another very honest pregnancy update! Where I talk about my symptoms at 27 weeks, the dreaded weight gain & feelings that go along with that, as well as a look at how much the bump has grown since last week! Hope you enjoy the video & are having a wonderful weekend!
Of course Jonathan & I both pride ourselves in being very hands-on, both with our children and our business but there is absolutely NO WAY that we would get our jobs done without some kind of assistance. I also know that by writing this blog post I'm probably going to get the usual judgement from a few little trolls...but I'm used to it and I'd rather that than any of you feeling bad about yourselves. I get the "lazy mother" card thrown at me allll the time for having help (especially when it comes to childcare) but the fact remains that I work my bum off every single day for the job that I have, I know what it's like to have nothing and I don't take anything for granted. I love my children more than anything but I'm also not wiling to give up my career. I take a break from a lot of work commitments during the first 12 months of each of my babies' lives because I breastfeed exclusively and that's important to me. But that doesn't make me better than anybody else!
The main thing I want you to take away from this post is never to glamourise anyone or think they're "doing it all" because honestly there is no such thing, and at the end of the day we are all just trying to do our best. Also remember that no matter how much you think you see of people's lives on social media, it's always just a small portion and there is so much else going on behind the scenes that doesn't get shown! Nobody's life is perfect and even if you think somebody has it all together I can guarantee that she/he is struggling just as much as anybody else. I hope that doesn't sound preachy because that is not my intention at all. I just know how easy it is to feel rubbish about yourself due to social media, all because you're looking at the highlight reel of somebody else's life.
This is why honesty has always been so important to me and on that note, here is another very honest pregnancy update! Where I talk about my symptoms at 27 weeks, the dreaded weight gain & feelings that go along with that, as well as a look at how much the bump has grown since last week! Hope you enjoy the video & are having a wonderful weekend!
What I'm Wearing
Outfit
Blouse - mByM
Trousers - Next Maternity (last pregnancy, but similar style available here)
Shoes - Valentino (same style, different colour here)
Watch - Michael Kors
Earrings (Rose Gold) - Tiffany's
Bracelet - Van Cleef & Arpels
Necklace (Gold Plated) - Anna Saccone
Makeup
- Benefit Porefessional Primer
- Bare Minerals Concealer in Summer Bisque
- Bare Minerals Matte Foundation in Medium Beige
- Bare Minerals Bronzer Warmth
- Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
- Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Love Glow Blusher
- BareMinerals Crystalline Glow Highlight Palette
- Benefit Browzings in 03
- Benefit 3D Browtones in 02
- Anastasia Modern Renaissance Palette
- YSL The Shock Mascara
- Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude
- MAC Honeylove Lipstick
- Buxom Full On Lip Cream in White Russian
I absolutely love your outfit in these pictures!
ReplyDeletehttps://lizziedailyblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank you! :)
DeleteHi Anna, been loving your videos im 17 weeks pregnant and been finding your fashion helpful. What size did you get in the top? Thank you
ReplyDeleteI got it in a size medium! :)
DeleteAnna! The world needs more women like you! Thank you for spreading this message. I sure needed the reminder.
ReplyDeleteMonika,
www.biancagoesplaces.blogspot.com
Aww, thank you Monika! :) <3
DeleteI’ve really only watched your videos for about 5 years now and this is my first time ever reading your blog lol. I’m glad this is the first one I read though as it makes me feel in a sense that you are a normal human being. We all are. Social media has such an impact on how we feel as mothers and women in general. Thank you for making me feel normal. And it’s also nice to see/know how much you sacrifice for your success and how much effort you put into it. I admire you, as much as anyone else who is a fan of yours. Regardless of the trolls you may run into, in all honesty, you are inspirational and I’m sure many women feel threatened by that. Hm, I know I did at times and it’s scrappy feeling but completely natural.. which is so silly if you think about it. Mostly because I truly felt like I was doing something wrong. To see your success has taught me that NOTHING comes easy. It takes dedication. You can’t expect success to coming ringing on your bell. Anyway, as corny as this may sound, I’m proud of you Anna. Whom you have become since watching your videos 5 years ago, is purely inspirational. It must feel great. You’ve grown so much and it’s a beautiful thing to see. I’m sure comments like this are what make it all worth it. :) Congratulations on your baby boy. Xo
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you so much for your lovely comment <3 <3
DeleteGreat post! Ignore the trolls... you are very clearly not a lazy mother. For everyone troll there’s someone like me who thinks you’re amazing. X
ReplyDeleteThank you!! <3
DeleteI just love you Anna! You & Jonathan have really helped me overcome some of my parenting woes! I watch your Vlogs most days (when I can, 2 children 7y & 6 months) and I have taken some inspiration from watching how you parent your children, which is done beautifully may I add. Im starting to not sweat so much about the small things & relax a bit more, as I see that every family has the same struggles. I used to think my family was the 'only one' & that made me feel very lonely. So Thank you for your openness in the blog it's so refreshing to hear, us mums are all doing the same things! As for trolls saying you are lazy, when it comes to childcare that's ridiculous! I find having a heathy relationship with the children you need to have some time apart to grow and recharge the batteries!! Clearly these trolls are not parents!! Ellen xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ellen! <3
DeleteI just love you Anna! You & Jonathan have really helped me overcome some of my parenting woes! I watch your Vlogs most days (when I can, 2 children 7y & 6 months) and I have taken some inspiration from watching how you parent your children, which is done beautifully may I add. Im starting to not sweat so much about the small things & relax a bit more, as I see that every family has the same struggles. I used to think my family was the 'only one' & that made me feel very lonely. So Thank you for your openness in the blog it's so refreshing to hear, us mums are all doing the same things! As for trolls saying you are lazy, when it comes to childcare that's ridiculous! I find having a heathy relationship with the children you need to have some time apart to grow and recharge the batteries!! Clearly these trolls are not parents!! Ellen xx
ReplyDeleteI dont know wether to go for S Or M....im the similar size to you.x
ReplyDeleteI loved writing this post! I think it's very important to always keep in mind that no one's life is a perfect as it looks on social media! And I think it's great that you keep reminding people of that!
ReplyDeleteAlso, don't let people make you feel bad about having help! You worked hard to be able to afford it, people are just jealous that they can't!! xx
Angela | DreamsAndLashes.com
Thank you Angela! xx
DeleteAnna you look so beautiful in this outfit. I love your videos and watching your family vlogs. You are such an amazing mum to your kids. I can't wait for baby number 4 to come! Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Amy! xx
DeleteYou look amazing, Anna! I love that top on you, especially with the khaki trousers.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mum, and I'm only 19 in fact, but I really loved this blog post. I think it is easy for a lot of us to forget how much work goes on behind the scenes, particularly in this industry, so it's really ignorance when people assume it is do-able all by yourself. Social media is just a little window into someone's life - unfortunately some people think they know everything! I think you are doing an incredible job raising your beautiful children, and I can't wait to see baby number 4. Four kids and a full time job sounds like a supermum to me!
Holly / The Writing Finch
Thank you so much Holly! <3 xxx
DeleteA lovely blog post Anna I really enjoyed reading it :):) :):) I can't wait for when the baby comes :):) :):)
ReplyDeleteThank you Chantelle! :)
DeleteIf you worked outside of the home doing 9-5. Then you would have child care, so you are only doing what any one else would do. You are both great parents and nobody should pull you down for this.
ReplyDeleteThank you! xx
DeleteSerious mom goals right here! So stunning and put together, looking beautiful Anna :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping it real! I love the way you write and what you write about. Your vlogs have helped me in a few different and important ways so I just want to say a heartfelt thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so honest Anna! I must admit I have sometimes felt a pang of guilt when I see how spotless your house is and how you seem to "do it all". My husband works 60 hours a week and I do 99% of the housework, laundry childcare and cooking - I usually manage to keep on top of it but it's hard work!. Glad to know you get help and I'm not as useless as I sometimes feel 😂
ReplyDeleteYou look so comfortable and confident! I hope I have the same aura as yours. I haven't felt the same since my pregnancy test and my husband isn't helping because of his business trips outside of the country.
ReplyDelete