Frances and Mia

Name: Frances 

Child: Mia, 18 months 

Location: Wythenshawe, Manchester

Expectations of motherhood: I thought it would be easy!

I’d always wanted a baby, and when I fell pregnant I was so excited, but at the same time really scared. I was 16 and still living with my mum, with no place of my own and no financial security. I did think it would be fairly straight forward though because my sisters all have lots of kids, so I’m used to being surrounded by children.

When I was pregnant I didn’t know whether she was a boy or girl, so by the end I was couldn’t wait to find out what I was having. My sister came along to the scans and although I hadn’t wanted to know the sex, my sister tried to get the sonographer to tell her the sex of the baby secretly. He did look but he couldn’t see because Mia had her legs crossed.

During my whole pregnancy my mum was really ill and I was her main support - my brother lived with us, but he was rarely in. Then she ended up being taken to hospital and I ended up having to travel from Moss Side to Wythenshawe hospital regularly to visit her. Money was tight because as a pregnant 16 year old I was not eligible for any financial help. I was having to steal lifts where I could to go and see her, and grabs little bits of money off her for food, etc when I could. She had lots of animals so would always give me cash to feed them.

Reality of motherhood: Not easy at all.

I loved the birth. The second I went into labour I was so excited. It was amazing - I was going to find out whether I was having a boy or girl! I was in labour for 24 hrs, and it did hurt, but it was fine really. I think the pain was exaggerated by the fact that it was my first baby and I didn’t really know what to expect. At the end I was knackered but I can’t wait to do it again - I loved it! 



Despite loving the whole pregnancy and the labour, I’ve found raising Mia really hard. I love her to bits, but being a mum is so exhausting. Recently Hassan and I have thought about trying again for another baby, but then we decided that Mia wasn’t quite old enough. I had to be realistic about the amount of effort involved and the fact that I actually don’t get any time to myself. She still needs so much of my attention - I think another baby right now would be too much.

Mia is a really good girl though and she sleeps really well. I had to wake her up this morning; she slept through till 12pm! I find routine really important for both of us - every night it’s bath, bed and bottle for 7pm so that I can watch the soaps. I feel like I need ‘mummy time’. Sometimes you have to be strict because otherwise they can walk all over you, but there are times when I’ll ease off and let her come and join me in the evenings for a cuddle if she wakes up.

Taking her home: It was scary taking her home. She was born on her due date and when she came out she seemed so tiny and fragile. In the hospital they’d shown me how to bath her and had taught me about breastfeeding - I was totally prepared - but being left on my own was quite daunting. 



At first I stayed at my mums and remember spending a week sleeping on the sofa with Mia in a moses basket next to me. I was so tired that I didn’t even bother going upstairs to my bedroom other than to get nappies or clothes. Mia was pretty good early on and behaved how you’d expect a newborn to - waking and feeding pretty regularly - but I remember finding breastfeeding so exhausting. Hassan helped me out so much and would take her off me in the nights during those first few weeks. He was, and still is, really good with her.

I was offered a place to live when I was pregnant, but wasn’t allowed to move in till after she was born. A week after she arrived, I moved into my own place. It felt good to have my own tenancy with my own name on the contract. It did feel strange though. I’d been used to cleaning the house and cooking for lots of people - for my mum, my brother and his friends while my mum had been poorly - but this place was just for me and Mia and it was new to me to be doing it all on my own.

Best and worst advice: Since finding out I was pregnant with Mia I have always had the same health visitor, she’s from the ‘Family nurse partnership’. The Family Nurse Partnership help with young first time mums and you get assigned one of their health visitors when you’re pregnant. They visit you till the baby is 2. She’s helped me get a grant for college equipment, she’s helped me make appointments and has been there to push certain people when they need a little nudge. She’s always there with help and advice.

I was also given a social worker when I was pregnant - I was given me the impression it was something that they do for all young mums, but later I discovered it was because they felt that my mums parenting might be reflected in mine. I had been given a social worker as child because of reports of neglect. I wanted to show them that I would be a good mum though. I took all the support I was offered to prove I was committed to being a mum.

My social worker did help me with financial support - I had to ask for the help, but I was entitled to money. It was weird that they didn’t make it apparent to me despite knowing I was struggling with money. It was only when the health visitor said, “Ask your social worker for the money - it is available,” that I knew to ask for help there. I didn’t understand the benefits system at all because I was 16 - it’s all so complicated.

Some of the (government) support I’ve received has really helped, but I didn’t need it all. They didn’t trust that I could ask for help myself. They didn’t believe that I’d be responsible, so that’s the reason why they gave me supported housing. To prove them wrong I just make sure that I use every bit of support to my advantage - if it’s there it’s definitely worth using.

Regarding good advice, my sisters have been really helpful. They all have 4/5 kids each and when I was buying stuff they’d warn me about the things I shouldn’t bother buying, like changing tables. I ignored them and bought one anyway, and well, they were right - it’s hardly ever been used. My family really do leave the parenting to me though and they trust that I know what I’m doing.

Hardest parts of being a mother: When she’s poorly. When she’s ill it’s really hard work because her sleep is so disturbed. And the times when she’s fed, bathed and clean, but she’s still crying. I think, “I can’t give you any more!” It’s so hard to know what’s wrong sometimes. 

I don’t get much time on my own either. It’s only recently that I’ve started to get any time to myself. In those early months I didn’t put make up on or do my hair. I never had time to look after myself, but that was quite unlike me. It’s been nice to spend a bit more time on the way I look now she’s a bit older and less demanding.

Losing my mum has been hard too. She’d always been in a wheelchair, so she’d never seen my place - it’s a shame. She did get to see Mia lots when when I took her over though. It was in November that she died, just before my 18th birthday. She’d promised she’d buy the drink for me to have a party, but died just before and she didn’t get chance to celebrate with me. I’m the youngest of her kids; her baby. To remember her, on my birthday I went to go see her and shared a drink with her on the grave so that I could mark my birthday with her. I still don’t think I’ve come to terms with it though.

We do have family support though from all of my sisters, and Hassan’s mum lives nearby. I’d known a few of his brothers and sisters before I was pregnant, but I only really met his mum when I’d had Mia. We do get on really well though and Mia goes over to stay now and again.

The best parts of being a mother: Little things that they do. The milestones too, like walking, her first birthday, saying, “mama” and getting her first tooth. You think, “Wow. This is what it’s all about.” It has been amazing to just watch her turn into a proper person.

Has being a mother changed you: I’ve learnt a lot. I’m still the same person, but I’ve had so many new experiences. I look back at the younger me, and back then I thought I knew it all. Now I’ve experienced motherhood I feel a lot wiser. You have to adapt and learn - find your own ways. I imagine that once you’ve learnt how to be a mum it it’s like riding a bike.

Hopes for your family: Eventually I’d like to have 4 children - 3 more after Mia. That will be my family. I’m from a big big family, so I love being surrounded by kids.

Career-wise I want to own a big health spa. I’m very ambitious. I’ve started my beauty therapy course - currently doing level 1, and then hope to carry on the level 2, 3, and then want I want to do Holistic therapy after that.

I’ve planned it all out, but in the end I want to own a house and move out to France.

Also, I’ve looked into surrogacy because I enjoyed the pregnancy and labour so much. I think I’d love it. Right now I can’t do it because I’d have to stop smoking and I don’t think I’d succeed in quitting right now, but I’d love to give someone a gift like that one day.

Advice to new and expectant mums: Do what you feel is right and don’t be scared by what other people say. Everyone has different experiences of pregnancy, child birth and motherhood. 

To mums in my situation, well, good luck! It’s been hard. I would say, push yourself and never give up. If you want to do something and it goes wrong, don’t give up, try again the next day, and if that doesn’t work try the day after. Wake up everyday thinking, ‘Today’s the day‘. There is nothing that a young mum can’t do that an older mum can.


Frances and Mia featured in photographer Len Grant's award winning blog http://herfirstyear.co.uk - a wonderful piece of work and well worth a read.  

Liz and August

Name: Liz

Child: August, 8 months

Location: Manchester

Expectations of Motherhood:
I knew it would be tough, but to be honest I couldn't actually picture myself as a mother so it all seemed a bit delusional. I tried not to think about it too much and just hoped a healthy baby would appear at the end.

Reality of Motherhood:
The first 6 weeks............... horrific! I could not believe nobody had pulled me to one side and warned me about this while I was pregnant.

Obviously the sleep deprivation is a killer, but absolutely nothing prepares you for this. You would never be put in a situation (unless as a form of torture) where you are woken every 2 hours. It was around week 2 that I realised I would not be having more than a 3 hour block of sleep for quite a while! This would be bad enough on its own, but add to it a bruised and battered body, plus learning to breast feed and its even worse!

Now 8 months in...... motherhood is still exhausting but so much fun! 

I feel so privileged to spend everyday with August.

Taking your child home for the first time:
After spending three days in a shared room with 4 other women (one of whom was in labour!) with August screaming the place down and demanding a feed every 30 minutes I was ready to get the hell home! My partner and dad picked us up and it felt like a getaway car. We shoved all my stuff into a bag, grabbed the baby and fled! I was sure they'd made a mistake and if we weren't quick enough they would change their minds and be after us.

As soon as we got home I started cleaning.....I went into hospital on the Monday morning and didn't get home til the Thursday evening, so nothing was how I left it. Two grown men had been living at home while I was away so let's just say standards had slipped a bit!

The best/worst advice:
The worst advice was from a breast feeding counsellor who said, 'if it hurts your doing it wrong'. I did everything I was supposed to but it still hurt. A lot! 

I stuck with it and after about a month things fell in to place. I think August and I were just getting used to something that was new to both of us.

The hardest parts of being a mother:
No matter how much help you have or are promised, in reality it all comes down to you. I think it was around the third month I suddenly realised, 'Oh my god I am the one who has to do everything!'

The best parts of being a mother:
The bond I have with August right now. 

I know as she gets older this will be split more equally between her father and I, but while she is still a baby and so dependant on me I'm enjoying the rewards of being the apple of her eye!

Has becoming a mother changed you?
In some ways yes but these could be temporary as it's still the first year. She is my number one and it can be hard to concentrate on much else. The idea of going back to work at some point scares the hell out of me and I'm lucky that I can take my time a bit. I do look back on things I used to worry about and think, 'WOW, you had way too much time to think about things!'

Hopes for your family:
I just want to raise a happy, healthy, and confident little girl and hope that I can be there as much as possible for her.

What advice would you offer to new and expectant mums?In the first few weeks only surround yourself with people who will be 100% supportive of you. You will most probably be exhausted, depressed, highly strung and extremely emotional, so anyone judgemental need not apply!

Charlotte and Max

Name: Charlotte

Child: Max, 17mths

Location: Chorlton, Manchester 

Expectations of Motherhood: My journey into motherhood didn’t happen easily, so when it came to me taking the last pregnancy test - I had done so many by this point - I knew this one was different. I was scared to take it! I didn’t want to believe that what we had hoped for (and had started to feel wasn’t meant to be) was finally going to happen!

No matter how much I had wanted and planned for that moment, I couldn’t believe it was happening (and took 3 more tests!). After my initial feelings faded I had the most magical day, feeling that it wasn’t just me anymore, that I had a little one inside me. Oddly enough this actually eased my fear. From that day onwards I made a conscious decision to talk to my baby (well, bump!) and to make sure I continued to do all I could to feel connected to my little one.

I loved being pregnant and had so many special moments that I was quite scared of how I would feel not being pregnant and how would I deal with the reality of a baby. I didn’t have any experience of babies and wondered, 'What if it turns out that I don’t know what to do?' 

These were some of the many chats I had with my bump, or ‘bean’ as he was known by then. 

Reality of Motherhood: After a 37 hour labour I can honestly say I didn’t have that gushing feeling of overwhelming love, I just felt so relieved that it was over and we were all ok! 

Unfortunately we both picked up an infection which resulted in a further 5 nights stay in hospital - suffice to say I was exhausted and well and truly feeling the baby blues. I was desperate to take my baby home and for us to start to be a family, however in this was a difficult, and an often very isolated time. There was one moment that stayed with me, and made it all worthwhile, cuddling Max one night I read his tiny wristband, and it hit me, that this was MY son I was holding, and that I was now a Mum! A delayed reaction I know, but well worth the wait! 

And then came the getting home, and my God, although I had been desperate to get home it was a case of careful what you wish for! I had issues with breastfeeding from early on and basically became permanently attached to my breast pump (bought by my very stressed husband on the second day of being home after I had burst into tears on him again!). 

I had made the decision in my own mind that if I was going to have to give him a bottle that it would at least be breast milk that I fed him. I felt so guilty that I couldn’t breastfeed that sometimes when I fed Max in public I would try and hide so people wouldn’t see the bottle. Because of this it became a bit of a mission that I was determined to carry on for as long as I could and consequently expressed continuously to build up enough stock. I knew deep down that I couldn’t keep this up for too long (and my health visitor tried to say the same). I knew that I needed to stop beating myself up about it and just make the decision to stop, but anyone else who has been in this position will know how hard it is. I had to make the decision when I was ready to do so. 

In truth I was massively unprepared for the reality of having a baby and how much my life would change. If someone had told me before that I would walk down Beech Road after meeting a friend for lunch wearing a white top covered in mustard baby poo, I would have simply said, 'Absolutely no way!' and laughed out loud. But I did do that, and although it was mortifying, I did laugh - although not in the way I would have thought. 

The reality is you do these things, and sometimes it isn’t glamorous, or easy, but there is one very good reason why you do it, and that’s for your baby. Although unprepared on one hand I was also so well equipped on the other. All I had to do was what I had always done, talk to my baby and somehow by doing so we’d get through it - together - and 17 months later I’m still doing that and we are! 

Bringing your baby home for the first time: After being stuck in hospital and having to see Max given antibiotics through a cannula strapped to his tiny little arm (which made dressing around it fun!), I couldn’t get out of there quick enough to start family life (whatever that meant). 

Walking out of hospital with your baby is one of the most surreal moments you will ever experience, followed by a very tense drive home. The drive was especially tense for Olly (including a few choice words for the man who nearly crashed into us)! 

We made it home…and after that, well to be honest my overriding memory was of eating the nicest bowl of pasta Olly had ever cooked (following 5 days hospital food). I’m not entirely sure where Max was (asleep in his car seat I assume!). Following that the health visitor turned up at some ridiculous hour the next morning to find Max and I still in bed, and none of us being clean! Not the best start, but it only got better! 

Best Advice: For me, the best advice that I was given was to talk to my baby, and that by doing so he would find a way of telling me what he wanted/needed, and if I kept that up we’d be ok...and it’s true, but then again it did come from the best source - my Mum! From my perspective I would say no matter what you read, or what you hear, it’s really important to trust yourself. After all your baby and your own instincts are there for a reason. 

On a practical level I would advise investing in a baby CD (The lovely sleepy baby one worked for us!). It might drive you mad after a while but it really helps to settle them during the witching hour that is late afternoon/early evening!

I also used a sound machine in our room from day one, allowing Max to fall asleep to the sounds of the ‘ocean! This still works really well now, and helps me to sleep too! It helped to soothe Max early on, especially as he was quite jumpy after being poked and prodded continuously in hospital. 

Although somewhat controversial, I would say moving babies to be in their room early on works - Max outgrew his Moses basket after a couple of months and we didn’t have room in our bedroom for a cot, so he went into his own room. Of course it felt hard seeing such a tiny baby dwarfed by this cot bed, but it worked; he loved his room (and still does) and is (touch wood) a brilliant sleeper! I know it’s absolutely an individual choice and not everyone will agree, but I’m simply sharing my thoughts on what worked for us.

Worst advice: I didn’t really receive any bad advice as such. It was more that my personal experience of a breast feeding counsellor wasn’t helpful - and I actually felt worse as a result. I felt I couldn’t recreate what I had been told to do and was also made to feel a bit stupid when I'd said I hadn’t wanted to give Max my milk whilst I was bleeding. The response was, ‘A bit of blood won’t do him any harm!’. Whilst this may have been ok for him, upon reflection maybe it wasn’t ok for me! Instead I simply persevered, and carried on feeling guilty and in pain. 

Hardest part of being a mum: For me it has to be an inability to switch off - your mind is always thinking, is he OK doing that? Has he eaten enough? Will he sleep through? Good, bad, fun, sad, whatever it is, your mind will be thinking.

Coupled with this is the guilt. Such as, am I playing with him enough? Has he been out enough? Is he eating the right things? I really struggle with a lot of this as I am at home with Max on my own 4 days a week (it was 5 until recently). Olly and I both talked about this when we decided to have a baby - but after 15 months I started to struggle a little. I felt I needed to do at least a few hours work for a break in routine and enjoy some adult conversation. I also felt it was important for Max, as I really didn’t want to get to the point where I resented my decision to stay at home with him. Thankfully my dad is able to help out 1 day a week, and they both have so much fun that it helps me switch off and appeases the guilt - for a few hours at least!

Max recently had a nasty bump to his head, after which he went floppy for a few seconds. For a minute I panicked and allowed my mind to go to that dreaded dark thought, the one that lies dormant but never far away in the back of your mind, 'what if?'. It reminds you what it feels like to be scared and helpless - both of which I’ve felt frequently as a new mum. 

It all comes down to loving someone so much you can’t imagine being without them. 

Best Parts of being a mum: Now to the fun part! And that’s exactly what it is - lots of fun! He makes me laugh out loud most days and has lightened my life in a way I never knew possible. Watching my little man grow and develop is incredible. I love that we have been a team since day 1. Seeing the way he looks at me, holds my hand, strokes my face (all on a good day!) - it melts me and makes all the guilt, anxiety, tiredness and stress disappear. Tantrums aside, I love the stage that he is at now, and although it’s exhausting, seeing him become a little person - trying in different ways to communicate with me and getting an idea of his personality - is just magical. 

Hopes for your family: Naturally my main hope is that my little family stays happy and healthy. I feel so proud of what we have achieved up to now and I don’t want to put too much pressure on where we will be in the future, or what lies ahead. It’s all part of the adventure of having a child - you don’t know where you’re at from one minute to the next, from tantrum to laughter - it all happens in a split second.

Advice to new and expectant mums: To reiterate, on an emotional level it’s about trusting yourself and talking to your bump/baby.



I don’t read baby books, and try not to compare us with others (although it’s inevitable sometimes). You’re not going to be looking at it from a neutral perspective though, so other peoples' babies will seem better behaved (though never cuter!) and other mums will appear calmer, more groomed etc, but I would go back to the advice of listening to, and learning from, Max. To be honest I take it minute by minute and go from there.

On a practical level - buy a sound machine and a Baby CD. In addition buy yourself a coat with a hood. Trust me, wrestling with a buggy and a brolly is not fun - I only found this out the hard (and very wet) way!

Personally, I loved having a pre-natal baby listening device (despite being adamant I wouldn’t get one!). There was something quite amazing, and surreal, about sitting on the sofa watching TV with Olly - headphones in, listening to our baby’s heartbeat. 

To be honest though, it’s such a personal journey, and you will find your own way through it, and that’s part of the magic of it. You do find a way through it, and while it may not always be easy, it’s rewarding on a level you could never imagine.

Géraldine and Juliette

Name: Géraldine

Child: “Lilu” Juliette, 4

Location: Manchester

Expectations of Motherhood: I came into it quite late so I had contradicting impressions; on one side I thought I knew what the reality of it might be like as I had caught a glimpse of family members and friends becoming parents …but on the other side I stupidly thought that it was going to be amazing and romantic, this perfect picture shot in soft focus like a Timotei advert or a David Hamilton photograph! My twenties and early thirties were all about me, my boyfriend and my mates, all about hedonism and fun (with a bit of work thrown in there!) and I had a ball. Glyn and I had been together ages and we knew we wanted to be in it for the long haul so having a baby was the natural progression. And I (wrongly) assumed that I would instantly mature overnight… When Lilu arrived I was definitely ready for her though, and I haven’t looked back.

Reality of Motherhood: the trauma of miscarriages, the obvious lack of sleep, the hormone overload, this overwhelming feeling of isolation at first, the tears (mine and hers), the helplessness, not ever getting back into my old jeans, risk assessing everything, not being carefree any longer or spontaneous (as in being able to book a flight to Berlin on a whim, or jump the fence at Glastonbury)… but also so happy and grateful that she is healthy and that we are in this bond together for ever.

Taking your child home for the first time: it was all a blur... I was so crazy tired and ill that I thought there was another baby in there and I had to push it out: we put it down to a bad case of “Baby Blues” but it transpired that I shouldn’t have been signed off so soon and I ended up having to deliver some remnants of my placenta at home that day. After this initial trauma, making a little place for her at home and adapting to having a limpet attached to me 24/7 was an unsettling but amazing thing. Her first bath at home was a terrifying experience and I just remember shaking uncontrollably as I tried too hard not to drop her. We took her home in January and the weather was diabolically bad so the overall feeling was that I needed to keep her warm all the time…the best thing I did though was to venture outside a week later and brave the elements, I felt so invigorated by it and Lilu slept the whole time so I really relished our daily walks after that. 

My dad came over from France straight after the birth and stayed for a few days and I’d never known him to be so quiet, wide-eyed and bewildered, bless him. He’s usually quite vocal and I guess that it was so out of character that it made me a bit paranoid (am I being shit? Am I not doing this or that properly? Why is he not saying anything? etc) In fact, he was just so overwhelmed by the whole thing and Lilu being so tiny that he was just freaking out a bit. Then my mum came over and wanted to bring one of her 2 sisters with her, but I thought that was all a bit too Mafia-like for my poor Glyn… I had visions of him recoiling in a corner shaking while these crazy French ladies (me included) were all telling each other what to do and how to do it best! She came over on her own in the end and proved to be a great help by just being there, like your favourite comfort blanket…albeit a blanket that does all your housework!

The best/worst advice: A lady from La Leche League in Didsbury saved my life one Sunday morning about 5 weeks after Lilu’s birth when I thought we were both going to die…Juliette of starvation and me of heartbreak (thinking that I was a failure and that I was letting her down by not being able to do the most natural thing in the world). She took one look at us and just said this baby is tongue-tied that’s why she’s not feeding properly; go to this hospital in Oldham etc. We went there, Lilu had the procedure and within a couple of minutes she was gulping down the milk like she was always meant to…and instantly restored my confidence in my mothering abilities. After the “she’s not latching on properly” and the “you must be doing it wrong” attitude and comments I had received from the health visitors I just felt like a big black cloud had lifted.

The hardest parts of being a mother: The hardest part has to be when she’s ill. I would love to take it all away and make her feel better but I feel so helpless as I can’t…

There is the general new mum feeling that I wasn't good enough in the first few months; thinking it was my fault that she was not feeding properly (I hated the bullying tactics from health visitors). I felt frustrated that I was not being to sleep when she was sleeping and therefore ended up having a massive sleep backlog and feeling guilty for it…

Also, I couldn’t help feeling isolated and like it was me and my baby against the rest of the world at times. Being away from my mum and dad and family in general probably didn’t help. (Although I have great friends who have become our extended family here, how many “aunties” can Lilu have!?)

Managing my feelings in general has been a struggle. I find it hard having to let go… …it’s been an intense adventure so far and it’s hard trying to balance individuality and closeness. She is sooo independent and also hugely affectionate; it’s a tough one for me this pulling-pushing thing!

Another toughie is setting boundaries, being consistent, and discipline generally. I am so glad the terrible 2-3’s are behind us; I just found those silly tantrums so pathetically funny that I am not sure I dealt with them the best way but eh, it’s done now. She is so impossibly bossy and strong-willed that we are bound to clash horns…and deep down I quite like her feistiness, it will come handy in later life!

 The best parts of being a mother: Ahhh, the most wonderful thing was the first time she said “mama” of course (and all the other times after that!). Then there’s the amazing love she gives me and the way she strokes my ear lobes to go to sleep. 

And I would feel lost without the constant flow of silly (or tricky!) questions…

The turning point for me was the moment I realised that I had fully adjusted to being a mum; I had been mourning the loss of my independence and the changes in my relationship with Glyn and then one day I became conscious of all the wonderful things I had received in exchange.

I know I mentioned it in the worst parts as well but having to let go is actually a positive thing… Being able to trust her to fix things for herself, knowing that I am giving her the best of whatever I am capable of and it will be amazing to see what she does with it!

Her smile, her cascading laughter, her cuddles…feeling this rush of love every time I look at her. Watching her evolve into this amazing little being who is making friends and is learning how to read and count. Seeing the world through her very sparkly eyes!

And from the start, one of the best feelings ever was being a family, the 3 of us, and the sensation of it all making sense. I'm not a hippie as such but it felt like it was the natural progression of our love, that it was where it just had to go... I remember life before her and it was great, but life with her is definitely better; she now makes everything stand out more and more vivid, like a little highlighter pen!! I love looking forward to waking her up in the morning and to picking her up from school, I get the biggest cuddles then!

Hopes for your family: That we live happily ever after! I would hope that she would grow up to be a kind, considerate, smart, balanced happy individual and that she would also keep her little quirks and silly ways... Since she has dual nationality, I hope she will be completely bilingual too and have a close relationship with my parents and family in France, albeit mainly via Skype!

What advice would you offer to new and expectant mums:
Prioritise.
Do not worry about what other people think.
Ask for help with household tasks and keep your unrealistic expectations in check. Oh and don’t wear your best clothes until they are at least 3.
In a nutshell, get ready for the whirlwind! Laugh and enjoy making memories together (every day goes really fast…)