I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting today’s stop on the Story of Mum: mums making an exhibition of ourselves tour.
I first ‘met’ the wonderful Pippa of Story of Mum back in December last year. Thousands of miles away from home, I found myself joining a Make Date and making an angel, while chatting to lots of lovely mums. I still chat to many of these mums today and – for someone who is so far away from home, friends and family at the moment – this has made such a big difference to my days.
To set the scene for the exhibition, here are Pippa’s own words:
As mothers, it’s not often that we feel seen, heard and valued. Yet our everyday stories matter, and sharing them can inspire others. Story of Mum: Mums making an exhibition of ourselves is a touring programme of exhibitions and events in galleries and online that aims to put mothers in the spotlight.
The exhibition celebrates motherhood, explores the impact of mothering on our identities, and encourages mums worldwide to share their stories in words, photos, collage and film.
Find out more at www.storyofmum.com/exhibition.
Parallel to the real life events, a virtual exhibition is travelling round the world, stopping for mini exhibitions on blogs – like this one!
Each curator (and today, that would be me!) of this virtual exhibition tour has been asked to choose one item from the existing exhibition, create one item to add to the exhibition, and share their thoughts on these and their identity in motherhood. You can see the other curator posts here.
Looking through the “I’m a mum and a…” section of the exhibition there were several that struck a chord, some that made me smile and some that I found inspirational. It has been very hard to choose just one, but I did!
For me, the past seven years have been a journey – a wonderful, exciting, scary journey.
Full of unexpected detours, interesting pitstops and amazing discoveries.
I have learnt a new language, negotiated obstacles and navigated my way through a new landscape.
I have travelled far – from career focused work-a-holic, to working mum – juggling and dropping balls all over the place – to stay at home mum to my three children.
I can see the years ahead, full of changes, challenges and opportunities.
I want to grab all of this with two hands. Join my children in their wonderful journey through childhood and beyond – and continue on my own journey, learning and growing right beside them.
You are not the child of the people you call mother and father, but their fellow-adventurer on a bright journey to understand the things that are.
Richard Bach
It is a bright journey, and it is most certainly an adventure!
[In my usual indecisive fashion, I couldn’t resist including some of the others that I loved!]
I would also urge you to read the Memorable Moment of Mum section. The stories that are told are by turns heartbreaking, inspirational and uplifting.
We mums are a strong, courageous, thoughtful and insightful lot, we nurture and cherish, we protect and encourage – and we are so very proud.
Being a mother did not come naturally to me.
I was not one of those woman for whom having children had been a dream.
Then I met my husband and having children suddenly seemed like the most obvious thing in the world.
Becoming a mother is a life changing, life affirming experience. I feel so very lucky to have three beautiful children who amaze and inspire me daily.
My identity though… That has become more difficult to define.
Especially difficult now that I have given up work – my job very much defined me to me.
I was: a designer, an award winning engineer, a manager, a negotiator, a mentor, a teacher – successful.
As a mother, I am still many of those things, but that is no longer so clearly defined to the outside world.
I am: a designer of activities; an engineer of games; a manager of time, the household, homework and expectations; a negotiator of sharing toys, eating enough dinner, rewards and punishments; a mentor and role model; a teacher of right and wrong, consideration and empathy, discipline and control – of life lessons; I am successful!
I am all of these things, but I am also a dreamer, a list maker, an idealist, a procrastinator, a little bit nuts, an organiser, a friend – I am still me.
Above all though, I am still learning – how to be a good friend, partner and a good mother.
Parenting is not a duty. It is a privilege and an opportunity; A journey of self-discovery.
Becca Glouzstein
I strongly believe that we never stop learning, whether that is in our jobs, our hobbies or our families. We should embrace this for the opportunity that it brings.
Since becoming a mother I have learnt that I can cook a (reasonably nutritious) meal for three kids in less than 10 minutes; that I can keep track of one child doing homework, another painting and one crawling towards danger – all at the same time; that there are few bumps and scrapes that can’t be fixed by a kiss and cuddle from mummy; that you can survive on remarkably little sleep; that a child can screech at a decibel level that should be accompanied by ear defenders; that there are days that feel never ending and ones that you wish would never end; that there is nothing more magical than hearing your child say ‘I love you mummy’.
I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Oh I love this! I love the quotes you have shared, your careful thoughts on identity and your beautiful re-visioning of how success is defined as a mother. As someone who was also defined by my work for a very long time, and consequently completely lost once I became a mum, for quite a while – it’s wonderful to be reminded to reframe those skills in the way you describe above so clearly. I’m also deeply touched to hear that story of mum community has made a difference to you over there in Boston – that thought will keep me going on the late nights to make projects like this exhibition happen. Thank you xx
Thank you so much Pippa, and thank you for the opportunity to curate for a day – the exhibition is wonderful :)
I don’t know how women do it. We men are lucky to have you, or else children would be smoking and drinking at four years old because it looked funny to our friends. Thank you!
Lol, you’re welcome, I think :) My husband is the one that teaches tricks… And to be fair, he’s taught them some good ones!
Wow, I love this post for so many reasons! I liked how you turned your work experience into parenting strengths…so true! Such an inspiring post! I think I may HAVE to reblog this! Thanks for the happy “go-mom” message!
Wow, thank you! What lovely comments x And I would be so flattered to be reblogged :) I’m really glad you liked the post xx
You are welcome! I’m enjoying checking out the virtual exhibition too. There are so many unique and incredible voices of moms out there! It’s always comforting to know that someone shares your feelings in the journey of motherhood.
Thank you so much for sharing x The exhibition is wonderful isn’t it?
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Lovely post and what a fantastic idea! #PoCoLo
Thank you! It is lovely isn’t it? Pippa has done a wonderful thing x
This is great! Adrienne Reich wrote this famous piece about mothers but I cannot remember the title to save my life!
Thank you! I will google Adrienne Reich..!
I love this post! And the idea of the exhibitions. Such an inspiring way to look at motherhood.
Thank you so much Helen x
Such a lovely post and what a fabulous idea. I feel like I know you so much better now :-D
Thank you Lou, that’s really lovely x The exhibition is wonderful.
This means more to me than you know right now. I really am having a hard time and this just brought back to me the reasons why us Mums do this! Thank you for linking to PoCoLo xx
Thank you Vicky, I’m so sorry you’re having a hard time, but I’m glad this post meant something to you x Thanks for hosting x
Love this so so much. I can relate to this hugely especially at the moment. Your words are going to hold deep with me. I love the end quote. Parenting is such an amazing blessing & privilege. Still learning…me too. Feeling a bit more confident in my mama skills after reading this and nodding at all the multi tasking and definitions we acquire as mummys. Xxx
Thank you so much, I’m glad you could relate to the post. It’s a tough job, and I think we sometimes forget/don’t give ourselves credit for how hard. But so rewarding :)
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