So I know we like to focus on the nice things in life here on Finlay Fox - shopping, cool clothes, gifts and treats for ourselves and kiddies - but the main reason for that is to make our lives a little bit happier each day as parenthood can be SO TOUGH! I know that when I had Finn I had NO IDEA how much my life would change and be all consumed by baby. Each and every minute of every day was such a challenge. Don't get me wrong I LOVE it, especially now I know what the hell I'm doing, but it's nice to find comfort from other mums and their experiences, especially honest ones. This post is about those other honest mums I think rock and who have some great bits to read to cheer you up on those tough days when all your child has eaten is rice cakes, it takes 3 hours to leave the house and you are juggling a baby or toddler in between trying to have some kind of life!
There is an ocean of 'mummy blogs' to choose from and it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Here is an edit of some of my favourite bloggers and websites to help you realise you are not alone! Please follow and support these amazing mamas and their honest opinions. I would also love to hear from you about which ones you read and which stories you relate to (please feel free to leave comments in the comment box below).
*Please note the above images are taken from some of the websites mentioned below. Left to Right - Jenny Scott from Mothers Meetings, Cartoon from Hurrah for Gin, Charlotte from I'm only Saying What you're thinking, How to be a Hip Mama without losing your Cool by Jenny Scott, Molly from Selfish Mother, Quote from Mother Pukka, Clemmie from Gas and Air Blog, Cartoon from Hurrah for Gin, Ruth From The Uphill.
Selfish Mother www.selfishmother.com
A blogzine for women all written by different mothers - a great space that shares honest experiences and what we are really thinking as parents - a funny and supportive community to visit . My favourite articles have been How the hell am I going to cope with 2 kids, 20 things I didn't know before I had kids and Making a mumback.
They also sell the brilliant (and much instagrammed) Mother tees and sweats - all profits go to Women for Women International - an amazing charity that helps women in war torn regions rebuild their lives through training programmes.
Hurrah for Gin www.hurrahforgin.com
This is my most recent find and I'm hooked - a hilarious blog written by Brighton based mum Katie, it's a humorous and real account of parenting without the sugar coating. Her cartoons are so original and they really hit the honest spot with me. You will have a right old chuckle at some of her posts, everything from The Seven Stages of Sleep deprivation to Doing Time at Soft Play. She also sells brilliant alternative cards on her Etsy shop here, I'm still chuckling now!! Stock up for your new mum friends who don't take themselves too seriously ha ha
My Milo and Me www.mymiloandme.com
I met the lovely Susie and her gorgeous boy Milo at a Mothers Meeting event in the summer. She's a freelance journalist and now has a successful blog called My Milo and Me. I love her honest accounts in all their details from S.A.B (Sex after birth), Why becoming a Parent can make you less of a dick to 9 things that get me through the day as a mum. She speaks really personally and there is a lot to relate to here - especially if you have a younger baby.
Mother Pukka www.motherpukka.co.uk
'Parenting the shit out of life'. Journalist, editor and writer Anna Whitehouse set up this portal for news, events, reviews and honest comment for people who happen to be parents. If you do only thing thing today please watch her videos they are fu**in hilarious and will cheer up your day!
Written by model Ruth Crilly, (she also has a massive following for her blog This Model Recommends) this is more of an online diary of her experiences of being pregnant and then having her baby, Angelica. We love her honest posts on baby awake time, breastfeeding and the post baby gut with regular body updates.
Gas and Air Blog www.gasandairblog.com
This is the site for you if you want to read some birth stories - not for everyone I know! Written by cool midwife Clemmie (mama to two girls with twins on the way), you can also find her on Instagram as midwifeyhooper. She has a book coming out in Spring 2017 and I know from friends that have used her as a midwife she is brilliant and a total inspiration to all mums (especially her cool hair!).
Mothers Meetings www.mothers-meeting.com /How to be a Hip Mama without Losing your Cool
I wish I had discovered mothers meetings on my first maternity leave. I went to a few of their events this summer and it truly is a great way to speak to and meet other mums who have or want to set up their own business, blog or just have an honest chat about motherhood! Set up by creative Jenny Scott, it's a forum to meet new mums and they have everything from Business meetings with inspirational special guest speakers, netwalking events to new brand launches. Most events you can even take your baby to as well. Sign up on their website and Instagram feed to be in the know of the latest events.
Jenny also has a book out - How to be a Hip Mama without Losing your Cool - filled with advice from the world's coolest mums to inspire and motivate you. A great gift for a new mama.
I'm Only Saying What you're thinking www.onlysayingwhatyourethinking.blogspot.co.uk
About motherhood and stuff - the brutal truth. She's a cool mum, she's about to pop with her second and she's really not enjoyed being pregnant! Charlotte writes about pregnancy and motherhood and how awful it can be, because you never really get told how bad it is sometimes.
The Double Mama www.thedoublemama.com
All about motherhood - interviews with hip mamas, pregnancy diaries and birth stories. You'll also find a whole host of other mummy bloggers to check out.
Not so Smug Now www.notsosmugnow.com
No bullshit baby tales. Her About section alone is filled with witty, refreshingly honest observations on pregnancy, parenting and life.
Motherland.net www.motherland.net
An online magazine for women who happen to be mums with features, fashion, food, travel and culture. I especially like their article Mumtrepreneurs: A New Economic Powerhouse? Mamas are taking over the world!