Brilliant Mum Feature Week 66
Hello and welcome to the Brilliant Mum Feature. Once a week I will be featuring one mum in a bid to find out more about them and their lives.
If you’d like to take part in this series, simply fill in this form.
This week our brilliant mum feature is Charlie who blogs at Our Altered Life.
Charlie is 39 years old,and in denial about turning 40! She’s from Stoke on Trent and lives with her 12 year old twin boys, and two step children. She’s a part time teacher, public speaker, blogger and founder of a charity called More Than a Face.
In her spare time, Charlie likes going to the gym, walking the dog, drinking gin and eating cheese! Charlie is divorced from her boys dad, but says they’re still a great parenting team. Charlie says she has an incredible fiance called Andrew.
Thanks for taking part Charlie!
Have you always wanted to be a mum?
I dont remember having an urge to become a mother but I know that my partner and I were excited once we decided that we wanted to start a family. We marvelled at the idea of creating a mini human!
How did you feel when your children were born?
Ooooo this is a biggie for me. You might want to make a brew! My twins arrived at 32 weeks and I had to have an emergency C section. Four hours after they were born I was told that Harry had a rare cranio facial condition which meant that he had no eye, eye socket, ear, nostril and a short jaw. Although its clear now looking back on the scans, I had no idea and was totally unprepared as I’d had a great pregnancy and looked after myself really well. I was devastated and felt just guilt and grief instead of the elation and pride I had expected. It was a really tough time.
What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a mum?
Getting through the initial year and learning to forgive myself for something that was never my fault. Being Harrys voice as he is autistic and non verbal too and just being incredibly proud of them both. Oliver is an outstanding young man – thoughtful, considerate and polite. Our altered life has shaped us all into the people we are now and as hard as it is at times, I am grateful for it all.
What are some of your funniest moments to have happened to you as a mum?
I went for a spray tan when my boys were about 6 months old and the girl said as she sprayed me ” oooooo I didnt know you were pregnant! When are you due?” When I replied “I had twins 6 months ago” she clearly looked mortified and there was a bit of awkward silence for a while but I saw the funny side. I stuck with self tanning after that though.
When I was at the butchers once, Harry’s school rang me to say his false eye was coming loose. I said “Just push on the inside of his nose and the eye will pop right out”. The woman serving me just stood with her mouth open till I explained through laughing!
Have there been any situations with your children that you have found difficult to cope with?
Harrys disfigurement and non verbal autism obviously create challenges but making sure that Oliver has my attention too has been really difficult at times and I know I could have done better. I still feel like that at times. Mum guilt around our children is never ending.
What are your dreams and hopes for your children?
I hope that Oliver travels and sees a bit of the world before he settles down. I want him to always follow his instincts and to be honest even when its difficult. I hope that Harry knows how much he is loved, every day.
You can find Charlie online here…
All of Charlie’s social media is @ouralteredlife
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