BEING PRESENT THIS MOTHERS DAY

This Mother’s Day we sat down and spoke with our Co-Founders Claire Tregoning and Pip Edwards about the lessons we have learnt during COVID-19 and what we are taking form this for the future…

Here’s how…

1.) It must be difficult running a company, working full time and being a full time mother. The juggle has always been real but how are you doing it now during COVID?
CLAIRE : It has definitely been a struggle, luckily I have my husband at home to share the struggle so I can get things done! It’s such a crazy time and the kids have been on holidays which made it easier. Rolling into home schooling again is almost impossible with a 5 and 7 yr old and trying to work... everyone is feeling it!
PIP : The one thing that works in my favour is that now Justice is in Year 8, his online schedule is super methodical and the classes replicate his real school process, so we both sit at our dining table opposite each other and “work”. Because we are both on our laptops, we are getting the work done, and I’m right there to be available to help him with any questions. Whilst there is even more of a juggle and a distraction, we are doing it together, so it’s manageable – except when he throws curve ball questions !!!! I effectively have to work to the school timetable of start times, morning recess and lunch, just to keep Justice and I in sync, but it’s been hard to sometimes attend meetings and deadlines, when I have to make sure Justice is also set up and under control. Parent, Teacher, and business owner is quite the combo !!!!!

2. What have you tried doing with your kids during COVID that is new to you?
CLAIRE : Making them tidy up constantly hahahhaa lots of walks, I’d usually go on my own but to get them out of the house and moving they now want to come with me.
PIP : We both have started cooking !!!! Something both of us never really did before. He has enjoyed chopping the veggies, and working the fry pan – and that’s about it !!!! We like to cook to our favourite music and it turns into a fun activity. Justice has definitely picked up the slack and helps with the household chores of cleaning the kitchen, stacking and unpacking the dishwasher and taking out the garbage. He was slightly hopeless with these chores before, but now can see how much it helps, seeing as we are spending all our time at home!! We have also been trying to exercise together, whether we go for daily walks, or try to do a circuit in the backyard … the operative word is “try”.

3. What has been the upside?
C CLAIRE : Not travelling and being home with my family and really enjoying this time together. My husband travels for his work so both being locked down has been amazing.
PIP : To have this precious and focused time with Justice has been incredible. To not be rushed off my feet with travel, or the pressure of physically being in the office, we are now more in sync than ever, and really have got to a whole new level – our dynamic is even tighter than before.

4. What has been the most challenging?
CLAIRE : I think the home schooling and what is required of the parents to do while still working full time, the expectations the teachers have of the amount of work is a bit ridiculous…
PIP : The amount of time, being in each other’s faces, in a small apartment has been super testing. Justice loves basketball so much and hasn’t been able to play, so it’s been hard to burn his energy, and managing his sadness around not shooting hoops has been super hard.

5. What have you learnt during this time?
CLAIRE : That teachers need to be paid more !!! And that my daughter doesn’t have separation anxiety, she just really likes me.
PIP : To slow down, take a breath, no need to react, enjoy the peace and quiet, and to sit with myself on the couch and think and reflect has been just what I’ve needed for some much needed perspective.

6. What lessons are you going to hold onto once we are through this phase?
CLAIRE : I think the home schooling and what is required of the parents to do while still working full time, the expectations the teachers have of the amount of work is a bit ridiculous…
PIP : The amount of time, being in each other’s faces, in a small apartment has been super testing. Justice loves basketball so much and hasn’t been able to play, so it’s been hard to burn his energy, and managing his sadness around not shooting hoops has been super hard.

7. How are you celebrating this Mother’s Day?
CLAIRE : What day is it? Ummmm, maybe a long walk and some breaky or family movie day on the couch with a heap of popcorn and some wine....
PIP : To be at home, with Justice, cooking lunch and chilling in the garden. It’s become my new favourite norm.

8. It must be difficult running a company, working full time and being a full time mother. The juggle has always been real but how are you doing it now during COVID?
CLAIRE : It has definitely been a struggle, luckily I have my husband at home to share the struggle so I can get things done! It’s such a crazy time and the kids have been on holidays which made it easier. Rolling into home schooling again is almost impossible with a 5 and 7 yr old and trying to work... everyone is feeling it!
PIP : The one thing that works in my favour is that now Justice is in Year 8, his online schedule is super methodical and the classes replicate his real school process, so we both sit at our dining table opposite each other and “work”. Because we are both on our laptops, we are getting the work done, and I’m right there to be available to help him with any questions. Whilst there is even more of a juggle and a distraction, we are doing it together, so it’s manageable – except when he throws curve ball questions !!!! I effectively have to work to the school timetable of start times, morning recess and lunch, just to keep Justice and I in sync, but it’s been hard to sometimes attend meetings and deadlines, when I have to make sure Justice is also set up and under control. Parent, Teacher, and business owner is quite the combo !!!!!