TALKING PRE-NATAL WITH KIRSTEN STANLEY
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF…
I grew up on a farm in WA. When I finished school, I moved over to Milan and Paris and modelled over there for about 8 months. When I came back to Australia I moved over to Melbourne and found myself settling in Geelong with my now husband Rhys. We’ve recently bought a farm in Moriac, which we are in love with and hope to someday soon start building our dream home out there for our kids to grown up in. I love being in Geelong, I love the quiet side of it and being by the beach and the farm. I need that fresh air to balance with some busy days in Melbourne.
WHAT OR WHO DO YOU DEFINE AS YOUR CORE PURPOSE?
Being the best version of myself and of course, being the best mum and wife, sister, daughter, friend I can be. I always want my kids and husband to feel like they can come to me to chat about anything, especially with Rhys career there are so many ups and downs, it’s so important he feels comfortable coming home if he needs to vent. Again, it’s cliché but you just want them to be happy!
YOU’RE CURRENTLY PREGNANT WITH YOUR SECOND CHILD, HAS THIS PREGNANCY BEEN ANY DIFFERENT FOR YOU
Yes, very different! I’m certain It’s another boy, however for my first 20 weeks I had bad morning sickness. I’m also more tired this time around. I think for the second pregnancy everything goes quicker, because I’m constantly running around after Jagger, and you’re on their clock, I feel it’s important to make sure you get that down time to yourself and with your partner at the end of the day.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THE EXPECTING MOTHERS OUT THERE?
Have confidence in yourself and back your own maternal instincts, no one knows your baby like you do and remember it is OK to have bad days, you’ll have plenty of them, you’ll want to cry at the end of day, when cooking dinner is the last straw and that’s ok. Regardless, the love you have for your kids nothing in the world even comes close to so it will be ok!
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO KEEP MOVING WHILST PREGNANT AND AT HOME?
Long walks, it’s the easiest way to get Jagger out and give him some fresh air. I enjoy Pilates. It’s the best when being pregnant as you can manage your weaker areas properly and make sure you’re keeping up your strength in your glutes. I’ve had bad back pain this pregnancy therefore keeping my strength in my legs and glutes has been a key. My arms get a workout lifting Jagger haha.
IF YOU CAN, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR YOU EVERY DAY?
If I can, I like to go for a walk or a run (when I’m not pregnant), I love getting up in the mornings doing some form of exercise then getting a coffee and organising my day.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE THROUGH MOTHERHOOD?
There are no rules to how you parent, you do you! Make sure you stick to your gut instinct, don’t let anyone else tell you how to parent. Resilience is also a key! You’ll have so many good and bad days and being able to be resilient helps. You learn a lot of patience whilst being a parent.
WHAT SPARKS JOY IN YOU?
My family and friends, you can’t put a price on spending time with your family especially when you have kids of your own. Nothing is better than hearing/seeing them laugh and making them happy, it’s a cliché, but it’s true! Also, the country side and being by the beach. We love going out to our farm. It just makes you appreciate the little things in life and takes my anxiety away when things get a bit hard, especially during this crazy time we are all experiencing.