Motherhood Minis: Bitesize Interviews with Real Mums - Going with the flow with the English family!
Welcome to our third interview of the series, Motherhood Minis, featuring bitesize interviews with real mums. A quick inside look into the lives of our Matchstick Monkey parents and their little ones!
This month for motherhood minis, we’re catching up with the lovely Chantelle English on going with the flow, feeling positive and creating a support network of mums.
Chantelle lives in Essex with her husband Ricky, toddler Zac and their two cats. Chantelle also runs her own blog The English Family, offering tips, reviews and news on parenting, lifestyle, travel and everything in between.
Chantelle, what are your favourite aspects of being a parent?
My favourite but is watching him meet his milestones. Every time he learns something new it just amazes me!
Of all the baby stages, which have you found the most challenging?
I have definitely found our current stage the hardest! Now Zac is walking and knows what he wants nowhere is safe! He climbs and falls over a lot, he has tantrums! I was anticipating the newborn stage being hard because of no sleep and so felt prepared for that, but I didn’t expect this part to be so difficult.
How old was Zac when he started to teeth?
8 Months
Did any of your children have symptoms of teething, or did they just come through without a fuss?
Each tooth has been different! Some come through no problem. Some he was in a lot of pain with. Dribbling and bad nappies are usually our main symptoms!
Did you use any teething products? If so, what helped?
Our top teething products are Anbesol liquid and our Matchstick Monkey!
Do you see yourself as an influencer?
Yes
How has your growing Instagram following changed your day to day life?
It has given me a community of friends and a support network that I can rely on all hours of the day! It has also meant that I have more “work" to do, taking and editing photos, writing blogs, speaking with brands etc. But the opportunities that it has given me is definitely worth all of the work.
Why do you think your account has become so popular, is this something you planned from the start?
It definitely isn’t something I planned! I'm not sure why it has become so popular, I just try to be honest and show our day to day lives and also share some insights I have learnt through my career in marketing.
What are your top tips for dealing with the day after a less than restful night?
Try to wake up feeling positive. Have a coffee, write a to-do list to motivate you to still get stuff done and just tell yourself today is going to be a better day.
What was the best advice that you could give to an expectant mum/dad?
Just go with the flow! Don’t stress that things aren't going to plan or that things have changed. Just as you think you have got this parenting thing sussed it will all change.