1. Please introduce yourself: Name, what do you do & how many children you have.
I’m Claire, I moved to London when I was 18 to study and never left. I have two amazing children Sam (5) and Eva (2) and a super supportive Husband, Chris. I own and manage Swimming Rocks, a swim school offering lessons for babies, children and adults. We launched in 2009 and I’m super proud that we have a reputation as being one of London’s best swim schools. As well as running Swimming Rocks, I’m also the co-designer of an award winning swim product called ‘Pool Platforms’. We now sell our product to swim schools globally. And we have a few exciting ‘secret projects’ lined up for 2018/19!!!
2. How do you manage to juggle work and life balance as a mother?
My job is quite demanding of my time but there are two things that I have been insistent upon:
Firstly, I work from home on Friday’s and spend the day doing activities with Eva (trying to fit in some emails in-between). I wasn’t able to take much maternity leave, so it’s been very important to me to be able to spend this 1:1 time with her. I also did the same with Sam before he started school. I also make sure that I am always home for story and bedtime each night. I do work late into the evenings but I try and make sure this time is just for them.
3.What top tips would you give to any working mum?
Careful forward planning and a good shared family diary! If it’s not in the diary, it isn’t happening. Both myself and my husband have demanding jobs so we share our diaries, both for work and family so we can share our family responsibilities too.
4. What do you love most about London? Do you have a favourite spot with your children?
We are so privileged to be able to live in London. There is so much to do and so many places to explore. We are members at London Zoo, The Natural History Museum and The Tate. It means we can just pop in for a couple of hours….and beat the queues! We also like spending a rainy Saturday at Purple Dragon Members Club. Swimming Lessons, a little play and then a family lunch is the perfect Saturday morning. But for those of you who are happy to venture a little further. We LOVE Bekonscot Model Village about 30mins drive west. Highly recommended! https://www.bekonscot.co.uk
5. How do you define quality ‘me-time’?
I gym or spin 2 or 3 times a week and I also have an amazing reflexologist who comes to my home once a week. It totally levels me and I always sleep well that evening!
6. What is your favourite & least favourite thing about parenthood?
My favourite has to be the cuddles, the kisses, the way they run to me with sheer joy the moment I walk through the door at the end of the day! The ‘first times’ the ‘milestones’ and achievements and their little faces when we go somewhere new. You can’t put it into words really, it’s simply the best! But boy…oh boy…the sleep deprivation, and constant tiredness is something else!
7. Tell us something people don’t know about you.
I’m also a qualified Rugby Under 7’s coach. But actually, I don’t like the sport very much!
8. Given we are all about embracing Motherhood, what advice would you give a first time Mum?
If I could talk to My ‘first time mum’ self, I would say. “Slow down, enjoy those precious first months and don’t will the next stage to happen. You will never get this time back so embrace it!”
9. I’m a mum and……
I’m also Me
I absolutely love being a Mum but sometimes it’s important to connect with who you were before becoming a mum, who you are now and who you want to be!
ORIGINAL ARTICLE – https://www.kensingtonmums.co.uk/motherhood-by-claire-harrison/