In the lead up to Mother's Day we're sitting down with some inspirational mums to learn a little bit more about them and their journey through motherhood. We sat down with Kate Darvill, mother of 5, including not 1 but 2 sets of twins!
Who’s in your family?
David and I are lucky enough to have five beautiful kids. Matilda and Jack are fraternal twins and are seven and a half years old, Stella and Olive are identical twins who are five and a half and Frida is turning three this month.
What is the biggest challenge of being a mum?
I absolutely love my kids, but gosh being a parent is challenging! I find parenting a huge test of patience. Being a parent is about teaching, and to be a good teacher you need patience, patience to show them the right way to do things - usually a number of times until they learn it themselves - and to really listen to them, which is hard when you are busy and doing ten things at once.
What has been your biggest achievement as a mum?
I think my biggest achievement is a bit of a work in progress.... to raise independent, loving, caring, thoughtful human beings. If I can do that, with the help of my other half, I think I will feel pretty pleased and proud of myself... and them!
What has shocked you the most about being a mum?
I think maybe I thought that by the time we started our family I would have it all figured out and know everything I needed to know about being a mum, but of course you really are working it out and learning on the job. Everyday you are still learning new skills, reflecting on things you could have handled better, to know for next time. But that's also what keeps it interesting.
Your biggest lesson as a mother?
That you can't always get it right. Parenting is tough and some days you aren't always going to make the right call, but the amazing thing is that kids love for their mums and dads is all encompassing and their love is patient and forgiving. And when you realise that you are all just learning along the way, you can be easier on yourself, and enjoy it more.
What one piece of advice would you give someone about to become a parent?
To not wish any of it away. When you are in the thick of it, it's easy to wish they were a bit older and you were out of this "phase", or to simply get caught up in the day to day and not see the little things that are happening around you. But I can already see how fast these first years are flying by and my kids are still little, so I think it's about taking a step back and trying to find the fun in the chaos. Being a mum is crazy hard at times, but mostly it's just bloody awesome and it's the best job I've ever had.
