What will be different this year for mothers day? 

It will be a quiet affair with Ed, Sebastian and myself. A long lunch and keeping warm in Melbourne.  

There will be lots of calls to other significant women in my life - you (of course),my stepmum, mother in law & my grandma. Not being able to see you or them in person and not knowing when I will be able to is really hard however with technology its only only a button away. We will Facetime everyone with Sebastian so he can show them his latest words, tricks and favourite books. We have been doing this so much more whilst in isolation and you don’t realise how much you take travel for granted until you can’t. He is very social however when he has had enough he knows exactly what the red button is for! 

What are some of the challenges of being a mum & isolation?

Being a mum at this time has been really interesting. I have had Sebastian home from daycare for over a month and he will start going back now as we see the curve flattening. He really loves the interaction with other children and learns so much so I think he has missed that. I of course still need to work on pared with the team and get some key tasks done daily. I don't know about other mothers out there but I don't get much done “working from home” with a toddler. 

The silver lining of this time is that i have had to slow down and I have spent so much extra time with Sebastian - doing what he wants to do, watching while he learns - he is learning numbers and colours now and is really taken by nursery rhymes! We have been taking lots of walks to stay sane (carefully avoiding playgrounds because how does a two year old understand why they are closed?) and Melbourne trams and trains zooming past provide hours of entertainment. 

What are some of the things that I taught you that you want to pass onto your child? 

You never allowed to say the words hate or bored in our house growing up. There was always something that you could find to do and you encouraged compassion and kindness over anything else which i hope i can pass down to Sebastian.You were such a high energy parent, always fun, silly and loud. Our house is and was a loud house full of music and activities. I love that you let us discover things for ourselves and gave us the space to make our own mistakes. I definitely want to have a relaxed approach to parenting and give my child and those who care for him some space to breathe. I definitely don’t want to helicopter parent my child.  

Any advice to other mothers out there? 

This is so hard and I am always trying to master it myself but don't compare. Everyone is doing life and motherhood differently. You have to do what works best for you and your child. Also the guilt that comes with being a working mum is very real, but I love my job and I want Sebastian to know that I have the choices to do what works for me. Sebastian has an extended network of friends, family and caregivers that help to shape his world and I am very grateful for the village that helps to raise him.

THE PARED PAIRS QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS FOR SAM’S MUM! 

FAVOURITE COLOUR PAIRING - Red & Turquoise 

FAVOURITE FOOD PAIRING - Toast & Jam 

FAVOURITE MUSICAL DUO - Lennon & McCarthy

FAVOURITE ONSCREEN DUO - Leonardo & Brad in Once Upon a time in Hollywood

FAVOURITE TWO CITIES - Paris & Tuscany

FAVOURITE TWO ITEMS OF CLOTHING - Camilla dresses & Chanel shoes

FAVOURITE PAIR OF PARED - Slip & Slide