Mum's the word: play time is over

This could be the start of something special – a series of weekly, maybe even more frequent (but let’s not get too carried away!), blogs based on beauty, life and what it is to be a mum.
Having said that, this could also be a one-off blog because, despite being eager to find a route to release my working-mum-of-two ramblings, actually having two children under the age of three leaves little time for writing (shopping lists included!).
The ‘Mum’s the word’ title comes from the slightly unnerving realisation that there are many, many aspects of being a mum that fellow mums fail to share. And these are things that if you’d have known you may have prolonged your blissfully peaceful pre-kids life. It’s as if there exists a kind of Code of Silence and I’ll be honest with you, I do worry slightly that I may not be privy to this Code and therefore may be breaking the rules by daring to share previously guarded insights and information into motherhood and all its many evils. But hey, you only live once so here goes…
[Just a quick aside before I start…for those of you who don’t have children, please don’t be put off thinking this blog is simply going to be a moaning mum’s musings (although I’m sure I’ll have my moments), it’s more so a blog about beauty and life from the perspective of a 32-year-old (okay, nearly 33 but let’s not go there) female who juggles a full-time job in online publishing, with caring for two adorable (sometimes) children.]
So today is my first day back in bh HQ after taking three months maternity leave for the birth of my second bub Johnny. Many of you may even remember me from previous blogs. I know at least one of you noticed my disappearance: when the lovely Kate took it upon herself to update the About Us page she asked you what you would like to know about the bh team and a lovely member responded with, “where has Leanne gone?” I have to admit I was more than a little chuffed to know that my lack of presence didn’t go unnoticed, so thanks Mum!
On the topic of mums and returning to work, I’m interested to know what tips you can give me on how to limit the breakfast time chaos. How do you stay calm when your toddler throws her cereal at you? What fast beauty fixes ensure you get out the door on time?
32 Member Comments
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so cute! and great article!
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I'm not a mum but I imagine that being organised will help greatly. Get your wardrobe ready the night before and everything packed so you can speed up the time getting ready in the mornings.
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My toddler gets fruit toast on mornings that I have to go to work. This limits the mess and amount of clean up I have to do. I lay out his clothes and pack his daycare bag the night before. Makeup and hair has to be minimal and easy. You can always touch up at work. So many awesome tips above.
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Congratulations. Your toddler is so cute.
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Welcome Back! Congrats on the safe arrival of Johnny!
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Hi Leanne, great to see you back at bh :) Not sure if I have any helpful tips for you atm but will post back here when i think of some. Do agree with Princess Perfume's tip about putting baby in a rocker etc in the bathroom with you so you caan shower, do quick makeup etc and know that they are safe and happy, thats a tried and trusted technique. Enjoyed reading your blog here and look forward to many more!
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Welcome back Leanne! Your bub is so cute, enjoy your motherhood!
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Welcome back Leanne. i don't know if this will help but I used to put my baby in a rocker in the bathroom with me with something to chew on in order to complete my beauty regimen. I also washed my hair the night before so I'd just have to tidy it up a little in the morning. Make your lunch the night before and perhaps try wearing an apron during feed times to combat food flicking!
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Nice article, thanks for that.
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Hi Leanne! I havent got kids, but I agree with preparing the nigt before! Melmeko that huge sheet tip is great, I can imagine that would help heaps. You could try just putting the make-up basics on in the morning (foundation etc.) and then take the rest to work with you and apply it there. Sorry I cant be of more help!
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Hi Leanne, You are doing a great job! I am a mother of two and it can get crazy sometimes. As far as beauty goes, I always am up at least 30-60mins before the kids get up and put my makeup on and pants for the day. I dont put my top on until after we have had breakfast because sometimes it ends up on my top hehehe. I also have a beauty bag with mascara, lipgloss, eyeshadow and foundation in my bag and car, so that I can quickly apply if I dont have time to do it at home. Good luck with it all. It does get better with time! Hope to read more blogs from you!
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I hope this is going to be a regular blog - I'm looking forward to reading the tips. As yet I don't really have any - my bub is still on the boob so breakie is easy and if i know I have to be out of the house early I lay out his and my clothes so I can change us both, have breakfast and race out the door.
I'm really keen to see how people have maintained their beauty routines. I think I have only applied body moisturiser maybe 3 times in the last 6 months. And my cleansing rountines is no longer a routine! I used to cleanse and tone twice a day, scrub twice a week and put a mask on once a week...now if I manage to cleanse 4 times in a week its a good week!
One tip - I often use baby wips as cleansing wipes - they are much cheaper than cleansing wipes and are designed to be gentle on sensitive skin and these days they are always on hand!
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Welcome back Leanne, I have found that children change with age, but it is ALWAYS a struggle to get out the house on time. My routine is based on getting them ready first, feeding them breakfast and then I spend whatever time is left on myself. Most of my dilemma's have been when I have given the children a choice for breakfast, or clothes etc so now I make the decisions, yes there will be be protests but it is still a faster process than fixing different meals or waiting for children to pick their own clothes etc.
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Welcome back Leanne, I have found that children change with age, but it is ALWAYS a struggle to get out the house on time. My routine is based on getting them ready first, feeding them breakfast and then I spend whatever time is left on myself. Most of my dilemma's have been when I have given the children a choice for breakfast, or clothes etc so now I make the decisions, yes there will be be protests but it is still a faster process than fixing different meals or waiting for children to pick their own clothes etc.
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Hi again, Some great tips girls. Yes, the whole getting dressed then having to feed bub can be an issue when he/she throws up on you. Wearing an oversized shirt is a good option Kapshepsutt and yes, doing whatever you can the night before is definitely on the agenda. Thanks for all the ideas x
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Don't try to be super mum, be organized as you can and take up offers of help. This time goes by so quickly try to slow down whenever you can and enjoy them because tomorrow they will be teenagers and out the door.
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I have to agree with the previous comments - if you eat with them it makes it a lot better. My daughter is never naughty with her cereal, she's actually really good and almost not messy at all, so I guess I'm lucky in that way, but I know if I have another one it'll be the complete opposite :) Also, preparing everything in the evening is awesome, if you get the day care bag ready and find some clothes for both you and bub it makes it so much easier! I also have a shower before bedtime so in the morning I still feel fresh and I can get into the make up almost straight away lol :) Normally just a bit of blush, concealer, lip gloss and one coat of mascara go a long way!!! Good luck, I can't imagine how hard it must be with more than one child...Or perhaps I can but I'm in denial haha....
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When my daughter was little, I found that the more things I could sort the night before the better the mornings were. I always packed her bag for daycare, my bag for work, laid out all the clothes etc. After a couple of disasters, I also learned to dress her and then myself at the last minute just before leaving home to catch the bus (so I didn't wear breakfast). It didn't always work, but being super organised really helped. Good luck with it all Leanne.
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Hi, I think sometimes it works well when you sit with them and eat, that way you can spend time together in the morning, i always try to have everything possible organised the night before to limit the rush hr, i use tinted mouisteriser with SPF and mascarawith a little eyeshadow and liner, it's quick and easy, my kids are pretty good as they are 6 & 15 so they help eachother.
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Hi Leanne! I completely understand the 7-9am rush hour! One thing I do to combat a big problem of refusing breakfast of my just-turned-six kindergartener in getting her off to school, is getting a 'snack bag' ready for the car trip to school every morning so atleast she has sometinng solid in her tummy. She happily snack's on the way to school then and I'm happy she's atleast had some form of breakfast. In the snack bag I vary it's contents - carrot sticks, plain Salada crackers, vegemite sandwich, home-popped popcorn, cereal (without the milk of course!!).
I find this is such a good 'trick' to get her to eat in the morning and it also saves me time serving her up a breakfast which she just won't eat anyhow. Saves me and her lots of stress too.
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Hey Leanne! Great picture, your bub is so cute :) and welcome back ! I'd suggest something like thin lizzy...the 6-in-one powder---only joking! We all know that it's a fad anyway. On a more serious note, I think a good lip/cheek tint (like a one in a tin or a pen) is great for on-the-go as it only requires your fingers and is easy to blend. Hehe I noticed your absense too Leanne but I didn't want to sound like a nutter and ask where you were because I thought you had moved to a different sector of BH lol.
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Good to have you back at BH Leanne. What a little cutie in the pic. Look forward to seeing more posts from you about beauty, life and being a mum. I'm a mum of just one at the moment and know the challenges us mum's are faced with on a daily basis. I love to be organised and work on a schedule but that's just not practical sometimes when your child decides to chuck a tantrum. I've learnt to go with the flow a bit more and not stress about leaving the house in a mess or deal with a child flicking their cereal at you. I try and pack a bag the night before if I have to leave early in the morning and then pack a few extra essentials in the morning. If breakfast is a challenge I pack a banana and some additional food and we can eat on the run. A powdered compact is now my best friend. Always on the quest for the perfect compact which has great cover, staying power, doesn't cake on the skin and takes less than 60 seconds to apply. Leanne once again welcome back :)
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