MUMS IN THE BIZ
No matter what field you work in, motherhood is the toughest! No getting around it or making excuses, it is a fact and we wouldn’t have it any other way. If I can be honest, we just learn how to become even better at multitasking on very little sleep. If we thought we were busy before kids, it’s almost laughable to think we had it tough. The lessons of motherhood is incredible and it’s never ending no matter how old your children get.
As performers we train in jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, singing, acting, drama, you name it and we have done it. There is NO training for motherhood! None what so ever. You can read the books to guide you here and there but everyday is like a mysterious adventure. You never know where it is heading but you can be sure it’ll be an interesting one.
One might say it is a very big juggling act. It’s funny when you first have your child and you have that time off work and you get into a good momentum, but then the countdown to getting back into it can be very daunting. You know how difficult it was when you had to think only for yourself, now you have a little one that is 100% of the time depending on you so you have to start juggling. Again you think, this is ok I have the hang of this now and you find yet another good momentum then bam, your sweet little child decides yeah no Mum that was only going to last a month, I want to change things up and keep you on your toes. Back to the drawing board you go.
Daycare can also be very pricey for some of us that are working off the one income, so when you hear the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” that is so very VERY true.
When you think you get into the swing of things it changes on you all over again, so my advice is to always be prepared the best you can knowing how adaptable you have to be and do what works for you. Everyone (bless them) will want to help with their own opinions which can be very helpful at times, but other times not so much only because you think if their way isn’t working you must be doing it all wrong. Again do what works for you and get used to your own rhythm.
I think in the industry our schedules can always change depending on what you are working on at the time. Like I said at the beginning, you honestly do learn how to master the true essence of multitasking and that every bag you own ends up being a magical Mary Poppins bag with endless supplies for whatever you need.
I promise it’s not always dreadfully difficult, it’s just teaching yourself that balance is key and making sure you look after yourself is the biggest factor no matter what. When you’re at your best, your child will benefit too.
Visit my Instagram page Uncensored and Real to see my LIVE interview with a close friend of mine Rebecca Selley. We go way back and trained together in our performing arts field and moved on into the industry as professionals for many years and still counting. Our topic is about being mums in the biz of the performing arts. Below are videos of Rebecca from The Voice Australia Blind Auditions, the Knockouts and The Finals when she was looking stunningly pregnant with her 2nd child.
