The intention behind this blog series is to shine a light on different family structures, ways in which both mums & dads, single mums, single dads, homosexual couples all connect with their little ones.

It is about how we do so with simplicity, elaborately or maybe how we don’t do it much at all and how we can work on it. I wanted to also shine a light on how we can also do the same with each other as a couple as well as ourselves as individuals.

Episode Five:

Introducing the effervescent, beautiful Sara, the Creative Director and Founder of Teepee Learning. You’ll often find her running around behind the scenes of her inspiring online business in between life with her two boys. Her philosophy in life and business is simple, it started with her old fascination and love of Teepee’s and her passion for learning. Not just as a child but always.

Name and Age– Sara Stace 31

Children/Child/Infants Name and Age– Hudson 5 Vander 2

Relationship Status- Married

What do you do? I am a Mama to two beautiful boys and I run my own small business online called Teepee Learning.

How has becoming a parent changed you?

In every way possible. Giving birth to a baby and having that baby depend on you night and day, everyday, is life changing. How can it not be? Parenting the first time round was sprung on me by my gorgeous surprise Hudson so I wouldn’t say I was ready for it (but are you ever!?) I find I am less self absorbed compared to my younger years, I find I care less about trivial and superficial talk/ways of living and more about finding new ways to live a balanced, healthy and meaningful life with my family. I also have come across so many feelings and emotions that I had never had in the past before children. Some bad, such as anxiety and some wonderful such as “how the hell did I make this beautiful little human?!”

What do you do to connect with your little ones?

My two year old is finally into books! This has made me so happy as now he loves to jump up on my lap and read with me and his brother each day. We find time each week to go looking for lizards and bugs and out into the open space that nature has provided us near our home. I connect with the boys so deeply when we are out as a family doing this.

How do you create present parenting within your home?

This is a challenge sometimes. It doesn’t come naturally to me not to be stressing about the future and thinking about the past. But these feelings that I am an expert at (mum guilt, stressing, worrying) are never serving me in a positive way so I am slowly letting them go and it feels so GOOD! With the help of a partner who I find very calming for me and all the spiritual practices I do I am learning that being in the present moment works wonders for the family home. You can remain calmer, be less stressed about all the small stuff that really means nothing, and you can have more space to love more.
Do you connect with your partner regularly ie. Date night or day? At home or out?

We come together each night and at the very least have a little chat about our day or watch a program together. Holding hands in bed with a soft natural lamp on is bliss. Date nights have been few and far between. As the boys are getting a bit older we have been on more and I treasure them so much! We always try to go and have at the very least a nice meal that we didn’t have to cook!

Do you connect with yourself regularly ie. Self care rituals?

I sure do and without them I am a mess. I am an extrovert who loves people and talking a lot however if I don’t get my own space regularly to recharge alone I just don’t cope. I love yoga at home (as I can’t really fit in classes at the moment with my budget) I love putting some calming music on in the background and doing breathing practices with a nice spray or essential oil. (Bliss), I love a cup of tea and nice chocolate in bed with a book! I find a glass or two of red wine with some cheese while cooking and playing with the boys in the arvo is self care! If you have to do all these tedious chores why not make them enjoyable. Music is a must! I treasure and soak in these practices every week and adore them. Self care is a must for mums!!! My current escape is training for the Gold Coast half marathon and even though I love the runners high you get I secretly can’t wait for it to be over!

Any words of wisdom for those that are new to being a parent, ways in which they can connect with their little ones? Ways in which they can find time for themselves and each other?

Number one would be start making time to get LESS busy! If you can’t do it all…don’t! Drop things off and say NO regularly until you have enough time for your priorities e.g.: family, sleep, eating right, spiritual practices. Purge, regularly. Not just in the real world but the social media world too. You can’t connect properly or be present with your children or partner if Facebook or Instagram is stressing you out and you’re on it all the time. We all say we don’t have enough time together but really we all have 24hrs in the day so make yours as busy or as not busy as you like. Even if it’s a slow process make.life.more.simple. In order to connect.