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 Six:
Introducing the lovely Tara Samuelson, residing in stunning Northern NSW, married to her high school love and a down to earth mama of four. Tara is the beautiful face behind Tara Samuelson Photography her passion for photography lies within the drive to tell a story through images that will hold lasting memories.
Name and Age– Tara Samuelson 32
Children/Child/Infants Name and Age– Ayva-12 Saige-11 Sunny-6 Junie Peaches- 2
Relationship Status- Married to my high school love.
What do you do? Primary School teacher on a casual basis since having the kids and a Photographer.
How has becoming a parent changed you?
It’s hard to say how parenthood has changed me…. I was told I’d never be able to have kids due to severe endometriosis, however, thankfully, Corey and I became parents pretty young so I guess we were just fumbling through that stage of finding out who we were at the same time as becoming parents. I can remember we were pretty much the first in our circle of friends to start having kids. While we were going to antenatal appointments and getting ultra sounds, our friends were booking wild overseas trips. I believe this time gave me an open mind to understand there is a time and season for everything. I have very vivid memories of sitting at a computer screen, breastfeeding Ayva our first born, whilst watching online tutorials and lectures to complete my bachelor of education. I felt so certain and determined I could finish my course and be a good Mum all at the same time. It wasn’t always easy but it always felt right for us. I guess these are some standout things along the way that have helped shift and change the person I am today.
What do you do to connect with your little ones?
Connecting with our little ones is so different for all 4 of them. For our 12 year old it is all about physical affection, lots of hugs and laughing at her goofy jokes. Also letting her in on some jokes between her Dad and I make her feel very part of the adult world she is fast approaching and sets her up to know how fun love and marriage can be. For our son he is very affectionate also but as cliche as it sounds he loves a good wrestle. He also loves talking about times in the past, when we were younger and his grandparents. He loves hearing old stories about how his Dad and I got together, what music we used to listen to or anything that he can perhaps liken to where he is at. Our 6 year old is a very intense fireball of love! She demands your attention and it’s for all the good things, walks in the garden, reading stories, tickles she is so good for our hearts! Our youngest is at that age where her Mumma is a pretty huge part of her world, she is still very attached to me in the sense that she has to hold one of my boobs (or whats left of them after feeding 4!) nearly every time I pick her up. Every night she falls asleep in our bed, on my chest-just like all 4 of them have done over the years.
How do you create present parenting within your home?
Present Parenting to me, starts from the top- Corey and I love being in each others company, the kids see this and all fight to be part of the action. I feel like the kids see how much we look forward to being together at the end of the day after work/school and they have just learnt that being together and talking the day out is just what you do. We have close to 0 technology at home. We have a very small, old tv that is used to watch AFL games ( my boys are obsessed) and dvds on the weekend. As a photographer a computer and internet are pretty big tools of the trade but we try to keep use of phones/ computer to a minimum- I hate that these things are such a distraction of our generation and am very aware of their presence in our lives.
Do you connect with your partner regularly ie. Date night or day? At home or out?
We don’t really do the whole date night thing, mind you on the occasion it pops up we seize it! Pretty much every night, particularly in Winter our nights revolve around getting the kids to sport training, home, bathed, fed, then into bed. We then sit together by our fire with a glass of red in hand. It’s so important to connect not only on date nights but day to day and not fall trap to monotony in a busy schedule.
Do you connect with yourself regularly ie. Self care rituals?
Self care is not really on my radar with a 2 year old, it’s more us than self ha! I need to get better at it though and Corey is telling me all the time to take time to do something for me. My long hot shower of a night is my ultimate down time/ self care though, that time is Golden!
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?
My biggest advice is not to get hung up on ideals, once you have kids it’s all so day to day- for us it became whatever worked to get us to the end of the day feeling loved and happy. It didn’t always look neat and tidy and routine (in fact never really) but the more we let those ideals go, the more room we had to just be together in whatever form that looked like for that day. This is what brings us ease and contentment in what can be a freaking whirl wind!
