The Mama Perspective | Motherhood and Maternal Wellbeing

A space for real stories, shared experiences and modern motherhood.

The voice behind the blog

Natasha is a mum of two little boys and the voice behind The Mama Perspective. Passionate about maternal mental health and self-care, she writes honestly about the highs, lows, and healing moments of motherhood.
  • Our First Holiday as a Family of Four

    Our First Holiday as a Family of Four

    There’s something special about a “first” as a family. Whether it’s your first Christmas, your first day out with two little ones, or your first holiday together, they’re the moments that stay with you forever. This month, we ticked off another family first as the four of us – Mummy, Daddy, Freddy and Jack – headed to Menorca for our very first holiday as a family of four.

    Choosing somewhere family-friendly is always a must for us, and this year Menorca caught our eye. We booked a package holiday with Jet2 and stayed at Club Aguamarina, hoping it would be the perfect place for two little boys to burn off some energy while we made some special family memories. Water slides, bouncy castles and inflatables, four pools, right by the beach, what more could we want?

    For weeks beforehand, Freddy was counting down the days. Every single morning he’d wake up and tell us exactly how many sleeps were left until we were getting on the “Jet2 Holidays” plane so he could play on the beach. Seeing his excitement build made us even more excited to go.

    Then, before we knew it, the early morning alarm arrived. Somehow, both boys were awake, happy, and ready for the adventure ahead. Airport mornings with children are never quite as glamorous as they sound, but seeing their excitement made every early start worthwhile. Oh, and I’d be lying if I said the plane journey each way was smooth. Wow, our one year old just wanted to be on the move and was like a little ninja whenever he had to be sat on our knee with his seat belt on.

    We’ve travelled before with Freddy when he was younger, but this holiday felt completely different. Back then, we had a baby who was almost two. This time we had a confident four-year-old and an adventurous one-year-old, each with completely different needs. We quickly found ourselves dividing throughout the day, with one of us entertaining Freddy while the other chased after Jack. It definitely felt like a whole new parenting experience.

    One of my favourite parts of the holiday was watching Freddy grow in confidence. He fearlessly tackled the big water slides, became the family air hockey and pool champion (with a little help from daddy!), and took his role as big brother so seriously.

    He proudly pushed Jack’s pram around the hotel, made sure his little brother had fruit at breakfast, and even tried to help him get dressed. Watching their bond grow is one of the greatest joys of being their mummy, and this holiday gave us so many little moments I’ll always remember.

    Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and smiles. There were tired moments, a few meltdowns, and the occasional wind up between brothers – because that’s real life with young children. But those moments were so heavily outweighed by the laughter, the splashing in the pool, and the excitement on their faces every single day.

    Going all-inclusive was definitely the right choice for us. Lunchtimes were usually spent at the pizza corner and burger bar, while the main restaurant kept everyone happy at breakfast and lunch. Jack was more than happy to eat whatever was on mummy and daddy’s plates too – apparently pasta Bolognese and cake taste even better when they’re someone else’s!

    It’s funny how much holidays change as you grow up. Eighteen-year-old me measured a good holiday by the number of cocktails I’d had and how much of a tan I’d come home with. Now, as a mum, holidays look completely different. It’s unlimited coffees to keep up with two busy boys, constant refills of water and juice, endless applications of sun cream, chasing little feet around the pool, and collapsing into bed at the end of the day with a full heart and really tired body!

    This holiday wasn’t about switching off or relaxing by the pool. It was about making memories, watching our boys experience new adventures, and seeing the world through their eyes. Those are the moments that make every early morning, every suitcase to unpack, and every snack to stop grumpiness worth it.

    Our first holiday as a family of four is one we’ll never forget. Me and Danny have hesitated if we can do it all over again but of course we will – regardless of tantrums, we always want our boys’ to have the best memories we can possibly make.

    Have you been on your first holiday as a family of four? I’d love to know where you went and any tips you’d share for travelling with two little ones!

  • Changing My Perspective on Working Out

    Changing My Perspective on Working Out

    I used to think going to the gym meant I needed to look glamorous in the latest gym wear, with no sign of a red face. I suppose Instagram has played a part in creating that image. I also used to see exercise as just another chore to tick off the list. But somewhere along the way, my perspective has changed. Motherhood and age are possible factors to seeing things differently. 

    Going to the gym has become a non-negotiable for me. The benefits for both my mind and body are just too important to ignore. It took until I was a year postpartum with my second child before I really started taking it seriously. I’d been to the gym before, but I never had a proper routine. I’d simply turn up and do the bits I enjoyed.

    Then I realised that if I wanted to see real results, I had to push myself outside my comfort zone. And it turns out, that’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.

    I’ve started making time to look after me. That means prioritising my health, but it also means making space for a little social life too – even if it’s just catching up with a friend once a month.

    Even my relationship with alcohol has changed. Danny and I went out for a meal last night and had two whole child-free hours together, feeling like the couple who fell in love all those years ago. I enjoyed a big bowl of spaghetti carbonara (obviously!) and… a mocktail. And I loved it.

    I’ve become much more protective of my energy too – who I spend it on and where I invest it. My family, my health, and my fitness come first.

    I live with a few medical conditions and take medication daily. My blood pressure is under control, my thyroid is hopefully finally balanced again after baby number two, and my weight is gradually coming down, helping me feel more like myself again. Nothing drastic. Just small, consistent steps.

    These days, I actually look forward to going to the gym. Makeup-free, hair in a messy bun, embracing the red face and the sweat because they remind me I’ve worked hard. Danny, my husband, helps me stick to a routine, and I now train three times a week with a legs, push, and pull split – not just the exercises I’d have stayed comfortably within a couple of years ago.

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to do more for you. Do what makes you feel good. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s journey. Your pace, your routine, your goals – they’re enough.

    As mums, we’re so used to putting everyone else’s needs before our own that we often forget we matter too. But when I make time to look after my body and mind, I’m not taking anything away from my family, I’m giving them the very best version of me.

    I’m stronger, healthier, happier, and more present than I’ve been in a long time. Not because I’ve reached a certain weight or hit a fitness goal, but because I finally changed my perspective.

    And that has made all the difference.

  • Keeping Your Relationship Alive After Kids

    Keeping Your Relationship Alive After Kids

    When you become parents, everything changes. The early days of parenthood are a beautiful blur of sleepless nights, endless nappies, feeding baby and trying to keep your tiny little humans alive. When we got to a certain point in our firstborn’s (Freddy) life, we were sure that we wanted to try for a second baby. And how lucky are we to know that we now have two beautiful boys?! 

    With two children to care for, our time and energy naturally shifted towards them. Our days became filled with school/nursery runs, thinking about what to cook for tea again, bedtime routines and the constant juggle of family life, while we both work full-time too. Somewhere amongst all of that, it became easy to put our relationship on the bottom of the list. Not because we don’t care about each other, but because some days are just so draining.

    I think this is something many parents experience. We spend so much time being mummy and daddy that we sometimes forget how important it is to still be husband and wife.

    Lately, we’ve been making a conscious effort to change that. Nothing dramatic. No grand gestures or expensive date nights. Just small, intentional moments together. Sometimes it’s sitting down in the evening and watching a TV series together (we’re fans of The Rookie). Sometimes it’s cuddling up on the couch after having some food together, and enjoying it all without distractions, even if that’s for only about 20 minutes at times. 

    One of my favourite things has been making the most of the days we’re both working from home and sharing our lunch break together. It might only be thirty minutes, but those little pockets of time help us stay as us for a little while. And sometimes we alternate that time for the gym, working out together helps me feel a little more confident and it’s also something else we get to do together while the kids are in nursery and school. 

    What I’ve realised is that keeping your relationship alive doesn’t have to mean finding hours of free time that don’t exist. It’s about making the most of the moments you do have. 

    I’m making more of an effort to hug Danny whenever I can, tell him I love him, and that I’m proud of him.!

    These things might seem small, but they matter.

    Parenthood can sometimes make you feel like you’re constantly giving pieces of yourself to everyone else. Taking time to dedicate to your relationship is important. It doesn’t mean you’re putting being a mum or dad second. In fact, you’re showing your kids what a happy and real relationship can look like and it creates a stronger foundation for the whole family.

    We’re not perfect at it, and there are still days when the tiredness wins. But we’re learning that even small efforts can make a big difference. Because one day, the boys will be older and need us a little less. Back to the start like when we were a couple buying our first house together only this time as mum and dad. We’ve got to make these years count for something. 

    And that’s a relationship and family worth pouring all of my heart into. 

Anxiety Confidence Family Mental Health Mindset Motherhood Parenthood Positivity Postpartum Pregnancy Self Esteem Wellness