#sharedparentalleave

You know how sometimes time just runs away from you? ⏰⏰⏰ This week has gone so quickly, I barely had time to think let alone be creative. It's also been my fourth week back at work as part of #sharedparentalleave and leaving Lizzie has become a lot easier. I know she's happy with her dad and they have such a great time together. Ben's also become a part of #mumtribe and even got invited for coffee with some mums after one of the classes they do 😊 As for work, I'm really enjoying it 🤓 It helps that my office is in the City, a part of London I've always loved, and that I'm a part of an incredible team. There's hard work, there's banter and all in all a great atmosphere. I'm glad that we decided to do the shared parental leave and that were lucky enough to be able to do it, because it's helped me get back into work and not feel completely left out, and because I've seen the bond between Ben and Lizzie grow stronger from day to day. And I've seen Ben become so much more confident being the primary care giver too. And Lizzie gets the best of both of us and our parenting styles. #familygoals #familylife #thelifestylecollective #channelmumvillage #chattycaptioncommunity #momtribe #mom_hub #momswithcameras #motherhoodunited #motherhoodunplugged #prettysquares #curatedlife #curateyourownfeed #happyeveryday #happyselves #mummyblogger #mummybloggeruk #lifestylephotography #lifestyleblogger #discoverunder10k #projectbabyandme #reallife #mylifeinpictures (at George Earley) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5r4w5hKo0/?igshid=12yum9fgsc1il

TIME or the lack of it. Before Lizzie was born, Ben and I decided we'll do the #sharedparentalleave We both wanted to be able to bond with our baby and because I always thought mums are very hands on, the only way Ben could have full responsibility for Lizzie was with me not being there. So, off to work I went when Lizzie turned seven months old, leaving Ben in charge. And I miss my time with our baby. I now see her in the morning before I leave and I make it home just in time to feed her before bed. But I've no playtime with her, no mealtimes and not a lot of cuddles during the working week. And it's hard. But we can see the benefits. Ben knows what hard work spending 24/7 with a baby is and Lizzie is totally relishing her dad's company and a different style of parenting. And I know how hard going to work is, not seeing your baby and also having to function in a professional world on a minimal amount of sleep. And while time with her is in short supply, I know, it works for us and an that all of us will be much better off for doing this. #projectbabyandme @abilourich #prettycity #prettysquares #prettycitylondon #prettylittlelondon #architecturephotography #prettyeurope #visitlondon #seemycity #travelista #passionpassport #wanderlust #channelmumvillage #mummybloggeruk #mummydiaries #momentsofmine #mom_hub #momswithcameras #motherhoodunited #motherhoodgoals #motherhoodthroughinstagram #motherhoodunplugged #travelblogger (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxS5AFPB9Gm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lti78e0i0n77

Mummy, if I take your handbag, does that mean you'll stay at home? Sharing parental leave it's hard. I miss my baby so much. It's hard for work too as returning for a limited time caught them unawares and there's not much I can do today. So, I'm feeling a bit out of the loop and useless while not spending time with my baby, which makes it harder. But we'll all get there and I'm sure I'll be back into full work more soon (I really hope so!!). So, in the meantime I'll enjoy my hot coffee and lunch while looking at the photos of my perfect munchkin. Happy Monday! #sharedparentalleave #maternityleave #babygirl #momlife #mom_hub #momentsofmine #channelmumvillage #motherhoodunited #motherhoodthroughinstagram #motherhoodunplugged #motheranddaughter #motherhoodmoments #raisinggirls #womeninwork #workingmumlife #parenthood #parentproblems #lifestyle #thelifestylecollective #chattycaptioncommunity #happyselves #happyeveryday #mummyblogger #mummybloggeruk #mummydiaries #mummytribe #mynotsoperfectlife https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1rCTmhu2q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1so9iz2h8qq1s

The #sharedparentalleave starts tomorrow with daddy taking over and me heading back to work for a couple of months. It's a bittersweet moment. While I'm thrilled that Ben takes such an interest in our daughter's life and I know how good it'll be for them to bond and also for me to switch to adult mode, it's still difficult. I was looking at the little munchkin today and couldn't get enough of her antics and while I'm not a crier, my eyes were getting a bit misty. Why does it feel so difficult to leave your little one? It's almost as if I'm leaving a part of myself behind. 😭 #maternityleave #parenthood #parentalleave #mummybloggeruk #channelmumvillage #mom_hub #momswithcameras #thisdelightfullife #happyselves #happyeveryday #flatlaygoals #flatlaystudio #flatlaytoday #flatlaysquad #momentsofmine #chattycaptioncommunity #mykindofcreative #mynotsoperfectlife #coffeeandseasons #readersofinstagram #mumswhoread #thelifestylecollective #lifestylephotography #lifestyleblogger #mummyandbaby #mummydiaries https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw0Baughu8-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1a8rxg17gm53q

In to the office for a stealthy pitch meeting this morning, but back out again to visit Kew’s reopened temperate house this afternoon. Obligatory ‘Hive’ photo shoot ensued. #sharedparentalleave (at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

Thanks for reading.