Name: Charmaine
Child: Maya, 21 months
Location: Manchester
Expectations of Motherhood: Being a mother meant joining this secret society that I knew little or nothing about. I had never held a newborn baby, changed a nappy or even babysat a small baby. How would I cope with poo, sick, sleepless nights and huge responsibility? Would I feel overwhelming love as soon as I set eyes on him or her? Would I ever leave the house again?
Reality of Motherhood: How to sum up on one paragraph? All I can say is, every cliche is true. All the songs I thought were a bit cheesy ring true now: ‘You are the sunshine of my life’, ‘You are everything and everything to me. ‘ I still can’t believe I’ve been pregnant and given birth to a beautiful daughter. I’d be lying if I said motherhood was fabulous all the time, it’s the most emotionally and physically demanding ‘job’ I’ve ever had but it’s indescribably great at the same time.
The best/worst advice:
Best advice: Don’t listen to advice, trust your own instincts.
Worst advice: Don’t listen to advice, trust your own instincts!
The hardest parts of being a mother:
Lack of sleep (surprise!)
Not knowing why your baby is crying.
The best parts of being a mother:
For me I’m still blown away that we made this little girl and I have given birth. I am an adopted person and I love my family, but the fact that Maya is my flesh and blood is profoundly important.
Hopes for your family:
Happiness, health and all the usual things. Maya is part Jamaican and German. We aim to bring her up bilingual and help her appreciate all aspects of her cultural heritage.
What advice would you offer to new and expectant mums:
Try not to focus solely on the birth. For me the hardest bit was getting used to having a newborn and coping with all the demands.
The Mothers 