I’m just a normal Mum of 2 from the UK. I share REALISTIC mum vlogs, talk about the realities of being a mum to a toddler and a baby and also share simple and digestible tips on how to budget and save money as a Mum in the UK.
I guess when you become a mum sometimes you have to make a decision whether to work closer to home in order to be able to pick up your kids and spend more time with them. I know that my dream of working in events industry once I got kids is not going to happen soon. For now I am going to stick with something that will pay my bills, be close home and will allow me to enjoy more time with my little ones.
You’ve worked so hard for this. Well done on your consistency. Also just a positive nod to our language, I know at the end of the day you have been working your butt off - you are a full time carer for two infants and a content creator… whether it’s work outside the home or unpaid work it’s still work so massive respect!!! I know society has a weirdness about valuing paid work and work outside the home but what you are doing is so valuable for your kiddos!! Also without scaring anyone in the comments but also the stuff on attachment that’s coming out and what’s going on in their lil’ brains 0-3 makes me want to fight so hard to be around where possible (acknowledging that it’s not always possible for folks) but good on you for giving it a go. Here with a newborn and cheering you on!!
I've changed my hours to part time when I go back to work. There is no way I could put our baby in full time childcare, part time with some family help feels daunting enough! Plus for a lot of people it's barely worth working when your full time wages just go on childcare is it. I feel like the UK isn't really designed for family life to be honest. I had my mum at home through my whole childhood while my dad worked but who can afford to be a one income household these days?!
I'm so happy for you! I have a 7 month old baby and I thought I would go back to work earlier but I decided to go back in September (he'll be 10 months). I think it's so important to have this time to enjoy your kids, they are little and they need you for a limited amount of time. Good luck with everything, I would love a new budget video!
My son will be 2 in August... However I'm a single mom by choice, so I had to start work again when he was 8 weeks old (I'm on South Africa).. I enjoy sending him to daycare even though I work from home. He's very busy, clingy, needy... So I need some breaks 😂 In South Africa you will definitely not still have a job if you're off for 2 years... Not even 1 year.. Our maternity leave is 3-4 months, mostly unpaid (I could only afford 2 months)...
Just went back to work after ML it’s hard! I don’t understand how your mat leave is from July 2023 - Sep 2025? Normally it’s up to a year and with annual leave it may be a bit longer but didn’t think it would be that much longer
I had to leave my job to be a stay at home mum. I honestly dont know how you meant to be a working mum. My wage wouldent cover the childcare cost.. obviously once they're in school i will get a job.
Congratulations! I quit my job after maternity leave and am a full time mam to my almost 2 year old 😊 I'm lucky that my partner has been able to support us all so far as this is all I've ever wanted! X
As someone who decided to take an extra 9 months unpaid off of work after my maternity leave ended, I can tell you it was the best decision ever. I have gotten to see so many more firsts and I feel my girl will be in a much better place developmentally to start childcare when I do return in a few months time. All the best for this exciting time x
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate how transparent and honest you are. I’m a first time mum to a 10 month old and I can relate to you so much, my house looks like yours (and much worse) like 99% of the time and I feel so depressed sometimes because all we see are other people with perfectly tidy homes and looking like they have all their shit completely together!! You’re my favourite mum influencer ❤️
Content idea: I think we would all love to see more of just you and stuff you do for yourself, y'know? Like night time routine, skincare, products you like to use, hair wash routine, fitness and wellness, what I eat in a day type vlogs, fashion, or just a pamper or makeup video where you sit and do a simple Q&A. I love that kind of content!!
You are so so pretty… and you are looking and sounding so much brighter. Don’t be scared, we will all support you in any way you can. You are an amazing mum and I think this will take the pressure off you because you don’t have to think about it anymore. You will be fine 😊❤
Congratulations on the decision! I am sure it comes with pros and cons, as any other decision :) unrelated to this video, but just wanted to say I've been loving your hair recently and it would be interesting to see your haircare routine! I normally just chuck my hair in a bun 😂
1 little girly over here, and she is not a force to be reckoned with 😅 I recently cut down my full time working contract to just 20 hours a week, just to savour this last year so I can soak everything up before she starts school in September 😬 🩷🩷🩷
Well done for working so hard to give yourself this opportunity. When I came to the end of my maternity (in 2022) I had to go back to work otherwise I would have had to repay the occupational maternity pay. After 3 months I was blessed my company allowed me to have a career break for 12 months as I too was concerned about child care costs. My bank account took a beating but I have no regrets, I just wish I had a side hustle. I can definitely recommend budgeting and tracking your spending. Budget even for the most mundane of things. You'd be surprised how much money you get through. Most importantly enjoy the break and have fun along the way! x
Good on you! You’ve grafted for years whilst juggling being a mum which is exhaussssting! You need a year of pamper time! Hope you get some time to relax, travel 🏖️, work on any personal goals/interesting hobbies and most importantly enjoy being a full time mummy to your 2 blessings! Hugs to you! And a year isn’t too long so don’t panic about any career gaps in CV/work! I just started a work from home office job after being out of work for over 4 years! Having a 3.6months old and now juggling part time work with my little one! There is time for it all, so enjoy!!🎉
Different situation as you as I was forced into leaving work a few days ago, but I’m trying to change my sad mindset into making it a positive. Going to get my own thing started and we planned to try for baby number 2 now, so it’s a time for me and my little ones which I’ll never get back. Also absolutely terrified but I’m hoping I can get back into my YT and also also our reno social media to help 🙏🏼
So happy for you, and proud of you Shan! You’ve done a great job building this community, yes we watch it, but you do the hard work so give yourself some credit! 🎉
Congratulations, so well deserved! I’ve been watching you for ages but have binge watched all your videos the last few weeks as i have my second baby due in early August (18 month age gap). You’ve given me confidence that we will manage the hard times ahead. Don’t ever forget how much of a positive impact you have had on others lives by sharing your life (including the struggles!) I can’t thank you enough. ❤
Congratulations, enjoy it! My little girl was born a week after Halle and I went back to work last month BUT part time and we’ve made it work that she’s not had to go to nursery yet due to me working around my husbands shifts, it’s working for us so far and I love being to still spend time with her every day. Can’t believe our babies are almost 1 🥹🎉
My husband is military and we are in sfa so because of childcare etc I've not gone back to work since I had my 3 year old during lockdown! It's a hard decision and it is very scary but it's so incredible to be able to spend that time with your babies, you definitely need mum friends and play dates to keep your sanity! My 3 year old does 15 hours at nursery which is great to have the one on one time with our 13 month old and also straighten the house up, wander around b&m, go and get a little coffee, whatever you want to do 😂 the money thing is hard, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather spend our money on family days and not childcare xx
I have a baby girl, 18 months, and I work 3 days a week. Let me tell you, I HATE it!!! I have no idea how to get an income like you to stay at home 😢 getting popular on RU-vid now is sooooooo hard 😢
I’m so happy for you! This is the culmination of all your hard work Shan, super proud and excited for you. I’d love more budgeting content and more content of you just being Shan - love to see a DITL of self-employed when you’ve settled into a routine. This is such a fab time in your life!! ❤❤❤
So happy for you. Those early years with your kids are so important and you cannot get them back. I will be returning to work on my minimum contract of 8hrs this time , luckily I work locally and my role allows me to do that. I think with your last child it seems even harder to miss out x
I have appreciated your content for many years as a fellow civil servant and toddler mum. Congratulations on this news, it is the result of years of hard work you have put into this channel and now you have the opportunity to go in the direction of what works for you. Best of luck xx
Congratulations, 😊 I am so happy that you have got this opportunity. I so understand your position, if I could I would do the same. Good luck on this new journey, we'll be right here with you 💘
Im due in September with my first and love your videos and have watched since George was a baby. Maybe an idea for a content series could be advice for first time mums which could be broken down by developmental age, or what to buy/not to buy, how to manage emotions, routines, basically anything a first time mum would have no idea about. Now that you’re more experienced with two kids your opinions on things may have changed since previous videos and would be good to stick the videos in one playlist for other new mums too! Maybe 🥰
Good for you I hope it goes well and you remain successful. Means you can put more content out yay. I have no children but always been very maternal and love all your videos xx
Good for you!!! Im pregnant with my second & due in july. I'm SO looking forward to starting maternity leave and having more time with my 3 year old again (plus the baby). If you have the opportunity to take another year off and still have an income stream, why on earth would you not!! Enjoy all the moments and memories ❤
That’s amazing news your work does that! I met back full time after my first and regretted it. My second I waitress 15 months and then found a job 2 days a week. Nee eldest is in school I love the flexibility of working just two days and being off with the kids for pick ups, drop offs school activities etc. once youngest starts school in sept I’m going to think about another days employment or getting extra money 😊 xx
I’m jealous! (As I get ready for another 40 hour week and LO goes to daycare full time. I’d love the opportunity to experience the mundane parent thing, wait I do, evening and weekends!)
I have enjoyed being a stay at home since 2020. Luckily, my partner’s wage was good enough it meant we could do it and still do it!! I’m sure as long as you get out as many days as you possibly even if it’s only in the garden see people regularly and you’ll enjoy every moment of it ❤️❤️
Amazing news ❤ I always loved your cooking vids for the snacks you make the kids would love some more of them for inspiration. Things you can freeze etc saw the recent one but more would be lovely! X
Good Luck! So pleased for you, I'm sure it will go well, you absolutely just have to go for it. And if for some bizarre reason it did all fall flat, you've still got your job to go back to in a year. And yes, any and all finance videos please! I found MamaFurFur from watching you, and her methods have transformed my own finances. Eeee! Exciting 🙌 x
