Every one of Florence’s birthdays so far, feels bitter sweet. She’s my third and final baby and whilst this is undoubtedly the most fun age (hello clever best friend who delights in my company), I miss and sometimes grieve those fleeting baby and toddler years, not the hazy sleep deprivation or the chaos of jumping from two to three children and the juggle that followed whilst recovering from a challenging birth, but the fact I found that time so hard to navigate.
I would love to time travel back to that first year with the mindset and strength I have now. I know, when I’ve shared this before, many others said they feel the same.
The wonderful thing however, about emerging from a challenging time, is that you really do value every moment that you feel yourself again. There was a lot of joy in those baby years too, I just suffered too and there’s no shame in that or the fact it took time and therapy to recover. I hope if you had a tough postnatal period, you seek out the help you need to feel better too.
The past year in particular, thankfully, has been the most consistently joyous (yay). We’re settled and happy in our new house (with most renovations now complete); we live close to family (my folks, brother and his kids) and we have many old, and new friends nearby. That supportive village has truly transformed our lives and whilst we miss our friends in the South, we have seen many often. They always comment how happy we look here which I think is testament to the quality of life we have in Harrogate, surrounded by countryside with the children thriving at their respective schools.
But back to our main character: Florence Catherine Broadbent: frighteningly clever, emotionally mature, funny as hell and so incredibly caring, life is never boring with Ms Florence in our lives.
Watching her at the pre-school she only joined in October with a singalong for parents yesterday, striding tall, confident and strong, shooting her arms up to answer questions, always being polite and listening so well, my heart felt as if it might burst with pride.
When she jumped back into the car afterwards, I praised her for being so well behaved at school, for her great listening skills and being polite and she looked at me with a cheeky glint in her eye and said, ‘Yes I am good at school, but not at home’! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is true, not always but she is known to shout and stomp! When kids feel emotionally safe at home, the experts do say, they tend to lash out more, so I don’t mind the inevitable and formative tantrum here and there, even if Florence has the loudest shriek I’ve ever heard!
I’m certainly raising a daughter and two sons with strong voices, fine tuned debating skills (ha) and undoubtedly kind hearts!
Happy birthday to our darling daughter who loves to draw, read books together, bake and cook, garden with her grandma, and endlessly annoy her older brothers! What a special little lady she is.
Never doubt yourself or our love for you, Florence. And now you are 4!
The photo above is from Florence’s birthday lunch with my Mum, and there are lots more celebrations to come with a joint birthday lunch on Sunday (as it’s my birthday on that day) as well as special gatherings and days out with family and friends over the coming month!
Pre-order my debut children’s book
Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends for 9-12 year olds
Published by Scholastic. Available on Amazon
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