Our children won't all become Olympic athletes, but each and every one of our children will have their own unique dreams and ambitions that they will strive to achieve, and it is our job as parents to support them, cheer them on and be proud of their achievements.
Being a mum of five means I have had plenty of moments where my heart has swelled with pride at the achievements of my children. From the moment that each of them were born, every milestone has been celebrated. I have always tried my best to encouragement them and facilitate them with what they needed to succeed in what they were setting out to do. Whether that meant putting a spoon in their chubby hands for them to take their first independent spoonful of baby rice, or helping them to put together an application for university, I have relished my role. I feel so honoured in that I get to help my children become the best version of themselves that they can be. I won't take credit for their success, but to know I played a part is a humbling experience and one of the most amazing aspects of being a parent.
P & G have made eight documentary style videos of a selection of Olympic Mums talking about their children who will be competing in London this summer. They are really emotional and I shed a tear or two, especially at the mother of Paralympian Ben Rushgrove talking about her son's achievements.
My children have all filled me with pride so many times, but I want to share a few of the achievements of my older children here in this post. You won't find any tales of Olympic Gold, but all my kids are winners in so many other ways.
Megan is just 20 years old. Within the last month she has graduated from the University of Manchester with a 2:1 in Business Marketing and Management. With her heights set high she began job hunting and has already been offered a position as a Marketing Executive for a company specialising in healthcare. With a job offer under her belt, she has found a swanky and modern flat in the city centre that she will be sharing with her equally motivated and ambitious friend Abi as they embark on their new life as a couple of young professionals in a vibrant and exciting city. The possibilities are endless and I am so immensely proud that Megan has the tools and the go-getting personality to achieve exactly what she wants to achieve in life. Plus, she still phones her mum everyday!
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| Megan and Ella |
Ella has just finished her GCSEs and got herself a place in a really impressive college to study her A'Levels. She wants to improve her education by studying subjects which were not on offer at the local school sixth form. So she is prepared to travel for an hour on the bus twice a day to achieve her goal. Given that she sometimes struggles with change, this is a massive step for her and I am so proud that she is thinking to the future and creating opportunities for herself. And she continues to be a wonderful musician, sharing her love of music with her friends and family which brings so much joy to us all.
My eldest son Joe's attitude to his job and his desire to succeed in the workplace has always impressed me and made me proud. He never wanted to take the academic route through life and has instead worked his way up the employment ladder using his personality and his determination to his advantage. And now he is about to become a dad he has really buckled down and made some 'grown-up' decisions to better the life of his family. A couple of weeks ago he moved house to provide a better home for his girlfriend, himself and for their baby. He has stepped up to the mark like a real man. His girlfriend is suffering with terrible sickness in her pregnancy which is not improving. They are not having an easy time at all but they are coping admirably through a difficult phase in their lives. My once little boy and my first born son has done me so proud!
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| Having Fun In Joe's New House |
I will always be the number one fan and most tireless supporter of my children's endeavours. I will be cheering them on from the virtual sidelines of their lives giving them whatever I can to help them succeed. I will provide love, support, advice and practical help at every step. Even as my eldest three children become the amazing adults they were always destined to become, my role as their mother does not diminish. Instead it evolves as I see my children taking on new responsibilities, achieving new goals and planning their own futures. I am as proud of them now as I have always been.
I love that at the same time that I am preparing my youngest child, 3 year old Freddy, for his next big adventure in life and taking pride in his pre-school milestones, I can also help my eldest son prepare to be a parent himself. And as 9 year old Kizzy receives yet another glowing report at school, I can also witness my eldest daughter graduate with honours. I love being a mum to my five children and I am so proud as I celebrate their successes!
This is my entry for the #PGRaisingOlympians Celebrate Their Success Linky, sponsored by P&G.
