Cherish Your Cherubs Interview: Daisy, Roo and Two

Daisy is a study-at-home mum to her daughter Roo (Rory) and The Two (identical twin boys, Oscar and Fraser) and wife to Pal the Baker. She lives in Regional NSW, where she endeavours to survive three children with a 17 month age gap. Her pantry is currently her safe place. Here is how Daisy manages to cherish her cherubs....

1. Tell us a little about yourself as a mother.
I'm mum to three kids - Rory (3) and identical twin boys Oscar and Fraser (2). I never really thought about having kids until I met my husband. Before that children were always a really abstract concept. After we lost our first baby at 18 weeks, I was adamant that we'd be having 4 kids! Then 18 months later Rory was born and I was adamant that she would be our one and only. The universe had other plans and the twins were born just as Roo turned 17 months old. I'm 28 now with three kids three and under, and I'm pretty sure we're done.

2. What is your favourite part about being a mother? 
It has to be the cuddles, the snuggles and the kisses. I know I should probably be saying how it's amazing to watch little people grow into big people and that I'm honoured to see that happen - but really, nothing compares to an unprompted smooch from one of my babies.

3. Who inspires you as a mother?
Mothers that inspire me? Traci O'Sullivan. She runs a charity called Precious Hearts, supporting families affected by congenital heart disease. She does such an amazing job, has three kids (one of whom is a heart kid) of her own and really cares about the families she works with.

4. Why do you think it is important to cherish your children?
Other than the obvious - that they are mine and I brought them into this world so I best make the most of them - I have faced the reality that at any moment they could be taken away. Oscar barely made it to his birth at 34 weeks, and then 11 days later was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease. He was airlifted to Westmead and operated on the next day. Oscar survived against all odds, and is now thriving. I cherish every moment with my kids, even the times they drive me crazy. At some point in time, my children are going to be adults and it's important to me that they know they were always loved, wanted and cherished. The hope is that someday they cherish their own cherubs just as much as I do them.

5. What do you do to show your children you cherish them?
I'm big on respect and trust. I try to teach my children, as young as they are, that respecting others will take you far in this world. The only way I know how to do that is to show them respect in turn. I do my best to listen and try to understand what they are trying to tell me and respect their wishes without letting them run the household. We are also quite an affectionate family - hugs and kisses are frequent!

6. What do you hope your children feel or learn from you cherishing them?
I hope they know that they are always loved. Wholly and unconditionally loved. I also hope they learn to cherish one another, our family and anyone special in their lives.

7. What is your favourite activity to do with your children and how does it help you to cherish them?
When we are having a tough day, or behaviour is getting out of hand, my first instinct is to shut down or hide (I have a fabulous walk in pantry...) To overcome this I often blast their favourite songs and we all have a little dance party in the loungeroom. Apart from being hilarious and energetic fun, it allows me to get a glimpse into their little personalities. Sometimes with twins, and three young kids so close together, it can be hard to discern whether certain personality traits are part of the natural mirroring that goes on between siblings, or whether it's really "who" my children are. Watching them dance gives me more of a sense of "who" each child is and love them more for it.

8. How do you make time for your children in your schedule?
My schedule is my children. I'm a stay at home mum who studies when her children sleep. I do my best to get the jobs around the house done but 9 times out of 10 the kids come first and the house second.

9. How does it make you feel as a mother when you know you are cherishing your children?
I'm at my best when I am loving my kids, recognising their needs and accepting them for who they are. I feel that by cherishing my kids in this way I am being the best mum I know how.

10. What advice would you give to other Mums about cherishing children?
That just because you don't remember every moment, doesn't mean you aren't cherishing you babies. The past three, and especially two, years have been an absolute blur. I don't remember a whole lot about exactly what happened and exactly who did what, but I do have a sense of how each individual child has grown and learnt. That children need to be loved and accepted for who they are, not who you want them to be. That by cherishing your children you are cherishing yourself - giving yourself importance in their lives and giving yourself the space to be you at the same time.

Thanks so much Daisy. What a gorgeous family picture! Daisy blogs at Daisy, Roo and Two, and over shares on her Facebook page and Tweets sporadically. Hope you enjoyed what Daisy had to share.