THRIVE IN MOTHERHOOD
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Hi, I'm Katherine
Motherhood - Matrescence Coach, Ex-Big 4 Transformation Director and Mum of Three
EXPLORE MY FREE RESOURCES HERE
Hi, I'm Katherine
Motherhood - Matrescence Coach,
Ex-Big 4 Transformation Director and Mum of Three
I’ve always been career minded, ambitious and competitive. Growing up, all I wanted to do was to join the Army, undertake Officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and travel the world. So this is what I did. I have always told myself I could do it all and be what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a superwomen!
I graduated with a Business Masters in 2002, and followed this with 10 years in the Royal Signals, undertaking deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Having achieved my teenage ambitions, I then decided to venture into the Corporate World.
I’ve always been career minded, ambitious and competitive. Growing up, all I wanted to do was to join the Army, undertake Officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and travel the world. So this is what I did. I have always told myself I could do it all and be what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a superwomen!
I graduated with a Business Masters in 2002, and followed this with 10 years in the Royal Signals, undertaking deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Having achieved my teenage ambitions, I then decided to venture into the Corporate World.
In 2013 I completed my MBA and joined EY. The following year, more personal, quieter dreams were realised; I got married and began trying for a baby shortly after.
Both my husband and I were very happy and settled in our lives, and being older than most newly-weds (I was 35) we were relatively ambivalent about having children. “If it happens it happens,” we would say.
My identity revolved very much around my professional life and at the time I had very few maternal instincts. Nonetheless, following a miscarriage, I was very happy when our first child arrived.
In 2013 I completed my MBA and joined EY. The following year, more personal, quieter dreams were realised; I got married and began trying for a baby shortly after.
Both my husband and I were very happy and settled in our lives, and being older than most newly-weds (I was 35) we were relatively ambivalent about having children. “If it happens it happens,” we would say.
My identity revolved very much around my professional life and at the time I had very few maternal instincts. Nonetheless, following a miscarriage, I was very happy when our first child arrived.
However, I remained career-focused with strong career ambitions throughout my pregnancy and post partum period. I vowed to myself I would maintain as much of my non-child life as possible. At the time, I took inspiration from the likes of Helen Morrisey, a CEO in the financial sector and a mother of nine!
As a result, once my maternity leave finished, I threw myself back into work as if nothing had changed. My return was as straightforward as it could be. I was lucky to have a client locally; previously I’d had to travel significantly for work, something that I knew was no longer going to be possible.
As a mother,
commute times were the first thing to “give”. Yet, despite this, and a threat of redundancy, a new team, new stakeholders and change of department, I decided to go for promotion! This was what was expected of me!
However, I remained career-focused throughout my pregnancy and post partum period and vowed to myself I would maintain as much of my non-child life as possible. At the time, I took inspiration from the likes of Helen Morrisey, a CEO in the financial sector and a mother of nine!
As a result, once my maternity leave finished, I threw myself back into work as if nothing had changed. My return was as straightforward as it could be. I was lucky to have a client locally; previously I’d had to travel significantly for work, something that I knew was no longer going to be possible.
This was the first thing to “give” and yet, despite a threat of redundancy, a new team, new stakeholders and change of department, I decided to go for promotion! This was what was expected of me!
I was lucky, lockdown didn't turn our lives upside down like so many others. Our jobs were secure, our family stayed healthy and the simplicity of life suited me as a new mum; I found the sole focus of looking after the children refreshing. I enjoyed going slow, and it became my new norm.
This is maybe why, I knew immediately after my second son’s birth that I wanted a third baby before I was too old! This time, I got pregnant easily and stayed pregnant (I had multiple miscarriages between baby 1 and 2). Only fourteen months later I gave birth to our daughter. At this point, I was still telling myself I could compartmentalise my life, work, family etc., as this is what society expects of me!
As a mother of three my life was never going to be the same as it was and things needed to change. I had changed, my needs and wants had changed.
I was lucky, lockdown didn't turn our lives upside down like so many others. Our jobs were secure, our family stayed healthy and the simplicity of life suited me as a new mum; I found the sole focus of looking after the children refreshing. I enjoyed going slow, and it became my new norm.
This is maybe why, I knew immediately after my second son’s birth that I wanted a third baby before I was too old! This time, I got pregnant easily and stayed pregnant (I had multiple miscarriages between baby 1 and 2). Only fourteen months later I gave birth to our daughter. At this point, I was still telling myself I could compartmentalise my life, work, family etc., as this is what society expects of me!
As a mother of three my life was never going to be the same as it was and things needed to change. I had changed, my needs and wants had changed.
I vividly remember seeing both babies in a pushchair next to one another for the first time whilst on holiday. This moment, when my youngest was only seven months old was the turning point.
As a career driven mother, I had a new identity and I was grieving my old pre-children life. I knew I had lost the connection to myself, and needed to learn how to prioritise myself again, but I had NO IDEA where to start.
All I wanted was to regain control of my life so that I didn't fall into the impending burnout around the corner. There was obviously no going back; I needed to do something different.
It was then that I first heard of the word Matrescence, the process of transition from woman to mother.
Learning about Matrescence has been life-changing for me and enabled me to make sense of how I was feeling.
So I decided to leave a job I loved, a career I had worked so hard for and the only identity I had ever known. So much of me was wrapped up in my paid work! I had a six-figure salary and big career ambitions! It was hard; societal norms expect us to carry on the same regardless of having children. I had a lot of self-doubt and was extremely anxious about giving it all up.
Surprisingly on the day I told my boss I was going to resign I wasn't nervous and I will never forget the huge sense of relief I felt when I returned home.
I knew then I wanted to make a much bigger impact on the world than I was and support other like-minded women to maintain their careers whilst maintaining a sustainable, healthy lifestyle and thriving as a mum.
That was the first step to becoming one of the UK's only Certified Matrescence Coach and a Motherhood Coach.
I visibly remember seeing both babies in a pushchair next to one another for the first time whilst on holiday. This moment, when my youngest was only seven months old was the turning point.
I had a new identity but I was grieving my old pre-children life. I knew I had lost the connection to myself, and needed to learn how to prioritise myself again, but I had NO IDEA where to start.
All I wanted was to regain control of my life so that I didn't fall into the impending burnout around the corner. There was obviously no going back; I needed to do something different.
It was then that I first heard of the word Matrescence, the process of transition from woman to mother.
Learning about Matrescence has been life-changing for me and enabled me to make sense of how I was feeling.
So I decided to leave a job I loved, a career I had worked so hard for and the only identity I had ever known. So much of me was wrapped up in my paid work! I had a six-figure salary and big career ambitions! It was hard; societal norms expect us to carry on the same regardless of having children. I had a lot of self-doubt and was extremely anxious about giving it all up.
Surprisingly on the day I told my boss I was going to resign I wasn't nervous and I will never forget the huge sense of relief I felt when I returned home.
I knew then I wanted to make a much bigger impact on the World than I was and support other like-minded women to maintain their careers whilst maintaining a sustainable, healthy lifestyle and thriving as a mum.
I'M NOW ON A MISSION TO GET THE WORD MATRESCENCE DISCUSSED FROM BOARDROOMS TO PLAY PARKS FROM OFFICES TO KITCHEN TABLES
I'M NOW ON A MISSION TO GET THE WORD MATRESCENCE DISCUSSED FROM BOARDROOMS TO PLAY PARKS FROM OFFICES TO KITCHEN TABLES
I have loved being a mother more than I thought I would. However my lack of patience, my need to be in control, my emotional outbursts and my love of a plan have all been tested. I now know all this to be part of my Matrescence journey!
Motherhood changes us more than we think and it is made even harder due to the patriarchal society in which we live.
Having 3 children, will no doubt be the greatest achievement of my life. However, with Western Culture as it is, even writing this is hard given the pressure and expectations put on women to succeed in the corporate world. That is why Matrescence is so important.
Motherhood is what feminism forgot. Combining a career with motherhood is challenging but with more and more people learning about Matrescence more support is finally becoming available for women who need it. I'm proud to be part of this.
I have loved being a mother more than I thought I would. However my lack of patience, my need to be in control, my emotional outbursts and my love of a plan have all been tested. I now know all this to be part of my Matrescence journey!
Motherhood changes us more than we think and it is made even harder due to the patriarchal society in which we live.
Having 3 children, will no doubt be the greatest achievement of my life. However, with Western Culture as it is, even writing this is hard given the pressure and expectations put on women to succeed in the corporate world.
Motherhood is what feminism forgot. Combining a career with motherhood is challenging but with more and more people learning about Matrescence more support is finally becoming available for women who need it. I'm proud to be part of this.
I left my dream job, I left working for a company that I loved so I could spread the word about Matrescence. Now as a certified Matrescence coach, and motherhood coach I support other mothers on their own motherhood journeys.
My own mother and many of my friends were surprised at my change of direction. However, understanding Matrescence has given me the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a business owner whilst also working in a field that I am passionate about.
Motherhood, and certainly the birth of our third child, has changed my perspectives on life. With the help of Matrescence, it has altered my values, enabled me to focus on what is really important in life and has opened my eyes to other opportunities. I genuinely feel I was reborn on 15th June 2021, the day our third child made her appearance into the World. I remember not wanting to let her go after our first cuddle, my husband having to ask me to hold her. I remember the shock of being a mother to three children under four!
"Don't work too hard" was one of the last pieces of advice my father gave to me before he passed away
I left my dream job and working for a company that I loved to spread the word about Matrescence and support other women on their own motherhood journeys.
My own mother and many of my friends were surprised at my change of direction. However, motherhood has given me the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a business owner whilst also working in a field that I am passionate about.
Motherhood, and certainly the birth of our third child, has changed my perspectives on life. It has altered my values, enabled me to focus on what is really important in life and has opened my eyes to other opportunities. I genuinely feel I was reborn on 15th June 2021, the day our third child made her appearance into the World. I remember not wanting to let her go after our first cuddle, my husband having to ask me to hold her. I remember the shock of being a mother to three children under four!
"Don't work too hard" was one of the last pieces of advice my father gave to me before he passed away
Underneath this, I knew he meant don't try and do everything! He didn't understand my corporate life, but as I was growing up, he always put family first, always wanted to help others and also ran a successful business so in his small way, I know he would now understand my chosen path.
During the lockdowns of 2020 and over the course of 2021, I reflected a lot. This focus gave me the opportunity to get excited about the next season of my life and the desire to support other mothers going through equally demanding life changes.
I’ve always thrived on change and transitioning to something new, but I know this doesn't come easy to most. As a management consultant who has over the past 10 years focused on supporting organisations undertake successful large-scale transformations. Now as a certified Matrescence coach, I am so excited about supporting women go through what is probably the biggest transformation of their lives: becoming a mother.
Thrive in Motherhood supports mothers to reconnect with themselves, reprioritise their wellbeing and regain control of their time, emotions and health so they can achieve career success whilst living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle without burnout.
Underneath this, I knew he meant don't try and do everything! He didn't understand my corporate life, but as I was growing up, he always put family first, always wanted to help others and also ran a successful business so in his small way, I know he would now understand my chosen path.
During the lockdowns of 2020 and over the course of 2021, I reflected a lot. This focus gave me the opportunity to get excited about the next season of my life and the desire to support other mum's going through equally demanding life changes.
I’ve always thrived on change and transitioning to something new, but I know this doesn't come easy to most. As a management consultant who has over the past 10 years focused on supporting organisations undertake successful large-scale transformations, I am so excited about supporting women go through what is probably the biggest transformation of their lives, becoming a mother.
Thrive in Motherhood supports mothers to reconnect with themselves, reprioritise their wellbeing and regain control of their time, emotions and health so they can achieve career success whilst living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle without burnout.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MATRESCENCE GUIDE
This guide will support you through your Matrescence enabling you to better understand the emotional rollercoaster you are on and support you to thrive as a mum more quickly.
Assisting women adapt to their new role as a working mum and supporting them through their own transformation journey.
Download Your Free Matrescence Guide Here
This guide will support you through your Matrescence enabling you to better understand the emotional rollercoaster you are on and support you to thrive as a mum more quickly.
Assisting women adapt to their new role as a working mum and supporting them through their own transformation journey.