What Is A Mum Track Mind All About?

I started writing A Mum Track Mind early in 2016. It was three weeks after my daughter, Sophie, had been born. I was up all night watching her breathe (like you do) and delirious with exhaustion and euphoria. Surrounded by my family, in a loving relationship, tucked up in my dream home with my beautiful baby girl nuzzled up against me I had never been happier but I was suddenly overcome with sadness for my teenage self, ten years earlier.

At the tender age of eighteen I became a mother. It was unexpected, scary, bewildering and exhausting. I felt as though I had failed and all my ambitions and hopes for the future were finished. I gave myself such a hard time. Looking back, it’s easy to see that actually, I had been no more than a child having a child. That night, in the darkness I penned a letter in my head to my teenage self to let her know that one day it would all come good. I agreed that motherhood was hard but it would also bring so much joy and possibility. That motherhood would be the making of her. 

That letter found itself being typed up into a blog post the next day and tentatively shared with a few people. I was blown away by the reaction and really, that is how A Mum Track Mind was born.

Back then at the start of 2016, I could never have imagined where this blog would take me or how many people it would reach. I have been fortunate enough to write creatively both here and on some incredible websites, collaborate with  big name brands, travel for a living and capture, document and treasure so many of the extraordinary moments in my ordinary life as a mum of two. Most importantly I have found myself in among a community of supportive, funny, talented and generally amazing parents who are all bossing it because they are mums and not in spite of it.

Of course, nobody is just one dimensional and so A Mum Track Mind continues to vary creatively over time by capturing our everyday moments, documenting the struggles of being a working mum as well as sharing all of the things that make us tick as a family. I share our lives with you in a real, open and honest way in the hope that you will nod along in recognition or laugh with me at my general ridiculousness. Luckily you seem to like it and I have been fortunate enough to build a really engaged and loyal readership along the way.

So then, how would I sum up my blog? Well I guess that this is my story of how being someone’s mum has made me and shaped me. I want to show people that being a working mum, yes is difficult and has its challenges but that it is very much possible and can bring great personal benefits. Motherhood inspires me, drives me, pushes me to be the best I can be and I share that with  you here on A Mum Track Mind.

Work it, live it, love it and if you like, blog it – all with A Mum Track Mind.

So, Who Am I?

My name is Fiona – or Fi for short. I am the writer, photographer and all round creator of A Mum Track Mind.

Lucky enough to be a Mama to two amazing kids; Zak and Sophie. I started off my journey into motherhood as a teenage parent and battled the rollercoaster that inevitably comes with such an abrupt introduction to the life of a parent. Nowadays, almost a decade later, I cannot imagine any other life than that of a parent!

I live with my better half Shaun (who prefers to stay on the incognito side of things!) in the beautiful Red Rose County of Lancashire, here in the UK.

So what should you know about me? Well, I’m a creative sort, a complete mamarazzi photographer, travel obsessed (budgets depending!), a total foodie (read, greedy pig) and completely coffee dependant. I would also say I am extremely driven and ambitious to better mine and my families lives.

When I’m being serious I can be found working in digital communications, public speaking and running my business. When I’m not, I can be found in any number of places varying from treetop assault courses, the gym, the sofa, the fridge or hiding from my offspring in the bathroom with my beloved Instagram.

I love being at home with my kids but I’m also passionate about career, writing, coaching other parents and spending time with my friends. So as  you can imagine the juggle is very real! I’m sure you know the feeling?

Meet The Kids

This is Zak, our twelve year old. Born in 2005 to a couple of teenagers, he is my main man and the absolute apple of my eye. In his first year of Senior School, Zak is the walking, talking Encyclopedia of the family, which is sometimes great and sometimes a bit annoying! He is an outstandingly clever boy (biased much?!), particularly with anything mathematical and a complete self-confessed techno geek. Aren’t they all these days though? He is a doting older brother and cousin, endlessly patient with little ones and with a real warmth and kindness to his personality that will take him far. He is also incredibly stubborn – no idea where he gets it from…

A true animal lover, particularly with our fur babies Coco & Charlie, he takes full responsibility for their care.

Zak loves to travel with me – every place is a new adventure and we have been lucky enough to visit the West Coast of Canada for two weeks as our first major travel experience on our own together. It was amazing and he now has a bucket list as long as mine for places he wants to visit. Next stop New York!

An enthusiastic Scout, techno guru and growing up way too fast! That’s our boy, Zak.

Sophie is our latest addition and if I’m honest, a bit of a surprise! A happy one of course 🙂

She is our little princess and her not-so-little personality is bringing sunshine to our days. Almost always happy and smiley, a complete ray of gold with a diva rainbow occasionally thrown in to keep us on our toes! A fabulous sleeper, a lover of peanut butter just like her Mama and a little mischief to boot. She just adores her big brother and has a real Daddy’s girl side to her personality already. She loves her dollies and her play kitchen  but is generally happiest outdoors. Sophie has been lucky enough to travel abroad twice already and the sunshine and the adventure pleased her no end. Another one with wanderlust no doubt!

So that’s my ‘me and mine’ done. If you would like to know more about our family, have any questions or would be interested in working with us then please drop me an email at fi@amumtrackmind.com