I’m a 33 year old mum of two based in Melbourne. I’ve spent the past ten years of my life working as a TV news reporter and am currently on maternity leave with my second baby. I’ve always wanted to be a mum and even went through IVF to have my first - but motherhood is quite a bit different to what I thought it would be! I share my honest experiences with the ups and downs on Instagram @estellegriepink

It’s very much centred around the kids. We’ll wake up around 6 and after all the feeds, changes, toilet breaks and snacks we’ll finally leave the house-either to walk to daycare or get an iced latte and a baby chino on the way to the park. Before we know it it’s back home for our midday sleep and then we’ll usually spend the afternoon playing at home or going to one of our neighbours’ houses - we live on a very friendly street with lots of other kids. Our weekends usually revolve around play dates and birthday parties - I never knew kids would make our social life so much more busy!

Life as a TV news reporter prepared me well for my new role as a mum of two! I’ve just traded chasing stories and meeting deadlines for running after a toddler and being ruled by naps! One of the kids always needs me and between play dates, daycare drop off and baby appointments, I feel like I barely get a break. I’ve barely had time to switch the TV on. I tend to catch up with what’s going on in the world after the kids have gone to bed-although I don’t last long! I’m asleep by 9pm most night these days.

Absolutely. I used to completely measure my success based on my own achievements. Now it brings me so much more joy to see my kids develop and grow into their own little people. That’s not to say I don’t still find satisfaction in hitting goals on my own. But I really subscribe to the saying that while you can have it all, you can’t have it all at once. And right now I’m trying to remind myself that I’m in my era of raising small children.

I was the most anxious, stressed out first time mum. I found postpartum really hard. A lot of it had to do with me blaming myself for my first baby being very unsettled and wakeful. When I had my second, it really hit me that it was all a temperament thing. Understanding that has really changed my perspective on things. These days I’m less about strict routines and more about trying to go with the flow a bit more. It definitely helps that my second baby is far much chilled out so he’s mostly just fitted into the chaos and has no choice but to come along for the ride.

1. Portier Baby Carrier - absolutely essential now that I have two little ones. I’m often chasing my toddler around while wearing my baby.

2. Philé Play Mat - we use this daily both inside and outside. I just chuck it in the washing machine after an outing and it comes out looking like new.

3. Besbubs Smocks - I do enough laundry as is so anything that’s going to cover my kids during mealtime gets a tick from me. These are really long and oversized and also double as a great art smock.

4. My Frida Baby Snot Sucker - there’s nothing more effective and it’s just so satisfying.

5. Philé Baby Bag - I used to tell everyone baby bags were overrated and unnecessary. I’m now eating my words after having two. Between nappies, wipes, bibs and bottles for my baby - and all snacks, drink bottles and changes of clothes for my recently toilet trained toddler - my nappy bag is essential! It’s just a bonus that the Philé one is so beautiful - I love the striped interior.

This is still something I’m figuring out. I’m four months postpartum and I’ve been out without the kids maybe twice. This year I really want to push myself to get out on my own a bit more - it can totally be done but I tend to just put it in the too hard basket. On my list of things I’d love to do are getting a facial, going to a winery with the girls and honestly just going to Woolies on my own!

The Memo for beautiful homewares and gifts, Savers and op shops for pre-loved toys and most recently Best and Less for cheap and cheerful striped two piece sets for my toddler - she always gets compliments on them!