Hey moms! Find all sorts of useful tips and parenting hacks from other moms just like you. The Mom Life: Real Moms Interview Series is a place to get support and advice from people who have been there… or are there. Today we’re hearing about Vicki’s Mom Life.

Vicki is a mom of two who shares about her experience as a NICU mum. She has some wonderful parenting tips and encouragement to share!

I love hearing advice from other moms. Learning tips from moms who are rocking motherhood is so inspiring to me! Moms who have tips for easy weeknight meals, creating family moments, cleaning hacks, money saving, family travel, and just Mom Life in general.

Today we’re hearing all about Vicki’s Mom Life!

Vicki Cockerill is a mom of two adorable young boys. She is an advocate for NICU moms and shares her experiences on her blog, NICU MUM.

Vicki’s Mom Life

Tell us about your family

I am a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) mum of two boys and partner to Greg of ten years.  Elijah, four, was was born with an undiagnosed heart condition and was admitted into NICU at 12 hours old and had open heart surgery at 6m old. Harlow, one who was born at home in the bath in less than an hour! We also live with our tortoise, Strawberry! 

I work partime and am a freelance blogger/content writer. My blog started so I could confess what it is really like to have a baby in NICU and who has CHD, I have spoken very hoenstly about my maternal mental health issues. We are now in the process of setting up a charity to help other NICU parents called The NICUParent Partnership.

As a mom, what is the best part of your day?

I love the part of the day where the kids come and cuddle you for no reason, or want to come and snuggle just before bed. It is the calm in the choas.

3 Words that describe your parenting style?

Attentive, loving and (hopefully) fun.

What is a parenting rule you never break?

I will not allow the boys to get away with rough play just because they are boys. Rudeness will not fly with me and they must use their manners. We talk alot about how important it is to be kind to everyone.

What is a parenting rule you always break?

Letting them have too many sweets or chocolate! I am a push over for lots of biscuits too! 

How do you prioritize family-time and me-time?

It’s something I have always struggled with as most of the time they bleed into one another. A bath ends up with someone getting in, reading a book is interrupted by someone waking up. I’m working on it! 

What is your go-to, easy weeknight meal?

Cheesy pasta! It took us three years for Elijah to eat pasta and thank goodness he now does! 

What is your favorite family activity?

Driving to a wood/forrest and spending the day exploring and letting the boys run about in the fresh air. 

What advice would you give new moms?

Do not compare yourself to others, social media lies and you do not need to put a brave face on all the time. It is okay to ask for help. Expectation and reality are too very different things. 

Do you have a “Mom Hack” you can’t live without?

When you have more than one child do as much as you can together. Baths, meals, snacks etc rather than doing in a hundred times over. Organise clothes and bags for child care/days out the night before for an easy morning.

What is your best Mom money-saving tip?

Go to charity shops or online market places for toys and even clothes they do not play/ stay in them for long and it is not worth buying them new every time. You will be surprised what you can pick up for next to nothing!

Do you have any tips for staying on top of household chores?

Dedicated areas for storing toys, making it a game for little ones to help put away. Having a scheduled day where you do all washing. Meal prep/plan and batch cooking in advance.

Do you make a point to stay healthy and fit? If so, how do you fit it into your busy lifestyle?

My part time job is fairly physical so I get quite a work out three days a week and I try and walk with the boys when I can. We are trying to eat more veg and failing! 

Family Travel: What is your favorite spot or family travel memory?

It’s got to be in the Forrest. We live near some wonderful woodland and we love taking both boys for a long walk. We haven’t yet taken both boys on hol we hope to later this year!

Do you have a can’t-live-without Mom/family products to share?

Wetwipes, C Beebies, Gin, coffee, and a good changing bag like a Pacopod!

A huge thank you to Vicki for sharing her experiences as a mom! If you’d like to hear more from Vicki’s Mom Life check out her blog, NICU MUM, or find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

I loved reading about Vicki’s Mom Life. Meet more moms and read their advice and experiences every Saturday! You can also find more Mom Life tips on our Mom Life Pinterest Board. If you’d like to join in on the fun, leave a comment below or send an email to exploringdomesticity(at)gmail(dot)com with subject “Mom Life Interview Series.”

If you enjoyed reading about Vicki’s Mom Life, check out last week’s Mom Life Interview.