As a mum of 2 hectic 12 year old boys… I know all too well that they can easily take up all of your time around work with clubs, football training, meeting friends and the laundry… so much laundry!

It's quite easy from when they are small to become enveloped in parenthood and lose who you are in the process. You're just someone's mum/dad and who you are seems to disappear… I really felt this in the early years. 

It's important to do things that are for you too, and not always about the kids or the family. 

You know when you are on a plane and they do the safety announcement before take off, and they tell you to put your own mask on before you tend to anyone else in the event of an emergency? That's because you’re not able to help your family if you haven't first made sure you can breathe. 

And this applies to all areas of life, not just in the unfortunate event the cabin loses pressure at 32,000 ft. 

To be able to best serve those around you, you have to first serve yourself. 

It's not being selfish, and you shouldn't have ‘mum guilt’ for looking after yourself. 

Getting out to do some exercise, and get back into shape is what really turned things around for me. I made new friends, I felt better in my clothes, and for a few hours a week I was just Charley and I started to feel like me again. It’s also now become my career. 

After all, if you are fulfilled, feeling confident, revitalized and on top form mentally and physically,  you’ll be a much better parent and partner. 

And if like mine, they are pre-teens full of angst, their tantrums are much easier to cope with too.