Tash Stokes from Tash's things (and Black Robin Photography) took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about mama hood and life in general.
Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do: I'm Tash a wife, mama to a 1.5 year old girl named Ruby and I’m pregnant with a little boy due in April. I also co-own & run a wedding and portrait photography business.
Age when you had your first baby:
I was 23, I’ll have my second before im 25!
What was your reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
Absolute elation. We were trying to fall pregnant and didnt expect the test to pick up anything as we were testing very early. When we saw that second line we both cried tears of joy. I later came home to a candle lit dinner made by my husband and a letter promising to be the kind of dad our baby deserved. He has lived up to that and more.
What has been your biggest challenge with running a business and being a mama at the same time?
Work life balance, I’m sure its the same for most mums who work. I always feel a huge amount of guilt leaving her behind when we head off to shoot weddings.
How do you balance Home and work life? Do you have any tips/tricks to share?
We are really lucky to have a good support network, we couldn't do our job if we didn't have our parents helping us with looking after Ruby. I also set days where its work as much as possible then follow it with a no work day. I’m lucky that my husband is home with me 7 days a week (if we arent off shooting a wedding) so his help is amazing. I realise not everyone has this luxury so I feel really lucky.
Best piece of advice you were given about parenting:
Go with your gut.
What would you do if you weren’t doing your current job/running your business?
I think I would have finished my nursing degree but I really cant picture my life any other way than it is now
Have you met any challenges being a mama in your 20s?
Not having many friends (although thats changing now) that are going through similar life milestones to me. Being a mum is the best thing I’ve ever done but its not for everyone in their 20’s
What has been your biggest challenge in your 20s (non-parenting related)?
Learning who I am as a person. What I stand for, strive to achieve & the way I want this to impact others. Its something I'll never be finished doing either.
If you could give one piece of advice to twenty-something’s pre kids what would it be?
Travel, thats an obvious one but honestly it's to start a family young! Being a young mum has loads of advantages and I know we will have time to do the things we want to do (in our 50’s) when the kids are grown & gone.