- Please introduce yourself: Name, what do you do & how many children you have.
My name is Nadine Kaadan, I am a children’s book author and illustrator from Syria. I moved to London 8 years ago, and I have a two-year-old baby boy!
- How do you manage to juggle work and life balance as a mother?
I think it’s very important for both parents to share the struggle of balancing life and work. Usually society only expects mums to juggle work and family, and dads are expected to work all day without sharing the guilt or pressure of being a full-time parent. (Thanks for asking this question of both mums and dads Kensington Mums!)
It’s a work in progress though, and I’m slowly learning how to balance motherhood and work. Only 4 months after giving birth – I started working on my new book with Bloomsbury Publishing thinking that I could do it! Only to realise that it was really difficult to work with a baby. I finally finished my book and took my first ‘proper’ maternity leave when my baby was 16 months old, and I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying it. I think the key to balancing work and family is to make sure you spend some uninterrupted quality time with the kids, shut down everything else when you’re with them, and keep away from the phone. When you’re with them – you should be with them completely!
- What top tips would you give to any working mum?
Never go to an important work meeting with nappy cream all over your blazer, or simply – don’t try and change your baby’s nappy quickly when you’re late for a work meeting!
- What do you love most about London? Do you have a favourite spot with your children?
The thing I love most about London is its diversity, its openness and the inclusivity that this city celebrates and takes pride in championing. I enjoy how cultural diversity is valued in London and how it’s seen as a key factor in providing another strand of richness to our society. We have friends from the Dominican Republic, Algeria, Australia… and I’m thrilled that my son is exposed to so many beautiful cultures and peoples. I also love the social housing system – as all Boroughs in London, including Kensington, have council houses available within the area rather than having them in the suburbs like France, for example. I think this creates and fosters a lovely and much needed sense of diversity within the community.
As for a favourite spot, before having kids it was Shoreditch and all its alternative art galleries. After having my little boy, parks, of course, have become our favourite space (do we have any other choice?), especially Lady Diana’s Memorial Playground. I think I enjoy playing inside the massive Pirate Ship more than my toddler does!
- How do you define quality ‘me-time’?
Having a chocolate ice cream alone, and not to have to share it with my husband and toddler!
- What is your favourite & least favourite thing about parenthood?
My favourite thing is listening to my toddler’s cute little words that are completely wrong and deciding not to correct them because they’re too funny! That’s why blueberries shall remain ‘boobies’ until further notice…
My least favourite thing is that time is going by so quickly and each stage of his development is so beautiful and so fleeting.
- Tell us something people don’t know about you.
Only 4% of children’s books in the UK feature BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) characters. I’m on a mission to raise that number – because all children deserve to see themselves in the books they read.
- Given that we are all about embracing Motherhood, what advice would you give a first time Mum?
Enjoy motherhood and do it your way
but most importantly do what makes you happy because a happy mum = happy children! Don’t let anyone pressure you to do things differently from what you want to do. Whether it’s going back to work or not going back to work, to breastfeed or not to breastfeed, or to sleep-train or not to sleep-train… Follow your instincts and do what’s better for YOU and YOUR baby.
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I’m a mum and a writer that is passionate about creating more inclusive stories for kids.
I’m a mum and a writer that is passionate about creating more inclusive stories for kids.
10. Finally, please let us know what you love most about Kensington Mums?
After giving birth I realised the importance of having a support network of fellow mums to lean on – Kensington Mums helps facilitate this, especially for new mums in the neighbourhood.
Read more inspiring interviews as part of our online motherhood exhibition and get in touch to share your story with us. We would love to hear from you.
