1. Please introduce yourself: Name, what you do & how many children you have
Hi, I am Madeleine Shaw, I am a nutritional therapist and have a 5-year son.
2. How do you manage to juggle work and life balance as a mother?
It goes through waves, some weeks it’s easier and sometimes it’s harder. I have a great family who support me and help look after my son when I need extra support but I try and work efficiently when he is at school. I want to be around loads while my son is young so I know I won’t be able to work as much as I’d like to but this is the season I am in and I am trying to embrace it.
3. What top tips would you give to any working mum?
Do your movement first. It’s hard to get your movement in so do it first thing. I created The Glow Space for mums like me who only have 15-20 mins of time to do some movement. The platform also has meal prep plans with shopping lists which are great for prepping healthy meals to have in the fridge.
Use your commute to do emails, and keep your phone out of eyesight so you are more focused and less distracted. Know that being a mum doesn’t make you a worse worker, it makes you a better one. you gave birth and raised a child that is remarkable and you can’t take on anything!
4. What do you love most about London? Do you have a favourite spot with your children?
That is full of lots of villages. I love Richmond Park and having lunch at Petersham Nurseries. I love going to the Tate or recently I took my son to Frameless. I grew up in London and I love the balance of nature and culture.
5. How do you define quality ‘me-time’?
Being by myself on a hike in nature, that’s when I feel calm, connected and creative.
6. What is your favourite & least favourite thing about parenthood?
My favourite thing is the deep love, purpose and connection I feel to my son. My least favourite is the lack of downtime and time with my other loved ones.
7. Tell us something people don’t know about you
I’m pretty good at hula hooping
8. Given we are all about embracing Motherhood, what advice would you give a first-time Mum?
Enjoy the season you are in, often we wish we were in past or future seasons, we cant wait until our kids are older or miss when they were younger. You won’t get this moment back to enjoy the present.
9. I’m a mum and…
10. Finally, please let us know what you love most about Kensington Mums
I love reading about all the amazing things that are on in London I love getting out and about with my son so it’s the perfect place for inspiration.
Credit: The Glow Space is a digital platform that brings Madeleine Shaw’s holistic Get the Glow philosophy into your home, with unlimited access to her invigorating all-level yoga classes, nourishing recipes, integrated meal plans, guided meditations and a community forum to cheer you on and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.
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…
