Parenting Pep Talk is an occasional series of guest posts all about encouraging other parents by sharing some of our happy moments, the advice that has worked for us and some positive words of encouragement.
Today’s post comes from the lovely Mel who blogs over at Le Coin de Mel. Mel is happily married with four children and a serious food addiction. A keen photographer, she is rarely seen without her camera around her neck. Her blog, Le Coin de Mel is all about food, family life, allergies, crafts, days out and pretty much everything she gets up to with her family. When Mel is not drooling over food on Pinterest or Instagram, she bakes with her children, plans meals, thinks about her next sweet treat, shares recipes with friends or takes photos.
1) Tell us a little bit about you and your family.
Hi, I’m Mel and I have four gorgeous children (biased, moi?) aged 7, 5 2 and 1. My blog, ‘Le Coin de Mel’ is my creative outlet. On it, I share my family’s favourite recipes, record milestones; write about life with allergies, days out and crafts. I might also ramble on about anything that takes my fancy.
2) How would you describe your parenting style?
I think ‘relaxed’ would be the best word to describe my parenting style. I try not to overthink. I also make sure I enjoy every moment with my children. I don’t tend to wish for the next stage to start (crawling, walking, going to the toilet independently, starting school and so on and so forth), because before you know it, these little people will be all grown up and I will be missing all this.
Children are only little for a very short time and I find it important to enjoy their innocence, tend to their needs whilst encouraging them to get to the next stage without pushing it or imposing it onto them. My sixteen months old baby is not walking yet, but it is not because she cannot do it. She is simply not ready for it. You know what? She will be walking all her life, so if she wants to crawl for a little longer, I’ll let her!
3) What’s your favourite thing about being a parent?
Laughing every day, seeing life through the eyes of my children and unconditional love are my three most favourite things in the world. I feel so fortunate I have these little people in my life.
4) What piece of advice have you been given that you found especially helpful?
Being French, breastfeeding is not in my culture at all. In fact, I didn’t know a single person who had breastfed other than my grandmother and my sister-in-law. As soon as I started breastfeeding, I found it incredibly painful and challenging.
Luckily, Hubby’s sister was at the other end of the phone in a flash. She suggested expressing milk before I even considered introducing a bottle. So on day 3, when the milk came in, I started expressing one bottle per day. It relieved my sore breasts and kept my milk supplies high for those growth spurts. It also meant I had a fridge full of milk for later. Perfect!
5) What one piece of encouraging advice would you give to a new parent?
Just listen to your instincts, trust yourself and take everything with a pinch of salt. If you’re having a tough time, always remember it’s just a phase. All children have meltdowns, refuse to eat certain foods, have sleepless nights and test their parents’ patience. Whoever says the contrary is not being fully honest or simply doesn’t remember what it was like to have young children.
It’s just a phase, right?
6) Can you share one of your favourite parenting moments?
OK, now that’s a very embarrassing one, but we’re friends, aren’t we, Louise?
On the day Crevette turned 3, he came to the bathroom for a wee when I was in the shower. He glanced at me for a second and started shouting, in a panic: “Maman, where’s your willy gone?”
You know what: when you’re a parent, you’re never bored and kids are my favourite people to be around. They’re so much more entertaining than TV!
7) Anything else that you would like to share to encourage other parents?
Life is a journey not a destination: enjoy the little things!
Want to know what mornings are like with four young children? Check this post. (
You can connect with Mel on the following social networks:
Thank you Mel for sharing your words of encouragement, advice and happy parenting moments.
I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know Mel a bit more. Some really useful reminders too – it’s definitely a good thing to live in the moment and I will try now not to overthink things! X
Thank you Julia – it’s hard not to overthink things sometimes, isn’t it?
Thanks Julia! I used to overthink and get worried about the tiniest things, but I guess with more children and less time, you tend to take everything with a pinch of salt 🙂
A lovely piece – didn’t realise you ran this series I’d be really interested to share on this one time if you’d have me? #coolmumclub
Thank you Talya – would love to have you take part – will send you over the details. 🙂
Amazing to think that generally the French don’t breastfeed. Must be difficult to try against that culture.
I can imagine it must have been difficult – makes such a difference though if you have someone who can support you through it.
It was really odd the first time I breastfed in a restaurant. People kept staring at us, although I’m pretty discreet!
Great to hear more about Mel! We definitely share the same relaxed approach. My daughter wasn’t walking until 16 months either and I was cool with that… She was more of a talker than a walker! Love the ethos of living in the moment and enjoying every second. I really try to do that too. Oh, and I had no idea breastfeeding wasn’t the done thing in France! Very interesting #pocolo
It’s good to step back and remember the little ones do things in their own time, isn’t it? Love Mel’s relaxed approach too and so important to enjoy those little moments and remember that the challenging ones will pass!
She started taking a couple of steps a few days ago. It’s weird to think of my tiny teeny baby as a walker. Do I have to refer to har as a toddler now? Seems like she was born yesterday!
Sounds like Mel has a very good outlook on life as a parent. I love her favourite parenting moment – I think most of us have had a ‘naked’ revelation as with our children! I’ll head on over to hers to make myself more aquainted. #PoCoLo
Lol, that moment did make me chuckle too. I’ve yet to have one of those moments but I’m sure it will happen at some point! Hope you enjoy Mel’s blog, I always love reading her posts 🙂
Haha, I can’t imagine that the first time you’ve heard of me was by reading this (ever so slightly embarrassing) anecdote!
Hey Louise, thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub. Mel sounds like a cool mum doesn’t she?! Some great advice there, and she is so spot on about embracing each moment. I’m off to make sure I’m following her blog…#coolmumclub
Oh thanks lovely!
Thank you – definitely agree with embracing those moments too. Hope you enjoy reading Mel’s blog – she’s one of my favourite bloggers 🙂
Thanks so much for having me in this series, Louise. I’ve loved giving some thought to the sort of parent I am. I don’t normally take the time to question what I do / reflect on how I bring up my little rays of sunshine (Can you tell I’m typing this as they’re all asleep?). xx
My pleasure Mel, thank you so much for taking part and so glad you enjoyed it. I do most of my blogging once the girls are asleep too! x
Mel is a really lovely lady and it was great to see her over on your blog Louise. What a great post 🙂 Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Such a lovely and positive series … a very enjoyable read too – makes you feel warm and relaxed. Really good tips to run with, as a parent. I agree with Mel about the joys of seeing it through our children eyes and letting them grow as they grow, instead of wishing time away by hurrying for the next stage.
Can I invite myself to your series? 🙂
Thanks for sharing. #PoCoLo
Thank you – living in the moment is hard to do sometimes but can be so rewarding. I would love to have you join in with the series – I will email you over the details 🙂