Our feature mother this week is Amanda Comelli, a fellow Aussie and working mother to a beautiful daughter. Amanda competed for Australia in the world stage for full contact Karate and came 2nd in the Asian Championships in 2014! Amanda like all of us mamas tends to put others before herself and is learning how to take time for self care, work a full time job and take care of her husband and family. You can follow this amazing mama and her beautiful daughter on IG @amanda.and.zara
Thanks for sharing with us Amanda!
1. How many children do you have, name and ages ?
I have one beautiful daughter, Zara Avalon, who is 20 months old.
2. What is your current occupation?
I am a solicitor, specialising in business and tax law.
3. What are the challenges of balancing work and parenting?
I have been back at work for just 8 months now (and half of those have been working from home due to COVID-19). The challanges are endless and I am still trying to find a sustainable balance between work and family life. I have a demanding job, although a workplace that is accommodating of mothers, which is lucky! I find it difficult to switch off from work, even on my days home with Zara, which causes a huge load of mum guilt. However, I do think I am starting to find a rhythm in our schedule, and I do hope that this will only improve so that I can be the best mother and example to Zara and my future children as I can be.
(Mum guilt is real but you have nothing to be guilty about, you are a fabulous role model for Zara!)
4. What is your life philosophy?
“A life lived in fear is a life half lived” – I came across this quote when studying the film “Strictly Ballroom” in High School and it has really stuck with me. I am also a big believer of kindness and karma.
(Love this quote! If we don’t push ourselves to at least try, despite the fears we are really missing out on so much!)
5. What is a piece of advice you would give other mothers and what is one thing you wish you had known before having children?
Absolutely listen to your instincts. You will receive so much advice from others, some which is helpful and some which is not. Everyone is different and only you can work out what is best for you, your child and your family. And also, it is so important to look after yourself! Unfortunately, I have been bad at this since Zara was born, and have been suffering from a chronic ulcerative colitis flare for 20 months. I am only just starting to see improvement now after a very difficult 20 months and in hindsight, I wish I got on top of this and looking after my mental and physical health much earlier. You cannot be the best mother (or wife, employee, daughter etc) you can be if you do not look after yourself.
6. What is your greatest achievement apart from your child/children so far?
It is hard to pick just one achievement, and I am a big believer in that the journey is usually more rewarding than the result. I was really at my peak from around 2013 to 2017, and due to living a balanced and healthy lifestyle, I was able to achieve many of my aspirations. During that time I was competing for Australia on the world stage in international tournaments for full contact karate (and achieved 2nd place in the Asian Championships in 2014) and was selected to be part of a development squad for combat sports (boxing and Judo) in the Olympics. I met my husband during this time, was studying my masters and was able to travel. Life was amazing and I created some memories I will never forget.
(Sounds like an amazing time in your life!)
7. What have you done that you thought you could never do?
That is a difficult one! I am a big believer in that you can do anything you set your mind to do!
8. What books do you /did you like reading to your daughter?
Zara loves her books. To date, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Spot are definitely favourites in our household at the moment!
One of my kids favourites when they were young! I hope you will add my book Three Times the Fun to your favourites too .
Would love to hear your story