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The SuperMum Podcast

Successful, happy and motivated mothers have a positive mindset for motherhood. Join me and learn how.
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Now displaying: Page 1
Oct 15, 2018

I was born into a traditional, 2.4-children-style family where Dad went out to work and Mum stayed at home. And I've mirrored that 'normal' set-up now I have a family of my own. Mum plus dad equals children. Simple. But because of that, it's easy to be blinkered to other family structure. 40 years later, blended, same sex, solo parent and adoptive families are equally celebrated.

In today's episode of Mum-to-Mum Monday we'll be talking about unconventional families. Growing up in a same sex family with two mums; bucking the trend of the traditional 1980's expectation; adopting children of a different heritage; and how unique family set-ups work in todays world.

My guest today is Jesse Toksvig-Stewart.

Jesse grew up in Surrey in the UK with her two Mums, Sandi and Peta, and her siblings, Megan and Theo. In the late '80s this family structure was seen as unconventional. But to Jesse, it was normal. And it was all she knew. Later in her childhood when her mums split up, Jesse and her siblings divided their time between the two households. Her family has recently been extended even more, when Sandi remarried another woman, and gave Jesse a new step-sister.

The family is close, and Jesse still lives near her mums house, with her boyfriend, Adam. They have recently warmly welcomed a sister from Pakistan heritage into their fold, whom Peta has adopted.

Wanting to map the early years of her step-sister, adopted sister, and little nephew in a baby book, Jesse realised they only catered for the conventional. Looking back at her own baby record book, she saw it was full of crossed out words and hand written headings.

Jesse was saddened that although times have changed and the world is more accepting, the printed world was lagging behind. There was no memory book that catered for her own special family, so she set out to create her own. A baby record book that celebrated her new sister’s unique place in their family, and in the world.

Alongside her illustrator friend, Kat Willott, they created an open record book called ‘My Amazing Family and Me' to welcome all children to families, no matter how they arrive, when they arrive, or how unique their family setup is.

In today's episode, we go deep on everything from same sex parents, adopted children and dealing with the sideways glances, to discussing the issues that children from unique family circumstances face, separation anxiety, and how we can all help out in the way we respond to them.

I'm delighted to welcome Jesse to my show today. She teaches us that families are built on love, not genetics and that understanding, tolerance and acceptance should be at the root of all families, no matter how unconventional their beginnings.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/077

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Go Conquer Motherhood!

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