Elyse Knowles on self-care, sleep and the challenges of motherhood

'Doing the food shopping alone is a treat'

Elyse Knowles and her son, Sunny. Image: Instagram

As she prepares to welcome baby number two, Elyse Knowles reflects on life as a mother, the lessons she's learned, and the changes she's made to her daily routine.

Elyse Knowles is no stranger to a busy routine. From modelling and running her design company with fiance Josh to travelling the country with a two-year-old, it's safe to say Knowles knows how to run a tight ship.

She does, all the while maintaining an admirable self-care routine, something she acknowledges as the foundation of a healthy, fulfilled life.

Ahead of Mother's Day, the SodaStream ambassador, who is pregnant with her second child, recently sat down with Body+Soul to share her lessons on motherhood and the things she is most excited about before welcoming baby number two.

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How do you find time for yourself? 

"Time for myself is rare, I think most mums will agree! Simple things like doing the food shopping alone is a treat. Sunny just started daycare one day a week, so I jam-pack as much as I can into that day. Josh and I don’t have family living nearby, so we have to be a strong team and support each other. We will see how the juggle goes when bub number two arrives."

What would you say are the biggest challenges of motherhood?

"Sleep was the biggest challenge for me. Sunny didn’t sleep well until he was about 20 months old. And now being pregnant I don’t sleep too well either. It’s my body getting me prepared for another sleepless baby I think. There are other challenges for sure but I feel so lucky to have a beautiful boy and another baby on the way. I like to think it's all part of the adventure of being a parent."

What lessons have you learned about pregnancy that you’re going into your second birth armed with? 

"Sunny was a breech baby and I ended up having to get a c-section, so this time round it could be completely different. I like to go in open-minded, and not think about it too much. As long as baby and I are healthy that’s all that matters."

As you get older, what changes have you noticed – mentally and physically? 

"I’ve made major changes to my decision-making over the years and how I approach things. I was a big hustler and tried my hardest to keep kicking major goals, now I have settled down and reprioritised what’s important to me, and that’s the health and happiness of my family.

I have achieved so much over my career that I am proud of, I’ve learned it's okay to slow down. I think we need to keep reminding ourselves what makes us happy and surround ourselves with happy, uplifting people that love us for who we are."

How do you run a sustainable household when you’re a busy working mum? 

"I think it takes time and effort to set up a sustainable household, but once you do it becomes part of your lifestyle. Not buying single-use plastic bottles is an easy one for me to help keep our planet clean. We have a SodaStream at home and use it daily, Sunny thinks it’s a special drink because we make fresh and yummy flavours with it!

I get a fruit and veggie box delivered every two weeks, all from local farmers and suppliers. And on the off weeks, I head to the market with my bags and do a big shop. I also use cleaning products that can be refilled and reused."

Originally published as Elyse Knowles on self-care, sleep and the challenges of motherhood