Today we meet South African mom blogger Mandi Hart
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family and kids.
I’m an eternal optimist and live life with hope. Life always throws curveballs, and like most people, I’ve had to navigate setbacks and challenges. I live in Stellenbosch, having moved to the Western Cape (Noordhoek) in 2013 from Port Elizabeth. At the time, my son, Matt was entering high school and my daughter, Emily, was still in junior school. We moved from the southern suburbs to Stellenbosch in the December of 2019. Emily matriculated at Rhenish Girls High School last year. And what a year it was for her. My son is at Stellenbosch University. I’ve been married for 21 years (it’s incredible to think it’s been that long). Neil is my best friend, co-adventurer. I’m an author of several books including Parenting World Changers and Courage in the Fire (this chronicles my healing journey from fear after an armed robbery in 2015). I also speak regularly on the radio on courageous living and fearless parenting. As a coach and course creator, I am passionate about seeing women freed from fears and obstacles. I long to see others living free and full lives.
Being active has always been part of my life, from surfing, to cycling to running. I find so much joy running through the vineyards in Stellenbosch with my Ridgeback, Nola.
How has Covid affected your day to day life? How has your routine changed and how have you coped?
Covid threw a major curveball to all of humanity. We all had to adapt – and quickly. Helping my daughter navigate a matric year was no easy feat. There were so many setbacks for the matric class of 2020. It was a life-lesson in resilience. Our routine changed somewhat. Exercise has always been a high priority for us as a family. At one point, Emily, tied a rope to her waist and we hooked the other end onto our barge board so she could swim for 30 minutes in our pool. My dogs loved lockdown as they got to run around our property with me (We live on a smallholding so a loop is about 300m). Our routine slowed down. Life was lived at a slower pace, and I don’t think that it was all bad. We could all do with a bit more ‘slowness’ or at least our family could.
I continued speaking on the radio – via telephone now, and moved my coaching online, launched an online parenting course and adapted our schedules. My children had to figure out how to navigate online learning – and being older – we didn’t micromanage them. It was tough at times but they both made it through the year.
Our family is a bona-fide foodie family. Our children are used to experimental meals but what kept us going at times was putting some loud music on, getting them involved in making flat bread and other experimental dishes. We also spoke through the various setbacks, and worked at handling disappointments as best as we could.
Over December, both my husband and I, were diagnosed with Covid-19. It really put a spin on any New Year celebrations. So much so, that around 10 January, after some energy was restored, I cooked a roast chicken with all the trimmings and our family celebrated our New Year (ten days later). We laughed and enjoyed the moment together.
Then a few days later, Neil started to feel unwell. Our kids were away with friends, and Neil was diagnosed with Covid for the second time! He promptly isolated again in the bedroom. It was surreal to say the least, but we made it work. I remember sitting 3 metres from him drinking tea ‘together’ or eating a meal. The battle with Covid is not only physical but mental too. It’s something we have to tackle with wisdom and kindness. My word for 2021 is ADAPT. I’ve applied to all areas of my life, from the way I parent, to work, to exercise, to engaging with others.
Have you written any helpful posts that could help other moms over this time? And what kind of response have you had to your writing?
Just as COVID hit, I wrote a short ebook called Antivirus. You can download it on my website for free. If you feel it is relevant, I’m happy to send you the link.
I’ve written a couple of posts. The links are below.
The responses have been tremendously encouraging, especially the last two posts. I’ve had people message me telling me how they found the personal insights helpful and that they were well written. I’ve also had people contact me and share some of their stories too. The one thing I realized was that fear affects our lives in many ways. One way is that it compromises your immune system. If we recognize that fear is triggering responses in our bodies and minds, then we can tackle it.
A comment from another reader, Ronnelia, “What a inspiration and testimony again Mandi Hart . Always so inspiring and seeing the good and positive in every situation. We always have a choice! Thanks.”
One reader, Judy, said: “I must admit Mandi, I’m dreading a full-return. I know I’m in the minority saying that. But for as long as I can remember I’ve yearned for this slower pace, finally here it is, just to loose it again. Even if you adapt your life to be slower, the reality is, once everything is in full swing…life requires certain things from you and you need to join that pace (mostly). My kids are in the “honeymoon-age” …no toddlers, no teenagers…so for us this has been perfect!”
Or from runner, Dawn, “Really well written!!! Thanks for the personal insight and practical guidelines. Fantastic to share to all runners!!” And from a mom, Wendy, “My son’s journey back to fitness was long . He had Covid last April . He prefers to hike over mountain bike since then. Had ridden a few times but used to love it ! He’ll get back!”
Other links include:
Share with us any tips that you have learnt to get through this time.
- Seek advice in the right places. There is so much confusion and fear out there. Choose who you will listen to.
- Don’t give into to fear-mongering or let fear rule your life. Talk to your children if you notice that anxiety is increasing. Anxiety is normal right now, but we can take steps to help our children walk in peace.
- If you’ve had Covid, then recover slowly, wisely and carefully.
- Don’t take life so seriously. There is so much tragedy and heartache out there. Make sure you laugh and relax a little more.
- Lower your expectations for 2021. Set realistic goals but be prepared to adapt them. Think through this before you speak to your children. Help them grow in resilience and agility.
- Get a coach or someone to walk with you to strengthen you in the areas you need support.
- Build on your friendships and those relationships that matter. Say what you mean and what’s close to your heart. Let people know that you love them.
- Even though lockdown is hard, there are gifts to be found. One of them is that you can grow your relationships with your children. Choose to make memories with them. As my kids are older, I treasured the time in our home with them.
So much of life is about perspective. I think it was Einstein who said that perspective is worth a 100 IQ points. Adjust your perspective and apply joyful wisdom. You never know what good can come out of this tragic time.
You can find Mandi here: Instagram and Facebook.
Are you a SA Mom blogger? Would you like to be featured? Answer the questions or email me your own post at heather@samomblogs.co.za
If you found this post interesting please share it with your friends and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and join our awesome group called Mommy’s Me Time.
Leave a Reply