Want to know my story? Then read on, my friend...
My husband Sam and I are parents to two very active little boys, Henry (almost 3) and Alfie (10 months).
We live in Far Meadow which is on the south coast of NSW. If you haven't travelled to the Shoalhaven before, you should - it's beautiful!
I have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Master's degree in Forensic Mental Health. Before I became a mum, I worked in Sydney as a Case Manager for children and young people in foster care, their birth families and their foster carers. I was incredibly driven in my work and I loved my role, though it absolutely took a toll on me at times. I was (and still am) driven to have a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of others.
I took a break from my career because Sam and I wanted to start a family. We both quit our jobs at the end of 2015 and travelled around Australia in a rooftop tent (best experience EVER!). A few months after our return, along came Henry...
The transition to motherhood was tougher for me than I expected. I absolutely loved my boy and loved being a mum but I also felt a loss of identity, loneliness and a lack of purpose. I missed having regular contact with other adults and having conversations with people about things other than motherhood. I missed doing the things that I loved - the things that make me feel like me. I felt a pull to start a business that would allow me to channel the things I'm passionate about, understanding that doing so would also re-energise me and actually make me a better mum.
I decided to start a mum blog and loved the release that writing brought. I wrote regularly until I got pregnant (and exhausted!) again and then it all fell by the wayside. I still felt a pull to start a business but I couldn't settle on what one. I wanted to be at home full-time with my kids, but I also wanted to fulfil my desire to help others.
At the start of 2018, Sam and I lost our baby boy halfway through the pregnancy. As is often the case with grief, it really put life into perspective. My business mission was now clear: to support mums to feel treasured, nurtured and worthy. Being a tea lover, I decided to use tea as my gateway for doing that. I launched Tea for She just 3 months after the loss of our babe.
I'm a firm believer in the power of the tea ritual. It has the ability to connect people, soothe them, comfort them and nourish them. Tea can make great days even better and bad days a little less tough.
So here I am, with a range of beautiful teas, READY TO SERVE YOU and to remind you that you are oh so important and worthy!
Tea for She is a work in progress and I'm busily doing some planning behind the scenes to bring you some great things in 2020.
LET'S CONNECT
If you want to inject more self-care and tea into your life, let's connect on Instagram or Facebook. You'll find me at @tea_for_she.
GIVING BACK
$1 from every online sale will be donated to Bears of Hope which is an organisation that provides support to families who have lost a baby.
When Sam and I experienced our loss, Bears of Hope provided us with the support we needed to farewell our son. One of the things they provided us with was a Cuddle Cot which is a cooling mattress that allowed us to spend a couple of hours with our son after the delivery. These cots are in high demand and many more are needed in hospitals across Australia.
It brings me great joy to know that the Tea for She community can show love and care to other mums and their families when they need it most.
Thanks for reading!
Beth x