Charli is a mum to three, a motivational speaker and shares her life with her online community. Charli, her husband Cullen and their two girls live with dwarfism and she uses her platform to speak with remarkable honesty and kindness about their everyday life. With a passion for affirming everyone’s worth, Charli is often interviewed for insights into the importance of positive self talk. Charli and her husband Cullen have two girls Tilba and Tully and a newborn little boy Rip.
How are you enjoying being a new family of 5 and getting to know little Rip?
I’ve loved every stage with each of my children, from the adjustment of just Cullen and me to a family of three to having multiple children. Each change has been so special but for the first time now I finally feel complete, like our family is now exactly where it should be and I am loving it. Rip is just five weeks old but already we are discovering little differences in his baby quirks and he’s simply pine.
What has motherhood taught you about yourself?
I’m better at it than I ever thought I would be. I never felt maternal or drawn to children so often thought I wouldn’t be very good at motherhood. However, I know now with complete confidence that no one could be a better Mum to my children than me. That’s not to say I don’t make mistakes, I mess it up every single day. Whether it’s losing my patience, making the wrong call or accidentally taking sides. But I just adore my kids and I love learning something new about them every single day. They never cease to amaze me and their resilience and their optimism is so inspiring.
What would you want your kids to always remember?
I want them to always remember how fabulous they are. My husband and I are dedicated to raising confident children, helping them to build a shield around themselves that is so impenetrable that it doesn’t matter what anyone says or does, their picture of themselves doesn’t change. We realise this isn’t bulletproof, there will be times in life that might get them down but I feel like if we can help instil positive self-talk early and help them to turn inwards when life does get tricky, then we’ve helped.
Additionally, I simply want them to always pause before reacting. Even if they still react the same. It’s so important that we learn to speak and drive our actions in a way that’s fuelled by kindness and empathy and I want to help them to remember to try their best to lead with this.
Tell us a couple of your mum hacks?
Oh so many that I’ve learnt over the years!
Always keep a packet of wipes in the car!
During school holidays or busy weekends I like to pack lunch boxes as per normal anyway! It makes the endless job of feeding children a little easier and seems to help regulate the amount of snacks they ask for!
If you have children who are picky dressers, let them choose their outfit the night before and lay it out on the bed because no one has time for the 47 outfit changes and arguments in the mornings!
What’s always in your mum bag?
Lanolin – the best for everything! Lip balm, chaff cream, nappy rash, dry skin.
A pack of wipes, honestly I don’t know how I got through the first 25 years of my life without wipes. Obviously they’re great for all the normal children things but also for cleaning hotel remote controls & your mobile phone, coffee spills in the car, removing red wine from carpet (nearly always works!) and freshening yourself up if you need to!
