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Parenting, wellness and old traditions, as told by a mother and daughter

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we sat down with content creator and author Natalie Lee and her mum to shine a light on the multitudes of motherhood

By Chloe Lawrance

There's something special about mother-daughter relationships - they're full of love and often complexities. This Mother's Day, we wanted to celebrate and shine a light on the unique nature of that relationship, and the many other multitudes that make up motherhood. So, we sat down with Natalie Lee (otherwise known as @stylemesunday) and her mum, Sue.

As a content creator, author, podcast host and public speaker (not to mention a mum to two daughters herself), Natalie's goal is to challenge and help women shed their shame. Sue, a mum to three daughters, four step-children and grandmother to three grandchildren, works with refugees and asylum seekers, a job she's incredibly passionate about. Here, the pair discuss what they've learnt from one another, their changing relationship and the wellness rituals that bring them together.

How would you describe one another in three words?

Natalie: 'Strong, tenacious and inspiring.'

Sue: 'Brave, independent and generous.'

How has your relationship with one another changed over time?

Natalie: 'We've always had our ups and downs, like most mothers and daughters. We're both quite headstrong, and we have a lot of strong opinions. But that's what makes our relationship interesting. There's a lot of love there.'

Sue: 'Our relationship has definitely changed over the years; I feel like we're on a more equal footing now. As Natalie's gotten older, as much as I'm there for her, I also really appreciate her advice on things now. She's experienced a lot, and I really respect her for that. I know that I can trust her to be honest and speak the truth.'

What do you most admire about one another?

Natalie: 'My mum's resilience. She's been through a hell of a lot, but is still standing and thriving. She's shown me that you can do things your own way, you don't have to follow the crowd. She's never judgemental, which has helped me to be so open as I've grown and changed. I'm not afraid to tell my mum anything.'

Sue: 'I admire Natalie's ability to stand up for what she believes in, even if it upsets other people. She doesn't worry too much about what other people think and sometimes I wish I was more like that. I also love her passion for her work, and the values she believes in. I can honestly say she's influenced me more than anyone to challenge my views on many things.'

Are there any beauty tips you’ve picked up from each other?

Natalie: 'We both love being pampered. That's definitely something I get from my mum.'

Sue: 'Natalie is always stressing the importance of good SPF protection. That's something I've taken on board now. She's passed on lots of lovely products to me, so I've got a good skincare routine in place, too. I'm particularly big on moisturising, day and night.'

Do you share any wellness rituals?

Natalie: 'We like to go to spas. We make an effort to spend some quality time together while also getting pampered.'

Sue: 'I really do love spending time, just the two of us, having a spa day. It's nice and relaxing. We also love going to the beach together as a family - although Natalie definitely loves going in the sea a bit more than me.'

What are your tips for finding a moment of calm, even when things feel stressful?

Natalie: 'Ground yourself. I like to spend 10 minutes meditating or just working on my breathing. And if I'm really stressed, I go for a walk in nature. Take your shoes off and feel the earth beneath your feet - that works brilliantly for centering yourself and finding some calm among the chaos.'

Sue: 'My top tip for finding a moment of calm is to lie in a bath, surrounded by scented candles with relaxing music in the background. If I can't do that, then I'll try to take the dog out for a long walk and tune in to nature.'

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