Of the logistical challenges she faces as a single mother and her juggle with a full-time job Juanita says “I actually spend a lot of time with my kids”, explaining “I had an epiphany and realised ‘Look I have to simplify my life and make more time for them, and me, and family life’.” At 11 and 9, Juanita’s children aren’t babies any more – an age she says where “I’m having more fun with them now. I’ve always loved them dearly but it’s more fun as they get older”, with the children a little more grown up and forming their own opinions, she says they have “a more equal relationship”.
Of the lack of support which led to her very public physical breakdown on live TV in 2007 she says it was an important turning point which made her “think deeply about how I was living and how I was relating to my kids and how we were all fitting in together as a family, and I had the epiphany that I had to simplify my life”. Realising that she had to take better care of herself in order to look after her children she became a yoga devotee and says it changed everything. She now rates yoga as the third most important aspect of her life (after her kids and her partner).
And if you would like to watch more of Jacinta’s interview with Juanita Phillips go to Mother Zen
Jacinta has just published her third book, Mother Zen, part memoir part modern parenting manifesto about how to be a more conscious and present parent and available via her website.
