Mandy Duncan is an intelligent, beautiful young woman, and mother to three children, who light up her world. Committed to a journey toward self-love, searching for something slower, and intentionally cultivating the life she had always dreamed of; Mandy is testament to the fact that if you work hard and stay true to your vision then greatness will follow. We chat with Mandy about motherhood...
Tell us about your home...
Our home is chaotic but calm at the same time - if that’s even at all possible? haha!
How was lockdown for you bubble?
It has been interesting to say the least. I have learnt that my eleven and seven year old are in fact smarter than I am. I have learnt that I'm a bloody great banana bread baker and I have learnt that I actually do not need much to be happy. As much as there has been uncertainty with parts of our lives with this situation this time with my family has amazing and eyeopening in so many ways.
What was your saving Grace this past month?
F45 home workouts ! If it wasn't for my club going online I would legitimately be rolling out of isolation !
How has Covid-19 and the lockdown evolved your outlook?
It's definitely made me appreciate the little things. I have a lot of gratitude in general but man this time has taken it to the next level. It has made me realise that a slower paced life is actually exactly what we needed. I have always been a super busy person. Like I can't just sit and relax, I have to always be doing something or going somewhere. But I am now officially a homebody. Why hasn’t anyone told me how great this is?
It is such a privilege to have watched your family grow these past three years, thank you for sharing your journey with us. What has the past year been like growing with baby Oakly?
Ahh well it's been a privilege to share little snippets of our life with you! It has been amazing to say the least. Oakly has brought an incredible amount of healing for me personally. We call him the hurricane cause he is just bloody crazy ! So the past 17 months have been BUSY. But wow, we just wouldn't have it any other way. It has also been something else watching Noah and Bowie with him. Ok I'm literally in tears as I type this ! They are just incredible with him. He is their everything. I'm so proud beyond words of these beautiful little people we have raised.
If you would like to hear more about Mandy’s journey with each of her children, and why Oakly has been so healing for her family, she shares more on The Motherness podcast with Skye Ross. LINK: HERE
Do you ever catch yourself doing things your own mother used to do? If so, what is it?
YES! This makes me laugh because I will be saying something to my kids and stop and think... OH MY GOD, I'M BLOODY SUSAN (My Mum). I think it's more my mannerisms as I get older rather than doing a specific thing.
Any resounding advice or lessons she ingrained in you that you are passing on to your children?
That Mothers are LITERALLY always right. I remember arguing with my mum as a teenager and thinking "I would never do that to my kids"... wow turns out she was totally right about everything the whole bloody time. One of my mums favourite little sayings is "life is all about choices" and as a teenager I used to roll my eyes. But as an adult I see it so clearly.
And finally the values you hope to instil in your children…
Kindness, respect, honesty and self-worth. These are things we talk about a lot in our home. I truly believe that children are a product of our environment so we make a conscious effort to continuously show our children what these look like.
Photography: Tash and Arie Stokes of Black Robin Photography
Saben Style: Mandy wears Saben style WALKER. A chic interpretation of the 90's bum bag trend. Ideal to clip around the waist or wear around the shoulder to keep your hands free for more important things. Shop Walker HERE
