Interview: Mumma Muse ~ Victoria & Mary
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We sat down with Victoria, mum of three including twins, and her own mum Mary, to talk about the things that shift between generations, and the things that stay exactly the same.
What followed was honest, warm, and (fair warning) a little tear-inducing.
On being a mum today
Victoria didn't sugarcoat it. Life with young children is loud, full, and fast-moving. But somewhere in the middle of all of it, she's found clarity about what she actually wants for her kids.
"For me as a parent, if I know that my children are confident and resilient and they've got strength, then they'll be able to accomplish anything, regardless of whether I'm around or not. As a parent, you can only protect your children for so long. So once they get out into the big bad world on their own, I want them to feel that they can deal with it."
It's a mindset that starts earlier than most people think in the small, everyday moments where children are given space to just be. Our Wooden Play Pen was designed with exactly that in mind: a beautiful, safe environment where kids can explore independently, and parents can sit back and enjoy watching their little ones discover within that safe boundary.
Mary, or Yiayiá to the grandchildren, wants to pass down "Happiness. Just enjoying life. I want my children to remember how much fun we had together and how many amazing adventures we went on.”
On finding your new style as a parent
Victoria's approach to style is the same as her approach to parenting; intentional, unfussy, and built to last, which is particularly important when moving between school runs, work, and everything in between. "I definitely have less time, so I want something that is comfortable, versatile and that makes me feel better. Planning is key, and having really great staples is essential." The Luxe Duo Bag was made for exactly that kind of life and it’s Victoria’s pick for everyday outings.
On slowing down (when the years won't)
One thing caught Victoria off guard about motherhood: the strange compression of time.
"The days can feel really long, but the years are going by so quickly. I think this is probably the first time in my life I've really wanted to just freeze and be present."
It's a feeling most mothers know. The ordinary Tuesday that somehow becomes the thing you remember.
Victoria credits her own mum with teaching her not to let those moments slip by out of inconvenience.
"Something Mum taught me was that it's important to continue to do what's important to you. If it's leaving the house, if it's travelling, if it's spending time with loved ones. It's not always easy. It can be challenging bringing all the kids along. But if you do it, you'll never regret that time you spent."
On what Mary sees now
"It's very hard to explain when you're at my age," Mary said. "You see your kids, they're married, they have children and you think... are they my grandkids? You still feel young. You still feel like you're 30. But when I see them, it just brings so much joy. It's really hard to explain. But really special."
The world Mary raised Victoria in looked different. Less information, fewer frameworks, fewer people asking how you were really coping.
"We didn't have the mental support, the advice on how to raise our children. We just did it the best way we could."
Things are different now, and Mary sees that clearly. But some instincts were always right.
On the bond that makes it all possible
Victoria is back at work. The days are structured around logistics, handovers, and the particular chaos of twins. But there's one thing she loves to come home for.
"Something I cherish the most is watching the bond that grows between the girls. I really look forward to coming home and watching how they interact, how they kiss and cuddle each other, watching that friendship blossom.”
And when she reflects on her own journey into motherhood, she keeps coming back to one person.
"I believe my journey as a mother wouldn't have been as special without my mum. I feel very lucky to have had her as support, and I feel very grateful that I get to actually enjoy this time with my kids. I definitely don't think that would have been the case without you."
Some things shift between generations; the information available, the support structures, the way we talk about what's hard. But the core of it hasn't changed much. You show up, you do your best, and if you're lucky, you get to watch it become something worth being proud of. Victoria and Mary are proof that the most important thing one generation can pass to the next isn't advice. It's example.