“My advice is to never regret not being perfect, to listen to yourself and what your body is telling you, and to never feel guilty about anything.”
Usually reserved and discreet, Allison, the founder of Élhée, agreed to take part in this interview. We have transcribed her conversation for the “Motherhood Diaries” for Liberty London, where she warmly shares her perspective on motherhood."
Have you always considered yourself as a mother, and what does motherhood mean to you?
I have always wanted to be a mom and dreamed of having a big family. I was lucky to have three beautiful children, plus one with my husband's eldest son. Motherhood to me is synonymous with unconditional love and chaos. It's the great unknown!
What kind of relationship did you have with your body during your pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an incredibly powerful process and means huge changes, both inside and out. I experienced my three pregnancies as a gentle and joyful journey, and I loved every minute of being pregnant. Watching my body transform and feeling my babies grow inside me is one of the things I appreciated the most, something I had to give up each time at birth. Breastfeeding them allowed me to hold on to that intense bond for a while, until I eventually had to bottle feed them.
There is a lot of pressure around pregnancy and motherhood. Did you experience any form of pressure?
I never felt any pressure during my pregnancies, neither professionally nor personally. However, I have faced misogyny several times throughout my entrepreneurial journey. The most hurtful experience happened when I pitched my Élhée project to an “Entrepreneurship Support Association.” The jury elegantly advised me to stay at home and continue to raise my three children instead of pursuing my project in order to “protect myself.” These words actually strengthened my determination and deepened my desire to create my brand Élhée. After all, there is nothing women cannot accomplish.
What resources did you find most helpful during your pregnancy?
Open-mindedness and lightheartedness. Letting go during my maternity leave was a huge inspiration for me. Being able to spend all my time with my young children encouraged me to devote even more time to them as they grew up. I naively thought running my own business would allow me to do so, even when I returned to work, but that turned out to be only partially true. My husband and I continued seeing friends, going out, and traveling after our children were born, but we always made sure our kids were included. The most important thing for us is to create and give them memories together that they will cherish forever.
How did you manage to balance work and family life after their birth?
Balancing children and work is not easy on a daily basis. I appreciate the freedom that my work gives me to manage the kids and live at their pace, even though most of the time it's pretty complicated to find the right balance.
Do you have any favorite Liberty kids brands or products?
There are so many things I love at Liberty, from their range of nightwear for children and women to their practical notebooks that are ideal for managing maternal mental load or perfect to gift to friends. But my current obsession is the newborn essentials by Bonpoint – they are absolutely adorable.
