Tina Harris says she's lucky that her work as a performer is child-centric.
Tina Harris is a mother, teacher and performer. With her husband she created the children's music band Lah-Lah who perform live, proms-format concerts for preschool aged children. The band have recently recorded a CD and DVD, while Lah Lah’s Big Live Band airs daily on Nick Jr.
How many children do you have? What age / sex are they?
We have two beautiful little girls, a four year old and a seven year old. In addition we have a big dopey two year old golden retriever and a slightly overweight guinea pig.
What has surprised you the most about becoming a mother?
That waking up at seven o’clock has become considered a sleep-in. It used to be ten or eleven – and don’t even say those dirty words: daylight savings.
Do you miss anything about your life prior to having children?
Oh geez, what a hard question! With parenting, for every change that effects you in one way, there is a counterbalancing change in the other. There are some things I miss like dinners out and late night movies but they are very easily compensated by cuddles after bath time and Saturday morning pancake bakes.
What is the hardest part about being a mum?
Never being able to finish a …"Muuuuum!" … sentence.
How has your relationship with your partner changed since becoming parents?
Ah, there’s a book in that. It’s a constant effort to find the balance between family, life and work. But I guess that’s the case with many families, with or without children.
What advice do you have for new mothers or mothers to be?
Sleep whenever you can. Talk to other beautiful mothers. Make friends with your mothers’ group, those gals are your lifeline. Have coffee and cake and a catch up with friends whenever you can. Sanity is in being social.
What are you great at?
Making pancakes.
What are you terrible at?
Doing the washing.
How has your attitude to work / career changed since becoming a mother and how do you manage the juggle of family and work?
I guess we’re lucky in the sense that our work is child-centric. Lah-Lah’s Music Place (our school) is all about music for kids, and Lah-Lah (our band) has been a gradual all-inclusive composition by our family. A lot of our best ideas come from long road trips singing silly songs in the back of the car. I think in a way the kids have enjoyed the journey as much as we have.
What do you think about 'me' time? Do you practice it, preach it or have you resigned yourself to the fact that you will have to play catch up later on – and how do (or would) you spend your leisure time?
Oh, that is such a timely question. I’ve just bought, today, a fabulous book about meditation. So yes, my aim is to practice, not preach. And ooh, lots of long baths … with candles. Well that’s the dream anyway.
Who do you admire? Why?
I really admire my mother-in-law Sue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her angry. She’s my ideal role model. She raised two beautiful children and always seemed to manage her time beautifully between both. Even now, with my children, she’s generous with her time beyond measure. And, she always takes my side in an argument, rather than my husband’s. Now that’s a great mother-in-law!
What kind of ‘Australia’ do you hope for your children’s future?
One that my children will always call ‘home’. We haven’t yet had the chance to travel outside of it with our children, but would dearly love to open their eyes to all the amazing places and people in the world. My parents travelled a lot with me when I was young and I think it’s a wonderful way to learn how lucky and special our home is.
How do you know of the Essential Baby community? Is there anything you would like to say to them?
I know of Essential Baby form my time as a young mum, searching for interesting articles and facts. It’s a wonderful resource for mums and dads to have at their fingertips.
Finally, a question all mums must face (no matter who they are!) – What are you feeding your child(ren) for dinner tonight?
Lamb kebabs with tzatziki. However, for our little ones the codename is ‘meatsticks’. Somehow anything on a stick seems to get a better reaction.
For more information on Lah-Lah including colouring-in activities and competitions go to www.nickjr.com.au
