#MUMCHAT - LISa RoEBUCK on parenting and why you should never leave the house without snacks

NAME: Lisa Roebuck

AGE: Almost 40!

NATIONALITY: British

LOCATION: Dubai DIP

NUMBER OF YEARS BEING A MUM: 6

TELL US ABOUT YOUR KIDS: I have two girls 6 & 2 years old, with completely different

personalities; one is dinosaur mad, loves facts about animals and the other loves all things cute and will chat away to anyone – both full of fun and curiosity.

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @withabowcompany

ABOUT ME:

I’ve always known I wanted to be a mum, but I also love working, creating, and building things that excite me. Juggling motherhood with a career has been chaotic, exhausting, hilarious, and deeply rewarding. I don’t believe in perfection, I believe in showing up, figuring it out as you go, and finding joy in the middle of the madness.

1. What’s one thing you wish you’d known before becoming a parent?

I genuinely thought I’d just know what to do when I had kids, there would be a gut instinct and I just go with that. Turns out… absolutely not. It’s all trial and error, and everyone is kind of making it up as they go along. I wish I’d known that earlier so I could’ve put way less pressure on myself. The “guidance” changes constantly, and there are even differences between siblings. Once I accepted that, everything felt lighter.

2. What’s something you swore you’d never do as a parent—but do now?

Dummies. I was convinced my kids wouldn’t have them. My first didn’t, so I felt very smug about that. Then my second arrived and I think I tried to put a dummy in her mouth before she’d even fully come out. Humbling experience.

3. What was the BEST piece of parenting advice you’ve received?

When your kids start to talk, speak to them like they already understand you. Narrate your day, explain everything, and when you ask them a question, leave a really long pause. Longer than feels comfortable. Just when it starts to feel awkward and you want to jump in, that’s when they attempt a reply. It worked amazingly with both my girls. Downside: they now never stop talking.

4. Share with us your biggest “parenting fail” – we promise no judgement here!

I once said a very bad word when our sausage dog, Walter, wouldn’t stop barking at the gardener. My then three-year-old picked it up immediately and repeated it every single time the dog barked… for a full month. Ignoring it did not work. At all.

5. How do you balance life?

I heard this on a podcast once and it immediately made sense. I don’t think balance exists within a single day. Mum guilt is real and relentless. Some days I feel like I’ve smashed work, other days I’ve had the best day ever with the kids. The trick for me has been accepting that you can’t do it all at once. I try to celebrate the small wins, reset every morning, and decide what today’s main goal is and let that be enough.

6. One parenting hack you’d like to share with us.

Always carry snacks. Always. If you’re rushing out the door, pack snacks first. Tantrums, tiredness, sibling squabbles, so many situations can be completely saved by the right snack at the right moment.

7. What do you hope your kids say about you when they’re older?

That I got stuff done, but we always had fun.

8. 3 words that describe #MumLife to you

Messy, Magical, Gift

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