Guest blog - how Emma became The Real Supermum

When I started this blog it was really just a platform for me to be able to do two of my favorite things; talk about my family, and Have An Opinion on Everything. 


I didn't realise that being a "Mummy Blogger" was about to open me up to so many new friendships, so much support and advice, or so many laughs.


In my new Mummy Blogger life I've happened across a lot of people who've made a real difference in the lives of other women and other Mothers - Emma Richards is most definitely one of those women. Known to most as The Real Supermum Emma works day after day to help, support and advise other Mums, opening the way for them to find further help and support and to escape from and heal from abusive situations, to find help for depression, simply to find someone to talk to about a bad day. Emma provides love, friendship and laughter at the times they are most needed and she gives of herself and her time freely. Not just Supermum, just super. 


Below, in her own words, is Emma's story.

I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to guest blog. Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Emma, known to many as The Real Supermum. I am mum to 6 children. Kody is the baby of the family and has just turned 1, Kaiden 2, Kia 3 at the end of May and then Cameron 7 years, Casey 8 years and Nakita who is 12. I live with my partner Matt, the man who rescued me and my soul mate, we are due to get married on the 11^th June. I met Matt 4 years ago online, it was during the time I was leaving a severe 11 years domestic marriage behind. Six months after being free from that relationship, we got together. Matt took on my three children as his own and although it took a long time, he restored my faith in men again. Not all are bad.

I ran my own online business for years, I also owned a real brick and mortar shop, selling ladies fashion and children’s clothing. I have also helped others set up in business online, working was my passion. In November 2010, after a long battle of fighting with my inner demons I was diagnosed with Bipolar. I also suffer from Post Traumatic stress and have a sleep and eating disorder. I am a very strong minded person and am very aware of the self help I need to in force to keep my progress on target. Of course some days, the illness wins. The hardest part of my illness and diagnosis is that at this present time I am no longer allowed to work.

I became very depressed and felt so alone when I was diagnosed and without my work to keep me busy, I sank into a very deep black hole. I was on Facebook one evening, almost a year ago and was saddened to see that despite the large amount of friends on my list, not one ever bothered to say as much as hello. I joined a mums group, but found it horrific, very judgemental and the whole page was filled with vulgar and abusive language, not exactly what a frightened new mum wants to read, when asking for help. It was then Matt told me to make my own mums group. I did.

I now spend all my free time helping other mums and mums to be. I set up my Facebook mums, I offer a safe place to talk about any worries these mums may have. They can ask questions and remain anonymous by inboxing me - I then set it as a status. I have mums for the 1st time going to speak with the GP about their depression, I have helped mums leave domestic violence relationships, I even talk on the phone to some who are ready to end their own lives. Mums who self harm or addicted to drugs or alcohol email me rather than taking them, I write letters to councils and housing associations, I help write finance statements to debt collectors. I pretty much do everything imaginable.


The mums find some release from knowing that SOMEONE is there for them. I devote my free time to helping as many other mums as I possibly can. It is difficult as my own health is not great,but somehow the group and the blog I now have also help me. The thank you emails received, to say without me they would be lost is heart-breaking. Where are the real Health professionals, while these mums suffer in silence? It is a scary thought as I am just me, an ordinary mum, I am not an expert yet seem to be the first person mums think of coming too. Many fear the judgement or being let down again by the professionals, they have lost all respect for them. I am just a 
mum with 6 young children with a passion to help others feel they are not alone, like I felt for so many years.

The blog I now have is very new, I have only been blogging a little over 2 months. It is more of a place for me to let off steam. On the Facebook group I can not lose my cool, I have to always be in control. I feel I cant moan and rant, too many depend on me. They come to the group for help, not to listen to me moan about life. So that is what the blog is for. A open and honest insight into parenting, the good, the bad and the ugly. All of the mums follow the blog, they love sending me their own stories to add. Some for the first time can talk about being abused as children for 
instance, admit they have a drug or alcohol problem. I have no idea how it happened but my little mums group is a lifeline to many, including me.

To be honest, I am not sure I could go back to working 12 hour days, when would I ever get the time to work, with all the other things going on in my life right now?

If you want to speak to Supermum Emma yourself, or just want to read her blog, have a few laughs and get to know some more Mummies you can follow her on Twitter, you can follow her excellent blog at Therealsupermumblog or you can join her facebook group; the group is private so to join send a message either to me or directly to Emma and you'll be sent an invite - it's a wonderful, busy group full of very supportive women and you'll be welcomed with open arms!