TAKE 5 with Anna Whitehouse Mother Pukka

Why did you decide to start blogging?

It was feeling shoe-boxed as a mother; I felt the minute we hoofed out a kid, brands and the media had decided we’d act a certain way and wear certain things. I just felt there was room at the inn for all kinds of folk and not everyone was being made welcome by the powers that be whether mum boss, mum don’t-give-a-toss, eco warrior, fish ‘n’ chip muncher, gym/gin bunny, stay at home/stay at work mother, this is one big parental party and everyone’s invited. The one thing that unites us is laughter; laughing through the madness and that’s why I set Mother Pukka up. To laugh more than I was crying.

Why a blog for ‘people who happen to be parents’?

Because I felt there was more to parental life than musing over what breast pump to use. The common denominator across parenthood wasn’t the choice of Aveeno bottle teat; it was those moments when you accidentally dropped your iPhone on your baby’s head online shopping. It’s the human moments; the humorous human moments – whether you’re a teenager laughing about a hangover or a parent snorting tea through nose laughing about a leaky nipple through a grey marl T-shirt.

Who or what inspires you?

My mum (@grandmother_pukka). She’s Dutch and never had brakes on her bike. She taught me to do things my way – even if it didn’t please everyone.

What is your pitch to PRs? How would you prefer to be contacted by them?

I love an email or a quick chat on the phone. Lunches have worked well to get the right content for both parties, too. I just like people.

Where would you like to see your blog in one year from now?

Making a stash of cash so I can eventually retire in Bognor Regis, drinking milky tea on the coast in a pastel-hued shellsuit. The dream.

Follow Anna on Twitter @mother_pukka