hakira Akabusi is constantly on the go. She's a mum to four —
7 year-old Rio, 4-year-old Ezra, and 2-year-old twins Aryana and Asher — so her days are spent running around on the playground, playing hide-and-seek, or throwing a stick for the family's chocolate Lab.
Staying active is the cornerstone of Akabusi's lifestyle — in fact, she founded StrongLikeMum, an online community exploring the connection between
the body and mind during and after pregnancy to bring a greater focus to maternal health. Akabusi uses her expertise as a postnatal trainer and her personal experience as a parent to inspire other mums to focus on physical and mental wellness.
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"Personally, exercise has had such an impact on my mental well-being, and if I am stressed or anxious, moving my body helps me to release any tension in my mind, and I find I have a much more positive parenting experience," she explains. "I can engage in a calmer way with any challenges I might face as a mum."
n addition to training and nutrition, Akabusi also incorporates movement
into her daily routine — even during playtime with her children. Her family
loves walking along the beach, exploring nearby forests, or even clambering
up and down the slide at the local playground. "To be honest, any open space seems to instantly improve everyone's mind frame, whether it's the beach or
a field or woodlands," she says.
As a mum of four, Akabusi also prioritises spending time with each of her children individually to make those special memories. "All four of my children are different, and I make sure to celebrate their uniqueness and give them all space to be individuals," she says. She might set up an obstacle course or treasure hunt in the garden for her older children, or spend hours building
and knocking down magnetic blocks with her twin toddlers.
She also loves taking the twins out for a special afternoon to one of their favourite places: the playground. Aryana and Asher love chasing each other around, occasionally checking in with mum when they need a cuddle. "The fact they are twins and have each other is just so amazing to see. They always have someone else their age and height to play with," she says. "Aryana is usually a little more clingy and happy to be held, so it’s Asher getting up to
the mischief that I need to chase."
f course, as all parents know, any successful outing with toddlers
requires a bit of planning. Before they head out, Akabusi makes
sure to check the weather and pack a backpack filled with the essentials. No matter where they're going, Akabusi packs plenty of snacks, water bottles, a change of clothes for each child, and basic medications, in addition to her go-
to Pampers® Baby-Dry™ Nappy Pants. The double leg cuffs, 360-degree bum-hugging fit, and Stop and Protect Pocket help prevent any leaks — something that's especially important now that Aryana and Asher are becoming so
much more active.
"Anything that can make those tricky moments easier is welcome for me as a mum, and having a nappy you find easy to put on can save so much stress," she says. "We’re an active family and are outside and on the go a lot. When we’re
at the beach or on a walk and the babies need a nappy change, I need a nappy that I can change quickly, that I know will be comfortable for them with so
much movement, and something that is easy to wrap up, ready to dispose of."
Above all else, Akabusi tries to remember to remain present during these special moments with her twins. Parenting is a balancing act, and although
she can't be everywhere at once, Akabusi constantly reminds herself that she's doing everything she can for her children. "Sometimes it might be that one of the twins needs to be held and the other wants something but has to wait. It is easy to be worried about whether the second child would feel left out, but I always remind myself that I am acting from a place of love for them and that they will feel the truth of that in the long-term," she says. "It’s not just one moment. Watching twins grow up is such a beautiful experience."
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Above all else, Akabusi tries to remember to remain present during these
special moments with her twins. Parenting is a balancing act, and although
she can't be everywhere at once, Akabusi constantly reminds herself that she's doing everything she can for her children. "Sometimes it might be that one of the twins needs to be held and the other wants something but has to wait. It is easy to be worried about whether the second child would feel left out, but I always remind myself that I am acting from a place of love for them and that they will feel the truth of that in the long-term," she says. "It’s not just one moment. Watching twins grow up is such a beautiful experience."