What a Mum could Learn by Learning - Naomi Mottram, Naomi Mottram Translation
/What a Mum could Learn by Learning
Four years ago I was at my desk, at the university where I work, thinking up excuses not to sign up to Russian classes. I’d studied Russian years before, and now I had another opportunity through a work scheme but couldn’t convince myself to take the plunge… Just then my colleague bounced in having signed up to German lessons and virtually pushed me out of the office to the Languages Department. And, though I was literally shaking when I knocked on that door, I am truly grateful she did.
My lifelong learning journey started with that Russian course, two hours a week to refresh the language skills I had long neglected. Honestly, in the beginning I couldn’t see how I would make it work. Time is valuable when you’re a parent, and crucially, attention is too. I had two pre-school-aged boys at home and part-time work to focus on as well. But the fact that I found the time, even if it meant studying in the bath, taught me about my own values – and it showed that this was truly important to me.
Rediscovering Russian language and culture fascinated and inspired me. The progress I made weekly was giving me back some of the confidence and sense of identity I had been missing. The UK government discuss these very benefits in their report on lifelong learning (here).
Adults who learn develop their sense of purpose and identity, achieving wellbeing gains for themselves. They are also more likely to take an active interest in their child’s education – your learning can benefit your child too! There are many opportunities to learn – night classes, online courses, skill-building videos – they’re out there and becoming ever more accessible for parents with the pandemic-fuelled boom in online learning.
By the end of the year I had booked a trip to St Petersburg and applied to take a distance learning masters in translation, I would never have guessed one year could carry me this far. Starting the Masters was a big step and held challenges for me beyond my language skills. Being in a large cohort of talented students triggered the feelings of competition and inadequacy that had led to me ditching languages before. It took time, hard work and conversation with a counsellor to make my way through that, but now, that turbulence only makes each success all the sweeter.
Being a parent has impacted the way I learn too. Parenting equips us with the dedication and determination which make us strong learners. Personally, I’ve discovered how to manage and optimise my time, and to really focus my attention in those moments I can spare.
I would advise parents, who lack direction or confidence, to find the thing – the subject or skill - that really fascinates them, and nurture it through learning. Your learning might lead you down a whole new path, but more importantly, it will give you a sense of personal growth. Learning has transformed my wellbeing and could benefit anyone.
Bio:
I am a Mother of three boys, 6, 5 and 1, with a day job in administration and a burgeoning career as a freelance translator. I am about to graduate with an MA in Translation from the University of Bristol, which I have studied part-time so that I can still focus on parenting and contributing to our family's finances. Once I have graduated I aim to increase my freelance work, and continue with the literary translation projects that I have been able to start during my Masters.
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