Unique storybook captures reality of young mums’ lives

26 June 2019

“This is about me about me and our life. I’m going to tell you what it’s like being a young mum – your mum … Are you ready?”
Excerpt from ‘Every Day is a New Day’

A unique new storybook capturing the challenges and joys of being a young mum will be launched in Edinburgh today (Wednesday).

Every Day is a New Day: A story by young mums for their bairns – to be read when they are older, is based on stories and experiences shared by young mums as part of their group at the Citadel Youth Centre in Edinburgh.

The storybook brings to life the varied experiences of young mums, including the negative – judgment, stress, money worries, alongside the positive – friendship, learning new skills and feeling supported by other mums.

Written by Mike Nicholson with pictures by Edinburgh-based illustrator Anders Frang, it also highlights what mums through the generations have passed on to each other and the many strengths of being a mum: energy, resilience and courage.

Every Day is a New Day is designed to be passed on to the children of the mums whose voices are reflected in the narrative and is part of Children in Scotland’s Heritage Hunters Project, which aims to broaden the participation of young people in heritage settings across Scotland.

Children in Scotland’s Policy and Participation Officer Jane Miller, who leads the Heritage Hunters project, said: “It was a privilege to work with the group and gain an insight into the lived experience of being a young mum. The emotive story explores the daily challenges experienced by young mums and showcases the strengths associated with being a young mum including: being resilient, brave and having self-belief. The story reflects on both the past and present and leaves a legacy for their children and families in the future. The book is now its own piece of heritage, ensuring that the voices and stories of the young mums will continue to be heard.”

Mike Nicholson, who wrote the book based on the story that the young mums created, said: “I love working with people to hear their story and then finding a way of telling it in their own words. This group of young mothers gave me an insight into their daily lives; the things they love and the struggles they have. They also told me the characteristics they have that help them get through. Hopefully this book will now let other people hear their story.”
As part of the project, the storybook will feature in an upcoming exhibition at Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood.

Ria Sloan, City of Edinburgh Council’s Outreach and Access Manager, said: “Every Day is a New Day is an emotional insight into the hardships young mums face, and the resilience that this group of young women have shown.

“It was a pleasure to work with them and their children and to discuss how parenthood has and hasn’t changed over the years. We’re delighted to be putting a copy of the book in the Bringing Up Baby exhibition at the Museum of Childhood for visitors to read.”

The book is being launched at a special event held at the Citadel today (26 June).

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For media enquiries, contact Lynn Gilmour: lgilmour@childreninscotland.org.uk, 0131 313 8830.

Click here to download the book, Every Day is a New Day: A story by young mums for their bairns – to be read when they are older.

Heritage Hunters

Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, the Heritage Hunters project brought together heritage organisations with groups of children and young people. They worked together to explore children’s perceptions of culture and heritage through a co-produced child-led approach.

Click here to find out more about the project

Children in Scotland

Giving all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish is at the heart of everything we do.

By bringing together a network of people working with and for children, alongside children and young people themselves, we offer a broad, balanced and independent voice. We create solutions, provide support and develop positive change across all areas affecting children in Scotland.

We do this by listening, gathering evidence, and applying and sharing our learning, while always working to uphold children’s rights. Our range of knowledge and expertise means we can provide trusted support on issues as diverse as the people we work with and the varied lives of children and families in Scotland.