My Saturday with Denise Kenny Byrne: 'I find being a new mam quite overwhelming at times'

Denise Kenny Byrne: I really enjoy the extra time I have with Charlotte on the weekend

6.00

I have a 10-month old so Saturday lie-ins are non existent. I try and wake at 6am. This hour is the only time I have to set myself up for the day ahead. 

I lean into my non-negotiables; meditation, affirmations, skincare, make up, getting dressed for the day.

When I feel put together, I head downstairs and have my first drink of water and take my supplements. Then I spend some time with my journal. 

I find being a new mam quite overwhelming at times, so time with my journal really grounds me. If time allows, I will scan social media. 

This might sound like so much but there is so much stillness in this hour that I crave and it really allows me to show up for myself before I show up for Charlotte and everyone else.

7.00

Charlotte wakes and I am delighted to open her curtains to see brighter skies these days. I think we both found the winter darkness tough. 

I leave her in her PJs and I prepare a morning bottle. She has only started crawling and attempting to stand so we are at a lovely, but full-on stage.

My husband Ciaran also gets up before Charlotte, but we only really connect after she is awake and have some tea and breakfast together. 

I really enjoy Saturdays as a family, no meetings in the diary just me, Ciaran and Charlotte.

9.00

I get Charlotte dressed and continue play time. Charlotte is with our child minder Monday to Friday for half days, so I really enjoy this extra time with her. 

Ciaran usually digests the papers and news so I generally get a full news briefing as to what is going on in the world.

10.30

When Charlotte naps, it is my time to clean the house and get some of the never-ending washing done. I like to have a play with our dog Ernie and listen to a podcast. 

I love On Purpose with Jay Shetty and Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO.

Then I’ll look at my nourish food planner and I prepare for batch cooking. I try and make two to three lunches and two to three dinners. 

If I don’t attempt a batch cooking session on the weekend, I am on the back foot.

13.30

In the afternoon, we love getting out for fresh air — especially with Ernie. One of our favourite walks is Phoenix Park. 

Ernie can get off the lead. Myself and Ciaran have always been very good about not talking about work but there is something about this walk that makes us always talk about the vision for The Head Plan and ideas we have. 

On the drive home, we stop by the local shops and get some fresh bread. We live next door to Ciaran’s mam so we usually invite her in for some late lunch with us.

15.30

Charlotte goes down for a nap. When she sleeps it’s usually for about an hour and a half which gives us time to have a quick clean post lunch, pop
another wash on, clean bottles, have a tea and get cosy with our books or the newspaper. 

I love to light a candle at the weekend, it’s like a ritual in preparation for a relaxing evening.

17.00

It’s dinner time now and Charlotte is awake. We don’t really eat at the same time as her. After dinner, we have family playtime including Ernie — Charlotte and Ernie are great friends. 

These times are some of my favourites during the day — we are silly together and there is lots of laughing, dancing, and singing. 

We don’t like to have the TV on too much and stick to some more chill music for wind down.

18.30

I am really strict on routines and having structure in the day for both Charlotte and I, so bath begins at 18.30. She loves the water. 

We have a water babies swimming lesson on a Sunday and I really think this has stood to her.

19.00

Bedtime. It’s always a sigh of relief for new parents. We are so lucky — for the most part she sleeps 7pm-7am. 

Saturday nights are not what they used to be but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We spend the evening cooking something to enjoy together. Ciaran is a really good cook.

20.00

We usually settle in front of the TV and catch up on some shows we have recorded – we love Dragons Den, The Apprentice. 

Generally, we are so tired we go to bed between 9-10pm. Before I fall asleep I review my journal and make sure I am clear on my plan for for the days ahead. 

Sunday is a busy day with visits to my family so I always fall asleep excited for that.

• Denise Kenny-Byrne is co-founder of Irish wellness brand, The Head Plan, alongside husband Ciaran Byrne. Their series of goal-oriented journals and agendas have recently secured investment from Dragon's Den's Peter Jones. See theheadplan.com