Mother Stories
Aimee Winchester On Raising Four Girls In Byron Bay
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by Photographed By Bridget Wood
Jul 18, 2018
We have the opportunity of coming into contact with countless inspirational moms on a daily basis—including those we’ve profiled and many we hear from via the comments section on the site and social media. Listening to these women and being mothers ourselves, we know being a mom is no easy feat. And, with each additional bundle of joy added to the brood, the demands (and rewards) of the job multiply exponentially. Toss in the responsibilities of running a successful business, and you’re only beginning to scratch the surface of the juggling act skillfully executed by this morning’s profile subject, Aimee Winchester.
Here, the easygoing, “down under” mama of four daughters (Coco, 10, Autumn, 8, Juniper, 4, and Clementine, 2) and founder of boutique children’s sleepwear label, Little Winnie, makes parenting look like a walk along the coast at golden hour (literally). But, as we all know, with each Instagram-worthy photo comes a mother’s own personal struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. That said, we recently sat down with the easy-going super mama at the cozy, and feminine-forward home she’s created alongside her family to discuss everything from starting her brand and the challenges of finding a good work-life balance surrounded by little women.
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- “We were living in France for the year, and had made the decision that Byron Bay was going to be our permanent home. We were so excited to finally buy something, and our friends’ mum was selling her house. We loved it, and pretty much made the decision to buy the home from overseas! When we came back, we quickly inspected it and decided that it was the home for us!”
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- “Minimal, yet homey. We have everything we need and (almost) nothing we don’t. There’s definitely a strong feminine vibe that runs throughout the house, too. With five girls, what do you expect?”
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“Definitely! I started to create spaces that felt much more nurturing and comforting. And, of course, more things have been brought into our home, so naturally the whole space has transformed. I would definitely say we are a Waldorf-inspired home!”
Clementine wears Mabo Kids.
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“It’s all heart and soul, as I’m not into fads or trends. That’s not to say I wouldn’t buy something on-trend if I loved it, but I prefer to decorate with pieces that make me feel happy.”
Aimee wears a Jesse Kamm top.
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- “My eldest, Coco, has her own room, as her needs are a bit different to the other girls. She gets to stay up a little later and read, and she needs her own space to practice her violin. Autumn and Juni share. Their room houses most of the toys. Then, Clementine has a small room close to our bedroom. I’ve always found that my babies slept better in their own space until they were about two. So, perhaps someday soon, she will share a room, too!”
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- “The girls don’t actually have a lot of stuff in general, but yes, what they have must stay in their room. They can, of course, bring things out to play, but their things don’t belong in the living room spaces. I do have a few baskets of simple toys for my youngest, Clementine, to play with while I prepare dinner, but she doesn’t use them much. She prefers to stand on the stool and ‘help’ me.”
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- Dolls and matching twin beds for two sweet sisters!
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- “In Coco’s room, I love her cane bed. For Autumn and Juni’s, it’s their vintage play shelf. In Clementine’s, it’s her little cot, as it reminds me just how small she still is.”
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- A collection of wooden friends.
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“I love our dining table. We purchased it when we moved into this house. I was pregnant with my third daughter, and I remember looking at this big piece of furniture and imagining us all sitting around the table everyday. It was then that it really occurred to me that my dreams of having a big family were coming true. Now, here we are two daughters later, the six of us still gather around our beautiful table everyday!”
Aimee wears a Pop & Scott dress. Coco wears a Tuchinda dress. Juniper wears an Ace & Jig dress. Autumn and Clementine both wear Mabo Kids.
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- “Definitely the dining room. It’s adjacent to the kitchen, so someone is always sitting down, crafting or eating or just chatting, while I prepare dinner.”
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- “It would have to be our dining area again. It’s the heart of our home and where we sit almost every night at meal time. Our meals together are a time to connect with each other and eat something nourishing, and that usually spills into dessert.”
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- “I like to grab organic chicken broth and add chopped vegetables and noodles for a quick, nutritious meal. The girls also love a good spaghetti bolognese. If I am really short on time, a pesto pasta is a great option, too!”
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- “Life is rich and full of the highest highs and lowest lows. I am challenged every day, but also rewarded even more so. I love the feeling of being a mother and having all the beautiful chaos in my life.”
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- “Just being a family. It blows my mind that [my husband] Dave and my love could create four beautiful angels! I love knowing I have four daughters around me for the rest of my life.”
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- “The thought of them leaving the nest. It actually breaks my heart!”
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- “You are Your Child’s First Teacher, The Incarnating Child, Over the Rainbow Bridge, and Happy House, Happy Home.”
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- “Conscious and mindful, strict when we need to be, and laid-back when we know it doesn't really matter. Dave and I are quite playful, and enjoy hanging out with the girls.”
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- “The challenge of being a parent. From the first day my first daughter was born, I couldn’t believe how much life had already changed, and that I had the responsibility of this little human forever. I was only 21!”
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- “I look back on my childhood with a happy heart. It was just my older sister and I. My parents had, and still have, a solid, loving partnership. They were quite strict, but also laid-back in certain areas. It was a very normal and healthy upbringing for our generation.”
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- “I would say I am a little bit more laid-back. I think that’s because I had four kids and she only had two. I have learned to embrace the chaos a lot more, simply because you just have to with a big family!”
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- “The days are long, but the years are short.”
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- “My friends are my biggest role models!”
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- “Never say never!”
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- “Simple, casual, and cute.”
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- Mama and papa's domain!
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- “Yes, but that’s because I became a mum over ten years ago!”
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- “I wash and cleanse my face every morning and night. Then, I moisturize. At night, I usually add an eye cream, too!”
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- “I try to eat very nourishing foods and surf as much as I can.”
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- “Levi’s jeans, Converse, and a white t-shirt.”
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- Sisterly-love.
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- “It’s winter, so chunky knits and jeans are a must!”
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- “Mostly online.”
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- “For me, self-care is surfing. It’s a mind, body, and soul kind of exercise, and I feel so good when I make time for it!”
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- “There is nothing like becoming a first-time parent. It’s wonderful and scary, but so incredibly special and magical. Enjoy the ride and remember everything is temporary, so really soak in all the good stuff.”
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“It’s normal for your first-born to go through a transitional stage. And, it can be really challenging when you’re trying to care for a new baby. But, this too shall pass, and the bond these two siblings will eventually have will last a lifetime.”
Juniper wears Mabo Kids.
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“Witnessing the sisterhood being created before my very eyes.”
Autumn wears Mabo Kids.
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“Surfing! We all have the bug. And, I love how much they are getting into it!”
Coco wears Mabo Kids.
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- Two of the family's pet chickens, Delilah and Lucy.
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“I always have a short list, and name my babies after they are born based on which name suits them the best. Coco came out with dark hair and eyes, and I just instantly knew she was a Coco. For Autumn, it was the first day of autumn when she was born, and we had no idea. It was just a coincidence. She was ten days late, so she wasn’t meant to be born in autumn. I just felt the name suited her so much when I first met her. I really liked the name Juniper, and luckily she popped out and looked just like a little juniper berry. Finally, for Clementine, I’ve always loved french names and was really feeling them for my last pregnancy. When we met her, she suited the name so much.”
Clementine wears Mabo Kids.
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- “An ideal day with my girls would include pancakes for breakfast. Then, we’d head straight out to the beach for a family surf session. We’d have lunch at our favorite cafe; the girls always get an açaí bowl. Then, back to the beach until dinner time, which might be a cheeky pizza out!”
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- “Coco is smart and responsible, so funny, and the best big sister. Autumn is soft and shy. She is sensitive, but has a heart of gold. Juniper is so easygoing and always tells the truth. She is very sweet with Clementine. Then, Clementine is the firecracker who rules our household. I love that she has such a strong little personality.”
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“Yes, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!”
Coco wears Offon Clothing. Juniper and Clementine wear Louise Misha. Autumn wears Cabbage & Kings.
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- “The Steiner school my girls attend, the bounty of fresh and organic produce, the beautiful surfing beaches, and the incredible hinterland. The list never ends!”
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- “I would temporarily live in France again.”
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- “Top Shop for the best burgers and açaí bowls. There’s lots of room for the kids to run around, and it’s close to the beach. We also love Woodfired Pizza Nights in the outskirts of Byron. They have authentic Italian pizza. We bring our own picnic blanket and wine. It’s super relaxed, and the kids love it.”
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“Anywhere that sells delicious cocktails!”
Aimee wears an Ace & Jig dress.
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- “I own a children’s sleepwear label called Little Winnie.”
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- “I didn't have a background in fashion, but after the girls were born, I really struggled to find nice sleepwear, so I decided to make my own.”
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- “The creative side. I love making pieces I know my girls will live in.”
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- “It’s a constant juggle, and some days it’s harder than others. But, the girls always come first, and I try really hard to separate work life and mum life. I am also lucky to have my mother-in-law so close. She helps a lot with my littlest one when I need to work.”
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- “I am going to keep growing Little Winnie!”
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