MOTHERHOOD RISING: in conversation with VENETIA ARCHER

In our next feature of the Motherhood rising series with acclaimed portrait photographer Susheel Schroeder, Venetia Archer speaks about motherhood with honesty, warmth, and the calm confidence that comes from lived experience. A mother of two and a woman balancing a demanding professional life, Venetia reflects on the evolution of her identity, the importance of rest and support after birth, and the lessons she’s learned about boundaries, wellness, and presence. Her perspective captures the tenderness of early motherhood alongside the strength it takes to rebuild, recalibrate, and advocate for a more flexible, compassionate future for mothers everywhere.

How would you describe where you are in your motherhood journey right now?

I have two beautiful little daughters, Penelope who is five, and Daphne who is 18 months old. I love nothing more than being their mother. I think it takes about a year to feel somewhat normal after birth, but two to feel like you are really back. It has been easier the second time around, as a lot of the emotional turmoil around identity, and the fear around the practicalities has been resolved and understood. I am also managing my work life balance better - this definitely takes time and effort to figure out!

What did “rest” look like for you in the weeks after birth?

The first weeks after birth are so beautiful, and while there is a huge physical and emotional toll, those early days really do revolve around rest and recovery. Despite being up all night, I loved every moment of the baby bubble. Normally my life is incredibly busy due to my work, and having this period to simply be with my new baby was a total joy. My team initiated a black out - they knew I wouldn’t resist keeping an eye on things, and they took me off emails and made new slack channels without me. It was such a sweet gesture, which helped a lot.

A support network is crucial to recovery, and I was lucky to have family around, and a wonderful maternity nurse to help. I prioritised sleep when I could, and not overexerting - if I didn’t feel like visitors I would say so!

How did becoming a mother affect how you saw yourself, both positively and negatively?

I have now had two children, and I feel a lot more settled now than I did after my first. The identity shift to becoming a mother is so significant, and takes time to come to terms with how your life is changed (forever!). I struggled after my first, and it took probably a year or more to grow into my new identity and build my confidence as a mother. I thought I had to try to maintain both for a while… Having my second child was a lot easier emotionally, and I am much better at setting boundaries and priorities. Given my professional life is demanding, my social life has taken more of a backseat and I love spending time with my family. When I do go out, it's with my great friends, or for special occasions - and I’m super happy with that.

Was there a practitioner, therapist, or expert who made a real difference in your recovery?

This is a time to really lean into health and wellness, and there are so many amazing practitioners who can support in the emotional and physical rebuild. Reflexology and lymphatic massages are two of the most relaxing treatments that help both during pregnancy, and after birth. We have incredible therapists on Ruuby who I would book religiously - including Daria and Ranju for reflexology, and Vanessa and Yanny for Brazilian Lymphatic.

How has your approach to wellness changed since becoming a mother?

When you are a mother, you are always on - physically and emotionally. In order to be fully present, engaged and happy, ensuring your own wellness is crucial. I value my own wellbeing so much more than I did before I had children, as I know I need to feel 100% to manage my days - and there are no such thing as days lying in bed to recover from a cold anymore…

You don’t need much, but you do need time for yourself. An hour here or there for a massage or walk in the park does wonders. After I had my first child, Penelope (in 2020 - so Covid era), I was getting ill all the time and it made life incredibly difficult. I spent a lot of time rebuilding my immune system, and now have a really great supplement stack that makes me feel great. While everyone’s needs are different, I swear by Artah electrolytes, Body Bio PC, Chlorella, Iron (sometimes) and Vitamin C. If my brain needs a boost, I’ll take some methylene blue (although this is a little controversial). I take joy in slowing down, and I listen to my body when it needs to rest - something I used to override constantly before children.

What do you hope the next generation of mothers will experience differently?

We live in a world where women are expected to jump back into working life after maternity leave, and we need a more flexible view. I was very excited to get back into work, but I did it around my new schedule, and would manage by days around being with the baby - I limited my in person meetings and slowly ramped up as I felt I could. I hope the next generation of mothers is welcomed into a more flexible workforce - it's definitely changing, but more needs to be done.