At Home With Kate Pascoe Squires

  How do you juggle working from home while also trying to care for and entertain your kids? It can be a daunting task. This Q&A series invites some of the mothers and small business owners we admire to share t heir isolation experience to help us all feel a little more connected.
Meet Kate Pascoe Squires – mum of two, small business consultant and creator of The Slowdown.
Kate Pascoe Squires
First off, how are you doing?
I think I am doing pretty well, thank you. It’s been such an unsettling couple of months and so hard for so many, but I feel as though we have now adjusted to a new kind of normal. I like things nice and slow, so the drop in pace actually suits me very nicely. And it’s surprised me, but I really like having my kids around more. I like not having to rush, rush, rush everyone around. I’ve been looking at it as a gift in time and, for the most part, that has served me well. Sure, I’ve had moments of anxiety, grief and pain… but I feel lucky that the good has far outweighed the bad.
Tell us a little bit about your job and the work that you do.
I have an online journal called The Slowdown Press which explores individual stories, people’s lives, experiences and how they find their slow. I started this more than a year ago as a creative project, but it seems even more relevant now with what the world is going through. I conduct all the interviews and shoot all the stories on film.
On top of this, I am a creative business consultant and work with a handful of beautiful clients on a range of things, including broad marketing strategy, public relations, social media and events. It’s the best.
 What’s one the challenges of “isolation parenting” you’re currently facing?
Only one? But there’s no many! Ha! I think the number of contact hours can make things tricky. Everyone needs a break from each other once in a while (kids from parents and parents from kids), so trying to ensure we are not up in each other’s grills all the time is a challenge.
 What are you grateful for?
Salt water… and wine. 
What does your morning routine look like these days?
Now that some of Sydney’s eastern beaches are open again, I am back swimming at sunrise every morning. It’s so good to be back in the sea. I pick up a chai from the Cook & Baker on the way home, before collecting our puppy Frank and my daughter Helena (sometimes my son Harry comes, but usually it’s just the two of us) and head down into Centennial Park. I haven’t spent much time in the park over the last few years (I am a beach girl), but it’s such a gentle way to welcome the day, I might be a convert. I make a smoothie after that and then… I really don’t care… while the kids are on holidays, the days are slow and unstructured… but they always start the same way.
What does self-care look like for you these days?
My morning dip in the ocean, chai, tinting my eye-brows (a brand new skill!), painting my nails, cooking for pleasure, wine, g&ts… the list goes on.
Three things that are keeping you uplifted or simply sane right now?
The sun (thank you Mother Nature), Houseparty (it’s so fun) and Netflix (I am not going to lie, we are having a steamy love affair).
What's on your Mother's Day wish list? 
Addition Studio's lemon myrtle & blue gum incense. I am burning so much incense at the minute and Addition Studios make some of my favourites scents. 
Mayde Tea's Energise blend. This tea is delicious and, let’s get honest, we could all do with some more energy when kid wrangling at home.
Reliquia's mini twine earrings. These earrings are so awesome and, when we are allowed out again, I’d like to wear them to dinner with my friends.