21 Emma

In Your Own Kin

In this week’s episode Emma shares her parenthood journey, and reflects on life with her partner Ludi and their children Archer and Toa.

Emma speaks with such warmth and generosity about parenthood in all of its beautiful, messy, wonderous, hard glory. ‘It is so beautiful, and so hard.’ Emma and Ludi met while living in Samoa. Emma shares their discussions about the possibility of starting a family, and the excitement and shock of finding out she was pregnant just a few weeks later. Emma speaks candidly about the identity shifts she experienced in becoming a parent, sharing that in many ways parenthood was the perfect excuse to live the quieter life she was wanting.

In the final week’s of pregnancy Emma returned to Brisbane. Hearing Emma talk about those first few moments with Arch will make your eyes prickle.

Emma and Archer stayed in Brisbane for just over a month before heading back to Samoa. Emma reflects on the opportunity for a slower life living in Samoa, as well as the challenges of life away from her broader kinship network.

After another two years in Samoa, Emma returned home to Brisbane. Emma speaks so openly and honestly about this time and the feeling of being held and supported.

Emma and Ludi decided to extend on their family after nearly six years, with a lot of gentle yet persistent nudging from Arch. Emma reflects on the differences in her postpartum experiences, and life as a family of four.

This is such a gorgeous episode! You can see more photos of Emma on Instagram @kinbycharlotte and on the In Your Own Kin website.