Lalaby Family with Jeanette Madsen

Lalaby Family

Welcome

We are thrilled to debut this new journal feature with a woman that we admire; Mom of three, stylist and Creative Director of Rotate Birger Christensen, Jeanette Madsen.

Photographer: Alona Vibe

Styling: Trine Frølich

Interview: Laura Lawaetz

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In between photoshoots and fashion week plans, we had the pleasure of visiting Jeanette and the newest family member; 4 months old Virgil in their apartment in Copenhagen.

"I never thought we would have three kids... We were doing perfect, just the four of us. But then Covid came, and we talked a lot about values; what life is really about and we suddenly realized that we would soon get bored. Our two boys are so big now, they do so much on their own. Is this really it?"

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Jeanette continues to describe the emotions leading up to wishing one more child, ten and twelwe years after their boys Wilbert & Norman came into the world.

"I was so young when we had our two oldest boys, it feels like ages ago. I really wanted to experience it all over; feel what it's like to be there for a tiny little person and to help them through life in all the stages they go through. I definitely think more about every little thing this third time around and it's such a gift to welcome a little human into our lives again - now well aware of what it's all about."

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Has your life or the habits of your family changed after you had Virgil?

"Our everyday hasn’t changed that much. Just a bit more noise of course. The oldest boys are so big, they bike to school and even go to their sports by themselves. When we are at home and during the weekends, Virgil just tags along. He adores his older brothers already and they show so much love and care for him, it is truly amazing to see. They ask for him as the first thing when they come home. They are busy with their things and their phones of course, so seeing them show this kind of love for him is huge. Wilbert was only two years old when he became a big brother for the first time and seeing him as a big brother now is fantastic."

The story

As an influencer and designer, Jeanette has always used her Instagram profile as a professional tool for branding, but after she became a mother again, she began to reflect more on what she shares and the impact she has.

"Social Media to me has always been a place for joy and inspiration and my focus has been on fashion and design. But I suddenly realized that people think that we live this perfect life with our perfect kids, because this is all we share. I felt a responsibility to tell that my life is not perfect - nobody is. Breastfeeding as an example has caused a lot of trouble for us this time and I know that a lot of mothers struggle with it. It has started some new conversations and a lot of positive feedback to be more open about these things too."

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It is a natural thing for Jeanette to keep and store things that have a special meaning or might come in handy later on and she has even kept things from her own childhood.

"My mom has kept a little chair that I loved when I was a baby and a bunch of other stuff that my parents have in their house for when we come over. We have kept a lot of books too – even from my childhood.

Christian, my husband, lost his mother when Wilbert was only 3 months old. She had made these pretty little muslin cloths with small animals embroidered for him. We will keep these forever, they remind us of a difficult yet beautiful time in our life.

Also, Virgil's baby bed is from when Wilbert & Norman were little. We got it from Christian's mother, and we kept it for grand children actually, since we never thought that we would have a third child."

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When it comes to traditions Jeanette and her husband have created some of their own family traditions around Christmas and other holidays, but it is not so important to Jeanette what they do together as a family - as long as they are together.

"To us it is not about doing a lot of prestigious stuff - it is about being together. When I was brought up, we didn't have much, but one of the things I remember most clearly was the feeling of being close and spending time together. Friday night we would all eat together by the big dining table - we would eat and talk, just enjoying each other's company.

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Also, we love to travel. When we travel as a family, we spend so much more time together. When I was a child, we did not travel that much, but every second year my Grandmother would use her savings and invite my sister, my parents and I on a vacation together. It was the best. Palm trees, sun and the whole family united. We did not have a long check list for places to visit or things to see, it was all about enjoying each other's company. I miss my grandmother and we lost her way too early - but I have a great desire to travel, just like her."

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If Jeanette could tell herself something as a young first time mother, what would it be?

"Well I wish that I could be a bit more casual about being a mother …also now. Like with the breastfeeding; if he doesn’t want the breast anymore then do not worry, it will be okay. Sometimes I fight too much I think.

Wilbert, my eldest son, would just sleep in his own bed when he was a baby, it was no problem. Then Norman came and it was so much back and forth between our bedrooms. So many sleepless nights. When he was two years old, we just took him into our bed at night and it was the best decision ever.

Not all battles are worth taking and kids are so different."

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