After all, mothers are people too, you know

Perhaps like most expat mothers in Beijing, I'm often hit with the crashing reality that I am indeed a mum. Much of the time I still feel like I'm 12 years old - how the heck can I raise two kids when I'm still one myself?

Motherhood is all-encompassing. It is for me, anyway. When my husband and I decided to have children, I became a stay-at-home mum - the stereotypical caregiver, counsellor, educator, cook, maid, coach, nurse, disciplinarian, mediator, chauffeur, arts and crafts director, play pal and sometime wife. And in the midst of all those roles, I lost sight of one very important one - the role of a woman. The role of Me.

I'm not lamenting. I chose this path and I look back with heart-swelling pride at the rollercoaster ride of it all. And of course, that Woman part of me is still there, albeit deeply stashed behind the needs of Everyone Else. But after coming to Beijing, it's been exciting to see that fresh-faced, bright-eyed young woman peek out from behind the tatty, exhausted carcass I dragged over from Australia almost four years ago.

You see, Beijing is a magical, dream-discovery kind of place and if you haven't cottoned onto that by now, dear tai tai, then you are letting the magic slip through your fingers.

For me, Beijing has granted many a wish. While it has no doubt enhanced the life of my family, it's also allowed me to rediscover, well - me. From pedicures to silk frocks to extra hours in the day; from friendship to travel opportunities and career-enhancement; living here has allowed me to seize my life's direction as a woman, not just a mother. A real person with a heart and a mind and dreams and, God forbid, needs.

I have to say, I've left Beijing a truly satisfied tai tai. It's a blessed mother who can run a family and still manage to connect with the woman inside, and I owe a lot of that to living in China.

There's certainly magic afoot in Beijing for women, and I urge every Beijing tai tai to seize it with both manicured hands. While you can.

Tania McCartney