Nocturnal Wenchy

Dear friends and other interesting creatures,

I have met some endearing and fabulous people during my social media journey, one is the authentically, engaging and talented Chantal Stanfield. I will let her introduce herself!

“Hi, I’m Chantal Stanfield and I get paid to not be myself!” Haha! I’m a performer, whether that’s on-screen, stage or in-studio, in various guises.

Most people would know me from my television role as “Cecile Whittaker” on Sewende Laan and “Dalene Phillips” in Montana including my music video for “Nothing There“.

I’m also a new Mom which is a very different role altogether!

What does the “white picket fence” look like in your head?

My “white picket fence” is a place where I can be fully myself and be comfortable. That doesn’t mean that it’s perfect all the time or right for anyone else but it’s real and works for me and us.

Realistically, does your partner or your children come first in your life?

Realistically, and almost selfishly, I still come first in my life. Best believe I sacrifice time and energy for our new baby – that last cuddle that makes me late to a meeting or not showering at the time I want to, for example – and my partner and I are still reconfiguring our relationship with a newborn in charge. But I always remember the in-flight announcement on aeroplanes – fasten your own mask first before helping others. I can’t give from an empty vessel. So I have to remind myself to look after and think of myself too, so I try to continue my gym routine, go to yoga or finish one of the many bedside table books I have!

What about marriage and motherhood has surprised you?

We’re very protective of our marriage and relationship so you’d be hard-pressed to find any intimate details floating around the ether! But I will say that I’ve actually experienced a great sense of freedom in our relationship – freedom of self and security. It’s taught me, as one of my new lyrics describes, that love is not a cage.

What’s surprised me most about motherhood so far is how “naturally” it came to me. I’m not saying it hasn’t had its challenges. Parenthood is not easy and this is still the first few months! I was fearful as a first-time Mom about not bonding with baby or developing post-natal depression.

I, or we, still had great difficulty with breastfeeding which made me weepy. But I realised even before birth that it was okay to feel however I would feel and I didn’t need to be perfect, this thanks to various online articles and blogs I’d read. There’s such a wealth of knowledge and advise – some good, some not. Having an understanding and supportive partner has made such a difference!

Name two things you will not skimp on buying groceries?

Milk – for a decent coffee (or three per day!) and All-bran breakfast (I definitely need the energy more now). Underarm spray – because, stank ain’t cute!

Who and how do you manage time alone outside your home in your relationship, as well as separate outings as a family?

We’ve only recently had our first “date” without our baby, who’s just two months old. I’d actually asked one of my friends, who’s has two kids, for her advise with leaving Baby with Granny for the first time. Her invaluable advice was basically to trust that everything would be okay and to be present with Hubby on our date. Other than that, the mall around the corner and Joburg granny’s house, we haven’t had many family outings yet! I have had a few outings with friends – book club and the theatre, which has really helped me feel more like myself than just a milk machine. It definitely helps that my partner is fully hands-on and involved.

Do you celebrate your birthday in an elaborate manner, or is it just another day?

My birthday celebrations depend on where I am in life, mentally, physically and financially. But I do like to have a good, memorable “moment”! For my 25th birthday – I must’ve been doing really well! – I hosted a private party and paid for ten friends at a fancy hotel and I stayed the night in the penthouse. My 35th last year was hubby and I having pain au chocolat and café au lait at Charles De Gaulle airport after our first Eurotrip together. This year was a coffee and slice of cake at the Woollies café at Killarney mall with our little family, just four weeks after giving birth.

How much time do you spend on social media on average per day?

Gosh, I think on average about five hours! It’s definitely increased since having a baby – scrolling through my phone while breastfeeding is the culprit!

Do you have a daily to-do list or do you just wing it?

Right now, I wing it. There’s a general plan i.e. write a few lines for a new play while baby is sleeping or go to the park for our Vitamin D fix. We now have to work around what admin needs to get done, like a bank visit with various certified documents, with timing baby’s feeds and nappy changes. It’s a challenge but do-able!

Share something most people do not know about you?

I did sailing in high school!

You can catch Chantal in the upcoming production of “Rock of Ages” #yassssqueen!

Rock of Ages

From: Thursday, 26 September 2019 to Sunday, 20 October 2019

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