Childcare Matters

January 31st, 2013

By Sophie Devonshire (Bb London Founder).

At Babes with Babies London we’re constantly on the lookout for things that make motherhood feel good. Sometimes (rather often) that’s fashion. Sometimes it’s pampering treats. Sometimes it’s fantastically helpful advice.

We are also very aware that motherhood often feels good when mums are able to have choice about how they balance work and looking after their children. So, we offer our team a radically flexible work/life ‘weave’ option (see more on Babes with Babies London’s flexible working policy here). And we do everything we can to help our customers and friends explore the different childcare options. We love coming across great nanny agencies (Eden Nannies for example) and smart online options like the brilliant ‘findababysitter.co.uk’.

Above all we’re fervent supporters of organisations that work with the government to make childcare affordable and accessible for all. As a small business owner who cares about stimulating a growing British economy, I believe this makes fundamental sense; I can’t bear the idea of super-smart women who want to work a little (or a lot) and are trapped and unable to do so. As a feminist, it frustrates me. As a human being, it makes me sad.

Last night I was at no. 11 Downing Street for an interesting event with two childcare charities who are merging this year. The Daycare Trust and the Family & Parenting Institute are sensibly putting all their firepower together to fight this important battle.

The Daycare Trust (soon to be renamed) - campaigning for childcare

Anand, the CEO has been talking calmly and lucidly in the media this week about the controversial childcare reforms & Elizabeth Truss expressed an interesting point of view on ‘wanting to ban the word ‘juggling’ ‘ – her aspiration was to make a balance accepted as the norm. The immediately-likeable Maggie Darling is doing some sterling work in supporting this critical initative. But the stars of the evening were two amazing mums from Liverpool (such a beautiful accent) talking about how their involvement with the Daycare Trust had turned their life around, and how they were on a mission to let everyone know.  I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to them but they were incredible, honest and inspirational. Their frustration was that there were lots of women who didn’t know their options. Last night I spoke to someone from the York Family Information Service who expressed the same point of view; there are more options than you think & there are people who genuinely want to help mums who are exploring how they can get back to work. I suggested that he should change the name from Service to Support – small naming changes help indicate that they are on your side. (Always good when you’ve had a couple of glasses of wine to tell complete strangers how to improve their business…. such fun).

Anyhow, this prompted me to think that I’d really like to see parenting-related companies on a bit of a mission to ‘spread the news’ about childcare information.  So we should probably lead the way. A recent survey said that 79% of new mums with kids under 18 use social media. So it’s a great way to encourage people to spread the word. There are more options than you think. See above for our nanny & childcare info top tips + if you’d like to work from home please do checkout WorkingMums who we think are fabulous. We have recruited through them in the past though and normally get thousands of applications. Note: If you’re applying for something, always make sure you write a cover letter which conveys your personality and why you want (and are suited) to the job. Don’t assume that experience is always the only criteria; we certainly believe attitude = aptitude is incredibly powerful as an employee. And if you want to take a job outside the home and are struggling to find childcare options, check out the Daycare Trust’s childcare guide and ask, ask, ask around. There are a myriad of options and it would be a shame to miss out through not knowing. We’ll continue to bring you work/life balance and childcare tips through our Twitter account too so please do get in touch with us if you have any more ideas and tips for how to make brilliant childcare choices more available for everyone.

Because childcare is complicated enough even when it is available…

Childcare cartoon

Oh so true! ©CathyThorne everydaypeoplecartoons.com

Links for finding out more childcare options:

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in Flexible Working, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Fabulous freebie alert

January 28th, 2013

Cheer up SS2013 by toting one of the hottest baby changing bags around! We love Il Tutto nappy bags which are incredibly practical but also rather beautiful.

So as a sizzling pre-Valentine’s treat, we’re running a little competition to give away this ravishing red babychanging bag worth £199. To enter, simply head over to our Facebook page for more information.

Win this red designer baby changing bag

 

Ts and Cs (yada yada yada): Winner will be selected at random and will be announced on the evening of 01/02/13. Prize is not transferable and can not be redeemed for cash. No purchase necessary. Delivery included (UK only – it can be sent overseas but postage will be required).

Tip! You get more entries by tweeting about the competition or by commenting on this blog post.

So…

We’d love to know the answer to a simple question (which will also get you another entry into this competition).

What’s the best bit of advice on being pregnant that you’ve received?

Add your comments here and let us know!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a changing bag, What's New? | 15 Comments »

Mama Fox!

January 11th, 2013

It’s always fantastic to hear positive customer feedback. We deliver to the US and internationally & this week we’ve had some great comments from a US customer.

We were delighted to hear that mum-to-be and Fox News Anchor Laura Ingle loves our  maternitywear : ‘Finally, I’ve found something I really love! Everything is great!’

Appearing in front of a TV camera is a real torture-test for maternitywear. We’ve all heard how the camera adds pounds so when you’re six months pregnant, you want maternity fashion that really flatters you. So it’s particularly great to have this feedback from the gorgeous Laura who has been wearing our maternity clothes throughout her pregnancy.

Here’s a photo of Laura in action, showing her wearing our ever popular Chloe maternity top  on air.

 

Breaking news & making babies

Breaking news & making babies

 

We think Laura looks fantastic in this best-selling top with the crossover detail and pretty ruched mini-sleeves, which are perfect for keeping cool and looking fantastic under those studio lights.

NEWSFLASH!  And the really good news is thatyou can pick up your own Chloe top at half price at the moment in our Big Winter Sale.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Posted in Feelgood Bargains, Maternity Style, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Isadora’s Expecting: New Year’s Resolutions

December 29th, 2012

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London-based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby early next year.  See her blog about her transatlantic adventures  here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy.Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.  Are you making any resolutions for 2013?

———————-

2012 began, like every year in the past two decades, with me resolving to talk less, listen more, eat less and exercise more. Nothing particularly groundbreaking there, I know. And yes, I also know it’s a little tragic that I made the same resolutions for the past twenty years.

2013 will be different. We are about to become parents and surely that means we need to raise our game? We need to start setting an example for our child, and be more responsible citizens too.  Also we need to be more vigilant about germs. And yet, I don’t want parenthood to change us all together. I’d like to retain a little romance, for starters.

I think it’s about time I drew up my list:

1. I will swear less, be more articulate, and use more formal language. Especially when the baby is ear-wigging. No-one likes a child who speaks only in slang and curses.

2. I will never call my husband ‘Daddy’ unless the baby is in the room and fully – well, as full as a newborn can be – involved in the conversation.

3. If I see someone failing to pick up after their dog, rather than rolling my eyes in silence, I will tut loudly.

4. I will wipe clean all kitchen surfaces relentlessly, and wash my hands whenever I come in from the dirty world outside my front door.

5. Date nights. Once a fortnight as an absolute minimum.

I think 5 is enough. Which means there’s no room left for my usual eating/ talking less resolution. Ah well, a change is as good as a rest.

Keeping these in January will be a walk in the park. As for February, when the baby comes, well that remains to be seen. I shall keep you posted.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Posted in Musings on motherhood, Pregnancy | No Comments »

Isadora’s Expecting: Very Happy Seasons’ Indulgences to You

December 21st, 2012

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London-based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby early next year.  See her blog about her transatlantic adventures  here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy. Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.  Do you plan to be angelic in your eating and drinking this Christmas?

————————————-

Despite my best intentions, the workout regime has slipped a little. My days of running and cycling are long gone. I still manage a good long walk or a workout DVD two or three times a week, but that’s about it. The inevitable ‘filling out’ has happened. Given that I’m supposed to lay on about a stone of body fat in preparation for breastfeeding, I am trying not to mind too much.

And now, on top of my reduced mobility and my genetic impulse to store fat, Christmas is coming. Season of mince pies, bacon wrapped sausages, and family sized tins of Quality Street. It is a joyous time indeed, but it probably won’t do my thighs any favours.

Should I fight the urge to splurge, or just go along with it?

I was thinking I should try to show some restraint around festive treats. Especially as this year, I don’t think I’ll have my usual appetite for long, frosty, calorie-burning walks. While gaining a few curves is a healthy part of pregnancy, every excess pound is one I’ll want to lose next spring.

But then again, why should pregnancy be a time of denial? My festive sherry, wine and whisky habits are already going to be curtailed. So I’d like at least to make free with the Christmas pudding. Oh, what the heck! Pass the mince pies. Not long after I’ll be breastfeeding, which is apparently like going on an amazing diet. Only you get to eat cakes at the same time.

Time to stock up on the Gaviscon, I think.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Isadora’s Expecting: Cunning Christmas Shopping

December 18th, 2012

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby early next year.  See her blog about her transatlantic adventures  here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy.Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.  How do you handle Christmas shopping for the children in your life?

————————————-

In the year that my first niece, and my oldest god-daughter were born I was appropriately generous at Christmas time. It’s easy to be extravagant when there were only two of them.

Seven years later and there are now more than twenty nieces, nephews, godchildren and beloved mates’ beloved bairns on my Christmas list. I love them all equally, but not quite enough to give them each a doll’s house or a trainset.

And, it turns out, they have no idea how much gifts cost, anyway. So my Christmas shopping strategy is about being creative and thoughtful, on a budget. There are three ways I do this:

1. Keep it personal

Personalised gifts can mean lovely things with names on, a la Babes with Babies’ adorable canvasses. But a good alternative is just to buy a gift that is very specific to you and your relationship with the child you’re buying for.

 

A personalised gift always feels extra special.

A personalised gift always feels extra special.

My nieces and nephews live out in the hinterland, far far north of the Watford Gap. London is like a magical land of dreams to them, only imagined, never actually seen. Coming from their London-based Aunt, any clothes, toys or books with a London theme are twice as nice as those without. Live in the country? Buy the urban kids in your life farm animals. Live by the beach? Then buckets and spades for when they next visit, will go down a treat. Have a cat they have played with? Find a soft toy doppelganger.

London is where it's at.

London is where it’s at.

This way an inexpensive gift has more meaning, and will remind them of you (which is always gratifying).

2. Bulk buy

Plenty of high street shops do good multibuy deals on kids clothing. So if you know lots of 3-4 year olds, buy the same top several times and get it at a discount. The Gap is great for this. And their clothes are cute enough to feel special, even if you did get them on a ‘Buy 3 tops for £15’ deal. Many bookshops do ‘4 books for the price of 3’ on kids books too. The key to this is about planning. Don’t go shopping looking for something special for little Susie, go in with a list of the kids you’re buying for, by age.

A stash of Gap bargains, labelled and ready to wrap

3. Novelty trumps usefulness every time

Remember, they aren’t your children and you don’t have to live with the consequences. So switch that boring book out for the one with the wheels on. Yes, the wheels will probably fall off before New Year’s Day and their parents will have to fix them, but in the meantime, you just gave the coolest book they’ve read all year. Stickers are similarly inexpensive and ridiculously appealing. And you’re not the one who’ll have to peel them off the French polished coffee table, so I’d say, abandon practical concerns and play the novelty card.

Novelty London books – pushing all my nephews buttons at once

Oh, by the way, Santa, if you’re reading this, forget clever bargains. I want luxury. Namely, this rather lovely nightwear set. After all, I’ve been terribly good this year.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Posted in Christmas Ideas, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Isadora’s Expecting: When is a babymoon not a babymoon?

December 4th, 2012

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London-based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby early next year.  See her blog about her transatlantic adventures  here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy. Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.  Did you manage a babymoon?

————————————-

Did you babymoon? Do you plan to? I’d like to babymoon, I really would. I think it’s a lovely idea. It’s all about getting some R&R, and spending quality, grown up, maybe even romantic, time with your partner. A much needed recharge before the baby arrives and shatters sleep and date nights for – well, a few weeks, if not for ever.

My husband (TLOML)’s mum lives inFlorida, and our baby due 7 weeks after Christmas: a December jaunt to the sunshine state could be perfect. We could spend Christmas with my mother-in-law, and then sneak a couple of nights in a glamMiamihotel. I could really make some waves on that beach with my enormous beach, that’s for sure.

Annoyingly we are grounded at the moment, while TLOML’s passport is held by the Border Agency for visa processing. Which means our babymoon options are a bit limited.

We will visit my family, in Yorkshire. But I’m not sure that playing parlour gamess, watching ‘family friendly films’ and eating Roses by the handful counts as a babymoon. It is about more than a change of scene, you know?

I was dying for the sunshine that change of scene would have given me. But maybe I can take consolation in a lovely country house weekend instead. Instead of sunbathing and shrimp cocktails I’ll settle for afternoon tea in front of a roaring fire, and long walks around frosty grounds. Come to think of it, if it’s all about enjoying posh hotel delights, we don’t even really need to leave London. I could just look on Lastminute for a hotel package bargain and hop on a bus to get there.

What do you think, readers? Is a babymoon still a babymoon if it doesn’t involve sunshine and a long journey?

————————————————————————————————————————————-

Posted in Feelgood Food Ideas, Pregnancy | No Comments »

Isadora’s Expecting: Perfect timing, if I say so myself

November 30th, 2012

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby early next year.  See her blog about her transatlantic adventures  here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy.Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. Are you enjoying a winter pregnancy?

—————————–

Until a surprise hand-me-down maternity quilted jacket came my way recently, I was rather down on the winter pregnancy. Wouldn’t it be nicer to be blooming while nature does the same? And to enjoy newborn cuddles on a picnic rug in the sunshine? Plus, cold weather maternity wear just seems so much more expensive: winter coats and jumpers are a much more significant investment to make than vests and sundresses. And they are garments where quality matters, and cheap shows.

On reflection, it doesn’t need to be so very expensive. The freebie coat was a great start, but when I looked closely at my winter wardrobe I found plenty of oversized jumpers that will see me through at least for another month or two. I don’t know about you but my winter clothes are more likely to be loose and floppy than my skimpy summer wardrobe. And while tailored clothes need to be the right size to look, well, right, loose jumpers are rather more forgiving.

So now I’m looking on the bright side of my February due date. Not for me the overheated, pink-faced fate of a lady who hits full term in the hottest months of the year. Instead I can spend the later months of my pregnancy cocooning my soft, round body in many thick, cosy layers. I can stay home eating soup, instead of having to unveil my bump by a swimming pool. No-one even needs to know about what’s happened to my previously toned upper arms! And the pressure to keep up perfect pedicures is off, since I can hide my feet in winter socks.

Whether I’ll feel this way when the winter party season kicks off remains to be seen. I seem to remember the very wise Sophie passing on some tips on how to handle that in an earlier post, so will refresh my memory before December rolls around.

‘Your bottom’s got bigger? I hardly noticed, so distracted was I by your crazy legwarmers and scarf!’

Slightly bonkers layers of scarf, cardy and legwarmers distract from my burgeoning boobs.

Posted in Maternity Style, Pregnancy | No Comments »

Loving the Leopard.

November 20th, 2012

Hmm, can’t help thinking that that title sounds like a slightly naughty euphemism. Must clean out my mind.

This blog entry is about animal prints. They’ve been hot,hot, hot for a couple of seasons now. As a slightly busty blonde I have to be careful with overdosing on the animal without looking like I belong in the Rovers Return. It works brilliantly though as an accessory and is a great tip for pregnancy (or new mums). Yes, live in super-flattering, perennially useful black…. but add a skinny animal print belt or a lovely leopard scarf & voila, you look “all pulled-together-like”. (That’s the technical fash-pack term I’m sure).

I have a ravishing redhead of a friend who is an extremely elegant dresser & the sort of person who looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.  I think her predilection for animal print accessories reveals her secretly naughty and wild side (which anyone who went to university with her will testify to!)  She has just given birth to a fabulous new baby so there’s only one gift I can send the new arrival. Or, bother, perhaps there’s two….

1. Supersoft, snuggly, sweet Little Leopard slippers for making tiny feet toasty.

This month, you can choose the very snugly leopard slippers as a new baby gift – or the very cool leopard baby Mary Janes. Both fabulous new baby gifts for the daughter of a fashionista. Which do you prefer?

2. Mini Mary Janes. Little leopard lovelies.

_________________________________________________________________

Posted in New Baby Presents, What's New? | No Comments »

FabFest. Or Why I love Books, Blogging & The Thing I did on Saturday.

November 11th, 2012

‘We read to know we’re not alone’.

The brilliant C S Lewis put it so beautifully. Reading is cheering, but it’s also comforting. A good book is guaranteed to elevate my mood more effectively than being given a Big Purple Quality Street. A cracker of a novel provokes thoughts and makes my mind whizz brilliantly. It does also feel oddly like companionship; that insight into how other people think, how other people live, (even just inside author’s imaginations), is strangely comforting as well as often challenging or thought-provoking. A good book is yoga for the mind mixed with a pub night out for the brain.

The Big Purple One. Almost as good as a book

Blogreading is different. It’s also absolutely, completely the same. I strongly suspect Mr Lewis would be a big blogger if he was alive (The Narnian Daily? The Warder of the Wardrobe? God, Life and Fauns? ) The lives and thoughts of other bloggers may be a world away from my own but the joyous sense of people living, breathing, thinking everywhere is stimulating, amusing and just so interesting. I  read other people’s blogs and revel in the insight into their minds and experiences.  I do love a good blog me. Possibly because I’m nosey. Possibly because I’m human.

I also think there’s a real joy in being a blogger. Actually, I know there is, both from personal experience and seeing the proliferation of the blogsphere. It’s ‘pocketsized writing’ where you can try out how words sound when they’re not just in your head. Trying to make a point or just share. I’ve never been convinced there’s a full novel in me (maybe a pamphlet, probably just a shopping list). There’s definitely lots of little blogs though. Blogging is incredibly liberating, ever-so-slightly self indulgent (even when in blogs like this I convince myself it’s ‘work’ and will help grow the business) and it’s just, well kind of fun.

The other beauty of the blog world is that it’s a great way to quote a different serious-boy author E M Forster ‘only connect’. For mums, this is incredibly important. As soon as you become a mother, and particularly I believe (but please rant at me if you don’t agree) as a working mother, there Is Not Enough Time. In the world. Ever. For you. For the washing. For trying to be a good mother. And particularly for connecting with others, with friends and fellow humans. Blogging works brilliantly for this.

We blog to know we’re not alone. It’s all about the connections. About the Twitter feedback and that sense that someone out there is interested in what you have to say.

It’s comforting. It’s interesting. It’s a solitary activity that’s very social.

So today I’m writing as a big thank you to Mumsnet. For connecting people through your site (and all KINDS of people). And for connecting Bloggers at the Brilliant #Blogfest 2012 which Isadora (who also blogs on pregnancy for this site) and I attended yesterday.

It was chock-full of a positive, supportive atmosphere & the speakers were…. oh lord, why can I not find a less hackneyed word than ‘inspiring’? Definitely need to find a better phrase. The speakers made me feel proud to be a bird and helped me fall in love with the power of words all over again.

Speakers included the truly, truly inspirational Miriam Gonzalez Durantes who talked about how bloody lucky we are (my paraphrasing of her articulate, beautifully presented speech) and how important it is for women to work together and join together to help each other. They also included the rather lovely (and brave) Girl with a 1 track mind and the supercool Zoe Williams, as well as frank and jawdropping thoughts from Liz Jones. Justine Roberts was charming, warm and intelligent & the keynote speaker was the Queen of Smart Saucy Brilliance Caitlin Moran who rocked the room with fast & funny fabulousness. God, she’s good.

If any bloggers there are half as witty and intelligent as these women then the world is in a good place. The Hand that Rocks the Cradle can rock the world… and it can write the world into a warmer and wittier place along the way.   Isadora pointed out that she couldn’t remember the last time she was in a room with 200 women; having spent my previous existence in very male dominated companies it was an interesting and welcome change.  It was All Good. A top banana of a day.

Am I alone in thinking that?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sophie was at Mumsnet Blogfest 2012. Book tickets for 2013 here. She’ll see you there.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posted in The write stuff, The write stuff, Time Out (for Mum), Why blog? | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »