Mum Life
Welcome to the first post 2021.... starting the year off with a Mum Life post - I don't write much mum content as this space is predominantly about fashion however occasionally I will share a post that I feel will benefit any mum readers out there. This wont be a "How to Potty Train" post, as my son did it his own way and threw all my research out the window! I actually found potty training the most stressful milestone in my sons life so far but these were products that I found really helped once we began the big boy pants journey and helped him to pick it up quickly. Worth noting none of these products are revolutionary but a few of them I didn't know existed until I found them or was recommended them by a fellow mummy.....
Firstly the main thing required is patience, YOU need to be ready to potty train just as much as your child. Be prepared for a hundred wees on your rug/sofa, don't get angry and if you need to go down the rewards route, then do it!
1. A Potty
Nothing fancy needed here, just a simple plastic potty. We bought the IKEA Lilla as it was only £2.50!! We actually got three of them as they were so cheap, one to have in the lounge where little man spends most of his time, one for his bedroom for night time visits and the third one is actually at his nursery as he didn't want to use the ones available there, so we sent him in with his own (major breakthrough). Not the most aesthetically pleasing item sitting in my lounge but it serves a purpose.
2. Seat insert & step
We decide to buy the IKEA set of seat & step along with the potty and both of these items live in the family bathroom, although we did end up buying additional sets from Aldi to have in the other toilets in the house (just in case). My son has been using the seat every night at bedtime and every morning when he wakes up, so as to get him used to going on the actual toilet and to not be scared of falling in. They may need a little help getting on but my son is now big enough to climb on and off unaided. Again super cheap - £8 for the two.
IKEA Tossig Toilet Seat & IKEA FÖrsiktig stool
3. Travel Potty
The My Carry Potty, a great option for days out of the house, admittedly we did our training during lockdown so the only "out" was the park, but this travel potty is great for such occasions. With a vacuum seal on it, your child can use, close it up and there are no leaks, ideal if you can't dispose straight away. This will be good on car journeys too as there is never a service station when you need one! I gave my son the choice of which design he wanted and he chose the dinosaur, but there are others available including a penguin, ladybird and cat.
4. Panda Fold-up Seat
Another travel item but perfect for everyday out of the house. To begin with my son hated the potty, he much preferred the toilet and I didn't want to have to carry the solid IKEA toilet seat round with me, but I came across this one which folds down into a little pouch, ideal to pop in the nappy bag and get out to use in public toilets. This will be my go to when we go out and I don't want to carry the travel potty, places where I know there will be a toilet....shopping for instance.
5. Character Pants
This is an obvious one, but I wanted to include as its a good idea to let your child choose their pants, if they have their favourite characters on they are more likely to want to wear them. Also my advice is buy lots as there will be accidents.
Hey Duggee Multicoloured Briefs 5 Pack
6. Books
I bought a couple of books before we started as I thought it was important to talk to him about it before we started the process, give him an idea of what was coming. I chose the Thomas book as again its something that interests him and the other was a recommendation from a friend. Amazon has so many different books - there is bound to be one that your child will enjoy.
Thomas & Friends My Potty Book & What Are Potties
7. Oh Crap Potty Training Book
This was a recommendation from a friend and whilst I found it very informative my son did the opposite to what I expected so it wasn't much help after the prep stage, but if you need somewhere to start I can recommend this book. A real, down to earth read and no touchy feely just simple facts and humour, that makes you comfortable and relaxed about the potentially daunting task ahead of you.
8. Seat Protector
Another odd purchase but very logical - a simple absorbent pad for the car seat or pushchair just to help soak up any accidents on long journeys or out and about. We have only used a couple of times again because we are in lockdown but I think it will be really helpful for our next trip to Scotland (7 hours in the car is tough on my bladder never mind little mans!).
Koo-di Wetec Baby Seat Protector
So that's my essentials - I would love to hear from any fellow mums, what their potty training essentials & recommendations are.....
Leave me a comment below x
♡
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with new posts!
Potty Training Essentials
Welcome to the first post 2021.... starting the year off with a Mum Life post - I don't write much mum content as this space is predominantly about fashion however occasionally I will share a post that I feel will benefit any mum readers out there. This wont be a "How to Potty Train" post, as my son did it his own way and threw all my research out the window! I actually found potty training the most stressful milestone in my sons life so far but these were products that I found really helped once we began the big boy pants journey and helped him to pick it up quickly. Worth noting none of these products are revolutionary but a few of them I didn't know existed until I found them or was recommended them by a fellow mummy.....
Firstly the main thing required is patience, YOU need to be ready to potty train just as much as your child. Be prepared for a hundred wees on your rug/sofa, don't get angry and if you need to go down the rewards route, then do it!
1. A Potty
Nothing fancy needed here, just a simple plastic potty. We bought the IKEA Lilla as it was only £2.50!! We actually got three of them as they were so cheap, one to have in the lounge where little man spends most of his time, one for his bedroom for night time visits and the third one is actually at his nursery as he didn't want to use the ones available there, so we sent him in with his own (major breakthrough). Not the most aesthetically pleasing item sitting in my lounge but it serves a purpose.
2. Seat insert & step
We decide to buy the IKEA set of seat & step along with the potty and both of these items live in the family bathroom, although we did end up buying additional sets from Aldi to have in the other toilets in the house (just in case). My son has been using the seat every night at bedtime and every morning when he wakes up, so as to get him used to going on the actual toilet and to not be scared of falling in. They may need a little help getting on but my son is now big enough to climb on and off unaided. Again super cheap - £8 for the two.
IKEA Tossig Toilet Seat & IKEA FÖrsiktig stool
3. Travel Potty
The My Carry Potty, a great option for days out of the house, admittedly we did our training during lockdown so the only "out" was the park, but this travel potty is great for such occasions. With a vacuum seal on it, your child can use, close it up and there are no leaks, ideal if you can't dispose straight away. This will be good on car journeys too as there is never a service station when you need one! I gave my son the choice of which design he wanted and he chose the dinosaur, but there are others available including a penguin, ladybird and cat.
4. Panda Fold-up Seat
Another travel item but perfect for everyday out of the house. To begin with my son hated the potty, he much preferred the toilet and I didn't want to have to carry the solid IKEA toilet seat round with me, but I came across this one which folds down into a little pouch, ideal to pop in the nappy bag and get out to use in public toilets. This will be my go to when we go out and I don't want to carry the travel potty, places where I know there will be a toilet....shopping for instance.
5. Character Pants
This is an obvious one, but I wanted to include as its a good idea to let your child choose their pants, if they have their favourite characters on they are more likely to want to wear them. Also my advice is buy lots as there will be accidents.
Hey Duggee Multicoloured Briefs 5 Pack
6. Books
I bought a couple of books before we started as I thought it was important to talk to him about it before we started the process, give him an idea of what was coming. I chose the Thomas book as again its something that interests him and the other was a recommendation from a friend. Amazon has so many different books - there is bound to be one that your child will enjoy.
Thomas & Friends My Potty Book & What Are Potties
7. Oh Crap Potty Training Book
This was a recommendation from a friend and whilst I found it very informative my son did the opposite to what I expected so it wasn't much help after the prep stage, but if you need somewhere to start I can recommend this book. A real, down to earth read and no touchy feely just simple facts and humour, that makes you comfortable and relaxed about the potentially daunting task ahead of you.
8. Seat Protector
Another odd purchase but very logical - a simple absorbent pad for the car seat or pushchair just to help soak up any accidents on long journeys or out and about. We have only used a couple of times again because we are in lockdown but I think it will be really helpful for our next trip to Scotland (7 hours in the car is tough on my bladder never mind little mans!).
Koo-di Wetec Baby Seat Protector
So that's my essentials - I would love to hear from any fellow mums, what their potty training essentials & recommendations are.....
Leave me a comment below x
♡
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with new posts!
This is where the magic happens
Meet the Toniebox, your entry ticket to a whole new world of adventures and audio fun for children. Once downloaded, always ready to play. - Tonies.com
So today's post is a mum life piece, with a review of a recent find.... I don't talk about many kids products on here, but this is one I felt the need to share. So you may or not be aware of this kiddy gadget but this little green box of adventures is a Toniebox... The little box that is the perfect mix of modern technology intertwined with traditional story time, giving children the independence to choose what and when they listen to. Designed & developed in Germany, the Toniebox has been around in Europe since 2016 and has now taken the UK by storm.
Minimal in design yet so stylish (a lot of kids products look childish, but this is very sleek and sophisticated looking) with a sturdy padded outer, designed to withstand being dropped. Small enough to take out with you but mighty enough to have a kitchen disco. Alongside the Toniebox are the Tonies, little figures that are each loaded with stories & or songs....dependant on which character you have. My son was bought a Toniebox for his 3rd birthday so we chose to buy the Julia Donaldson classic Room on the Broom & Disney Pixar Cars as his starter figures (purchased separately to the box). You do get a creative Tonie with the box which you can load 90 minutes of your own audio onto.....perfect for adding favourite stories & songs, even better as you can get other people to record onto it too. Once you have your chosen figure all your little one has to do is pop it on top of the Toniebox and it will play....simple as that, as soon as they take off the figure it will stop....easy and so funny to watch their little face light up with excitement & a touch of confusion!
Minimal in design yet so stylish (a lot of kids products look childish, but this is very sleek and sophisticated looking) with a sturdy padded outer, designed to withstand being dropped. Small enough to take out with you but mighty enough to have a kitchen disco. Alongside the Toniebox are the Tonies, little figures that are each loaded with stories & or songs....dependant on which character you have. My son was bought a Toniebox for his 3rd birthday so we chose to buy the Julia Donaldson classic Room on the Broom & Disney Pixar Cars as his starter figures (purchased separately to the box). You do get a creative Tonie with the box which you can load 90 minutes of your own audio onto.....perfect for adding favourite stories & songs, even better as you can get other people to record onto it too. Once you have your chosen figure all your little one has to do is pop it on top of the Toniebox and it will play....simple as that, as soon as they take off the figure it will stop....easy and so funny to watch their little face light up with excitement & a touch of confusion!
What I love about it...
First off I was very impressed with the products packaging, simple and all recyclable, no unnecessary plastic, a pleasant change from most kids products these days. Next up the fact that it took me less than 10 mins to set up the box using the MyTonie website, which was very easy to use and made the process quick & painless meaning Mark was straight into investigating the gadget. To begin with the box really confused him but within an hour he had worked out how to operate it and will happily sit and use it by himself.
We decided to get the Disney Pixar Cars Tonie first, as it is his favourite toy/movie at the moment and thought it would help him to hear something familiar whilst getting used to the box.... turns out this was a great idea as he was so excited to see Lightning McQueen come out of the box and he has loves bopping round the room to the soundtrack. Only downside is he keeps bringing all of his diecast cars over and trying them on top, obviously they don't work which leaves him perplexed! There is quite a good range of Tonies available, including Disney and Julia Donaldson books along with more generic songs & nursery rhyme compilations (small note make sure you get the UK Tonies, unless you speak German! Amazon has little flags next to the characters for clarification.). I also really like that there is such a wide range of creative Tonies to choose from....a builder, a fairy, a footballer, a conductor, a unicorn & a Grandma to name a few. A friend of ours loves music so bought the conductor for her son & loaded it with his favourite music...the personal touch.
We wanted Mark to have the Toniebox in his bedroom so he can listen to a story at bedtime (something I loved to do as a child), he likes to take it off his bedside table and have it in the bed with him - but because of the soft padded outer I am not worried about him hurting himself or breaking it. He knows how to activate the box and play his cars songs/story - "Life is a highway" is a very odd thing to wake up to on the monitor! but so proud that he can operate it by himself. It gives him some independence and allows him to choose what he wants to listen to, something he really likes to do at the moment. He can turn it on, operate the volume controls, skip tracks and change character. The Toniebox also comes with a headphone jack too, perfect if you don't want to listen to the same songs over & over again! I also love that the Toniebox will turn itself off once the Tonie has finished playing, meaning no fumbling around in the dark to turn it off once he is asleep, also saves on battery. Whilst I mention battery, the charging process is very simple and clever, the Toniebox simply sits on top of a white charging station and will flash blue when the battery is running low, so you know to pop it on.
Toniebox - the technical stuff
* The outer is made of sustainable material. * Headphone jack. * LED Status Display. * WIFI.
* Robust, child friendly. * Comes with a charging station. * Automatic switch off.
* Battery operated, up to 7 hours - for use on the go. * Squeeze the ears for volume control.
* Tap the sides to switch chapters/tracks. * Tilt to fast forward or rewind.
Not a cheap item but in my opinion so worth it - the starter kit which includes the box (available in red, green, blue, purple, pink & grey), a matching creative Tonie & charging station comes in at £69.99. Additional creative Tonies are £11.99 and the story/music themed Tonies are £14.99. All are available on the Tonies website as well as Amazon.
One of the main things that drew me to the Tonibox was that it will last Mark years, as there are educational Tonies available too and the great thing about the creative Tonies is we can change up the audio saved on it as he grows. Could be a good way to help him learn words, even use for revision when he takes exams! so many possibilities..... So if you are looking for a gift for a child, I would definitely put the Toniebox on your list.
For more information about the Toniebox and all the Tonies available click here...
♡
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with new posts!
The TonieBox: First Impressions & Review
This is where the magic happens
Meet the Toniebox, your entry ticket to a whole new world of adventures and audio fun for children. Once downloaded, always ready to play. - Tonies.com
So today's post is a mum life piece, with a review of a recent find.... I don't talk about many kids products on here, but this is one I felt the need to share. So you may or not be aware of this kiddy gadget but this little green box of adventures is a Toniebox... The little box that is the perfect mix of modern technology intertwined with traditional story time, giving children the independence to choose what and when they listen to. Designed & developed in Germany, the Toniebox has been around in Europe since 2016 and has now taken the UK by storm.
Minimal in design yet so stylish (a lot of kids products look childish, but this is very sleek and sophisticated looking) with a sturdy padded outer, designed to withstand being dropped. Small enough to take out with you but mighty enough to have a kitchen disco. Alongside the Toniebox are the Tonies, little figures that are each loaded with stories & or songs....dependant on which character you have. My son was bought a Toniebox for his 3rd birthday so we chose to buy the Julia Donaldson classic Room on the Broom & Disney Pixar Cars as his starter figures (purchased separately to the box). You do get a creative Tonie with the box which you can load 90 minutes of your own audio onto.....perfect for adding favourite stories & songs, even better as you can get other people to record onto it too. Once you have your chosen figure all your little one has to do is pop it on top of the Toniebox and it will play....simple as that, as soon as they take off the figure it will stop....easy and so funny to watch their little face light up with excitement & a touch of confusion!
Minimal in design yet so stylish (a lot of kids products look childish, but this is very sleek and sophisticated looking) with a sturdy padded outer, designed to withstand being dropped. Small enough to take out with you but mighty enough to have a kitchen disco. Alongside the Toniebox are the Tonies, little figures that are each loaded with stories & or songs....dependant on which character you have. My son was bought a Toniebox for his 3rd birthday so we chose to buy the Julia Donaldson classic Room on the Broom & Disney Pixar Cars as his starter figures (purchased separately to the box). You do get a creative Tonie with the box which you can load 90 minutes of your own audio onto.....perfect for adding favourite stories & songs, even better as you can get other people to record onto it too. Once you have your chosen figure all your little one has to do is pop it on top of the Toniebox and it will play....simple as that, as soon as they take off the figure it will stop....easy and so funny to watch their little face light up with excitement & a touch of confusion!
What I love about it...
First off I was very impressed with the products packaging, simple and all recyclable, no unnecessary plastic, a pleasant change from most kids products these days. Next up the fact that it took me less than 10 mins to set up the box using the MyTonie website, which was very easy to use and made the process quick & painless meaning Mark was straight into investigating the gadget. To begin with the box really confused him but within an hour he had worked out how to operate it and will happily sit and use it by himself.
We decided to get the Disney Pixar Cars Tonie first, as it is his favourite toy/movie at the moment and thought it would help him to hear something familiar whilst getting used to the box.... turns out this was a great idea as he was so excited to see Lightning McQueen come out of the box and he has loves bopping round the room to the soundtrack. Only downside is he keeps bringing all of his diecast cars over and trying them on top, obviously they don't work which leaves him perplexed! There is quite a good range of Tonies available, including Disney and Julia Donaldson books along with more generic songs & nursery rhyme compilations (small note make sure you get the UK Tonies, unless you speak German! Amazon has little flags next to the characters for clarification.). I also really like that there is such a wide range of creative Tonies to choose from....a builder, a fairy, a footballer, a conductor, a unicorn & a Grandma to name a few. A friend of ours loves music so bought the conductor for her son & loaded it with his favourite music...the personal touch.
We wanted Mark to have the Toniebox in his bedroom so he can listen to a story at bedtime (something I loved to do as a child), he likes to take it off his bedside table and have it in the bed with him - but because of the soft padded outer I am not worried about him hurting himself or breaking it. He knows how to activate the box and play his cars songs/story - "Life is a highway" is a very odd thing to wake up to on the monitor! but so proud that he can operate it by himself. It gives him some independence and allows him to choose what he wants to listen to, something he really likes to do at the moment. He can turn it on, operate the volume controls, skip tracks and change character. The Toniebox also comes with a headphone jack too, perfect if you don't want to listen to the same songs over & over again! I also love that the Toniebox will turn itself off once the Tonie has finished playing, meaning no fumbling around in the dark to turn it off once he is asleep, also saves on battery. Whilst I mention battery, the charging process is very simple and clever, the Toniebox simply sits on top of a white charging station and will flash blue when the battery is running low, so you know to pop it on.
Toniebox - the technical stuff
* The outer is made of sustainable material. * Headphone jack. * LED Status Display. * WIFI.
* Robust, child friendly. * Comes with a charging station. * Automatic switch off.
* Battery operated, up to 7 hours - for use on the go. * Squeeze the ears for volume control.
* Tap the sides to switch chapters/tracks. * Tilt to fast forward or rewind.
Not a cheap item but in my opinion so worth it - the starter kit which includes the box (available in red, green, blue, purple, pink & grey), a matching creative Tonie & charging station comes in at £69.99. Additional creative Tonies are £11.99 and the story/music themed Tonies are £14.99. All are available on the Tonies website as well as Amazon.
One of the main things that drew me to the Tonibox was that it will last Mark years, as there are educational Tonies available too and the great thing about the creative Tonies is we can change up the audio saved on it as he grows. Could be a good way to help him learn words, even use for revision when he takes exams! so many possibilities..... So if you are looking for a gift for a child, I would definitely put the Toniebox on your list.
For more information about the Toniebox and all the Tonies available click here...
♡
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with new posts!
The essential stroller. Live life on the go.
Something a little different today on the blog.... up until now I have not posted much motherhood content in this space, however I have decided to post this buggy review, as it is the kind of post I wanted to read when was researching such a big purchase, but struggled to find - hoping it helps a fellow parent (plus this buggy is so chic!)
We have had the Cosatto Supa Go, now for over a year and I wanted to give a full review after having used it in all seasons & weather conditions, also with a child from 9 months upto his current 2 years. We chose to purchase a stroller last year, as we needed something a little smaller and lightweight for day to day outings. After a lot of research we decided to go with a Cosatto Supa Go 2018. I had seen the brand everywhere, drawn in by their amazing statement prints but also I recieved a great review from a friend who also owns the stroller. Below are my opinions on the stroller and its performance, for full details & specs please visit the Cosatto website.
We have had the Cosatto Supa Go, now for over a year and I wanted to give a full review after having used it in all seasons & weather conditions, also with a child from 9 months upto his current 2 years. We chose to purchase a stroller last year, as we needed something a little smaller and lightweight for day to day outings. After a lot of research we decided to go with a Cosatto Supa Go 2018. I had seen the brand everywhere, drawn in by their amazing statement prints but also I recieved a great review from a friend who also owns the stroller. Below are my opinions on the stroller and its performance, for full details & specs please visit the Cosatto website.
Style
The first thing that drew me to the brand was its use of colourful, bold print - that I discovered are not just for show, but are designed specifically to aid a childs sensory developement.
"At Cosatto, we've always believed in the power of pattern to engage your baby and promote happiness. Cosatto prams and pushchairs put your baby at the heart of visual systems. Bold, bright and carefully placed, our baby-friendly characters and patterns aim to harness your baby's early sensory skills." - Cosatto.com
Although I love the unicorn & llama prints, we went for the Dragon Kingdom print as this was really the only "boy" print in the collection at the time of purchase but actually this has proven a hit with my little boy as he loves dinosaurs (he can't tell the difference!). Whilst I do try to be gender neutral with most things in my sons life, I felt a unicorn pushchair was just a step too far, plus hubby refused point blank to push something so girly! (I do think if you don't like bold prints, then Cosatto is not the brand for you, they do very few styles in solid colours). As well as the actual print, I really love the overall design of the Supa Go very streamline, with lots of thoughtful aesthetic details - such as co-ordinating wheel trims, contrasting prints on the inside of the hood and a cute little picture on the top of the handles.
Features
First up is the buggies size...compact, the perfect size for shopping but also for transporting in the car, fits comfortably in the boot of my Hyundai i20 but also across the back seat footwell. This compact size teamed with extendable handles makes it comfortable to push (for both me at 5ft 4 and hubby at 6ft), and allows a smooth journey for your child. Lightweight, with an aluminium chassis which makes it easy to manoover and carry. Also it is really easy to drive, even one handed which is really helpful now little man wants to walk everywhere. Plus being fully wipeable, is a great addition especially with sticky toddler fingers. We have used the buggy on pavements, cobbles, gravel and grass and it copes well with them all.
The 5 point harness, is very easy to use with even the wiggliest child, but still allows quick access to the one hand recline feature, really helpful when little one is asleep especially as this stroller can be used from birth to 25kg. Not sure I would want to use with a newborn, but my son used it from 9 months and loved it because he could see the world around him. He also enjoys looking at the contrasting print on the inside of the hood, keeps him amused while we are out and about.
Unlike a lot of collapsable buggies, the Supa Go has a good sized hood, that allows for both half and full coverage over your little one, perfect cover from the sun. It also comes with compact raincover, which is easy to fit with poppers (an upgrade on the origional Supa stroller) and fits comfortably underneath in the basket without taking up too much space. The basket itself is adequate, but would be helpful if a tiny bit bigger but meets my everyday needs. Both the raincover and hood offer UPF100+ protection.
The one thing I wish this model came with is a cup holder, or that you could add as an extra.... 3rd world problem I know but have you tried pushing a buggy and carrying coffee! it doesnt end well for me or my white tee!!!!
The 5 point harness, is very easy to use with even the wiggliest child, but still allows quick access to the one hand recline feature, really helpful when little one is asleep especially as this stroller can be used from birth to 25kg. Not sure I would want to use with a newborn, but my son used it from 9 months and loved it because he could see the world around him. He also enjoys looking at the contrasting print on the inside of the hood, keeps him amused while we are out and about.
Unlike a lot of collapsable buggies, the Supa Go has a good sized hood, that allows for both half and full coverage over your little one, perfect cover from the sun. It also comes with compact raincover, which is easy to fit with poppers (an upgrade on the origional Supa stroller) and fits comfortably underneath in the basket without taking up too much space. The basket itself is adequate, but would be helpful if a tiny bit bigger but meets my everyday needs. Both the raincover and hood offer UPF100+ protection.
The one thing I wish this model came with is a cup holder, or that you could add as an extra.... 3rd world problem I know but have you tried pushing a buggy and carrying coffee! it doesnt end well for me or my white tee!!!!
Other details
I was pleased to learn that Cosatto is actually a British brand and I love to support British brands where possible, especially ones that are such good quality. This stroller and all items on the Cosatto website come with an amazing 4 year guarentee - click here for more info. Although one of the more pricey options in the market at £170, this product is tested to 25kg not the standard 15kg like most buggies, meaning it will last my little boy longer. Cosatto also offer amazing delivery, it arrived next day at no extra cost and came in minimal packaging (cat loved the box), was easy to set up (took less than 5 minutes) and came with idiot proof instructions.
Assembled Size: L 78cm; W 48.5cm; H 110cm
Folded Size: L 104cm; W 27cm; H35cm
Handle Height: 101-103cm
Weight: 8.6kg
Final Thoughts
ROARSOME! Overall I love this buggy and would highly recommend to anyone looking for something lightweight for everyday adventures. The only time in the last year that I have had to swap back to my original pushchair, was during heavy snow....the lightweight chasis makes it really hard work to push in the snow but apart from that all other weathers have been a breeze. I am really pleased with how resiliant the buggy is too, after 18 months of daily use it still looks brand new (apart from a bit of mud on the wheels from last weekend!). We always get compliments on the print and I am so glad I went for the dragons, my son also loves it and points at them all the time, saying "Roar".*Photo below is my son aged 9 months when we first started using the stroller and as you can see by the beaming smile, he loves it!
If you have any questions about this amazing buggy, or you have it too, please do leave me a comment.....
❤
❤
The Cosatto Supa Go: Dragon Kingdom print | Review
The essential stroller. Live life on the go.
Something a little different today on the blog.... up until now I have not posted much motherhood content in this space, however I have decided to post this buggy review, as it is the kind of post I wanted to read when was researching such a big purchase, but struggled to find - hoping it helps a fellow parent (plus this buggy is so chic!)
We have had the Cosatto Supa Go, now for over a year and I wanted to give a full review after having used it in all seasons & weather conditions, also with a child from 9 months upto his current 2 years. We chose to purchase a stroller last year, as we needed something a little smaller and lightweight for day to day outings. After a lot of research we decided to go with a Cosatto Supa Go 2018. I had seen the brand everywhere, drawn in by their amazing statement prints but also I recieved a great review from a friend who also owns the stroller. Below are my opinions on the stroller and its performance, for full details & specs please visit the Cosatto website.
We have had the Cosatto Supa Go, now for over a year and I wanted to give a full review after having used it in all seasons & weather conditions, also with a child from 9 months upto his current 2 years. We chose to purchase a stroller last year, as we needed something a little smaller and lightweight for day to day outings. After a lot of research we decided to go with a Cosatto Supa Go 2018. I had seen the brand everywhere, drawn in by their amazing statement prints but also I recieved a great review from a friend who also owns the stroller. Below are my opinions on the stroller and its performance, for full details & specs please visit the Cosatto website.
Style
The first thing that drew me to the brand was its use of colourful, bold print - that I discovered are not just for show, but are designed specifically to aid a childs sensory developement.
"At Cosatto, we've always believed in the power of pattern to engage your baby and promote happiness. Cosatto prams and pushchairs put your baby at the heart of visual systems. Bold, bright and carefully placed, our baby-friendly characters and patterns aim to harness your baby's early sensory skills." - Cosatto.com
Although I love the unicorn & llama prints, we went for the Dragon Kingdom print as this was really the only "boy" print in the collection at the time of purchase but actually this has proven a hit with my little boy as he loves dinosaurs (he can't tell the difference!). Whilst I do try to be gender neutral with most things in my sons life, I felt a unicorn pushchair was just a step too far, plus hubby refused point blank to push something so girly! (I do think if you don't like bold prints, then Cosatto is not the brand for you, they do very few styles in solid colours). As well as the actual print, I really love the overall design of the Supa Go very streamline, with lots of thoughtful aesthetic details - such as co-ordinating wheel trims, contrasting prints on the inside of the hood and a cute little picture on the top of the handles.
Features
First up is the buggies size...compact, the perfect size for shopping but also for transporting in the car, fits comfortably in the boot of my Hyundai i20 but also across the back seat footwell. This compact size teamed with extendable handles makes it comfortable to push (for both me at 5ft 4 and hubby at 6ft), and allows a smooth journey for your child. Lightweight, with an aluminium chassis which makes it easy to manoover and carry. Also it is really easy to drive, even one handed which is really helpful now little man wants to walk everywhere. Plus being fully wipeable, is a great addition especially with sticky toddler fingers. We have used the buggy on pavements, cobbles, gravel and grass and it copes well with them all.
The 5 point harness, is very easy to use with even the wiggliest child, but still allows quick access to the one hand recline feature, really helpful when little one is asleep especially as this stroller can be used from birth to 25kg. Not sure I would want to use with a newborn, but my son used it from 9 months and loved it because he could see the world around him. He also enjoys looking at the contrasting print on the inside of the hood, keeps him amused while we are out and about.
Unlike a lot of collapsable buggies, the Supa Go has a good sized hood, that allows for both half and full coverage over your little one, perfect cover from the sun. It also comes with compact raincover, which is easy to fit with poppers (an upgrade on the origional Supa stroller) and fits comfortably underneath in the basket without taking up too much space. The basket itself is adequate, but would be helpful if a tiny bit bigger but meets my everyday needs. Both the raincover and hood offer UPF100+ protection.
The one thing I wish this model came with is a cup holder, or that you could add as an extra.... 3rd world problem I know but have you tried pushing a buggy and carrying coffee! it doesnt end well for me or my white tee!!!!
The 5 point harness, is very easy to use with even the wiggliest child, but still allows quick access to the one hand recline feature, really helpful when little one is asleep especially as this stroller can be used from birth to 25kg. Not sure I would want to use with a newborn, but my son used it from 9 months and loved it because he could see the world around him. He also enjoys looking at the contrasting print on the inside of the hood, keeps him amused while we are out and about.
Unlike a lot of collapsable buggies, the Supa Go has a good sized hood, that allows for both half and full coverage over your little one, perfect cover from the sun. It also comes with compact raincover, which is easy to fit with poppers (an upgrade on the origional Supa stroller) and fits comfortably underneath in the basket without taking up too much space. The basket itself is adequate, but would be helpful if a tiny bit bigger but meets my everyday needs. Both the raincover and hood offer UPF100+ protection.
The one thing I wish this model came with is a cup holder, or that you could add as an extra.... 3rd world problem I know but have you tried pushing a buggy and carrying coffee! it doesnt end well for me or my white tee!!!!
Other details
I was pleased to learn that Cosatto is actually a British brand and I love to support British brands where possible, especially ones that are such good quality. This stroller and all items on the Cosatto website come with an amazing 4 year guarentee - click here for more info. Although one of the more pricey options in the market at £170, this product is tested to 25kg not the standard 15kg like most buggies, meaning it will last my little boy longer. Cosatto also offer amazing delivery, it arrived next day at no extra cost and came in minimal packaging (cat loved the box), was easy to set up (took less than 5 minutes) and came with idiot proof instructions.
Assembled Size: L 78cm; W 48.5cm; H 110cm
Folded Size: L 104cm; W 27cm; H35cm
Handle Height: 101-103cm
Weight: 8.6kg
Final Thoughts
ROARSOME! Overall I love this buggy and would highly recommend to anyone looking for something lightweight for everyday adventures. The only time in the last year that I have had to swap back to my original pushchair, was during heavy snow....the lightweight chasis makes it really hard work to push in the snow but apart from that all other weathers have been a breeze. I am really pleased with how resiliant the buggy is too, after 18 months of daily use it still looks brand new (apart from a bit of mud on the wheels from last weekend!). We always get compliments on the print and I am so glad I went for the dragons, my son also loves it and points at them all the time, saying "Roar".*Photo below is my son aged 9 months when we first started using the stroller and as you can see by the beaming smile, he loves it!
If you have any questions about this amazing buggy, or you have it too, please do leave me a comment.....
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Oh the classic ‘Whats in my handbag’ tag, I haven’t done one of these in a long time (If you fancy a look at my pre-baby bag post from way back in 2016). I don’t know why people find these kind of posts so interesting, but they just are – aren’t they? Anyway, this time it’s a little bit different as I’m putting a mum spin on a classic post idea and sharing "What's in my changing bag". As a new Mum I knew that all parents carried round a changing bag, but what do you really need in there? Answer - everything baby could possibly need but now that my little boy is 14 months old, I have this changing bag malarkey down to a tee and now only carry what we really need. I also wanted to include in this post, a little review of my new changing backpack - the Fjallraven Kånken.
First off choosing a new changing bag was actually a tough purchase for me, I knew I wanted practicality, hands free ease but at the same time something stylish to carry around and that doesn't scream changing bag. I love my original bag, which I got from Amazon before Mark was born, but now he is bigger and more mobile I wanted to move to a backpack style as its more practical. I fell in love with the range from Cath Kidston but sadly all of the bags are very floral and girly, and although beautiful I wasn't convinced they would go well with my very bold dragon print, Cosatto buggy! I really wish they did more boy prints, I know many mums' who would definitely buy. I also looked at the Tibi & Marl backpacks, whilst so beautiful and quality leather, they are for too expensive. So I decided to go for something a little different - a Fjallraven Kånken. Not actually designed for this purpose but I have seen this bag featured all over Pinterest, and having worked with the brand in a previous job I know it's a great quality piece and that it would work for my needs - spacious, practical but stylish.
Originally designed for Swedish school children in 1978, the Kånken has become a well-loved and iconic backpack for everyone, both as a fashion and function piece. The bag features one large main compartment, with a laptop sleeve, a small zipped front pocket, two flat side pockets, adjustable straps and top handles - simple but very spacious. Available in three sizes (mini, classic & large) and a rainbow of beautiful colours (everything from yellow, to pink and a gorgeous shade of turquoise), there really is one for everyone! I chose the classic size (38cmx27cmx13cm) in Fog grey, as I wanted a gender neutral colour that works well with a navy printed buggy and that my husband was ok carrying....but lets be honest I wanted pink! if we have a girl in the future you better believe I'll be going back for the pink.
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So my thoughts on the Kånken.... LOVE it! it is exactly what I was hoping it would be. The bag itself is a great everyday size, fits all little mans essentials in with a room to spare. As it only has one large compartment, I am now working on a pouch system inside so nothing gets lost - nappy, feeding and then a smaller one that contains medicines/other small items, plus it actually makes life easier especially for nappy changes to simply grab one pouch that has everything I need in one place. I also really like that the spacious main compartment has a large opening with a zip, which makes it easy to see and get items out even from the bottom of the bag. The straps are comfy to wear and functional as you can shorten them if not wearing as rucksack. Can also be carried by the top handles, but it also fits well onto the handles of the buggy or in the basket underneath. Made from hard-wearing, lightweight Vinylon F fabric, that is able to withstand dirt and wetness, makes it perfect for everyday use and I am not worried about it getting dirty even in such a light colour.
I have only been using this bag for a few weeks but I am so happy with it, and I would definitely recommend to any mum's out there looking for a new hands free option - makes a great changing bag but could also double up as a kids nursery/school bag too, especially if you bought the mini version. Although slightly smaller in size than my traditional changing bag, I am actually glad as I wanted to streamline the amount of stuff I carry around on a daily basis and this has forced me to re-evaluate what we actually need in there but I have been pleasantly surprised just how much I can fit into this backpack, with room to spare.
So now I have told you how much I love this bag - lets see what I have fitted inside...
The Changing Pouch: A Cath Kidston Leopard print nappy pouch
1. 4 x Aldi nappies
2. Huggies pure wipes
3. Sainsburys Nappy sacks
4. Cath Kidston changing mat - matches the pouch
The Feeding Pouch: Large Accessorize spotty pouch
1. 4 x Aldi nappies
2. Huggies pure wipes
3. Sainsburys Nappy sacks
4. Cath Kidston changing mat - matches the pouch
The Feeding Pouch: Large Accessorize spotty pouch
5. Munchkin heat intelligent spoons
6. TU dinosaur bib
7. Snacks - Little Angels Sweet potato turtle puffs & Dino Paws pure fruit shapes
6. TU dinosaur bib
7. Snacks - Little Angels Sweet potato turtle puffs & Dino Paws pure fruit shapes
Medicines/Others pouch: Small Anya Hindmarch Rainbow zip pouch
8. Bonjela teething gel
9. Calpol sachets x 3 with spoon
10. Soap & Glory mini hand sanitiser
11. Mini Sudocrem tub
12. L'Occitane handcream
13. Avent dummy
The other essentials:
14. That's not my Dragon book - Mark loves these so always have one with us
8. Bonjela teething gel
9. Calpol sachets x 3 with spoon
10. Soap & Glory mini hand sanitiser
11. Mini Sudocrem tub
12. L'Occitane handcream
13. Avent dummy
The other essentials:
14. That's not my Dragon book - Mark loves these so always have one with us
15. Belle & Bear teething elephant & Fisher Price monkey rattle (actually from his bouncy chair)
16. Garnier Ambre Solare 50+ Kids Suntan lotion - tucked into the side pocket
17. A muslin cloth - this one is dinosaurs from the Aldi baby & toddler event
18. Nuby 360 no spill sippy cup - comes with a lid so no leaks
18. Nuby 360 no spill sippy cup - comes with a lid so no leaks
Additional items dependant on our day - a small lunchbox, sunhat, jumper/jacket, change of clothes. Most of the time I use a separate handbag for me, but on days we are just popping to a class or to the shops, the front pocket fits my keys, phone and card wallet in perfectly.
For more information and to see the whole range - check out fjallraven.co.uk
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For more information and to see the whole range - check out fjallraven.co.uk
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What's in my changing bag - Fjallraven Kanken Review
Oh the classic ‘Whats in my handbag’ tag, I haven’t done one of these in a long time (If you fancy a look at my pre-baby bag post from way back in 2016). I don’t know why people find these kind of posts so interesting, but they just are – aren’t they? Anyway, this time it’s a little bit different as I’m putting a mum spin on a classic post idea and sharing "What's in my changing bag". As a new Mum I knew that all parents carried round a changing bag, but what do you really need in there? Answer - everything baby could possibly need but now that my little boy is 14 months old, I have this changing bag malarkey down to a tee and now only carry what we really need. I also wanted to include in this post, a little review of my new changing backpack - the Fjallraven Kånken.
First off choosing a new changing bag was actually a tough purchase for me, I knew I wanted practicality, hands free ease but at the same time something stylish to carry around and that doesn't scream changing bag. I love my original bag, which I got from Amazon before Mark was born, but now he is bigger and more mobile I wanted to move to a backpack style as its more practical. I fell in love with the range from Cath Kidston but sadly all of the bags are very floral and girly, and although beautiful I wasn't convinced they would go well with my very bold dragon print, Cosatto buggy! I really wish they did more boy prints, I know many mums' who would definitely buy. I also looked at the Tibi & Marl backpacks, whilst so beautiful and quality leather, they are for too expensive. So I decided to go for something a little different - a Fjallraven Kånken. Not actually designed for this purpose but I have seen this bag featured all over Pinterest, and having worked with the brand in a previous job I know it's a great quality piece and that it would work for my needs - spacious, practical but stylish.
Originally designed for Swedish school children in 1978, the Kånken has become a well-loved and iconic backpack for everyone, both as a fashion and function piece. The bag features one large main compartment, with a laptop sleeve, a small zipped front pocket, two flat side pockets, adjustable straps and top handles - simple but very spacious. Available in three sizes (mini, classic & large) and a rainbow of beautiful colours (everything from yellow, to pink and a gorgeous shade of turquoise), there really is one for everyone! I chose the classic size (38cmx27cmx13cm) in Fog grey, as I wanted a gender neutral colour that works well with a navy printed buggy and that my husband was ok carrying....but lets be honest I wanted pink! if we have a girl in the future you better believe I'll be going back for the pink.
❤
So my thoughts on the Kånken.... LOVE it! it is exactly what I was hoping it would be. The bag itself is a great everyday size, fits all little mans essentials in with a room to spare. As it only has one large compartment, I am now working on a pouch system inside so nothing gets lost - nappy, feeding and then a smaller one that contains medicines/other small items, plus it actually makes life easier especially for nappy changes to simply grab one pouch that has everything I need in one place. I also really like that the spacious main compartment has a large opening with a zip, which makes it easy to see and get items out even from the bottom of the bag. The straps are comfy to wear and functional as you can shorten them if not wearing as rucksack. Can also be carried by the top handles, but it also fits well onto the handles of the buggy or in the basket underneath. Made from hard-wearing, lightweight Vinylon F fabric, that is able to withstand dirt and wetness, makes it perfect for everyday use and I am not worried about it getting dirty even in such a light colour.
I have only been using this bag for a few weeks but I am so happy with it, and I would definitely recommend to any mum's out there looking for a new hands free option - makes a great changing bag but could also double up as a kids nursery/school bag too, especially if you bought the mini version. Although slightly smaller in size than my traditional changing bag, I am actually glad as I wanted to streamline the amount of stuff I carry around on a daily basis and this has forced me to re-evaluate what we actually need in there but I have been pleasantly surprised just how much I can fit into this backpack, with room to spare.
So now I have told you how much I love this bag - lets see what I have fitted inside...
The Changing Pouch: A Cath Kidston Leopard print nappy pouch
1. 4 x Aldi nappies
2. Huggies pure wipes
3. Sainsburys Nappy sacks
4. Cath Kidston changing mat - matches the pouch
The Feeding Pouch: Large Accessorize spotty pouch
1. 4 x Aldi nappies
2. Huggies pure wipes
3. Sainsburys Nappy sacks
4. Cath Kidston changing mat - matches the pouch
The Feeding Pouch: Large Accessorize spotty pouch
5. Munchkin heat intelligent spoons
6. TU dinosaur bib
7. Snacks - Little Angels Sweet potato turtle puffs & Dino Paws pure fruit shapes
6. TU dinosaur bib
7. Snacks - Little Angels Sweet potato turtle puffs & Dino Paws pure fruit shapes
Medicines/Others pouch: Small Anya Hindmarch Rainbow zip pouch
8. Bonjela teething gel
9. Calpol sachets x 3 with spoon
10. Soap & Glory mini hand sanitiser
11. Mini Sudocrem tub
12. L'Occitane handcream
13. Avent dummy
The other essentials:
14. That's not my Dragon book - Mark loves these so always have one with us
8. Bonjela teething gel
9. Calpol sachets x 3 with spoon
10. Soap & Glory mini hand sanitiser
11. Mini Sudocrem tub
12. L'Occitane handcream
13. Avent dummy
The other essentials:
14. That's not my Dragon book - Mark loves these so always have one with us
15. Belle & Bear teething elephant & Fisher Price monkey rattle (actually from his bouncy chair)
16. Garnier Ambre Solare 50+ Kids Suntan lotion - tucked into the side pocket
17. A muslin cloth - this one is dinosaurs from the Aldi baby & toddler event
18. Nuby 360 no spill sippy cup - comes with a lid so no leaks
18. Nuby 360 no spill sippy cup - comes with a lid so no leaks
Additional items dependant on our day - a small lunchbox, sunhat, jumper/jacket, change of clothes. Most of the time I use a separate handbag for me, but on days we are just popping to a class or to the shops, the front pocket fits my keys, phone and card wallet in perfectly.
For more information and to see the whole range - check out fjallraven.co.uk
❤
For more information and to see the whole range - check out fjallraven.co.uk
❤
Returning to work after maternity leave can be almost as daunting as having the baby, can you have a career and be a mum? Sadly I have found that although i have worked within fashion buying now for over 10 years, it is a career that doesn't mesh well with motherhood. There are so many choices to make and every company interprets the law slightly differently plus everyone has different needs - do you go back full time / part time or not at all? - especially as the realities of motherhood is that it is a full time job in itself!
But are you in a position to make that choice or has it already made it for you?
I had such grand plans in my head when I got pregnant – I wanted to be a stay at home mum for as long as I could, but soon realised this approach was a little naive, not only would money run out but actually I need to be around adults sometimes and get some mental stimulation – you can only watch “Hey Duggee” for so long before your brain starts to wilt. I then decided returning to work part time - ideally three days a week - would give me the work/life balance that I wanted, so I put my flexible working request in writing to the company I work for, with reasons and a business case behind the request.
A month later I had a face to face meeting, and discussed in detail why I was making the request and how I saw the role working in part time hours (during this meeting it become clear to me that the people involved hadn't read my letter, despite it being policy to send such a letter). I was very clear that full time hours were not what I wanted, nor were they financially viable with nursery and travel costs - I left the meeting feeling confident that this had been understood. However a month later I received a letter stating that my job isn't doable three days a week (it's not a new job and i've been doing it for five years) and that they propose I continue working 40 hours a week with special dispensation to take two days a month to work from home to help with childcare..... first of all I work in a job that is impossible to do from home, plus I would still be paying for the day at nursery even if little man was at home with me - how does that help?
Receiving this letter left me feeling angry (that the decision had not be delivered in person), that i was being pushed out (as I had been offered something they knew full well I wouldn't take) and pretty worthless (clearly my five years with the company did not matter) and to top it off the wording of the letter strongly suggested that there was no reasonable compromise on their part. So my return to work experience has ended in my resignation, as I felt as though i have been left with no other option than to find a new job. I was given the option to appeal, however the letter got me thinking – Do I really want to work for a company that doesn’t believe a job can be flexible?
I do believe after this experience, if you truly love your job and are willing to fight to keep it then appealing would be beneficial but when you don't what are your options? I want to spend time with my son, enjoy his early years and watch him grow up but I do need some form of income. I have decided to look at this as the next chapter in my life and a new challenge, with the hope to return to buying in the future.
So why even in this modern age, when feminism is such a hot topic along with pay equality, is it so difficult for a woman to return to work. After doing some research I was very surprised by this statistic featured online in the Independent last year, especially after hearing so many women talk about not be able to return to their pre-baby jobs, but the stats in this article don't give information on the kind of work women are actually doing and whether it was their first choice - that would make for some very interesting reading.
But are you in a position to make that choice or has it already made it for you?
I had such grand plans in my head when I got pregnant – I wanted to be a stay at home mum for as long as I could, but soon realised this approach was a little naive, not only would money run out but actually I need to be around adults sometimes and get some mental stimulation – you can only watch “Hey Duggee” for so long before your brain starts to wilt. I then decided returning to work part time - ideally three days a week - would give me the work/life balance that I wanted, so I put my flexible working request in writing to the company I work for, with reasons and a business case behind the request.
A month later I had a face to face meeting, and discussed in detail why I was making the request and how I saw the role working in part time hours (during this meeting it become clear to me that the people involved hadn't read my letter, despite it being policy to send such a letter). I was very clear that full time hours were not what I wanted, nor were they financially viable with nursery and travel costs - I left the meeting feeling confident that this had been understood. However a month later I received a letter stating that my job isn't doable three days a week (it's not a new job and i've been doing it for five years) and that they propose I continue working 40 hours a week with special dispensation to take two days a month to work from home to help with childcare..... first of all I work in a job that is impossible to do from home, plus I would still be paying for the day at nursery even if little man was at home with me - how does that help?
Receiving this letter left me feeling angry (that the decision had not be delivered in person), that i was being pushed out (as I had been offered something they knew full well I wouldn't take) and pretty worthless (clearly my five years with the company did not matter) and to top it off the wording of the letter strongly suggested that there was no reasonable compromise on their part. So my return to work experience has ended in my resignation, as I felt as though i have been left with no other option than to find a new job. I was given the option to appeal, however the letter got me thinking – Do I really want to work for a company that doesn’t believe a job can be flexible?
I do believe after this experience, if you truly love your job and are willing to fight to keep it then appealing would be beneficial but when you don't what are your options? I want to spend time with my son, enjoy his early years and watch him grow up but I do need some form of income. I have decided to look at this as the next chapter in my life and a new challenge, with the hope to return to buying in the future.
So why even in this modern age, when feminism is such a hot topic along with pay equality, is it so difficult for a woman to return to work. After doing some research I was very surprised by this statistic featured online in the Independent last year, especially after hearing so many women talk about not be able to return to their pre-baby jobs, but the stats in this article don't give information on the kind of work women are actually doing and whether it was their first choice - that would make for some very interesting reading.
The number of working mothers in the UK has surged by 1.2 million over the past two decades, official figures have revealed. There are now 4.9 million mothers with dependent children in work, up almost a third from 3.7 million in 1996, the Office for National Statistics found. The increase means close to three-quarters of women with dependent children are now in work. - The Independent - Sept 2016I have found this topic so interesting, and it was really put into perspective for me after chatting to some friends at my local baby group, as so many of these ladies have had to adjust their expectations of being a "working mum". Whether that's reducing hours, negotiating working from home, or simply resigning and starting over. It seems as though corporate companies especially have become smart, knowing how to say no to flexible working without breaking any rules - forcing women to choose between motherhood and a career or at least a change in career. It also seems to be very job/boss dependent as to whether you are able to return to work with hours that suit your needs, but it is a comfort to me to hear just how many people have had to rethink on the job front as their pre-baby positions were no longer compatible or accommodating to motherhood - sad but so true.
So I thought I would share some thoughts from my amazing mummy friends (and a cheeky daddy view too) on their experience of returning to work...... the good & the bad, as there are companies that will bend over backwards to support you and your needs, they just seem to be few and far between:
I had worked my way up the career ladder, into a senior role which I loved, but was told the only way to come back part time after maternity was to take a step down, which also came with a sizable pay cut. I mainly felt anger, at working my butt off for years to get to where I was and all of that hard work being instantly forgotten the moment I chose to be a mother, especially as I know I could have done the job in reduced hours, I could do it in my sleep! - Anonymous
The company policy for Flexible Working Request was clear to state that any reasonable change to hours or working arrangement would be considered. I put together a business case for my return to work meeting, requesting reduced hours of 21 per week. I proposed a change of responsibilities where I focus exclusively on a growing part of the business and suggested how the rest of my role could be distributed amongst the team. Three days later they call to accept my proposal subject to 6 month review. - Anonymous
When it’s your first you feel guilty and try to make sure you spend more time with them than at work...by the third you are thankful for a cup of tea in peace at work. I’m very lucky as work for my dad so if kids are Ill I can stay off but then you get stressed as still got work to do! - Amy
After going through this process multiple times, with a few different employers, i have had both good and bad experiences. In my opinion flexible working is a fantastic and a very worthy issue. I know it works and is cost effective to companies, but I also know how badly its rolled out or promoted. I feel like a second class citizen and a troublemaker when requesting it. It has been the most stressful part of my pregnancy/new baby journey and it really shows that some companies may promote it to look like they are progressive and being proactive when in reality, putting it into practice is non-existent. I truly believe that each time I’ve returned to work, to a whole new role its because they have wanted me to decline and leave – to make it as unattractive as possible to put you off. It’s a real minefield out there... - Nicola
Flexible Working is the latest buzz word – EVERYONE claims it exists in the workplace and every company will sing loudly that they encourage it, but scratch the surface and its soon becomes a murky water. I am lucky that I have a boss and a role within my company that gives me the freedom to work from wherever I please – if that’s home, then that’s fine – as long as the work gets done, it doesn’t matter to my boss. Other people in other teams within my company don’t have that luxury – how is this fair? How is this acceptable in 2018? – Daddy Anonymous
The final point i would like to make is that this post is in no way judging women who do go back to work full time, it just isn't for me. I like to consider myself an organised woman but I truly don't know how women work full time with children.... I wholeheartedly salute anyone who does it and it would be great to hear your tips on getting a work/mum balance.
I would love your feedback on this topic and your return to work experiences, so please leave a comment below.... I want this post to inspire and inform mums who are gearing up to return to work, so the more opinions and stories the better. #workingmum
The Realities of Returning to Work as a Mum
Returning to work after maternity leave can be almost as daunting as having the baby, can you have a career and be a mum? Sadly I have found that although i have worked within fashion buying now for over 10 years, it is a career that doesn't mesh well with motherhood. There are so many choices to make and every company interprets the law slightly differently plus everyone has different needs - do you go back full time / part time or not at all? - especially as the realities of motherhood is that it is a full time job in itself!
But are you in a position to make that choice or has it already made it for you?
I had such grand plans in my head when I got pregnant – I wanted to be a stay at home mum for as long as I could, but soon realised this approach was a little naive, not only would money run out but actually I need to be around adults sometimes and get some mental stimulation – you can only watch “Hey Duggee” for so long before your brain starts to wilt. I then decided returning to work part time - ideally three days a week - would give me the work/life balance that I wanted, so I put my flexible working request in writing to the company I work for, with reasons and a business case behind the request.
A month later I had a face to face meeting, and discussed in detail why I was making the request and how I saw the role working in part time hours (during this meeting it become clear to me that the people involved hadn't read my letter, despite it being policy to send such a letter). I was very clear that full time hours were not what I wanted, nor were they financially viable with nursery and travel costs - I left the meeting feeling confident that this had been understood. However a month later I received a letter stating that my job isn't doable three days a week (it's not a new job and i've been doing it for five years) and that they propose I continue working 40 hours a week with special dispensation to take two days a month to work from home to help with childcare..... first of all I work in a job that is impossible to do from home, plus I would still be paying for the day at nursery even if little man was at home with me - how does that help?
Receiving this letter left me feeling angry (that the decision had not be delivered in person), that i was being pushed out (as I had been offered something they knew full well I wouldn't take) and pretty worthless (clearly my five years with the company did not matter) and to top it off the wording of the letter strongly suggested that there was no reasonable compromise on their part. So my return to work experience has ended in my resignation, as I felt as though i have been left with no other option than to find a new job. I was given the option to appeal, however the letter got me thinking – Do I really want to work for a company that doesn’t believe a job can be flexible?
I do believe after this experience, if you truly love your job and are willing to fight to keep it then appealing would be beneficial but when you don't what are your options? I want to spend time with my son, enjoy his early years and watch him grow up but I do need some form of income. I have decided to look at this as the next chapter in my life and a new challenge, with the hope to return to buying in the future.
So why even in this modern age, when feminism is such a hot topic along with pay equality, is it so difficult for a woman to return to work. After doing some research I was very surprised by this statistic featured online in the Independent last year, especially after hearing so many women talk about not be able to return to their pre-baby jobs, but the stats in this article don't give information on the kind of work women are actually doing and whether it was their first choice - that would make for some very interesting reading.
But are you in a position to make that choice or has it already made it for you?
I had such grand plans in my head when I got pregnant – I wanted to be a stay at home mum for as long as I could, but soon realised this approach was a little naive, not only would money run out but actually I need to be around adults sometimes and get some mental stimulation – you can only watch “Hey Duggee” for so long before your brain starts to wilt. I then decided returning to work part time - ideally three days a week - would give me the work/life balance that I wanted, so I put my flexible working request in writing to the company I work for, with reasons and a business case behind the request.
A month later I had a face to face meeting, and discussed in detail why I was making the request and how I saw the role working in part time hours (during this meeting it become clear to me that the people involved hadn't read my letter, despite it being policy to send such a letter). I was very clear that full time hours were not what I wanted, nor were they financially viable with nursery and travel costs - I left the meeting feeling confident that this had been understood. However a month later I received a letter stating that my job isn't doable three days a week (it's not a new job and i've been doing it for five years) and that they propose I continue working 40 hours a week with special dispensation to take two days a month to work from home to help with childcare..... first of all I work in a job that is impossible to do from home, plus I would still be paying for the day at nursery even if little man was at home with me - how does that help?
Receiving this letter left me feeling angry (that the decision had not be delivered in person), that i was being pushed out (as I had been offered something they knew full well I wouldn't take) and pretty worthless (clearly my five years with the company did not matter) and to top it off the wording of the letter strongly suggested that there was no reasonable compromise on their part. So my return to work experience has ended in my resignation, as I felt as though i have been left with no other option than to find a new job. I was given the option to appeal, however the letter got me thinking – Do I really want to work for a company that doesn’t believe a job can be flexible?
I do believe after this experience, if you truly love your job and are willing to fight to keep it then appealing would be beneficial but when you don't what are your options? I want to spend time with my son, enjoy his early years and watch him grow up but I do need some form of income. I have decided to look at this as the next chapter in my life and a new challenge, with the hope to return to buying in the future.
So why even in this modern age, when feminism is such a hot topic along with pay equality, is it so difficult for a woman to return to work. After doing some research I was very surprised by this statistic featured online in the Independent last year, especially after hearing so many women talk about not be able to return to their pre-baby jobs, but the stats in this article don't give information on the kind of work women are actually doing and whether it was their first choice - that would make for some very interesting reading.
The number of working mothers in the UK has surged by 1.2 million over the past two decades, official figures have revealed. There are now 4.9 million mothers with dependent children in work, up almost a third from 3.7 million in 1996, the Office for National Statistics found. The increase means close to three-quarters of women with dependent children are now in work. - The Independent - Sept 2016I have found this topic so interesting, and it was really put into perspective for me after chatting to some friends at my local baby group, as so many of these ladies have had to adjust their expectations of being a "working mum". Whether that's reducing hours, negotiating working from home, or simply resigning and starting over. It seems as though corporate companies especially have become smart, knowing how to say no to flexible working without breaking any rules - forcing women to choose between motherhood and a career or at least a change in career. It also seems to be very job/boss dependent as to whether you are able to return to work with hours that suit your needs, but it is a comfort to me to hear just how many people have had to rethink on the job front as their pre-baby positions were no longer compatible or accommodating to motherhood - sad but so true.
So I thought I would share some thoughts from my amazing mummy friends (and a cheeky daddy view too) on their experience of returning to work...... the good & the bad, as there are companies that will bend over backwards to support you and your needs, they just seem to be few and far between:
I had worked my way up the career ladder, into a senior role which I loved, but was told the only way to come back part time after maternity was to take a step down, which also came with a sizable pay cut. I mainly felt anger, at working my butt off for years to get to where I was and all of that hard work being instantly forgotten the moment I chose to be a mother, especially as I know I could have done the job in reduced hours, I could do it in my sleep! - Anonymous
The company policy for Flexible Working Request was clear to state that any reasonable change to hours or working arrangement would be considered. I put together a business case for my return to work meeting, requesting reduced hours of 21 per week. I proposed a change of responsibilities where I focus exclusively on a growing part of the business and suggested how the rest of my role could be distributed amongst the team. Three days later they call to accept my proposal subject to 6 month review. - Anonymous
When it’s your first you feel guilty and try to make sure you spend more time with them than at work...by the third you are thankful for a cup of tea in peace at work. I’m very lucky as work for my dad so if kids are Ill I can stay off but then you get stressed as still got work to do! - Amy
After going through this process multiple times, with a few different employers, i have had both good and bad experiences. In my opinion flexible working is a fantastic and a very worthy issue. I know it works and is cost effective to companies, but I also know how badly its rolled out or promoted. I feel like a second class citizen and a troublemaker when requesting it. It has been the most stressful part of my pregnancy/new baby journey and it really shows that some companies may promote it to look like they are progressive and being proactive when in reality, putting it into practice is non-existent. I truly believe that each time I’ve returned to work, to a whole new role its because they have wanted me to decline and leave – to make it as unattractive as possible to put you off. It’s a real minefield out there... - Nicola
Flexible Working is the latest buzz word – EVERYONE claims it exists in the workplace and every company will sing loudly that they encourage it, but scratch the surface and its soon becomes a murky water. I am lucky that I have a boss and a role within my company that gives me the freedom to work from wherever I please – if that’s home, then that’s fine – as long as the work gets done, it doesn’t matter to my boss. Other people in other teams within my company don’t have that luxury – how is this fair? How is this acceptable in 2018? – Daddy Anonymous
The final point i would like to make is that this post is in no way judging women who do go back to work full time, it just isn't for me. I like to consider myself an organised woman but I truly don't know how women work full time with children.... I wholeheartedly salute anyone who does it and it would be great to hear your tips on getting a work/mum balance.
I would love your feedback on this topic and your return to work experiences, so please leave a comment below.... I want this post to inspire and inform mums who are gearing up to return to work, so the more opinions and stories the better. #workingmum
Now there have been many ups - daily smiles and giggles, a solid 12 hours at night (bliss), seeing him grow and develop, the happiness he brings to our families and the amazing range of expressions he has shown during weaning - he is loving his food. But there have been downs - mainly pain and discomfort caused by reflux, teething, injections and fighting nap times (he thinks he is a big boy now and doesn't need them but he definitely does). However the ups outweigh the downs 100 to 1 and i wouldn't change a moment.
* Almost sitting up and rolling over (he was five weeks early so may take him a little longer to do)
* Sleeping through the night from around 12 weeks
* Grabbing his feet and constantly pulling off his socks
* Picking things up and grabbing toys, especially loves the baby wipes pack
* Putting EVERYTHING in his mouth
* Chuntering and chatting with everyone, he likes to be involved in conversations
* Laughing and smiling all the time at anyone and everyone
* Blowing raspberries - thanks Auntie Helen for that tutorial
* He has two teeth and two more on the way, so lots of flushed cheeks and teething gel
* He is now eating two meals a day, breakfast and lunch and will be moving to three shortly
* He loves banana porridge and sweet potato
* Books he loves: the Hungry Caterpillar, Oi! Frog, Ten Little Dinosaurs
* He loves Ronald rabbit & Bobble bunny, his cuddly toys
* Sleeping through the night from around 12 weeks
* Grabbing his feet and constantly pulling off his socks
* Picking things up and grabbing toys, especially loves the baby wipes pack
* Putting EVERYTHING in his mouth
* Chuntering and chatting with everyone, he likes to be involved in conversations
* Laughing and smiling all the time at anyone and everyone
* Blowing raspberries - thanks Auntie Helen for that tutorial
* He has two teeth and two more on the way, so lots of flushed cheeks and teething gel
* He is now eating two meals a day, breakfast and lunch and will be moving to three shortly
* He loves banana porridge and sweet potato
* Books he loves: the Hungry Caterpillar, Oi! Frog, Ten Little Dinosaurs
* He loves Ronald rabbit & Bobble bunny, his cuddly toys
He is such a social butterfly like his mum, and is so happy being around other babies. He has a great group of little friends and it warms my heart to think they will all go to the same school and grow up together, causing mischief as boys do. His mischievous little character becomes more and more apparent everyday and i cannot wait to see the cheeky little boy he will grow up to be.
Such a smiler | My little coffee date | Lunch with Auntie Helen | Ball time with Willow | My little bunny
Wrapped up warm | Disney Education | Cuddles with Great Granny | My sleepy boys
Wrapped up warm | Disney Education | Cuddles with Great Granny | My sleepy boys
We are preparing for Christmas as this post goes live - his 1st Christmas and i am sooooooo excited. I realise that he wont remember much, if any of it or be that involved but still there is nothing more magical. Christmas day will probably consist of Mark eating the wrapping paper and Willow the cat sitting in any unattended boxes - they make a right little pair. This time of year also means that his classes are all festive themed so there have been many, many outfits which make me smile as there is nothing cuter than a baby in dress up....he makes a great little Reindeer!
Above are just some of my favourite Mark memories from the last six months but if you want to keep up with his progress and see many, many more photos (yes i am that mum, that stalks her baby with a camera!) be sure to follow my Instagram:
@theglitterfashionista
_______
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with new posts!
#Babysheath Six Month Update
Now there have been many ups - daily smiles and giggles, a solid 12 hours at night (bliss), seeing him grow and develop, the happiness he brings to our families and the amazing range of expressions he has shown during weaning - he is loving his food. But there have been downs - mainly pain and discomfort caused by reflux, teething, injections and fighting nap times (he thinks he is a big boy now and doesn't need them but he definitely does). However the ups outweigh the downs 100 to 1 and i wouldn't change a moment.
* Almost sitting up and rolling over (he was five weeks early so may take him a little longer to do)
* Sleeping through the night from around 12 weeks
* Grabbing his feet and constantly pulling off his socks
* Picking things up and grabbing toys, especially loves the baby wipes pack
* Putting EVERYTHING in his mouth
* Chuntering and chatting with everyone, he likes to be involved in conversations
* Laughing and smiling all the time at anyone and everyone
* Blowing raspberries - thanks Auntie Helen for that tutorial
* He has two teeth and two more on the way, so lots of flushed cheeks and teething gel
* He is now eating two meals a day, breakfast and lunch and will be moving to three shortly
* He loves banana porridge and sweet potato
* Books he loves: the Hungry Caterpillar, Oi! Frog, Ten Little Dinosaurs
* He loves Ronald rabbit & Bobble bunny, his cuddly toys
* Sleeping through the night from around 12 weeks
* Grabbing his feet and constantly pulling off his socks
* Picking things up and grabbing toys, especially loves the baby wipes pack
* Putting EVERYTHING in his mouth
* Chuntering and chatting with everyone, he likes to be involved in conversations
* Laughing and smiling all the time at anyone and everyone
* Blowing raspberries - thanks Auntie Helen for that tutorial
* He has two teeth and two more on the way, so lots of flushed cheeks and teething gel
* He is now eating two meals a day, breakfast and lunch and will be moving to three shortly
* He loves banana porridge and sweet potato
* Books he loves: the Hungry Caterpillar, Oi! Frog, Ten Little Dinosaurs
* He loves Ronald rabbit & Bobble bunny, his cuddly toys
He is such a social butterfly like his mum, and is so happy being around other babies. He has a great group of little friends and it warms my heart to think they will all go to the same school and grow up together, causing mischief as boys do. His mischievous little character becomes more and more apparent everyday and i cannot wait to see the cheeky little boy he will grow up to be.
Such a smiler | My little coffee date | Lunch with Auntie Helen | Ball time with Willow | My little bunny
Wrapped up warm | Disney Education | Cuddles with Great Granny | My sleepy boys
Wrapped up warm | Disney Education | Cuddles with Great Granny | My sleepy boys
We are preparing for Christmas as this post goes live - his 1st Christmas and i am sooooooo excited. I realise that he wont remember much, if any of it or be that involved but still there is nothing more magical. Christmas day will probably consist of Mark eating the wrapping paper and Willow the cat sitting in any unattended boxes - they make a right little pair. This time of year also means that his classes are all festive themed so there have been many, many outfits which make me smile as there is nothing cuter than a baby in dress up....he makes a great little Reindeer!
Above are just some of my favourite Mark memories from the last six months but if you want to keep up with his progress and see many, many more photos (yes i am that mum, that stalks her baby with a camera!) be sure to follow my Instagram:
@theglitterfashionista
_______
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with new posts!
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