
MamaBabyBliss will be attending the Work and Family Show on 20-22 February at London’s Excel.
In this blog, which we posted last year, our regional teacher Suzy Sawford explains how her career at MamaBabyBliss has literally changed her life, giving her the freedom to run her own business and spend quality time with her beloved family.
I remember it as if it was yesterday. My maternity leave was coming to an end and I had a heavy feeling in my heart. This time in my life, these continuous, precious days dedicated solely to my son would become few and far between as I went back to my life as a busy primary school teacher. It was almost a type of grieving.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved teaching. The awe and wonder, the excitement of learning something new, the children. I loved all of that, but now no love compared to the love I feel for my little boy.
Having been through the emotional journey of IVF to eventually hold him in my arms, the last thing I wanted was to spend all my time planning, preparing, marking, setting targets and assessing. I wanted that time for me…my little miracle…my wonderful husband who has always supported me. Was that too much to ask? Was it just a dream?
Well, as it happens that dream has become a reality.
I was recommended a Baby Yoga course by a friend and I decided to go along with Jenson. Thank goodness I went along. We had such fun together, I got to meet like-minded mummies and the relaxation at the end where we cuddled together under a blanket is a memory that will always stay in my heart. Sad that the course was ending, I wrote a letter to thank our teacher Vanessa Taylor who was unfailingly positive and inspiring each week. What a wonderful job she had. Little did I know that writing that letter would change my life. Sounds dramatic doesn’t it? But it has changed my life.
I’m watching my little boy sleep as I write this. I’m not planning or marking. I’m not worrying about being ready for the coming week. After lots of talking with my husband and finding out more from Vanessa, I decided to train with MamaBabyBliss and become an Associate Teacher.
Now I have my own business. I work within a team of the most wonderful women, we even call ourselves the MBB ‘family’. The whole ethos is of positivity, sharing and collaboration. We are there to help each other. I have never worked in this kind of environment before and I love it! I have access to a wealth of marketing materials which are so professional. I am teaching Baby Yoga and Toddler Yoga within a chain of nurseries in Nottingham and I run beautiful nurturing Baby Massage classes at a luxurious hotel. I have been able to expand my business by taking further training courses. I am now qualified to teach Pregnancy classes which I teach one evening a week when my little boy is fast asleep in bed.
I have also had the opportunity to develop my holistic therapy skills. Already being qualified in Reflexology I was delighted to be able to complete a MamaBabyBliss course in Pregnancy Massage. The opportunities to expand my business are endless and all under the support of the founder Justina Perry and my mentor and colleague Vanessa. Finally, I have the freedom to choose when I work and when I take my holidays. In the future this means I will not miss out on the school runs, the nativities or the sports days- for me that is just the best. These days, when I’m home, I’m home.