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    Positivity

    At MamaBabyBliss, our mission is to make a difference to mothers, babies and mums-to-be everywhere. This page features all our blog posts filed under the 'Positivity' category.

    New Year Wishes for my daughters

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    Categories: Positivity Tags:

    So another year begins. New Year is an interesting time, a time that signifies a new beginning, where new intentions, goals and wishes are set.

    Personally, I stopped making resolutions a long time ago, because life has taught me that you need to live it to the full with the best intentions each and every day. But saying that, as a mother, I do find myself focusing my hopes and dreams and aspirations towards my children.

    That’s the thing about becoming a parent. I remember looking at both my girls when they were born: Alana who has just turned nine and Natasha who will be 18-years-old  on the 16th January, 2014 (and yes, the tears alongside the disbelief are already welling up) – and feeling a love like no other. Looking into their eyes when they were born, I felt such an all-consuming love. I couldn’t compare it to the love I have ever felt for a partner, a parent or a friend. It was and still is a love, where suddenly my happiness mattered less and their happiness and wellbeing just mattered so much more.

    So I am dedicating this blog and my hope and dreams for this year to both my girls.

    To my daughters

    You are both my greatest gift and achievement. Each day I feel so grateful that I have been blessed with you as my daughters  and for 2014, I wish you both nothing but happiness and that your hopes and wishes be fulfilled.

    Alana, you are our ‘sunshine girl’. Your chirpiness and natural sunny disposition always make you a joy to be around and my wish is pretty simple. That you maintain that happy outlook and that life continues to bless you with nothing but good things.

    Tash, this is a big year for you and you will soon officially become an adult. I know you are looking forward to the freedom of being a grown-up but with that freedom comes responsibility. I wish you the strength and resilience to bear whatever challenges come your way. I will always be by your side, your greatest fan, friend and supporter in all your endeavours.

    And my final wish and aspiration is that I can continue to wear the mantle of motherhood to the best of my abilities. I love you both from the bottom of my heart and even if you don’t want to hear it, you will always be my ‘babies.’

    To those of you reading this blog, I wish you, your loved ones and your babies big and small a wonderful 2014.

    It’s almost very nearly Christmas!

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    Categories: Positivity

    I love this time of year. Christmas. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been a Christmas nut. Not just because of the presents but simply because there is a ‘specialness’ in the air. From the first DFS ad that promises me a sofa by Christmas to the Magic and Sparkle of M&S, I can’t help getting excited and cracking open the mulled wine and mince pies, well, pretty much after I’ve trashed the pumpkins from Halloween.

    But most of all, I get excited by children at this time of year. I don’t just mean my own little ones (who sadly aren’t that little anymore) but children in general, who bring this time of year to life. I love seeing their eyes sparkle when they admire the pretty, twinkly lights; I love the hushed awe and shy hesitation when they visit Santa for the first time and whisper what they’d like for Christmas in his woolly ear, I love the tuneless belting out of Christmas carols, the ripping of paper, ribbons and boxes, the over fondness of tinsel…oh I just love it all.

    I think the reason for this, is because this is the one time of year, that I can genuinely remember what it felt like or indeed feels like to be a child again. I generally, feel young at heart, but somehow that Christmas feeling and child-like sense of anticipation is infectious and even though birthdays are exciting, nothing conjures up that warm and glowing feeling on the inside like Christmas Spirit. Some of the most treasured memories of my youth and childhood are of Christmases spent in the loving bosom of my family and friends, many of whom are looking down upon us now as bright shining stars in heaven. They are happy memories that make me smile and make me want to create the same magic for my children and those around me.

    So on that note. I know for many of you, Christmas will be extra special because it may mean a new addition to the family, or it may the first Christmas where you get a sense that it may ‘mean’ something to your little one beyond extra paper and ribbon to nibble on. Or perhaps like me, it simply is ‘another’ cosy Christmas where we snuggle up and watch ‘Mary Poppins’ with those we hold most dear to us.

    Whatever, it is, I wish you a very special festive season, full of new, exciting and most importantly happy memories to treasure with your babies big and small!

    Wishing you lots of love, sparkle and minced pies,

    Justina

    xxx

    12 tips for Bliss-Mass!

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    Categories: Positivity

    Amongst all the frantic to-ing and fro-ing, present buying and wrapping, card writing and posting it’s often far to easy to feel frazzled and stressed in lead up to Christmas and miss out on experiencing the excitement that having little ones at this special time of year feel.  So we’ve come up with 12 tips to try and help you capture a few moments of bliss and share in the magic of Christmas:

    1. Put on the Christmas tunes.  Anything from the crooning sounds of Sinatra to a bit of East 17, whatever gets you singing!
    2. Cuddle your loved ones. Not a quick hug but a deep, squeezy hug and for those of you with newborns don’t forget to inhale that beautiful sweet smell they have – what a blissful added bonus.
    3. Chocolate, cake (or even better a mince pie) and a cuppa of something warm. Ok not necessarily healthy but definitely uplifting for the soul!
    4. Look to the sky. Over the last week there have been some glorious sunrises and sunsets; take a minute to enjoy the beauty that is around us.
    5. Mr Darcey and Love Actually. Personal favourites for this time of year.
    6. Mulled wine. That distinctive smell that Christmas is here not to mention its relaxing effects. 😉
    7. Light some candles. There’s nothing more relaxing and inviting than candle light, especially if you happen to combine it with a warm bath and some ‘me’ time.
    8. Christmas crafting. Ok, I know this could sound the exact opposite of bliss especially if glitter is involved but put aside the mess and instead revel in your little one’s enthusiasm and enjoyment, guaranteed if glue and glitter is involved!!
    9. Have A Lie In. Admittedly not always easy with babies and children (of any age!) but if you can grab even an extra half hour it’s definitely good for the soul!
    10. Spoil yourself. Whether this is a massage or a manicure; its all to easy as a parent to neglect yourself especially at this busy time of year – don’t. Even if it’s an express manicure which takes half an hour it’s still important time you need.
    11. Breathe. Those same breathing techniques that once helped you through labour can be applied to the Christmas period too. When it all feels too much, stop and breathe slowly and deliberately!
    12. Stop thinking about what you’ve still got to do. Instead take a minute to look at what you have done in preparation for Christmas – if it’s nothing then it’s off to the shops right now for you!

    So there it is; our 12 tips towards a more blissful Christmas.  Him indoors mentioned adding having a ‘onesie’ day to the list, you know a day where you just ‘chillax’ and don’t go out!  What would you add?

    Listen to your heart – follow your instincts!

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    Categories: Positivity

    Kiran has two children under two and is a freelance writer and parenting blogger. Living in London with her family, she also writes about life as a mum over at Mummy Says. Here she tells us about her family’s decision to move to the other side of the world.

    When my son Milin was 13 months old, my husband and I said goodbye to our friends, left our jobs and packed up our dream home in New Zealand. I was 15 weeks pregnant with our second child and we were making the biggest move of our lives. Looking back, it was one of the most stressful things we have ever done. But, we made it, and it was a move I now know we made for all the right reasons.

    My husband is originally from New Zealand and we had lived there together for eight years. However, after Milin was born I started missing my family in London. With a baby at home, I suddenly wanted my own mum around. I wanted to hear from her experiences of bringing up two children, and I also knew I needed support.

    I couldn’t imagine bringing up a second child without having more practical help, but my husband and I had always wanted two children. It was the hardest decision we’d ever made, but we decided to leave our lives behind and return to London.

    Packing up was hard work. I was exhausted – as most women are – in my first trimester. I was working from home, looking after my ten-month-old son, and trying to sort our lives into cardboard boxes. Handing in my notice at a job I loved was heartbreaking. Saying goodbye to friends I loved was devastating. And leaving behind a life I knew, where I was happy, was terrifying.

    We learnt a lot on that long-haul flight across the world. Night flights suited us better than daytime flights. That was because Milin could sleep on these as the timing fitted in with his routine. We learnt to avoid long waits at airports, because they just tired everyone out even more. And we learnt that breaking up such a big journey with children definitely helps. We spent a week in Thailand which allowed us all to recharge after one leg of the trip and start to adjust our body clocks.

    I had been worried about the impact of the move on Milin, but now we have been in London for nine months, I realise I probably didn’t need to worry as much as I did. After a couple of weeks, he had slipped back into his routine of day sleeps and good sleeps at night, and he was settled and happy. The adjustment was easier for him that it was for his parents.

    When my daughter was born in July, I knew I couldn’t have done without the amazing level of support we have had here in London. We didn’t only move so we could have more help – but with two children 18 months apart, the support has been invaluable. It has meant we have been able to have more rest and be kinder to ourselves than we could have been otherwise. That, I believe, has also benefitted our children.

    Our little family no longer lives a stone’s throw from the beach and a stone’s throw in the other direction from the city centre. We no longer live our life outdoors, among possibly one of the most easygoing nations in the world.

    But, we are surrounded by family. My children are growing up with their grandparents beside them. They are enjoying a childhood filled with the love and laughter that comes from a family being together and there for each other. It was a hard decision to make, but one we have gained so much from.

    This year has taught me that the most important questions in life don’t ever have easy answers. But when it comes to making decisions involving your children, you must listen to your heart and follow your instincts.

    Treasured Memories

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    Categories: Positivity

    Today Amy Scott, founder of Treasured, tells us what inspired her to create this special app which allows you to catch, collect and cherish your memories.

    I don’t live near my family, I moved to London when I was 24 and my parents live on the south coast of England. My sister lives near my parents, and my brother lives in America with his family and my husband’s family are all in the North-East of England.

    When I was pregnant we moved to our current home, only 8 miles away from our old house, but as most of our old friends had already had children and were past the “baby stage” I set out to make some new, local friends.  We met three lovely couples on our NCT ante-natal course and started a tentative friendship with them before having our little bundle of joy!  Once our beautiful baby girl was born, I decided to try some of the local baby groups, and I quickly filled my week with “meets”, whether it be a baby group in a local church hall, an NCT coffee morning at a local coffee shop or an organised walk around a nearby park with the buggies!

    Some of the ladies and children I met at these groups are still our friends today, five years later, and I don’t know what I would have done without them! We’ve supported each other through all those little “is this normal?”/”should I panic?” moments, and now we’re going through the “I can’t believe my baby is at big school” panics!

    Being a mum with family and friends dotted around the country got me thinking…I wanted to be able to share all my memories and photos just with those people who were a part of my daughter’s and our life.  I didn’t want all and sundry seeing every picture I took, but equally I wanted to be able to share moments of my daughter growing up but safely and privately.  That was when I came up with the idea for Treasured and it was quickly obvious that the ability to share my daughter’s memory box with our family was one of the best parts of the service, from the doting grandparents to my brother overseas.  What makes it even better is that I can allow (if I choose) those lovely friends of mine to put their memories and photos of her into her Treasured memory box, to keep forever.

    These days, everyone takes photos on their phones, so we all take pictures that our friends might like a copy of. Treasured makes it so easy to share those pictures in a way which means that you have ownership of the full size photo as soon as your friend has shared it with you.  From her first trip to the swings to a day at the splash park, or our group trip to Legoland, our daughter’s childhood is recorded in a safe and private place for her to enjoy when she’s older (and add to if she wishes!).

    Treasured isn’t just about photos, it’s also a place to record all those funny little things she has said as she has got older – like the memorable day at a local county fair when she saw some more mature ladies dancing: “Oh my gosh, I never knew that Grannies could dance!” to her first joke “Where do frogs keep their money? IN A RIVER BANK!”  We can record them all for us to enjoy, along with the dates and places where everything happened.

    My parents love to show their friends the latest pictures of their beautiful grandchildren, and with Treasured the best & latest ones are always there ready to be displayed on their iPhone app or through their computer on the website.

    As we have started to use Treasured in our everyday lives, it has become apparent to us that it is also useful for other events, such as weddings or special family occasions, where lots of people are taking photos, to collect all of those memories and messages into a central place and our next step will be enable Treasured users to create photobooks from their Treasured memory boxes.

    Treasured has enriched our lives, and I hope you feel that it will be a useful addition to your life too. Find Treasured on Twitter and Facebook and visit their website here.

    Not One but “Mum” Direction

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    Categories: Positivity

    A few weeks ago, I took my little ‘Directioner’ Alana to see the new One Direction film. Having been prepared to cringe through most of it, I found it a touching and sweet film, where I came out thinking two things:

    1. Yes, these are the most famous pop stars in the world but at the end of the day, they are just a group of little boys who astonishingly enough haven’t been home for more than 5 days in two and half-years since they rocketed to fame
    2. The real superstars aren’t just the boys but in fact their mums and their families, without whose support these lads may well still have been serving old ladies Danish pastries in their local bakery (that’s was Harry’s Saturday job and he’s still missed by the ladies today).

    There is an incredibly moving part in the film where Zayn is sitting in his hotel room in New York or Tokyo or some other destination faraway from home and talking to his mum on the phone. At the same time you see his mum pick up the keys to the new house he had just bought her as a surprise. Mother and son stay on the phone while she walks around awe-struck in her family’s new home.

    Having raised her family up in quite tough surroundings in Bradford, you couldn’t fail to be moved by this woman who had struggled to raise three children and who was now watching her son enjoy fame and wealth that clearly were well beyond any of their dreams.

    And here they both were… a thousand miles apart… crying. Her tears were because she was so grateful to her little boy for this kind and generous gesture. His tears, because he knew damn well that he wouldn’t be where he is today with out the love, support and dedication of his mum.

    So today’s blog is dedicated to these mums and ALL mums who truly are the unsung heroes in their children’s lives. Mums who sacrifice anything from sleep, full-time sanity to their careers, so as to pave a brighter future for their offspring. Mothers who give their all willingly, without the need for thanks or financial reward. Mothers who do it out of only one thing. That one special thing that money cannot buy and that one thing, which when you find it is truly priceless: love.

    May you share and always treasure that love you feel for your baby big and small and may your baby treasure YOU for the amazing mother that you are and the incredible things you do for them.

    Watch P&G video, ‘Best Job’ released in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and grab a tissue.