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When you have a child who has skin allergies, like dermatitis or eczema, finding the right product that is effective and also non-irritating can be tricky. As our knowledge on climate control begins to increase, so does the rise in children's washes, that can offer parents and children both safer use and sustanability. Finding the perfect product that can wash hair and skin - all in 1 - also means less strain on the pockets and less effort. Here are our top 5 products that our mama's are currently using. Kokoso Gentle Hair & Body Wash Kokoso has formulated a very gentle hair and body wash, uniquely, but also lightly scented with the brands sourced coconuts and aloe vera. 100% pure with a delicious scent - it's a win, win. Features: Ultra-mild, vegan-friendly and pH balanced 80% organic 98% naturally derived Loaded with beneficial plant-based ingredients Dermatologically tested & paediatrician approved Safe from birth Suitable for sensitive & eczema-prone skin Post-consumer recycled and fully recyclable bottles New generation recyclable pumps Scrubbingtons 3-in-1 Hair & Body Foam We asked around the office, and there weren't many of us who had come across a product that was hair wash, conditioner and body wash, all in one - that in itself is quite something. Made from 98% natural ingredients and with a 'fresh cut grass' scent, it's perfect for little and big ones too. Features: Suitable for Sensitive Skin 98% Natural Ingredients Fresh 'cut grass' scent No parabens, SLS or artificial colourants Our bottles are fully recyclable, refillable and made from 50% recycled plastic Not tested on animals Made in the UK Love Ocean Kids Hair & Body Wash Love Ocean has crafted a light and delicately scented wash, which foams exceptionally well - passing our 'bubble test.' Formulated with mild ingredients, such as organic seaweed extract, the wash is suitable for ezcema-prone skin. The packaging is also refillable and recyclable. Features: Suitable for ages 6 months and up. 98% natural ingredients. Vegan-friendly. Cruelty-free. Formulated without SLS, petrochemicals, parabens or colourants. This bottle is 100% recyclable. Kit & Kin The Kit & Kin hair and body wash has a light lavendar scent - with subtle hints of mango and strawberry. Infused with the unique 'marshmellow extract' - which is used to treat eczema and other skin conditions. A truly wonderful hair and body wash that I've even snuck into my shower routine. Features: Naturally, nourishing plant extracts from mango and strawberry. Tear-free Dermatologist approved No harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.

Millennial mamas are really making their mark in the UK workforce. An impressive one in 12 of you new mums in this ‘millennial’ generation – born between 1980 and 2000 – are already running your own businesses across the country, according to a recent survey by Nominet. A fifth of you new mamas will also become your own boss over the next five years. So striking a work-life balance, gaining financial independence and raising your kids means you can have your cake and eat it. Sounds good eh? The study also revealed that this trend of becoming a ‘mumpreneur’ has become increasingly desirable, with over 78% of mums saying flexibility and control is key. Working from home, and on your terms, means that being a working mum can be easier to juggle. Childcare factor But on the other side of the coin, the rise of the self-employed mama is not just about the lure of being your own boss and leaving the 9-to-5 shift to someone else. For some of you mums, the staggering cost of childcare also influences what career path to take. A day here and there at nursery really does add up – and in some cases, more than what you earn. For some of you mamas, this just doesn’t make returning to your old job worth it. It seems that mamas have no choice but to get proactive and build a business from home to help keep your household (and your brain) ticking over. Guilt factor There is also the guilt of leaving your kids with someone else. In fact, one in five of you mamas feel anxious about returning to your job post-bump. This can strike a chord with those of you who haven’t got the luxury of having willing grandparents, family or friends who can babysit. These days, the old proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” is easier said than done. Being your own boss While being self-employed is no walk in the park, it’s no surprise that more and more of you are going solo. Technology is influencing how you mums are climbing up the career ladder. The speed and ease of Internet access can give you the option of setting up a business from the comfort of your own home. From using social media to creating your own email or website, you can tap into different industries, reach out to other businesses and have meetings with clients abroad – without even having to leave your sofa. You can also pick your own hours so you can work before your kids wake up, during their naps or after their bedtime – a choice of working part-time, full-time or even just a few hours a day. Plus you don’t have to rely on a workplace to meet your crazy schedules. There isn’t the added stress of a daily commute, office politics or being passive-aggressive with your colleagues over who takes Christmas off this year. Happy days. Being armed with the skills of being a new mama, such as multitasking, time management and keeping calm under pressure, all work in your favour in attracting new business. And rather than just be known as a mama – you can also be you. Your own boss. A millennial mother. In more ways than one. For more from Girlie Garduce Burn email: girlie@garduce.com website: www.garduce.com instagram:@mumsiehood @garduce

by Karen Miller Sleep - That five-letter word you don’t really think about before kids, it’s not something that you made a priority or something that you particularly cared about. How that changes once you become a mother, the lack of it is something everyone warns you about, but nothing can prepare you for the impact that it has on every aspect of your life. My name is Karen Miller and I am a baby/toddler sleep consultant. I make it my mission to ensure that mums everywhere get the sleep they need because guess what, it isn’t true that just because you're now a parent you must say goodbye to sleep. I am here to give you the hope, the knowledge and the confidence to make the changes needed to ensure your baby sleeps through the night and naps consistently throughout the day. Here are my top tips for better sleep. Sleep Environment Ensuring that the baby's room is set up in order to maximise sleep is a great way to lay down good sleep foundations. Even newborns can benefit from the room being dark from 8 weeks. Black-out blinds and covers for prams are great tools to ensure baby has darkness for each nap and bedtime. The reason this is so important is due to hormones, melatonin is the sleepy hormone and is more readily produced in darkness so it gives your little one the best chance of decent sleep. Manage Overtiredness Overtiredness is the number one reason why babies fight sleep, cat nap through the day and wake multiple times at night. If you can get on top of that, you’ll notice a significant change in how well your baby sleeps. The best way to manage it is to know what your baby's awake window is and put them to sleep within this time. Awakes windows are the periods of time your baby can stay awake before biologically needing a nap. These windows differ depending on your baby's age so having a guide helps. I have a FREE guide you can download for babies 4-12 months. Once you put baby down during these times, they will settle more quickly and sleep for longer. It also helps you to get the right amount of day sleep for their age, as babies only need so much sleep across the day. Remove Sleep Associations A sleep association is anything you use to get a baby to sleep. So rocking, holding, feeding or a dummy are all associations that your baby will look for each time they wake. You want the baby to be put down awake into their bed and not need anything from you to fall asleep. So start to remove this assistance around 4 months of age and use a settling method to teach baby to sleep independently. Teach Self-Settling Babies can self-settle themselves from 16 weeks, so it’s a great time to teach this skill from that age. To do this you need a plan, it’s not going to work unless you’re 100% consistent and it is much easier to be consistent when you have a plan of action. So pick a method you’re comfortable with and follow it through for 2 weeks. You should start to see changes quickly, within the first week if you’re doing it correctly. In just 2 weeks, you can have a baby that is self-settling, taking longer naps in the day and sleeping through the night. Finally, manage your expectations. Yes, babies and toddlers will protest any change you make but if the lack of sleep is affecting your mental health and your experience of motherhood then it’s time for a change. You don’t need to just survive, you should feel like you can thrive and be the mother you want to be. Lack of sleep will impact your relationship, your mood and your general wellbeing. Babies cry out of frustration but we tell ourselves they’re distressed and will be traumatised for life. This isn’t true and sometimes some small bursts of crying are necessary to achieve something that ultimately will be in their and your best interests. The end goal will be a much happier child and less crying overall as they won’t be tired anymore and neither will you. So do me a favour and ignore those people who say, forget sleep now you’re a parent. You deserve sleep, you need sleep and sleep is possible.

"At the time I believed I was alone with my thoughts, but what I know now is that there are many other people with anxiety and claustrophobia fears that feel the same, daily." I used to be terrified of getting on public transport, especially the tube. Heart palpitations, feeling uneasy and sick meant going anywhere fast was a daunting thought and experience. I was at Uni, a 45 min journey away, so using the tube was a must. My brain would go into overdrive and tell me the train would be hijacked, there would be a bomb or fire, the train would collide with another train, and the list goes on. When the train paused in a tunnel, it felt like I was there for an eternity. I would fear that we would get stuck in the tunnel, not make it to the next station and then have to be evacuated and walk the tracks in the dark to the next station. My brain was a playground of negativity. I never had a bad experience on the tube in my childhood, so where was this irrational fear coming from? There was no association there. I realised it was all about my loss of personal control. At the time I believed I was alone with my thoughts, but what I know now is that there are many other people with anxiety and claustrophobia fears that feel the same, daily. What I also realise is that stressful life experiences can exacerbate anxiety and at the time I was going through a pretty rough period in my life, which inevitably leads to more stress and a rise of irrational thoughts. I recall not wanting to mention what was happening to me, out of fear that others would call me 'crazy' - this inevitably lead to even more stress. Feeling like a complete weirdo for having these thoughts, not doing my research, and not knowing I was not alone - all heightened my experience. The thoughts have since subsided, although I still have the odd anxious thought drop in now again when I'm travelling on the tube. I remain calm, breathe deeply and remind myself that I will be okay. So what can help? Try and dig deep and understand where the irrational fear is coming from? Did you have a negative incident in childhood, is there any association from your past? Practising meditation beforehand and deep breathing can help to relieve anxiety - and reduce stress during tube journeys. Plan your journey - as to avoid rush hour, crowds, noise, heat etc. Stay hydrated - remember to take a bottle of cold water on tube journeys. Distract your mind. When you begin to feel anxious, remind yourself that you are thinking irrationally and catastrophising what's going on. Read a book, listen to your favourite podcast, or think about a positive experience like going outdoors or a beach walk. If the issue persists, do not feel ashamed to speak to your doctor, who will be able to offer support on ways to alleviate the anxious thoughts.

Women's magazines have circulated since 1693, with articles highly populated around relationships, fashion and beauty. With the constant tips on 'how to make him fall in love with you' or '10 ways to get a flatter stomach' I'm quite frankly bored of the underlying misogyny that comes with most articles. Can we get an amen to the lesser existence of magazines based upon vanity and nonsense? At 14, going into the local shops searching for magazine literature left me feeling as if I was less than - especially by the time pre-adulthood came. The dominating thoughts within my mind were that 'my boobs were not big enough, 'I was unattractive if I didn't have the latest 'it' bag' and that 'my hairstyle was definitely out of touch. A multitude of self-deprecating issues that were far from the truth. I wished women's magazines focused less on frivolity and more on the core of womanhood. What does it mean to be a woman? How could I reach my highest potential? How could women survive in a work environment dominated by men? I searched curiously for deeper meaning - but never found it in magazines. Could it be that magazines were not for the woman on a quest to become her best self? Or were they meant to be light-hearted and fun? With hundreds of thousands of copies sold weekly to young impressionable females - this was setting a trend for women in society to be dumbed down, surely. In my 20's when my body didn't resemble the shape of the women that covered the most popular magazines in my local newsagent, I began to hide it - just as many young women and girls tend to do also. This was a message sent from society, a message that constantly echoed that my shape was not acceptable. Where were the stretch marks, cellulite, and rosacea? The women looked perfect - and I looked nothing like perfection (in my mind at least.) I became tired of the quest for perfection, running towards something thing that was unobtainable. Why has it taken me over 20 years to discover that these women never existed? I hate that we're still here. Still in living in a society full of denial. I say stick it to the media outlets who do not include every shape and colour of women on their front covers. You have lied to women for years and essentially damaged our truth. When will you truly support women with the truth and take the next generation's confidence and mental health seriously? We're so tired of the lies.

Womanhood, or for context, Sisterhood is universal. A connection, a bond that no matter where you are or what part of the world you live in. You feel this urge to do something to help as you reflect on your own pain and struggles experienced as a woman. Something many of us know too well. Since COVID-19 the world changed dramatically and so did violence against women which hit home for me. The fight for survival in a world of uncertainty was literally what so many women were facing daily. Apparently, I live in a time where I should feel liberated that I am a woman, yet I have so many questions. I can’t help and feel at times this shroud of thought reminding me that practising gratitude is necessary. I have learnt to be grateful for today and tomorrow, yet be present in the moment. Even when it seems hard and distant. It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating International Women's Day but that soon came and passed. Reality comes gushing back and so does the mission - how can I help liberate women in today’s modern society. I reflect on the issues that are still impacting women today. Especially now the world turned on its head after two years of a national lockdown and now the Ukraine crisis that has devastated many. So, during one of my many nights of deep reflection I came across an article that discussed the political and social impact women and girls were facing due to the current Ukraine conflict. It drew on traditions on a global scale and how women from across the globe share one common thing. They are fighting to survive given the horrific circumstances life may have thrown at them. Issues such as human trafficking, domestic violence and psychological trauma. Can you imagine? These are only just a few of the issues women are facing daily both here in the UK and around the globe. Earlier this year I had the privilege to sit as a judge for The London Impact Awards. The awards aimed to recognise community organisations that were making long-lasting changes to women’s lives in their communities. These organisations, which often operate under the radar, are powered by dedicated staff and volunteers who have personal experience of living in the communities they support. Organisations such as STORM Family Centre, Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation, and One in Four UK; Girls United Football Association, Street Talk and Sutton Women's Centre; Glitch, Anima Youth C.I.C. and Sister System to name a few. Commenting on the organisations and the awards; Chief Executive of The London Community Foundation, Kate Markey, said - I know that it is going to take continued collaboration and more unity between women to end the injustices many are facing around the world. Although this is the case we cannot forget the women here still fighting to find their voice. So, let’s take a moment to shine a light on these women-led organisations that are helping the lives of many women here in the UK. No matter where you are, what you have experienced or whatever you believe. Womanhood, where adulthood and maturity meet, where our journeys define our characters and where we understand no matter how big or small an effort is an effort. Standing together, supporting one another at a time when many women are still fighting for survival; from rights to education, to protecting those who have experienced violence or psychological abuse to basic human rights. We hear you, we feel you and we are here. I hope to celebrate women every single day not just for IWD so that my daughter grows up proud and in love with who she is. Recognising that sisterhood is not an option it is a responsibility. Shanice Hoo Mills is a mother of one and founder of Kallure Consulting, a London based communications agency - www.kallure.co.uk

1. The first step is to generate ideas. The execution of such ideas is what distinguishes good firms from great ones. 2. You're still in "startup mode" even if you're profitable. Nothing is certain. Ever. 3. Your circle of friends may change and end up being fellow entrpreneurs, as you'll have common ground and an understanding of the highs and lows, like nobody else. 4. Competition is necessary. If you have a competitor, or a group of competitors, paying close attention to what they're doing might save you a lot of time learning—especially if they've been around for a long time. They most likely learnt their lessons the hard way, and there's a reason why they do things the way they do them. Take advantage of this. 5. The amount of time you will spend in front of your computer will make you seek as much time as possible away from any devices. 6. You will have self-doubt, a lot of it. There might be nights where you can’t sleep and question - “Do I even have it in me? 7. You're always busy. 8. Timing is key. Just because something appears to be a good concept does not guarantee that the market is ready for it. If you don't have a lot of money and a lot of time/resilience, think twice about market timing. 9. That you might not finish up where you thought you'd end up when you started your company. Your intention may be to sell A, but you may end up selling B. Because, after all, that's what the customer wants and what pays the bills. 10. That you should automate the majority of your business procedures so that you may focus on what matters most to the company's future. 11. Do not be scared to share your ideas, out of fear that someone might steal it. Maybe they'll share some pearls of knowledge with you that will benefit you in the long term. Maybe they'll be a co-founder, an early investor, or a consumer! 12. You have to personally excel at selling to get your business off the ground, there is no shortcut, you can’t hide behind your laptop, you have to get out there and talk to people and get them excited about what you do 13. No amount of reading or guidance will ever be enough to prepare you for the real deal. You will be hit from every angle - numerous times. Continue to work hard and learn from your own (and others') mistakes. 14. If you aren't absolutely in love with your idea, drop it. You'll be required to invest way too much time and energy to be wasting it on something that doesn't warrant it. 15. There's a risk of depression. Startup founders wear all the hats and work long hours with little to no help, even if they have a business partner. Find a community of support - that can help with this. It’s not all doom and gloom — but it’s a real risk nobody tells you about.)

The growth of entrepreneurial mothers seems to be on a fast and steady rise. With expensive childcare rates, inflexible contracted working hours and the pandemic shifting attitudes towards working from home, more and more mothers are choosing to take their careers into their own hands and become entrepreneurs. For many, the excitement of embarking on an entrepreneurial journey is exciting - with flexible working hours, and more time spent with the children, all very appealing - however that very excitement can sometimes be overshadowed by uncertainty and fear as most women are unsure of where to begin and who to turn to for support and advice. Image: Ann Nkune, Founder of Bloomsbury Beginnings Bloomsbury Beginnings, founded by Ann Nkune have become renowned for doing just that - offering a supportive community of mothers, providing advice, and delivering their informative Start-Up Programe - (which is now accepting applicants for Summer 2022) - for mothers who are ready to make their entrepreneurial dream a reality. The collective has designed its programmes and support groups to understand that motherhood comes with evolving challenges. Bloomsbury Beginnings say: It is the lived experience of Founder and Director Ann Nkune, now mother to a 13-year-old daughter, who recognised the difficulties others faced in the parent community of generating an income, whilst being a full-time carer. She used her experience of delivering management consultancy across the public, private and charity sectors, to pioneer programmes to transcend traditional barriers to business. Since 2014 Bloomsbury Beginnings has helped over 500 women boost their careers as well as found and develop their own businesses. Their extensive network gives you quick access to expert advice, accountability and support to overcome your obstacles and create powerful, financially sustainable propositions. By the end of the 10 sessions ‘Grow your ideas’ course you'll have a clearer focus, more confidence and a business model that will help you to grow a successful business or social enterprise. You will have a 1:1 assessment, five face to face small group sessions in a beautiful community garden training facility near Kings Cross and four follow up goal-setting sessions via Zoom. Bloomsbury Beginnings welcome you and look forward to hearing from you! Course fee is £300/person. Visit Bloomsbury Beginnings at www.bloomsburybeginnings.org For all enquiries, please contact Ayesha at: ayesha@bloomsburybeginnings.org

Patricia Debney, aged 12 At the age of 11, Patricia Debney's father began to sexually abuse her. Here, she shares a part of her story, with the hope of helping other women who have experienced the same. I am 11 years old, and my father and I are sitting on the small sofa in our kitchen. My stepmother is out, and – although I don’t remember – I’m guessing my (half) siblings, both younger than me, are in bed. There isn’t a television in this room, so I’m not sure why we are there. Homework? But I do remember what happens next: he asks me if I’ve started my periods yet. I am mortified – I haven’t. I have only just started wearing a crop top trainer bra, but here I’m in pyjamas. He wants ‘to see how you’re growing’, and wheedles me into lifting up my top so he can look at my developing breasts. Again, I am mortified. I remember staring at the short, colourful curtains in the room, trying to disappear into my head. * This event marks the beginning of my father’s sexual abuse of me. Over time, the abuse becomes frequent, involving many adult sexual acts. Throughout, I know what he is doing is completely wrong. I hate it. But I tell no one because he says ‘this is our secret’, and implies that the whole family will fall apart if I let him down and say anything. The abuse lasts for around four years. I don’t remember when it stopped, or how it stopped. But by 16 I am looking for ways out, and at 17 I move in with my mother, forced to leave the only family I had ever known. My story is not rare. It is not uncommon. In fact, children’s charities estimate that at least 1 in 10 children is sexually abused, 90% of them by a perpetrator within the family fold. There are an estimated 11 million survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in the UK alone. My abuser groomed me, and claimed to ‘love’ me. He flattered me, told me how ‘special’ I was, and was never violent. This is a typical pattern, for abuse committed by family or friends. This behaviour creates a coercive hold, and in turn establishes a silence which feels impossible to break. As a victim, I was convinced that what was happening to me was my fault – I must be encouraging him somehow – and that I had no choice but to carry the shame, and the feeling of being dirty and different. I had no idea who to turn to, and thought I was the only person in the world this was happening to. So I buried it all, turned my attention to the rest of my life, was successful in school and with friends – and didn’t tell anyone until I went away to university. When I did disclose the abuse at age 20, things felt much worse before they started feeling better. The sealed box I had stuffed those years into – along with my rock bottom self-worth, the shame and disgust – opened up, and the contents almost overwhelmed me. But I was lucky. I located good help in the form of therapy, and I had somehow made good friends who supported me. I was in regular therapy for several years, and finally emerged with some tools which helped me deal with the trauma I now understood would never completely leave me. Patricia Debney, late 50's I am now 58, and very happy and fulfilled in my life. I became a writer and teacher, and have been fortunate enough to meet and marry a man who loves me unconditionally, and who, over time, has come to understand the impacts of my past on our lives. Thirty-five years into our marriage, we continue to learn and grow, and watch our amazing children thrive too. I have had many further experiences of therapy, and even now continue to link aspects of what I sometimes struggle with in my everyday life directly to the abuse and neglect of my childhood. Living with the fallout from Child Sexual Abuse is a fundamentally unfair burden. CSA is NEVER the fault of the victims, never. And yet survivors must live with it all, year after year. Sometimes living with it is devastating, and survivors turn to self-harm, suffer breakdowns, attempt suicide, and struggle to form healthy relationships. The list of damages – physical and psychological – goes on and on. My father was never reported, despite an early therapist and my stepmother ‘finding out’ what he had done. He was never held accountable. And I discovered many years later that I was not his only victim; he also abused his sister when they were young. I have written a memoir about my abuse, and now run a blog about CSA. I also belong to a community of survivor-activists via Twitter, all of whom campaign to raise awareness of CSA, and work toward developing policies and trauma-informed care of victims and survivors. We have each other’s backs. Above all, we aim to break through the terrible silence and stigma surrounding CSA. Abuse can ONLY occur in this silence and secrecy. By dismantling the stigma, by telling our stories and welcoming others, we begin to ensure that survivors are not alone, and ultimately that Child Sexual Abuse is not so distressingly rife. We begin to ensure that children are safe to be children, and that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know is affected by Child Sexual Abuse, there are so many resources and so much help available. Safely breaking your silence is the first step. Please seek the support of trauma counsellors and the survivor community. We are here for you and those you care about. www.patriciadebney.com Twitter: @patriciadebney Resources National Association for People Abused in Childhood napac.org.uk The Survivors Trust thesurvivorstrust.org National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children nspcc.org.uk

I loathe the school run, yes, I said it. I no longer sugar coat a single thing. I absolutely full heartedly loathe it. Every morning I go into the sunken place and have to return there again at about 3:25pm when I enter the dreaded playground. Pre children I toyed with the idea and daydreamed about coffee dates with other mama’s, my children playing blissfully with others and being on the PTA committee was certainly at the top of my list. Fast forward 15 years and I’m totally uncommitted to the politics of the playground. Now, if you loathe it as much as I do, then here’s your survival kit for the dreaded playground. Make a Dash If you’re like me and want to make a quick dash in and out then this works a treat. Leave it until the final minute to enter the school playground. With seconds to go you won’t have to indulge in small talk and can grab and go! Music to my ears Earphones are a dream. Picture this, you rock up to school with your earbuds in - listening to your favourite Beyoncé jam. You’re in your element and concentrating on the messages that Queen Bey is sending your way. People can see that you're somewhat preoccupied and nobody is really going to tap you on the shoulder to ask you about your donation to the upcoming bake sale. The Cliques Surprisingly enough, the school gates can drag up feelings reminiscent to your own school days. Mama’s can be cliquey (and maybe sometimes even a little bitchy) but hey what can you do? Try your very best to not feel or look intimidated by the cliques. Remember that some women have probably known each other for a while and have had time to form these relationships. Try to just nod and smile, and do not arouse any suspicions that you my feel threatened, as these women that purposely form cliques can smell fear like wildcats. Dress Code Is there and should there be a dress code for the playground you ask? Sadly, what you wear may make or break you. Let's be honest. There are those that turn up in sweats that look as if they've just been released from an 8 year prison sentence and those who over do it slightly in Louboutin's and a Prada handbag slung over their forearm (not that there's anything wrong with either of these), but you should surely find some sort of middle ground, in order to feel comfy but classy simultaneously. Smile If you don't want to stone cold everyone and are not the type to dash in and out like I am, then a simple smile does wonders. Not cheshire cat style might I add and not one that is permanently attached to your face either. Simply smile at others when they glance your way, which will show that you are both friendly and open to conversation (even if it is about that pesky cake sale). Do You It can be really daunting walking into the playground, especially if your child has just started or you have just moved, therefore are new to the school. The pressure of making friends falls just as much on you as it does your child. There will be fully formed cliques, people that awkwardly stand well apart from anybody else, so as not to engage in conversation and some that simply just prefer their own space. Simply do whatever works for you. Coffee Date If you're into the whole play date/coffee date thing then this could be the perfect solution for you. Talk to your mini and find out who they are friendly with in class. Find out who their parents are and after a good few hellos, nods of acknowledgement and chats in the playground, invite them round for coffee. This can really help in forming a good relationship with even one parent. Gossip Girl Avoid gossip at all costs. There is truth in the fact that us mama's like to have a good talk, but refrain in doing so when it comes to anybody else, their child or members of the school. Sadly, we can all be judgemental, but the playground is certainly not the place to be passing it around. Words can spread like wildfire, and what was once possibly said in jest could have a long lasting negative effect on your personal rep. Show Off Nobody likes a show off so never run into school in top of the range running shoes, in the tightest pair of leggings on the market, with a Nike headband stapled to your forehead, whilst jogging on the spot in order to keep up your pace. You will only get that side eye again, trust me. Do not brag about your planned summer holiday to Cannes or overly discuss your child achievements either. Neutrality Last, but by far maybe the most important, remain neutral in everything. From what you wear to discussions about teaching styles and policies. Try to not show to much angst and if all fails,save this article, print it out and revert to it over the next 7 years whenever the politics of the playground arise.

Whether you love or loathe them, find them cringe worthy or sing them at the top of your voice every day, affirmations, which are statements supposed to be said with both belief and conviction, have actually helped thousands of people to achieve positive results within their lives. You see, the mind can not tell the difference between reality or fantasy, and by using them we begin to believe and act in-line with the statements we are saying. Here are 31 affirmations to repeat daily, to change your mindset and help you to become a cooler, calmer, happier and motivated mother. Say them out loud mama, you've got this. 1. I will make myself happy - as my children will gain from this. 2. My children love, honour and respect me. 3. I am doing the best I can as a mother, and that is enough. 4. I am a positive inspiration for my children. 5. I am committed to making myself happy. 6. I will not worry. 7. Good things are happening, always. 8. I will listen to and respect my motherly intuition. 9. I am the rock that holds my family together. 10. I am so grateful that my children chose me. 11. I am exactly who and what my children need. 12. I am doing an amazing job. 13. Motherhood is challenging for every woman. 14. I am doing my best - and always will. 15. There is value in everything I do. 16. I am an intentional parent. 17. My happiness is a choice. 18. Only I can give my children a happy mother. 19. I am becoming a more confident mother with each day that passes. 20. I will be the best influence for my children. 21. I will be kind to myself. 22. I will create endless memories with my children. 23. My children do not care about my flaws. 24. Today I will embrace the purity of childhood - and play with my children. 25. No mother is perfect - and no mother ever will be. 26. I will continue to be strong. 27. I am calm and logical under pressure. 28. My feelings are real and will always deserve acknowledgement. 29. I am allowed to ask for help and support - this is okay. 30. I work hard to care for my family. 31. I've got this.

Have you ever received a compliment about something you are wearing and you reply with something along the lines of "Oh, this old thing, I've had it for years" or you receive a thumbs up on the presentation you just gave to 15 people from finance and you give a demure "oh, really, was it okay?" modest, sort of reaction. Do you sometimes have the passing thought that you'd be great for a role, but then insecurities get the better of you? We can often find it difficult to cheer for ourselves, but, if we do not root for ourselves then who will? So it's priority that you don the pom pom's and lead the cheer group - even if it is just you chanting 2, 4, 6, 8. 1. Find 5 good things about yourself - daily. Know how to dry shave your legs without a graze, or support your friends exceptionally in their times of need - credit yourself for this. Keep a daily list of 'I am a Badass Because...' for an instant daily confidence boost. 2. Take care of yourself - well. Work on your self-confidence and self-esteem. You will not feel worthy of advocating for yourself if you do not feel confident and content. Learn to put yourself first when it is needed, by pampering, reading and discovering new and important things about yourself. 3. silence negative Nancy Our inner critic makes cheering for ourselves extremely difficult - so we need to find a way to switch her off. Perhaps counter 'Negative Nancy' with 'Positive Penny', for every bit of negative self talk that comes along have Penny interrupt and replace that with a positive thought. Sounds weird, but it works - trust me. 4. Take pride in what you do - always. If you are working on a project, essay, or speaking at an event, whatever it may be, take pride in it. Show up prepared, polished and ready to kick ass. Taking pride in what we are doing not only shows others that we are badass, but also shows that we are committed, passionate and always follow through. This fulfillment alone will be a total confidence boost.