Sharon O'Neill
Hi I’m Sharon
Married… had 3 kids and now have 3 beautiful grandkids all who have experienced baby sensory.
The moment I saw a baby sensory class I was flooded with both joy and “I wish I could have given my kids this experience.”
If a program had have existed like Baby Sensory I think I would have been a better mum but I think I would have struggled to give myself permission to participate.
The obstacles I think aren’t that different to those experienced by parents today:
🙈Financially it is still one of the most expensive seasons of life. ( We were paying 19% interest on our home loan, one income and we had a business loan of 22% - not much has changed in terms of the financial pressure.)
🙈Career wise you are trying to get established and feel the pressure to keep your hand in.
🙈Physically it is demanding and the lack of sleep is a killer.
🙈Relationally it can be interesting …There can be a lot of competition, the tank can get pretty empty
🙈Time poor
🙈Some days parenting a little can be lonely and boring…but it can be hard to get out of the house
🙈Baby routines…they are always changing!
But I think I would say to my younger self. “Take the risk, just book in…you will be better for it.”
Alana Barker
Hi I’m Alana
Married and a mum to 3 adult children. I have been running playgroups since I was 18 years.
There is something that happens to my heart when I am around about babies and toddlers and their mums and dads.
Life has taught me a lot about children and families in this season of life.
One thing I know is that babies, toddlers and their parents need a village. We all need encouragement, we all need older people coming alongside of you on hard days encouraging you and reminding you “This hard will pass. It’s going to be okay…you’ll get through this. On the good days we all need someone to encourage us, to remind us “We are doing a great job and we are great parents.
I love how good the programs are but I also love the space they create for us to, to encourage to laugh with you, to celebrate with you and on some days to cry with you.
Time with our littles goes so quickly and I just don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun, curiosity and milestones of our littlest people.
I often think to myself…If only I had had a program like this when my babies were little.
