Being mum, wife, professional and everything else in between

I often get asked how I split my time between all my roles, responsibilities and “hats” that I wear? Short answer… I have no idea really. Somehow I manage to juggle, whilst every now and then I tumble and fall.

It is just getting harder. In today’s world of having to meet work commitments, deadlines, mortgage repayments and household monthly bills, time just seems to be precious and poor. Time poor. Little time. “Where has the time gone”. No sooner have we finished something, there is something else to do, with eleven pm fast approaching. And that is not even acknowledging that down time with your partner.

No sooner do you plan something, something else comes up and that original plan goes out the window. It is all very well to be organized and maintain an organized routine, but how often does that just seem not to happen?

Splitting our time just seems to get harder. Tired, frustrated, stressed and anxious.

I recently watched the movie How Does She Do It, and I couldn’t help but wonder how satisfied and happy she really was running around like a mad hatter, missing out on her children’s big moments, and sharing that special time with her husband? Was she truly happy and satisfied in her role?

We all try to find that balance between professional and family and personal life. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But you need to be aware of yourself and the subtleties that are going on.

Maybe life is about having a list and making a list every night before bed. Planning the next day. But life is also about not planning and being able to give yourself permission to let go a little and focus on the small things. What is important to you? What do you value? If work is crouching in on your family life and personal life you must ask yourself, how can I change this? What needs to happen?

Don’t just settle. Don’t just be okay with what is placed in front of you. Find the courage to challenge yourself, your beliefs and your working style in order to find that balance.

Sometimes building a sand castle is the most important thing at that moment in time.

Many of you have already bought one of our new sippy cups and thank you for your rave reviews and emails. A couple however have contacted us to say the cup is leaking. Always focused on ensuring our products deliver as promised, we did a little investigation.

Apparently the cup has a little quirk that we’ve only just discovered. If you have the straw facing towards the logo as per the blue cup below, it may leak. If you have the straw facing away from the logo, as per image of the pink cup below, no leaks – promise! I’ve tried it both ways and I’m sure someone far clever than me could explain why this phenomenon occurs… but hopefully dilemma solved!

Winners:

• Lynne Elliot
• Nicole Disbrey
• Angela Middleton
• Domeniki Karantonis
• Emily FitzGerald
• Emma Brown
• Hayley Devereux
• Sophie Clive
• Catrina Murry
• Meagan Thompson
• May Cho
• Leanne Kirk
• Glenys Key
• Steph Ebzery
• Brook Briggs
• Nicole Mansfield
• Christine Morris
• Tania Campbell
• Belinda Hetherington
• Hayley Foster
• Kylie Spicer
• Tearsa Keith
• Melody Henderson
• Janice Ruffles
• Anna-Mieke Mulholland

And as for new – we had two new features on the stand – the first was  our essential sippy cup which arrives in 2 weeks.

The second was Rohan – Monique’s husband who stepped up as our newest sales person across the weekend, while Dannielle was on child minding duty as her husband was AWOL in NZ for the rugby world cup. Thanks Rohan – fab job – you’re hired!

Since announcing the introduction of b.box at Toys R Us nationwide, we’re delgihted to tell you that you’ll also be able to buy the essential travel bib from November at your local TRU store, joining the ever popular baby box and nappy caddy.

All of these products were recently featured in the latest Cosmopolitan Pregnancy The Ultimate baby Checklist. We were so surprised to see our “babies” gracing 6 pages in the magazine – a go to bible for all expecting and new parents.

Speaking of go to destinations for expecting and new parents – we look forward to seeing our Melbourne friends at the upcoming PBC Expo this weekend at Jeff’s Shed in Melbourne. Be sure to get your free ticket here. You’ll find us at Stand H38.  

But for us it was a great opportunity to stop and reflect on what we’ve achieved and we want to thank everyone for their support both in their lovely Facebook messages over the weekend and also in helping us create a vibrant, dynamic and successful business. We still get a buzz when we see a mum or dad out and about with one of our products and love to receive your feedback on our range.

Where to from here? Well it’s into trade fair mode we go – with the Home and Giving and Kids in Style events in Melbourne next month and then onto Germany and the US for two of the largest baby and children’s trade fairs globally.

1. How long have you been in business?

The idea of Baby2Infant came about after my first baby was born back in 2009. With a lot of work and effort I got everything up and running live in December 2010. So we are still in the early stages. 

2. What did you do before you started your business?

I have worked in a wide range of jobs in hospitality including management. From this I went into managing a telecommunications store which gave me a wide background in retail. I have more recently worked in administration.

3.  What makes your business unique?

I wanted to cater for not only mums but also to provide a wide range of gifts for people to buy new mums and bubs. We have a wide range of gift packages and will be expanding on this in the future also.

4. What do you love most about what you do?

I love being able to work while at home with my son Liam. It is hard work but it is great to have the flexibility of being able to work when suits you.

5. Where’s your favourite way of sourcing new products?

I love buying and browsing on the net so this was a great way of sourcing new products. Also I love going through all the great baby and pregnancy magazines out there to see what is new on the market. However, one great way of sourcing products are from mums who have tried and tested products and have lots to report on them.

6. What’s your favourite time of the day?

I love when little Liam has gone down to bed and myself and my husband can enjoy a nice meal followed by a great movie.

7. What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received?

Go with your own intuition. A lot can be said for a mother’s intuition so if you think something is not right with your child, get it looked into.

8. If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why?

Im not sure what character I would be but my favourite children’s movies are The Lion King and Shrek.  

9. Who inspires you?

At the moment the Queenslanders who have braved such tough times and are still smiling. Also for all of the Australians who have pitched in to help whether it be volunteering for clean-ups or cash donations. They are all truly inspirational and a credit to the Australian nation.

10. Who lives under your roof?

My family includes my husband, my 18 month old Liam, my growing tummy (I am 5 months pregnant!!) and my gorgeous 4 legged friend Billy the dog.

We were really delighted to cap off 2010 with a place on in the Herald Sun’s top 8 new baby products for 2010.  

We are also really excited about what’s ahead for b.box in 2011 as we forge new partnerships with overseas distributors, including Bennelux and Brazil. We’re also delighted to be welcoming new stockists across Australia, including this month’s stockist in profile – Quinta from Emporio Bambini.   

How long have you been in business? 3 months live online, but building it for about a year  

What did you do before you started your business? Mainly Retail management, and some Youth Work with Lifeline.  

 What makes your business unique? We offer handmade and popular products for Mums, Bubs and Kids, bringing the finest fun, fresh and functional products straight to your door.  We aim to stock items that aren’t seen absolutley everywhere, and ensure each parcel arrives beautifully presented and with a little personal touch.  

 What do you love most about what you do? It allows me plenty of time with my daughter, Delilah – she’s almost 8 months old.  Plus, I love online shopping ~ so now I can not only shop for stock online, but provide a beautiful online shopping experience for others.  

Where’s your favourite way of sourcing new products? I love the networking that happens on Facebook, finding beautiful creativity on madeit.com.au, and sourcing suppliers of products I have tried and loved!  Also, love to stock Australian brands where possible.  

 What’s your favourite time of the day? Every day at about 4pm I stop whatever else I’m doing around the house or on the computer and have ‘floor time’ with my little girl.  Her giggles and cuddles are just the best ~ I’ve never known such pure and simple joy as time spent with her.  

 What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received? Be consistent and loving.   

 If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why? The Little Mermaid was always my favourite ~ though I wouldn’t have been so keen to sprout legs.  I think that little Jamaican crab knew what he was talking about when he said ‘Darling, it’s better, down where it’s wetter, under the sea!’  But frankly, any princess character had me hooked!   

 Who inspires you? I love stories of women with ideas and beliefs, who followed through, achieved their goals and didn’t let criticism slow them down ~ like Coco Chanel, plus I love the films ‘Charlotte Grey’ and ‘Out of Africa’, those are some inspirational women, doing seemingly ordinary things yet leading such extraordinary lives ~ I try to take the good from everyone I’ve been blessed with in my life, apply to myself and always remain true to my own beliefs.  

 Who lives under your roof? My husband, our daughter, our Burmese cat, Stevens, our British Short Hair cat, Skat Kat, we also have a Neopolitan Mastiff cross, named Buffy, she, however does NOT share our roof – she has her own kennel, much to my husbands dismay as I’m sure he would have her in the bed with him if he had his way!  

Here’s to a fab year for us all – especially our friends in Queensland – our thoughts are with you.

How long have you been in business? We opened our doors to the public in February this year

What did you do before you started your business? I am an interior designer

What makes your business unique? We plan entire kids rooms and have design orientated furnitures as well as special and unique articles, like b.box

What do you love most about what you do? I love to have my own business and to be my own boss, I love to choose exactly those products which I imagine are useful and good for kids or their parents

Where’s your favourite way of sourcing new products? Most products I find at fairs or in magazines

What’s your favourite time of the day? Every time is great, but best I love the moment when clients apreciate the things I sell

What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received? Enjoy the time when your kids are still small

If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why? Sponge Bob, his life is always sunny and  his life is always easy

Who inspires you? My son

Who lives under your roof? my husband, Carlo my son and Leo our dog

Then it was up to Sydney for The Baby Show for Dannielle and baby jemma, who was an angel. And now Monique is helping launch b.box in the US at The ABC Show in Las Vegas.

Today we also found out from our UK distributor that the essential baby box was a finalist in the prestigious Practical Parenting Awards. And in the press back home, our travel bib is featured in this month’s Practical Parenting magazine and Out and About with Kids, while the caddy is included as a must have nursery item in Cosmo Pregnancy’s first ever Ultimate Baby Checklist – out now. Exhausted? We are, but happily so.

What’s coming up? We’re speaking at the Connect 2 Mum Melbourne Conference next week in Melbourne and will be at the PBC Expo in Melbourne – 22-24 October, Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Come along and take advantage of some amazing offers.

Ciao for now

Dannielle and Monique