katie

Since becoming a new mum in 2021, I’ve discovered how magical the journey of parenthood is, watching your baby grow and develop into little people with their own personalities. I started taking my little boy to Bloom baby classes from a young age. Getting out the front door with a new baby each week was a challenge but I was keen to meet other parents with babies of a similar age, to share experiences and support each other, as well as start my baby on his own journey of learning and development. We were just out of the last lockdown and I was still a bit nervous about bugs but our local class leader was really accommodating and reassuring so this really put me at ease.

 It was in these supportive and welcoming weekly classes that my confidence as a new mum grew and the focused time we spent together participating in these classes has been truly precious. We met other lovely mums, we sang songs, we danced, we learned new skills, and we laughed. Being a new parent is scary, anxious and at times, overwhelming but I know, in years to come, I will be looking back with a warm heart, at the fondest, most lovely memories of times spent in our weekly baby class. Bloom classes are special for us because my own little boy reached a few of his own milestones during our weekly classes and I believe that the familiar activities and songs really have helped his development.

 As we approached the last few months of my maternity leave, I was filled with uncertainty (and perhaps dread!) about going back to my 9-5, Monday-Friday career, conscious of how important the first five years of a child’s life are and all too aware that returning to my career would mean I spent long days away from my little boy. I had spent many years carefully building my career in health and safety, often taking work home with me and staying late at the office or at court, but after becoming a mum, I knew I needed to re-think my work-life balance and do something where I could find rewarding work as well as be more present for my little boy whilst he was tiny.

 I spotted the opportunity on the Bloom website when booking our local weekly class, to run my own award-winning Bloom baby classes and knew straight away this was what I wanted to do. It ticks all the boxes for me in terms of offering flexibility to care for my own little boy, whilst being able to share the amazing journey and experiences I have had, with others. I hope I can bring my own enthusiasm for early years development and offer a supportive environment to other mums and carers in my own classes. One of the most rewarding prospects for me, is giving parents the confidence and space each week to have this amazing bonding time with their babies in a supportive, easy-going and friendly environment, as well as seeing their amazing little ones bloom and grow week by week!