Westwood Days

#worldbookday can be pretty stressful, having to think of or create a costume for your little one. I tried to persuade my son to go as Arthur Dent from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy... I love books, and even wrote one! What are you reading right now? There’s a giveaway of a signed copy of my “Why Babywearing Matters” books on the @slingspot page... very easy and stress free! Pop over to enter. . . #whybabywearingmatters #carryingmatters #connectionmatters #giveaway #newborn #newmums #newparents #usefulreading #buildahappybrain #happymum #happybaby #surviving #thriving #4thtrimester https://www.instagram.com/p/ButTAQ7gz1j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w9qf0r05m1u

Early experiences can have lifelong impacts.... Fantastic graphic here from Harvard Center on the Developing Child, showing what epigenetics is and how the environment can shape our genes. Cuddles matter: they change how your genes are expressed. Supportive and nurturing experiences are crucial in the early years of young children’s lives. #epigenetics #earlyyears #buildahappybrain #connectionmatters #carryingmatters #secureattachment #responsiveparenting #keepthemclose https://www.instagram.com/carryingmatters/p/BuHe7zxg0HD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qnqeu9xzw0ae

Our January 4th Trimester cycle is about to begin: these lovely leaflets are waiting on each chair for the parents! #sheffieldslingsurgery #slingsinsheffield #carryingmatters #buildahappybrain #4thtrimestersheffield https://www.instagram.com/p/BsVGcWAnCZx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yywbwbx8xole

Look Freddie! A rare moment of sibling kindness. She sat on his knee, he put his arms round her. She spotted a crag that looked like an elephant just as I took the photo. Most of the time they torment each other. But they're each other's closest friend. See @kimhouten - that's siblings for you https://www.instagram.com/p/BsT212WgqsQ3meHVawijuLieEG3RXtCUsxZhIM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ghhadan14l3o

Every year we add little memories to the jar and in January we take a few out every dinner time and remember together :) #happymemories #memoryjar https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTeXJEALi9FqDCumUSDd9UauB5RvEmbmMuJ-80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p4qio86c1901

Maggie standing at the mouth of an ancient cave where Neanderthals once sheltered, making flint tools, and looking out across a gorge where hippos once swam and woolly mammoths once lumbered. (at Creswell Crags) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTNnQiAwnW7BqcTypQ5VjoLWUGwbT__zJzxIU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16oawptnzuxqc

Exploring the caves.... (at Creswell Crags) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTNY8wg5tU_NQYEBhVUGewPjq6taoCyUfZsYU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=126o5pjzwb7ko

Creswell Crags: an ancient landscape where hippos and rhinos used to live, before the last Ice Age. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTNOY5AELFyQbrWh24vjDwEhz3IElZHPHqCHc0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fqv73u01o9vz

#365 grateful Day 4 - I am grateful that there is electric light to see by. Otherwise when the sun went down I would find conversation very difficult. I am grateful that my eyes work (with glasses) as it allows me to lipread and communicate. Electric light makes it safe to walk up the stairs in the dark to a brightly lit home. • Day 5 - I am grateful that I have a working oven and local shops to buy ingredients (and the money to do so) and that I can cook things from scratch. Yes, today it may be peanut butter cookies rather than wholesome stuff but 1) the kids have done it with me 2) a little of what you fancy does you good. I'm grateful that I have gaps of time in my life to be able to do things just for fun... this is a privilege many don't have. • Day 6 - I am grateful for Hama beads. I sort of actually hate them but there's a lot to be grateful for; they gave me and Maggie some focused-together time (while she sang as we worked and cuddled close). It helps her fine motor control and co-ordination develop. We can stop when we want to, and it doesn't matter if we get it wrong. I'm grateful that I and my family don't rely on income from back-breaking bending over eye-straining factory work that is low paid. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsS0PR1ABab3Nqejw0O3puZCEks16O1VkUcFQM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gg0n4xud0eqf

It's #slingsharesaturday! It's cold in the UK where I am but fresh air is so good for the soul, and good for helping with better sleep! Here's a family of four: mum carrying the toddler and dad carrying the baby and all keeping warm with layers and hats! Have you been outdoors these last few weeks? Was it warm or cold where you were? #slingsharesaturday #connectionmatters #carryingmatters #mentalhealthawareness #buildahappybrain #parenthoodunplugged #childhoodunplugged #yorkshirewildlifepark #outdoors #closeenoughtokiss #wearallthebabies https://www.instagram.com/carryingmatters/p/BsQH1DJHGqI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=370i12au8yn0

Really pleased with these new #buildahappybrain postcards. The first pack is off to the States to the competition winner! Proper postcards, great to send to parents as encouragement. These will be on the website soon. #encouragement #connectionmatters #carryingmatters #mentalhealthawareness #infantmentalhealth https://www.instagram.com/carryingmatters/p/BsOx4Ijn5fg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1shaos0es5vfv

#buildahappybrain https://www.instagram.com/carryingmatters/p/BsOfbW4nuni/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k4yf7ta4xy8d

#365rosieisgrateful2019 Day 1-3 https://www.instagram.com/p/BsNRYXEAGLNabzcAVSoJGlJaiNwhJ1FpgsYCwA0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3bok8ou8hb6c

Christmas lunch mark 2! https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGFZyegYovj0KtZC90MZkL0KVh4p-czQNrJjU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q5lp1qgm6yfy

Happy New Year! Did you take advantage of the bargainous sales at @slingspot ? Some things are down to almost 50% off. Babywearing coats, Integra, Fidella, Soul, Isara and Ergobaby buckle carriers, Didymos woven wraps, JPMBB stretchies, Fidella Flytais (meh dais) and more! Grab a New Years bargain, we'll ship tomorrow! #beautifulbabywearing #slingspot #newyearsales #bargain #bucklecarrier #wovenwrap #stretchywrap #babywearingcoat https://www.instagram.com/p/BsFgcKdnBt0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s4h8q5z4qyw

Ultimately we hold and carry children to give them freedom (of knowing they are loved, a great start in life) - and it gives us freedom too, both in the short term (hands-free now) and the long term (more confident and secure children as they grow). Choosing to #buildahappybrain is an investment in the family's whole future. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Happy New Year! https://www.instagram.com/carryingmatters/p/BsEDR9sHSPm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xvv0s5fl8853

A knitting machine from 1874 (at Museo degli Strumenti per il Calcolo) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsDMUNtg6FOHgx68Bc2NEzbrfxfO67N9vkoQO00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l1zdoea9fcok