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Rob and I had the chance to fly the flag for small sling related businesses this afternoon at the Houses of Parliament at a lunch reception for Small Business Saturday UK - telling people that what we all do in the sling library and carrying advocacy and small retail businesses is ultimately about improving the health and wellbeing of families by starting right at the beginning. By building happy brains for our infants who grow up trusting and secure, by giving parents their hands back and offering mental health support and tools for coping and even thriving, by giving families solutions to the challenges and clashes society has created for them, we can make the future a better one.

Here’s what the Small Business Saturday UK team had to say about us when they listed us as one of their 100 businesses of the year...

“Today's #SmallBiz100 is Sling Spot - the place for parents and caregivers to find the right baby carrier & to join a welcoming community focused on developing parenting skills, building confidence & supporting long-term family well-being. As one of the largest sling libraries in the UK (Sheffield Sling Surgery and Library) the team has built a reputation for their friendly welcome, wealth of expertise and accessibility. Sling Spot work alongside many other family services, businesses and charities and who share their ethos. Notably, they host the invaluable Building Bonds Project, a CIC which donates carriers to help families in times of crisis.” ... See more

Very excited for tomorrow; Rob and I have been invited to a function at the House of Lords as our @slingspot is one of the 100 small UK businesses being recognised for #smallbusinesssaturday 2019. Feels like a proper jolly!
#smallbizsatuk @smallbizsatuk

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LONDON, 5 DECEMBER 2019: The UK’s top small businesses, including Sling Spot from Sheffield, will receive special recognition at an exclusive House of Lords reception.

Sling Spot is one of this year’s Small Biz 100, chosen for its contribution to both the UK economy and its local community, ahead of this weekend’s Small Business Saturday, which will be held on 7th December.

The event presented by Lord Young of Graffham, former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Government Adviser on enterprise and small business is hosted by principal supporter of Small Business Saturday, American Express and will convene business leaders from across the country to celebrate the importance of local independents in driving forward the UK economy and positively impacting society.
Television and radio presenter Zoe Hardman will lend her support to the event, where she will speak about her personal connection with her local small businesses. Director of Small Business Saturday, Michelle Ovens MBE, and American Express Vice-President of Merchant Services, Thelma Delapeña, will also address attendees.

The 2019 Small Biz 100 is drawn from every corner of the UK, and reflects the vibrancy of the UK’s 5.8 million small businesses. In the 100 days running up to Small Business Saturday, the campaign has spotlighted each of the Small Biz 100, as part of its mission to celebrate small business success and encourage the nation to 'shop local' and support British small businesses.” ... See more

It was the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities yesterday.

I have met so many people with disabilities who shine with creativity and determination... and especially so when it comes to parenting their children. For example; Emily who is a double amputee.. or Sophie who has multiple sclerosis... these are just two people who have found that slings offered some support.

Have slings been useful for you with your disability, or not? They can make a great difference for many but may also not be the right solution for others (hence the recent share of the “babywearing for all” blog post earlier in the week.)

https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/2019/03/20/babywearing-as-a-double-amputee/

https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/2018/09/05/babywearing-multiple-sclerosis/ ... See more

I got 8/8

What about you?

Can you sort the myths from the truths when it comes to child development? Find out in this fun quiz.

I came across this blog the other week, by Tania Dutton who is a carrying advocate like myself, and has a wheelchair. She makes a very important point: it is easy for language to become “ableist”, however well meaning (as I discuss in the Unhelpful Rules of Babywearing) and we carrying advocates have to be sensitive and thoughtful and aware of the implications of some of the terms we use.

I asked her to write an introduction for Carrying Matters.

“Inclusivity – the practice of including people from minority groups who have historically been excluded. There have been lots of moves in recent years to become more inclusive. Brands are beginning to move away from the typical slender white body types in promotional material and the media are starting to feature people and stories that reflect the experiences of those in minority groups. While it’s fantastic that people are starting to think beyond the stereotypical, sometimes attempts to be inclusive actually have the opposite effect. In Babywearing For All – A Harmful Rhetoric, I look at how the use of this phrase in the pursuit of inclusivity, actually alienates the disabled community.”

https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/2019/11/28/babywearing-for-all-helpful-or-harmful/

https://www.facebook.com/whentaniatalks/ ... See more

Is the term "babywearing for all" helpful or harmful for the disabled community? Read Tania Dutton's thoughts from her lived experience here.

It’s “Your Body” and Feeding Week at 4thTrimester this morning in Sheffield: here’s @bettermovementforlife (in her @s1chiropractic role) helping the families learn how to care for their post natal bodies well (as well as encouraging general good habits!)

#chiropractic
#wellbeing
#postnatal ... See more