Category Archives: 10 Questions

This month Harriet from Lavender Barn Baby Massage answers our 10 Questions:

Tell us abit about yourself…..

Hi I’m Harri and I run Lavender Barn Baby Massage from the beautiful woodland valley of Lamorna. 

The five week course I teach is compiled by the International Association of Infant Massage, the oldest and most trusted massage school in the U.K. They have a presence in over 75 countries worldwide and many studies looking into benefits of massage are based on using the IAIM strokes, so I’m really proud to be part of such a fantastic organisation which puts parents at the forefront of all they do. 

Parents learning with me would learn a full body massage and some gentle movements over five weeks, at babies pace, with the aim of improving sleep patterns, reducing wind/colic and most importantly creating strong bonds of attachment between parent and baby. We also have plenty of time for chat and discussion during sessions so parents can share ideas and meet some people who know exactly what they are going through as a new parent. 

I’m going to be taking a short break in the new year to have a baby. It will be fantastic to be able to have a refresher on being a new parent again that I can put to good use in my classes. 

How do you manage a work/life balance?

I’m very fortunate to be able to do a job I really love. I’d actually love to teach more classes. 

I think for anyone it’s hard to dedicate time to actual fun life things instead of doing home/garden jobs that also need doing around paid work. Luckily I have a gorgeous 3 year old who is my ‘fun mentor’ and makes sure I get out to the beach, woods or park at least once a day to play with her!

What do you like to do when you have time away from your children?

So much! I’m passionate about gardening so spend as much time as I can with my plants, be that flowers or veg. I also wrote, illustrated and self published a book called ‘The Cornish Mythellonium’ and am currently writing my first novel.  I really enjoy having dates with my partner whether that’s yoga in the front room, creating art for our house, or playing in the sea. We are still renovating our barn so no children is a great time to get some DIY out the way! I also really enjoy being able to go for walks at a normal brisk pace without having to collect a selection of rocks, sticks and leaves on the way 

What do you like about the community in Cornwall?

I like the diversity of people Cornwall attracts, from the wonderful artists and musicians who live here to those who have had really exciting lives and come to settle down you never know who you are going to meet! 

Describe parenting in three words

Light and Dark

Best parenting advice you’ve ever received?

None!

Where is your happy place?

Anywhere new. I love to see new things and travel so I have no fixed happy place. 

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out as a parent or carer?

Every child is so different and as there is no fixed manual we are all making it up right?

What have you learnt about yourself since becoming a parent?

I need vastly more sleep than I thought I did. You hear about sleep deprivation pre parenthood and think how it can’t be that bad – ha! I’m sure most people are better parents before they have children though….

What are your goals for next year? 

To finish and get my novel published, set up another new business, extend my rose garden, have a baby and get fit again, hopefully with lots of fun on the beach in between.

Thank you Harriet!

Check out Harriet’s website: https://lavender-barn-iaim-baby-massage.square.site/home or get in touch with her via IG https://www.instagram.com/lavenderbabymassagecornwall/

Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a mum to 2 grown up children; Daniel is 24 and Eleanor is 18. I live with my husband and our beagle. I have been cabin crew for over 21 years flying around the world. I started teaching for Daisy just over 3 years ago and bought my franchise for Central Cornwall earlier
this year. I love getting to meet new and expecting parents, grandparents and their gorgeous babies at my classes and knowing I am giving them confidence and knowledge that they can deal with a first aid situation should it occur.

How do you manage a work/life balance?
My son no longer lives at home and my daughter has recently left home for university so things are very different now. I am slowly adjusting to an empty house. When they were growing up it was very much a constant juggle especially when I was flying. I think the biggest thing for me then was being organised so that everyone was at the right activity and
place at the right time!! Looking back I wish I had been more relaxed about things that I didn’t need to stress over such as having a clean house!

What do you like about the community in Cornwall?
I like the fact that the community is close knit. In smaller villages everyone looks out for each other. I am gradually meeting people on my classes who have been recommended by friends and family and I love that word of mouth goes a long way still.

What are your favourite activities to do with your children?
My daughter and I are huge musical theatre fans (she has gone to study Musical Theatre at university) so visiting the theatre is one of the main activities we like to do together. My family are lucky that with the job that I do they have been able to travel with me to various places and I love being able to share that with them. When we are altogether just spending time as a family watching a film or playing monopoly is just as precious as going out for dinner.

Describe parenting in three words.
Challenging, Rewarding, Wonderful

Best parenting advice you’ve ever received?
Every child is different. Don’t compare yours to anyone else’s.

What advice would you give to other parents starting a business?
Go for it! I have loved every moment of setting up Daisy First Aid Central Cornwall. It is hard work and time consuming but totally worth it. Set aside time to allocate on your business so it doesn’t take over family life. Work out how to make life easier for you whether its having a food shop delivered, sharing school runs, getting a cleaner etc. And don’t be afraid to say no to something if it impacts on your family time.

Where is your happy place?
Cornwall 🙂

Is there a book/movie/podcast you’d recommend to other parents?
When my children were little I always used to read them the book ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ which is just a wonderful book. More recently I love the book ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy. It’s a beautiful book about friendship, kindness and
hope.

What have you learnt about yourself since becoming a parent?
Becoming a parent has made me realise I would do anything to make sure my children are happy and healthy. Make the most of the time you have with them whilst they are little because time has passed so quickly and now they are adults! As both children have got older just appreciating the time I spend with them is precious especially as neither of them are at home any more.

Thank you to Nicola for answering our questions.

If you’d like to take part in our 10 Questions series then contact us on IG/Facebook or hello@babycornwall.co.uk

W: www.bookwhen.com/daisyfirstaidcornwall.

E: nicola.pearce@daisyfirstaid.com

How long have you lived in Cornwall?

13 years

Tell us abit about yourself.

I am South African born and raised, and was passing through the UK with the aim of making my way to NZ which I fell in love with whilst travelling.  But then I landed a summer job in St Mawes, and never left!  I met my partner at the hotel we worked at (he was the chef) and we now live in Tregony on the Roseland with two children. 

How do you manage a work/life balance?

Barely!  But now that the youngest goes to preschool 3 days a week I have time to focus on the business.  Before that it was evenings and weekends.

What do you like to do when you have time away from your children?

Browse my favourite shops and galleries in my own time – it’s heavenly!  Or just sit and read a book.  I’m a bit of a self-development book junkie at the moment!

What do you like about the community in Cornwall?

I like how settled people seem here – it’s lovely seeing the same faces with their growing children and families at baby groups, schools etc and feeling like everyone is connected somehow. 

Describe parenting in three words.

Challenging, sacrifice, love

Best parenting advice you’ve ever received?

Allow them to learn to think for themselves.  Mistakes are to be celebrated!

Where is your happy place?

Anywhere in or near nature

Is there a book/movie/podcast you’d recommend to other parents?

Parent’s Tao Te Ching by William Martin (book) 

What have you learnt about yourself since becoming a parent?

That I have a LOT to learn!! 

Thank you to Michelle for answering our questions. If you’d like to take part in our 10 Questions series then contact us on IG/Facebook or hello@babycornwall.co.uk

2nd Floor, The Old Granary, Blewett’s Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro, TR1 1QH

w: curiouscreaturesphotography.co.uk
t: 0788 0867149