... is Grandad going to die mommy?

That was the question I faced a few weeks ago. We had been talking about Cancer and why people get Cancer and I had said that people who smoke cigarettes are at risk of getting it because smoking is bad for you. Obviously I was thinking about putting that into her head so she didnt feel the need to smoke as she gets older but it didnt occur to me that her little brain would go into overdrive and start thinking about the people we know who smoke. One of whom is my Dad.

Dad has always smoked on and off. He tried to give up when we were children but we always knew he was a "smoker". When I told my mom about my daughters comments, she asked if I remembered telling my maternal grandparents that "their arms and legs will fall off if they carried on smoking". I dont recall saying it but I've obviously felt strongly about it from a young age.

So when I got approached about a product called SKYCIG, I asked my dad if he wanted to try them. SKYCIG e-cigarettes are designed to simulate the act of smoking tobacco without the 4,000 harmful chemicals found in traditional cigarettes. They contain a small dose of Nicotine, which is delivered in the form of water vapour. Here's an interesting article which explains more about what these e-juices, as they are called, contain: http://e-cigreviews.org.uk/e-liquid-uk/ . According to TV doctor, Dr Hilary,  only 3-4% of people can give up smoking with their own will power, so  these e-cigarettes can be used as a tool in helping curb or quit smoking – to wean you off it.

I know only too well how many times my Dad has tried to give up cigarettes and his first reaction to the SKYGIG was that it is heavier than a normal cigarette but he is trying them ..... I cant ask more than that. It also lets me tell my daughter with confidence that her Grandad is doing everything he can to ensure he stays around for a very long time.

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Following my blog earlier in the week about International Babywearing Week, there have been some mixed responses to this post, regarding the terminology and the support available.

From some people to agreeing with my point that it sounded like a fashion statement to comments on Twitter that there is dissapointment that some sling meets are unbiased with their support.

I have tried a Lifft Sling, a Mei Tai (reviewed by Simply Hayley here) and more recently a Babasling (see my review here) and all have been valuable at different times of my baby's development but what if you havent got the resources to have a different sling or wrap for the different stages of your baby's growth? There are some fantastic sling libraries around the country, allowing you to try before you buy which I think is a great idea.  The School of Babywearing have a list of sling libraries around the UK and you can find them here.

Babywearing isnt a fashion statement or something you will be applauded or critised for, I have found that babywearing is all about your personal choice. If you want a cloth wrap, a fixed carrier or a sling, the choice is what is right for you and your baby.

Finally and most importantly, the main thing I have learnt on my babywearing journey is that whilst a sling may help you to reclaim your hands, your baby will always hold your heart.

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This week has been pretty amazing, as you will (hopefully) be aware, all your amazing votes secured me a spot in the Top 100 Business Mums award!

However, the (cheeky) Mums Club Award organizers have added a twist, which we need your help to succeed with! After being grouped into County based teams, the Top 100 mums have been challenged to see which county can bring the most media attention!

The organizers of the awards have published a points system:

• 1 Point for a Twitter or Facebook mention
• 2 Points for a Local Free paper or magazine/blog/website (with more      than 1-19k readership per month) mention
• 3 Points for Local Radio or Local paid for press
• 4 Points for Regional newspaper article or national mention/Blog or      website (with readership of 20k plus per month)
• 5 points for Local TV
• 10 points for National Newspaper or magazine
• 15 points for National Radio
• 20 points for National TV

To help, you could mention our award in a blog post, tweet about the win, post on Facebook about being included in the Top 100 or contact anyone who you think could help us. 

Examples:

Tweet – @littlelilypadco is a Top 100 Mums In Business Mums Club Award Winner #mctop100 @mumsclub please RT

We would also like to congratulate the other Warwickshire winners who would also welcome your support:

Dorothy & Theodore – www.dorothyandtheodore.com

Julie Williams Business Support Services – www.juliewilliams.eu

Learningearly.co.uk – www.learningearly.co.uk

LHA Accountancy Services – www.lhaaccountancy.co.uk

Teddy & me – http://teddyandme.co.uk/

Spot-Less Professional Valeting Services (UK) Ltd – www.spotlessvaleting.com

We’ll keep you posted on how we get on at the finals. Fingers crossed!!

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This week is International Baby Wearing Week. Saying that in itself is a bit of a strange concept to me as seven and a half years ago when I had my eldest daughter I dont recall anyone talking about "baby wearing" and I am sure that I would have possibly looked at them in a strange way if they did.

Fast forward to having my youngest daughter and having a sling, baby carrier or wrap (not the tortilla variety before my OH suggests it) is a fantastic way to continue to build the bond with you little one and in my case, reclaim the use of my hands!

The International Baby Wearing website summaries it as "baby wearing simply means carrying or holding a baby or a young child using a cloth carrier".

As a new but allegedly experienced mum, I was surprised by the terminology at first. Anyone that knows me well will know that I love to accessorise anything but "baby wearing" sounded more like a fashion statement than something that would build a bond with my youngest daughter and I.

Anyone that has had a baby will know that in those first few months you either dont want to put the baby down or baby is too comfortable and doesnt want to be anywhere else except with you. This can make it difficult for dad to bond too though and babywearing can help dad put a fussy newborn to sleep but it allows mums like me to reclaim my hands, so I can wash up once in a while. (That dishwasher is still on my Christmas list).

So off I went on my voyage of discovery into the world of slings, wraps and carriers and what I found was certainly not a "one size fits all policy". Baby wearing, like parenting, is a very personal thing and what suits one person, may not suit another.

There is a whole array of baby carriers available to buy and to be honest is can all be a bit overwhelming, but I was determined to find one that suited me and my bambino. I was lucky enough to have a great support network and there is a local sling meet where you can go and meet other mums and try different styles. This was a huge help to me as a novice "baby wearer". Baby wearing needs the support just like breastfeeding, as it would be so easy to give up if you dont have a peer group or support around you. Thats why I am supporting International Baby Wearing week with many amazing bloggers.

Check out Simply Hayley for more baby wearing information and dont forget to check back here later in the week for my continuing journey!

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