Care

Oh, dearest little soul

What a baptism of fire it's been, researching out where you will be in good hands - if I want to go back to work a day or two per week!

The thing is, I'm sure I'll be so in love with you, I'll want to stay at home for years and years, just to be near you. But maybe a day here and there with Soul Mama's friends and colleagues is a good idea, and some time to refuel every now and then will be welcomed too. That's when Soul Papa will have his special time to be home once a week to look after you (from the first 4 months onwards, we think).

After we visit the Soul Nanna and Soul Pop and Soul Aunties in Australia next February, we will come back with a new plan. To be fully prepared we have investigated places where you can go to stay for an extra day or two during the week - and have found a few places we love.

Why are they places to love?

Because they are gentle, restful places where children aged 6 weeks to 4 years can be together, work through a routine of singing, snacks, napping, having a nappy / clothes change, playing, making, helping, and where their individual personalities and imaginations are encouraged to grow and develop. The toys are made of natural materials and encourage the child to imagine whether it's a phone, or a truck, or a bridge or a house. These are woodland animals, but could be cats, or mice or anything.

See the gorgeous velveteen rabbit the little girl's holding below? When you're a bit bigger, Soul Mama will make something like that for you. At your creche there is no television which you won't be watching for a few years yet. You get music lessons too, not just at home, but at creche! Outside there is a vegetable garden, and a playground with a teepee or a fortress or a sandpit to play in and loads of outdoor space. Kids go outside every day! The food is organic, dairy free and vegetarian.

We have been to a few places where we would not like you to go to stay.

Why not?

Because they are full of too many colours, too much plastic, too many small toys you might swallow, people with loud voices, too many strangers, video games, where things are done for you and where you are not recognised as the wonderful, unique person that you are - with your own pace and your own way of doing things. The outside area is barren and children are encouraged to pick leaves off the few trees in the garden but aren't told the difference between what's safe/unsafe - they then go home and pick the leaves of their Mamas' and Papas' or Omas' and Opas' trees!