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Bubs & Bubblesa need that yielded an opportunityBy Alice Burns

At times I think back to the combination of relief and anticipation I felt when finishing up work in late May 2011, at 36 weeks pregnant with my first child. I had nine months maternity leave planned. I felt the opportunity of having nine months off work to look after my soon to be born bub was possibly the world’s greatest luxury. Although I enjoy my work at the University of Tasmania and my career is a focal point to my life, I looked forward to time away from it, time to focus on my baby and on being a mum.

I remember my sister commenting to me how I needed to enjoy those last few weeks of being pregnant as it would be the last time, for a long time, that I could put my feet up and relax.

I heard it. I might have even understood it. But I certainly didn’t listen!

Tucked under my arm as I left work on my last day was a folder of unfinished business. Projects I could have no doubt handed over to my replacement. But projects that I felt a sense of responsibility for and commitment to. Looking back I am not surprised. That responsibility and commitment were my own expectations. No one else’s. It is only now having spent time reflecting on my priorities that I have realised just how important my career was to me. It was far more than a job, and much greater than an income. Work was a place where I could engage my mind, assert my opinions and be proud

of my contribution. I worked hard, and when needed, worked harder, to succeed.

I finished the last of that “unfinished business” on the 9th of June. I went in to labour on the 10th. Elsa was born at just over 37 weeks. A beautiful and healthy baby. I had not had time to put my feet up. I had not made time.

The anticipation of having a baby is huge. For me, imagining life as a mother involved long pram walks, cuddles, and play dates. It was in this imagining that my expectations were set. I didn’t, and perhaps couldn’t, foresee the challenges that were to come: Elsa’s insufficient weight gain; my sleep deprivation; and witching hour, to name a few....

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Hobart mum, Alice Burns, founded Bubs and Bubbles in 2011 when on maternity leave following the birth of her first daughter. Here she tells the story of how life as a new mum presented her with a huge number of challenges, most unexpected, and many experienced by other mums.

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Ultimately, when looking back, there were three things that, for me, compounded the difficulty a new mum faces: my expectations of motherhood; my expectations of myself; and that no matter how hard I worked I felt that I was not succeeding as a mum. All perceptions.

Additionally, I had lost the opportunity to engage my mind and contribute to the wider community. My sense of self was reduced to a shadow of what it had been only a few weeks prior.

From this Bubs and Bubbles was born. An August morning. A long pram walk. And an idea. I wanted to give mums the opportunity to capture a snippet of their pre-baby lives: to socialise; have adult conversation; get “frocked up”, all in an environment that welcomes babies. Ultimately I wanted to provide an opportunity for mums to find again their sense of self, and focus on and feel good in themselves. Above all, I had a project.

Bubs and Bubbles was launched with a Melbourne Cup Lunch on November 1, 2011. It is now set up as a not for profit organisation and we arrange bub friendly social and educational events. The organisation’s focus remains very close to my original intentions from that August morning, however our ultimate objective is now clearer: Bubs and Bubbles is focused on reducing social isolation of new parents, a major contributing factor of Postnatal Depression. I had not known how common my feelings were, nor their potential significance. I didn’t have Postnatal Depression, perhaps a case of the “baby blues”, but nonetheless as a new mum I sought the opportunity to do something, just every now and then, for me. It is this which differentiates our events from other fabulous activities available to parents with kids: Our events are first and

foremost adults’ events, however we ensure an environment that welcomes bubs.

Although our objective is a serious one, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We want to engage our minds. We want to engage with other adults. But above all, we want to have fun.

Our Spring program has now been launched. It kicks off with Frocks and Rocks Fashion and Design Showcase at The Henry Jones Art Hotel on the 26th of July. It is a lighthearted, yet dynamic, runway style fashion show featuring some of Hobart’s most gorgeous clothing stores and jewellers. Fashion collections being featured are Mini Store, The Dispensary and Spacebar Gallery. Collections will be complemented by the designs of Hobart jewellers Emily Snadden, Rebecca Roth and Little Twig. In the style of the fashion industry there will be bubbles, cameras, lights, music, an exclusive waterside venue … and glamorous catwalk action! In the style of Bubs and Bubbles there will be bubs!

Tickets are $55 which includes bubbles, canapés, and a mini-manicure.

For more information on Bubs and Bubbles or the Spring Program, go to: www.bubsandbubbles.com.au or www.facebook.com/bubsandbubbles0.

Alternatively contact Alice on 0419 481 443 or email us at info@bubsandbubbles.com.au.

“The anticipation of having a baby is huge. For me, imagining life as a mother involved long pram walks, cuddles, and play dates. It was in this imagining that my expectations were set.”Alice Burns

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Left: Alice and her baby; Right: Mums and bubs at the Melbourne Cup launch of Bubs & Bubbles

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2 Makeover Nighta review of our June eventBy CJ Wunsch

I was simultaneously lost, and in the right place. A feat I'm confident I've only ever managed once. The directions were fairly straight forward, the DOME building on the corner of the Elizabeth St mall and Colins st. There it was. I was after salonRED on the third floor. Sure enough, three floors up was a row of brightly lit windows. That's where I want to be... now... how do I get in? I walked twice around the building, a couple of times passing ladies who, it turned out, were on the same quest as I! I checked up a little alley, but surely the entrance to a salon wouldn't be in here?

Eventually, a small group of us got up the nerve to duck the roller shutter which was half closed over the main doors to explore the possibility that an overzealous cafe staff on the ground floor had unwittingly shut us out. Bingo!

Inside salonRED is a clean, white walled space with classic black fittings the likes of which we've all seen in films when the leading lady gets whisked off to the inner sanctum to be made over into a beauty queen. Fat candles in elaborate holders cast light into gilded mirrors which reflected down onto vases of white roses... yes, it really was like that.

I'm not very good at the whole girly business though, so I sat across from a friend I'd made at the last networking event (one who'd conveniently sat by the lolly bowl. Sorry to anyone who didn't realise there were sweets there, that's my fault...) and got down to the all important discussion of what our kids

were doing, how fat I am at 21 weeks pregnant, and how most of our husbands conveniently forgot they were meant to be taking the kids that night.

My favourite part of the evening came first, when the lovely Guinevere Wolf from Ethereal Beauty took us aside and gave us a a quick run down on the great services she offered. Then, because I'm a big mouth and because it was my birthday, she waxed my eyebrows as a demonstration for free. I can now proudly say that it no longer looks like I have two imitation Groucho Marks moustache's stuck to my face! My major concern was that I'd blub like a little girl, because lets face it, having hot wax poured onto your face so someone can rip your hair out by the root can't possibly be a thing that tickles. No, it didn't tickle but I have to say Guinevere

has the gentlest hand of any beautician I've ever been to! No sobbing and embarrassing myself in front of the other mums.Next up, another lucky Hobart mum was given a demo on defining her

eyebrows, a process I admit I've never even considered (John Howard never worried about filling in his eyebrows either, it's just not a problem we have). Despite some small trepidation, the whole business turned out rather well and led quite neatly into... drum roll please... our founder Christine Jolly being strapped down and given the perfect straight black eye liner treatment complete with masking tape!

As quite often happens when women get together in a salon, time started getting away from us at this point and a number of mums had to begin thinking about making an exit. The last station for me was hair - the nightmare of most women I imagine. Personally, I go through a rather predictable roller-coaster when it comes to my hair. We'll start at, I'm grumpy so I cut it all off. Then there's little I can do with it, and since I've got a seriously round face, it doesn't look very good, so I resolve to grow it again. This then leads to having longer hair that I largely ignore because it's too much effort, so it spends all its days in a pony tail. At some point the sheer frumpiness of this drives me crazy aaaaaand... back to one. Luckily for me, salonRED had an answer to all of my hair phases - and a nice demonstration of do's for the time starved (or in my case style-challenged).

I haven't used my little gift baggie of samples yet. I feel like I should save them for a special occasion. Maybe the next HMN event?

“Despite some small trepidation, the whole business turned out rather well and led quite neatly into... drum roll please... our founder Christine Jolly being strapped down and given the perfect straight black eye liner treatment complete with masking tape!”

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Activity Bag Paradise for PreschoolersBy Sara Warwick

I recently participated in a marvellous 'swap'. It was for preschool activity bags. I had never heard of them before, but it wasn't too complex. Basically they are self-contained activities in a bag, which you can use for those rainy days, or table play times or to take to the doctors for the waiting room time. Whatever. They are fantastic. They are handmade activities that fit inside an A4 sized ziplock bag. Most contain things like educational alphabet puzzles or matching games or drawing materials and cut and paste. There are games with pegs, buttons to sort and even a travel catalogue to cut up and paste. One of my wonderful friends suggested the idea and I'm so glad she did! 20 local mothers participated in the swap and each one made 20 of the same activity bag. Then on swap day we each took one bag from each station and went home with 20 different activities for our children to enjoy. This is especially helpful, since it is winter in Australia right now! You can find out all about these amazing swaps at activitybags.com If you have a network of mums, you may like to organise a swap yourself. Our children have just LOVED having time at the table to do activity bags. Infact, I have added about 6 more of my own, which contain things like a bag filled with scissors and glue, scrap paper, tissue paper, wool and those pre-cut doll chains of paper. The object being to 'dress up' a doll. Also one with a bunch of stickers and some paper to stick them on etc. The options are endless and it is so handy to be able to grab one and have a little person constructively engaged in something! Especially when I am busy trying to prepare meals. It is also nice to have cheap things for the children to play with. I went to the shop today to buy some presents for our soon to be 3 year old boy. I just walked and walked the toy aisle going a bit dizzy. They were all so fantasmagorical that they seemed kind of useless to me. You know, so flashy and specific that I thought, hmm, that will be exciting for all of about 5 mins. I asked Callum what he wanted and instead of toys, he just asked for chocolate. Ha! Well, that'd be cheaper

than these things, I thought. Maybe he'll get lucky with a chocolate bar. But anyway, I got nothing in the toy section at all and this was in a store which had stocked the WHOLE place out in toys for next weeks 'mega toy sale'. Instead, I found myself in the craft section ... again .... and we walked out with about 8 pairs of scissors (for the activity bags okay??) and some coloured paper, staples and glue of various kinds.I sure hope Callum won't be disappointed to open up his present and find a box of staples in it. Ha ha, just kidding. Anyway, we are having so much fun in the world of craft and ziplock bags that I dared not keep it from you, lest you miss out on all the fun. Thank you to Mel for your brilliant idea and to Mel and Amy for all the effort that went into the organising side of things. I've been really blessed by them, hope you were too.Sara lives in the Huon Valley with her husband and four children. She blogs at Raising Arrows.

A Night Away...By Maria Bond

Last night I left my one year old and nearly four year old boys with their dad and booked myself into a hotel for the night.

And it was marvelous!I spent time doing just what ever I

wanted.  I had a very long shower without having to get out dripping wet to take a little person to the toilet mid way through ,and without another little little person screaming for the entire shower and walking in fully clothed, only to then walk straight out and slip over on the wet tiles and scream even louder (if that is at all possible).  I then ate sushi and hot chips for tea, cheese cake for dessert and a lovely glass (or two) of wine.

I snuggled into my bed with clean sheets and no toddler flinging themselves around and kicking me in the face and watched the finale of Dancing with the Stars. I then slept for 10 hours straight!

The next morning I read the paper whilst eating breakfast that I paid $27 for.  I won't list everything I ate because that is just embarassing.  Lets just say I got my $27 worth.

 It was heaven and I enjoyed every minute of it. As I was driving home the next

morning to relieve my very weary husband I started to feel really guilty.  I had thoughts of 'I hope matt didn't tell his family I had the night away',  'i wonder if people with think I can't cope', 'I wonder if people will think I'm just spoilt'.  My thoughts instantly turned defensive and I started thinking.  'I was desperate for time away from my kids (particularly my 1 year old who had been sick with Chickenpox for 3 weeks and had been stuck to my side like a 11kg fog horn).  I have no family close by (although some wonderful inlaws), and my husband works incredibly long hours which sees me practically single parenting the boys during the week.  The boys aren't in child care and I don't go to work, so apart from a pilates class on Saturday mornings I am with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  After 3 weeks of illness I was a broken woman, I felt trapped and angry and I was turning into  a mother that I didn't want to be.  I felt the only way to break the cycle was to have some time away, and when I thought of anyone else who could help me I realised they all had little children and being around them would not be a break.  So I opted for a hotel for the night.  

With all these thoughts racing in my head driving home I was trying to practice a shorter version so that I could rattle it off to anyone who dared to look at me with judgmental eyes.

Luckily the ride home was a long one and by the time I was half way home I was reminded of something I regularly say to my son.  "It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, if you believe in something just quietly go about doing it'.  Once I remembered that, I realised that if I really wanted to teach my son this lesson then I had to 'practice what I was preaching'.  I had to not care what others thought of my actions.  Whether they saw it for what it was; a desperate mum going to desperate measures to be a better mum (whilst having some fun along the way), or whether they saw me as a spoilt, selfish mum who couldn't but should be coping.  It really didn't matter.  I knew the truth, and I knew that I was doing what all of us do and that is simply my best.

Do you have a story, a review, or a tip to share with other mums? Email hobartmumsnetwork@gmail.com with your submissions.

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Is your exercise routine pelvic floor safe?By Jo Cordell-Cooper Any exercise that increases your intra-abdominal pressure is quite likely to place stress on the pelvic floor. You may or may not be able to feel this but basically if you can visualise a bulging pelvic floor – maybe looking like a trampoline with someone standing on it – that’s what’s happening. So what are some examples of exercises that create a downward force on the pelvic floor? Here’s my list:

• sit ups and curl ups, • star jumps• medicine ball rotations

• running or skipping• hovers or planks – particularly held for more than 10 seconds• lifting or pressing heavy weights• squatting deeply – or lunging deeply• double leg lifts (and lowering)

Fortunately you don’t need to remove these activities from your workout forever, but you do need to return your pelvic floor to tip top shape before you try them. If you leak urine or wind escapes unexpectedly, you feel like a tampon is lodged inside of you or you have a sagging or achy feeling in vaginal area see a women’s health physiotherapist and make sure your workout is pelvic floor safe.

Want to know what children’s most favourite plaything is? By Sonja Preston

As I write this, winter draws in closer…. the doors are closed, the heaters on, it’s damp outside and we’re warm and snug inside. But, what do we do with the children inside all day? Some people assume that you need to entertain children all the time with purchased toys. Whilst there’s no doubt that many purchased toys have a lot to offer children developmentally – learning about colours, shapes, movement, noises etc, don’t forget about play without these toys - a kitchen drawer of plastic containers and wooden spoons can provide entertainment, and children love to play with larger (grocery size) cardboard boxes – to climb in and out of, push along, drag, and to hide teddy in. Have you noticed how children will only play alone for a short time before they want your engagement – “look at me, I made a tower/ drew a circle/ climbed up here” Children absolutely want you to notice what they are doing and to respond. A child’s most favourite plaything is you! This doesn’t mean that you have to play for hours, but a short time spent really being there for your child will mean that they feel valued and will then happily play alone a bit longer. Another option is to include your child in the general household tasks you have to do – allow them to join in your ‘play’. Little ones will love to stand on a chair and ‘do dishes’ with you, or to help sweep the floor, or fold the washing. A child will perceive this as ‘fun’ if you encourage them.

Just because it’s cold, don’t feel you can only play inside. We can’t keep kids inside for 4 months! Rug them up and go for a walk whether it’s in your backyard or around your neighbourhood

to the play equipment in the park. As long as they are warm, it’s good for children to experience the cold, the wind, and the rain. So, kick a ball together in the backyard, play chasings or get them to help you hang out the washing. It’s all about connection, and the ‘play’ that can be found in everyday living!Being involved in your child’s play, and letting them be part of your world encourages strong bonds within families.

Sonja Preston was a Parenting Consultant with the NSW Dept Education for 10 years, working with the ‘Parents as Teachers’ program, before moving to Tasmania last year. She now works part time at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre as an Early Learning Home Visitor, and runs her own business as a Success Strategist at “Three Wise Owls”. Sonja is a National Trainer for the ‘Parents as Teachers’ program, run by Macquarie University, NSW. She runs ‘123 Magic & Emotion Coaching’ parenting workshops, and is Tasmania’s only ‘Dunstan Baby Language’ Educator.

Jo Cordell-CooperJo is a Geilston Bay mother of three, as well as, a personal trainer and fitness instructor. You can follow her blog here.

Tip - Lactation TeaBy Amy Isham

Must recommend to breastfeeding mums the lactation tea formulation from Gould's Pharmacy in the city. I had oversupply issues with my first child, leading to choking and reflux issues. This time around I was anxious to avoid this but my son caught a cold when he was only a week old, leading to the opposite problem! After he got better, he had a very unsettled week and I needed to boost my supply quickly to survive his first growth spurt. After a few days of expressing a little and three cups a day of yummy licorice tasting tea, I had a very satisfied and happy baby again, feeding better and falling asleep more easily. Much happier evenings together as a family ever since, phew!

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Mumma Needs CoffeePop Cafe - ReviewBy Al & Kel

Pop Cafe has been on our mind lately......we have been hankering to try their Pop Dogs!

We had arranged to meet our lovely friend there with her gorgeous baby girl.   After an initial hello she picked up her little bundle from the pram only to realise any mumma's worst cafe nightmare......green ooze soaking through from the nappy onto an adorable outfit and into the pram!  Thankfully Pop Cafe is one of the few cafes in town with a change table!

Once the initial disaster was resolved our Pop Dogs came out quickly after - a 'danish dog' for Kel (crispy fried onions, pickles, dijionnaise & havart cheese) and 'relish dog' (tomato relish,

caramelised onion & tasty cheese) for me (each $9.50). They were certainly delicious, and a decent size - I did manage to eat mine whole while Kel was more 'lady-like' and cut hers in half before consuming.  We also enjoyed chocolate shakes - cold & ice-creamy, just the way we like it - yummo!  If you are keen for a 'healthier' option our friend opted for the soup of the day which she enjoyed. They have plenty of other options to choose from including a range of burgers, hot pressed sandwiches, and various cakes and biscuits.

Pop Cafe is a great kid friendly option... pram access, highchairs, toys and a change table (which this time proved invaluable) as well as tasty food, a kids menu, and friendly and efficient service in the center of town. 

Read the complete review here.

MumpreneursHMN July EventsJuly 14, 5-7pm$5 for card members, $10 non-members, $8 concessionSt. George’s Anglican Church Hall (left)

This event is for EVERY mum ...• Whether you have thought about starting your own business,• You run a market stall featuring hand-made jewelry, • You are looking for ways to bring in an income and stay at home with your children, • Or you have friends who are in the process and you'd like to know what they're going thru so you can support them.

There will be a panel of those mums who have gone before to discuss the various aspects of launching, advertising, and maintaining one's own business from the very spark of an idea to the magic of finding one's creations in a shop. Not to mention discussing how they juggle family life and work life.

If you would like to bring a pot of soup or a plate of finger foods (sweet or savoury) to share please contact "Auntie" Erica at erica.claire.galloway@gmail.com before the event.

Located in the Hall to the left of St. George's Church.

RSVP here.

FOLLOW-UP BOOT CAMP:July 25, 9-1:30pm$25 if paying at July 14 event$35 if paying on the daySt. George’s Parish Room (to the right)registration fees are non-refundable

The Mumpreneurs Boot Camp is facilitated by two Tasmanian women who mean business:

Johanna Baker-Dowdell is a PR & Marketing Consultant with Strawberry Communications and author of forthcoming mumpreneur book, Baby and Business on Board. She will cover: What Is Marketing?

• Setting Marketing Objectives• Researching Your Market• Your Ideal Customer• Measuring Your Marketing • Low Cost MarketingD. Polly McGee is co-founder of

Startup Tasmania and mumpreneur blogger and business evangelist. She will take participants through the steps to consider when starting up a mumpreneur style business, including:

• Evaluating Your Idea• Measuring Your Market• Using Social Media• Finding Funding• Starting up and Staying Up With

a Harmonious Work-Life Balance

Child and Baby-friendly (corner with toys and books and small tables and chairs) and a Kitchen.

Bring morning tea to share and enjoy a soup lunch provided by Hobart Mums Network. RSVP here.

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. 

Mother Teresa

Al and Kel blog at Mumma Needs Coffee. They are in the search for the perfect local family-friendly cafe. Their reviews include all the essential facts: pram accessibility, baby/child facilities, kid friendly spaces and/or activities, food options as well as general info regarding location, opening times and contact information. Visit their blog here.

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As parents, we want to give our children the best start in life. Most of us would agree that a private education is a great start. However, debate continues about what age children should commence private education. Should they start in Prep? Are the senior years more important than middle or junior school? According to latest research the most prolific learning period is the first 2000 days of a child’s life. “The early years are exceptionally vital for long-term development. Children are born with an amazing potential and capacity to absorb information. They learn more from birth to five than at any other stage of their life,” said Ms Amanda Beltz, Junior School Coordinator at Fahan School. Which is precisely why Fahan School accepts children into its pre-Kinder program from three years old and why it has made the Reggio Emilio educational philosophy central to its Early Learning Curriculum. Developed in Italy, the Reggio Emilia philosophy encourages thinking, questioning, discussing and learning with excitement and purpose. It allows students to pursue their interests, talents and passions. In short, it promotes inquiry-based learning. Our children love to ask ‘why’? They have a natural curiosity about the world around them and want to learn about the things that interest them. “The Reggio Emilia philosophy celebrates curiosity and fosters a life-long love of learning,” said Amanda who has seen firsthand how children’s curiosity and questions can take the curriculum in some unexpected directions. “A spider’s web sparked months of learning about insects, while a comment about a girl in a pink boat led the kindergarten children on an in-depth journey into sailing, world geography and Jessica Watson.” At Fahan School, art, music, dance, drama and play become natural extensions of the classroom. Picking

vegetables in the organic gardens or collecting eggs from the chicken coop become opportunities to learn about the environment. It underpins the difference between rote based or teacher-directed education and the Reggio Emilia preference of child-led learning. “Children may learn content and skills taught under a teacher-directed system but it will be of little meaning to them. When the learning experience flows from the children’s ideas and interests, it is far more likely to be of lasting value to them. It’s all about tailoring the learning environment to their needs and interests. “Come and see the benefits of the Reggio Emilia philosophy in action.” Fahan School warmly invites all Hobart Mums to tour the Early Learning Centre and see how your child can receive the very best start in life.

To book a tour of the School, please contact Edwina Cummings on 6225 1064 or email cummingse@fahan.tas.edu.au.

Fahan School Embraces the Early YearsHMN Monthly July sponsor

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In a world that can seem so small thanks to air travel and social media, ironically a new mother can feel extraordinarily alone in today’s culture. How many women raise their children in the same town in which their mothers and grandmothers grew up? Our careers take us to new cities. Our relationships transport us to new countries. Until our babies are born we don’t miss home very much. But when they arrive, we yearn for our own mother’s wisdom and support.

That’s something we don’t plan for, is it? We can have the nursery completely organized, meals in the freezer, and the midwife on speed dial but after our darlings are delivered and brought home we are so often on our own. The seeming isolation and social change comes as a shock to most. We are asleep in bed at 9 rather than joining our friends for drinks in Salamanca. Our identity changes. Another person needs us to sustain their very being. We are not our own. Guilt sweeps in and we realize how incredibly selfish we can be when we resent our precious baby’s cry for comfort. Who will comfort me?!

Tribal cultures are blessed in this way that you are never alone. You are surrounded by aunties, grandmothers, cousins, friends. When you start your journey as a mother you are inspired by those who have gone before and are on the same journey as you. It may take a village to raise a child. But I would suggest that it takes a community to support a mother, as well.

What are some ways you can truly connect locally?Join Hobart Mums Network. We support, encourage,

and inspire one another. We do not judge. We offer monthly

mum-only networking events that are loads of fun and a great way to make new friends. When “The Haven” opens later this year come along as often as you can. There will be activities for those keen to learn something new or just have a chat. Alternatively you can plug yourself into your local playgroup, a church’s mums group, regular ABA meetings, kinder gym, etc.

If you find your heart overflowing with love from the privilege of being surrounded by supportive and loving family and friends, may I ask that you let that love spill over onto others. When you go to the park to let your children run off some energy, sit next to the mum sitting on her own and have a chat. When you take your children to Rock & Rhyme so they can be mentally and musically stimulated, ask the mum next to you if she’d like to join you and your children at a café afterwards. Sign up for Find a Play Date on the Hobart Mums Network’s Facebook page so a mum new to your area can glean from you all your local knowledge. I’m not asking you to drastically change your lifestyle. I’m asking you to include other mums in the activities you already enjoy.

I am inspired by this passage from the Bible that urges people to look at Jesus Christ as an example of love:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your

own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)

Hobart Mums, let us go out of our ways to love one another. None of us should have to feel alone.

It Takes a Community to Support a Motherfrom the DirectorBy Christine Jolly

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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed within HMN Monthly are those of the writers only and do not reflect the views and opinions of the Hobart Mums Network.

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