In the Four Questions. series we ask Making Rainbows parents the same four questions. Meet Angela!

1. What is your professional background? 

I have been teaching and leading in the early years for almost 20 years.

2. What is the most challenging thing about parenting for you right now?

Juggling being a great parent with being great at my job. It really is a first world struggle!

3. What are you enjoying most about parenting right now? 

I love seeing and experiencing the early development milestone and the gorgeous smile that lights up my son’s whole face. There is nothing better than the joy in learning and discovery and the pride when he learns something new. 

4. What do you enjoy most about Making Rainbows?

I love seeing my son interact with the other kids and enjoying the music and movement. He has grown up attending Making Rainbows and he has developed such a love for music, rhythm and dancing. It really is the best part of our week. He absolutely loves it!

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We received this feedback from one of our Making Rainbow mums, Rebecca. THIS is why we do what we do! It’s not just about a weekly music classes, it’s about creating something of value for parents and children that fosters wellbeing, development and enjoyment. It’s abut making precious memories with your little ones.

When my daughter was hospitalised at six weeks old with failure to thrive, my new motherhood bubble burst, saturating me with worry, doubt and fear. 

During our stay, one very understanding paediatric dietician turned to us and said “I’ll worry about your daughter’s weight, you focus on all those bonding activities”.

While it wasn’t as easy as just letting it go, her advice was spot on and Making Rainbows gave my young daughter and I a new bubble of bonding.

In amongst hospital appointments and feeding and sleep routines, the world we entered at Gordon Park on a Monday morning was bright, joyful, comforting and welcoming.

It was a place where I was free to truly enjoy my daughter, something I was no longer able to do at home, and the other mothers and babies made it that much better.

Before joining Making Rainbows, I was sceptical, thinking that my daughter wouldn’t get anything from the class at all which actually meant we ended up missing out on a term of classes because of my worry. Looking back, I see what a shame that was.

The program is created by an Early Childhood specialist, meaning they are very good at knowing how to put together a class to engage the youngest of babies to the older toddlers.

My daughter has learnt how to develop a real love of music, engage with different textures and sensory experiences. It’s encouraged her gross and fine motor skills and really got her moving.

But for all the benefits my daughter has received, Making Rainbows has made a real difference to me and my mental state.

There’s a fantastic quote “the best thing about motherhood is the other mothers” – and how right it is. Making Rainbows has given me a weekly activity where I get to connect with other parents and have an adult conversation.

It’s become a weekly injection of colour and sunshine into my life, which makes a huge amount of difference to how you bond with your baby and how you cope generally with life.

So, to all new parents, parents of toddlers, parents one child or five – do yourself a favour and get in contact with Making Rainbows because they really make a difference.