Nest. Family Studio in Glasgow

It’s become easier to say no than to create a fun yes.

I caught myself doing it again this week.

“No, the park will be too wet.”

“No, the bubbles will be tipped out in three seconds.”

“No, it’ll take too long.”

“No, it’ll be messy.”

“No, no, no.

Not because I’m a bad parent.

Because I’m carrying a lot.

Like many mums, I’m constantly scanning for problems, managing logistics and trying to stay one step ahead of everything that needs done.

But when I paused for a second and looked at the situation through my daughter’s eyes, I realised something.

She wasn’t seeing wet bark, extra washing or spilled bubbles.

She was seeing an adventure.

She was seeing fun.

She was seeing possibility.

So we took the bubbles.

And within minutes there were children everywhere chasing them, laughing, running and squealing with excitement.

What struck me wasn’t how much joy it brought my own child.

It was how much joy one small “yes” created for everyone around us.

Motherhood can make us incredibly practical.

Efficient.

Responsible.

But sometimes the magic is hiding just beyond our first instinctive no.

Sometimes the best parenting decision isn’t the easiest one.

It’s choosing the fun yes.

And sometimes you get to be the mum with the bubbles at the park that lights up the faces of every child there

Here’s your reminder that the washing can wait 10 minutes. What’s your fun yes this week?

It’s not that you don’t want to play with your little one.

It’s that you’re trying to enjoy play whilst surrounded by the washing, the dishes, the jobs that need done and the 47 tabs open in your brain.

And whilst baby classes are wonderful, many parents are still leaving without the thing they need most: connection.

In fact, 6 in 10 new parents report feeling lonely.

Because being around people isn’t always the same as feeling seen, heard and understood.

That’s exactly why Play Café exists.

A change of environment.

A space designed for little ones to explore, play and connect.

A chance for you to have a hot drink, chat with other parents and enjoy your child without your to-do list staring back at you from every corner of the room.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do isn’t buy another toy or find another activity.

It’s step away from the distractions, slow down for a moment and spend time around people who are walking a similar path.

Mondays 10-11:30am

If you’ve been curious about Nest, your first visit is completely free with our Trial Pass.

Comment TRIAL and we’ll send you the details 🤍

I was vacuuming Nest the other day and caught myself thinking, *I have to do this.*

I have to vacuum.

I have to tidy the toys.

I have to reset the room.

I have to reset the rooms.

Then I stopped myself.

Because the truth is, I don’t *have to* vacuum a busy studio.

I *get to*.

I get to tidy toys that children have actually played with.

I get to wipe down tables that have hosted conversations, cups of tea and friendships.

I get to reset rooms that have been filled with movement, laughter, support and connection.

Every crumb on the floor.

Every chair out of place.

Every toy that needs put away.

It’s evidence that the space is being used exactly as I hoped it would be.

18 months ago, Nest was an idea.

A scribble in a notebook. A conversation around the kitchen table. A vision of a place where parents could move their bodies, meet other families and feel a little less alone.

Now we’re closing in on welcoming 1,000 people through our doors.

There have been pregnancy announcements, first smiles, first friendships, tears, celebrations, baby classes, workshops, support groups and countless conversations between people who didn’t know each other when they arrived.

So whilst I don’t particularly enjoy vacuuming, I’m trying to remember what the vacuuming represents.

A busy studio.

A thriving community.

A dream that became real.

And it reminded me that I do the same thing at home.

I have to do the washing.

I have to do a food shop.

I have to tidy up again.

But when I zoom out, I realise I am able to provide clothes for my children. I am able to fill a trolley with food for my family (although I would still very much welcome 2018 grocery prices). I am able to care for the people I love.

The jobs themselves don’t change.

The vacuuming still needs done.

The washing still needs folded.

The dishwasher still needs emptied.

But sometimes changing the lens changes everything.

Because many of the things we *have to* do are actually reminders of what we’re fortunate enough to *get to* do.

When I had my first baby, I thought communication came later.

Words.
Pointing.
Requests.
Conversations.

I didn’t realise communication had already started.

I didn’t realise that every little movement, facial expression, cry, wiggle, stretch and gaze was my baby trying to tell me something.

Like so many first-time parents, I spent a lot of time wondering if I was doing enough.

Did I have the right toys?
Was I stimulating them enough?
Should I be buying all the things people said babies needed?

What I learned over time was that babies don’t need nearly as much stuff as we’re led to believe.

What they do need is interaction.

Touch.
Movement.
Eye contact.
Conversation.
Play.

That’s one of the reasons I became so passionate about Baby Yoga and Baby Massage.

Both helped me slow down and pay attention.

To notice my baby’s cues.
To understand what they enjoyed.
To learn how they communicated before they had words.

And that’s the bit I think many parents miss.

Baby Massage isn’t just about massage.

Baby Yoga isn’t just about stretching.

They’re both opportunities to build connection, confidence and communication during one of the most important developmental periods of your baby’s life.

Every stretch.
Every song.
Every little massage sequence.

It’s all communication.

And whilst these classes absolutely support your baby’s development, they also support your development as a parent.

Because confidence grows when you start understanding your baby.

If you’d like to join us for Baby Yoga or Baby Massage, comment TRIAL and we’ll send you the details.

And if you’re a teacher, facilitator or practitioner interested in becoming a Baby Yoga teacher, comment TEACH and I’ll send you details of our upcoming Baby Yoga Teacher Training dates

Not distracted by your child.

Distracted by everything else.

The dishes.

The washing.

The dog barking.

The toys that need tidied.

The jobs you’ve not finished.

The jobs you haven’t even started yet.

I think one of the reasons so many parents struggle to enjoy play at home isn’t because they don’t want to.

It’s because they’re trying to play whilst sitting in the middle of everything that needs done.

This is exactly why Play Café exists.

A change of environment.

No washing machine calling your name.

No dishwasher waiting to be emptied.

No pile of laundry reminding you of your responsibilities.

Just a space designed for play.

A space where your little one can explore, imagine and connect.

And a space where you can enjoy being with them a little more too.

Because sometimes the best thing you can do isn’t find a new activity.

It’s step away from the distractions long enough to enjoy the one you’re already doing.

Mondays 10am
Included in your memberships, passes or trials

From one mother to another. Have a read next time you are in. You got this. And we’ve got you 🥹