How did this happen?!
My tiny little bug has grown up so much!
When she arrived she was far too small for any of the newborn clothes I’d bought for her, I blinked and now she’s outgrown them all. She’s two months old later this week and we’re already out of newborn, out of 0-3m and well into 3-6m pyjamas… someone please press pause? It’s going by too fast!
Every day I fall more and more in love with her. Every day she amazes me and reminds me just how lucky I am. How lucky all of us who get to experience true, unconditional love are.
When you’re busy counting your blessings your mind naturally wanders to those who aren’t so lucky. Those going it alone, without partners, without a support system.
1 in 4 women in the UK experience domestic violence and the statistics drastically increase when the woman is pregnant. When I was pregnant I was asked 5 times if my husband was abusing me. When I asked why they kept asking I was told that that’s how many times it usually takes for a woman to confide in someone. Pregnancy is hard enough already, I cannot even imagine what those women have to go through. I explained that I had been hospitalised a number of times by an ex partner and that this is absolutely not the case with my husband. I was lucky. I was able to get away, I had a family to run to, but so many women don’t.
That’s where Refuge comes in.
It’s a British charity that gives support and shelter to women and children escaping a living hell.
No woman should have to put up with abuse of any kind, and no child should be raised in fear. If you’re being abused in any way please call the Domestic Abuse Hotline – 0808 2000 247 day or night, or in an emergency 999 – don’t hesitate, if in doubt, call.
Women often leave with nothing. No clothes, makeup, money, shoes, they start all over again. And you can help.
Refuge desperately need donations. You could organise a fundraiser, volunteer, donate money, or even encourage your business to become a partner.
Today I packed up all of Lily’s tiny things (holding onto some special pieces for her to give her daughter one day) along with some of the mountain of toys and kit she’s been given, all of my maternity wear, a whole bunch of beauty stuff, and together we’ll be dropping them off for some of the mothers and babies who need them.
I’m not telling you this to show off, writing about charity is always tricky! But because I know so many of you are in a similar position, and in no time you’ll have lots of barely (if ever) worn pieces which could be handed on to someone who they would mean the world to.
I won’t share the address we’re dropping off at as the refuge locations are kept secret but you can get in touch here if you have things you’d like to donate.
For everyone else, please consider making a donation. Just the cost of an afternoon latte would make a huge difference to a little family starting over.
