Sling Connection

21/07/2020

☀️ Summer Update ☀️

I want to thank you all for your patience without having the usual sling library and home consultation service available over the past few months, and if I haven't responded as promptly as I would have liked while trying to manage home learning and the family's general wellbeing during lockdown.

As we approach the end of the school term my thoughts turn to the next steps for the sling library. If you have come to see us in the past you may know that we usually take a break from drop in sessions over the school summer holidays while myself and our peer supporters take time to care for our children. This will continue to be the case this year, though I may have some availability for 1:1 consultations in person (with necessary precautions taken) or online.

From September onwards I hope to restart some form of sling library service as we have been away too long and I miss seeing you all! This is likely to involve a new venue and appointments will need to be booked in advance to minimise larger numbers of people gathering at one time. All necessary precautions will of course be taken to keep everyone safe.

If you are local to Guildford and can suggest a suitable venue please do let me know! Ideally we need a central location with level access and space for up to 6 people.

I will update here as and when plans for a September reopening are confirmed and I look forward to seeing you all soon! The photo below shows me carrying my now much older middle daughter at the Leatherhead duck race, a bit of optimism that this summer can include some fun even if it wasn't what we planned!

15/06/2020

Community⁣
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⁣ In the Maasai tribe in Kenya, when a baby is born, this new little love is not just your child, it is 𝘰𝘶𝘳 child.⁣
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The community takes full ownership for this new member of the family. They want to bless the baby, protect it and be a part of raising them.⁣
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It certainly takes a village....⁣
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14/06/2020

This coming week is Black Baby Wearing Week UK. This great blog post by Dr Ilhan Omar explores the importance of making space for Black babywearers in the white-dominated space of the Western babywearing community.

Black Babywearing Week is necessary; babywearing communities are often not inclusive or diverse. Ilhan tells us why she joined Black Babywearing Week Uk.

09/06/2020

20+ BLACK MOMS TO FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM WHO SHARE KIDS' ACTIVITIES
Sharing fellow black parents and educators helps to diversify the education world while providing important representation! How old were you when you had your first black teacher? ❤️
**know someone who should be on this list? leave their instagram handle below**

https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/16-black-activity-moms-to-follow-on-instagram/

07/06/2020

I didn't know the history of how Black Lives Matter started until this popped up on my feed today. Inspiring women.

Millions of people in all fifty states and countries around the world are loudly proclaiming Black Lives Matter. Please do not erase or forget that this movement was started in 2013 by 3 Black women who were called terrorists and a threat to America for affirming the humanity of Black people and actively responding to systemic racism.

Their names are Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Khan-Cullors. They have not stopped doing this work, and you can follow and support them here: Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors.

Recommended Reading: When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Cullors’ and ashe bandele. It is described as: "A reflection on humanity...an empowering account of survival, strength and resilience, and a call to action to change the culture that declares innocent Black life expendable.” We would also call it a love story. Patrisse’s story asks us to remember that protest in the interest of the most vulnerable comes from love. So much of what will stay with us about this book are affirmations on the fierce and vulnerable ways in which we love and fight for our families, our lives, and each other.

📷: Glamour

04/06/2020

03/06/2020

A generous donation of scrubs to the RSCH Maternity Unit from the black community of the Church of Pentecost UK. Thank you 🙏

A huge thank you to the Church of Pentecost UK who today popped by to donate 80 sets of scrubs to our hard working colleagues. This donation was organised by Miss Kalumbi, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and is part of their and is greatly appreciated by us all. 💙

02/06/2020

https://goodblacknews.org/2016/07/14/editorial-what-i-said-when-my-white-friend-asked-for-my-black-opinion-on-white-privilege/

Yesterday I was tagged in a post by an old high school friend, asking me and a few others a very public, direct question about white privilege and racism. I feel compelled not only to publish his …

02/06/2020

The discussions around cultural appropriation and whitewashing within the babywearing community have been happening for many years. I have learned a lot about my white privilege but acknowledge that I can do better.

This week I won’t be using my own voice on my social media, instead using my stories to uplift the voices of BIPOC both in the babywearing community and also those telling us of their lived experiences. I urge you to take the time to read, learn, support and donate.