We have a lovely time in our UK boutique showroom meeting new friends and their children. We can't bring our showroom to all of you, but we want to include you and meet you this way! We love hearing from you about you and your lives - far more interesting than us - and we thought we would try to make it fun too! Get yourself a coffee (or British cup of tea) or perhaps a lovely glass of wine? Put your feet up, relax, read and enjoy!

This page is 'FOR YOU - ABOUT YOU' and we hope you like it. Going to set up a proper blog - good idea - now how to go about doing that? Until we know, we'll use this page as our blog. (Actually now it's in production so watch this space) Anyway, for now,check here regularly to see what's going on with our customers.

** With 'Young Children' at the heart of our interest, we want your ideas, tips, comments for discussion (be it childcare, potty training, tantrums, having a baby, life after baby arrives, illness, - everything really...) your anecdotes, stories of how you manage your life and family with young children, tales of those funny things your children do or say, pictures of your children wearing our clothes, recipes that children will love, recipes for children to follow with yummy healthy results, where to go on holiday with children, where not to go! and so on and so on... It's fantastic to take the forum accross the world - what's going on where you are?

Conditions - Entries may be published on this site or via email to website users. If you don't want us to use your name and location, please let us know in your email.

NOW.....Here are the latest 'blog ons' in our 'WOMEN OF THE WORLD' TM series and comments about children generally. LOL at some of the antics - Sometimes things can simply 'hit the nerve' - know what we mean? Truth really is often funnier than fiction.

And never has 'everyone has a book in them' - been more true! Send us your chapter...

We've been collecting more 'funny cuties' - Here goes...

December 2007 - My husband, when a little boy of about 4, ate his chicken and then pulled the wish bone with his mum. He 'won' and she told him to make a wish, which he did. He said, 'I made a wish, can I tell you?' She said, 'No, it's your secret wish.' But he went on and on about his wish and eventually out it came. He had wished, 'I wish this chicken would come alive again, so I can have some more!' - And he still eats well now!

December 2007 - Brodyn age 7 had been given his dinner and said to his nanny quickly, 'I need a fork-n-knife, Nanny'. Well, Nanny said she nearly fell off her chair until she realised he had innocently asked for a knife and fork, just the other way round!

November 2007 - Harry age 6 from Manchester picked up a book and started to read out loud. He read, 'Mummy put the bonnet on the baby and took her for a walk in her pram.' Harry's mum thought 'bonnet' was an old fashioned word and wondered....She asked, 'Harry, what is a bonnet?' Harry replied, 'It's that thing off the front of a car...' Well mum couldn't stop laughing - just picture that!!

FUNNY CUTIE - October 2007 - Neil Travis age 4 said the funniest thing to his 15 year old sister, Alexandra Travis (usually known as Alex), after she said to him, 'Hey Mr 'Rotton' Travis, don't you be so cheeky'. Neil replied, 'No, you don't be cheeky... Mrs 'Rotten' ...(he stops to think) - 'Andra! He thought her full 'Sunday' name was her last name -(Alex - ANDRA) he he he...bless!

May 22 - What a day! 8.15 am and my childminder calls to say she can't have the children today, as her husband has been rushed into hospital. It was fine to have to readjust work for this, not the end of the world and I really do hope her hubby is OK. He's a gamekeeper and she now has to try to sort out his 'birds' and goodness knows what else. She is some lady, manages to do all kinds of things when faced with it. I left work at 12.30 to pick up from pre-school and collected my little boy on time. He was tired and it was a really hot day today. We got in the car and arranged to go to have lunch together - I love having time with him - so we start up the car and I drove it forwards ready to turn round. Then, something strange - it wouldn't steer and then I realised it had turned off. Just stopped. And with my husband out of the country too. Typical. So off we go, car in a terrible place, back into school and three teachers help me to move it from its position, right slap bang diagonally across the road, with a little queue now formed. But it's stuck near a kerb and we can't get it over the top, (big daft heavy car), so we have to push it backwards, disturbing the now longer queue, before pushing it forwards eventually reaching a safe kerbside position. One very able teacher got her jumpleads and car into action and then came the task of lifting the bonnets. Well, we could do one car but not the other (not mine! - big daft stupid car) and we had to rope in the vegetable delivery man who happened to visit school just at the right moment. He got it open (sorry girls, we just didn't have the strength to pull the lever out far encough, but it did need a bit of WD40) and then he said he couldn't find the battery under the bonnet. So we emptied the boot of bikes, pushchairs, boxes, coats, umbrellas (like a roadside carboot sale by now) and it's not in there either. We found it in the front, where I said I was sure it was, hiding under a flap (vorsprung durch hidden - one of them!). Off he goes with his vegetables and we attach the jump leads but they won't reach the other car. So we have to drive teachers car right up onto the pavement, so it's side by side with my car and now they do reach. We have both done this before, so that's what we did - we knew what to do - we tried to jump it. No chance, not a sausage - only enough smoke to have come from cooking 400 on a barbeque! Dear, oh dear. I phoned those thin men with moustaches to get the number for my recovery firm. This call was awful and I have a new mobile and don't know the contact number (if i'd had it 3 years I still wouldn't know so I use false justification here) - and it's 'pay as you go' and I never have enough credit. So they're asking me all sorts and I'm just desparate to get them to understand the location, so they can come and get us before the bloomin credit goes. Finally they say, 'It'll be with you within the hour.' So teachers have to go, understandably - and in the boiling heat, we wait. And wait. And wait. After one hour, I got my big boy out of school as I wasn't going to be able to come back for him and I rang to check the whereabouts of recovery, as my little boy is very bothered and hot by now. It had been delayed and would be with us in half an hour. Anyway two hours later it showed up. It was almost worth it and I had, by now, resigned myself to ensuing embarassment anyway. It was precisely school home time when it trundled up, and we had quite a large audience. All watching while the big daft stupid broken red car was lifted onto the truck. It nearly fell off at one site and much struggling with the inflexible steering went on. But by now, we were 'almost famous' and the children (all 200 of them and many parents) thought this was brilliant. Eventually, we set off to the garage, offloaded the big daft stupid car (inwardly cussing hubby as it must be his fault - these things always are) and left. With no money on me, credit on phone all gone, a heavy laptop case, handbag, schoolbags, two plastic bags full of stuff I couldn't leave in the car, one 12 year old and one very tired little 4 year old (but thankfully a pushchair), I put him in it and loaded it up. But the load was still heavy enough to tip him and I had to take the weight even more so. About 8 stone I figured. And we walked 3 miles home, me pushing 8 stone of weight. The longest walk of my life, or so it felt. Finally, we got home a mere 4 hours after it all started. Not at all bad for a school run - eh? Maddie, England.

April - So there I was working. We have less than 5 employees, in fact just two of us and we're a close partnership - thank goodness. And in waltzes a woman - a real official one. She shows her identification and at the same time says 'I'm (name) from the Health & Safety Executive (this is in UK) and I'm here to do an inspection'. So I say, 'Do you normally just turn up unannounced?', immediately wishing I hadn't - and she looks at me with a slightly affronted look and replies, very importantly, 'Oh yes, that is quite permitted, in fact quite normal.' So, here goes nothing. I'm ahead a bit, as I'm 'in the know' and I head her off - worrying about the delivery that just arrived, that I put (actually stuffed into a space far too small ) out back, out of sight, that we have to climb over today to reach the loo - by explaining in a jokey way that there are only the two of us, so we wouldn't sue ourselves, now would we?' 'Ohhh' she said. 'Can I have a look out there then?' So I show her the way, explaining about the delivery as I opened the door. I said we could clearly not have employees here and it wasn't our plan to. So far accepted, so good. We come back out of the store, and back into my comfort zone'. 'So have you got fire extinguishers?' - 'Yes, out there', I said, which is true. 'And are they inspected and checked annually?' - 'Yes,' I said, desperately hoping she wasn't going to inspect the date because it may be a little 'out'. She ticked the box on her form and asked some other stuff and I asked for help and advice, to sound properly interested. Then she said, by way of a final question, 'And have you got the first aid box handy, please?' And I said, quite at a loss now, staring trouble in the face, as we don't have an official kit, nor do we think we officially need one, as the chemist is over the road and open all the time we are. 'Oh, the plasters are in the handbag,' said I with a chuckle 'you know how it is!' Maddie, England.

Feb - So you think Bridgette Jones has nothing on you! Does my bum look big in this - of course it does! And so on.

One day recently...

I knew it was going to be a horrible day, when I was sitting in my pyjamas, frantically typing emails to clients at 8.40 am, when my children had to be at school for 8.45am...(I've taken them in my pyjamas before now!)

And so it continued today, but the last 'challenge' really topped the lot!

I have three children at home, two boys age 2 and 10 and a girl age 13. Measured against a 13 year old girl, give me boys any day! I work from home - I made this decision because a) I worked for a pile of misogynistic bleeps (some of them female - is that actually possible!?) and b) I really wanted to be able to see my children in school plays, go to the dentist etc, without going through the Spanish Inquisition at work and without work making me feel ridiculously guilty for putting my children/my home life first. Work Life Balance - the greatest invention - I really try to live by this - it's a wonderful and 'just' concept - but not subscribed to by many of the bosses I have ever known (male or female)!

So Tuesday is today - this is a very funny day as my little one has no nursery place today - so he stays with me. When I was pregnant with him, I wanted to take a few days off after the birth (actually if I didn't employ myself I could almost have sued for lack of statutory time off), so I literally worked until my waters broke (at around midnight) - saying 'I must do this, I must do that' - sort of thing. Then I took up on my gym ball and bounced around whilst shouting final instructions at my husband. At least it directed my efforts elsewhere - no pain relief needed for this one and boy do those balls help! Then, as a small baby, he was like the child in the Brittas Empire (do those of you in the UK remember that - good old Gordon and his team?) - not quite in the ventilation shaft or cupboard behind reception (I think it was) but he spent a fair amount of time under my desk/on my knee behind the desk/ in the filing cabinet and so on - in fact he knows how to work a notebook computer like the back of his hand and his telephone manner - phew - I'm gonna put him up for course leader on customer services within the telesales environment! And that was at a time when I had an employee in the house with me. It was this poor boy's first job - I bet he never ever sees anything like it again but he'll make a good babysitter!

So how do we manage on Tuesdays, you might ask? It's very Interesting. At least my calls are initially made to head office (250 miles away) - so they call me and if I can take the call, I do. If I can't, then they tell clients I'm on another call or out - and that I will ring back. My little one then gets installed in the highchair in front of the TV (believe it or not, he doesn't watch it except for these emergencies ). I call my client back and hope to goodness that he (little one) does not shout for a drink - or start screaming! Even more, I really hope my client is not in a very chatty mood!

Let me just digress. Head Office. Strict instructions are in place not to give out my 'real' phone number for obvious reasons. We (my husband and I) had a situation a while back whereby we were receiving calls from all in sundry at our house over the weekends. We even received one call at 10 pm on Sunday evening! So we changed that contact number - but it's started again.....

Then what did I get last week? - Several messages on my home answerphone directly from clients, that's what! - including one from one of my most important clients. Can you just imagine if little one had answered! Severe words (actually very original sarcastic words) were said to those wonderful beings at Head Office - and did anyone own up - did they heck. But somebody did it and that person knows they did it. It's just another day! Who am I - just some woman 250 miles away who can't 'get at them' - I'm not important - that's who! Out of sight and all that...

So we get through a very busy Tuesday, me and little one. I've done all my work and managed all my calls (you can imagine!). We've converted the office into an office/playroom and it's fabulous. Little one's done some pictures, painting, play doh, sticking, jigsaws (its still all over the place to be tidied). But he did attempt to swap the blue and red powder paints and now the floor has most of it. But hey - what a great time we both had! So that is all that matters.

We go out at 3.15 for the school run then come back home after taking the post. 10 year old plonks himself down in front of the TV and as I have an email asking me to ring very important client back, I ask 13 year old 'mini mum' to take little one upstairs to play with him, so I can complete the last challenge of the day. 'No problem mum' and off they both go. So I sort out a few emails then call my client back. This is a really involved conversation about really technical stuff and I'm in full flow when the door handle to the office (remember it doubles as a playroom) starts to move. My heart jumps, then starts beating... actually it's booming. My shoulders drop and I forget what I am saying. My mouth goes dry. Little one stands there and in that single moment, I know I have to get out of there or be doomed. I rush past him, trip on a toy truck, clatter jigsaws to the floor (making lots of noise actually) and run up to my bedroom with the phone in tow. Then, out of breath, I try to carry on, in my 'telephone voice' (not very successfully). What very important client must think by now, is beyond me! I'm actually not doing a very good job of it, but I carry on 'like we do'. Then, horror of horrors, the door handle to the bedroom goes too. He's here again - it's little one. Since when did he learn to open the very complicated stair gate? (or did I forget to lock it?) Fortunately he doesn't make a noise and I rush past him again with the phone about 6 inches behind - still trying to speak and sound very important! I nearly fall down the stairs, but lock the stair gate behind me and dive into the office again. The TV is on in the other room with my son but the background noise is a bit loud I have to say -

and client is treated to the sound of some strange rapping on MTV. By this time I am having a panic attack, with my client on the other end of the phone! I'm sure of it. I could be dying. I can't speak. I am rambling on. My mouth has gone dry and I think I am hyperventilating. I truly do. I can hear that little one has opened the stair gate again and he is on his way to find me (so he did learn how to do it - now I am in trouble!). You have to think on your feet (or your backside) don't you sometimes? So I do. I say, as calmly as I can, 'This is a terrible line Mr Client - I can hardly hear you'. Client says 'No it's fine, I can hear you really well'.

And I do the only sensible thing a girl can - I put the phone down. Click. Done. Final.

There - that's what I did.

In a bit of a state, I went upstairs, with little one looking completely bemused saying 'I want a drink'. I find 13 year old asleep on her bed. Yes - asleep! Fast asleep! I wake her with my rantings, which she can't comprehend, but when she does, I hear a little 'sorry'. I am really having trouble with my breathing now - what is this that is happening to me? - it surely must be the start of a nervous breakdown! How will I ever redeem myself?

Then the phone rings - it's before 5 pm and I start to fly downstairs to get it. 10 year old picks it up. He knows not to pick up the phone before 5.30 pm - he's very well trained (not). But he could take the customer service course too, so he always does a good job. It's Head Office saying client is back on the phone, as he was cut off for some reason. I ask colleague to tell client that he (colleague) just tried my line and it is saying a fault has been reported!

Good - I bought some time. I give myself 5 minutes to calm down. I put my 10 and 2 year old in the garden - no it's not raining and it's a very safe child friendly space - and I give them apple juice, nice books and pencils and drawing paper - and I settle down and call client back. Totally composed, I start again, apologise that I couldn't possibly have made much sense before, as I couldn't hear him because of the bad line - & I save the day. The call takes about 10 minutes and before I have quite finished, the boys are knocking loudly at the back door to come back in. I have to ignore them, but I only have to be an unfit mother for about 30 seconds. I escape the phone and let my darlings in. We have a biscuit (sorry a really healthy apple) and a good old chat and laugh. Even 'mini mum' sees the funny side today!

I know none of the 'fictional women' have anything on me. Nor, for that matter, do they have anything on my sister, or any of my girlfriends (even my 'perfect' friends with ideal lifes have 'funnies' - which makes me feel alright about my life). The decision to work from home, is still the best one for me and although we have days like this frequently, we get by - (and client's are always OK). Weekends are all about 'us' but they are awfully busy! I'm just helping my husband establish a new business - ask a busy woman and all that - but we're so excited about it, so you don't mind and get on with it!

I refuse to work weekends now and I try to limit the number of visits I make to the laptop when the children have gone to bed. My sister has this '9 o' clock thing' - she stops at 9 p.m. (works like a mad person up to 9 pm) and

then has 'me time'. I think my sister in law has adopted this now and I am seriously working my way towards this too - what a great idea - what can we call it? But hey, at my house - the washing (masses of it) gets done - the ironing is interesting - the house is clean rather than tidy. We all get fed - haphazardly sometimes, but always trying to incorporate our 5 portions of fruit/veg a day. But we get there - as we all do! (wherever 'there' is). Ruthie, Manchester, England.

What we thought...... This day in April ....

This day made us laugh so loud - and then an outpouring of everyone's experiences' followed. Ladies, we are not alone!

What do you think? Everyone chooses a path or has one dictated to them. Just look at all the blogs that are appearing all over the internet, so many people wishing to tell their story - demonstrating that we all have a book in us. (I'm just going to add 'the plasters are in the handbag' which refers to a very funny episode when the Health & Safety turned up somewhere unannounced (as it seems they are perfectly and legally entitled to)...

We all make the best of it. Some of us work, some of us don't, some of us work and don't want to, some of us would like to. There's no right or wrong - just differences - without which we'd be in a very dull place.

It seems to us though, that life is very very fast indeed - and getting faster by the year. Everything is immediate, everybody busy (certainly it seems that way in the UK). How is it where you are?

To all those ' real women of the world' - a big pat on the back to you - We take our hats off to each and every one of us!! Okay guys - want your say? We'd love to hear from 'real men of the world' too - it's great to get things from your perspective. Email your comments for 'Men of the World TM' - xx Take Care for Now xx

Do you have a Child Couture & Childrens Store 'NOW ONLINE' flyer? ( Don't have a flyer? - email us and ask and we'll send one). If you do have one, read on .... Contact us with the following **but in the email subject line, you should quote what you were asked to quote on the flyer, to qualify your entry. Each month, on the last day of the month, we will give away one 30% discount voucher - now that's worth winning! The winner is simply selected at random - all entries have an equal chance! You can enter more than once! If we feel there is a real 'star' entry, that person will also receive a voucher!

Client Zone

Your Account

Currencies

Guide Only

Bestsellers

New Products [more]

Age 3 - 5 Trousers Shirt Jacket Boys Suit by Hamilton (2641)

£90.00 £40.00

Translations

The Children's Store RSS Feed

SSL