Today I have spent a lovely day enjoying the company of three inspiring women and their adorable babies teaching a peer support course for Born to Carry. I have shared posts written by colleagues before about why I teach these courses but wanted to write again as they always fill me with joy.

Each course I teach is unique and the same in equal measure. The content is consistent but the participants are not. Each brings their own carrying history, back ground and expertise to the course. Every course I teach covers: babywearing safety, FWCC, PWCC, ring slings, buckles and Mei Tais, as well as theory units on Why Sling and the role as a peer supporter. There is also the option of completing a post course assignment. We talk about properties of wrapping, prices of slings, we try to work out what is safe, what isn’t, how do you make a high street carrier more comfortable, we talk about what makes carriers so individual to the wearer but we do it with a smile on our faces and a good amount of laughter. It is hard work but there are plenty of opportunities to rest, take stock, make notes etc.

Today there were 3 ladies who completed the course, however, I have taught groups as large of 13. Each course builds on the one before. I take elements that went well, didn’t work so well and rework how I teach and what I teach to make the course even better.

Being a Babywearing Peer Supporter is an important role. Families will look to you to give them support and guidance or to direct them to more specialist help. You may be the first port of call. You may be an enthusiastic amateur sling user, a HCP, or simply want to know more. Have you considered it? Would you like to know more? You can email me (btc@northeastslinglibrary.co.uk) or complete the contact form below to ask any questions you may have  or visit or website to find out more.

Wow! September is over, October is almost complete and half term is here!! That was quick. I am sure the years are getting shorter as I get older. It won’t be long before I am once again celebrating my birthday. Autumn is here, the nights are drawing in and soon we will all be thinking…

via A half term completed. So far, so good. —

Team Connecta is present at the Manchester Baby and Toddler show at Event City this weekend! A fabulous opportunity to celebrate International Babywearing Week and for this show we are bringing a Dream Team of trained and experienced Babywearing consultants and trainers, with over 30 years experience in the carrying industry between them do make…

via Dream Team — Connecta Lives

I am pondering something and wondering if I have a different understanding of the word late and I can’t quite believe I need to write this.

Last week I shared this post by Morecambe Bay Slings after 16 slings failed to be returned or extended on Saturday. By Sunday this was cut to 6. On Monday and another session brought another bunch of non-returns. My “overdue” list is currently sitting at 7. So what does late mean?

Late (adverb): after the expected, proper, or usual time.

When you hire a sling you do so for a set period of time (2 weeks or 4 weeks usually).  The return date is given verbally when you hire and by email the minute we press check out on MyTurn. Your sling is late if it isn’t returned on the date given at booking and at the appropriate drop in session, or it is posted the day sling was due back (should be posted to arrive the day due back). 

Slings can be returned “early” 24 hours a day using our drop box. Reminder emails are sent 3 days before your sling is due back. I honesty feel 3 days is sufficient time for you to contact me or post back (special delivery is next day delivery).

Slings aren’t late if you notify me before return date:

• That you want to extend and have paid extension.
• That you can’t make X session can you bring to Y instead.
• You have posted back before day due (and hopefully sent me confirmation that it’s posted).

I am a Mum, I know life sometimes does not work as we planned. If something has come up a quick text/email/Facebook message to let me know is not you can’t make it. But please don’t leave me in the dark. If I text you/ ring/ email please reply. Please don’t reply and say you are going to do something and then not do it. Your 1 sling is one of 320+ slings, it is one of over 150 out on loan at any one time, it is not in isolation. Late returns don’t just cause me extra work they are unfair on other families (especially where the sling is popular or the only one we have in that model).

I will continue to make follow up email/ texts/ Facebook messages / phone calls but there gets a point where I am going to have to do something else. Slings are not worthless pieces of fabric. If I need to I will send final demand letters and begin small claims proceedings for slings not returned. I really don’t want to have to do this but I cannot carry on the way things are: It is not fair on me, on my family and more importantly, it’s not fair on other library users and their children.

Thank you for reading.

Yours an exasperated sling librarian.