CarryOllie Slings

CarryOllie Slings Babywearing Peer Supporter, trained by Carrying Matters in September 2024. Fully insured.

Volunteer at Togetherworks Caldicot running a FREE Babywearing Peer Support group every 1st Thursday of the month from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

I am sorry for the last minute cancellation... It appears I have inadvertently double booked my self with CarryOllie and...
02/09/2026

I am sorry for the last minute cancellation... It appears I have inadvertently double booked my self with CarryOllie and work commitments I cannot move.

If you were planning to attend today, please reach out online and I will try my best to help you and/or direct you to alternative support this month.

Sincerest apologies! Togetherworks Caldicot 😬

Love,
R.

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I realised lately we have been filling the holidays with activities (lovely and fun!), but at the cost of neglecting the...
31/08/2026

I realised lately we have been filling the holidays with activities (lovely and fun!), but at the cost of neglecting the house a little too much. We do love to spend time outdoors (and let's face it, parenting is much easier outside our house). Reality is, I still need to be the responsible adult, and attend to the not so glamorous part of daily life and housekeeping!

So these past 2 days we stayed home. I did 6 laundry baskets (wash, dry, fold / iron, back in cupboards), changed sheets and covers in all beds, and started tidying both the guest room and A's room (maybe moving out of his brother's room soon?). I cooked and took care of dishes and I cleaned floors and carpets.

And I still fell I haven't done enough, because downstairs is still a mess (I promise the living room was tidy for about 12h, but 10 of these hours the kiddos were asleep)... And I still haven't cleaned the toilets or watered the plants, or organised the puzzles and the books and the kitchen cupboards or cleaned the fridge and the oven, and whatever else.

The list goes on and on. I tried. It will never be totally done. More importantly, I played with the kids, I did puzzles and Lego, I read the books and I had (hot!) coffee while they played outside.

And I also let them watch the show Dinossaurs a) because they love it and learn about pre-historic times and b) because this mama needs a break. A is dropping naps and I had forgotten how hard the transition is on everyone.

So... The saga continues.... But today we have daddy around so hopefully we will divide and conquer, and still make it outdoors (she says).

Have a great Bank Holiday! πŸ€—

Ps. This weekend was a Lenny Lamb one. Saturday I wrapped A with a size 6 (front carry), and Sunday I opted for their preschooler while ironing (back carry).

Love,
R.

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I don't wrap that often these days, but when I do, we have the best time (even if just for 10-20 minutes!). ❀️I only lea...
30/08/2026

I don't wrap that often these days, but when I do, we have the best time (even if just for 10-20 minutes!). ❀️

I only learnt how to wrap in my Babywearing Peer Supporter course, when A was about 6 months old. Truth to be told, I can do the Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) well and that's about it!

Between mothering two wonderfully wild kiddos, opening up CarryOllie Slings to the community and returning to work full time in a very demanding managerial role (that keeps me awake too!)...

Well, I just never really had the time (or energy) to fully engage with learning wraps... Even though I am totally fascinated by them and all the lovely people I follow that seem to do it so effortlessly! 😍

I do have 2 wraps I love in my personal collection (one Yume Jaipur Palace and one Lenny Lamb Time without skulls) and I think 3 or 4 more in the library (between Yaro, Little Frog and Lenny Lamb) that I haven't used with A, only weighed dolls.

With A being 2.5yo now, and not wanting to be carried as much, I fear I missed my window! Wrapping requires practice but practice requires both time and a willing baby / toddler! πŸ˜…

If you wrap, what are your best tips for learning / wrapping toddlers? If you don't wrap, is this a skill you would like to learn?

Love,
R.

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It is rainy outside, giving away Autumn vibes already, so I am just going to share how lucky I was with this amazing sun...
29/08/2026

It is rainy outside, giving away Autumn vibes already, so I am just going to share how lucky I was with this amazing sunshine on my birthday instead! 🀭

We visited Dyffryn Gardens last weekend (I had totally forgotten I had been once, but it was raining cats and dogs that time!). And it was rather lovely!

Both kiddos and grown-ups enjoyed the outdoor games and activities. The log playground was a big hit too.The gardens were beautiful but rather dry this time (no wonder...!) and the kids loved the flowers in water and seeing the grapevines.

We didn't manage to visit indoors or the coffee shop, but I am told it is rather nice too. I look forward to visit in the Spring again! 🌸🏡🌹

Love,
R.

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We explored the Bristol Aquarium! πŸͺΈπŸŸπŸ¦It took us about 2h, but I do have a very inquisitive 6yo that will want to read ev...
28/08/2026

We explored the Bristol Aquarium! πŸͺΈπŸŸπŸ¦

It took us about 2h, but I do have a very inquisitive 6yo that will want to read every poster and find every species detailed! I have been before, but I enjoyed this time the most. Maybe because it was A's 1st time, and they were genuinely so happy there! It is a little steep for its size, but it is very charming indeed, and the staff were really nice to D (he had many questions!).

We loved to meet all the sea life: fishes, rays, skates, corals, octopus, lobsters, crabs, anemones, turtles, starfish, shrimp (my personal favourite, the sexy shrimp!). There was a trail to complete which will allow you to share 6 conservation stories with the children, this was gold and D loved the stamps and stickers at the end. I believe the Conservation Carnival ends on the 31st August, so not long!

There was also a conservation schedule for talks and feeds (we did the πŸ™ one, but you can go in/out as many times as you would like during the day, so you can attend them all or select a few!). Check online what activities are available to get the most of your visit (and get a 10% discount on bookings). I do think it is worth it, especially in a rainy day.

You will also find little frogs and other lovely little creatures along the way. There are places where you can seat down and just admire the fish tanks, and there is a really cool tunnel too. And a tropical forest with... guess what, dinossaurs! The kiddos were, of course, delighted. In fact, we spent a good 15min discussing differences between the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Allosaurus in the aquarium, because... Well, D being D! πŸ€ŽπŸ¦–

After our visit, we went for a walk in the Harbourside, and Millenium Square. There were rides and carrousels there but we didn't join. I liked the wooden play areas around, this is new, but you need to purchase a £6 wooden ball from the We Are the Curious museum to play, which I didn't feel like doing! There are also loads of water features about - we didn't do water play as I had no spare clothes or towels, but be warned! 🀭

We had dinner at Las Iguanas which was a lovely way to finish off our adventure. And I needed it!

Love,
R.

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I ventured to the Harbourside in Bristol again! This time with no co-pilot (my lovely brother is back in Portugal!). In ...
27/08/2026

I ventured to the Harbourside in Bristol again! This time with no co-pilot (my lovely brother is back in Portugal!). In case you don't know, I absolute hate driving in Bristol's city centre (is it just me or both drivers and pedestrians are absolutely mad in here?!), so this is a big deal (to me anyway!).

Do you want to know how we spent the afternoon? I will give you a clue. We parked at Millenium Car Park and we did not walk far! (Mean, I know, sorry!) 🀣

I realised it was the last weekday I have with both kiddos, before D returns to school next week. I cannot believe he is 6 now and going to Year 2... And I cannot believe his little brother is most likely going to start preschool after Easter. How did we get here?!

Anyway, I wanted to do something special for them. And dare I say, I succeeded! 🀭

Ps. Wearing A in the Isara Preschool (I am obssessed!) and a bum bag from Annie's Accessories! ❀️

A late afternoon in Barry Island. It is quite pretty over there. The kids played with the sand as always, and had a grea...
26/08/2026

A late afternoon in Barry Island. It is quite pretty over there. The kids played with the sand as always, and had a great time, until they started to fight over who gets more sand in their vulcano (because clearly there isn't enough sand in the beach).

So we separated them, I took A to the water for a little walk (always check water quality reports beforehand!), while my brother and his GF stayed with D in dry land. When we came back, D had a surprise for us (an inverted vulcano as he called it), and everyone was happy again.

We then headed to the carrousels, bought 10 tokens for 12 pounds, and the kids got to pick their rides. They really enjoyed this (even though it isn't my thing at all!), and we then were ready for some more birthday celebrations with dinner at The Ship.

I almost forgot the total meltdown D had when I decided to take them to the beach last minute - how dare I have a spur of the moment kinda of thing and NOT bring swimwear and towels and buckets and spades and diggers and ALL the beach gear?!

You know what, I love this kid to pieces but sometimes he drives me nuts. I spent a good 30 minutes trying very hard not to lose my patience with him. Until I did. Enough is enough I said, I hear "why" one more time and we all go the car and then there is no beach for anyone, not now, not ever. Which one do you want D?!

Did it work? Hell no. He just yelled harder, I felt like s**t, and then he got physical too, to a point neither of us was safe anymore. Isn't this great! So I decided to distract him with the classic "I spy with my little eye" game until we made it to the beach. And eventually he calmed down and all things were forgiven. And I heard his amazing laugh again.

What a rollercoaster that was. What do you do when your kid gets into a loop?! I wish I knew. All I know is.... Parenting is easier with family around, and sometimes a little distance helps everyone. I am usually a very gentle and respectful parent, but it takes a village. And I have my limits too!

Love,
R.

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Happy Birthday to me!!! πŸŽ‰πŸ₯³πŸŽ‚I turned 35 this Sunday. I am officially closer to my 40s than my 30s and it is hitting me ha...
24/08/2026

Happy Birthday to me!!! πŸŽ‰πŸ₯³πŸŽ‚

I turned 35 this Sunday. I am officially closer to my 40s than my 30s and it is hitting me hard. I am so grateful for my life, my husband, my wonderful kiddos, my family and friends, my career... Some times I cannot believe how lucky I am.

And other times, it feels so overwhelming and impossible to keep up. Balancing it all is challenging AF. Meeting everyone's needs, organising the day to day with no one else around, being fair and gentle to myself and others. Being the responsible adult, but also fun and kind and understanding.

Wanting to settle down and have a "simpler life", travelling the world and enjoying this stage, but also not being ready to shut down the door to another pregnancy, and then having a million thoughts about my age, fertility, pregnancy loss, career and education aspirations and professional goals.

I can't be the only one struggling with turning 35. If you reached 35, did it hit differently than other birthdays? How so? What did you find hard about it? How did you cope or manage all the feels? And how are you doing now? ❀️

Love,
R.

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Friday was my eldest 6th birthday. I am still coming to terms with the fact my eldest is now 6yo. To me, his birth was y...
22/08/2026

Friday was my eldest 6th birthday. I am still coming to terms with the fact my eldest is now 6yo. To me, his birth was yesterday. And yet, so much has happened since, and so much has changed. I became a mum, we became a family. The world as I knew it was no longer. There was Covid19, lockdown, severe PPD... There was fear, anxiety, intrusive thoughts. Leaking b***s in a walking skeleton I was. There was never a lack of love and yet there was so much loneliness.

Fast forward 6 years and I am so proud of our journey. I am without words today. I just love you so very much. I will always be your safe place, wherever you go. You don't want cuddles or kisses now. But you will want me to stay in your bedroom until you fall asleep. You don't want to talk about your day. But you will want to listen to mine. You don't want me asking too many questions, but you are the most curious, most clever, most enquisitive child.

I don't love every minute of parenting. But oh boy, I love every inch of you. β€οΈπŸ’―

Ps. For the 3rd year in a row, we spent D's birthday in Legoland. As you can imagine, babywearing came very handy! I spotted this babywearing poster, and could not resist taking this picture. I never front faced my children, nor can I support it with my level of training, but you can learn how to do it safely! 😊

Never have I been so stylish whilst babywearing! 🀭Yesterday we spent the day at Bristol Dockyards, home of SS Great Brit...
21/08/2026

Never have I been so stylish whilst babywearing! 🀭

Yesterday we spent the day at Bristol Dockyards, home of SS Great Britan. Kids go free this Summer (and under 3ys are always free), so it is the perfect opportunity to visit. We had so much fun exploring the ship and the kids loved the games and activities around. Dressing up was a big success, as well as making pretend pies and pretending to steer the ship.

D loved being under water and learning about the history of the ship, but so did my brother and his girlfriend, so fun for all! The late afternoon ticket (one day only, from 2.30pm) is only 15 pounds, the annual ticket is 25. After visiting the museum, we explored the docks and walked until the M Shed (free entry). The kids loved the old tracks and the boats too. Next time we will try to step aboard the Matthew!

I must confess, I very rarely go to the Harbourside - not because I don't like it - I really think it is lovely - just because I hate driving in Bristol's city centre. Guess I will have to keep making the effort! Everyone had a lovely time, and there are loads to do for free too! Sometimes I forget how much Bristol has to offer. What would you recommend?

Love,
R.

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Caldicot

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