-
Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: The Emotional Reality No One Talks About
Returning to work after maternity leave is one of the biggest emotional transitions many mothers experience. After months of being your baby’s entire world—feeding them, comforting them, learning their every sound and cue—the idea of spending several hours away can feel overwhelming. Before becoming a mother, I knew I would eventually return to work. Staying home permanently was not an option for me. But knowing something logically and being emotionally ready for it are two completely different things. Unlike many mothers, I was fortunate enough to receive three months of fully paid maternity leave. While I wasn’t as lucky as mothers who have six months or more, I remain incredibly…
-
From Baby to Toddler: 7 Changes I Didn’t Expect (And How We Are Navigating Them)
They really do grow up faster than you expect. One day you’re holding a tiny newborn who sleeps most of the day, and before you know it, you have a little person walking around the house with their own opinions, preferences and a very clear idea of what they want. Somewhere between my son’s first birthday and 16 months, I realised that my baby was slowly becoming a toddler. While every child develops at their own pace, I noticed that this transition was about much more than walking or saying a few words. It changed how he communicated, played, slept, ate and interacted with the world around him. If you’re…
-
Toddler Eats Very Little? 7 Ways I Add More Nutrition Without Forcing Food
If your toddler eats very little, you may find yourself constantly wondering: Did my child eat enough today?Are they getting enough nutrients?Should I be worried that they only want the same few foods? I have had these thoughts many times too. When I first introduced solids to my son at six months, I honestly thought our feeding journey was going beautifully. We followed a baby-led weaning approach, and he happily explored different foods, textures and flavours. We followed a baby-led weaning approach, and he happily explored different foods, textures and flavours. I also shared more about our gentle allergen introduction through BLW journey if you’re currently navigating that stage. He…
-
16 Month Old Milestones: Speech, Walking, Feeding & Development Activities
Wondering what milestones your 16-month-old should be reaching? At this age, toddlers are becoming more mobile, more communicative, and much more determined to do things independently. You may notice new words appearing every week, increased curiosity about the world around them, and growing confidence with walking and self-feeding. In this post, I’ll cover common 16-month-old milestones, simple development activities you can try at home, and share some examples of what I’ve observed in my own toddler. Speech and Language Milestones at 16 Months Many 16-month-olds are: It’s important to remember that language develops at different rates. Some toddlers may only say a handful of words, while others are already building…
-
Baby and Toddler Activities in Dubai: Honest Reviews After Trying 5 Popular Activities
We started exploring activities when my son was around 10 months old. If you have a baby or young toddler (roughly 6–18 months), these are our honest experiences trying some of Dubai’s most popular classes and activities. One activity I was particularly keen on starting with my son was swimming. In my head, I imagined enrolling him in baby swimming lessons when he was around six months old. However, being part of an Indian family, I knew the idea probably wouldn’t be received very well. Most people felt he was simply too small and that there was plenty of time later. By the time I finally felt ready to start,…
-
8 Simple Activities for a 15-Month-Old that my Toddler Loves
If you’re looking for easy activities for a 15-month-old, you’re probably searching for simple ways to keep your toddler entertained, active, and engaged throughout the day. As a working mum, I don’t have hours to spend setting up elaborate sensory bins or Pinterest-perfect play activities. Instead, I’ve found that some of the best activities at home for toddlers are often the simplest ones. These are the activities my 15-month-old loves right now. Some are indoor toddler activities that help us survive the hot Dubai summers, while others are part of our everyday routine. If you’re looking for easy activities for a 15-month-old at home, hopefully this list gives you some…
-
What My Almost 15-Month-Old Eats in a Day (Realistic Indian Toddler Meals, Tiny Portions & Working Mum Life)
A realistic look at what my almost 15-month-old eats in a day in an Indian household — tiny portions, breastfeeding, picky eating, and what’s helping us (without force feeding). If you’ve ever Googled:“What should my 15-month-old eat in a day?”…and ended up feeling slightly inadequate after seeing perfectly plated toddler meals with rainbow vegetables, chia pudding, mini pancakes, and carefully arranged fruit animals…This post is not that.This is a realistic toddler eating post.My son is almost 15 months old, and honestly? Toddler eating has humbled me.I’m a working mother, and while I absolutely love baking and genuinely enjoy cooking, I simply don’t have the time to make fancy toddler meals…
-
13-Month-Old Milestones: What to Expect (Real-Life Update)
Your baby is officially in toddler territory now—and this stage comes with so many small (but exciting) changes. At 13 months, you might notice new movements, more communication, and a lot more personality. But it can also feel confusing trying to figure out what’s “normal,” especially when every baby seems to be doing something different. My son just turned 14 months, so I’m sharing what we experienced during his 13th month while it’s still fresh. If you’ve been wondering “Is my baby on track?”—this post will give you a realistic look at what this stage can look like, along with what’s actually normal. What’s Normal at 13 Months? At 13…
-
13-Month-Old Sleep Schedule: What’s Normal + A Real Working Mum Routine
Trying to figure out a 13-month-old sleep schedule can feel confusing—especially when every baby seems to follow a different routine online.Should your baby be on 1 nap or 2?What time should bedtime be?And why does it feel like the schedule keeps changing? If you’ve been searching for answers, you’re not alone. In this post, you’ll find: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What Is a Normal Sleep Schedule for a 13-Month-Old? At 13 months, babies are often in a transition phase, which is why sleep can feel unpredictable. Here’s a general guideline: Some babies: If your baby’s schedule…
-
Life With a 13-Month-Old: What Motherhood Feels Like Right Now
I don’t think I say this enough, but I genuinely love being my baby’s mum.At 13.5 months, this stage of motherhood — life with a 1 year old — feels very full in a way I didn’t expect. The days are busy, sometimes messy, and often unpredictable, but they don’t feel like something I’m just trying to get through. I actually enjoy being in them.We waited a long time before deciding to have a baby, and if I’m honest, I never really saw myself as a particularly ‘motherly’ person. I wasn’t someone who naturally gravitated towards kids — which is probably why this phase has surprised me the most.That said,…