They say it takes a village…

PaddlePod is about more – so much more – than learning to swim. When we open our doors later this autumn, our plans include becoming a hub for the local community, with a café and a play area that you can drop-in to at any time – regardless of whether your little ones swim with us or not.

“I’m never alone, yet I’ve never felt so lonely”

Many of us here at PaddlePod are parents ourselves, so we know what it’s like to have a young child. We understand that, amidst all the joy and excitement, there is often a feeling of panic, overwhelm and – for many of us – isolation.

“I don’t think any new parent really knows what it’s going to feel like. It doesn’t matter how much reading or research you do, nothing prepares you for the reality.”

Sarah, 27

When you’re dealing with a new-born, you might well find yourself spending the majority of the day alone with a little one who requires all of your attention. A few months down the road, you may have settled into a daily routine but those feelings of isolation can often linger. You might find yourself craving the support of somebody who understands how you’re feeling – the support of somebody else who perhaps feels over-whelmed at the sheer volume of parenting advice – often conflicting – out there. Even as they get older, that support network is still so important – after all, kids don’t come with a manual!

Come for a cuppa, a chat, a caring ear

We’ve chatted to a couple of parents recently who have been kind – and honest – enough to share their emotional parenting journey, and how they would really welcome somewhere like PaddlePod to use as a drop-in.

First off is Sarah, who is 27, from Gateshead, and mum to a lovely little boy. She didn’t have the easiest start to parenthood – a difficult labour followed by a health scare for the baby, which thankfully was resolved.

What Sarah really wasn’t prepared for, though, was the feeling of loneliness once she and her baby were back home.

“I don’t think any new parent really knows what it’s going to feel like,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how much reading or research you do, nothing prepares you for the reality.”

Once Sarah’s husband had returned to work, dealing with being alone with a tiny baby, and suffering with the blues made each day very difficult. She candidly admits that she often “counted the hours until he came home” because friends and family were not always available.

“I would have loved to have somewhere that I could have just turned up to and find other mums who would understand perfectly,” she said.

Jill, from Wallsend, echoes what Sarah went through. After going to ante-natal classes, Jill made friends with mums and dads-to-be whose babies were due around the same time as hers. Once the babies arrived, and once parents started going back to work, it became harder and harder to find time to get together.

Like Sarah, Jill admits that “nothing prepares you for the reality of the sitation”, or those overwhelming feelings of being alone. “A baby buddy would definitely have helped,” said Jill.

What’s this got to do with PaddlePod?

So, you’re probably wondering what all of this has to do with PaddlePod? We’re hoping that mums like Jill and Sarah – and anyone else out there – will find that we can become a safe haven. It can be for a coffee, a gossip, reassurance or just to exchange a few words with another adult. We will have a range of classes running – swimming, ballet, cookery, and more – but the café and play areas are there for you to visit whenever you want – or your little one’s schedule allows!

Many of us here at PaddlePod are parents ourselves, so this absolutely resonates with the team. We look forward to giving you a warm welcome – and the support that will show that you’re not alone. After all, they do say it takes a village!