Mums: How to be the 'Glue' During a Crisis

As a global pandemic is now in full effect, impacting our lives in unimaginable ways, it's normal to feel anything but normal. How does one find normalcy when everything is so far from that? 

As mothers, we are the 'glue' that often holds the family together. So when the glue starts to melt, so too does the family unit. How can we ensure we keep the family unit strong during this very unknowing time, and keep ourselves sane?

Today I crossed paths with another mother I know who was trying to juggle an angry boss with her three younger children. She clearly looked distraught and desperately in need of a hug - which wasn't possible. What was possible though, was sharing some inspiring words of wisdom. 

Earlier in the day I had watched a video from a marketing leader I follow and highly respect. The advice was about business but the concepts apply equally to family and home life.

The first piece of advice he gave was to not panic. It's normal to try and operate in a state of fear and panic in a crisis but this is not the best approach. A clear mind will make clear decisions. If you're still in an anxious state, don't make decisions. Sit and wait until you are thinking more clearly, be it hours, days or weeks.

The second thing which really resonated with me was to only focus on the next seven days. This applies to business, to family income, to home schooling and beyond. Don't stress about the future until you need to. It's easy to do and we all have wild imaginations at times of distress. Put a clear plan in place for the next seven days and make sure you execute it. Write it down and hold yourself accountable. You can do the same next week, the following and the following after that. Baby steps mean clear decision making and no impulse-driven behaviours.

Thirdly, he urged us to make our health a priority. Mental health, physical health and spiritual health. Take time out to move your body, eat properly, meditate and sleep well. Take care of you and you will be able to take care of others. You will remain the 'glue' in your family.

Finally, he advised to be positive and manifest positivity. Face the inevitable with joy. You really have two choices: you can be negative and focus on the doom and gloom, or you focus on the positives around you. Stop for a minute and look around. You may notice a butterfly, your children laughing, peacefulness in your quiet surrounds, or even reflect on a kind gesture gone unnoticed. Last night, after feeling quite stressed all day, my kids made me laugh so hard I had tears running down my face. It was like they just 'knew'. Beauty surrounds us all, just pause and observe.

There is a saying that it is far greater to enjoy what you have, than what you want. Use this intensity and time to appreciate what you already have in your life.

A few other practical tips: 

1. Do isolate yourself and your family: Let's all make a collective small sacrifice and do something for the greater good. The pandemic will pass.

2. Opt for online shopping over physical: Let's minimise our risk of transfer and keep the economy moving at the same time.

3. Support your elderly and immune-suppressed neighbours: Offer to shop for your elderly or high-risk neighbours to avoid them being exposed. Leave groceries and essentials at their front door and reassure them you're close by if they need anything.

Are you struggling to get shoes on your baby?

The whole idea behind Attipas baby shoes is that less is more. Goodbye to heavy shoes and socks, and hello to lightweight, practical, flexible shoe-socks that let babies 'feel' the ground.

Attipas slip on like a sock, saving you time as you rush your toddler out the front door. That’s why our founder, Caroline Africh, originally brought Attipas to Australia and our entire range can easily replace all the other shoes and socks in your baby's cupboard. 

As Seen at the Oscars!

Attipas baby shoes made it to the Oscars! Founder Caroline Africh and her team were flown to Hollywood where they handed out Attipas baby shoes to celebrities including Zoe Saldana, who is a huge fan.

Caroline also made an appearance on the Today Show where she talks to David Campbell and Sonia Kruger about getting close and personal with Ryan Gosling!

While other brands may sell 'first shoes' for babies, Attipas are the only baby shoes that successfully mimic barefoot walking.  And the evidence is clear.

Attipas baby shoes come in six sizes and can be worn from 6 months to 4 years. They start from $39.95 and are sold on the Attipas Australia website.

Attipas baby shoes come in over 50 colours in an identical design that slips on like a sock but supports like a shoe. Bestsellers include Attipas Sneaker: cute, sneaker-style shoes that look like traditional Converse; Attipas Rainbow: unisex, bright and bold stripes that match any outfit; Attipas Attibebe: soft pastel tones, a favourite for girls; and Attipas Marine: cute nautical themed pre-walkers, a favourite for boys.

Our founder, Caroline Africh, discovered Attipas baby shoes on a holiday in Japan and knew she needed to bring them to Australia. As a mum of a then 1 year old, Caroline had unique insight into exactly what a toddler should be wearing on their feet while learning to walk. An avid fan of the barefoot movement, Caroline says: “As a new mother, I was very conscious about selecting the right first shoes for my baby.”

“The biggest mistake parents make when choosing first baby shoes is that they think they need to be structured,” Caroline says. “The reality is that science really speaks for itself. Being barefoot helps baby develop brain function and the barefoot movement has been massive for decades. When choosing suitable pre-walking shoes for babies, parents need to select something that mimics the concept of walking barefoot.” 

Long before Caroline founded Attipas Australia, she had two very successful careers—first as an auditor, and then secondly as a project manager.

Caroline began her career as an IT auditor in the early 2000's, working for PwC Sydney as a graduate. Not feeling as though she 'fit in', it was then she realised her aspirations to become an entrepreneur — which she would later fulfil by bringing Attipas shoes to Australia.

At age 25, Caroline packed her bags and moved to London, and just like that, she worked her way up the chain to become a Project Manager in an investment bank. Over the next five years, she managed several large-scale IT implementations however still felt like something was 'missing' from her work life.

In her early 30s, Caroline had a baby and moved back to Sydney. After nearly a decade working in corporate, Caroline wanted to start her own business and become an entrepreneur. As a new mum conscious about baby foot health, Caroline discovered Attipas shoes in Japan and knew it was her inner calling to bring Attipas to Australia. We are proud to say: she succeeded. As seen on the Today Show, at the Oscars and on Shark Tank, over 500k pairs have been sold since Attipas arrived in 2012.

Caroline's 'less-is-more' approach to toddler foot health has been adopted by hundreds of thousands of Australian parents, who use Attipas on their babies every single day.

What our customers are saying about us...

“We bought these for our then 11 month old and they are the perfect baby shoe! They protect little toes, are easy to walk in even for an early walker, and the sock-style means she can't pull them off. She's one now and loves them so much that she sometimes brings them to you to put them on for her, even inside! Very glad we bought the next size up as well.” — Victoria

All Attipas Products are tailor-made for environmentally conscious families.

We care about making our products safe and healthy for you—and our planet. That’s why our products are non-toxic and contain no formaldehyde or BPA.  They are also vegan-friendly and not tested on animals. We also keep packaging to a minimum and use cardboard over plastics where possible.

Anyone can have allergies. If your baby or toddler has any discomfort or a rash develops, discontinue use and consult your doctor.