Navigating a post-COVID world with kids

The question on everyone's lips. With COVID restrictions slowly easing in Australia, it's become quite normal to feel anxious and yet elated. Calm yet confused. Assured yet scared. What will life after COVID look like, and how will it affect our children?

As a business owner and mum of three, my pre-COVID life was nothing short of a strict timetable choc-o-block full of drop offs and pick-ups, before and after school activities, weekend sports and birthday parties. Not to mention the odd social gathering, BBQ or date night thrown in for good measure. 

Which is why going from full steam ahead to full scale lockdown, hit me and probably every busy family in Australia, like a tonne of bricks. We'd been so accustomed to running around that we'd forgotten how to stop. Literally.

Interestingly, easing into the lockdown and the slowness that followed, wasn't so bad. Sleep-ins became a daily ritual. Schooling more often than not was conducted in pyjamas until at least morning tea time. Afternoon bike rides in the lane were a daily staple. Physical Education class equated to a walk in the nearby rainforest. Gourmet lunches were served. And within a heartbeat it was all over. 

School has now resumed. Shops are now open. Companies are slowly staggering staff back to their workplaces, and stress levels are slowly creeping up again.

So what will a post COVID world look like for our kids? Here's a snippet of how it has already affected mine:

1. At School: Parents must now drop and collect children from the school gates, and there is strictly no mingling allowed on school grounds. Previously we'd spend three afternoons per week playing in the school grounds for over an hour, which was a great way for socially isolated parents to connect, as well as great exercise for the kids.

2. At Soccer: Soccer training has recommenced but parents must drop and collect children and then leave; they cannot watch their children train. Which is stressful for my son who lacks confidence already.

3. At Gymnastics: Gymnastics activities for my 4 year old commence next week but it's strictly drop-off/pick-up only, and my daughter has already expressed her disappointment that I cannot stay and watch.

COVID has sadly removed our sense of community and connection.

You see, it's not the exercise the kids like when playing after school. It's the social connections they make.

It's not the soccer skills that my son needs when I stand by the sideline; it's love and moral support through my presence. The same can be said for my daughter at gymnastics.

So in a post COVID world, it's clear that while life has somewhat resumed back to normal in terms of appointments and activities, it's lacking a very central human connection element which is almost a harder pill to swallow. 

The solution? Think about the connection and love we all shared during lockdown. That unity as a family. Channel that and be as present as you can, when you can. Our adaptive little humans will learn to enjoy our post COVID world, whether you're watching them playing soccer or not.

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.