I’m Maxine – mum of two girls, Poppy and Blossy. The older I’ve got, the more I’ve searched for calm. I tried meditation, reiki, facials, herbal teas – anything that gave me a pause from the chaos.

When I had Poppy, I wasn’t interested in the usual mum and baby groups. Honestly? I was exhausted, and my version of socialising was lunches with friends, wine on the table, or hosting dinner parties. But when Blossy came along, life suddenly felt busier and I craved calm even more.

I joined a baby massage class and enjoyed the chilled vibe – but I never really connected with the other mums. The small talk didn’t feel like me. I love the real talk – the honesty, the banter, the ups and the downs. I’m not the “coffee-and-walks-every-week” kind of mum – I’m more the “lunch with a glass of wine or prosecco” kind of gal.

But let’s be real – being in a restaurant or pub with a 2-year-old and a baby? Not exactly relaxing. Socialising has always been a huge part of my life, and I didn’t want to lose that, but I needed a space where both me and my kids could actually enjoy it.

I tried toddler groups too – but they felt loud, repetitive, and not really my thing. Glow-in-the-dark, parachutes, nursery rhymes… fab for some, but not for me.

So I started reflecting: what made me truly happy before? My horoscope (Gemini through and through!) nudged me to think back to when life didn’t feel like work. I remembered being at primary school, helping in the nursery at lunchtimes, dancing, doing arts and crafts, settling kids for naps – and absolutely loving it. That joy came rushing back when I became a mum myself.

That’s when it clicked: I could create something new. Something calm. Something where mums could still feel like themselves, socialise a little, and enjoy a treat – without the stress.