We’re turning the spotlight on the three inspirational mums who have successfully built up their Sing and Sign franchises in South London whilst juggling family life. Kim Golson has kindly agreed to spill the beans on herself and her fellow franchisees Trish Cummings and Rebecca Clow. We’re also delighted to have them as partners in our #findyourhappity competition which you can enter now!
Sing and Sign class in action
What inspired you to start your business and how did you do it?
Trish and Rebecca both took their first babies to Sing and Sign classes and loved it so much they wanted to share it with more parents. Initially, Trish started the Southwark and Lambeth franchise. After Rebecca had been to her classes they joined forces and also bought Lewisham and Greenwich. They worked successfully for many years in partnership. As the business grew it became sensible to make it two businesses, so the area was split. I’m Trish’s partner and so have been in the background of Sing and Sign for many years before becoming a franchisee myself. Now I operate in Lambeth and Wandsworth.
How do you manage to juggle work and family life?
Work and home life balance is the age old struggle. At Sing and Sign, we operate term time so get all of the school holidays off to be with our children. We also decide when and where to run classes to help us manage the balance. The greatest challenge is the administration which, as we’re self employed, doesn’t really ever end. The joy is that we can spend time with the children in the evening and still be doing some admin. The difficulty is that it means we are not always focused on quality time with the children so it is important to have some days completely off!
Tell us about Sign and Sign
Sing and Sign runs 3 different age appropriate classes to make sure that babies from 2 – 30 months are catered for and are able to enjoy our classes.
Our classes really give parents lessons which they carry with them all week
What are the benefits for mums and babies?
Our next stage is stage 1 for babies aged 6-14 months. Here we focus on a different theme each week and learn about things from basic signs and bath times to going out and emotions. Our classes really give parents lessons which they carry with them all week and they are able to build their sign repertoire at a pace that suits them. We offer lots of advice about signing with your child – as well as being experienced parents and Sing and Sign teachers with knowledge to share.
Stage 2 is for babies aged 14-30 months. We extend our signing vocabularies further and learn about foods, colours, the weather and even the alphabet! It is geared towards more active and toddling little ones, although we still follow a pattern in classes which babies become familiar with and love.
The famous and much-loved Jessie Cat
Why choose Sing and Sign?
Of course the one main thing that babies love about Sing and Sign is Jessie Cat, who comes out every week in each stage and builds her own relationship with the babies. She loves to hide and play peek-a-boo as well as get cuddles from each of the babies.
What keeps you sane?
In the last few years I have taken up knitting. I am best at small projects because I can easily get bored if I knit a jumper as it takes so long! At the moment I am knitting socks as presents for Christmas! I also play in a brass band, which I love. Trish likes to crochet (everything and anything!) and also teaches and plays piano. Rebecca has a secret life as an actress and is one third of a ukulele-playing trio called the Martini Encounter. They have performed at Glastonbury, Latitude and the Edinburgh Fringe and pop up in late night venues in London so look out for them!
Parenting is about how you conduct yourself as a parent, not how you control your child.
Tell us your best parenting hack
Probably the best lesson I have learnt as a parent is to pick your arguments. Life is far too exhausting to challenge everything. Sometimes you have to let things go rather than get backed into a corner. Parenting is about how you conduct yourself as a parent, not how you control your child. Distraction is probably the best parenting trick in the book; especially when meltdowns are approaching! Listening to your child and showing them empathy is the surest way to give them the emotional support they need as they navigate relationships with you, their peers and others. Always listen to your child, even if you can’t do anything about what they are talking about. Being listened to tells a child that they matter, no matter what.
Visit Happity to search Sing & Sign timetables and venues closest to you, classes running nationwide. Head to the Sing & Sign website to make bookings in Lambeth and Wandsworth, Southwark, Greenwich and Lewisham.
Kim would also be happy to advise you on the best Sing and Sign class for you – contact Kim directly quoting Happity and providing your baby’s name, date of birth and your postcode.
Happity Founder Sara Tateno also nominated Sing and Sign as her favourite baby class and Happity Hero. Here’s what she said:
Both of my children did the classes for as long as we could – they loved the music and adored Jessie Cat. Personally I liked the opportunity to learn something new and natter with the other mums. My husband did them with my son too. When the babies start signing it’s incredibly rewarding. I vividly remember the day my daughter ‘read’ her first book just before she turned one – it was called ‘Guess What Fruit‘ where the fruit turn out to be animals. She could sign each one of them. I found it mind-boggling as I realised how much she already understood at such a young age. And she can still sing the songs 5 years on!
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