Josette has very kindly put this amazing account of her training together! If there was every a story that would convince you that working in the baby massage industry is just the best possible career, then this should do it!
Studying with Blossom and Berry? Begins with this little quote ‘’Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step’’.
I need to start at the beginning. Baby massage has always been at the back of my mind since I was a student nurse. I have a love for babies in general hence my educational route. I have a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years and I obtained my Bsc (Hons) Children’s Nursing. I had my first exposure/introduction to baby massage whilst on a Health Visitor placement whilst at university- I fell in love with baby massage instantly. I came to the third year of my studies and I wrote my research proposal on ‘The positive effects of Baby Massage on the Sick Neonate’ due to my passion for baby massage.
I worked for five of the most wonderful, challenging, eye opening years on the High Dependancy Neonatal Cardiac Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital where I would care for the most delicate of babies, most sick babies, most vulnerable babies and their parents and families. During this time I would always have in the back of my mind ‘baby massage’. At any given opportunity- mostly when babies were not constantly connected to machines, had feeding tubes or cannulas with fluids or infusions attached to them, I would give them a bath and a gentle massage with an oil or lotion which was left by parents. Those few moments of massage, gentle touch, settled babies and bought about an instant serenity- one couldn't hear the beeps of the other machines near by for those few minutes.
Due to my surprise pregnancy with my German partner I realised I too had to leave England, my job, friends, family, everything I knew and associated with the comfort of home, England.
Off I popped to Germany, Me, my bump and two suitcases! (my partner had left for Germany before me) Fast forward 4 years and life is wonderful, I have a healthy four year old son. Something is missing. I am currently working as a Doctors assistant but something is not right. I love my patient contact but I know I can offer more- especially to the English speaking community of Stuttgart, I am worth more. I want to make my boy proud.
This is where Blossom and Berry came into my life and changed it for the better. I decided to start studying in March 2016 and it’s the best decision I have made. I was very hesitant at first, I had been toying with the idea to study since 2015 but I just wasn’t brave enough. I plucked up the courage to register onto the online course and I’m 100% happy with my decision. Studying has given me confidence, self worth, the ability to trust myself and others. The chance to help others. Since starting the course I am happier because I am doing something I love ‘’The minute you begin to do what you really want to do it’s really a different kind of life’’- Buckminster Fuller. I feel I am a better mother because of the vast amount of information I am exposed to- which I never knew.
So, I am a British lady in Stuttgart, Germany. I had zero German as I moved 4 years ago. I had no friends at the start of the move and I have no family near by- neither my side or my now husbands side. I was lost, lonely and stuck in Germany. I searched for every activity in English I could possibly partake in with my baby boy and I found two activities- baby swimming and rhyme time. Which is why I am aiming baby massage classes for English speaking parents only. This is the best language I can communicate in and I thought about how many moms are currently in the position of, ‘a new country, new language, no friends, no family, lonely’. I hope to reach these parents and their babies to keep parents bonded with their babies, through challenging times, to take at least one hour out of a week to really home in and focus on baby and themselves. To give them a chance/opportunity to connect and develop with their baby. To reinforce that they are not alone and they are doing great with bringing up a baby in a foreign country.
To reach these moms I must be proactive. I have to go out there and promote what baby massage has to offer. I have joined every Stuttgart baby associated Facebook group possible, which has really helped with promotion, I am fortunate to be able to meet English speaking parents through work where I mention briefly the benefits of baby massage when their baby comes to developmental checks and immunisations. I have been approached by a photographer who is wanting to work along side me which is also great for promotion. I am in touch with the local parenting magazine where I have the possibility to advertise baby massage. I have created my own Facebook page to give parents an opportunity to have a little peak at what I offer- before I get started with a website page. And I have taught my very first baby massage group.
To date, I have found approaching social media challenging. Constantly hesitating over the content and how often I am advertising. I tend to find myself double and triple checking anything before I push that send button, which in essence is time consuming. However, the more I promote, the easier it’ll become. I have at times doubted myself, but the thought of helping parents and babies has overpowered.
2017…wow…difficult to predict or imagine, but if I don’t start picturing it now how can my business grow?! I imagine Baby’s Mini Massage business growing from strength to strength, I hope to complete another online course through Blossom and Berry to be able to offer my parents more. To have my own little massage space in a building might be wishful thinking for 2017 but as the quote goes ‘’The most absurd aspirations have sometimes led to extraordinary success’’- Luc Di Clapiers.
Josette Sticher
Josette we have to say, THANK YOU! This has moved us and we are so happy to hear you are enjoying studying with us! Remember you can JOIN US TODAY and become part of our community of teachers and students from all over the world.