Connection, Calm, And Presence: A Parent’s Experience Of HERE Wellbeing At London Hammersmith and Fulham Family Hubs
Every week for the past three years, Laura has found her 'weekly bubble' at our family mindfulness and yoga sessions in the Hammersmith and Fulham Family Hubs. She first arrived with her eldest child, who now confidently attends nursery, and today she brings sweet little Kai. Week after week, they settle onto the mat together for yoga, mindfulness, and those precious moments of calm that busy parents rarely find.
“It’s my weekly bubble where I can leave behind my busy mind and focus on the connection between myself and my baby,” Laura explains.
A Space to Breathe Again
Laura remembers the early days of motherhood vividly: the exhaustion, the constant juggling, and the feeling that she could rarely find even a single moment for herself.
"Before attending, I felt overwhelmed, unsure how to find any time for myself. I was looking for a way to move my body while spending time with my baby… a small moment of activity and calm during maternity leave." What initially drew Laura in was the promise of physical activity she could share with her child. What kept her coming back was something deeper: a space where she felt seen, supported, and able to simply be.
Small, meaningful moments from sessions remain etched in her memory. She recalls her children’s fascination with Jen’s singing bowl, the quiet pauses that invite reflection, and the gentle rhythm of yoga sequences that let her breathe, stretch, and feel present.
Strengthening Bond and Self-Connection
Laura has noticed significant changes in herself since attending the sessions. The mindfulness practices and gentle movements help her feel more grounded and connected to her own body and mind, a change that ripples outward into her parenting.
“After the sessions, I feel more connected to myself; my mind is calmer, and this has a direct positive impact on my children,” she reflects.
The act of practicing yoga with her baby goes beyond simple exercise. Touching Kai’s little toes while focusing on her breath, Laura finds, creates a shared, magical moment of presence. This connection, she notes, isn’t limited to physical closeness. Mindfulness helps her model emotional awareness and regulation, giving her children tools to notice, name, and manage their feelings.
“Practicing yoga with my baby strengthens our bond… it creates a magical, present moment. ”
HERE Digital, Printable Mindfulness Activities That Support Everyday Parenting
Alongside in-person sessions, the HERE Family Wellbeing App and supporting digital resources have provided Laura with tools to continue mindfulness at home, even on busy days.
“The digital activities are easy to fit into daily routines… breathing techniques, guided meditations, even while walking,” she says.
She uses the resources with her three-year-old, helping him develop self-awareness and emotional regulation in a playful, age-appropriate way. Techniques like the “leaf” or “star” breath allow children to practice pausing, noticing, and redirecting their attention… skills that support emotional resilience from a young age.
“I’ve learned how to teach my three-year-old to self-regulate in a playful way using the leaf or star breath.”
For her, the app is a bridge between the calm and connection she experiences in the sessions and the everyday demands of family life… Whether during school runs, bedtime routines, fresh-air walks in the park, or moments when she simply needs to pause and recenter.
Postnatal Wellbeing Support: How Mindfulness Helps New Mothers Thrive
Laura speaks candidly about the challenges of postnatal life and early parenthood.
“Postnatal life is rewarding but intensely demanding. Feeling seen and supported during this vital stage is deeply comforting,” she says.
She stresses that investing in mental and emotional wellbeing from an early age equips children with the internal tools they will carry throughout life.
“Mental health is important throughout life, but building emotional resources from childhood is essential,” she adds.
Through the combination of in-person sessions and digital resources, Laura has learned to allow herself to feel all her emotions, practice self-compassion, and model this for her children… creating a ripple effect of calm, presence, and emotional awareness across the family.
Three Words That Capture It All
When asked to sum up her experience in three words, Laura shares the words:
Connection, Calm, Presence
Mindfulness, Re-Defined
The concept of mindfulness has evolved for Laura over the years she’s been attending HERE sessions. It’s no longer an abstract idea, it’s a daily practice woven into the routines, play, and shared moments with her children.
“Mindfulness, to me now, means allowing myself and my children simply to be… welcoming all emotions as they come,” she reflects.
Thank you for being here laura and Kai! Sharing your journey helps other parents know they're not alone, and reminds us what magic can happen when families find their space to simply be.
Discover Nature-Inspired Mindfulness Activities In the HERE Family Wellbeing App: Created for Hammersmith & Fulham Families
The new HERE Family Wellbeing App is now live, offering families a meaningful range of simple, nature-based mindfulness activities, guided neighbourhood discovery walks and activities, and practical tools to support emotional wellbeing at home and beyond.
By combining the app with in-person sessions, parents like Laura can experience continuity and reinforcement in their mindfulness journey, bringing calm, connection, and presence into everyday family life.
The HERE Family Wellbeing app is currently free and open for all! We designed this to help you connect with yourself, your children, and your community…. finding greater balance, breath, and belonging together.
