MotherFigure was born when two independent, successful women decided they weren't prepared to have their whole lifestyles turned upside down and inside out due to the arrival of a baby. Of course, everyone knows having a baby means compromise - but surely there is no place in the world today for comments like "it's not about you any more".

We were great friends before our kids were born and then when Daisy and George arrived on the same day, we found ourselves spending more and more time together. The thing we discussed most over long lunches was that whilst we are quite different in many ways - we both love the lifestyles we'd chosen for ourselves and spent many years building.

We both took the view that it must be possible to be a great mum without sacrificing everything we'd been and known before. Just because we'd had children didn't mean our personalities had changed. We've done our research and we know there are plenty of women like us who don't want to sacrifice their independence, figure, social life, career etc - but are made to feel selfish for wanting to maintain the lifestyle they had before. So we set about finding ways to make our lives easier without compromising our children's.

MotherFigure is our way of sharing some of these great products, services, tips and pearls of wisdom we've learnt (and are still learning) along the way. It's about balance - after all, being a happy and fulfilled woman is only going to help make you a fabulous mum.

We know there are loads of other women out there with great ideas and we'd love to help support you. If you have a product, service, tip from your granny or just a great idea that could help other women achieve the balance we all strive for - then let us know.

Happy reading.

Andrea & Cath

Mother of one & mother of two