I’m the new owner of Next of Kin, an Early Years Educator, and most importantly, Gracie’s mum.
Motherhood has been the most magical, messy, beautiful rollercoaster. One minute you’re crying because your baby smiled at you, the next you’re wondering how it’s possible to survive on two hours of sleep and cold cups of tea. Somehow, both can happen before 9am.
After years of working in early years education, supporting children and their families, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what parenting looked like. Then I became a mum… and realised just how much I still had to learn. Nothing prepares you for the love, the worry, the identity shift, or the way a little human can completely change your world.
One thing I’ve learnt is that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Having people who just get it makes all the difference.
So when the opportunity came to take over Next of Kin from the wonderful Emma, it genuinely felt like everything had fallen into place. Emma created something so much more than a children’s clothing brand. She built a community where parents could feel seen, supported and connected, alongside a podcast full of honest conversations.
I’m incredibly grateful to be continuing what she started, while bringing a little piece of me to this next chapter. I can’t wait to grow this community, share the highs, the hard days, plenty of laughs, and hopefully remind every parent that they’re never doing it alone.
As we begin this exciting new chapter of the Next of Kin Podcast, my hope is simple: to create a space for honest conversations about pregnancy, motherhood, parenting, careers, relationships and everything in between. The kind of chats that make you laugh, make you think, and remind you that whatever stage you’re in, you’re not the only one figuring it out.
Alongside the podcast, our clothing collection will stay true to what Next of Kin has always been about: affordable everyday pieces because we all know how quickly little ones grow, timeless unisex designs made to be loved, handed down and worn again, and thoughtfully designed with real families in mind to make everyday dressing that little bit easier. Every collection is created with life in the UAE in mind too, with lightweight, practical pieces perfect for warm weather, playground adventures and everyday family life.
Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’ve only just found us, I’m so happy you’re here. I can’t wait to grow this community together.
One of my favourite parts of taking over Next of Kin has been discovering all of the wonderful small, local, parent-founded brands that Emma carefully brought together over the years. Every brand has a story, and behind each one is a mum or dad who saw a need, took a leap, and created something truly special for other families.
I knew straight away that I wanted to keep celebrating these amazing businesses. There’s something so special about supporting parents who are following their dreams while raising little ones, and I hope Next of Kin continues to be a place where you discover your new favourite brands, support local, and feel part of a community that cheers each other on.