It was the wonderful bond and connection with her own child that inspired Shana Roberts to write and publish children’s stories via Wild & Free Publishing. Her children’s picture books are designed to open discussions about key childhood experiences and assist in navigating difficult situations with warmth and understanding. She also wanted to build a space that would be a helpful resource for parents and families, so Nurture Connect Play was born, to help parents build deeper connections with their young children through the magic of storytelling. Whether you’re addressing emotions, or simply seeking to strengthen your bond, their friendly books and resources are here to guide you every step of the way. Here Shana talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about her business journey so far.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Being a primary school teacher who has worked in the education system for many years, there is so much I love about teaching, but working with many dynamic and talented students and building connections with them while supporting them in gaining self-confidence is what I treasure the most.
Since embracing motherhood, my bond with my child has become one of the most important in my life. This magical connection has been my guiding star and inspired me to begin my author journey in penning my children’s stories, Mama, I See You and Don’t Go. Mama, I See You is a nod to the beautiful bond between a mother and her child. Through tender moments, it captures the essence of a child recognising the love, care, and magic that their mother brings into their world. Don’t Go is a tender narrative about the difficulties a young child experiences while navigating the mystery of separation for the first time. Guided by his mother, Joey feels at ease in her presence; his emotions are embraced and understood, which eases his discomfort at her departure. He trusts and knows that she will return.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
My passion for self-learning and seeking knowledge has helped me to grow continually. I have learnt so much throughout my life, from my job as a teacher, life experiences, and becoming a parent. I thrive on building meaningful connections and supporting others. After I wrote and published Mama, I See You, via Wild & Free Publishing, that kickstarted a desire to create more books and look at what else I could creatively do. Nurturing the whole child is extremely important to me and something I instil in my interactions with students and now my child. I see children as worthy of respect and treat them as such. I wanted to build a space that could be a helpful resource for parents and families, so Nurture Connect Play was born after I had begun publishing. On my platform, I share my published books and educational resources, and ideas on supporting connection-led strategies when interacting and engaging with kids to help set them up for success, supporting children in feeling valued and child-led play ideas.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I think the most significant innovation I made was investing in myself. Being an author with published books has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am naturally an introvert who prefers to keep to myself; however, running a business where social media is necessary has helped me become brave and share things about myself and my businesses with others.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Being in tune with myself and prioritising what is essential helps me maintain balance. Being 100% present is my priority when I am with my child. With this in mind, any work needing to be completed (including housework and other tasks) is around my child’s needs. I think listening to your body, especially when it is telling you to slow down or not worry about something, and ensuring you include time and activities to fill your cup helps!
