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No offence to bath bombs and body butter... But if you’re about to buy your mom another scented candle this year, we’re here to help you out. Mother's Day falls on Sunday, 11 May 2025 and this year, we asked real moms what they actually want for Mother’s Day... and built a guide around that. Some fun, some effortless, and a few dream gifts worth saving up for (if not this year, then next). Whether you're shopping for your partner, your mom, your best friend - or yourself - consider this your shortcut to stress-free, last-minute gift genius. 1. The Gift of Relaxation A luxe day off from motherhood, book her a spa treatment: Cape Town: Babylonstoren Spa Joburg: Saxon Spa Durban: Oyster Box Hotel Wellness & Spa 2. The Personalised Keepsake Something that keeps her little ones close, even when they're not in her arms. Famke's handcrafted initial necklaces, made with love in Cape Town. Choose her children's initials in sterling silver, gold vermeil, or solid gold, and create a piece unique to her. 3. The Me-Time Reset Gift her time for herself with sessions at her favourite workout studio Cape Town & Joburg: Breathe Barre Joburg: Nuru House Durban: Kaya Shala Yoga 4. It's-On-Me Coffee Because some days, parenting is just a series of hot sips between cold chaos. Treat her to a never-ending cup of delicious Plato Coffee, with a gift card to one of their 85 stores countrywide. 5. The Wellbeing Moment If she's craving more zen, and stepping away from tension and stress, book her a package of sauna sessions: Cape Town: Labrisa Spa at the Mount Nelson & HotHuts Mobile Saunas Johannesburg: Four Seasons Spa at the Westcliff Durban: Mangwanani Spa Zimbali 6. The Gift of No Decisions  The ultimate luxury? Not being asked what's for lunch or dinner. Sign her up for a week of pre-prepped meals from: Babylonstoren - Meal Solutions UCook - Dinner Made Easy Frozen For You - Restaurant Quality Ready Made Meals 7. The Week Long Parisian Shopping Trip She Dreams of For the ultimate girls' getaway, Condé Nast Traveller's 28 Best Places to Shop in Paris is your go-to guide. From vintage gems in Le Marais to luxury flagships on Rue Saint-Honoré, and charming boutiques in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this curated list offers something for every style and budget. Whether you're shopping for yourself, your mom, or your mother-in-law, it's the perfect itinerary to make those Parisian dreams come true. 8. A Trip She Doesn’t Have to Plan A surprise lunch with her girl friends - booked, paid for and kid-free. Joburg: Saint Cape Town: Clara’s Barn at Vergenoegd Durban: The Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box 9. A Retreat Away from it All  Something to centre her outside of being a mom, and reconnect with herself. Whether it's a local weekend away or a full international break away, nothing says you deserve to take up your own space quite like a yoga retreat. Yoga, Breathwork & Silent Retreats near Cape Town: Bodhi Khaya Yoga & Wellness Retreats in Knysna: Vala House  Wellness Retreats in Thailand: Kamalaya Koh Samui Yoga Retreats in Portugal: Six Senses Douro Valley Found something with her name all over it? Send this gift guide to someone who could use the nudge (your partner, your kids, or the family group chat). It’s the helpful hint they didn’t know they needed - and a chance to give mom something better than “just another candle.”

As the family store that grows with you, we’re proud to launch our new website - built to help modern parents cut through the noise and shop smarter.  We bring you the world’s best baby, kids, and parenting essentials - handpicked, tested, and trusted by real families like yours. Our new online space is easier to browse, faster to navigate, and thoughtfully organised by how you actually live. No fluff. Just clever design that makes parenting simpler. “We built Sprout for parents like us - time-poor, design-conscious, and drowning in too many tabs. The new site is clean, intuitive, and purposefully curated so you can find what works without the scroll fatigue.” - Mike, Co-Founder So, what's new? Smarter Shopping, Less Guesswork:  our lifestyle-led categories (FEED, SOOTHE, STYLE, PLAY, HOME, ROUTINE, WELL-BEING) are designed around your daily moments, not retail trends. Explore our curated collections Parent-Approved Essentials:  From newborn must-haves to big-kid upgrades, we’ve done the work to bring the best together. Find the perfect gift Brands That Get It:  We partner with award-winning, design-forward, family-owned global brands that share our values. Meet the brands that made the cut The Sprout Selection Standard:  Every product is scored, tested, and filtered through real parent feedback before it hits our shelves. No hype. Just high standards.  View Our Collection Trust parents, to tell parents. We don’t just trust algorithms—we trust you. Every product we select is influenced by real parent experiences, feedback, and lived moments. “Sprout isn’t about selling more - it’s about selling better. We obsess over quality, design, and function because we know what matters when you're in the thick of it. With our new site, finding the right essentials feels less like a chore and more like a win.” - Olivier, Co-Founder If you made it here, we're happy to welcome you.  Have fun exploring our new site, and come back soon for exciting products and a brand new brand launching very soon. And if you need help, we’re just a message away. Get in touch Written by Jacqui Mills.

I’ve never really celebrated Valentine’s Day—it always felt too commercial to me. I believe love should be celebrated naturally, not just because the calendar tells us to. Since becoming a mom, love has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s the purest form of love—showing up every day, even when you feel like you have nothing left to give. And that love constantly evolves—from the warmth of chubby little arms around your neck to the pride of cheering on your teens. These days, being truly present feels harder than ever. Technology has a way of pulling us away from the moments that matter most. We scroll through emails while half-listening to bedtime stories, reply to messages during dinner, or get caught up in endless to-do lists. While the world focuses on romantic love this Valentine’s Day, I see it as a chance to honour the unconditional love that comes with being a parent—the kind that thrives in undistracted moments when we truly show up. The Power of 'Love-Bombing' Many years ago, a close friend introduced me to the concept of ‘love bombing.’ “A what?” I asked, expecting something entirely different. But as she explained, I grew curious. The idea came from psychologist Oliver James. Knowing she would never recommend something unworthy; I ordered a copy and was hooked. James explains that Love Bombing helps reset emotional connections, giving children a sense of security and control, strengthening the parent-child bond. Simply put, it’s about giving your child an intensive experience of feeling loved and in control. For a few minutes a day, or even a weekend, they set the agenda. It’s simple: Let them pick the game, really listen to their stories or have a movie night with popcorn (mine still love this). We often feel pressured to show love by buying things. But what kids remember most are the small moments when they feel seen. Bedtime Bonding By bedtime, most parents are wiped out (I’ve definitely picked the shortest book some nights). Even though my tween has outgrown his My Little Morphée, he still gravitates toward small bedtime rituals—and honestly, I secretly enjoy it too. It’s a simple way to unwind together, especially on nights when I’m too tired to read. So, whether you go all out for Valentine’s Day or prefer to skip the fuss, let it be an excuse to just be there. To love them. To cherish the moments that money can’t buy.  Written by Jacqui Mills

South Africa’s sunny climate offers endless opportunities for kids to play outdoors, but it also brings an important responsibility for parents: protecting children’s eyes. Whether they’re enjoying long beach days, spending hours in the pool, or glued to digital screens indoors, kids are exposed to harmful UV rays and blue light that can impact their eye health. Why Eye Protection for Kids is Essential in South Africa Most parents are vigilant about sunburn, but many don’t realise that children’s eyes are just as vulnerable—if not more so—to the damaging effects of prolonged UV exposure and blue light. Developing eyes are especially susceptible to damage, and South Africa’s high UV radiation levels can increase the risk of long-term eye conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration later in life. It’s not just the sun we need to consider. With growing screen time, kids are exposed to blue light, which can cause eye strain, disrupt sleep patterns, and affect overall well-being. This combined exposure to sunlight and screens makes proper eye protection essential for children, wherever they are. How MOKKI Glasses Protect Kids’ Eyes from UV and Blue Light MOKKI glasses are an award-winning solution for protecting young eyes, offering stylish, comfortable, and practical designs at an affordable price. With their innovative Click & Change system, kids can easily switch between Everyday and Active frames, ensuring year-round protection. Whether your child is building sandcastles or completing homework on a tablet, MOKKI glasses provide essential protection against both UV rays and blue light—helping to safeguard their vision and support their long-term eye health. Here’s Why They’re a Must-Have: 1. 100% UV ProtectionSouth Africa’s high UV index means that kids need full protection from harmful rays, even on overcast days. MOKKI sunglasses provide 100% UV protection, shielding their delicate eyes from long-term damage caused by sunlight. 2. Advanced Blue Light FilteringWith increasing screen time in today’s digital world, MOKKI glasses are equipped with advanced BlueBlock technology to filter out blue light. This reduces eye strain, supports better sleep, and ensures that screen use doesn’t negatively affect their well-being. 3. Designed for Every Age and ActivityMOKKI glasses are tailored to fit kids of all ages, from infants to pre-teens, offering maximum comfort and versatility. Their award-winning Click & Change system allows children to seamlessly switch between Everyday and Active frames, ensuring eye protection in any situation—from outdoor adventures to focused screen time. 4. Built for DurabilityMade from ultra-flexible and highly durable materials, MOKKI glasses are designed to withstand even the most active adventures. Whether your child is climbing trees, building sandcastles, or running around the playground, these glasses are built to handle it all. Almost indestructible, they provide peace of mind for parents while ensuring style and functionality remain uncompromised. Supporting Healthy Vision and Lifestyle Using MOKKI glasses isn’t just about protection—it’s about encouraging healthy habits for your child. By safeguarding their eyes, you’re empowering them to enjoy the best of both worlds: endless sunny days and the benefits of digital learning. Affordable and practical, MOKKI glasses make it easier for parents to prioritise their child’s eye health without compromise. Investing in their vision today can have lasting benefits for their future, helping to reduce the risk of eye strain, poor sleep, and long-term damage. With MOKKI glasses, you can give your child the freedom to explore, learn, and thrive—safely and confidently. FAQ Do MOKKI glasses block both blue light and UV rays?Yes! MOKKI glasses offer 100% UV protection and advanced BlueBlock technology to filter blue light, ensuring complete eye protection for your child. Are MOKKI glasses suitable for toddlers?Absolutely. MOKKI glasses are designed for kids of all ages, from infants to pre-teens, with comfortable and versatile frames tailored for every stage. Protect your child’s vision with MOKKI glasses—the ultimate eye protection for sunny days and screen time. Explore our award-winning designs here and give your child the freedom to thrive, safely and confidently. Written by Jacqui Mills.