Welcome to our new ‘Be Our Guest’ blog post! We have been excited about sharing this story, and our new section with you for some time and hope it creates inspiration and information when moving your family to a new location. This story and many more in the future will shed some light on how it feels for mums to move with their families. They say moving house is hard, but how about moving countries and not just moving yourself, moving your children too.
Cecie Goodwin is a beautiful and successful mum of one with a stunning photography business – Photography By Cecie. Earlier this year Cecie and her family were presented with an opportunity to move to Cape Town, South Africa from Dubai. Cecie had already been an expat for 8 years, so she was no stranger to moving around. There was a catch though; the move was immediate and she had a one month time frame to relocate everything, including her husband and daughter (lets face it mums, we do most of it right?). She knew no one in South Africa and had no trusted opinions on schools, people or areas. She also had her business Photography By Cecie that she needed to relocate carefully, whilst keeping it successful. In addition to all of this Cecie had to find herself again; as an individual, a wife and a mum, in a new world that she knew hardly anything about. So how did she do it?
We wanted to find out more, so in true MTW style we hounded (well not really) and asked her to ‘Be Our Guest’ so she could share with us, and you, just what a super ‘expat on expat’ mummy she really is….
Where are you from?
Bournemouth, on the south coast of England, where the sun shines – occasionally!
What brought you to Dubai?
During a rare summer’s day, that involved actual sun, we met a friend, fresh from Dubai, telling us tales of year round sun, beaches & incredible tax-free earning potential! Heaven, in a nutshell! The seed was sown, & my head started spinning at the idea of living abroad. I was in recruitment at the time, and sure enough, after arranging interviews, I had 2 job offers, 2 weeks later! I couldn’t believe my luck. No more rain & credit crunch doom & gloom. I was heading for the land of fun in the sun!
Why did you then move to South Africa?
I met my husband in Dubai and we were blessed with our gorgeous girl, Gracie-Rose. Greg’s company called him to an unexpected meeting and offered him the chance to run the African region, based in Cape Town! A fantastic promotion & whole new world!
Was it an easy step to make?
We didn’t have long to decide, Greg swept me away to Cape Town the very next day (!) to see whether we could live there. Well, anyone who’s been here will concur – what’s not to love?! We had an incredible time seeing all the postcard perfect sights and exploring the endless, outdoor, family fun that would be available to us. We enjoyed the energy of Cape Town and the noticeably fresh air! After life in the scorching desert we thought it to be the perfect green, gorgeous, friendly place for Gracie to grow up in! After a beautiful lunch at the Waterfront’s Cape Grace hotel, we toasted our glasses & decided “LETS DO IT”!
What was the process when you pressed the GO button?
Greg needed to move immediately, so I was left to wrap everything up, which was daunting to say the least! We had to find a house, look for nurseries, I needed to close bank accounts, cancel my visa & sell our furniture and cars. Did I mention I had just 1 month? But my friends and family were superheroes and I think support is definitely something you need at such busy time like this!
Your daughter is a real credit to you, was it hard moving a 2 year old?
Why, thank you! For my husband and I, saying goodbye to friends and family was especially hard. Gracie also had lots of special friends, but what is life, if not an adventure? And what greater education, than through experiencing different cultures. Strangers are just friends waiting to meet you (or people who will think you’re odd, but I’ll take the risk!;) Toddlers will make friends wherever they are, so long as Mummy is relaxed & happy, they will be!
Tell us a bit more about your business and did you find it easy to relocate it?
I had built up a thriving business as a photographer, stylist, personal shopper and had begun working on a fun and fabulous soft furnishings print range. Moving, meant starting up from scratch, but I believe in the infinite potential of photographing this beautiful city and its people, as well as being the perfect creative hub to launch Retro Rose – my bespoke, personalised soft furnishings, uniquely designed for my clients, where I use my images, adding a surreal twist.
Retro Rose..
3 Relocating Tips:
1. Try not to stress! Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture! The unknown is always a little terrifying, but then nothing extraordinary ever happened by being too safe!
2. Join local social media groups. Do your research of the best areas to live, places to go, as well as nearby shops & naturally, where to get your hair & nails done!
3. Join kiddy groups & don’t be afraid to start up a conversation with another mummy. Gracie’s birthday was within a month of us moving! Sob! I was so upset that I had no one to invite, but I proactively went mummy and kiddy stalking!:) Gracie ended up having an amazing party and we both made fab new friends!
How many suitcases did you need to take? We know you have a million pairs of shoes!
I actually had a mere 2 suitcases, BUT sent 6 boxes of clothes and shoes in advance!! A girl can conquer the world in the right heels, after all!
Which moment from the big move was your most memorable?
Definitely the moment I wheeled Gracie and our suitcases through the airport doors. We made it! Hello, shiny new world with a Table Mountain on top!
What was the plan when you got to SA and is it easy to make new mummy friends (groups)?
As hard as it is to get into good nurseries and schools in Cape Town, I did my research and found a great one 5 minutes away – and next to the gym (NO excuses now)! As for schools, I still need to put her name down, eek! But baby steps. If your child is currently in childcare, I wouldn’t leave a large gap in-between. I made that mistake and Gracie ended up stuck to me like glue. As for friends, I have been blessed. Although I currently have quality, over quantity – all you need is one dear soul, to make yours feel at home. The aforementioned mommy stalking does help. Although I miss my Dubai girls desperately, I know I’ll feel the same way about my Cape Town friends one day.
Photography by Cecie….
Helpful Relocating Websites:
What 3 things would you take with you if you were stuck on desert island?
Easy! My beautiful, cheeky girl; my husband to hunt for food and protect us and my camera – to take some awesome shots for Retro Rose, once we’re rescued!
If you were 80 years old, what would you say to your children to help them live a happy, fulfilling life?
Choose to smile. Count your blessings & you will always be happy. Be thoughtful & generous: You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give – & remember… adventure awaits! Things I’ve learnt from my own Grandma – who won’t actually tell me her age!! She was a glamorous 1950’s cover model for Vogue! She raised me & remains my ultimate style icon & inspiration!
Thank you for taking some time out of what we can only imagine to be a very busy time for you right now. Mums the World fell in love with Cape Town, the surrounding areas in South Africa and the wine when we visited last year, so be prepared for a visit from us soon Cecie!
On a final note; Dubai had to say a sad goodbye to a great, creative photographer, and a good soul when Cecie left for the South African shores, but the good news is for South Africa – is that you just went and inherited her!
For enquiries, contact Cecie on Facebook, or email info@ceciebyphotography.com
Journey well whilst moving everyone!
Love Mums the World x