From Playground to Power Move: Why I Created Kiddie Car Play, Solihull
There’s a moment in every mother’s life when time suddenly feels precious in a way it never did before. For me, that moment came when I looked at my little boy and realised that these early years — the cuddles, the giggles, the “watch me, Mummy!” milestones — would never come again.
So I made a choice.
I stepped away from my career to be fully present for him. Not because I didn’t love my job. Not because I lacked ambition. But because I knew that no promotion, no meeting, no commute would ever matter more than being there for his first words, his first friendships, his first steps into the world.
And I have never regretted it.
But when he started nursery, something shifted. For the first time in a while, I had space. A few hours in the day that were just… quiet. And like many mums, I found myself asking:
Who am I now? And what do I do next?
I knew one thing for certain — I couldn’t go back to my previous role. The long hours. The inflexible structure. The commute. It simply didn’t fit the life I had intentionally created. I needed something that worked around my son, not something that pulled me away from him.
And I also knew I wasn’t alone.
So many mothers face this crossroads. We step back for our children — willingly, proudly — but when we’re ready to step forward again, the working world hasn’t changed with us. Flexible roles are rare. Senior positions often demand rigid schedules. And too often, we’re expected to take pay cuts or start again from scratch just to make family life manageable.
I wanted something different.
The idea for Kiddie Car Play wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was born on Facebook.
Like so many parents, I was constantly scrolling, searching for new activities to take my little one to. Soft play sessions. Music classes. Toddler groups. Anything that would spark joy, burn energy, and give us both a change of scene.
And honestly? I often found there wasn’t much around. The same sessions. The same formats. The same spaces.
I remember thinking…
Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was something that truly lit up their imagination? Something active, engaging, and just a little bit different?
That’s when the spark ignited.
This journey hasn’t just been about starting a business. It’s been about redefining what work looks like as a mother. It’s been about refusing to accept that flexibility has to mean compromise. And it’s been about building something joyful from the very season of life that inspired it.
I was fortunate, I wasn’t alone – I had a supportive network and the right people around me; I was able to get the booking systems, website, initial investment, legals, insurance and marketing sorted. Now that we’ve successfully launched Kiddie Car Play – I’ve already identified my next mission … how do I support as many parents/mothers, as I can to join us is this mission of fun, flexibility and ownership – so watch this space! If you want to stay in the know reach out to me on socials or email.
But for now:
If you’re a parent looking for something new…
If you’re tired of the same old play options…
Or if you simply want to see your child’s face light up as they take the wheel…
Kiddie Car Play might just become your new favourite day out.
And for me? It’s proof that sometimes, when one chapter closes, the next one can be even more exciting — especially when it’s built with love, purpose, and a little bit of imagination.
Ready to see what all the excitement is about?
