A bit about Newy with Kids and the person behind it
I’ve been getting questions about who’s behind Newy with Kids and how it all started — so here are some answers.
Why did you start Newy with Kids?
After my daughter was born, it was one of the happiest times of my life but also one of the most challenging. I went from full-time work surrounded by other adults to being at home with a new baby on 12 months maternity leave. Honestly, some days it just sucked.
I was bored and life started to feel like Groundhog Day — every day the same as the one before. I wanted to get out with my baby but had no idea where to go. I remember thinking it would be so useful to have a website with information on local attractions, events and activities for parents with babies and kids.
A year after I returned from my maternity leave, I was made redundant from my position, and decided to start The Mummy Project — which later became Newy with Kids. I figured it would be a great learning opportunity, while I had a career break for a few years. The universe had other plans though, and soon after launching in late 2012, I ended up with a part-time job offer. So I juggled paid work and the website for a number of years before Newy with Kids became my full-time job.
Are you Newcastle born and bred?
Not even close!
I was born in London, England to parents of Indian Sikh ancestry which explains my not-fake tan and my fondness for spicy food. Think Bend It Like Beckham except I don’t play soccer.
When I was ten, our family moved to Canada. We lived first in the small town of High Prairie in Northern Alberta and then in Edmonton — home of West Edmonton Mall, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. I quickly dropped my London accent for a Canadian one and learned how to survive -30 degree winters.
In my twenties, I fulfilled a dream of visiting Australia, arriving in Sydney on a working holiday*. I worked in Sydney for a few months, then backpacked around Australia and New Zealand. I fell in love with Australia — and later an Australian.
Fast forward a few years, I moved from Canada to Sydney to be with my boyfriend (now husband). Although I love Sydney, the relaxed lifestyle, beaches and friendly people attracted us to Newcastle in 2006 and we’ve had 20 happy years here. By the way, how long do you have to live in Newcastle to be able to call yourself a local?
As a result of my upbringing, I have a mangled accent, wide range of interests and a collection of passports. I love travelling, experiencing new destinations, cultures and cuisine and meeting new people. If you spot me out and about, please do say hello.
*Coincidentally, on the flight from to Australia (LAX – Sydney) in September 1998, I was sitting next to a friendly woman from Newcastle. When I asked her if I should include Newcastle on my list of places to visit, she replied “Don’t bother, it’s a dirty steel town”. How I wish I had ignored her advice and visited then.
Are you married? Do you have children?
Yes — I’m married to my husband, a local firefighter who is the love of my life except for when he annoys me. We have a 16-year-old daughter who was conceived after several years of IVF.
We would have loved a larger family but due to my infertility issues from severe endometriosis, just having one was a bit of a miracle. I share this because over the years many readers have approached me at events to say my story resonated with them — and if it helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth sharing.
My ongoing thanks to Dr Andrew Hedges and the staff of Hunter IVF and endometriosis specialist Dr Danny Chou at St George Private Hospital. Without them, I wouldn’t have my daughter or this website.
Do you work on Newy with Kids full-time?
Yes — and I love it. Newy with Kids is now my full-time job, which still feels a bit surreal after years of balancing it alongside corporate roles in IT and business analysis.
It’s my dream job and a big change from my previous life analysing data, managing systems and writing technical documentation. The skills transferred more than I expected — just with considerably more playgrounds involved. You can find out more about my background on LinkedIn.
How do you do balance work and family?
I won’t lie — sometimes it’s a challenge. I get stressed when I look at the state of my house, the piles of laundry and the empty fridge. Like many busy parents, it often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I juggle what needs to be done but sometimes drop the ball in spectacular fashion. A sense of humour helps. So does chocolate.
Is it just you working on Newy with Kids? How do you find out about what’s on?
I do most of the work on the website and social media but now I have a small team of writers who contribute as well.
In terms of finding out information, I find out what’s happening through research, media releases and emails from contacts at local councils and event promoters. I also get plenty of tips from readers about upcoming local community and school events which I greatly appreciate.
Do you make any money from Newy with Kids?
After many years running it as a hobby, Newy with Kids has grown into my full-time job — something I’m incredibly proud of. Thanks to the support of local councils, organisations and businesses who advertise with the site, I’m able to earn a fair wage doing what I love.
When Newy with Kids receives free products, services or event tickets to review, I always disclose that to readers. Transparency matters. And for the record — if we don’t like something, we won’t write about it.
What do you like about running Newy with Kids?
So many things. It gives me a great excuse to get out and explore family-friendly places and events across the region. From discovering new playgrounds, sharing family walks and new spots to attending major events, we’ve had some fantastic family adventures and great memories.
One of my favourite projects has been the Newy with Kids Scavenger Hunt series — self-directed family hunts across Newcastle that get kids and adults outdoors and exploring the city together. We’ve now created 14 hunts for local councils and attractions, and seeing families out doing them never gets old.
Newy with Kids has also been featured on ABC Newcastle, NBN Television, the Newcastle Herald and Newcastle Weekly, which still feels a bit surreal for what started as a personal project during maternity leave.
Most of all I love the community. The readers who have been following since the very beginning, the parents who reach out to say the site helped them settle into Newcastle & Hunter region, the grandparents who use the newsletter to plan outings with their grandkids. Your support has meant everything.
What are your plans for Newy with Kids?
Keep doing what I’m doing and see what unfolds. Newy with Kids has already surpassed every expectation I had when I started it. I’m just enjoying the ride.
Thank you for being part of it.
Reena x
P.S. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Here’s my email.
Something Random
Here’s a Newcastle Permanent TV commercial from 2010 that we ended up in purely by fluke. We were at Wallsend Library and my baby was being extra loud when the Julie Swane, Children’s Librarian approached — I was convinced we were about to be kicked out. Instead we were invited to be in a commercial. Blink and you’ll miss us.