If you follow my rambles on twitter then you will be aware that a few weeks ago I declared myself THE WORST MUM IN THE WORLD and had a complete parental-guilt breakdown! (Drama queen, me?)
If you cast your mind back to my last post about visiting Build-A-Bear, you’ll remember that it was for Littlest’s birthday and how I said that the Chester store was my “happy place” and how I mentioned that I’d promised to “take Littlest again next month when the ‘Ice Cream Bears’ are released”. (You remember, yes? Good!)
Well Littlest remembered too, of course! She saved all of her birthday money and tooth fairy money and gave it to me. It was in my purse ready and I honestly think that every single day in July she asked me when we’d visit Build-A-Bear and that every single time I promised that it’d be soon. (Yes, promised!)
The problem is, dear blog-friends, that July was stupidly busy. Seriously, that sounds so feeble, but you have to remember that I’m a working-mum. I run my own business from home (with G) as well as writing. The reality is that if I don’t work, then I don’t make money and if I don’t write then my head will explode and deadlines will not be met and people will shout at me. And this all sounds like I’m making excuses… and clearly I am! The truth is that I promised, there IS NO EXCUSE.
By the time I finally got around to taking Littlest to Build-A-Bear (mid-August) the ‘Ice Cream Bears’ were no more! Now, as I’m sure you’ll understand this was the END OF THE WORLD for Littlest. She had already chosen which bear she wanted, she’d saved her money, she’d decided what her bear was going to be called and so she sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. (Poor poor Littlest!)
So, to ease my parental-guilt, I mentioned that I was THE WORST MUM IN THE WORLD on twitter and it was suggested that I contact Build-A-Bear’s PR company and tell them just what a BAD mum I was.
So I did!
And they replied and the very fabulous Estelle at Publicasity contacted Build-A-Bear and arranged for a Mint-Choc Ice-Cream Bear to be sent to the Chester store. (Seriously, they did!) And yesterday Littlest and I went to the store and Tad assisted Littlest in the making of Lily the bear.
I can honestly say that she is the most grateful little girl ever.
I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to both Estelle and Build-A-Bear for stopping me from being THE WORST MUM IN THE WORLD and for taking customer care to the highest level there is.
And I know that these Star Wars bears have absolutely nothing to do with this post, but aren’t they the cutest things ever? They’re out in September and I am a Star Wars geek. I WILL remember to visit the store in September, I will, I will, I will…
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Bad bad Mum!!! But well done Build a bear for putting their customers[ie children] first. It certainly makes a very pleasant change, especially over here in France where customer care is a dirty word. Hope that Littlest is a very happy bunny.
Yes, exactly! Littlest is possibly the happiest little girl ever and I have learned SUCH a lesson
x
Awww sweet, and you are the best mum ever. I know, I’ve seen you mummy-ing. So ner. Can we see a photo of mint choc ice cream bear please?
Twitter: @djkirkby
I didn’t post one, as it isn’t available any more AND I fell in love witht he Star Wars ones. I’ll put one on Facebook as Littlest is very proud and it has been EVERYWHERE with us since it ‘came to life’. And, I’m afraid that I was a bad mummy, but am now not - hooray! x
They look fabulous! Ice cream bears? I like the sound of those. Our problem would be choosing which one to create. There seems to be so much choice. I would have to stop myself taking over and let my seven-year-old make the decision, I suppose!
Twitter: @RosieScribble
There are some super-cute Hello Kitty ones at the moment too and little tiny roller skates and teeny Hello Kitty knickers! HOWEVER, I have my eye on the above Star Wars outfit that perhaps Littlest will let me buy for her bear. That way, when she’s at school, I can put it on my desk and giggle to myself while I work. Oh the small pleasures in life… x
They are a fab company and that ice-cream bear is amazingly cute. I long for the day when there’s a Harriet Houdini Build-a-Bunny but, in the meantime, I may have to buy myself a Star Wars Bear. They do make a Han Solo one, don’t they?
Twitter: @tamsyntweetie
Oh Littlest would love there to be a Harriet Build-A-Bunny! You get a double thumbs up each time we mention you
And YES there is a Hans Solo one, oh yes there is… x
Like DJ, I now *have* to see the ice cream bear. And am also wondering if by any chance they will be doing X Factor bears?
Twitter: @hmhunt
Oh, I should have posted a photo, but I thought I’d go for the Star Wars ones as they’re just coming out and make me smile when I look at them. I hope they bring back the Ice Cream bears in the future, but I don’t really know how it works. And I also think that so many adults buy BAB bears there has to be a market in Simon, Louis and Dermot bears? Oh, oh oh and Jonny Depp bears… now that would be utterly amazing x
That’s so cool! You’re an amazing Mom and I’m glad it all worked out. It’s a good lesson to learn, too. (I wish my mom would read this. Haha!)
And yeah, those Star Wars bears are adorable! ^_^
Twitter: @affy7ann
Aww, thank you. I LOVE the Star Wars costumes. They are a must buy! x
How lovely of them!
Twitter: @nikperring
I know, utterly! x
Phew! So glad they could sort it out for you. I think Build a Bear is very impressive as a company, they really have their customer service sorted out.
Twitter: @notsupermum
I think so too. Littlest is going to be a fan for life! x
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