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Tot's Team
Every single holiday home is visited and approved by the Tots Team to give you peace of mind when you book. As parents, we also know that finding and booking a holiday is a stressful and time consuming process which is why we have a team of Holiday Heroes dedicated to saving you time and stress by matching you to exactly the right property for you and your family.
Join us: Visiting and approving holiday homes has been described by Practical Parenting magazine as a "dream" role! If you're interested in finding out more please click the pink button on the right which will take you to a new page.
Now, come and meet the team...
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Wendy Shand
Founder & Director
| Age |
37 years |
| Star sign |
Pisces (creative and at times a bit dippy!) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate and Marmite on toast |
| Hobbies? |
Yoga and gardening |
| How many children do you have? |
3 |
| Names and ages? |
Barnaby 9, Maisy 7 and Monty 2 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The unexpected cuddles |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Packed lunches – providing a healthy variety of food that everyone will happily eat is just sheer torture! Marmite sandwiches anyone..? |
| Where are you based? |
Tots HQ in Northamptonshire |
| What do you like best about your area? |
I love the countryside and pretty villages combined with the fact that we are still pretty accessible. |
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Davina
Sales Manager
| Age |
39 years |
| Star sign |
Gemini |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Having my nails done once a month and my monthly girlie get togethers which I can never remember much of the next day |
| Hobbies? |
Horseriding (when I get the time) |
| How many children do you have? |
3 |
| Names and ages? |
Georgia 9, Lauren 7, Daniel 5 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Watching my children sleeping. Haha - only joking, it's the big cuddles and kisses x three |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Sibling rivalry and never knowing what child to believe?? |
| Where are you based? |
Ketton, Rutland |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Safe place to bring up the children and the wonderful village school which is just amazing (oh! Forgot to mention, my network of fantastic friends who without I wouldn't function properly). |
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Penny
New Property and Agent Team Management and Tots mum for West France
| Age |
43 but still 20 really |
| Star sign |
Taurus, although I had to Google it, and apparently I am a typical Taurean, down to earth, determined and patient. |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
First day back to school after the summer hols, good book and pool to myself |
| Hobbies? |
Reading, Gardening (fair weather), DIY and my ipod. |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Jake 14 and Lucy 9 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Playdough, paint and gloop, getting messy together |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Having to put away the above and allow them some independence, freedom and access to my computer. |
| Where are you based? |
Charente just north of Angouleme |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Stunning countryside with lots of hidden unexpected treasures. Good food and Pineau. |
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Claire
Marketing, Product Management, Sales and Tots Mum for Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland
| Age |
36 |
| Star sign |
Aries (yes that does mean a bit bossy I'm afraid!) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Wine, Cadbury's milk chocolate and Costa coffee |
| Hobbies? |
Reading, gardening and watching junk TV (who has time for proper hobbies with toddlers?!) |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Charlie 5 and Emily 4 (going on 14!) |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Hearing them giggle, spontaneous cuddles and 'I wuv you Mummy' |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Very early mornings and endless washing! |
| Where are you based? |
Halifax, West Yorkshire |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Being right in the middle of the country, nowhere is really out of reach! There's Manchester and Leeds for shopping, Yorkshire Dales and Moors for walks, the stunning Lake District and both east and west coasts with some gorgeous beaches and fishing villages. |
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Anna B
Tots mum for Portugal
| Age |
35 |
| Star sign |
Taurus (practical, generous and stubborn!) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
My husband's very oily garlic prawns |
| Hobbies? |
Tennis, cinema, drawing, a good book...all things I don't have time for now! |
| How many children do you have? |
1 (so far) |
| Names and ages? |
Eva 1 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The fuzzy feeling inside when she accomplishes something new and flashes me a huge grin. And the impromptu fits of mutual giggles!! |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Being on call 24/7/52 |
| Where are you based? |
Estoril, Portugal |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The cobbled, tree-lined streets, dotted with beautiful, traditional mansion houses. Plus we're a stone's throw from the seaside, bustling resort towns, a world heritage site and natural park! What more could you ask for? |
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Helen
Tots Mum for Tuscany and Umbria, Italy
| Age |
42 |
| Star sign |
Libra |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Sneaking sweets and chocolates from the children when they are at school |
| Hobbies? |
Golf when time, running around the shops before children come back from school. |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Poppy 5, Michele (Pronounced – Mekaylee, Micheal in English) |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The sleepless nights and keeping the peace. Oh and playing with their toys so you can regain some youth |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Juggling husband, children and work. |
| Where are you based? |
Northern Umbria |
| What do you like best about your area? |
There are not too many tourists and the locals are really friendly and helpful. The scenery is amazing and is similar to the UK without all the big towns. Lots of woodland and wild animals |
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Nancy
Tots Mum covering the South Western area of France
| Age |
32 |
| Star sign |
Aries (a bit bossy –mainly with family and friends… but it is a fire sign... I like to think I'm warm and caring too!) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Red wine with a selection of cheeses!! mmm...yummy |
| Hobbies? |
Horse riding |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Isabella 3 and Chloe 11 months |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
That amazing concoction of the two emotions, LOVE and PRIDE! |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Staying patient and trying to empathise with a tantruming child! |
| Where are you based? |
Near the Dordogne in South West France. |
| What do you like best about your area? |
We can spend a large portion of the year outside, and the girls have plenty of space to run around! Not forgetting the amazing food and wine (hence the guilty pleasure!). |
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Wendy J
Tots Mum for Languedoc, Aveyron and Pyrenees
| Age |
41 |
| Star sign |
Virgo |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Reading magazines... drool... |
| Hobbies? |
www.BritsNimes.com, Cross Stitch, Cycling, Gardening, Reading, Blogging (Goodness, I sound boring...) |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Alicia 4, Eloise 3 months |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Those funny things that your 4 year old says... |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Once your toddler learns to say no, trying to get them to do something they don't want to do. (and trying not to reply 'because I said so'). |
| Where are you based? |
Lunel, Herault (right in the middle of the South of France) 10 mins from the Med beaches, 25 mins from Montpellier & Nimes. |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Being only 10 mins from the beach, 1 hour from the mountains and being so close to Montpellier which is fab. In May we have the most amazing wild flowers - absolute blankets of poppies which nobody sees as everybody insists on taking their holiday in July & August - come to the Languedoc in May - it's much the best time to come! |
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Sandie
Tots mum in Andalucia, Spain
| Age |
40 something! |
| Star sign |
Gemini |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Any kind of fruit cake, unfortunately it's not very easy to get in Spain, but when I get it, I get to eat it all as no-one else in the family likes it |
| Hobbies? |
Playing basketball with a local village team |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Christian 13, Elena 10 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The unconditional love and hugs they dish out |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Getting them to eat their veg! |
| Where are you based? |
Near Malaga, Andalucia |
| What do you like best about your area? |
I love the mild climate in the winter when we can spend most of our time outdoors and doing sports. The summers are gloriously hot but it's most fun when we are not working and can take full advantage of the sea and the pools. The best time to visit Andalucia is the spring and Autumn. The village I live in is small enough for the children to play out and to get to know most people, but we are only 20 minutes from all the facilities of Malaga and the lovely coastline. We are a short drive from the glitzy Marbella and Puerto Banus, but also within easy reach of a multitude of white washed villages. In the winter we are only 2 hours drive from the ski resort of Sierra Nevada for family skiing in the sunshine. |
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Sara
Tots Mum in Costa Blanca, Spain
| Age |
37 |
| Star sign |
Aquarius |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Wine and Galaxy chocolate |
| Hobbies? |
Cooking & baking and reading (when I get the time!) |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
William 7, Megan 14 months |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The cuddles and unconditional love shown to you by your children |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Juggling time |
| Where are you based? |
Costa Blanca, Spain |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The beaches and sea, the mountains, the sight and smell of the almond blossom in spring, the campo, the food, the wine - all of it! We are very lucky, we live up a mountain and have the most amazing mountain and sea views. We can spend most of the year living outside. Best of all though is watching the most amazing sunsets with friends and family on the beach late on a summer's evening and enjoying a glass or two of vino whilst the kids play! |
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Christine
Tots Mum for Southern Portugal
| Age |
32 |
| Star sign |
Cancer |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Wine & eating out, watching mindless tv |
| Hobbies? |
Travelling & photography but don't have much time for either |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Sophie 4 (almost 5), Grace 1 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Cuddles and kisses, having pride in my children |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Tiredness, guilt and balancing everything. |
| Where are you based? |
Tavira, East Algarve |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The sunshine, being near the beach and seeing the sea everyday, but also near the hills and orange groves. |
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Anna C
Tots Mum for Home Counties and East of England
| Age |
37 |
| Star sign |
Scorpio |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
A massage or facial! and lovely girly catch ups over a glass of wine |
| Hobbies? |
Squash, dancing, reading, and being abit of a foodie |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Esme 6, Louie 3 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The glorious cuddles and my 3 year old son's chat up lines- such as "mum, you're so gorgeous...smell me" (anything to avoid going to bed!) |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
the very early mornings and refereeing the squabbling! |
| Where are you based? |
Hertfordshire |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Semi rural with history, countryside and farms on the doorstep and a very social yummy mummy crowd! |
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Lindsay
Tots Mum based near Malaga in Andalucia/Costa del Sol
| Age |
34 |
| Star sign |
Leo (explains a lot!) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Rupert Penry-Jones in Spooks (can't we do a JR on him??) |
| Hobbies? |
Gardening, swimming and visiting as many of the fabulous local fiestas as possible! |
| How many children do you have? |
1 |
| Names and ages? |
Sky 7 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Bursting into giggles together over some silliness or other, & weekend lie-in cuddles. |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
I often wonder why they don't come with a 'how-to' manual! Our biggest challenge is learning to ignore strange noises from the neighbouring apartments at silly-o-clock when you have the most over-active 7 year-old imagination going! (DR Who is on a permanent ban, did someone get the scheduling wrong on that one??) |
| Where are you based? |
Just moved from Playamar in Torremolinos to Benalmadena/Arroyo de la Miel |
| What do you like best about your area? |
I love the view from my balcony, I look over three luxury villas (with envy), plenty of green trees (which I really miss about England), and a resident peacock! |
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Dawn
Tots to Travel Agent
| Age |
42 |
| Star sign |
Pisces (or rooster if you're Chinese) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Many & varied, Jon Bon Jovi, Chocolate & sunbathing. Combination including all 3 would be ideal |
| Hobbies? |
I like going to concerts (see above), playing my clarinet, swimming and singing. I would like to say going to the gym, but those of you who've met me would know that's a lie. |
| How many children do you have? |
2 (but it feels like 5 sometimes) |
| Names and ages? |
Andrew & Emma, both 4. Yes they are twins, but no they're not identical (you'd be surprised how many times I'm asked!) |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Seeing the world again as a fabulous and exciting place, without the cynicism, we sometimes gather as we get older |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Needing negotiation skills that would put Koffi Annan to shame, finding enough time for everything and will I ever sleep properly again? |
| Where are you based? |
I am based in Locks Heath, which is on the UK South Coast between Southampton & Fareham |
| What do you like best about your area? |
I like how close we are to the coast and also other lovely places, like the New Forest. I am originally from Liverpool & the weather is definitely better down here too |
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Rhona
Tots Mum for South coast UK
| Age |
44 |
| Star sign |
Capricorn |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Kettle crisps and chocolate |
| Hobbies? |
Gardening, cooking and walking |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Rupert 9, Madeleine 6 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
All the cuddles and the funny things that they say and do. Best thing I ever did ( so far!)! |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Weekly menu planner! |
| Where are you based? |
Fareham |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Access to the water, lovely country and waterside walks but also great shopping! |
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Nicci
Tots Mum in the Charente, France
| Age |
38 (just!) |
| Star sign |
Aquarius |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
A rare lie-in with a cup of tea and a good book! |
| Hobbies? |
Socialising with friends. |
| How many children do you have? |
2 |
| Names and ages? |
Daniel and Emily |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The sense of pride I feel, especially when I listen to them chattering away in French and the fact that they are never too old for cuddles from their Mum! |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Trying to think of something tasty, exciting and nutritious every day that the kids will actually eat! |
| Where are you based? |
The Charente in France, between Poitiers and Angouleme. |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The beautiful countryside, the peace and quiet and the sense of space are all wonderful. |
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Emma
Tots Mum in Gloucestershire & Worcestershire
| Age |
43 |
| Star sign |
Scorpio |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Grazia and The Kardashians (there I've said it, embarrassing I know) |
| Hobbies? |
Rummaging around antiques and flea markets, pottery classes, gardening. |
| How many children do you have? |
One son |
| Names and ages? |
Alessio, 3 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
The cuddles, the giggles and the great one-liners. |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
The random acts of destruction, grumpiness and sleeplessness. |
| Where are you based? |
At the northern tip of the Cotswolds on the Worcestershire border, in a tiny village on the slopes of Bredon Hill |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The rural landscape, it's a dream for a 3 year old boy (and his Mum) - tractors, sheep, owls, pheasants, orchards and friendly neighbours. |
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Nigel
Tots Dad in France
| Age |
41 |
| Star sign |
Leo |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Apart from a glass of wine, finding a moment of quality time with my lovely wife |
| Hobbies? |
Fishing, Photography, Vintage cars |
| How many children do you have? |
3 |
| Names and ages? |
Eloise 15, Lucie 11, Olivia 8 |
| Best thing about being a dad? |
Seeing them happy and watching and helping them grow and develop. |
| Most challenging thing about being a dad? |
Trying not to be overprotective and as a Dad of three girls, dreading the moment that the boyfriends start arriving. I already have my rocking chair and shotgun set up on the front porch! |
| Where are you based? |
French Alps |
| What do you like best about your area? |
Apart from the stunning scenery, it has to be the mutitude of activities on offer for both adults and children, both summer and winter. |
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Jennie
Tots mum in France
| Age |
34 |
| Star sign |
Gemini |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
British TV (on i-Player) |
| Hobbies? |
Travelling, cinema, catching up as often as possible with UK family and friends. |
| How many children do you have? |
One |
| Names and ages? |
Luke, 14 months |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Cuddles, laughs and seeing all the first's.. tooth, smile, step etc. |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Lack of sleep and feeling like I'm on repeat - now how many times is it I have sung "Wheels on the Bus?" |
| Where are you based? |
Paris, France |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The architecture, culture and food! Plus it's really easy to hop over on the train to see my family in London and also to get to other places in France. |
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Helen J
Tots Auntie for the Algarve
| Age |
46 |
| Star sign |
Gemini (versatile, rational and adventurous) |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
Saturday morning coffee with the paper in a cafe in town |
| How many children do you have? |
Two |
| Names and ages? |
Joseph now 19 and Simon 17 |
| Best thing about being a aunt? |
Luckily we lived close to our nephews throughout their childhood - their birthday parties are big highlights and seeing their personalities emerge was fascinating, especially when away from their parents.Most challenging thing about being an aunt - remembering to stick to the rules (most of the time). |
| Where are you based? |
Lagos, in the Western Algarve |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The Algarve is a great location for holidays in all seasons as there's so much to do here. I love Lagos because it's still a real Portuguese town which manages its tourism well alongside everyday life. Lagos old town is fascinating and we are spoilt with the number of beautiful beaches on our doorstep. I love the warmer climate, the outdoor life and the buzz of the busy season plus the calmness of the winter months. The best things are the clean air, the friendliness of the locals, the beach on the doorstep, the smell of the orange groves plus the infinite choice of good Portuguese wines. |
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Jo
Tots Mum in Northern UK
| Age |
42 (22 in my head) |
| Star sign |
Scorpio - but have no idea what that means about me |
| What's your guilty pleasure? |
I would say chocolate but I don't feel in the least bit guilty about that so I will probably have to admit to long lie ins at the weekend - needless to say my children are big now |
| Hobbies? |
Running a smallholding, at the last count (this morning) I had 2 ewes, 1 lamb (in the freezer now), 10 hens, 3 cockerels (who will survive until they become too noisy), 2 ducks, 2 dogs, 1 cat and about 40,000 bees. Also a large fruit and veg garden which since taking up this role with Tots could really be described as a weed and fruit garden. |
| How many children do you have? |
Three |
| Names and ages? |
Emma is 18, Callum is 16 and Isabel is 13 |
| Best thing about being a mum? |
Watching them grow up and become more independent, even as teenagers I get a thrill out of seeing them do new stuff and conquer new challenges. The delight I feel when they are happy and content with life |
| Most challenging thing about being a mum? |
Where to start... the sorrow I feel when they are not happy and content with life, providing boundaries and knowing where to set them. |
| Where are you based? |
Just outside Newcastle upon Tyne, UK |
| What do you like best about your area? |
The fact that I live in the middle of fields and woodland but in 8 minutes I can be on the A1, in 10 minutes I can be at the Metrocentre and in 15 minutes I can be in Newcastle City Centre...and of course the GEORDIES!! |
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