In conversation with supermum and founder of Eggs & Soldiers

Sofia Chabowski gets real about parenting

The number one item on your wish list.
Weird one, but a vegetable patch! I'd love to be able to grow my own fruit and vegetables to have full control over what my family is eating, and help the planet in the process. I've tried a few times, but I always manage to kill them off!
One life lesson you'd want to share with other parents.
Slow down, or you'll miss it all. As a business owner and mum of four, life is hectic, and I often need to take my own advice. I try to make mornings my work time and afternoons my family time, but it's not always that easy.
Your most challenging project to date?
Definitely launching our first standalone Eggs & Soldiers shop, which recently opened at Times Square Centre, Dubai. It has been a massive learning curve, as I've never done anything like this, or even worked in a similar field before! I definitely jumped in at the deep end, and I'm living the experience at the moment. I won't deny that at times it can get overwhelming, but I'm also so proud of where we are.
The biggest learning point or experience in your life.
I think having a child, which then turned into four children! They teach you so much about yourself, the world and the people around you. My children have very different personalities, so I'm constantly learning how to adapt to each of them. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes. not so much!
What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
Go for it! Don't worry about the 'ifs', 'buts', 'maybes' and 'what ifs' swirling around your head. Jump straight in, and give it all you've got. You won't know unless you try.
If you could move to any place in the world, what place would that be?
I have no idea! I've grown up between Dubai and the UK, and I've been here in Dubai all my adult life, so it really is home. I would like to go elsewhere at some point- it would have to be warm, as I don't like cold places much. Maybe tropical, like Asia or the Far East. Dubai sets the bar very high!
Favourite fictional character of all time - and why.
Mary Poppins. I need that woman's magic bag in my life. Her umbrella skills would make the school run a breeze!
The best thing you've ever bought yourself and why?
Since having kids, I would say a babywearing sling! My children are very close in age (Kaya - 5; Luka - 4; Mason - 2 and Zenia - 7 months), and babywearing means I have my hands free to deal with all of them! It's really become the item I couldn't be without.
A superpower you wish you had?
The ability to clean up litter in one fell swoop, then sort and recycle it.

If you were head of your country, what is the first thing you'd do?
Abolish kids' homework! I hated it as a child, now I hate it even more as a parent, trying to get my children to do it! 
- Staff Reporter