Planning our Summer holiday 2023

It’s been almost 5 years since our last proper summer holiday. We went to Spain in 2018 when Charlotte was still a baby and the world was a very different place! Throw in a few years of Covid lockdowns, a new summer born baby, a new house and a partial renovation … the chance of a holiday was way out of our grasp. 

After losing my lovely Nanna last year (the day after the Queen passed), we decided that we wanted to focus more on family experiences this year - going to new places, doing things together and absolutely having a summer holiday. I’d been saving for the last few years and used most of my maternity allowance as our budget for going away. I was pretty sure that once I’d given birth, I’d find it harder to undertake my usual work and so wanted to get used to living without the security of my wage ‘just in case’. You can use various financial calculators to help plan your finances if you wish. We made sacrifices in lots of areas of our life in order to cut our spending (I stopped having my hair coloured and highlighted and embraced the grey for a start!) and so thankfully, we were finally able to book somewhere to go...

Back to school uniform ideas for home and school

When I was at primary school, we didn’t have a school uniform and so your everyday clothes for home were also your clothes for school. These days, you’d be hard pushed to find a school which doesn’t have a uniform requirement, and so finding the best quality and also affordable school uniform items which will last is really important.

 

Disclosure: Paid partnership

 In this blog post, I will be showcasing some back to school uniform options from Very, BUT I will also be showing you how to utilise these pieces outside of school, mixing and matching them with everyday wear to make the most of your child’s wardrobe and maximise use of clothing so that your budget goes further and your washing pile gets smaller…

Surviving the Cost of Living Crisis: Introducing Jam Doughnut Cash Back Website

In today's world, where the cost of living continues to rise, every penny saved makes a significant difference. As we navigate through the challenges of financial stability, finding smart and practical ways to save money becomes essential. That's where Jam Doughnut Cash Back Website comes in. In this blog post, we'll explore how this platform can help you save money and ease the burden of the cost of living crisis. Plus, we'll guide you on utilizing the App’s features effectively to maximize your savings.

 

I also have a referral code for you to use (KYKJ) which will entitle you to 200 points when making your first purchase.

How to encourage children to do chores at home

The key to encouraging your child to take part in daily chores is to start early, and make it fun!

 

    

                                                            This is a collaborative post

Chores should not be seen as a ‘chore’ by children. It works on the same principle of play based learning in the foundation stage - for a child to learn, take part willingly and also remember the skills you have taught them, then it needs to be playful and fun and it must be purposeful.

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

German author Thomas Mann once said that “a writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people”, and anyone who has ever encountered Writer’s Block will understand him completely. Things can get very difficult when that ominous mist descends and swallows up every ounce of creativity, leaving you in a pit of despair and wondering why you ever even bothered in the first place.

 

In this guest post, Author - Daniel Grabowski will talk through the types of writer's block, and the techniques to overcome it...

Dinosaur Hunt Ideas

We’re going on a dinosaur hunt, we’re going to catch a big/tall/fierce/strong/scaly/baby one…do you have a Dino fan on your hands? If so, you are going to love this post all about different ideas for dinosaur play, Dino activities and how to set up and create your own dinosaur hunt! (Including a free printable!)

 

Disclosure: Partnership with Wicked Uncle

 But first, get those ideas flowing and the inspiration cogs turning by clicking this link here: Dinosaur toys and play items - you will need this info a little bit later on if you’d like to enter to win a very special dinosaur giveaway!

Things to think about when buying shutters for your home

Are you looking to upgrade your home's interior design? We have been slowly renovating our new house over the last year, and one area that's often overlooked but can make a big impact is window treatments. We have recently replaced all of the windows at the front/back and right hand side of our house (left hand side is s future extension project!) and we are in the process of installing interior window shutters. In this blog post, we'll cover everything you need to know about buying shutters for your home.

 

Disclosure: Collaborative Post

Shutters are a popular window treatment option that can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room in your home. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, shutters also provide a variety of benefits, such as privacy and light control, energy efficiency, and added security. However, with so many different types of shutters available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your home. In this blog post, we'll provide a detailed overview of the different types of shutters available and the benefits they offer.

Save money and make memories with family experiences

Last year, we moved house to our ‘forever home’, which, aside from a massive increase in our mortgage and bills, came with the realisation of just how much STUFF we have. Unpacking boxes and attempting to find a place for all our belongings is really hard when you’re a sentimental old bean like me - it’s difficult to throw things away! (I’m no Marie Kondo) With a new baby, we seem to have acquired even more items to keep and store and I started to dread Xmas and birthdays and the imminent arrival of even more ‘things’. We decided therefore, to have a focus this year on ‘doing’ things together as a family, using the gift of time rather than collecting more belongings. Consumables were ok, but we really wanted to plan days out, visits to new places and some nice meals or treats to enjoy now that the world seems to be getting back to some level of normality!

 

Disclosure: Paid Partnership

When covid lockdowns hit the UK, Arthur had just turned 5 and Charlotte was 2. Along with millions of other children, they’ve missed out on so much over the last 3 years. We all did our best to keep life at home fun and happy, with lots of play experiences, but now is the time to try and make the most of getting out and about! Especially now that the warm weather is approaching…we are hoping that Easter will bring us our first germ free school holiday of this year so that we can really enjoy ourselves.

Can Teaching Babies Sign Language Delay Them Learning to Speak?

As a parent, you want to do everything possible to promote your child's development and ensure they reach their milestones on time. One question that often comes up is whether teaching babies sign language can delay their ability to speak.

 

 In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of baby sign language and Makaton, and how it can actually help promote speech and language development in babies and toddlers.

EZ Shopper height adjustable desk | Review

If you read my earlier post on home office essentials for dealing with back pain, then you will know that an adjustable height, standing desk was on my wish list for when my small office room was finally complete!

 

Disclosure: gifted item

This was the last room in the house to be renovated (for this first phase of renovation!) and we were torn for a while about how best to use the space. We considered whether it should be a nursery room for Annabelle, a small playroom for the children, or an office for me (hubby has taken over my previous desk and office space for when he works at home and there definitely isn't room to share...especially when he has moved most of the tea/coffee mugs and lunch plates in there too...) If you follow me on social media you will know that Charlotte is very creative and is constantly making things - her new bedroom carpet was getting ruined SO...this room is half craft room, half office for me. On one end of the room we have a makeshift craft table for Charlotte (we are looking for a suitable permanent option) and the other end we now have an adjustable standing desk which I have been sent by EZ Shopper. The fact that the desk can be made lower is also a bonus for when I am 'crafting' alongside Charlotte too - so that she can reach when needed. In this blog post, I am going to show you more of this space, along with some additional information about the standing desk such as assembly and how it works... (youtube video available at the end of the post)

How to raise kids' self-esteem

Create Your Own Confidence is a brand-new fun and colourful activity book by psychotherapist Becky Goddard-Hill.

The book looks at a variety of issues impacting kids’ confidence and each topic includes an activity for kids to try out and is backed up by science and research. It is full of simple, practical ideas to help children to feel confident, strong and happy. They can try out out power posing, create a control wheel or set mini goals.
 

Here Becky shares an extract from the book…

Co-Parenting as a Stepdad

Co-Parenting as a Stepdad: Building and Maintaining a Family Together | A guest post by Daniel Grabowski: 

 

In my previous article all about advice for new step dads, I talked about what to expect if you choose to become a stepdad. To go a step beyond that, in this piece I’ll discuss co-parenting as a step-parent. As the novelty wears away and you simply become a family, there are still obstacles to overcome.

I mentioned before that the two most important things are respect and communication. You’d be correct in thinking nothing has changed there. If those two things are a healthy part of your relationship already, you’re off to a great start.

Pregnancy after PND

Post natal depression, and/or post natal anxiety are no small matter. When you’re in it you can’t see through the fog to trust there is ever going to be an end. When you’re out of it, you never want to go back there. It’s easy to decide in those moments that any future pregnancies are off the cards, simply because the risk of spiralling back feels too great…

  

...but what if that tiny little flicker somewhere inside that clings onto the possibility of another baby never goes out? What if that small flame turns into a roaring fire of determination to do it all again and all of the risks feel worth it for the sake of a new life… because here you are, and you made it through. Should you reside yourself to the fact that PND is your destiny? Are you certain to suffer again? Will you definitely get PND again after your pregnancy??

Advice for New Stepdads: Tips for Step-parent survival

Being a Stepdad can be challenging - but there are ways to make it easier... 

Our latest guest post from Author, and Step-Dad, Daniel Grabowski, outlines some tips for step-parent survival...

 

Any parent will tell you that raising a child isn’t easy. Step-parenting comes with its own set of difficulties. Like sitting down to watch a film that started twenty minutes ago or picking up a novel and starting at chapter seven, you’re going to need to hit the ground running.

I’ve been a step-dad for almost five years at this point and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I feel what I have to say here will be beneficial for new step-parents. Particularly those considering becoming one...

Teaching Resources | Download and Share | Creative Fabrica

As a teacher, or as a parent of young children, you'll know how important it is to have easily accessible and creative resources to hand ready for your little ones! Whether you're looking for table top activities whilst waiting for food, long car journey games or planning and printables for the classroom - sometimes you just need something ready made and quick and easy! This is one of the reasons I started this blog whilst on maternity leave with my first child...I had so many ideas that I felt were going to waste whilst I wasn't in school, I wanted somewhere to share them so that other parents, childcare professionals, teachers and children could benefit. 

 

This is a collaborative post

My website is now full of free activity ideas and also printables for you to enjoy, but there are SO many other options out there for you to explore, and I have a brilliant offer for one you might not yet have heard of....