We love messy play in our house but coming up with messy play ideas can be a bit of a challenge. I often need an activity that will engage both a toddler and a preschooler at the same time. As it’s school holidays, I search for activities that will help both children play harmoniously without ‘he ruined it!’ being shouted my way. Aside from it being a great way to fill the time, sensory play is important for a child’s development. Research shows that by engaging in sensory play, it helps build nerve connections in the brain’s pathways which help them complete more complex tasks. There are many ways in…
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The Ultimate Newborn Essentials Checklist
There are so many baby lists out there. It makes it hard to know exactly what it is you need in those early newborn days. I’ve put together my own guide all about what you must have and what is nice to have. There are affiliate links in this post which are at no extra cost to you. Nursery Must Have Moses Basket – For the first couple of months your baby will likely sleep in the same room as you, so a Moses basket or a smaller crib is a great option. There is a huge amount of choice out there from the more traditional bassinets to the sleep…
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Easy Guide to Going Self Hosted with SiteGround
If you’ve noticed that things have been a bit quiet over on the blog, it’s because I finally took a big leap with my blog and gone self-hosted. It signals a shift in mindset on how I view my blog and the potential for it to become a serious career. I have been blogging for around six months now, but in January I started to take it seriously.
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10 Easy Mess Free Sensory Activities for Toddlers
My kids absolutely love messy play and it can be a lot of fun. It gives them freedom to get their hands on anything glittery, sticky and covered in glue. Let’s be honest though, what we don’t love is the actual mess that comes with messy play. Sometimes we don’t have the time or space for these activities which often lead to play dough being trodden into the carpet or shaving foam covering the table.
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Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Mother’s Day is fast upon us and there is no better time to treat the most important woman in your life. If you are looking for something big, small or a little unique then I’ve put together a list that will inspire and make your mum feel a bit special.
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Make Your Own Erupting Volcano Out Of Play Dough
My son is enthralled by all things science related. Whether its watching astronauts brushing their teeth on YouTube, teaching me everything he knows about outer space, or making a tornado in a bottle – his love of science has driven his eagerness to learn and discover how things work. We are always trying to find new ways to nurture his passion for science. He usually comes home from preschool asking if he can ‘do science’. He has become really interested in volcanoes and is fascinated with how they fire out lava. Needless to say he was pretty desperate to try and recreate this at home and as it’s a pretty…
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35 Rainy Day Activities for Three Year Olds
This post contains affiliate links I didn’t actually realise half-term was upon us until around 3pm on the Friday before. Argh! My niece and nephew don’t start their holidays until the week after so needless to say, I’ve been completely caught out an unprepared for the days ahead. But we are determined to make the most of it. My eldest is usually at pre-school four days a week and come 3pm the most he can managing is slumping on the sofa and demanding snacks. During the holidays, our usual activities centre around getting outside as much as we can but as it’s going to rain for most of the week,…
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What Foods Should Breastfeeding Mums Eat?
I am not a nutrition expert, this is what helped me while I was breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor for professional advice if you are concerned about your baby’s sensitivities. Pregnancy, giving birth, sleepless nights and breastfeeding can demand every bit of energy that you can muster. It’s hard work and can be emotionally and physically draining for sleep-deprived new mums, and that’s without having to think about what foods you are allowed to snack on. When I breastfed Jack, I had no idea how important nutrition was for my body during that time. I had suffered a major postpartum haemorrhage which depleted my iron levels. No midwife told me…
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7 Ways to Support a New Mum
When my sister had her baby, I thought I’d know exactly how to support her. We were both away from our parents and we had each other as a support network. I think it’s safe to say, despite my best intentions, I was a little useless. I made them a batch of meals which helped but I didn’t really get what she was going through or the barrage of emotions she was feeling. I thought that she was so lucky to have such a beautiful baby. I didn’t truly comprehend the tidal wave that hits you once you become a mum. Since I’ve had my own children, I know now…
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How to Survive Taking a Toddler to a Wedding
Taking a toddler to a wedding can feel pretty ambitious. We have taken our eldest to a few and while each experience was different to the last, there was a lot of pre-event planning that went into making sure that we all got through the day and had a good time. It is stressful taking your kid to any event where their best behaviour is expected. No matter how reassuring friends can be about the possibility of your toddler having a tantrum mid-ceremony or during the speeches, you pray that your child doesn’t unintentionally become the focus of their big day. We have taken Jack to four weddings in total,…
