Let’s face it, being a parent comes with its fair share of challenges. From pampers to preschool and beyond, there’s no shortage of complicated or difficult moments along the road of raising your kids. However, one of the things that a lot of parents really find themselves unprepared for is the day when their child goes out into the real world. Once they’re old enough to start experiencing the world for themselves, you will want to have made sure that they’re ready for it. Which raises the question: how do you prepare your kids for the real world? Teach them life skills There are plenty of things that most of…
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Tips on Returning Back to Work after Having Kids
I recently returned back to the world of work after staying at home to raise my children. I don’t really like using that phrase ‘return back to work’ as I never stopped working in the first place. Firstly, mums work ALL THE TIME. Being a stay at home mum is most definitely, without a doubt, work. For a few years I also worked as a freelance copywriter, peddling my wares during nap times and whatever hours I could find during the week so that I could carve out my little online business. It was something I loved doing and had always wanted to do. I enjoyed the autonomy of running…
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Should You Limit Your Child’s Screen Time?
As a parent of the digital age, it seems like the goal posts for screen time for children are always on the move. While I love its convenience and the freedom it offers, I am terrified of its power to consume hours of your day. It didn’t surprise me that a recent study found that we check our phones every 12 minutes. I check my phone more regularly than I should. I aimlessly scroll from app to app for no reason at all. Most of the time I’m doing research for my next article or replying to client emails. We have a complicated relationship with screen time. It offers a…
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30 Messy Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers
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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Things No One Tells You About Postpartum Recovery
I was completely unprepared when it came to my postpartum recovery. My husband and I sat in various NHS-run parenting classes where labour was discussed in depth. Natural birth was rammed down your throat, one midwife proudly declared how she had eight children and that not once did she request an epidural. (No pressure then) I remember being taught how to put on a nappy and was reminded to practice getting the baby seat in and out of the car a few times. Then there were the breastfeeding videos, showing babies latching onto the breast with ease. The postpartum recovery period wasn’t really talked about. I was told I might…
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Family Day Out At Trentham Gardens
During a visit down to my parents in Staffordshire, we lucked out to have one day of sunshine during a week that had been otherwise blighted by rain. So instead of staying in, we decided to pack up and head across to Trentham Gardens which sits on the outskirts of Stoke on Trent. It’s a place I visited as a child, not that I can remember it in all truth. We tend to go and wander around the chalet-style gift shops or mooch in the huge garden centre, but since they started charging to visit the estate it was something we never bothered with. I was put off by the…
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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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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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What Happens When Children Choose Flowers For Their Mum
This is a collaborative post. I love getting homemade gifts from my children. My youngest is a bit too young to be making anything yet, but my eldest has now started making me cards for birthdays and Mother’s Day. There is something really special about getting something that is filled with your child’s personality and shows how much they love you. I have already got my handmade Mother’s Day card from Jack that he made at nursery. He is starting to learn how to write his name and so I felt a little emotional when I recognised a few of the letters. Aside from cards, there are other ways that…
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The Highway Rat World Book Day Costume for Less Than £2
Jack’s preschool is celebrating World Book Day on 1st March and all the children have been invited to dress up as their favourite book character. They will also be taking part in plenty of activities that will celebrate books and encourage reading. The children will also each be donating a book of their choice to an orphanage in Malawi The Highway Rat is a fairly recent addition to Jack’s bookshelf. We are all huge fans of Julia Donaldson books in this house and have nearly every one of her classic tales. This one is about the rat that rides the highway, stealing other animal’s food and has quickly become a…
