Fun New Things to Try with Your Child

I'm always amazed by how much being a parent can expand your view of the world and give you new experiences. You think you're all grown up and you've seen everything there is to see, but being a mum opens your eyes. I've done lots of things with my little boy that I don't think I would have done if he wasn't around. There are so many fun things you can do together that can be a learning experience for both of you. In fact, I think I learn more when I do things with my son because I get his perspective too. Try out some of my top educational activities to try out with your children.

Making Christmas Decorations

It's that time of year, and it's great to try out some different Christmas-themed activities with your kids. If you think you're not very creative, you could surprise yourself by doing some crafts with your children. Start by looking for some ideas to inspire you so you can show the kids what to do. As you all get into it, everyone will come up with their own ideas and make some fantastic decorations. Your child can teach you a lot about being creative. And you can encourage them to use their imagination and develop their skills. You can do crafts with the kids all year too.

(Image from Chris Parfitt)

Growing Your Own Food

Taking care of something together is a great way to bond with your child. Some parents might bring a pet into the family, but you can also start growing something. Kids love seeing something they've worked on begin to grow. If you grow fruit and vegetables, you can eventually eat what you've grown. Go to http://www.pomonafruits.co.uk/ to find some plants that are perfect for beginners or experts. It can be a project that lasts you for ages, from planting to harvesting your produce and cooking with it. Soon your child won't be able to wait to get outside.

Learning a Language

Learning a new language can be a lot of fun and fascinating. If you want your child to learn a second language, you can take the opportunity to learn too. When you're helping them at home, you'll start to pick up some things too. However, you might want to sign both of you up for classes separately too. Don't be surprised if they pick it up faster than you, as it's much easier for children than adults. That can be a good thing, though, as they can help you to learn more.

Adventure Sports

Having kids is excellent for pushing you out of your comfort zone. You can find yourself putting on a brave face and doing things you're scared of just to show your children there's nothing to worry about. If your child loves trying adventurous things, you could have a go at something thrilling together. It could be anything from doing a ropes course to learning to surf.

When you show your children the world, take the opportunity to add to your experiences too. They can give you the chance to learn and do new things.

Toy-Free Gift Ideas For The Kids

If you know the Grandparents have bought sack loads of toys for the kids this Christmas, you may be wondering what’s left for you to buy. Like sweets and chocolates, parents aren’t keen for kids to have too many toys at once. Fortunately, there are still plenty of awesome gift ideas for your children this year. You don’t need to resort to the sweet stuff or games if you want a great gift for the kids.

Most kids have a favourite movie or TV character. You can always look around for childrens bedding that features your child’s favourite this year. Decorating their room is a great idea for a Christmas gift. And it will last much longer than chocolates or toys too. Starting with the bedding, you could also add a lamp shade, poster, or rug to the mix. Then, of course, you’ll need to invite his friends over so he can show them his new bedroom!

Books may seem old fashioned to some kids, but smaller children love having a book in their hand. Look out for books with flaps to open or things to move. These are certainly a firm favourite. Some books, like Mog, are part of a large series that your children can collect and read over time. Older children may prefer their titles on a Kindle or other eReader. This can be a cheaper and less space consuming way to keep your kids interested in literature.

(Pic from Earl53)

Clothing can be a very boring present to open on Christmas morning. But if it bears the image of a favourite TV character, chances are they’ll be rushing off to try it on. Most kids need new clothes every few months as they grow so rapidly. Christmas is the ideal time to pick up some outfits. Choose items that are likely to appeal if they are for a gift, though.

If your child has shown an interest in music, this year could be the year to introduce them to a musical instrument. There are plenty of free online lessons to get you started. Most classical instruments come in cheap and cheerful student outfits too. This means you haven’t spent too much if your child ends up not being that interested in the long term. Even a very young child could benefit from a small musical instrument this Christmas. You might want some earplugs too!

Older children that are interested in sports might be delighted to receive some kit or equipment. Scooters, footballs, and skateboards are all great ways for your kids to stay active. Alternatively, a voucher for some lessons or membership to a club could be a wonderful gift for a sporty child. Dance classes are also very popular at the moment. You can usually buy a term of classes as a gift.

If you’re fed up with tidying away unwanted toys every Christmas, why not try some of these ideas instead this year? You can find plenty to keep a child amused during the holidays. Have a wonderful Christmas with the kids.

3 Fantastic Family Holidays With A Difference

We might be in the midst of winter, but now is the perfect time to start planning your family holiday for next year. As all parents know, family life can be expensive, so when it comes to money, we are always looking for ways to save. By booking your family vacation sooner rather than later, you can save yourself a good amount of money.

While booking your holiday in advance is a great idea, it can sometimes be hard to know where to go on vacation. If you are bored of all the regular family destinations, you are probably on the lookout for somewhere a little different.

To help you plan a fantastic family vacation with a difference, here are three amazing destinations to consider:

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1. Malta

For families with young children - two to six years old, Malta is the perfect location. The island of Malta is fantastic for families are they have plenty of child-friendly sights and attractions. The best thing about taking a trip to Malta is the fact that most of the island can be explored on bikes. So you can keep the kids busy for hours. (You’ll find plenty of bike hire shops dotted around the island.)

The tranquil waters of this amazing place, also mean that it’s ideal for snorkeling. Sealife lovers can spend hours fish watching in the crystal clear seas, or on the beach building sand castles. The surprising thing about this destination is that it’s only a three-hour plane ride. So for families with young children, it's manageable.

2. Slovenia

Are you a family that loves adventure? Yes, then a trip to Slovenia could be perfect for you. Nestled in central Europe, this small country is known for its impressive lakes and mountains. As well as it’s amazing recreational activities.

If you’re an active family, this destination is perfect for you. There are plenty of activities for families in Slovenia, from rock climbing and whitewater rafting to kayaking. As well as the many activities on offer, Slovenia also boasts many beautiful towns.

3. Turkey

If you have older kids - 11 years plus, then Turkey could be the ideal travel destination for you. Kas, one of Turkey’s coastal towns is the perfect place for a vacation, as it has everything that your family could need. From beautiful hotels and restaurants to stunning beaches and blue seas, Kas has it all.

For kids 12 years and older, a holiday to Kas gives them the opportunity to get a scuba diving qualification. Starting with a taster session, if your child enjoys diving, they can then build up to getting their qualification. As well as offering lots of activities, this coastal area is also perfect for relaxing.

Instead of the usual family holiday locations, for a trip with a difference, consider one of these destinations. After a couple of trips, beach holidays start to get a little boring, don't you think? Mix things up a bit by choosing a destination that has the beach, plus others things on offer.

A Guide to Helping Your Baby Sleep Better at Night

Do you struggle to get your baby to rest properly at night? Unfortunately, no two babies are the same. One baby might sleep all the way through the night with no problems, while another might wake every hour on the hour. There are a few things you can do to help them wind down though. Read on to help your baby:

Get Into a Routine

Babies just love routines. Even if they try to fight their routine, do your best to keep it up. Do this by feeding them, bathing them, and putting them down at the same time each night. Try to keep everything to a schedule as best you possibly can.

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Play White Noise

White noise is a very gentle, natural sound that can help babies drift off to sleep. You could even try to use the whirring of a fan, or another relaxing noise to get them fast asleep. Different things can work for different babies. Yours might prefer to listen to you sing. Try out different things and see what soothes them best.

Put Them Down When Still Awake

Rather than cuddling your baby until they fall asleep and then putting them down, put them down while they are still awake but drifting off. If you don’t, you could get them into the habit of falling asleep in your arms. This will be very hard to break!

Temperature

For your baby to be comfortable, they need to be the right temperature. Make sure their cot is just right, and that the temperature of the room is OK. They are much more sensitive to heat and chills than we are, so be mindful of where you have places their cot and how warm the room is.

Stop Them from Scratching

Babies scratch. It’s a fact of life. This can lead them to hurting themselves if we are not careful. Stop your baby from scratching by using eczema clothing and similar garments.

Wean Them off Their Pacifier

You don’t need to wean your baby off their pacifier completely, but you do need to be sort of smart with it. If they fall asleep with it in, chances are it’ll come out several times during the night. When this happens, they’ll wake up and cry. Listening to them cry can be horrible, but if you keep going in to give them it back, they won’t be able to settle without it. If you let them cry it out, they should be able to fall asleep with it and then they won’t need it again. Plus, when they get to around 8 months, they’ll be able to grab it themselves anyway.

Fingers crossed, this guide will help you to get your baby to sleep better at night. It’ll take a few tries and a little consistency, but you’ll get there in the end. By avoiding getting your baby into bad habits now, you’ll experience much smoother sailing later on. Good luck, and leave any of your own foolproof methods below!

I Love Making Crafts With Children In Winter (And You Should Too!)

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Summer is over, and the cold weather has arrived. Unfortunately, that spells the end of long evening walks along the beach. The family will be forced to spend a lot more time indoors over the coming months.

As a modern parent, keeping your children entertained in a productive way is difficult. Make no mistake, a little time in front of video games never hurt anybody. But you don’t want to see your little ones constantly using their laptops and other electrical goods. You need to find an alternative. Making crafts could be your secret weapon.

Building crafts together is a great way to spend winter days together. Not only does it allow you to spend time with your little ones, but it also gives you a chance to monitor their creativity and other key skills. More importantly, though, it can be a lot of fun too.

This idea can be tailored to suit various purposes. You could use those end products as the finishing touches while decorating their room. Not only does it create a unique vibe, but it helps the child feel like they’ve had an active role in creating the new bedroom. In turn, this could make the transition to new surroundings smoother.

However, adding a little character to the bedroom isn’t the only option. With Christmas fast approaching, it could be a great way to help the children build a special present for their grandparents or friends. After all, it’s the thought that counts, and this is very much within the festive spirit.

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Alternatively, these funky Christmas decorations are a fantastic idea too. Not only will they brighten up the home this festive season, but they can remain a part of the family traditions for many years to come.

The possibilities for ideas are endless, which should ensure that you find a project to keep your child entertained. Moreover, if you have several children, it’s a fantastic way to encourage group activities. This can be key for improving the sibling bond while also developing crucial skills.

One of the best reasons to use crafting as a winter activity, though, is that it is very safe. As long as you offer adult supervision at all times, not much can go wrong. Using hot glue sticks from Glue Guns Direct can enhance those safety features too. After all, it’s easier to keep your eye on a glue gun rather than counting an entire pack of nails.

Last but not least, crafting is a lot cheaper than various other activities. This is a great feature at any moment, but it’s something that all parents will appreciate at this time of year. Winter is already an expensive period without the need for spending huge sums on entertaining the kids. When you also take the list of other benefits into account, it’s a no-brainer.

Besides, the feeling that your child will gain upon completion is something that no amount of money can buy. Essentially, if you’ve got young children, crafting is an item that should be high on your winter agenda.

Essential Guide To Buying Your First Pushchair

Choosing your very first pram is both an exciting but daunting task. With thousands of options to choose from it can be difficult to know which one is the right one for you and your child. As with anything, there will be current favourites each year, which claiming to be the best. This can lead new mothers into buying a product that just isn’t right for them. Follow this essential guide to help you buy your first pushchair, knowing it’s the right choice for your bundle of joy and for you to use.

Listen to other parents

Being a first-time mum can be challenging enough as it is. Even more so when you feel you have to buy every single piece of baby equipment available on the market. It can be overwhelming the amount of stuff that you think you need for your baby. But in reality you probably don’t need it all. Your pushchair is likely to be one of the more expensive items, so you need to choose carefully. You don’t want to buy one and regret it later. This can be a waste of time and money you could have put to better use. Visit parenting and baby sites and read reviews made by other parents. Take particular notice of reviews from parents who have a similar lifestyle to you. Learn from their mistakes and avoid pushchairs that won’t be suitable.

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Consider your lifestyle

This is another major step in the process. You need to think seriously about how your pushchair will need to adapt to your lifestyle. Do you need something that can easily fit in your car’s boot? Do you live in an apartment or a cottage? Will you baby be sat in their pushchair for long walks or journeys? Once you’ve thoroughly analysed your daily life, you should now be able to fit a style to compliment you and your baby’s needs. It shouldn’t be too hard to narrow down the choices now you have this in mind.

Choose practicality over style

Practicality should always be a priority over aesthetically pleasing. Your pushchair may look good, but can it tackle tight corners? Is it light weight? Can it be dismantled easily? These things are what will make your life easier. Fortunately, there are pushchair suppliers who are producing fashionable options for the modern mum. So they are nice to look at and functional. Just be sure that you don’t get sucked into buying a pushchair purely on it’s appearance. You will regret it in the long run as it may not be as durable or versatile as you might think. Look for a pushchair that has comfort, portability and lightweight features first. Consider the look afterwards. Remember you can always buy decorative pushchair raincovers and fixtures. These can add some personality and colour to your pushchair and optimise its practicality.

You should now be ready to go out and find your ideal pram. Learn from other’s mistakes and avoid pushchairs with bad reviews. Keeping your baby safe should become before anything else. There’s plenty of options to choose from so I’m sure you’ll find exactly what you need with little trouble.

Why New Mums Need To Relax

I remember the last two to three months of pregnancy being the start of it all. I was worried the baby would come early. And then I was worried he would come late, leaving me waddling in this awful discomfort forever! Finally, labour started. Next thing I know, I’m stressing out instead of engaging with this beautiful experience. I was frightened the contractions would carry on for hours when I was convinced I couldn’t handle even one more.

Of course, all this anxiety is normal and common for any first-time mum. And as soon as they’re born, you’re worried that you’re doing it all wrong, or that your milk isn’t good enough, or that you won’t be able to stop them crying. Most of these fears and stresses are hormone related. The rest is caused by sleep deprivation. So don’t be afraid to hand Bub over to Hub for a couple of hours. You’ve earned the break!

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While I was big and pregnant, I found our bed to be so uncomfortable. There wasn’t enough room for a start. I think one of the most important things to invest in when you are about to embark on the journey of Motherhood is a good bed. Creating a relaxing Mummy space is so important, and I think that space needs to be the bedroom. For a start, you’ll be sharing that room with your baby in the first few months.

A comfy king size mattress, some good quality pillows, and blackout curtains are a must for any new Mum’s bedroom. You need to be able to escape there for a break when you need one. And you need to be able to sleep as often as you can in the beginning. A lack of sleep leaves you tired, grumpy and emotional. You end up unable to focus or gain any clarity of thought. Mistakes can happen. Trust me when I say that sleeping whenever Bub is asleep is essential!

Stress in new Mums is common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Stress and anxiety can cause problems with breastfeeding. Some say your newborn can detect you are upset and will become upset themselves. Getting snappy at your Hub can cause problems in your relationship. It might make him feel like an outsider in the family, and helpless to be able to support you as husbands should.

Make a space and a time in your home for relaxation. Even if it’s only for thirty minutes, you need to be able to shut yourself away and breathe. Meditation, Yoga, or just soaking in the tub listening to music can be really good for the soul. When you are refreshed, you will feel better able to tackle all the challenges that come with Motherhood.

Sometimes it’s not easy to get a timeout from your newborn. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to help you take care of your baby. After all, we used to raise children in the community long ago. It’s still the favoured way for many cultures. Take care of you to make sure you can be the best Mum you can be.

Great little tips for first time moms

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Giving birth is a truly magical experience. Don’t listen to what anyone else says, it is. It’s wonderful and the feeling of holding your baby for the first time in your arms is absolutely overpowering. There is nothing else like it and you will love every moment of it. The question I’d like to ask now is what happens after that? How do you deal with the little issues that come with bringing a baby into your home? Well, here are a few little tips I’ve gathered for first-time moms.

Record Everything

I’m not suggesting that your husband should be in the delivery room with his phone recording the grand entrance. But, after that you will want to keep a video diary and take as many photographs as you can. With the latest tech, this is easier than it used to be. There are kids from the 90’s who have got no recordings of when they were little because the devices were to expensive. But, now the tech is cheaper, and you should be recording every moment. Of course, you will remember it. But one day when your little one is all grown up, you’re going to want to look back and live these days all over again. So from the every first day, record your baby's life in this world. Newborns look adorable, especially in professional photography.

When You Can, Sleep

You’ve heard the horror stories, and now we welcome you into the nightmare. The first couple of weeks where a baby refuses to sleep at night. Now, I should stress not everyone has the issue. Some babies are perfectly content to sleep straight through the night. They even learn to wake up when you do. But not all new parents get this luxury. Instead, they’re up at two am trying to get their little bundles of joy to sleep. Then again at three...and four...and five. I’ve seen these moms try desperately to cling onto their once perfect sleeping pattern. Do yourself a favor if this happens to you and let it go. Sleep when you can, when the baby chooses to sleep, otherwise you’re going to be exhausted.

You’ll Get Used To The Mess

It’s funny, I was speaking to a new dad the other day, and he uttered the words “It’s amazing how quickly you accept being constantly covered in poo.” The mom then chimed in “It’s not as bad as it sounds” and the father quickly replied “no, it really is.” I certainly didn’t miss those first days again after that, but it is true. You just get used to the mess, and if you take my advice, you’ll have that attitude when your kids start to grow up. They’ll leave toys around the house, they might draw on the walls, and you just have to roll with it. As long as their healthy and happy, try not to stress too much about the way your home looks.

Finally, remember to enjoy these times while they last. They certainly won’t stay forever.  

How I Aim to Teach My Child About the Dangers of the Outside World

As a new mom, I have a lot of planning and preparation for my child’s future. There are practicalities, such as money and clothes to think about. But there are also other considerations. And these are the things they don’t tell you about enough in parental guides. Things like how to answer the question ‘where do babies come from?’, and making your kids aware of dangers.

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Like it or not, these are things our children need to know about. So, I’ve already started planning for how I’m going to teach my kids about the dangers of the outside world. Not in an alarmist sense, but I do feel that it’s important to prepare kids and keep them informed. So, this is how I aim to teach my child about the dangers of the real world.

Explain Home Security to Them

First up, I will start the closest and most obvious - the home. I will talk about home security, and what we have in and around the home. I will then ask my daughter to list all the things she thinks constitutes home security. Making a game out of it engages them more. At my place we have CCTV systems. We have to buy fences direct from fence companies to protect our yard. And we have a state-of-the-art intruder alarm. I will make her aware of all of these elements. Then I will ease into why we need home security. And the fact that there are people out there who want to take what isn’t theirs. But reassurance is important too, so I’ll need to mention that these are just precautions. I don’t want to worry her.

Tell Them About Strangers

Another important thing that I feel we need to make out kids aware of is the risk of strangers. Now, fortunately, this is something that gets covered brilliantly in schools as well. So as parents we can work in unison with what the kids are learning in school. It’s important to make your child aware of the fact that they shouldn’t trust or talk to strangers at a young age. The trick will be deciding when I enter into this discussion with my kid.

Be Honest

I always find that honesty is the best policy in these situations. I have a friend who has recently had this convo with her kids. And she decided to be as honest and upfront as possible. Children need to be told the truth when they’re young, so they learn about it when they’re older. They might get confused if information you later give them is contradictory. Talk with them about 9/11; let them know there are bad people in the world. But reassure them that you will protect them and look after them. My approach will be total honesty, however, I will make sure I don’t frighten or alarm as well.

Give Them a Phone

When my kid gets a bit older, I’m going to consider giving her a cell phone. This is something my husband and I will need to discuss first, though. It’s important to choose the right age for this kind of thing. But, a phone is an important part of this learning process. By giving your child their own phone you give them a way of contacting you if they need to. And you should encourage them to do that. I feel like I might want to regulate my child’s phone regularly, and set some parental controls.

It’s a dangerous world out there, and our children are so naive and innocent. So we need to do what we can to protect them from the risks and dangers they face. These are some of the ways I’m going to use to teach my child about the dangers and risks in the world.

Fun Days Out You And The Little Ones Can Both Enjoy

When you have kids, you have to keep them happy. Happy might be cooking them their favourite meal, or it might be surprising them with a gift. Whatever it is, when your kids are happy, they are the moments that you cherish the most. Sharing quality time with your little ones is a part of every parent's' dreams. And, there is no better way than to share time together outside of the house. Getting out and seeing the world is a great way to keep them occupied and give them new experiences at the same time. So, what you need are fun days out that the kids will love.

Theme Park

Days out for kids don’t come much better than a day at a theme park, as long as they are old enough. Kids are fearless, which is why the prospect of going one hundred miles an hour on a rickety ride excites them. Plus, theme parks are made for children. There are fast, exhilarating rides that they can enjoy, and plenty of junk food and soda they can ingest. Quite simply, theme parks combine everything that kids love the most!

Go To The Zoo

Nothing peaks their curiosity more than animals. Even animals they see every day likes horses and cows are a big deal to children. So, when you put a lion and an elephant into the mix, they will be awestruck. Children can look at exotic animals for hours, which mean you can spend the whole day at the zoo without so much as a peep.

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SeaWorld

Or any exhibition with animals. SeaWorld is obviously one of the most popular because of the quality of the show. Watching huge, intelligent animals like orcas and dolphins do tricks and flips in the air is a sight to behold. In fact, the adults will love it as much as the kids! Plus, you can go underneath the surface and look at the marine life in their tanks. The sheer size and beauty of the animals will not be missed by the kids.

Watch A Sporting Event

Let’s face it – most children are sports mad. Most moms leave it to the dads to enjoy some father-son time at a game. But, there is nothing wrong with the moms substituting for the dads when they have to. As long as the kids get to watch their favourite players in the flesh, they don’t care about the chaperone. Tickets to games can be expensive, but they are a great treat every once in a while. The overall atmosphere and experience is something they will never forget.

A Day At The Park

Often, we try to think outside of the box when the simplest answer is the best answer. Kids have that much energy that they just love being outside and running around. You don’t even need to think of any activities because they will think of something all on their own. Better yet, if they are with a friend they will play for the entire day, and it won’t cost you a thing.

After all, parks are free!