The little things in life...

Firstly I should say this is slightly tongue in cheek. I value the time the children have off school, I wish I could have more time off with them rather than working but I also won't deny that it isn't easy every single day. It can be expensive, tiring and a day can feel like a week sometimes. And that can flip the other way too.



My top tips for surviving the school holidays:

(1) Wear them out as much as possible in the morning. If you are lucky enough to have the children for the day during the holidays tire them out. Run them about, go to open spaces so they can be free and run around burning off pent up energy. I find the outdoors always wears them out that little bit more. Children that have exercised and are worn out tend to be more relaxed later on and hopefully will get nice early nights or give you quiet, relaxed, content afternoons.

(2) Exercise. This kind of links into the the first tip where the main idea is to tire them out a little. But Exercise, it stimulates them whilst also being beneficial for them and also yourself. Swimming is a hit in our house as in cycling, scooting, splashing in muddy puddles and so on. Even a walk into the woods getting them moving. When I sadly have to work around them this is something i will always do, I won't feel so bad then if they spend the afternoon drawing, playing or even having a little screen time.



(3) Plans. Always make plans. This fills the time they have, it gives them something to look forward to but also yourself. You won't feel so alone if you plan to do some play dates down the local park etc. The key to this tip is to plan ahead and not on the day!

(4) Quiet Days are fine. Don't feel like you have to fill every single day with an activity. Children need down time as much as you or I. A day at home does everyone the world of good, so I couldn't do more than this usually as cabin fever strikes but time at home doing "jobs" (Think of things like watering your plants, washing up, doing the laundry and so on), crafting, play dough and so on is just what they need at times. Not to mention it will save you money!

(5) Look up free activities. There are lots of local groups and clubs that run activities during the holidays such as a reading competition at the local library, rock painting and so on. Make the most of free local activities near you, even if it only take up an hour or so.



(6) Pinterest Everything! That place is blooming wonderful for ideas, especially if you have crafty children like Daisy. Think painting rocks, making paper plate faces, pasta art and so on! The lists are endless and more often than not, cheap. Just google Pinterest kids craft ideas or similar and you will have hindreds of results pop up if you don't have the app yourself!

(7) Watch the weather!  If a week of rainy weather is forecast, phone round like minded friends and arrange a few play dates or organize rainy day plans such as the cinema! If it is sunny plan to do your free activities like long walks by the stream or camping out in a field to let the kids just roam free.

We have all been there, when our child will not stop coughing. Especially at night when we all need some sleep, you find yourself scouring the internet in the early hours for as many tips as you can find! I thought I would share some of my top tips:

• Prop them up. So don't let them lie flat on their back. If they are just babies then a pillow is not advisable so instead I used to roll up towels or pop a pillow under their mattress to elevate them slightly. 

• A fan. I find my little ones get super hot when they have a cough, which then means they get even hotter when they cough and its a vicious circle because the hotter you are, the more likely you will cough. I tend to pop a fan on them, on a low setting which usually allows them to drop off to sleep. Sometimes if they have stopped coughing once asleep I will switch it off, otherwise I leave it on a low setting away from their bed. 

Now I wish I was here offering you some SOS on sleeping, getting babies and toddlers to sleep. But hell no I am not! I have a 19 year old little rascal, Alex, who has only ever slept through the night twice in his life!


Daisy had ups and downs and reading back on my blog makes me realise that perhaps she wasn't always a sound sleeper and that she too had a few weeks of disruptions, but by all accounts (and those of my poor memory) it was nothing like this. I certainly wasn't up and down most of the night with her.

Alex is waking every single night, at least once. Usually 2-3 times. He doesn't usually take a lot to settle and if I bring him into our bed he does usually dose off pretty quickly and we all get a little bit of sleep, all be it a little disrupted, awkward and uncomfortable. I am in no way against co-sleeping, if he was a pleasure to lie next to then I would have him in there no trouble, but he is a kicker, wriggler and climber! An absolute terror to have squeezed in between you both.

If this was just a stage then I would certainly say he was going through a sleep regression. But how can he have been regressing since the day he was born?! It is just becoming a nightmare. I haven't been well since well before Christmas and I just know the power of decent sleep would do me the power of good. Not that I am complaining of course!

Maybe it is just him, he isn't a sleeper. He needs the comfort, doesn't need the 8-10 hours worth of sleep most kids need and he just doesn't like to settle. I just don't get it. He has busy, action packed days, he doesn't stop and he eats well. Why wouldn't he sleep?

So what can I do to stop this? I know some responses will be controlled crying. We have been there with him and he will settle himself to sleep no problem, but it is a few hours later when he wants to wake up again that the trouble starts. I also fear leaving him to cry in the night in case he wakes up Daisy, which just never goes down well. That is a girl who really does need 11/12 hours sleep a night to function properly the next day!



So help. SOS! I am admitting defeat....

Learning starts from the moment we’re born. But stimulating a child’s mind and helping them develop their awareness are crucial to ensuring that they absorb as much as possible in the early years.

So, what part does learning about colour play in benefiting your child’s development and how can you help them along the way?



Colour and children’s learning 

A baby is born with monochrome vision. Until around eight months when their colour vision is fully developed, an infant is unable to distinguish the difference between colours. However, by ages three or four, a child can recognise basic shades — and frequent exposure can help strengthen this skill.

The advantages of learning about colours

From around eight months, it’s a good idea to start surrounding a baby with multiple colours to help them recognise and differentiate between various shades. This can help them make colour connections early on in life and experts have said that showing patterns to a baby is important, as it provides visual and cognitive stimulation.

While distinguishing between basic colours is important, it’s also beneficial to expose young children to different shades (e.g. navy and sky blue). Learning these allows children to recognise significant visual hues — such as red as a code for danger. It is useful outside of the curriculum too — for example; knowing the difference between a red and a blue coloured tap.

Once a child can identify different colours, they then should learn how to describe and write it — which improves their speaking and writing skills. Describing an object without saying its colour is difficult!

Aside from education, studies have suggested that colour can affect emotional well being, productivity and behaviour. Some experts claim that:
Blue: encourages creativity and relaxation — but if overused, it can bring the mood down.
Orange: promotes critical thinking and memory retention.
Yellow: boosts mood and excites a child (because of its vibrant appearance).

Considering the right colour for a classroom can also help the teacher, as it can create the ideal atmosphere for controlling a class and raising mood and productivity. Research has shown that colours are more memorable than monochrome too — a bright and colourful classroom makes new learning experiences stick in the mind.

Ways you can help teach kids about colours 

Playground canopies and parasols make excellent props for a fun, visual lesson in colour without the children even realising. Place them over areas of a playground where they’ll catch the sun to create different colourful patterns for the children to enjoy. Pupils can trace shadows of the patterns on the floor with chalk and learn how they move with the sun throughout the day.
If you’re teaching very young children, sensory development is the foundation for all other learning, and you can encourage this with colourful toys and play mats. Research has also highlighted the importance of messy play — where children can take part in unstructured play and get their hands dirty! Let them play with brightly coloured foodstuff, such as jelly, and develop their fine motor skills, too.

These easy and effective lessons will work to boost colour development and help improve the learning of other areas.

Sources
https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/45115534/list/the-importance-of-colour-during-your-childs-early-years
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/baby/education-play/how-colour-can-affect-your-babys-development-20160725-gqdk1c
https://www.color-meanings.com/color-psychology-child-behavior-and-learning-through-colors/
http://www.infiniteplaygrounds.co.uk/colourful-classrooms/ 

Threenager? A phrase I hadn't heard of being having a toddler. The urban dictionary defines “threenager” as a 3-year-old spouting attitude like a spoiled teenager.


We escaped the terrible twos with Daisy, she was seemingly an easy toddler who was pretty easy to entertain and look after. I guess she still is really, but with a few funny... turns? (That seems pretty awful to say out loud) Basically, she has a few moments, some days a lot more than others where she is difficult. Difficult to please, difficult to console and well makes the day feel pretty sad at times. It makes me wonder is it the reality of nurturing an independent, strong headed girl? But then I know a fair few little boys who are encountering the same types of behaviours.

The worst thing is that it is nothing in particular that can trigger it, or nothing glaringly obvious that I have spotted anyway. If I had it may be easy to resolve and possibly avoid! Most of the time the "turn" is at home and so it isn't as if she falling to the floor in the street or anything distressing like that. But it is still so upsetting. She can start by shouting the odds and crying uncontrollably, to basically looking like she has being possessed. Now it isn't normal behaviour for her so something is causing it. But what?

Could it be that her knowledge of the world is growing but her complete understanding isn't keeping up and it is frustration building? Or is it that she is growing and it is just emotions? Caused by all that growing she is doing? I really do think it is a combination of all those factors, plus some. Some I will have missed, some I am oblivious to.

She is so loving and caring most of the time, so placid and pleasant than when she does get these moments it is even more out of character. It is like we are walking on egg shells, terrified we will upset this little dictator at any given time!

It isn't standard behaviour for her, she isn't a "naughty" (I know, I know, we aren't supposed to use that phrase any more, labelling and all that) child, she is a pleasure to be around and i love spending time with her, which is why I just wish those awful moments away. I like to reflect on the better times we have together and make sure I spend that quality time with her to listen and chat and be at the same level. Bedtime is the perfect example, it gives us a little moment to sit and read, talk about book, talk about days and talk about the next day. That way I know she has gone to sleep at the end of a day knowing she is listened to, understood and loved, usually in a happy place.




I guess the purpose of this post was to say I think it is normal. Normal for a 3 year old to have emotional out bursts, normal to test their parent/ carers patience and well just normal to be 3 years old. To get through it I am trying to be patience, considerate and as loving as possible. Trying to be that yes parent, not avoiding any situations but hopefully making it easier for us all on the whole.

How have you found that third year?!

Hayley x

It won't be news to you if you have been around here a while that WaterWipes are a staple in our house. I can't say I use them for everything now that my babies are a bit bigger but I always have a pack knocking around the kitchen ready to tackle grubby faces after particularly messy dinners like bolognaise! I always just think they are so much kinder to their faces than other wipes I could have around the house.



WaterWipes claim to be the world’s purest baby wipes, no nasties, just natural fruit extracts and water – which makes them the ideal tool to remove all the face paint, chocolate and fake bloody from those little faces at Halloween.


Top Tips for Removing Stubborn Face Paint

• Avoid fragranced wipes as these may irritate your child’s skin. WaterWipes are the perfect go to this Halloween as they are 99.9% purified water with a drop of fruit extract.

• Generic wet wipes may contain oil extracts which act as a perfect seal to skin pores, just a little watch out!

• Do not  scrub the paint off – this will only push the paint deeper into the pores which will cause further irritation to your child’s sensitive skin and obviously may be a little sore if you're having to scrub! 

• Gently wiping in a circular motion will be the most effective way to remove stubborn face paint. As children’s skin is much thinner than adults make sure you do it gentley. 

Crown Poundworld |  Blouse Next | Shorts H&M | Trainers Primark

You are now 3 years and 4 months old. How crazy is that? My baby girl. It has started to make my heart flutter a little when I think that this time next year we will be gearing up to get you ready to go to school in a few weeks time. I can't even imagine how that must feel, but it won't be too far in the distance that I will be finding out I guess.

I can't tell you how proud of you I am, your ability to react and adapt to all kinds of things blows my mind. Nothing is too much effort (except eating a decent meal!) and nothing stops you. You have learnt to tie your dolls hairs up with clips or bobbles, put your socks on and well get dressed fully actually. You swim amazingly well and well I can't think of a lot that you can't do, if anything.


You have built yourself a great little character up now. Feisty and independent with a very soft side too. You have decided that boys are pains, they are not allowed to like pink and definitely don't play with dolls. Much to your brothers disgust who actually loves playing with your pram. It amazes me how someone so small can be influenced to have such strong feelings on gender stereotypes, all naively and innocently of course. I am sure we can iron that out of you!

You have a nice little group of friends who you claim are your bestest friends, the one little girl that you talk about most days always cuddles you so hard when you leave nursery that she knocks you off your feet. It makes me smile and chuckle every time. Oh to be 3 again and have no social inhibitions!

Your diet has not changed all that much in recent months, it is still very beige. Anything breaded is a winner in your mind, not so much mine. Although you are now eating pasta, and we have progress, you will have sauce. Not too saucey mind, you don't like it too slippery! Carbonara is your favourite at the moment, with egg - you eating egg, can you believe it? And yes I know, you love chocolate eggs not chicken eggs. Unlucky lady, you're eating chicken eggs and loving it!

Love you to the moon and back,

Muma xx

I have never done this before but thought I would share my top sale picks for the current sale in Joules. I ALWAYS have a good old rummage through the online sale and have picked up many pieces for Daisy's next wardrobe collection on a few occasions. I have shared lots of wishlists before but never a sales picks.

These are my top picks for toddler girls at the moment.


Enjoy!

Hayley x

This is not a sponsored post, I just love sharing my finds!

I have done a wishlist for Boden previously (find it here , I always love their children ranges and always choose a few of my favourite pieces but am always lusting after more. I have to say I have never really bought much for myself from there, I can't say I have even looked but then show me a mum who buys much for themselves anyway!!!

They have a new range; Hop in a motorcar and zoom across our new-season styles, which draw inspiration from the extraordinary world of Kenneth Grahame's classic tale The Wind In The Willows and the famous illustrations of E.H. Shepard (Source: Boden).

First up for Daisy:

And Alex (who is still in the baby range):

Enjoy!

Hayley x

This is not a sponsored post, I just love to share my finds! 

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for being my Daddy.

For building sandcastles with me at the seaside and making sure I don't eat it. It doesn't taste very nice.

For chasing the seagulls down the beach and being silly with me.

For running around after me, trying to throw my hat on to my fair head.

For waking up in the night to take me back to bed when I have a bad dream or wake up and not know where I am.

For pestering me to have my tea, I might waste away otherwise. I often forget I need some dinner in my tummy.

For taking me on super fun adventures where I get to see places that are a long way away.



For digging in the garden and letting me get really mucky.

For playing princesses when I know really that you don't find it as exciting as I do.

For letting me dunk my biscuits in your tea, even if I do drop them in and make your tea look yucky.

For letting me play hairdressers with you.

And help fix your bike.

I hope you have a nice time camping at the weekend with us and love your card I got for you.

Daisy x

How cool are these cards from Hallmark at Tesco? They have so much variety I couldn't choose!

This is my favourite!! An actual shed??

*PR Samples may be used, but all opinions are my own

Daisy was recently 3 and was absolutely spoilt rotten as usual.

But what do toddler girls REALLY want? So Daisy's top 3 pressies that she seems to have got really attached to are:



#1 Has to be her Baby Belle Dolly. She has seen the old classic Beauty & The Beast but is far too young to see the latest release. However that hasn't stopped her swooning over the all of the Belle merchandise that is everywhere at the moment. This doll is a baby version of Belle, which she thinks is brilliant! She also has a baby Elsa so Belle has a new best friend! Belle is soft in the body so I actually don't mind taking this one to bed with her for cuddles.

#2 So it is no surprise that another of Daisy's favourites is yet another princess. This time Aerial. Not only is she princess obsessed but also mermaids. I would even go as far as saying that she actually is crazier about mermaids at the moment.

And last but my no means least is #3 Duplo blocks. She spends hours building castles and houses, and popping all her "little ones" in there safely (in her own words!). Her baby brother also loves destroying her creations!



*This post contains PR sample but all opinions are my own!

I am a bit of a worrier when it comes to my daredevil children. Both of them are risk takers and both always have been climbers. It makes me stay on edge all day, every day. But I guess they learn from their tumbles and bumps.

Well you would think so anyway. Daisy not so much. She is very clumsy but I think she is always exploring and curious as to what will happen if she does certain things and what she can find. I love that she is such an explorer than she is always outside but it does come with cuts and bruises.

Thankfully nothing serious. We have tears for a few minutes, a cuddle and a rub and then she is on her way again. If that doesn't work then a character plaster will do the trick (like the ones below that Elastoplast have just released) and failing that then something like a biccie will definitely fix her!!! She is easily persuaded.


I must admit even though the kids terrify me with their risky business I do let them have these bumps, I can't wrap them in cotton wool and really, I wouldn't want to. They need to have fun and they need to be aware of their actions but not be too terrified to go out and explore. A graze is easily cleaned and wrapped up and a bump is easily kissed.

Here is a fab video that has been put together all about #tearsintosmiles

How do you "fix" your children with their bumps and scrapes?

Hayley x

So I love a bit of craft or messy play with Daisy. I am by no means a Pinterest mum and our scope usually goes as far as cupcakes, sequins and lots of paint and glue! Not all at once, but you get my drift.

We were sent a lovely package from Waterwipes for Easter for both Daisy and Alex so they could make their own Easter eggs. I have never done anything like that before but knew that Daisy would just love it and that it may keep her busy for at least half an hour.

I was super grateful as Good Friday was a rainy day here in the Midlands and it gave us something to do together while Alex napped.

I pulled a little video together here of how we did it and how we got on.

It was actually really easy and Daisy really enjoyed it, what is not to love about chocolate and getting messy?

If you are new to hearing about Waterwipes then you I have done a few posts previously about them and how they are a staple in our house, especially with a little boy who has very sensitive, dry skin. You can find one of those posts here.

So on to a few photos from activity:





*This post is not sponsored but samples were recieved in return for personal opinions and experiences. 

Second time around shopping for and preparing for a baby is much easier. You know what you really NEED over what you think you like the look of or what perhaps is absolutely not necessary. There are several things I bought with Daisy that were barely looked at, never mind touched.



So I thought I would share with you my top 5 nursery essentials.

Room Thermometer

I am always cold so I find it really difficult to know how warm a room is for a baby without using a thermometer. I have never used anything fancy, just one like this has done the job just fine. Just obviously don't put it right over the radiator or by the window, I have always placed ours on a shelf just by where the cot is to give a good reading. This is a good little kit because the bath one could come in handy too.

Baby Thermometer

This item is a must have. I don't know what I would do without ours. I have had the same one since having Daisy and it is one we were handed down. It works a treat and can really put your mind at rest if your little one is unwell or maybe you think they feel warm. We have one that can go in the ear but you can get all kinds of scanning type ones now which look even better!

Projection Soother

There are lots of soothers around now, we had several with Daisy but I find the ones that can have light lullaby's and a light show the most effective. They really aid the little one to fall off to sleep on their own and it can soothe them if you just want to pop them down for a while. We have the Hug Me Projection Soother at the moment which we just love.

Sleep Sacs

I am not a fan of loose blankets in babies cots. There are too many horror stories and with a sleep sac you don't have such a worry and also you know they should be nice and toasty, but not too hot. Gro bags tends to be our favourite because of the designs available and they wash really well too.

Monitor

Again for safety reasons and to put my mind at rest. We don't have a fancy video one, I have never felt a need for one and they were much more expensive when I bought one 3 years ago for Daisy.




*PR Samples may be used

I always envisaged that parenting would be tricky but on the whole it would be a doddle. The sleepless nights, the mess, the ongoing demands, the changes your body goes through, the hormones, these things would all pass as fast as they came. That I would love my children unconditionally.




I wasn't wrong in some aspects, but others I was a million miles off. This isn't a call for compliments or the I told you so brigade to get stuck in by the way. It's a Mums right to admit these things, this is my diary and my little mind dump I guess.

I always thought I was going to be the mother who knew her child’s every need and thoughts before they even knew themselves. But I’m not. I find it a guessing game, one I have got better at mind you. They are their own little people who experience things differently to us adults, they have different mind sets and think differently. Who ever says get on to their level is clearly bonkers, I am going no where near the level of a rabid toddler who is on the brink of a breakdown! You just have to test out different tactics and the stupid thing, the results varies by the day! No way will they make it easy for us. Keep us on our toes.

In truth, the real truth, I can often be shouty mum, I am much more impatient than I ever thought I would be, and I am not always in control of my emotions. It is not unheard of for me to have to walk away and just breathe or feel teary after a hard day.

 I thought I would want to race back to work and earn my living, I was career driven before children and loved the prospect of climbing the ladder and proving my worth. But I don't want that. I am back at work and I enjoy aspects of it, the adult conversation, something to challenge my mind and give me that mind space away from the challenges of being a parent. Because my god, I also thought that stay at home mums had it easy too, I am far more tired after a day with the children that I am at work! But anyway, yes I am in no way racing into work, more like plodding. I am back but I am there to do my job and that is it. The drive has lessened, and I look forward to getting back home or closing my laptop for the evening.

I didn’t think I would let me children use technology;  iPads and watch TV. But I do. Not as much as some but I am also not saying that I don't let that god awful pig babysit for an hour here and there when I need to get stuff done or I just need a little break when the baby goes down for a nap. I also find it works wonders as a wind down tool when the day is almost over but we need the place pacifying until tea is ready, bath is run etc.

But do you know I am the only Mum my babies need. The only Mum I would want them to have. I am not what I imagined but actually I think I am doing alright. We all rock it in our own ways don't we? Even though there are many things I don’t do in the way I thought I would I like to think that my babies know how much I love them, that they can see it when I cuddle them goodnight or rock them when they're unwell during the night. The way they look back at me tells me they do.

We are on to round two of weaning in our household and although I am changing our tactics slightly 2nd time around with Alex (compared to how I did it with D) the principles are the same. We all just want our babies to eat good food and be healthy.

I thought I would share some of the information that is out there to "help" us out and put my little spin on it where I can.




So, all UK Health Departments and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, and continue to receive breast milk throughout the first year and for as long after that as mum and baby want to continue. Obviously there are substitutes out there in the way of formula. I am in no way saying that ALL babies should be breastfed, this is a personal choice in my opinion and lots of things come into play here for each individual baby. But I thought it good to share what the health professionals say.

They also then go on to say babies are rarely developmentally ready for solid food before about six months of age. I waited for six months with Daisy but actually started a little earlier with Alex. My reasoning was that he was a big baby, he would fuss when he saw us with food and would cause a scene, he would grab hold of food out of our hands and get excited when he saw a spoon/ fork etc. I tested him with a few spoonfuls of porridge and he gulped it down, there was no pushing the spoon away, no spitting out or anything. When I say I weaned him early, what I really mean is by a few weeks. Nothing drastic.

One thing I find really confusing when looking at weaning is why do baby foods state from 4 months etc on their labels when the guidelines state 6 months? It is a bit contradictory and can cause some real confusion I think in parents that may be weaning for the first time.

An example would be the Organix stage 1 fruit pots and cereals, they were previously labelled as suitable from 4 months+ and while babies can safely eat some foods at this age, Organix thinks it makes sense to support families in line with national guidance so that they’re not giving mixed messages. This is why they’re changing all the labels on these foods to show they’re suitable from 6 months+.
It will be really interesting to see other brands follow them in this to help support parents with clear and simple labelling that supports the WHO and health department guidelines about when to start introducing solid food.

Again, you have to do what is best for you and your family. If you are not sure you can always contact your health visitor or GP who could help you out. Second time around I feel a little more "qualified" (not in the medical fashion of course!!) to be able to make decisions for my children and feel content in doing that.

You have got this Muma!x

This is not a Paid collaboration