Being the head of a family definitely does bring its troubles. All of the sudden you have this overwhelming sense of understanding towards your own parents, because you know exactly what they had to do to raise you. And that’s because you know there’s always a school run to do, a shopping trip to be had, a family day out to be organised. You have to be constantly on the go and doing something fun to make sure that your kids are leading the best life that they can possibly lead. Most of you will have fond memories of always doing something with your family, and that’s what you need to let your own kids experience. So to keep you always on the go and enriching their lives, you need a few family essentials, and some of them might be wearing out at the minute. So, keep on reading, and we’ll give you some examples that you might need to think about!
Your Family Car
Your family car is most likely going to have been your trusty steed for a while now, but the amount of journeys that you’ll do as a family will no doubt wear it down after time. But sometimes family life is not as simple as everyone else, and it’s so common for people to need adapted cars for either themselves or their partner, or their children. Which then makes things so much more expensive, and families far more stressed. But at the minute there are so many offers on Vauxhall Motability cars that you could check out, and you never know, you might be able to find the car of your dreams! It’s always good to get a new car before you run the one you have into the ground, as towards the end we often spend more money on the repairs, when we could have spent it on a deposit for a new car.
Bits & Bobs Around The Home
We find it hard to replace the things around our home, because a lot of them carry some sentiment. It might be your first coffee table, or something you had handed down to you. But when it’s got to go, it’s got to go, and your home could look so much more refreshed if you just check out the new styles that are in. For example, glass coffee tables are making a comeback rather than the big wooden clunky ones, they just look so much more fancy and elegant!
Family Fun
Family fun definitely needs to be switched up a little bit from time to time. Sometimes it can feel like all you're doing is going to the park. So we think it’s good to make a plan once or twice a month on the weekends, to make sure that you get out and do something fun and different. It could be something physical, or something like the cinema, but as long as you have the plan to get out and do something different, you’ll be keeping that family fun spirit alive.
*This is a collaborative post*
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If you're like me and you haven't managed to buy everything you need for your children returning/starting school or you're worried you have forgotten to buy something then this list is a great reference. This checklist is for children of primary school age.
Back to School Checklist
- Uniform - Polo Shirts, Bottoms, Jumper or Cardigan, Shoes, Coat
- P.E Kit - T Shirt, Shorts or Leggings, Trainers, Bag
- Outdoor Learning - Wellies, Hat
- Bag
- Lunchbox
- Water-Bottle
- Suntan lotion
- Labels for Clothes
- Hair Accessories - Bobbles, Bands, Clips
- Stationary - Pencil Case, Pencils, Notepad
You can pin the below image:
Clothing:
The shops I recommend for clothing are Next and Tu at Sainsburys. The clothes tend to wash well and therefore last better from both stores.
I tend to buy school shoes and trainers from Next or Clarkes. Wellies I usually get from a supermarket.
Bags, Lunch Accessories and Stationary :
Both my girls adore Smiggle for bags and stationary. I think they are attracted to all the bright, cute, patterns and scented products.
This year they have a range for suitable for younger children (ages 3-6) which is ideal for nursery or preschool. The bags are smaller so fit little ones backs and shoulders better.
Image from Smiggle
They also have a fab school bundle in lots of ranges which includes everything you need such as a rucksack, drinks bottle, lunchbox, pencil case and goo which has a hidden character inside.
The lunchboxes from Smiggle are a particular favourite product of ours as they have 2 sections so there is plenty of space for lunch, snacks and a drink. They also wash well.
Clothing labels:
From personal experience I have found iron on labels last longer than stick on ones.
Suntan Lotion:
I find popping a roll on 5 star sun tan lotion the best for a school bag. Kids find that easy to apply themselves.
Stationary:
In our primary school kids aren't required to take any stationary to school but the girls still like to have a pencil case, pencils and notebook for home to complete homework and to practice writing and colouring. We again get these from Smiggle. They have great pencil cases that have different compartments and a pencil sharpener already attached to them.
Image from Smiggle
Hair accessories:
The supermarkets such as Asda usually have a fantastic range of school hair accessories in various school colours. If you're lucky you'll find a 3 for 2 deal or a buy one get one free deal.
Where do you usually do your school shopping?
Children’s bedrooms can often fill you with dread. This is mostly because they’re usually a
mess 30 seconds after you’ve cleaned them.
But, the even bigger headache is decorating. That’s why you’ll find three ways to decorate
your child’s room without giving yourself too much of a headache blow.
A Theme
One great idea for when you decorate or re-decorate your child’s bedroom is to go with a
theme. Now, first thing’s first, the best time to do this is when your child is little as you can
make the theme about something they are obsessed with.
If they love animals, or space or even a popular TV show or film series (you know Toy Story
4 is about to see them wanting again), you can transform their room with this. You can do
this by first opting for neutral walls, possibly an off-white and furniture, which could be
white or a basic wood, and a neutral carpet – make it a little darker. Then you can add wall
stencils and paints to create a theme, stickers work too, and then incorporate a rug and
bedding to help tie the theme together, finally, opt for themed curtains, like animal print,
which you can buy from Swift Direct Blinds to finish the room off.
Neutral
If your little one doesn’t have a particular interest or changes their mind constantly, then
neutral is the way to go. By following the above instructions when it comes to your base
theme you can then add their favourite colours, or just a mix-match of bright colours to give
the room a little dimension. This can be done through lampshades and bedding or curtains
and blinds, while you could also transform a wall into a feature colour wall. An idea here is
to use chalk paint on one wall, so they can decorate it as they please while adding a fun
dimension to the room.
To grow into
This is a mix match of the above two. While keeping the base colours, buy basic furniture
than can change with the child. A bed that extends or a unit for storage, where they can place
toys as a small child or fitted storage cubes as they get older. Also, by not putting anything on
the walls, aside from some pictures maybe, you won’t have to keep painting the walls year
after year.
If you’re looking to decorate your child’s room these are the three easiest ways.
*This is a collaborative post*
mess 30 seconds after you’ve cleaned them.
But, the even bigger headache is decorating. That’s why you’ll find three ways to decorate
your child’s room without giving yourself too much of a headache blow.
A Theme
One great idea for when you decorate or re-decorate your child’s bedroom is to go with a
theme. Now, first thing’s first, the best time to do this is when your child is little as you can
make the theme about something they are obsessed with.
If they love animals, or space or even a popular TV show or film series (you know Toy Story
4 is about to see them wanting again), you can transform their room with this. You can do
this by first opting for neutral walls, possibly an off-white and furniture, which could be
white or a basic wood, and a neutral carpet – make it a little darker. Then you can add wall
stencils and paints to create a theme, stickers work too, and then incorporate a rug and
bedding to help tie the theme together, finally, opt for themed curtains, like animal print,
which you can buy from Swift Direct Blinds to finish the room off.
Neutral
If your little one doesn’t have a particular interest or changes their mind constantly, then
neutral is the way to go. By following the above instructions when it comes to your base
theme you can then add their favourite colours, or just a mix-match of bright colours to give
the room a little dimension. This can be done through lampshades and bedding or curtains
and blinds, while you could also transform a wall into a feature colour wall. An idea here is
to use chalk paint on one wall, so they can decorate it as they please while adding a fun
dimension to the room.
To grow into
This is a mix match of the above two. While keeping the base colours, buy basic furniture
than can change with the child. A bed that extends or a unit for storage, where they can place
toys as a small child or fitted storage cubes as they get older. Also, by not putting anything on
the walls, aside from some pictures maybe, you won’t have to keep painting the walls year
after year.
If you’re looking to decorate your child’s room these are the three easiest ways.
*This is a collaborative post*
More and more people are searching for the sun during October half term and jetting off on an aeroplane to find it. But where can you fly from the UK that is warm at that time of year and that doesn't take too long to get too? Immediate thoughts are for a long haul holiday but most schools only have 1 week for the half term so you don't want to waste a day travelling.
Here are some warm October holiday destinations:
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria should have temperatures in the early 20's during October and with a flight time of around 4.5 hours from London, it makes for a popular destination for an October half term holiday.
There are plenty of different resorts but I can recommend the Tui Family Life Bahia Feliz. The kids clubs were fantastic and there were adults classes for parents to do. You can read my blog review here, Bahia Feliz and watch the youtube video.
Marrakech
Marrakech could reach temperatures in the high 20's making it a great spot for some heat in the winter months. The flight time from London is around 3.5 hours.
Marrakech could reach temperatures in the high 20's making it a great spot for some heat in the winter months. The flight time from London is around 3.5 hours.
You can find some fantastic family friendly all-inclusive hotels just outside the city which provide shuttles into the centre. Often these hotels have water slides etc for entertainment.
In Marrakech itself you could get henna tattoos, visit a souk, go on a food tour, visit Bahia palace, experience a camel ride and much more.
In Marrakech itself you could get henna tattoos, visit a souk, go on a food tour, visit Bahia palace, experience a camel ride and much more.
Tenerife
Tenerife could reach temperatures in the mid 20's and the flight time from London is around 4.5 hours. There are so many great activities to see and do there which is why it is a hotspot for a winter holiday.
The waterpark Siam Park is a must for families, young and old alike. There's slides for adrenaline junkies (including a vertical drop) or you can relax on a 1150 foot wide beach.
You can also take a cable car ride up Mount Teide (Spain's highest peak) and view craters and rivers of lava. There is also a night time excursion of stargazing there too.
Tenerife could reach temperatures in the mid 20's and the flight time from London is around 4.5 hours. There are so many great activities to see and do there which is why it is a hotspot for a winter holiday.
The waterpark Siam Park is a must for families, young and old alike. There's slides for adrenaline junkies (including a vertical drop) or you can relax on a 1150 foot wide beach.
You can also take a cable car ride up Mount Teide (Spain's highest peak) and view craters and rivers of lava. There is also a night time excursion of stargazing there too.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde usually provides temperature in the high 20's. There are lots of all inclusive hotels on the beach to choose from. The flight is around 6 hours so it's not a short haul holiday but it is still a top choice.
There's not a great deal to see and do with kids outside of the resorts other than seeing local culture so it's depending on what your children enjoy out of a holiday which would decide whether this would be a good location for you.
There's not a great deal to see and do with kids outside of the resorts other than seeing local culture so it's depending on what your children enjoy out of a holiday which would decide whether this would be a good location for you.
Dubai
As a family destination, Dubai has it all. Whatever age there is something for everyone and with the hotels all being of a luxury standard, you will be made to feel like the royal family. Temperatures are usually above 30 so it's a hot destination to hit during the October half term. The flight from London is around 7 hours but if you took an overnight flight you would have a full day there the next day instead of losing any time travelling.
The Palm area hosts the most luxurious of hotels with the Atlantis being one of the most family friendly. Inside the Atlantis there is a waterpark, an aquarium and much more. You wouldn't really have to leave.
We visited in 2015 and you can read about it here, Atlantis The Palm.
There are so many other things to see and do such as:
As a family destination, Dubai has it all. Whatever age there is something for everyone and with the hotels all being of a luxury standard, you will be made to feel like the royal family. Temperatures are usually above 30 so it's a hot destination to hit during the October half term. The flight from London is around 7 hours but if you took an overnight flight you would have a full day there the next day instead of losing any time travelling.
The Palm area hosts the most luxurious of hotels with the Atlantis being one of the most family friendly. Inside the Atlantis there is a waterpark, an aquarium and much more. You wouldn't really have to leave.
We visited in 2015 and you can read about it here, Atlantis The Palm.
There are so many other things to see and do such as:
- Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa
- Visit the mall
- Visit the souks
- See the Jumeriah Mosque
- Go on a boat trip
- Visit Legoland
- Visit Motion Gate Dubai
Have you been anywhere that you would recommend for a warm October half term holiday?
No matter who you are, there’s one thing we all look forward to – a holiday.
This week or two in the sun is an annual tradition of us Brits, with millions travelling abroadeach year to relax, unwind and forget about our daily troubles while topping up that tan. But, for all those parents out there, you know that when it comes to holidaying with little ones, there can be a few issues that can arise.
The main one being where to find the best beach holidays? Well, to ensure the whole family can enjoy a beach holiday this year, you’ll find some of the best family holiday destinationsbelow.
Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal
An old fishing village, this is a sleepy area that remains filled with life, due to recent development. This hasn’t detracted from its charm though, especially that of the little beach that sits front and centre here. With plenty of rock pools and caves to explore alongside water sports and wonderful shops and ice cream parlours, this is a family spot like no other.
Llafranc, Costa Brava, Spain
Everyone loves Spain, but this is a place, unlike any other Spanish destination you’ve visited. Once the home of stars such as Salvador Dali, this is a place that’s big enough to keep you all entertained for a week or two while being small enough to make it ideal for the whole family. The beaches that surround this part of north-eastern Spain are surrounded by little coves and rugged hillside, while the clear waters remain the same. A particular beach highlight is Tamariu, which is much smaller and has delightful camping nearby.
Cirali, Antalya, Turkey
Another well-known destination for families, this is a spot that brings the stunning countryside and the beaches together at the same time. Surrounded by forest, mountains, farms and even lemon groves, the beach here is practically untouched and is ideal for those with slightly older children. The shingle bay stretch is a protected area, due to turtles laying eggs here between June and July. Meanwhile, the quaint town offers wonderful restaurants and even ancient temples and tombs for you to explore.
As we all know, the beach is the best place to take the little ones on holiday. They can have hours of fun and it’s relatively free, so, when you’re looking to book your next holiday keep the above places in mind, as you’ll be able to get a tan while the rest of your little tribe enjoys the beach.
*This is a collaborative post*
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