49 things you say as a parent.

Hey readers,

 

Pre-children I made a conscious vow not to say certain catchphrases or be a certain type of mum.

Bur moving forward in time to me being a mummy I can't help but say certain sentences, several times a day.

1. Please be nice to each other.

2. Please be quiet, mummy is trying to talk. 

3. It's not the end of the world.

4. You should be lucky not living in Africa or whatever equally depressing place inspires you to try to make the little sods eat their dinner.

5. If you don't do X then I am going to tell your daddy and you are going to be in serious trouble.

6. Go and play with your toys and give mummy some headspace.

 

7. What was his poo like, soft/wet)firm etc 💩 

8. Put your willy away no one wants to see it.

9. When I was your age I..... 

10. Because I said so, end of!

11. Just you wait and see. 

12. No pudding unless you eat your dinner. 

13. If someone asked you to jump off the cliff would you?

14. I've told you a thousand times.

15. Say pardon, not what!

16. What did your last slave die off?

17. It will all end in tears.

18. You will take someone's eye out with that.

19. I want, never gets. 

20. Don't sit that close to the tv, you will get square eyes. 

21. What part of no do you not understand. 

22. Your hands are not broke. 

23. No one said life was fair. 

24. Naked is not an outfit. 

25. When I was young we never had...

26. Who is the parent you or me?

27. Money doesn't grow on trees.

28. If you don't pick up your toys, I'm going throw them away. 

29. Go and ask your dad (or mum). 

30. I've had it up to here with you. 

31. If you want to act like a child, I will treat you like one. 

32. Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer. 

33. One day you will thank me.

34. Quiet down, I can't even hear myself think. 

35. Are your legs broken?

36. Let's play the quiet game.

37. I'm not asking, I'm telling.

38. When you have kids, I hope they are just like you.

39. Don't you use that tone with me, mister.

40. Stop crying or ill give you something to cry about. 

41. You better wipe that look of your face. 

42. Youll understand when you are a parent. 

43. I wasn't born yesterday you know. 

44. You kids will be the death of me. 

45. I'll wash out your mouth with soap. 

46. You've brought this on your self.

47. Youll live. 

48. Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall. 

49. I am going to count to three...

Do you recognise any of these phrases that you say now that you are a parent? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 29/11/2020

My Sunday photo 01/11/2020

My Sunday photo 25/10/2020

10 things to do during october half term 2020

 Hey readers, 

This year is a funny old year where a lot has happened coronavirus and you may be dreading half term as it is not like other times when there is a lot more available and socially you could do more i.e. stay over at grandparents house. 

It is all different this year and you may want to find some activities that you can do safely this half term holiday. so, here are 10 ideas that won't break the bank but keep you sane.

1. Slime. 

Kids love slime and my boys especially love slime and baths, So this is perfect. I picked up these pots of slime in Poundland for a quid and it is going to be an afternoon/rainy situation where it will come out and keep them amused for a little bit. 

2. Scavenger hunt.

There is a million and one on Pinterest and similar search engines that you pick one that suits you and your family. It is a great way to hunt for items out in the wild while keeping kids entertained.

3. Colour in.

A lovely activity to do with children is doing some colouring - is not only for children but for adults as well. There are loads of printouts and if your feeling seasonal there are Halloween wants to choose from.

4. Zoom calls.

If you cant see someone in person to keep contact with friends and family good old zoom meeting will safe the day. 

 
5. Carve a pumpkin.

Had to be including with Halloween falling in half term grabbing a pumpkin (doesn't have to be expensive you can pick up big ones from Aldi for a couple of quid. Carving a pumpkin is a fun and sensory activity and looks really effective when you light it with tea lights in the evening giving you that spooky ambience.

6. Film afternoon.

There is a good range of films on the telly during the half-term holiday for kids or you could stream, I like Hotel Transylvania and Scoob perfect for the family. 

7. Baking. 

Kids love baking in the kitchen and you can do some simple recipes so you don't have to feel overwhelmed in your confident like me. A good recipe is chocolate chip cookies not too complicated but always a hit.

8. Science experiment.

If you are feeling adventurous you could try a science experiment such as making slime or a bath bomb. 

 9. Go for a bike ride. 

A free activity you can do is go on your bike for a ride, you don't have to go far it could be local but at least you get out of seeing the four walls. 

10. Check out the local park.

Parks are an excellent way of burning kids energy off and if it is mild you could even take a picnic with you. 

Have I missed anything off the list that you think would make a great idea for entertaining kids during this coming half term? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X 

Anti- Homework

Hey readers,

One of the things that pisses me off about school is sending children home with homework.

 Firstly, I believe we should stop homework because kids have a long day at school learning, why then come home to do even more work. 

Let's give children a break and allow them to play and let them wind down. I think if the child has to constantly be meeting deadlines to get work completed then it could lead to loss of enthusiasm to learn. 

I know that people are more willing to learn when they are less under pressure.

There is the risk of cheating by copying each other work in order to get the work done. Therefore getting rewarded for falsework which really doesn't help anyone in the long term.

How many arguments are met through parents having to deal with the additional responsibility of getting the kids motivated to complete their work? 

There is not enough time in the evening and it can cause potential friction between child and parent. Homework reduces the amount of family time spent together, it is important to have quality time with the family and to socialise.

A different reason for being against homework is the child for a large. A portion of the school day is sedentary. So, to come home and then be made to sit down for even more time is not really good when instead they could be having fun and doing some physical exercise.

There is no real link that homework increases learning or grades*. Causing unnecessary pressure and frustration for child and parent. There is no real cleat link to say that homework increases the chances of a child gaining better grades.

My child is exhausted from coming home from school as he uses all his energy to learn, concentrate and listen to instructions. To then try to get him to complete his homework is pretty pointless. 

He is halfhearted and not really concentrating because of being so tired. I feel it is important that when he is at home that there is that time to relax. So, there is a clear and definite break from education. 

Children need to have time to wind down and relax. It helps them sleep and not be overactive with keeping their brain wired for long periods. Not to mention the fact that if they are calmer in the evening they will sleep better and feeling fresh in the morning to be more motivated to work on education at school.

I am all about learning but I think there should be a balance between learning and play. I think with homework included in the mix of a school day it is unevenly balanced. I don't really feel it is healthy nor necessarily to include homework in the curriculum.

 Sometimes you get the feeling that it is more about meeting targets then the actual child's development and health.

What do you think about homework? Do you like it or not? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

*"What research says about the value of homework: Research review." The Center for Public Education, web. 17th February 2007.

10 Reasons Why Animals Are Good For Children

Hey readers,

I believe that animals are really great for children and help them learn in so many ways. Let me express them reasons below:

1. Animals teach children how to be gentle and soft towards animals. 

2. Animals can help with learning, mainly dogs because children who are not feeling confident in reading out loud are more willing to do so when dogs are around. They feel more confident in reading to dogs which can really help enhance their education.

3. Animals can be loving and be a companion towards children. 

4. It can give responsibility to the child to learn to clean, feed and make sure the animal is loved.

5. Stroking animals can help lower blood pressure and calm down a child who is angry or anxious. By giving the child something to focus on, therefore can help relax the child through touch and stroking movements that are slow and gentle.

6. Animals help provide love and build a relationship of trust between child and animal.

7. Having animals around can help strengthen the immune system.

8. Living with an animal can provide compassion in children.

9. Sharing a common interest of looking after animals with other siblings can help enhance the relationship of the siblings because they have a common thing that they are both interested in.

10. Having an animal to cuddle can help reduce loneliness, isolation and feelings of hopelessness. 

What do you think about animals and their effects on children? Love to hear your thoughts down below. 

Cheers for reading X

Reasons to love soft play.

Hey readers, 

 Now I am not a particular fan of soft play areas but I will venture out to one for my boys. When you're a child they are magical places and fun let's not forget. I will go out of my comfort zone to make my boys happy, not all the time but quite often even if I dread and sweat over it. Because let's face nothing beats making out children happy. 

* So I thought as I am a bit jolly having a drink *ahem* I would write some positive points about soft play and a reminder of why it is good to out to the daunting places.

* You can get a hot drink when they around like crazy lunatics. I dont often get the chace so as my bous get lost in all this newness and adventure with the hub I can relax sipping away at my tea.

* The little darlings get knackered out, therefore, a great way to get rid of all that pent up energy.
You can guarantee they will sleep through the night after a two-hour full-on session running around like Bolt! You're instantly winning at a stress-free evening and a quiet one to boot.

* It is a great place to go when it is raining as let's face it staying in can be hard to entertain when they are little and so energetic.

* It can help your child socialise, communicate and take it in turns with playing with the equipment. They will also use their working out skills, not to mention co-ordination with climbing up the padded walls, swinging from rings and kicking a football about. 

* A change of scenery for your child and play area can help stimulate and be engaging. Such as softball pit, slides, rope bridge. 

* As it is child friendly you don't have to worry about the noise your child makes and know that it is a safe environment to take your child.

* It's a physical activity to help get them active and use their bodies.

* As it is unstructured it allows your child to be free and use their creative skills and imagination. Which is all very good for their development. 

* It allows children to take risks and build their confidence in a newish environment. Inturn gives them confidence in themselves to be more expressive.

* it is dry when the weather is terrible.

* Mostly my children love soft play and get enjoyment in going as it is great fun for them.  
 
Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 11/10/2020

10 things I want for my boys

Hey readers,

I thought I would compile a top ten desires that I wish for my sons to acquire. So here goes: -

1. Happiness, obviously essential in my opinion, do whatever it is to reach happiness as long as no one is getting hurt.

2. Appreciation for life and the small things as beauty is everywhere.

3. Your own mind to use it in a creative way that makes you HAPPY.

4. Please be kind to one another.

5. Enjoy nature, people take it for granted but it is something else beyond beautiful.

6. Learn the art of moderation, I know mummy hates it but I promise you it will make life easier and a smoother ride.

7. Read because boy is it great escapism and has helped me in times of need.

8. Don't take life too seriously - don't think what needs to be done just enjoy the moment and simply be.

9. Don't rely on money it only lasts in the immediate moment but later you will be screwed.

10. Be true to yourself.

what kind of things would you add to the list of things you want for your children.  

 

Cheers for reading X