Preventing burnout

Hey readers,

It is the end of the week, yet again I am pooped, my body is aching and I feel like I can do the bare minimum. I can only come to the conclusion that I am suffering from burnout. 

As an autistic person, I don't have as much energy as a neurotypical person because It takes a lot more energy to deal with the difficulties that I to face throughout the day. 

So, I am have been searching recently on ways to try and help ease the burnout and thought maybe others would like to hear on what has worked for me.

Make sure that during the day I have time out, where I don't have to think but just be. This is not a time where I learn anything or have to remember certain cues, it's a time to allow my brain to switch off and relax.

Being kind to myself - so easy to say but putting it into to practice is hard, especially if you are a perfectionist and give yourself a hard time. Looking at the small positive things that you have done during the day is a reminder that you’re doing ok.

Accepting that I cannot be superhuman and my energy is limited. The major thing that I struggle to do is ask for help or accept that it is ok for another person to do something, it does not mean you are a failure.

Being realistic with what you can achieve and focusing on sectioning out the important stuff and not so important. Learning the art of negotiating and leaving somethings for another time helps me make the day not so overwhelming.

Having a list and writing them in order of importance, plus giving those time frames helps me feel less overwhelmed and feel more comfortable about how my day is going to pan out.

What ways help you in dealing with burnout? Love to hear what you think in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

10 things I can not live without

Hey readers,

Today I am going about the things that I can not live without and help me keep my sh*t together.

1. Paracetamol.

Firstly, paracetamol because I suffer from frequent headaches (thanks mum) and they can be really crippling which is most inconvenient especially looking after children.

2. Heated blanket.

A heated blanket is the best invention ever, especially during the colder periods. Honestly, there is nothing better than getting into a  warm, cosy and snug bed.

3. Music.

Music can make you feel less alone. I mean I don't get lonely in the traditional sense but to feel words and know someone else is also out in the world and feels the way you do can make you feel less isolated. Alternatively, I just love a good beat to wiggle around in the kitchen cooking tea.

4. My blog.

My blog as it has saved me when I went through a depressing period and heartache. It saved my sanity and it really helped me to focus and forget about the other noise in my head.

5. Youtube.

YouTube I love you so much, albeit not as much nowadays (sodding adverts) but sill amazing the stuff you can find and a great way to cure boredom.

6. Lip balm.

Lip balm - particularly during the colder months, my lips get so dry and peel. I find Boots one really good as it also has tinted moisture to it.

7. Tea.

Tea makes my heart go boom, boom, boom. I can literally drink buckets of the stuff and it makes any problem manage with a cup of Rosie Lee in my hand.

8. Books.

Books are my saviour and help me escape. Nothing beats a good thriller to lose yourself in.

9. Pad and book. 

Pad and pen because I have so many ideas swirling in my head that I get so overwhelmed. Therefore,  writing down the ideas on paper helps me think clearer and identify with where I need to go and what I am doing.

10. Phone. 

Phone - I know third world problems but it is a lifesaver and such a useful tool. You can play music, send emails even write blog posts when you bored at the bus stop in the cold. I heart technology and no I am not ashamed about it but celebrate it :)

What items can not live without in your life? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment below. 

Cheers for reading X

Reasons why I love Aldi

Hey readers,

Let me tell you something about me  - I love to shop in Aldi. This post is all about my appreciation for the shop. See below my reasons why.

You can't beat browsing the special buy isle, you never know what you are going find. It is pretty random and it changes frequently so you can be excited about what will be on offer. 

You go into Aldi with the aim of getting one thing and then come out with the random selection of items.

I am not a middle-class blogger, I am on a budget and Aldi prices are reasonable.

 You can actually get fresh fruit and vegetable without fear and can cost less than a tenner.

They have some pretty cool recipes to try out, always handy if you are a rushed parent and need some inspiration.

They have some unusual items such as gin popsicles and deer burger. I Love the fact that Aldi is experimental in the choices of products in their shop.

Aldi supports the Red Tractor label whereby the meet is 100% British therefore supporting local communities.

There isn't a massive selection of choice compared to other supermarkets. However, this does mean that it is less stressful because I am not overwhelmed with choice. 

It is a fairly relaxed shopping experience, apart from the end with packing shopping away. 

(But then again I tend not to go with my children because of this and I like leisurely pace around the store).

You be sure that every single Aldi has the same layout, therefore you know where everything is, meaning less stress shopping if you need to check into different Aldi's. 

There is nothing more frustrating when supermarkets decide to change where they put stuff, nobody got no time for that!

I love the fact that Aldi every fortnight have a thing called super 6 special buys, consisting of fruit and vegetables at a lower price. 

This is a great way to encourage people to buy healthier options.
Aldi now at their tills have healthy items such as fruit, rice cakes and water to not lead you into temptation.

If you shop at Aldi what kind of things do you like about the store? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

why playgrounds are ace.

Hey readers,

If you are a parent you would have experienced taking your child to the playground. I think they are a brilliant resource for everyone to use and here is why.

They get you out of the house and get you away from the four walls or watching too much tv.

Playgrounds are a great way of getting a change of scenery and be surrounded by green. 

Sometimes, just getting away from the same places is a blessing in disguise.

If there is one thing I love more than anything in the world as a parent it is finding fun things to do with my child that are free because let's face it children come with a bloody big price tag, especially when they hit a school.

 So, if I can save some money somewhere then going to the playground is one. Plus it helps with keeping children entertained and stop complaining for a while that they are bored.

Playgrounds are great for exercise, playing chase, walking or even pushing a child on the swing all contributes to keeping you active.

Going to the playground allows you to blow some cobwebs off and get some much needed fresh air. It also provides a mental boost and helps clear your head. 

It really is amazing such a small and simple activity can have a huge impact on making you feel less crap and giving you the change to think more clearly.

Visiting a playground outdoors gives the child the opportunity to get vitamin D from being out in the fresh air and help build strength in their bones.

Playgrounds encourage free play, where the child decides what they want to do, they can even make up their own games or use their imagination on the playground apparatus. 

This next point coincides with the above one in the fact that a  child can test out their communicational skills with socialising with other children at the playground. 

Therefore the possibility of working together to establish what they want to do. There is also the positive effect of finding a person to share the enjoyment of play with someone who has similar interests in what they like to do in the playground.

Therefore I conclude that playgrounds are ACE!

What do you think about playgrounds? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

Top 10 things to do when you are bored at home

Hey readers,

Sometimes you are at home and get a bit bored. So, if you need some inspiration check out my list of boredom busters to do around the home that will help entertain you.

1. Book. 

Reading a book is a brilliant way to get lost in a story and get kill that boredom.

2. Bath.

 Have a bath can take that half an hour off and you feel suitable refreshed.

3. Colouring in. 

 Do some colouring, in a colour in the book. It can really help you to concentrate on the task and use your creative skills.

4. Youtube. 

Binge watch some YouTube video - as we all know there is a whole host of choice on a wide selection of topics to enjoy on the old YouTube. 

Though be warned can be a bit of a vortex and you may end up watching too many videos of kittens are robotic hoovers.

5. Bake.

 Bake something and get rewarded after. It can be something really simple such as making cornflake cakes but you will feel you have achieved something with your time. Or alternatively, try a new recipe and enhance your skills at cooking.

6. De-clutter.

 Sort out some clutter out in your home that needs taking care off and the good thing is you feel really productive after. 

We all have some bits to sort out and organise in our home and what better way to use your time than in a constructive way. There is no lovelier feeling than to get something in order.

7. Blogging.

 Of course, I could not miss out on the old blog and writing up a blog post is a great way to use your time. You can write as much or little as you want. You could alternatively read other blogs to get inspiration from them.

8. Paint your nails.

There is something very therapeutic about painting your nails and taking your time to do a good job can make you feel so much better when making simple changes to your appearance.

9. Jigsaw puzzle.

 I will be honest, I am a bit old school and when I have time I love nothing better than completing a jigsaw puzzle. A positive thing about doing jigsaw puzzles is that it enhances your problem-solving skills by trying to solve where the pieces go.

10. Exercise.

 If all else fails and you stuck for ideas then do some exercise. You don't even have to pay for silly DVDs that cost an arm or a leg, you can find free material from  YouTube or Pinterest for instance!

Hope this inspired you to kill some of that boredom. Is there anything that isn't suggested in this post that you think is a good idea to kill boredom when you are at home? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

A- Z of school life

Hey readers,

A new academic year is starting for all (fingers crossed that doesn't change) so in celebration of the new school year here is a post all about school life, enjoy :)

 A- assembly is great fun getting cold bottoms on the floor.

B - the building is essential to keep education in one place.

C - communication is the backbone of any learning. 

D - the school is a place where dreams can happen.

E - Enrollment is the key to getting into a good school. 

F - friends will be made and maybe who knows could years later. 

G - governers we need leaders to move things forward.

H - homework - sucks but needs to be done.

I - injury because there is definitely bound to happen at some point. Whether it be a graze a headbang you bet it an injury will occur one day at school if not many more.

J - you will always find one joker in the class.

K - there will be definitely one time when the parent has to run back to school to return forgotten pe kit.

L - lunchtime where your free to run around and play.

M - meals help you fuel to keep on going till the end of the day. 

N - a school is a place where you can be nourished and grow.

O - school opens up new avenues of opportunity.

P - parents evening is where we get to find the real answer of you are doing at school.

Q -  Sometimes there is a queue and you need to learn to wait.

R - Rooms everywhere so keep your eyes open.

S - star of the week makes an appearance every week but who gets it is anyone's guess.

T - teachers are vital to keeping a school successful.

U - uniform helps to keep things in order.

V - volume on high with 30 kids in a classroom that is one big obstacle to manage.

W - work everywhere does it ever stop?

X - if in dealt play the xylophone in the music class.

Y - when Friday hits yawns are dominant.

Z - a school is comparable to a zoo. 

Cheers for reading X

15 Things you can do with kids in the woods.

Hey readers,

An alternative place to take children to other than the park is to a local woods. It is a great natural place to walk around and explore. I have compiled 18 things you can do to make it fun with your children.

1. Walk.

Naturally, of course, the first thing on anyone's list when going to the woods is to go for a walk.

2. Build a den. 

get your kids to look for sticks and a strong tree to lean the sticks on and make it into a tend shape. it is great fun and helps build skills working together as a team.

3. Hide and seek. 

Can't go wrong with platin hide and seek especially where there are so many fantastic big trees to hide behind.

4. Leave angels. 

Make leave angels when it is autumn by simply lying down on a pile of leaves and move your legs and arms out like an angel shape.

5. Creepy crawlies.

Go exploring for creepie crawlies such as woodlice, snails, worms and ladybirds across trees, leaves and sticks. Kids love spotting things especially if they move, so much fun.

6. Climbing. 

Get active and find a tree to climb up. It is lovely to watch kids be free and confident in exploring the environment that they are in. 

7. Foraging.

There is plenty of items to forage ranging from flowers to mushrooms and berries. Though it is important to do your research on how to do forage safely. 

Do check out clear guidelines from Woodland Trust that give detailed information on when things are in season and what things you can pick safely.

8. Take photography.

Woods is a great place to take photography and capture nature beautifully. 

9. Make art.

Collect items that you see when out walking in the woods. The type of items that are great to use for art is leaves, sticks, acorns, flowers and go home and make some art on paper. 

10. Scavenger hunt.

You can either make your own and come up with certain items that are based on the woods such as trees, worms, bridge etc and place a picture or the word with a clear box to tick when the item is spotted. However, if you want an easy life there is plenty of scavenger hunts for visiting the woods online for free that you can print off. 

Kids love looking for things and running it is a simple but effective activity to do with a child. You can make it is as complex or as simple as you want. 

11. Pooh sticks.

Like in the books of Winnie the Pooh you can play pooh sticks in the woods. All you need is a stick a bridge and stream. Through the sticks on the side and watch from the other side of the bridge on which stick comes through the first and that then is the winner. 

12. Muddy Puddles. 

Make sure you wear suitable footwear but a great activity for kids to do is jump in muddy puddles, they absolutely love playing in the mud and getting splashed.

13. The stream. 

Roll up your trousers and go into the stream - more ideal in the warmer times of the year and get to refresh your feet. 

14. Picnic. 

Eat alfresco with a picnic and don't forget to bring your picnic blanket. 

15. I-spy. 

Play a game of I-spy. If you don't know what I-spy is it is a looking game where the first person starts of with saying I-spy with my little eye something beginning with A for example and all the other people involved have to guess what they can see with their eyes with something that beginnings with A such as acorn. 

Do you like going to the woods? What activities do you do when you go out into the woods? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

Trends that should die now!

Hey readers,

There are so many trends that come and go. Some better than others and some that should just die out now. So, here are my top 5 trends that I think are awful that need to go ASAP.

Watch out girls then is a returning trend that is coming this summer - underbun! If you have not heard of an underbun it is basically where you have such short shorts that your bottom slips out.

 Now I don't care about flesh sharing but sometimes girls can show far too much for the eyes to see.

Nude leggings are just a no-no for me, sorry. They are not attractive and tell everyone the truth, no one wants to see them stretched over your backside unless your stick-thin it is revolting. 

They are also in a disgusting colour and they just not flattering at all, if you own a pair do us all a favour and bin them!

What is it with glitter in your roots, seriously it looks like someone has sneezed on your head or you have a really bad case of coloured dandruff. Whoever thought this was cool, it is not, so please just die off!

A recent trend that is growing in popularity is fur slides. To me, they look like something that resembles a middle-class lady of leisure that struts about in her silk dressing gown. They just look cheap and tacky, seriously if Rihanna fell off the cliff would everyone else jump off too?! I am glad I am so old that I just don't care anymore (not that did when I was younger) to care about being hip and fashionable.

Tracksuit bottoms with the word juicy plastered on the bottom just look awful. I thought they had there day but they seem to be reappearing in my local area, please just stop, I don't want to be forced to look at your bottom.

Fake tan just looks horrific, streaky and unnatural. Why to do this, it is just not right, are they blind, do women not see this. Ok, some can get it right but a majority go overboard or can not blend it incorrectly causing it to have that lovely streaky marking. I have done it once myself, never again.

 I looked like the angry orange and wasted money when I could have just brought a bar of chocolate and have been happy as Larry.

Are there trends that you wish to fizzle out promo? Love to hear your comments in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

It's raining, It's pouring (A parody)

it's raining, it's pouring,

The kids are moaning,

So I shut the door and hid

in my big bed,

and let them get on with shouting.

It's boring, it's draining,

the kids won't stop winching,

so I took their chocolate,

whilst they continued banging.

I hate the term girl gang.

Hey readers,

There is this term knocking about on the internet called GIRL GANG and I hate it with a passion. 

Let me tell you why, well for a start I don't need people to help me. Nor do the idea that I am somehow being supported primarily because I am female. 

It is really not important to me to be liked because I am a girl and as sickly as it sounds I like a person because of who they are and not because they have a vagina.

I don't want to be an arse licker and you get that sense with this whole phenomenon of the term girl gang. 

I chose who I like and some girls quite frankly are twats whereas others are my idols and vice versa with males too.

I don't belong in gangs, it gives a sense of threatening feel as part of a mob and I don't believe in ganging up on people to like you or others.

The whole term of the gang is condescending anyway like we are not allowed to be called women because they are too hostile. 

That is what we are and we should celebrate it. But also we don't need to have to push our gender out there surely, shouldn't we just forget about that and celebrate the actual person.

There are all these kind of ideas of the people in a girl gang whereas if it is men they don't go on about their gender but merely just get to the point. 

Which is what is much more attractive. Some great women are not bold and assertive that doesn't make them less of a female and any less of a reason to celebrate them.

 You only get a certain type of person in these gangs but there is so much more to a person than a title.

I class myself as a feminist in the sense that everyone should have equal opportunities regardless of your gender. 

It should be fair and not sticking silly labels to an idea of empowering others when really all you are doing is excluding others. I

If you want help then cut the sectioning off and let's just celebrate people regardless of whether they have a vagina or not and see them as a person in their own right.

What is your take on the term girl gang? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

Top tips on how to potty train

Hey readers

I am always thankful to find peoples blog-type experience posts really helpful when I am at a lost.

 Therefore I thought I would provide some tips to help with potty training that has helped me.

I knew pre-training the thought of potty training scared me to death; all the scare stories seemed to really make me anxious at the prospect.

I had heard of experiences that had been bad with training their young ones but I think that was down more to the pressure to use the potty. 

Personally, that was not my style but below I have listed what I did to train my child to use the potty. I know this is boasting but it only took me a week when the time was right to do it. 

However, with my second child, it took a couple of months. But you have to play it by ear as each child is different and some take longer than others but that is ok.

 I have listed my top tips below.

Firstly listen to your child and watch out for the signs that they are ready, for example, if your child is holding their genitals or asking about the toilet etc. These are good indicates that your child wants to explore using the toilet.

Let them see you use the toilet; this helps them be aware of what the toilet is and what happens when you use the toilet.

I got a child friendly 'potty book' personally I love pirate Pete one but that is my personal opinion and it is not an ad either.

 With the book, I liked it because the child can interact with the sounds, colourful and simple to understand for my boy to see the process of using the potty.  

Also, it is best to get a gendered one because girls and boys have different anatomy and use the toilet differently.

Be relaxed don't put pressure on yourself or your child, they pick up on the tension and it could potentially cause a delay or regression in the training process.

I started with simply having a potty in the room so that my son could explore it and get to practice sitting on it.

Then after a while when my son got confident with sitting on the potty I give him periods where he would have nappy free time to try out using the potty. 

Now bear in my mind that accidents do happen with wees and poo on the floor but over time with encouragement, they will get used to finding and using the potty. Though, as a parent, you can watch out for signs for your child needing the toilet when they appear to be squatting or holding themselves crossed-legged calmly place them on to the potty.

Praise them for sitting on the potty and don't criticise them when they do little accidents on the floor. Just keep praising the positive behaviour and slowly they will move forward.

Have a reward chart with star stickers- kids’ love getting involved and this really helped reinforce positive behaviour.

Using pull up nappies is essential to help introduce them to the idea of pulling up their nappies/underwear.

Remember every child is different so take your time and though my son took a week to potty train we had months where we would constantly go back and forth due to illness.

Hope this helps and the prospect is not too daunting for you.

What tips have helped you when potty training your child? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

15 fun things you can do with chalk.

Hey readers,

It is the summer and weather is drier during this period so a cheap and fun way to entertain children is giving them some chalk to use on pavements. 

I have come up with 15 ways you can get creative with chalk down below. 

1. Draw around your body with chalk.

2. Play naughts and crosses. 

3. Draw hopscotch and then jump along with it.

4. Draw a wibbly-wobbly line and walk along with it the best you can. 

5. Using chalks and making mosaics is a fun way to be creative.

6. Can always sort out a maths problem out.

7. A great way to teach children the alphabet is by writing it out on the pavement.

8. Draw a picture of yourself.

9. Something a bit different is use chalk and make firewalks art with it. 

10. Have a game of hangman.

11. Draw around objects such as bowls and plates to make art with it. 

12. Do a piece of art using chalks and one shape, e.g circles and everything that is drawn have to be a circle. 

13. Create a scene such as on the beach, the weather or spider anything that inspires you can create with some chalk. 

14. Make a map of a city - different type of size buildings and roads. What really can be effective is to use toy cars or figurines to make the picture come alive through play.

15. If you are near pavement slabs you can brighten them up with different colours to create fun designs on the pavcing stone. 

Do you like chalks? Have you any ideas on how to incorporate chalks for fun with kids that I have not mentioned above? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X 

Observations of what happens in a heatwave

Hey readers,

 Have you noticed that it is a tat on the hot side, yep, me too and I am terribly British in which I love a good moan about the weather. 

So let's look at my accurate portray of what it is like to experience going through a heatwave.

You know you are going through a heatwave when every sentence, every hour of the day is announcing to anyone who is listening, 'It's hot'.  Because no one obviously has noticed that big yellow ball in the sky.

You go bat shit crazy in the supermarket for multi-packs of ice lollies like your life depends on it.

You love your fan like a family member.

Never has a cold shower felt so good until your child decides to walk in on you and declare you have a hole.

You get beyond frustrated at stupid questions asked by children about who is the smelliest when really all that matters right now is trying to concentrate on cramming as may ice cubes as possible into your cup.

You worry your bladder may explode because you have drank your weight in cold drinks in just one day.

Your pillow has never felt so pumped then during this heatwave with constantly turning over the pillow at night.

You suddenly become a raging manic woman over the tiniest of things because you fuse has finally blown and throwing wet pants on mummy's head tips her right over that edge.

The dreaded bedtime you have to do. The ultimate question, should or should you not open the windows? Where the bedroom is like a fucking sauna and outside is just noise from people constantly revving and horn beeping timed just around the bedtime hour. 
Don't they know these people outside having fun at bedtime hour makes this mama very, very angry?

You pine for autumn so hard, please bring it back, because I don't know if I can cope with any more under boob sweat.

 Do you like the heatwave? Or like me too much sun makes me go a bit crazy? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments section down below.

Cheers for reading X

Gummy bear show, but why oh why?!

Hey readers,

if you have small children then you have been sure to be have had the privilege of having to hear the gummy bear song.

 If you haven't heard of it then I beg you do not Google it or else you will never erase that memory from your mind.

Well, my youngest absolutely loves the gummy bear song, it is dame awful. It involves the popular American sweet a gummy bear, bright green bear singing a dreadful song called I'm a gummy bear, yes I am a gummy bear.

Now if that is not bad enough, the producers go further and milk it for all its worth and have only gone and done a blinking show, called the Gummibar and friends. It is wrong and traumatic to have to sit and listen to it.

It is full of nasally singing, bright colours in the show and al the way through it is none stop singing. I need to wear glasses to watch it. 

The story is so silly and I quite like to punch the gummy bear in the face truth be told.

I just hate it, it is a crap storyline and clearly milking it for all it's worth.

 Ok, fair enough you have to earn the doh but you killing me slowly with getting my son hooked on it and that is all he ever wants to watch now. FML!

I just want to point out that Gummy bear really needs to invest in some bigger pants as every shot when he is wiggling his butt I see his crack, it is not attractive and he is constantly dancing or singing, which is so painful to my poor little ears and eyes.

One final thought, the song is attractive and a total earworm, whether I want it going round and round it appears I am these days permanently singing it.

Rant OVER!!!

Cheers for reading X