Help you child stay in bed at night.

Hey readers,

Sometimes we go through difficult times with our children where they struggle with different things happening in their life.

 I have myself experienced with both my boys times when they struggled to settle and go to sleep.

They constantly would keep coming into the living room and saying they could not sleep. It was a blip and we worked through the difficulties.

I tried several different things and thought I would share some techniques that maybe someone else may find useful.

Routine.

Stick to a routine that suits you and your family needs. Kids love the consistency and if they know what is happening they can relax.

It does take time but they will get used to it and it will make it easier for the child to settle down long-term.

Stay calm.

It can be easy to lose your s**t as a parent, it is hard work and very tiring at times, especially when your little darlings try to test you.

 But stay calm, it can help make the situation run smoother without the added tension.

Returning child to bed.

Keep putting them back to bed without any comments just a kiss and cuddle.

 I have been through this settling period a handful of times and they will eventually settle down once they know that they are not getting any benefit from doing it.

Worries.

Sometimes your child may have anxieties or something that they are worried about that is stopping them from sleeping.

Ask them if there is anything that is on their mind and discusses options to help ease the anxiety.

Toilet.

Always make sure they go to the toilet before bed because of any opportunity they can get up for they will believe me, and you.

Blackout blinds.

This is more relevant for the summertime but having blackout blinds are a lifesaver during the lighter months to help keep the room dark for your little ones.

Music.

I have only recently tested out playing relaxing music but both boys respond really well to it.

We put a Bluetooth speaker in the room and have the music in the other room because I wanted an easy life. My children are the sort of kids to mess about at any given opportunity.

Reward charts.

Reward charts should be used short term for best effect to help motivate a child to change their behaviour.

Basically, if you stay in your bed you get a star and put it on a chart. When you collect x amount of stars you will be rewarded positively whether it be going to the park, getting ice cream or magazine.

It can be anything like that to help keep the child motivated. It is a great visual if it is on the wall so they can see where they need to work to.

Cheers for reading X

Selfishness can be good.

Hey readers,

I know when you hear the word selfish it depicts a negative picture but I want to share with you today why it is actually good for you SOMETIMES to be selfish.

Firstly, because you are listening to your needs and not others. Sometimes, we need to say I want this because I need it for my sanity.

It gives you assertiveness and feeling of comfortability to talk about your feelings to others. It is healthier because of not ignoring your needs and doing something about it can help you feel good. 

Asking for something should not be shamed upon, asking for help is ok, for me asking for timeout is important. It calms me down and others so, in the long run, everyone is winning.

You are listening to your needs and doing something constructive about it. As long as you are polite then I think it is ok to say look I need this for me because of XYZ.

You will help build your self-awareness skills in opening up to what you need. It will help increase your self-worth because you are being constructive and doing something to help you feel better.

It could mean better relationships because you are finding a solution to a problem, for example, if you cook a lot and say to a housemate I need one a day a week off and you need to do the meal for us instead. 

Even though they might object it gives you the change to discuss issues and talk about how you are feeling. 

There is less anger and being open will benefit making the situation more harmonious compared to if you sat on it and didn't raise your issues. 

At least then this could mean something productive has helped and lead to more positive relationships without any negative impact because you have talked about the situation.

Cheers for reading X

How to create blog ideas.

Hey readers,

Have you ever suffered from writer's block and need inspiration for blog ideas? Well, look no further as I tell you some fab places to find content inspiration for your blog or whatever you need it for.

Here are my six ways to find inspiration to write.

1.  Websites of interest.

Obviously, a classic place would be to look on websites that relate to topics of interests, such as Mumsnet, Huffington post or even general newspapers. 

This can give you a broad sense of different topic ideas such as Mumsnet discusses parent matters such as potty training and dealing with getting a child ready to start school for example. But gives you a feel for ideas that they can inspire you.

2. Mind map.

A way to generate ideas is to do a thing called a mind map where you put your focus theme in the middle and generate subcategories relating to the main theme. 

You don't have to write sentences just words, pictures or anything that generates an idea. I find it really relaxing to get your creative juices flowing so to speak. 

The focus is on one word in the centre and then separate that topic into smaller ones such as school – bullying – education – special needs – learning – reading. 

You can just from that an example can generate a fair few ideas which then in turn such as education as a whole heap more and so forth.

3.  Blogs.

 The third tip is a classic one and that is to read other people's blogs that may be of similar interests to you.

 It can really help inspire when reading other people's work to get a feel of different styles of writing or ideas that you may not have thought about but trigger thoughts and ideas.

4. TweetChats.

Look at TweetChats on twitter as it is really good for getting you thinking. There are many regular chats on twitter, on a variety of topics so there are plenty of choices and look at things that may appeal to you to write about.

5. Answer The Public.

Answer The Public is a great website to see trending keywords on a topic of interest. All you need to do is type in a topic and it comes back with questions, topics and words that relate to your enquiry.

Plus it is free so take advantage of it,  I have found it very helpful for getting me motivated and finding ideas to write about and knowing that someone out in the universe will find it helpful.

6. Themes.

 Look up themes for a month or time of year you can find different ideas or do the block challenge which has a certain theme for each day can be really helpful in challenging you to write.

Also looking up specific days of the year for celebrations around the ones can really help find topic ideas and I've had a really successful place in the past because of that.

Where do you find inspiration for blog content? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X

Letter to the parents of children starting school

To the parents of children starting in reception,

I know people get emotional when their child starts school in reception. My eldest will be in year 4 and my youngest tin year 2 child in September. So, I thought I would share with you what I have learnt over the year.

Firstly, I have read a lot about the emotional impact it has on a parent when their child starts school. Let's be logical here they are not gone forever and this is an exciting new chapter on their life.

 Some parents sadly don't ever get to see this opportunity so look on the bright side, at least they are growing healthy and growing into their own little personality.

They will still love you but they are now that little more independent. I sure for one don't want my child needing me so intensely.

Most of the time the child will enjoy the new experience. Sometimes, a child may have additional needs or struggle to settle in. but that is ok as the school is there to provide the support.

Not many people know this but the reception is actually classed as the nursery. They do not need to pay for time off if you go on holiday.

 I have spoken to a teacher who has told me this information. So, stand your ground if you want to take your child out for a holiday.

Reception year is more about settling in and adjusting to school life. They will learn to write phonetically (which is honestly a load of shite but I won't go into that, as that is a post in itself). 

They learn to read which is lovely as my son had book each week to practice at home and he loves reading now.

They go on trips which is so much fun as most children love to be like a grown-up especially when it is away from the family.

They will explore and learn all about the world, it will help them understand others.

it is also a testing time for a child as they need to learn to get on and share with other children. Some children are bossier whilst others can be shy. 

This is life and I believe something good for the child to learn about different types of personality. Using skills are adapting and working out what way would be best to get the result they are searching for.

It will change them but for the good. They will grow as we all do and develop that much further. But don't worry because they not alone as others are going through the same experience.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 12/07/2020

7 ways to get your child to drink more.

Hey readers,

It can be hard to get kids to drink sometimes and they may need some encouragement so here are my 7 tips to get your child to drink more. 

1.  Frozen fruit.

My first tip would be if you are giving your child a drink of water it can be quite bland so to add some flavour a slice of frozen fruit can enhance the flavour. 

You can even try putting a small slice of fruit such as raspberry or strawberry into an ice cube and freeze that to see how they get on.

 2. Fun straw. 

Kids love fun things that grab their attention so having a fun straw will certainly get them to try drinking.

You can get a variety of different colours and styles that stand out for the child. They are available in a number of online and in-store. Below I have put a photo exam of fun straw so you get the idea. 

3. Let them chose their bottle. 

Kids love having their own independence so giving them the choice (obviously depending on price) this means they are more willing to drink from a bottle that they have chosen. 

4. Use a water app. 

There are many good free apps on the market that you can download and use as a visual tool to encourage your child to drink more water. 

One such app is Plant Nanny. If you haven't heard of plant Nanny is a health app with the element of fun attached to it. The plant keeps your company every day by living in your phone. 

It encourages you to drink regularly by doing this you have to water your plant at different times of the day to help it grow. 

The nanny will remind you how much you have to drink every day and just a fun way to get motivated to drink more. 

5. Role model.

Practice what you preach and sometimes just leading by example and drinking yourself can encourage a child to follow suit. 

6. Have a variety of choice.

Having a variety of different flavours of drinks makes it much more enjoyable for the child as they have a choice. 

Whether it be milk, juice, squash or even a smoothie can get a child excited because they are not just having the same boring drink again and again. 

7. Make fruit lollies. 

An alternative way to get fluid intake up for a child is to make fruit lollies. not only do they have fruit in but water as well to keep them hydrated. Here is a link to BBC Good Food with a fab list of different types of fruit lollies you can make at home. 

hope you have found this post helpful in getting ideas to encourage your child to drink. Have I missed out on anything? Or is there a technique you use that has been effective in helping your child to drink more? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X 

6 reasons why introverts are awesome!

Hey readers,

One time I used to hate being an introvert and even more so when someone called me that.

 I think people associate introverts with negativity but as I have gotten older I celebrate being an introvert that is why in this post I am going to tell you the 6 reasons why being an introvert is awesome. 

1. They listen. 

Introverts are good listens on a whole, they like to listen to what people have said and take their time to process what has been said. 

Also, introverts do not like to be the centre of attention but prefer to take in information that is around them. 

2. Self-awareness.

I think introverts are more self-aware with who they are as they take a lot of time working out their environment and how they responded to situations.

 I think introverts take time to reflect upon their actions and more likely to understand themselves as an individual on that basis. 

3. Careful. 

As introverts spend a lot of time thinking - whether it be what to say or reflecting on a situation that has already occurred introverts tend to be cautious with what they say and do. 

I know for me I worry that I may say something wrong so I have to be confident before I say the things I need to say, it is almost like you are on guard for your own safety and peace of mind.

 I now feel tenser in public and a huge relief when I can close my front door and just take the mask off without the state of alert consistently when around other people especially when I  do not know them. 

4. Fewer people. 

The fewer people an introvert knows the better as there is less responsibility to keep up on top of the social element that is involved with friendships and whatnot. 

However, that may be such a negative thing as introverts take responsibilities such as being loyal and a good friend seriously meaning that what they do is the better quality they give out. 

One of the reasons for introverts to not need people is because they find their own happiness from inside themselves as opposed to wanting something from someone else.

5. Sensitive and thoughtful. 

This next point ties in with number 4 because the introvert is highly sensitive and takes on any criticism to heart. 

Introverts what to do a good job as they take things personally. The introvert is conscientious and when they do something they put all their effort into doing what is expected of them. 

Also, they listen to individuals and are good at it so they will remember the important information that the person has said and will keep hold of it, use it and help the person. It also demonstrates that the person can be relied on as they provide the expectations of the other person. 

6. Loneliness.

Introverts are not scared of loneliness, maybe one of the reasons is because they don't require energy from people but can find answers from themselves. 

They enjoy their own company and to some extent thrive from it, therefore, they comfortable with not needing to have the presence of others to find happiness.

Do you identify as an introvert? what do you think about these traits? Lave to heat your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X