50 random thoughts whilst trying to drift off to sleep.

Hey readers,

Ever wondered what people think about or have similar thoughts to you when going to sleep? Then check out my 50 random thoughts that I have had whilst trying to drift off to sleep at night.

1. Did I turn the oven off? 

2. What happens if I don't wake up in time?

3. How am I going to get through the day?

4. Do I need a wee? 

5. I need to get some milk.

6. Why did I say that to someone in 1999? 

7. Will I ever go to sleep. 

8. I am so tired but why can't I sleep. 

9. Must remember that I need to get some conditioner. 

10. Oh no I forgot to sort out my son's homework. 

11. Why are my feet so hot?

12. What would happen if someone tried to break in? What the hell would I do?

13. Imagine if I fell out of bed in the night what damage would I cause?

14. Should have brought that bloody dress earlier.

15. Oh, f*$% it's midnight? 

16. How much sleep will I get now if I go to sleep straight away...

17. Close my eyes and imagine being somewhere warm and on a cloud. 

18. Why are my pillows rubbish? 

19. Seriously, I need more pillows.

20. OMG, why can't I fall asleep? 

21. I swear to God I am never going to stay up late ever again!

22. Do I need a pee? 

23. Have I locked my front door? 

24. I need to empty the bin. 

25. Ugh, why is it so hot? 

26. I need to get a lighter tog quilt. 

27. Did I set the alarm? 

28. What am I going to eat for breakfast?

29. What am I going to do for dinner? 

30. OMG.... what is that noise? 

31. I wonder what I am going to dream about tonight. 

32.  Tomorrow I am going to bed earlier.

33. If I died how long would it be before someone found me?

34. How does the internet work?

35. What am I going to wear tomorrow?

36. Why do I never have anything to wear?

37. I wish I could have something to eat right now. 

38. I'm too hot so take my foot out of the quilt. 

39. Nope too cold now so going to put my foot back under the quilt.

40. Oh God, it is 5am...and I only have two hours more to get sleep in. 

41. I will just watch one more Youtube video and go to sleep. 

42. Oh no an hour has gone and I am still watching Youtube.

43. Should I wear the blue or green top tomorrow? 

44. Why did I have that drink before bed now I need to get up for that wee?

45. What is existence? 

46. Am I really here? 

47. What is better Coke or Pepsi? 

48. Did I get the chicken out of the freezer for tomorrows dinner? 

49. Yeah, I'm sh*t. 

50. Also, I've heard 'classy as f*ck.' How classy as f*ck? 

Do you identify with any of these thoughts? What random thoughts do you have before going to sleep? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday Photo 19/07/2020

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