21 August 2025
Simple Morning Routines for a Stress-Free School Drop-Off Mornings can be challenging for parents and children. Rushing to get everyone dressed, fed, and out the door often leads to stress […]
18 August 2025
10 Ways to Calm Down Preschoolers Preschoolers are naturally curious, energetic, and constantly exploring their world. But sometimes all this stimulation can become too much, leaving them upset, restless, or […]
15 August 2025
Positive Parenting Phrases That Change Behaviour The words we use with our children matter. Research in child development shows that language shapes behaviour—not just in the moment, but in how […]
13 August 2025
If you’re working part-time, taking care of all the household chores, managing childcare, cooking, cleaning, and performing emotional labour, it’s tough to hear your partner ask, “What do you bring […]
10 August 2025
When summer holidays arrive, it’s tempting to let the days unfold without a plan. But if you’re parenting a preschooler, you already know how quickly unstructured days can turn into […]
9 August 2025
5 Ways to Build Early Reading Confidence at Home Reading confidence doesn’t start with books—it starts with connection, conversation, and consistency. Before children can decode words or sound out sentences, […]
8 August 2025
What To Do When Your Toddler Won’t Sit Still for a Story Toddler won’t sit still for a story? You’re not alone—and this isn’t a failure, it’s simply normal. As […]
7 August 2025
Back to School Prep: What Every Parent Needs for Reception Class Reception Class Preparation Made Simple Starting in Reception class is a major milestone for both children and parents. It’s […]
10 May 2024
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6 May 2024
In today’s hustle, the sound of children laughing can easily get drowned out. But laughter isn’t just fun—it helps children build resilience, reduce stress, and connect more deeply with the […]
6 May 2024
Family plays a crucial role in the development and well-being of young children. It provides a support system, love, and a sense of belonging that are essential for their growth. […]
8 June 2023
Cognitive development in preschool encompasses a broad range of cognitive processes that gradually evolve and shape a child’s understanding and interaction with the world. It involves the growth and maturation […]
5 June 2023
Toddlers are bundles of energy, constantly on the move and eager to explore the world around them. Engaging in active play and outdoor adventures not only allows them to burn […]
5 June 2023
Enhancing Balance and Coordination in Toddlers As toddlers grow and begin to explore the world around them, the development of balance and coordination becomes a crucial aspect of their physical […]
3 June 2023
How can you develop Motor skills, coordination, and rhythm in your toddler? Below we discuss educational and fun things to do with your under 3 that will provide opportunities for […]
2 June 2023
The Power of Active Play and Obstacle Courses Gross motor skills refer to the abilities and coordination of the large muscle groups in the body that enable activities such as […]
31 May 2023
Engaging Activities for Developing Skillful Hands Fine motor skills are crucial for the development of small muscle groups in the hands and fingers. These skills play a significant role in […]
30 May 2023
Discover 10 gentle, effective tools to manage toddler anger and teach emotional regulation using real-life parenting strategies.
30 May 2023
Sensory exploration is a fundamental aspect of a child’s development, particularly during the toddler years. By engaging their senses, toddlers have the opportunity to actively explore their environment, which not […]
24 May 2023
Physical Development: Advice and Activities for Toddlers The early years of a child’s life, especially the age of two to three, are crucial for their physical development. It is during […]
23 May 2023
School readiness encompasses various developmental areas. Ensure your child demonstrates social skills, emotional resilience, physical abilities, fine motor skills, language proficiency, cognitive abilities, and self-help skills. These areas include following […]
19 May 2023
Ball skills lessons play a crucial role in the development of early years children for several reasons. These lessons provide children with a foundation for physical, cognitive, and social growth, offering them a range of benefits that extend far beyond the realm of sports and physical activity.
2 February 2021
Spending time outdoors with your child is beneficial to both you and them. If you have a garden with trees or a nearby woodland, then I recommend building a den. […]
21 October 2020
Fun & Cosy October Half-Term Activities for Families As the blustery autumn weather turns colder and wetter, and the days grow shorter, it’s the perfect time to plan some October […]
18 April 2016
Why is dress-up play important for young children? Dressing up in a variety of costumes is an important type of play that every child needs to have access to and […]
28 March 2016
From the moment our babies are born, we spend a huge amount of time looking into good sleep routines, sleep training, and getting our little ones to go to sleep […]
8 October 2015
As the mornings and evenings start darkening and the weather turns crisp and cold, my thoughts turn to chunky jerseys, thick leggings and woolen socks. Out come the beanies and […]
1 October 2015
There are so many reasons a child won’t go to bed. From the moment our babies are born, we spend a huge amount of time looking into good sleep routines, […]
28 September 2015
Parents often wonder if they should give their kids chores to do at home. Many parents feel that it is their responsibility to manage the household and are unsure whether […]
21 September 2015
Since my children are all now in school, I am starting to make improvements in areas long neglected in favour of the kids. I’m always last on my”to do” list […]
17 September 2015
So I was doing a little stock take of life the other night. You know how it is, when you’re woken at 3am and suddenly your mind is whirling with […]
17 July 2015
We’re Going to See Hetty Feather! Being big Jacqueline Wilson fans, we jumped at the chance to go and see and review the stage adaptation of Hetty Feather, one of […]
22 June 2015
This post is about firsts. My first time attending a blogger conference, my first time being naked in a public toilet and about why and how I left and arrived […]
17 June 2015
I am one of 4 children, I have an older brother, a younger sister and a younger brother. We did not always get along. In fact, I can truthfully say […]
11 June 2015
A Photo book is a beautiful way to keep and share your memories! I am the official memory keeper in my family. I love being able to look back at […]
11 June 2015
Ideas for using Balloons… (other than simply blowing them up). Balloons are not only delightful decorations for parties and events but also versatile objects that offer various uses and opportunities […]
10 June 2015
A little look at me and who I am… Sometimes when I read blogs I enjoy getting to know who is behind the writing. I thought it might be fun […]
1 June 2015
Leaving your little one at home with a babysitter can be a very scary and anxiety causing event. I know it took me a long time before I was comfortable […]
30 May 2015
When you’re pregnant, people excuse you those many lapses of memory and cognitive function. They call it ‘baby brain’. When you still can’t figure out which way to turn a […]
24 May 2015
The winter blues are finally disappearing into the distance. Layers are coming off, skies are turning blue, birds are chirping in the trees and people are emerging from their winter […]
14 May 2015
The funniest kid in fiction is back! Follow his life’s ups and downs told through laugh-out-loud letters, emails, texts and more! This is the first time I have read a […]
12 May 2015
I’ve had 3 c-sections, if you think that makes me less of a woman, then I invite you to keep moving …
11 May 2015
Yes, I realise that 39 things in 39 years makes me a slow learner, but hey…It means I’ve had time to really ponder it all! These are the things I […]
15 April 2015
Developing a passion for music is a valuable and enriching experience that everyone should have. With such a wide variety of musical styles available, there is undoubtedly something to captivate […]
11 April 2015
Mommy bullies are the worst of the bunch! Just when you thought people could not be any more repulsive, along comes a gem like this. I belong to a mother’s […]
8 April 2015
Teach Your Child to Swim: Water Safety Starts Here Teaching your child to swim is one of the most important life skills you can give them. It’s not just about […]
3 April 2015
Holiday Travel can be simple. If you are like me and you have several children, holidays in the school holidays can be a little bit expensive. However, the price I’ve […]
20 March 2015
Did you see the Solar Eclipse? Like many, I spent the week chatting with my 3 children about the solar eclipse due to happen on 20th March. We looked at […]
16 March 2015
Another Superb book by Jacqueline Wilson! My daughter is a big fan of Jacqueline Wilson and has read many of her more recent books. At Christmas she was given The […]
10 March 2015
We love books in our home. In particular, books for children. Through my years as a teacher, I collected a large and varied selection of picture books, beginner reader and […]
7 March 2015
We all want to spoil and treat our children on their birthdays but sometimes it’s not always possible. If money is tight and your child’s birthday is on the way, […]
6 March 2015
Having a baby takes a lot out of you. It is not just the physical exertion of dealing with a newborn, but also the mental and emotional tolls that are […]
4 March 2015
I’ve never met anyone who does not like or love the children’s book The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. It has been a favourite in our home for the last 8 […]
28 February 2015
How to make a Gruffalo cake My son wanted a Gruffalo cake for his 4th birthday. It was such fun to make and far easier than I expected! It was […]
27 February 2015
Toddler activities can become repetitive and mundane when you’re stuck at home. With the cold wet weather encouraging us to stay warm and indoors it is no wonder the youngest […]
23 February 2015
What little guy doesn’t enjoy playing dress up as a superhero? When my son was almost 5, he informed me that he wanted a superhero dress up party for his […]
21 February 2015
A great theme! When my daughter turned 7, she wanted a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party or Alice in Wonderland party. She had recently watched the film and read the book […]
10 February 2015
My journey to Good Health is just beginning! Since the birth of my last child in 2010, I have struggled with a variety of health issues. I have been unable […]
4 February 2015
My first born is 9 years old today…so I feel the need to write about her and to her.
24 January 2015
When my daughter turned 3, we decided to have a Teddy Bear’s Picnic party. She has loved her bear since very young and it just seemed a really cute and […]
21 January 2015
So 2015 has arrived and has prompted me to think about getting older. As you do, I took a moment to do my annual stock take. What are my dreams, […]
20 January 2015
We’re really getting into our letters! This week, it is the letter D. I do hope you’re enjoying using some of the ideas in my previous How to Teach posts. […]
13 January 2015
It’s time to take a look at how to teach the letter m. We’re mmmmotoring through the letters now.. see what I did there? Here are some fun and easy […]
6 January 2015
Learning letters can be a little boring for little people, so I have tried to put in as many fun ways to learn as possible. This week we are looking […]
31 December 2014
As a child I always thought staying up late and going out on New Year was so exciting and cool. Then as a child-free young adult I got to go […]
24 December 2014
Well, Christmas eve arrived and was the usual flurry of activity. We attended the Crib service at church and then had our annual Christmas Eve concert at home with friends […]
23 December 2014
This festive season my children were invited to a Kids Christmas party at their cousins. Ages ranged from 6 month old twins to my almost 9 year old daughter. Ages […]
22 December 2014
We had the most wonderful time attending the Cinderella Pantomime at the Hexagon theatre in Reading. Here is the link: Hexagon Theatre Cinderella Pantomime Today’s festive treat brought by Jingle […]
19 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf Day 19: Jingle obviously decided we had not decorated our home enough for his liking. We found him in the kitchen sitting in […]
18 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf Day 18 3 Little Pretend Elves During the night , Jingle crept into my boys bedroom. They had chosen to sleep together on […]
17 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf, day 17 Jellybeans for breakfast anyone? We were led on a bit of a hunt this morning by a series of messages Jingle […]
16 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf Day 16 A letter to Santa Jingle thought it about time we wrote our letter to Santa. So when we found him this […]
16 December 2014
Get a circular wreath shape. There are ones made from florists foam, willow sticks, polystyrene, and plastic. All you need to make sure of is that it can have wires […]
14 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf – Day 14: Our sweet and generous Christmas elf was snuggled up inside one of the stockings that are hanging from the mantel […]
13 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf Day 13 Indoor Snowball Fight! Jingle was found sitting behind a huge pile of Snowballs in our lounge. The snowballs were soft, white […]
12 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle , Our Christmas Elf Day 12 Today Jingle was found sitting on the windowsill in the kitchen inside a sleigh ornament. He had put Christmas hat […]
11 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf, Day 11 How to stay on the NICE LIST At almost the half way mark, Jingle decided to remind us of some ways […]
11 December 2014
Each of my children has their own collection of decorations for the Christmas tree. Every year they are allowed to choose a new one from the shops to add to […]
10 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf, Day 10 Wow! I can’t believe it’s already the 10th of December! I am embarrassed to confess I have done absolutely no Christmas […]
9 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf, Day 9 This morning Jingle made, what he called a ShoeShoe Train. This is essentially a row of shoes lined up and filled […]
8 December 2014
Jingle, our elf visitor, played it lo-key after his busy weekend and was found sitting at the top of our newly trimmed Christmas tree this morning. So instead of writing […]
7 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf, Day 7 You know that cosy place when you’re dozing all warm in bed somewhere between awake and asleep? Well that is where […]
6 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf, Day 6 Jingle was really sweet this morning. It was a really, extremely cold night and I guess he was too cold to […]
6 December 2014
How our elf has become an important Christmas tradition: When I decided that we would welcome an elf to our home as part of our Christmas celebrations and traditions, I […]
5 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf, Day 5 Jingle was hanging off the mantel holding onto a silver coin and holding onto a candle when we found him. We […]
3 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, our Christmas elf, Day 3 Bright and early I hear a shout. “There’s toilet paper everywhere! It’s going down the stairs!” and then “Mom! Come see […]
2 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf, Day 2 I had forgotten that Jingles visits mean early morning wake ups! Our usual house rule is stay in your room or […]
1 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle, our Christmas Elf, Day 1 It’s the first day of December and things are starting to get Christmassy over here. We arrived home from school to […]
28 November 2014
Have you got an excess of apples, or some sitting in the fruit bowl that are a little less firm than you like them? Turn them into this tasty loaf […]
27 November 2014
Betty Crocker cupcake box mix review I love to bake, I always make my cupcakes from scratch as they are so delicious and I am known for them in my […]
25 November 2014
Teaching sounds and letters should be fun for both you and your child. Use art and crafts, physical activity and experiences to make the letter more real to your child. […]
24 November 2014
Apples are such a versatile fruit. You can use them in chutneys, relishes, jams, cakes and drinks. Apples are often an important ingredient in many desserts, such as apple pie, […]
22 November 2014
Throwing a party for a group of children can be a daunting experience. This article highlights the do’s and don’t of throwing a birthday party for young children The whole […]
21 November 2014
The Pajama Elves URGENT DELIVERY by Hayden Edwards! Our family already enjoys the Christmas Elf tradition where an elf visits your home in the lead up to Christmas and gets […]
20 November 2014
What is your must have make up?
19 November 2014
Do you think your child doesn’t listen? Recently a plea for help was made on social media by a mother who had been told her 2 and a half year […]
18 November 2014
Have some fun teaching your little one all, about the letter ‘p’ with these fun activities. Forget about being formal and sitting around looking at letters..these activities are creative and […]
16 November 2014
I thought it would be fun to document a 30 hour period in our family’s life. It was fun and interesting taking my camera out and about to capture the […]
15 November 2014
It’s Children In Need fundraising time and my children’s school has asked that all to dress up as their hero or a superhero for the day. My youngest was the […]
14 November 2014
Family nights in together don’t have to be big fancy affairs! We try to do one a fortnight, on a Friday so that if we run a little late for […]
13 November 2014
All about a fairy party This was my daughter’s First birthday party. I wanted to do a really girly theme and settled on fairies as I found some sweet fairy […]
12 November 2014
We spent a crisp clear winter’s day driving and walking around Woburn Safari Park. We bought our tickets online so arrived and just had to show a booking reference. We […]
11 November 2014
Here are a few ideas that will help you teach the first letter of the alphabet.
10 November 2014
15 child friendly advent calendar ideas Advent calendars can be any sort of count down you wish. Many people opt for the simple store bought chocolate calendars, but what if […]
9 November 2014
Our weekend in pictures… A formal Jazz themed fiftieth birthday party at Woburn Hotel, and a trip to Woburn Safari Park.
8 November 2014
North Pole Breakfast A wonderful part of the Christmas Elf tradition is to have a North Pole breakfast . This is usually the first of December or the first weekend […]
7 November 2014
When in England, when the weather turns foul, head to a nearby museum..you won’t be disappointed. We’ve had a few less than outdoorsy weather days this week and in the […]
6 November 2014
Positive School experience Sometimes it is difficult to know how to make school and going to school a more positive experience for your child. Having a positive experience of school […]
5 November 2014
I took my children to London to experience the magnificence of the Poppy display Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London. We were blessed with […]
4 November 2014
My littlest child has just started “Big School” and has started to learn his letters in preparation for reading and writing. Each week we are working on a new letter […]
3 November 2014
These are really simple but effective candy cane decorations to make. Great for even your youngest child to help out with.
2 November 2014
Spending on a trick-or-treat bag to collect your Halloween treats can often feel like a waste of money. If you have not already got reusable buckets or fabric trick-or-treat […]
1 November 2014
Every year about a week or two before Halloween, we go pumpkin picking. Well, technically it’s not pumpkin picking, just choosing and buying as they are already cut from the […]
31 October 2014
Family Movie night can be such fun! Snuggling up on the couch in front of a warm fire and munching on popcorn and snacks is a fabulous way to spend […]
29 October 2014
13 Fantastic Face Paint ideas Gallery Does your child like having their face painted? Mine do. So much so that whenever we go to any festivals and fairs we end […]
28 October 2014
Pumpkin Bats are easy to make. Follow the instructions below for a fun and simple activity. These super cute and scary bats are perfect for a rainy autumn day. Easily […]
27 October 2014
As autumn gets under way, pumpkins and squashes of all shapes and sizes seem to be filling the store veggie departments. Signs inviting me to pick my own pumpkins are […]
26 October 2014
Looking for some inspiration for your children’s Halloween costumes? Take a look at our picture gallery. These are my three kid’s costumes from the last 8 years. I always go […]
23 October 2014
Last week I wrote about the 32 things I had lost since becoming a mom. This post follows up on that by mirroring those things with what I have gained […]
18 October 2014
What things in your life have you “lost” since becoming a mom? I didn’t think I had changed my lifestyle all that much since having children until I actually sat […]
16 October 2014
Sensory play is an invaluable part of high-quality early childhood learning. A Sensory tray provides children with sensory materials which are used to enhance and stimulate their senses of touch, […]
13 October 2014
At this time of year it is great fun to be indoors doing arts, crafts and baking. This post pulls together all the harvest/ autumn/Halloween inspired activities from this site […]
13 October 2014
Surprise your friends or family members with a little pre-prepared cookie mix gift in a jar. Home made gifts are always well recived. I often make gift in a jar […]
11 October 2014
This craft project is one your kids will quickly get enthusiastic about. Almost anything can be shaped. Once your dough shapes are dry, they can be painted and used as […]
9 October 2014
Do you find it too difficult to carve a pumpkin? Here are some kid-friendly ways to decorate your pumpkin without using a knife. These ideas use paper scraps, paint, glue […]
6 October 2014
Hidden Courgette Chocolate Cake My children are not fans of vegetables. I’m always disguising them in foods. Grating carrots or courgettes into bolognaise sauce, finely chopping onions into stews and […]
2 October 2014
I’m always looking for ways to create childhood magic for my children. I like to keep the fun, laughter, and silliness of being young alive for as long as possible, […]
1 October 2014
I like to make bran muffins for my children to have as break time snacks or for a quick filler after school. They already enjoy bran muffins with a […]
1 October 2014
For a brief few days pumpkins during October, jack-o’-lanterns will flicker across many countries, the happy result of wicked imaginations, fun-filled family afternoons, and lots of elbow grease. If your […]
29 September 2014
Another courgette recipe? Yes! During the late summer and early autumn, I have a huge amount of courgettes growing in my garden. I always seem to plant to many […]
26 September 2014
Spinach Salad Spinach is well known for its nutritional qualities and has always been thought of as a plant credited with the ability to restore energy and improve the quality […]
24 September 2014
Meal planning – how to get started Save each week’s meal plans, especially the ones that have have worked well with recipes that have been the most popular, and you […]
23 September 2014
Recently I saw these questions asked in a mom’s group I belong to. My little boy gets so bored of baths. Can anyone suggest some fairly simple but different ideas […]
15 September 2014
Ever thought of putting courgette in a muffin? Well you should. As odd as it sounds, the courgette barely adds flavour, at least in this recipe it is masked by […]
8 September 2014
Want to know how to make your home a enabling environment for your baby? Sensory rooms are all the rage at the moment. Here are 8 elements to include to […]
8 September 2014
If you’re anything like me, you too will hate having to make sandwiches for your families lunchboxes everyday! Cue a busy morning of dressing, feeding and making sure everyone […]
23 June 2014
During the world cup football, I wanted to teach my children a few things about the various countries participating in the event. Since it was being held in Brazil, i […]
22 June 2014
Spaghetti, a long, thin, cylindrical, solid pasta, is thought to have first been made in Sicily, Italy. Like other pasta types, spaghetti is made of milled wheat and water. Traditional […]
21 June 2014
Sometimes it is just not possible to get fancy with the evening meal. Busy days at school and work mean that often, a quick solution is needed. Here are some […]
25 April 2014
Now before you even begin to read this, you have to know that I am not a personal trainer and not trained in any way in fitness and health. I […]
22 April 2014
St George’s Day is a time to celebrate the patron saint of England. It’s a super excuse to enjoy or learn about some of England’s customs and traditions, and also […]
21 April 2014
The Victoria sponge or Victoria sandwich cake was named after Queen Victoria of Great Britain. It is believed that she enjoyed a slice of the sponge cake with her afternoon […]
15 April 2014
In this article I have ideas and hints for making those everyday chores a little easier and less yucky! And some of these are “why didn’t I think of that”!
15 April 2014
As a mother of 3 children, I occasionally get to hear these two highly irritating words: ” I’m Bored!” I detest it so much that it is now banned in […]
8 April 2014
A modern day scone is a single-serving cake or quick bread. Scones are usually made of wheat, barley or oatmeal. Although many countries have their own version of a scone, […]
8 April 2014
Here are some great tips and ideas for making your time in the kitchen more economical. Some of these are just plain clever! Great Grating – Leave cheese for 15 […]
4 April 2014
Just when you thought you couldn’t enjoy chocolate any more than you already do, along comes an insanely delicious and decadent chocolate pudding recipe that has you swooning! Chocolate […]
3 April 2014
Whilst chatting to readers on social media, one of the mums, whose child has recently started school asked this question. I am now a mom to a son who goes […]
2 April 2014
At the end of the long summer days, when you are harvesting your cucumbers and you have more than you could possibly eat in a salads, what better way to […]
1 April 2014
I enjoy cooking. Ok, let’s qualify that. I like to cook for guests and entertaining. I’m am bored senseless by cooking for the kids everyday. My children don’t have adventurous […]
