Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Easy ways to reduce your plastic consumption in your home

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 29th Mar 2022

   There is so much focus on plastic consumption at the moment that many people are looking at ways to reduce their plastic consumption in their homes. Recycling is a hot topic of conversation right now but not everyone recycles responsibly or does it all. Reducing your plastic consumption is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of the ways you can reduce your plastic consumption in your home. 

   

   Make the switch to shampoo and soap bars

   Plastic bottles filled with shampoo and soaps can be one of the biggest uses of plastic in a home. However, making a switch to shampoo or soap bars that often come in cardboard packaging is a great way to cut this plastic usage in your home. It can also be very economical as well. 

   Rethink your deodorant 

   Deodorant bottles and containers are also common household items that we use that aren't recycled as well as they should be. However, you can buy a reusable deodorant container and just invest in the refills as and when you need to. 

   Try bamboo products as a plastic alternative 

   There are some great bamboo alternatives to plastic items and one of the common ones you could try is a bamboo toothbrush. You can also use bamboo cutlery instead of plastic cutlery in picnics or takeout foods. 

   Change up your toothpaste

   Toothpaste containers are not recyclable. This is because it is impossible to ensure they are completely emptied and clean on the inside. So changing your toothpaste to toothpaste tablets or powder can be a great way to be more economical with your usage and also reduce your plastic consumption. Although if you find one that tastes great, please let me know.

   Make changes to your laundry routine

   No matter what your laundry routine is, you likely use some form of plastic within it. First of all, it might be the bottles in which your detergent or liquids come in. Even if you use the liquid tablets they still arrive in plastic packaging. So it could be time to make some changes to the products that you use. First of all, you could look at powder detergent instead of liquid. This usually comes in a cardboard container. You can also buy eco-friendly products such as the ecoegg. They are a reusable washing tool that you fill with detergent tablets that you can buy refills for. 

   

   Avoid wet wipes 

   Wet wipes are another common household item that is not recyclable. Not only do they come in plastic packaging that isn’t recyclable but they also contain elements of plastic within them. Instead, try using reusable cloths. 

   Invest in a reusable water bottle and coffee cup

   Many people drink water from plastic bottles that they then throw away or head out for take-out coffee only to discard the cup in a general rubbish bin once used. So if you are conscious of your plastic usage then why not invest in a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. This way you can use and refill as many times as you need. 

   

   Seek out plastic-free items when shopping 

   Finally, when shopping try and buy the loose items in the fruit and vegetable aisles rather than the pre-packaged items. Seek out plastic-free items so that you can avoid bringing the extra plastic into your home. 

   We are all looking for ways to reduce our plastic consumption (not to mention our energy use and carbon footprint) and small steps all add up to a big impact.

   You just have to start somewhere.

   Disclaimer : This post includes some links, however all products included I have purchased myself and am not being paid to advertise.

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2. Struggling with mum guilt? How you can feel more positive

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 8th Jan 2022

   We have all been there I am sure. Mum guilt is something that can hit us all very hard at any stage of parenthood. It doesn’t matter if it is feeling guilty because you gave your child chicken nuggets or fish fingers for dinner again, or that you haven’t had a chance to spend time with them and you have relied heavily on the tablet. These are just a few examples but mum guilt can strike at any time for any reason and it can make us all feel pretty rubbish. However, you are not alone, and there are some positive solutions that you can try if you find yourself struggling with mum guilt at the moment.

   

   With that in mind, here are some of the things to consider. 

   Take some time out to breathe

   One thing you must do if you are starting to feel overwhelmed and feeling all of the mum guilt is to take some time out to breathe. It might sound simple, but it can be very effective. Just vake yourself away from the situation, or find some time to be on your own for a few minutes, and just try some regualr breathign exercises. Take deep breaths and try and clear your mind in the process. This will help you to calm a busy mind and start to see a little more clearer. It might not necessarily banish the feelings entirely, but you will start to feel more logical and be more realistic when you have stepped away for a few minutes. 

   Head out for a walk 

   Another thing that can be super effective is to head out for a walk. There is something about the general activity, the fresh air and being closer to nature that can help you to think clearer. When you start to feel mum guilt you can feel like your mind is working over time as you start to try and justify the feelings. It can feel too much. But just heading out for a walk and being closer to nature can help you to feel more at ease. You mind becomes clearer and you can start to rationalise the situation, rather than feeling so negatiave about it. 

   Text a friend or make a phone call 

   If you want to feel better then one great way to do is to text a friend or call someone. Communication is so key when you are a mum and talking about your feelings honestly can help you feel better. A friend who understands your situation and how they feel can help you to see clearer and feel better about yourself. A friend who is also a parent will know exactly what to say to help you feel more positive. 

   Address what is making you feel this way

   Finally, if something specific has made you feel guilty address it. For example, if you ended up shouting at your children out of frustration in the morning then write them a little note apologising for when they get home from school. If you haven’t been happy with routines or behaviour then look at ways to make some changes. Sometimes addressing what is bothering us can help us to feel more in control and positive. 

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3. 6 ways to have an eco approach to your parenting

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 26th Nov 2021

   Parenting is one of those things that can be a tough period of our lives. While we want to do what we can for our children, we also want to do what we can for our planet. This is where having an eco approach to our parenting practices can make a big difference. But what can you do?

   

   Here are some of the ways to have an eco approach to your parenting. 

   Accept donations

   One of the first things you can do is accept help and donations when they are offered. When you are pregnant you may have friends and family members that want to donate maternity clothes and baby items. Accepting the help and donations can help you to give a second life to some of these things. Not only are you reusing these things but you are also avoiding waste and doing more for the environment. It can also be a big saver on the financials. 

   Re-use what you can 

   Another thing you can do is re-use what you can. Find things that can be reused rather than disposed of. One obvious thing is to use washable nappies and disposable nappies. You can do this for other things as well, such as reusable wipes. Instead of the disposable ones, you can use cloths and wash them as and when they need to be. Re-using things and finding more ecological things to use daily rather than having to waste or throw things in the bin is much better for the environment. 

   Buy second-hand where possible 

   Sometimes you need to buy things for your new baby or children, however, a great tip is to buy second-hand rather than brand new. You are giving a chance or new life to certain things that may not have been used that often. Let’s face it, baby clothes, children’s clothing, as well as other bigger items like cots and chairs are often not used that much as children grow so quickly, so you can not only pick up some bargains but you can also save money in the process. 

   Eat less meat and processed foods

   We all know that eating less meat and avoiding processed foods can make a big difference to the environment, and so as a parent why not try and take this approach when cooking for the family? Batch cooking can help you to create meals and have homemade food ready when you need it the most. The less meat you eat can also impact the environment in a positive way. 

   Eat together 

   On the subject of food, it is also a great idea to try and eat together more often. Making one meal at the same time will help you to lose less energy in the home and also encourage children to try new foods. Batch cooking can also help you to use less energy in your home. 

   Avoid plastic toys or throwaway items 

   Finally, avoiding plastic toys and throwaway items can help you to be more sustainable. Choosing wooden toys and making more informed choices for the things that your children use can help you to be more sustainable with your parenting. 

   Do you have any tips you would add?

   

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4. DIY Halloween ideas to do with the kids this October

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 26th Oct 2021

   These days, Halloween is just about as big in the UK as it is across the pond in America. Because of that, the 31st of October perhaps carries a bit more fanfare than it used to – more parties, bigger and better costumes, and a notably more expensive sweet bill for the month. With said fanfare comes the potential to spend more, and that's not ideal for many of us with credit card bills to think of for the upcoming Christmas and New Year period.

   

   That doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Halloween in style, though. With these DIY ideas for the coming holiday, you can enjoy the 31st with your kids without your spending getting scary.

   Pumpkin carving

   Ah, pumpkin carving; the ‘OG’ of Halloween past times – and still a rather popular one at that. Pumpkin stocks skyrocket through October and getting one shouldn’t set you back more than £1 from your local supermarket. The rest comes down to you and your kids’ creative genius and craftsmanship.

   Whether you’re making a scary greeting for your front doorstep or making your own little carving competition for the family, it’s a cheap but very cheerful way to get into the Halloween spirit.

   Whip up your own treats

   Keeping the creative/craft theme going, there are loads of awesome DIY Halloween treat ideas that you can make at home with the kids. From chocolate pudding gravestones to Oreo spiders, you can whip up some seriously fun, tasty and unique treats for the kids to enjoy – plus, it’s a great activity to keep them engaged.

   It is much cheaper (and probably tastier) than buying the pre-made Halloween treats you’ll likely find out and about. You’ll no doubt still want a few Haribos and mini-Snickers by the door for knocking trick or treaters, mind.

   Spookify the house

   Just as you can concoct some freakishly fun DIY treats, you can also create some haunting handmade house fittings on the cheap. Alliteration aside, ideas like a swarming bat lightshade, mummified lanterns and ghostly candles are all simple to make, and the items you need to build them are all easily found and cheaply bought.

   

   It's another great way to engage the kids at home, and there are plenty more ideas you can come up with yourself. Heck – you could even leave that spider’s web you saw under the sink for a day or two. Well, maybe not.

   Halloween might be getting more costly for families, but you don’t need to get too heavily involved with the commercial side of the holiday to enjoy it. With plenty of DIY tricks and treats to take advantage of, Halloween 2021 needn’t be too frightening if you’re working to a limited budget.

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