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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When I started this blog, my eldest daughter was in junior school and she is now at college and a full time student. As a parent there are so many challenges you face along the way but for teenagers, there are a whole other list of challenges that are important in their world.

For example, when you're a student, it can be challenging to find the best mobile phone deal as you typically need to undergo a credit check, and most students don't have enough financial history when they turn 18 for network providers to be confident lending to them. Fortunately, there are now many providers who offer guaranteed phone contracts for people who don't want to have a credit check due to a lack of financial history or bad credit.

However, with so much choice available on the market today, it can be overwhelming when looking for the right deal with the best phone to suit your needs. In our guide, we'll help you understand what you need to know in order to get the guaranteed phone contract you need.

Compare Network Providers

The first step is to compare network providers, and you need to look for one with a positive track record that has been in business for a few years to ensure you are in safe hands. You will need to compare crucial factors such as their handset selection, cost, and coverage in your area. However, comparing network providers one by one is a time-consuming task, which is why it is better to utilise companies like AcceptPhones who can provide you with a list of the best provider to suit your requirements and expert advice to answer the question 'could you get a guaranteed phone contract?'

Weigh Up The Tariffs

Once you have a list of network providers, you need to weigh up the tariffs available. For this step, it is recommended that you consider your needs for texting, calls, and data for a typical month before you make a choice in order to select the deal that will meet both your budget and your usage needs.

Read Customer Reviews

When you find a provider with a tariff that matches what you are looking for, you need to read the customer reviews before you make a commitment. There is no better way to learn about a company than from the reviews left by previous and existing customers as they can tell you what to expect from the network providers service and if they are reliable in your area. You can also take the time to seek recommendations from your friends and family before you read the customer reviews if you are having a hard time narrowing down your list of providers to ensure you are on the right track for the best deal.

Check The Small Print

In today's busy world, most people skip the terms and conditions without reviewing them. However, if you want the right deal at the most affordable price for your guaranteed phone contract, you need to understand any charges or fees that could be applied to your account if you don't follow the terms and conditions. Typically, these fees only apply if you miss payments, but in some cases, network providers have policies in place for charges relating to going over your usage limits. While it may seem tedious to read the terms and conditions thoroughly, you should never sign or agree to a contract unless you have read the small print. 

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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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Many of us are either morning or evening people, am I right? It often equates to when you feel most awake and productive. We are often encouraged to take full advantage of these times. But do we? The morning is such a great opportunity to make the most of it. And whether you are a morning person or not, simple tweaks and changes to your routine could totally transform the rest of your day. I wanted to share with you some of the morning routine ideas that you could try. You have nothing to lose but a lot you can gain. 

Getting up earlier

It may sound strange, but the earlier you get up, the more time you will have. Simple! But getting up can be hard. Some of the most successful people begin their days at 5am, and while that might seem out of reach, you can slowly build up to it. Start by getting up ten minutes earlier each day for a week, then a further ten the following week, until you reach a time that feels comfortable and attainable for you. It might not be that 5am start, but even an extra ten minutes in the morning could make a difference. 

Exercise 

Exercising first thing is such a great way to start your day right. It gets the blood pumping around your body, fills you up with all of that positive energy and feelings, and if it is done in the morning then you don’t need to think about it again. Whether it is a morning run, a yoga routine you follow on YouTube, or even a brisk walk, it could have a huge impact on your concentration and productivity levels throughout the day. 

Journal

Journaling isn’t for everyone, but it can be an excellent way to put you in the right frame of mind for the rest of your day. You could note down a few things that you are grateful for or simply find some prompts online that really make you think about your life and feelings. The more you get into it, the more it could empower you for the rest of the day and transform the way you think. 

Eat breakfast

So many of us skip breakfast, even though it is the most important meal of the day. It might be time to try and enjoy some breakfast before you leave for the day. It is a great way to give you a burst of energy that is released throughout the day and will stop you from snacking or reaching for a sugar fix mid-morning. If you do have a bit of a commute then why not batch cook some breakfast muffins you can take on the go? 

Affirmations 

Finally, take some time in the morning to recite some affirmations that reflect on how you want to feel or a goal that you might have for your life. It could be simple messages to say to yourself such as being strong, independent, happy, and grateful. Or you may want to be specific such as smashing a presentation or reaching a work goal. Recite these affirmations daily in the morning and you will notice a shift in how you think and feel. 

Hopefully, these ideas for your morning routine will help transform your day.

 

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