Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Are you unstoppable? #LikeAGirl

   Posted on 9:37am Wednesday 8th Jul 2015

   Do you remember while you were growing up, falling over and crying ..... like a girl?

   Do you remember wearing pink and pretty things  ...... like a girl?

   Did you ever throw a strop ...... like a girl?

   Did you ever stop and think that girls are so much more than pretty pink dresses and girly emotions?

   As women, we all know that being "like a girl" is something much more empowering, so last year, Always launched the #LikeaGirl campaign, challenging the negative perception of what it means to do something “like a girl”, so often used as an insult. The video went instantly viral and has been viewed more than 85 million times in 150 countries and shared by more than 1.5million people around the world. Yesterday, Always launched the next exciting and ambitious phase of the global campaign, unveiling bold partnerships and long term commitments to the education of young people around the world.

    

    

   Always asked if we limit girls and tell them what they should or shouldn’t be? Do we box them into expected roles? 

    

   I want my girls to have the freedom and confidence to be who and what they want to be.

    

   I want them to paint their room blue, wear trousers and play with trains if they choose to.

    

   I want them to be fearless, comfortable in their own skill and ability.

    

   I want them to be strong and passionate about the things they love.

    

   I want them to be unstoppable ...... like a girl.

    

   

    

   Tweet

    

    

    

2. Top tips for keeping children protected and cool in the sunshine

   Posted on 6:08pm Monday 6th Jul 2015

   There is no escaping the warm weather recently (not that I have tried to) but children don't seem to appreciate the effect that the sun (and the heat) can have on them. So after a recent bout of heatstroke with the tween due to a particularly sunny afternoon on the school playing field, here are our top tips for keeping children protected and cool whether you travelling or staying at home this summer.

   Stay hydrated

   This seem fairly obvious but even I can forget to keep hydrated when I am involved in work something interesting. Like adults, babies and young children need to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Trying to get children to drink water can be challenging but you just need to get a little creative when trying to keep them hydrated. If they're over six months old and they are bored with water, try giving them a combination of very diluted fruit juice, ice cubes and homemade fruit juice lollies throughout the day. For older children, plenty of fruit and salad will also help keep their fluid levels up.

   Stay Protected

   Playing in a paddling pool is a good way of keeping babies and children cool. Keep the pool in the shade during very hot weather and supervise the children carefully at all times.

   

   I remember never applying sunscreen in the UK when I was a child but it is the same sun and Factor 50 is my friend. When applying sun lotion we tend to forget the scalp, hairline and ears - especially if we are blessed with a full head of hair - assuming that this will act as a barrier. This is not necessarily the case, so to ensure no embarrassing red or inflamed scalp burns, apply sun spray to these areas generously, or look for specialist non-greasy Scalp Protector products like Calypso Scalp Protector which offers instant protection to scalps and partings and can be sprayed directly through the hair onto the scalp.

   Cover exposed parts of your child's skin with sunscreen, even on cloudy or overcast days. Use one that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above and is effective against UVA and UVB. Don't forget to apply it to their shoulders, nose, ears, cheeks and the tops of their feet. 

   You need at least 35ml of suncream to ensure you cover your entire body and receive the correct level of protection - reducing this quantity will leave you more exposed to skin damage. Finding the right sunscreen for your child can be like finding the right moisturiser for your skin, don't assume that one type will suit every member of your family.

    

   Stay Safe

   Children should be encouraged to adventure and be a child but it is always worth reinforcing caution. That paddling brook, river or even a pond may seem like a good idea to a small child but even the strongest swimmer can be affected by cold water shock, which affects your ability to control breathing. This can lead to gasping, panic and – in the worst cases – drowning. 

   Holidays and the summer months are a great time for children to learn swimming and water safety skills, I know my girls can't wait to get in the pool in this heat.

   Stay Cool

   Hang wet towels over chairs or windows when it's really stifling. The evaporating water will help the air to cool and if you can keep your child's bedroom cool during the day by closing blinds or curtains, this will also help keep the temperature down

   A nursery thermometer will help you monitor the temperature of your baby's room. Your baby will sleep most comfortably when their room is between 16°C (61°F) and 20°C (68°F).  

   And finally, make sure that any waterproof sheets are removed and only cotton ones are on the bed. Dress them appropriately for bed and keep your fingers crossed for a restful nights sleep!

    

   Would you add any other words of wisdom?

   Tweet

3. Things to do in the summer with children (without getting on a plane)

   Posted on 9:37am Tuesday 30th Jun 2015

   The hot weather is here. The children will be breaking up from school shortly and in our case have 7 (!!) weeks off school. The warm weather in the UK means that we don't need to get on a plane to enjoy some sunshine, so here are our top things to do with the children this summer.

   Go Swimming > Outdoors

   Why should outdoor swimming be reserved for holidays abroad? There are lots of holiday parks in the UK that have outdoor pools or you could try somewhere like Droitwich Spa Lido in the West Midlands. Droitwich Spa Lido is one of the UK’s few remaining open-air saltwater swimming pools, and with a 40m pool, wet play area, sun terraces and Lido Café you’re sure to have a memorable day out that won’t break the bank. It is only only open during the summer months, so it is a great time to go and enjoy while the weather is warm.

   Reading Challenge

   School may be finished but there is no reason to stop reading with your children over the summer. It is a great way to keep their minds active but also a good way to wind down at the end of a fun packed day.

   Childrens Festivals

   There are some fabulous child-friendly festivals out there, and it's not just about the music these days - there are some brilliant boutique festivals which offer great food, dressing up for the kids, crafts, workshops, comedy and so much more. Here are a couple that we are coveting.

    

   Standon Calling - Hertfordshire - Not only is there a swimming pool, the kids' area has everything from yoga classes to drama workshops. There's also a chance to compete in the annual themed fancy-dress competition. The music line-up comes in the form of Basement Jaxx, the Dandy Warhols and Little Dragon. Find out more: www.standon-calling.com

    

   The iconic Camp Bestival returns for another year in Dorset. This year there's a great line-up, including an appearance from TV favourite Mr Tumble and the Cat In The Hat live. Under 5s can let off steam in the soft play section while older kids can enjoy an insect circus and fairground rides. There's music from acts such as Underworld, Kaiser Chiefs and Professor Green. Find out more:www.campbestival.net

    

   Go underwater > The Deep

   We are unusually not talking about swimming here but "The Deep" is heralded as one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world. Home to a whopping 3,500 fish including a stunning pair of Green sawfish, spectacular sharks, rays and a colony of Gentoo penguins. It gets busy in the summer months so definitely worth trying to book tickets in advance as you save £4 for a family of four if you buy in advance. As we are not local to Hull, there is always the thought that you could make a weekend of it and stay in Hull, especially as there are some great deals at the moment with 

   Holiday Inn Hull Marina

   The Deep reportedly has a huge aquarium with over 3000 creatures, including sharks and sawfish, plus an evening restaurant - if you get a little peckish after strolling round for 2 or 3 hours.

   Cinema visit

   If the weather is getting too warm for the kids, there are lots of summer deals to be had in local cinemas with discounted childrens mornings and even baby cinema to keep you cool and keep the children occupied. Take a look at your local cinema for their offers or look on voucher sites to see if there are any deals.

   

   Arts & Crafts

   I am not a big fan of arts and crafts in the house, mainly due to the mess all over the dining room table but when the weather is good, it is a perfect opportunity to get the children outside and being creative. I have resolved to buy the girls some large chalks this summer, so they can create outside drawings and hopscotch on the pavement.  

   

    What will you be doing with your children this summer?

   Tweet

    

    

   
   
   

    

4. How to go camping without a tent!

   Posted on 10:58am Wednesday 24th Jun 2015

   Yes I know there is a picture of a tent (!!) but when our friends asked us to go camping with them, I have to confess to being a little reluctant. I will openly admit that I am not a big fan of sleeping on an airbed and I like to have a proper toilet to use, rather than running across a field to a shower block in the middle of the night but its all down to personal preference isn't it?

   Me, I prefer not to sleep in a tent. 

   

   So how do you go camping with friends without tent? You book a caravan on the same camping site of course! 

   

   Our friends had booked a pitch at the Hoburne site in the Cotswolds and with the weather looking good, we decided to book a "silver" caravan for the same weekend. I have vivid memories of my family all in our touring caravan as a child but this was a million light years away from those days.

   

   Even on holiday, I am a stickler for us all sitting at the table to eat, so it was great that we had a dining area to serve up the BBQ food!

   

   We arrived late on Friday afternoon (after picking the little ones up from school / nursery respectively) but the check in was quick and easy and we were soon enjoying a drink on the "terrace" while the sun set.

   

   The site itself is beautiful and was an idyllic setting in the sunshine.

   

    With lots to do for the toddler (and competitive dad) .....

   

    To an arcade for the tween (I may have tried to beat her on this and failed!!).

   

    The weather was scorching, so it was great to all be outdoors and we loved getting a pedalo and going out on the lake (for a small extra cost).

   

   We watched the Swans from a distance as they had signets with them and I didn't want to get into a debate with an over protective Mummy Swan whilst on the lake!

   

   It was great to get the tween away from technology for a few days and she loved searching for new adventures to be had. The same has to be said for me, having some "down time" really gave me a chance to recharge my batteries and enjoy some quality family time.

   

   The Hoburne Cotswolds site has something for everyone from an indoor and outside pool, small bowling alley, tennis courts and regular entertainment, not to mention a handy onsite shop and laundrette to help dry those swimming towels. I can imagine that the inside activities could get a little crowded if the weather was bad but during our stay, we rarely had to wait to use any of the facilities.

   

   The Cotswolds have a peacefulness that seems rare to find in our normal busy lives. In 3 days we were relaxed but not bored and we didn't even venture out of the park as everything was on hand. 

   But we have so much more we want to explore on our next visit.

   I am not a travel blogger and sometimes I am not sure I classify as a lifestyle or parent blogger but I am a parent, who enjoys a nice lifestyle and loves to travel. We paid for this long weekend out of our hard earned pennies and it was worth every single penny. Obviously the weather always helps when you are staying in the UK but I have my eye on one of these waterside lodges for when I book our next stay .... I just need to book the weather too! 

   Tweet