Naptime Natter

Thoughts on Father’s Day for my Angel Dad

Thoughts on Father’s Day for my Angel Dad

Today I can’t write my Dad a Father’s Day card. I mean, I could but he would never be able to read it. Today I can’t hug my Dad, lean into his soft body and feel his arms around me, squashing me in close. Today I can’t kiss my Dad on the cheek, or squeeze his hand or look him in the eyes and smile.

Today I can tell my Dad that I love him, but I don’t know if he can hear me. Today I can look at photographs of the happier times, but tears will fall because I will never pose for a picture with him again. Today I can scroll through his smiling face throughout the years, knowing I will never know what that face would have looked like at seventy, or eighty or maybe even ninety five.

Today I can remember the good times but feel pain that no new memories together can be made. Today I can remember how he used to sing in the kitchen when I was a teenager, at 7am to wake me up for school. Every day. I can remember how he always made me breakfast and helped me with my maths homework. I can remember how he was my biggest cheerleader, how he knew what I was capable of, long before I could see it for myself.

Today I can remember how he used to tease me, how he used to compliment me, how he used to ask for my thoughts and opinions and how he would listen to what I had to say. Today I can remember how proud he was of me and how loved he always made me feel.

Today I can try to smile while I think about how silly and fun he was. I can relive the camping holidays, the Eurovision parties, the fancy dress nights, the drunken birthday parties, the Christmases, the days out, the nights spent playing board games and laughing. I can remember his terrible singing voice, his silly dance moves, his big smile and his laugh.

Today I will remember how he always had my full attention, when he would lean forward in his chair and say ‘Did I ever tell you about the time…’. Today I can remember that my Dad was the greatest storyteller I have ever known, but I can shed tears knowing I won’t ever hear his tales again.

Today I can think about how much he loved golf, cooking, his job, music, rum, the sea, travel and living a life full of curiosity, fun and adventure. I can think about how much he loved me, my kids, my siblings, his family and my mum. Today I can remind myself that this grief feels so big because it is trying to fill the hole of all his love that is no longer here.

Today I can remember that my Dad wasn’t perfect but I loved him anyway. Today I can reflect on my own parenting journey and remember that we are all just doing our best and loving our kids with everything we have, Today I can feel happy that I had a Dad who loved me with all his heart.

Today I can try to smile while I think of him, but nine months have passed and his loss still feels too raw.

Today, on Father’s Day, I can’t hug my Dad and tell him I love him. All I can do is remember and know my heart hurts because it still loves him so much, even though he’s no longer here.

All that is left to say today is, Happy Father’s Day to the best Dad in the world and the best Angel Dad in the sky.
I love you always x

dad 1 dad 2 dad 3 dad 4 dad 5 dad 6 dad 7 dad 8 dad 9 dad

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If you can’t be with your Dad today, you’re grieving today or you just find Father’s Day difficult, I am sending you lots of love.

 

Laser hair removal for busy mums – everything you need to know about laser body hair reduction for sensitive skin

Laser hair removal for busy mums – everything you need to know about laser body hair reduction for sensitive skin

*collaborative post* 

I don’t know about you but as a mum of three I do not have as much time to spend on my appearance as I would like. Hair washing, painting my nails, skin care and keeping my legs silky smooth are all things I just don’t have as much time for now I am busy caring for 3 tiny humans. I love a bit of a pamper every now and then and anything that helps me to feel good in my body but doesn’t eat up precious time, is something I definitely want to hear more about. Today’s guest post is all about laser hair removal, particularly laser body hair reduction for people with sensitive skin. If you are interested in laser hair removal, I hope you find this post useful.  View Post

5 ways to look after your skin naturally

5 ways to look after your skin naturally

*collaborative post* 

Confession time…at the grand old age of thirty I still don’t have a good skin care routine. In fact, I have no skin care routine. I don’t even know what type of skin I have! Oily, dry, combination – I have no clue. I have been very lucky for most of my life and my skin has always been clear and I very rarely got spots. After having the kids though my skin has regressed back to the spotty teenage years I have never had. I am starting to realise that maybe just washing my face with water or a make up wipe isn’t enough. If you are wanting to look after your skin naturally and find a skin care routine that works for you, this guest post is full of really useful information.

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5 daily rituals to reduce stress

5 daily rituals to reduce stress

*collaborative post*

Are you stressed? I’m stressed. Everyone is stressed, right? I don’t mean always, but I think high stress levels right now during the pandemic are to be expected. The thing with stress is you need to manage it, get it under control if you want to feel ok again. Luckily there are lots of ways you can reduce your stress levels quite easily. My go to stress reducing my activities are yoga, playing guitar and eating as healthily as I can. This guest post has five stress reducing rituals for you to try if you’re feeling anything but zen.

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Tired mama? Follow these tips for a great night’s sleep

Tired mama? Follow these tips for a great night’s sleep

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Who’s tired? I’m sure every single one of you reading this just nodded your head whilst simultaneously yawning and rubbing your sleepy eyes. There is no job more exhausting than being a parent and I am sure all of us could do with an extra hour or ten of shut eye each night. This guest post is one that all you tired mamas are not going to want to miss, it’s full of really useful tips and tricks on how you can get more sleep. If your baby is sleeping through the night but you are still struggling to get a decent kip, try out some of these tips and see if they can help you drift off to the land of nod – I’m sure they will. View Post

5 ways to treat yourself this Christmas – you deserve it!

5 ways to treat yourself this Christmas – you deserve it!

*collaborative post*

It’s December, the festive season is now in full swing and if you’re not getting bombarded with Christmas joy when you’re out at the shops, it’s sparkling and twinkling all over our phones on social media too. Amongst all the photos of everyone’s decorated Christmas trees and smiling faces at Christmas markets, I saw a post on my Facebook feed the other day that I can’t stop thinking about. To power phrase, the post was saying that it’s not Santa who brings the magic at Christmas, it’s us, all the mums and dads of the world. You know what? It’s so true. Kids may get most excited about a visit from the main man in red when they think about Christmas but is it us parents who make the whole season special for our little ones. Who brings the magic for us though? While you’re busy building ginger bread houses, creating Christmas crafts, going to pantomimes and braving the ice rink, remember to make some time to treat yourself this Christmas too and make sure you do so without the Mum guilt. Christmas is undoubtedly about the kids and their happiness is most important but make sure you do something for you this December too. You mama, you bring the magic, you are the one who creates a Christmas full of joy and magical moments so do something for yourself today, ignore the to do list for a while and just say a big ‘Merry Christmas to me’. You deserve to reward yourself for all your hard work, here’s a list of ideas of how you can do so without suffering with stupid Mum guilt too – merry Christmas you wonderful people. View Post

The catch 22 of ‘me time’ when you are a parent

The catch 22 of ‘me time’ when you are a parent

As I draft this post I am sitting in a bath with white fluffy bubbles up to my ears and a revitalising peel off mask painted over my face. I have a scented candle burning, my latest read waiting for me to get stuck into on the shelf next to me and all that’s missing is a nice glass of wine. What’s the big deal, you might be thinking? Well, it’s 5pm and as every parent out there knows, mamas don’t get to take a relaxing bath at 5pm. This time of day is usually reserved for complete and utter chaos, it’s the beginning of the witching hour(s) and you normally feel stress simmering throughout the house as the kids begin to feel tired and grumpy and hanger is in full swing as you stand by the oven desperately willing the kids food to be ready. Ain’t no time for bubbles and candles at 5pm on a regular Wednesday. This, however, my lovely readers, isn’t a regular Wednesday.  View Post

Child free couples, STOP taking these things for granted

Child free couples, STOP taking these things for granted

Today, I have to decided to write a post not for my usual demographic. This post is not here to offer advice and solidarity to other parents as is the norm here at Naptime Natter. Child free parents, I am speaking to you. Have you got babies on the brain? Maybe you are trying to conceive or are already expecting your first ever little bundle of joy, I am here to offer you a friendly reminder to start appreciating what you now probably consider ‘the little things’. Once your gorgeous baby comes along, all these day to day activities will suddenly not be as simple as they once were and when you hear parents say things like ‘going to Tesco on my own feels like a spa day’, they are not being dramatic, it’s the truth. Don’t think of this post as a mum moaning about life with kids, think of it more as a bucket list of things to enjoy now while you still have the chance. I love my kids but, I am not going to lie to you, it would be nice to not have to use the toilet with my little ones either watching or sat on my knee. View Post

Why you should still be printing your photos in 2018 {featuring My Personalised Case review}

Why you should still be printing your photos in 2018 {featuring My Personalised Case review}

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Want to hear something a bit ridiculous? I have 3756 photos on my iPhone, I have only owned this phone since September 2017. I have snapped almost 4000 photos in just 8 months, that’s insane. Out of all those photos though, I probably only have  200 printed, 200 physical copies I can hold in my hands, store in family albums or frame and display proudly on the walls of my home. View Post

Mummy me time, is it selfish?

Mummy me time, is it selfish?

As I draft this post it is a Saturday afternoon and I am sat, alone, in a cafe. I have just enjoyed an amazing salmon roll and cappuccino, alone. Read a whole magazine, a women’s magazine I might add and not the usual CBeebies one I’m forced to peruse with my four year old. I took said magazine out of my favourite handbag, the little one that I can only just fit my purse in and would never in a million years accommodate enough nappies, wipes and snacks for a Saturday out with the kids (trust me, I’ve tried). While I can hear the chitter chatter of other customers and shoppers, the tinkling of cups and saucers being tidied away and the background music playing, the whole place feels much quieter than I’m used to. View Post

I want a break from being a parent, is that such a bad thing?

I want a break from being a parent, is that such a bad thing?

Do you ever just feel like you need a break from being a parent? I am not just talking about enjoying some ‘me time’, I mean a proper break. Lately I have been feeling really bogged down and constantly struggling my way through the daily grind. For the past few weeks I have often caught myself fantasising about sending my boys off to their grandparents for a weekend, an hour or so to myself just isn’t cutting it anymore. I have daydreamed about packing up Leo’s little George Pig rucksack and cramming nappy after nappy into Alex’s change bag and waving them good bye as I leave them in the very capable hands of my parents or in laws. Is that really such a bad thing? Mum guilt has obviously tried to tell me I am a horrible mum for craving time away from parenting when I should be making exciting plans for family days out but I am telling mum guilt to do one. I need a break and I have decided that that is ok. Here is a look into my daily life as a stay at home mum of 2 boys, to help you understand why I am in desperate need of a break from being a parent.. View Post

How to make exercise something you actually enjoy (tips from a former exercise hater!)

How to make exercise something you actually enjoy (tips from a former exercise hater!)

Hands up if you hate exercise? If the thought of working out and getting all sweaty makes you feel a bit sick? If the sight of an exercise mat and sports bra leaves you walking quickly running for the hills? Yep, that was me too. I am very lucky to have been blessed with the ‘skinny gene’, I am a naturally small person and am one of those annoying people who can eat cake for breakfast and not put on any weight (sorry!). Something I have never been though is physically fit, my size is deceiving, walking up hills, chasing after my kids or hoovering too enthusiastically can leave me rosy cheeked and out of breath. There are definitely people who are larger than me who are much healthier and in way better shape physically than I am.

I have always been conscious of my poor fitness levels and have tried to improve them throughout my life with very little joy. I have dabbled in swimming, yoga, celebrity endorsed DVDs and have also tried to YouTube my way to a six pack. The thing is, until recently, I just didn’t like to work out, there were a hundred and one other things I would rather do with my time than get my heart pumping and my muscles burning. I just did not enjoy exercise, end of. Now a mum of two, with a tummy that is no longer immune to the effects of too much cake and the need to be fitter to run around after the offspring, I am trying to boost my fitness levels by working out every day. But you hate exercise, I hear you say. Well, not anymore. I actually love exercise now and if you are a workout dodger like I was, you can totally learn to love exercise too, here is how.. View Post

Looking to the future and dreaming big – 5 steps to a happier me

Looking to the future and dreaming big – 5 steps to a happier me

You may or may not be aware that on Monday I turned 26. The past 12 months have been full of extreme highs, Alex’s birth being the best, as well as some terrible lows, post natal depression and anxiety being the absolute worst. While I did enjoy being 25, for the most part, and I don’t really love the idea of edging ever closer to 30, I can’t help but feel that my 26th year on earth is going to be my best yet. I know it might seem a bit cliché but I am seeing turning 26 as the perfect opportunity for a fresh start and to change my life for the better. How am I going to create this new, happier version of my self you may be wondering? Well, let me tell you how.. View Post

Please, can we stop arguing about how we feed our babies?

Please, can we stop arguing about how we feed our babies?

Here is something I have often found myself wondering since I became a mum, why do parents argue with other parents about how they feed their babies? I mean, why do people feel the need to pass comment on how others decide to feed their child? I have tried my best to bite my tongue on the whole breast v bottle debate as I do not like arguments and, unfortunately, baby feeding seems to cause A LOT of arguments. I can’t keep quiet any longer though, I am sick of seeing mums online having a go at each other, judging each other and being pretty damn rude to each other over something as trivial as where a baby gets it’s milk from. View Post

Just another lonely mum

Just another lonely mum

A couple of months ago I was noticing a lot of talk online and on TV about loneliness and motherhood. Channel Mum launched their #YANA (You Are Not Alone) campaign, Holly and Phil had a chat about it on This Morning and The Duchess of Cambridge has recently spoke about how isolating motherhood can be. I decided not to share my thoughts on this as, to be honest, I didn’t want to upset myself by digging up all those feelings I try to ignore and plastering them here on the internet for the world to see. However, the point of all of these campaigns was to help bring mums together, to show them that feeling lonely is something that happens to so many of us once children arrive and there are lots of us out there looking for a mummy friend to share this crazy ride with. I am one of those people. So, in the spirit of honesty and to hopefully bring comfort to other mums feeling like me, I am going to share my story of loneliness in motherhood, fingers crossed I can make it through typing this post without bursting in to tears. View Post

Where to next?