Naptime Natter

How to make a family beach trip less stressful

How to make a family beach trip less stressful

Today I have a guest post all about one of my favourite things – family beach days! We live in Swansea which is right on the South Wales coast so we are no strangers to a day out on the beach. Family trips to the seaside do differ massively to the days we used to spend on the beach kid free, there is a lot less reading on a sun lounger and much more sand castle building and jumping over waves in the shallows. The logistics of taking kids to the beach can feel a bit overwhelming but you can have fun by the sea with kids, you just need to prepare. This post is full of really useful tips and will hopefully help you to feel more confident about going on your next family day out to the seaside. View Post

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

5 lessons I want to teach my children about money

5 lessons I want to teach my children about money

*collaborative post*

I’m just going to come right out and say it, I’m rubbish with money. I get the whole ‘burning a hole in my pocket’ thing when I have more money than we need for bills and life. It takes a whole lot of will power for me not to go shopping and blow any extra money on things we don’t need. Over the years though, especially since having children and money has been tight, I’ve tried to be more organised with money and more careful with what I’m spending. I think it is important to teach children to have a good attitude and knowledge base surrounding money so when they grow into adults they are better equipped to make sensible decisions with their money. Although many of us may not like it to be the case, you can’t really function as an adult without money and it’s best if you are able to keep your finances in check. I’m no Martin Lewis, I’m not a money saving expert but I would like to teach my children the lessons I have learnt about money. I’m still learning myself but I think these 5 lessons can be introduced to children to help them develop a healthy relationship with money when they become adults. View Post

Disclaimer: This post is written in collaboration with Wealthify. All words and opinions are my own.

4 tips to help you buy your new family car

4 tips to help you buy your new family car

*collaborative post*

When you start a family your bank balance takes a massive blow. There really is no avoiding all the baby/family related spending that starts pretty much from the moment you get pregnant and doesn’t really ever stop. When I was pregnant with Tilly we realised we were going to need to invest in a bigger car as the boys were still in big bulky car seats. We are yet to buy ourselves a new family car, I am currently stuck sitting in the back and Leo has his car seat in the front whenever the five off us are off somewhere on an adventure.  While we save up, we are also researching what the most suitable car will be for our growing family’s needs. Today I have a guest post full of really useful tips if you too are also looking to buy a new family car. One day I will make it back to the passenger seat and Leo’s seat will fit in the back again – one day! View Post

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

How to get your child ready for nursery

How to get your child ready for nursery

*collaborative post*

This week is a big week for lots of us mums and dads, oh, and our kids too: it’s the start of a new school year. My Leo has moved up into year 2 and I can’t actually believe where the years have gone! I can remember the day he was born so clearly and now he is six, in year 2 and basically an adult. Before sending our little ones off to the classroom though, many parents decide to send their babies to nursery. I have never done the nursery thing but I can easily imagine how difficult it must be to decide where to send them and when. If you are starting to think about sending your baby to nursery, this guest post is full of useful tips and advice to help you get your child ready for nursery. View Post

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

3 common childhood health conditions (and things you can do to help)

3 common childhood health conditions (and things you can do to help)

*collaborative post*

When it comes to getting poorly, my Alex is a bit of an expert. Alex has been in and out of hospital with chest problems ever since he was 3 months old.The illness that keeps dragging Alex back into hospital every time he gets a cold is very common, it’s called viral induced wheezing and can vary in severity each time. Bronchiolitis and viral wheezing are very common childhood health conditions but, fortunately, can be easily treated with the right medication.  It is not nice at all when your little one is poorly, it’s one of the worst things to go through as a parent: seeing your baby in pain. There are many illnesses though that are extremely common in children but can be treated fairly easily if diagnosed quickly. In today’s guest post you will learn about three very common childhood health conditions and what you can do to help your little one if they ever develop any of these illnesses. View Post

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

5 reasons my sons are my little super heroes {featuring awesome new Spider Man toys from shopDisney }

5 reasons my sons are my little super heroes {featuring awesome new Spider Man toys from shopDisney }

*collaborative post*

As a mum with two sons I know A LOT about super hero characters. I feel like if I went on Mastermind I would be a fool not to choose Marvel as my specialist subject. At present, Leo loves pretending to be Thanos from Avengers and Alex chases him around the house shouting ‘Hulk Smash!’ in his deepest most threatening voice – it is very funny to watch. Spider Man has always been a firm favourite for both boys though and they really love playing with all their Spider Man toys. My favourite super hero isn’t Spider Man or Iron Man, Captain America or Black Panther or anyone from the pages of a comic book. My favourite super hero, well super heroes, are my two boys. My sons are my heroes and here are 5 reasons why I feel that way. View Post

Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with shopDisney. I was gifted the Spider Man products seen in the photos in this post. However, all words and opinions are my own.

Ways to make parenting easier by embracing technology

Ways to make parenting easier by embracing technology

*collaborative post*

Hands up if you love technology. Hands up again if you are totally embracing technology to make your life easier as a parent. I am not even ashamed to say I rely on technology to make my life with kids more manageable. Whether it is popping Netflix on my phone while we wait for our food to arrive in a restaurant, using Google to help me out with my latest parenting dilemma or using a fancy clock to make sure the kids stay in bed in the mornings – I love technology! Hurrah for all the clever people who have invented these things that we all use on a daily basis to help us navigate the crazy parenting world more smoothly. Today I have a guest post all about how being tech savvy can make parenting easier. There might be a few things on this list you’ve not heard of or used before so I hope you find it useful. View Post

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

3 simple ways to beat summer holiday boredom

3 simple ways to beat summer holiday boredom

*collaborative post*

The summer holidays are here! We are into week 2 now and so far so good but I am already running out of ideas (and money!) on how to keep the boys entertained. This summer holiday is going to be particularly challenging as baby Tilly is here so getting out and about isn’t as easy when you have a newborn tagging along too! If your kids are already starting to whinge about being bored, here are three simple ways you can beat the summer holiday boredom. I hope this guest post gives you some inspiration and you no longer have to hear cries of ‘I’m boooored!’ from the kids. Good luck for the next month or so my fellow parents – you got this! View Post

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

6 simple things you can do to relax once you become a parent

6 simple things you can do to relax once you become a parent

*collaborative content*

I am about to become a mum for the third time. I am pro mama now, a veteran mother some might say (I wouldn’t but some people might!). Something I have learnt during my almost six years as a mum is that parenting is really bloody hard at times and we all need a break occasionally. I know that making time to relax and just breathe for a second can be so difficult once you become a mum, especially when you have a newborn baby in the house. Although it really is wonderful, becoming a parent can be really stressful, the sleep deprivation and constant crying can leave you feeling pretty miserable and run down and that is why finding time to relax is SO important. I have a great guest post for you today, it is all about finding ways to relax once you become a parent. I hope you find it useful and please remember that making time to relax does not make you a bad or selfish parent. You can’t pour from an empty cup, remember? View Post

Disclaimer: This post is a collaborative guest post. I did not write the main article but had full editorial control. Remember, I would never publish anything I didn't think you would find interesting or useful.

Less sugar and less snack guilt – enjoying Mr Kipling fruit slices with 30% less sugar {WIN a hamper of Mr Kipling goodies!}

Less sugar and less snack guilt – enjoying Mr Kipling fruit slices with 30% less sugar {WIN a hamper of Mr Kipling goodies!}

*collaborative post – this post contains gifted items from Mr Kipling*

What is it with kids and snacks? I swear my boys would snack all day long if I let them. The mere mention of the S word and I have them both running to the kitchen, trying to raid the cupboards in search of their next fix. I try my best to give the boys healthy snacks like pieces of fruit, vegetable sticks or a piece of peanutbutter on toast or something similar. Sometimes though, these kids of mine want a treat and I am more than happy to occasionally satisfy their sweet tooth. When it comes to a sweet treat, as a family we love the Mr Kipling range of cakes and slices. It turns out we are not the only ones as the new 30% less sugar Mr Kipling fruit slices have recently won Product of the Year for 2019 in the kids food and drink category. We were recently sent some of the Mr Kipling fruit slices to try, read on to see what we thought and to be in with a chance to win a hamper of less sugar (aka less Mum guilt!) Mr Kipling fruit slices for you and your family to enjoy. View Post

Encouraging your kids to dress themselves – tips from a mama of kids that hate getting dressed!

Encouraging your kids to dress themselves – tips from a mama of kids that hate getting dressed!

*collaborative post – post contains gifted items from shopDisney*

I love being a mama BUT I don’t love some of the day to day tasks that come with the job. Changing nappies is obviously top of the list, then there is trying to get a fussy eater to eat their tea and persuading a grumpy toddler that their toothbrush isn’t poisonous and getting them to brush their teeth – to name but just a few. Another mundane, often frustrating, part  of our daily routine I don’t enjoy is getting the kids dressed. What is it about little kids and running around in the nuddy?! As soon as I take my boys clothes off it is like mission impossible getting clean ones on them so they are ready for the day. Alex is only two so he is still a bit of a lost cause in the getting dressed department but, at five and a half, Leo is more than capable of dressing himself, he just needs lots of encouragement. Recently, to take the stress out of our mornings I have been trying to encourage Leo to get himself dressed, it is hard work and you need buckets of patience but I feel like we are getting there slowly. Here are my tips for encouraging your kids to dress themselves – hope you find it useful. View Post

Is it ever ok to go on holiday without your kids? – 5 reasons all parents SHOULD have a child free holiday

Is it ever ok to go on holiday without your kids? – 5 reasons all parents SHOULD have a child free holiday

*sponsored post*

People can get a little bit judgmental sometimes, can’t they? A couple of years ago I wrote about needing a break from the kids and, oh wow, did some people get angry about it when it was shared on a popular parenting Facebook page. Apparently if you don’t want to spend all your time with your kids then you shouldn’t have had them in the first place. If you need a break then you must be an awful parent. If you are daydreaming about a weekend away from the kids then you don’t deserve to have them. Umm, what?! I totally believe that us parents are at our best when we have had a little break from our child rearing duties. Having a break is not selfish and sometimes a bubble bath or an hours naptime where you can drink a hot coffee in peace just isn’t enough. With all its demands, it is no wonder many marriages feel the full strain of family life and sometimes couples become just ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’, the couple they once were almost completely left in the past. Like there are people who will bestow their negative opinions on you for wanting some me time, there are also people who will be left horrified at the mere idea that a couple is contemplating a holiday abroad without bring their children too. What do you think? Is it ever ok to go on holiday without your kids? Well, the husband and I have just come back from a child free weekend in Venice so I think you know what my answer is going to be. YES! All couples need a child free holiday once in a while, don’t believe me? Here are five reasons why. View Post

Can we please all stop freaking out about Momo now? – common sense online safety tips for parents of young children

Can we please all stop freaking out about Momo now? – common sense online safety tips for parents of young children
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or decided to take a break from the online world this week then you’ve probably seen a lot of creepy stuff doing the rounds on social media. I sort of wish I had taken a social media detox this week so I didn’t have to see the freaky face of Momo fifty times in a row every day on my Facebook and Twitter feed. If you don’t know, The Momo Challenge is a game that allegedly encourages young people to perform dangerous acts, self harm and, eventually, commit suicide. It’s not nice, in fact, it’s down right disgusting that there are people out there creating these things and purposefully using them to target vulnerable children. I think we all need to start calming down a bit though, it is a scary time to be a parent with the internet always present in our children’s lives but, when it comes to Momo, I think we need to stop freaking out (myself included!). In this post I’m sharing some common sense internet safety tips to help you feel better equipped to deal with the rise of the Momo challenge and, most importantly, your kids being online in general.
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Everything you need to know about your kids sharing a bedroom

Everything you need to know about your kids sharing a bedroom

*sponsored post*

A few months back Oli and I did something crazy, we moved both the boys into the same bedroom. I know, what were we thinking? Well, there was actually a reason behind our madness; Leo’s old bedroom is a converted garage and let’s just say the builders had obviously never heard of insulation because it is freezing in there. So, when winter arrived we made the bold and brave decision to move our five year old into the same room as our two year old. We are a good few months into the boys sharing a room now and it’s been a bumpy transition but I think we are getting to a place where bedtimes are getting easier again. Are you considering putting your children into the same bedroom? In the post I am sharing everything I have learnt since my kids started sharing a bedroom, I hope it helps you prepare for what can be a tricky transition for everyone. View Post

To the woman in Tesco, how dare you judge me

To the woman in Tesco, how dare you judge me

** Mum, Nan, anyone else who doesn’t like bad language, either don’t read this one or do so knowing it is scattered with a fair few F bombs. You have been warned. **

To the elderly lady in Tesco,

Firstly, sorry to refer to you as the ‘elderly lady’ but I, obviously, don’t know your name and the fact you are, to put it bluntly, old is your most defining feature to a stranger like me. I want people reading this to know that I am not about to verbally take down a sweet little old over the internet. You are not all white curls, cuddly smiles and tottering about with a Zimmer frame, are you? When you spoke to me, it was clear you are very sound of mind and know what’s going on around you. For these reasons, my reaction to you is the same as it would be to anyone of any age who spoke to me the way you did. I refuse to let the fact you are probably over seventy be a valid excuse for the way you chose to go out of your way to make me feel like a rubbish mum this morning. View Post

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