Does your child own their own smartphone? The age at which we introduce our kids to this particular gadget is, of course, a personal decision, but there's no denying that smartphones are one of the most coveted possessions amongst older children and teenagers. From a parent's perspective, a smartphone for kids offers the reassurance of being able to get in touch with your child when you're not with them, and as such can help support them as ...
Festive reading: A Christmas Tale from Joules
One of my favourite things about the lead-up to Christmas is sharing festive books with my children. We've built up a little collection over the years, and it's always lovely to rediscover our old favourites each year. The build-up to Christmas is inevitably hectic and exciting for kids, and I always find that sharing a lovely Christmassy story is a brilliant way to help them (and me!) unwind and spend some cosy quiet time together. This year ...
Buying kids’ outdoor clothing: what to look for
Are you looking to buy some new outdoor clothing for the kids this season? I thought my two were all kitted out, but a recent check on their outdoor gear made me realise just how much they’ve grown this year! So we’ve got a shopping list to tackle before the weather really turns cold, and this got me thinking about the features that I expect when I’m buying outdoor clothing. It’s no secret that the right kit can make or break your enjoyment ...
Budgeting: top tips for getting it right
If you're looking to improve your money management skills, this guest post has lots of top tips on how to get budgeting just right. What is budgeting? Well, it's basically making sure that you are spending less than you’re bringing home, and it lays the foundations for every financial plan. Budgeting isn’t all about restricting what you spend money on and cutting all the fun out of your life. It's really just about understanding how much money ...
5 easy ways to prepare your home for Christmas guests
Have you started your Christmas planning yet? Whether you’re a super-organised type who has everything worked out by now, or prefer to do it all last-minute, there’s no denying that the festive season often requires more planning and prep than any other time of year. I’ve started thinking about the present shopping, but so far that’s about it! Shopping aside, I think preparing our homes for all those extra guests can be one of the biggest jobs ...
Home energy money saving hacks plus win a washing machine
We’d all like to save money on our energy bills, right? And aside from the cost benefits, there’s also the positive environmental impact that reducing our energy consumption delivers. You may not be aware that the UK has committed to achieving an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, which means we all need to think about our home energy consumption, and aim for more sustainable and lower carbon lifestyles. The Energy Saving Trust ...
5 family-friendly home improvements to consider this year
Looking for home inspiration? Today's guest post has lots of ideas for family-friendly home improvements that will make life easier - what's not to love?! The hectic pace of life with kids can make it hard to keep your home functioning really well for the whole family. And when moving to a bigger or more family-friendly property isn't an option, you need some clever tricks to make your existing space work harder. Here are some ideas for ...
5 things a family with small children should consider when choosing holiday accommodation
If you're in the midst of planning a family holiday, today's guest post on choosing holiday accommodation is full of tips to make the task easier. Enjoy! If you’re off on your travels this summer with the little ones in tow, there are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind when choosing the most suitable holiday accommodation for you all. No matter where you’re headed, either at home or abroad, keep these things in mind and your getaway will ...
Fun garden games to get kids active
The arrival of warmer weather and longer days means one thing in our house: everyone spends more time in the garden. This is a really busy time of year gardening-wise, so I’m always pottering about with plants, and the kids just love being able to play outside and blow off steam. I’m a huge fan of outdoor play. After being cooped-up indoors my kids’ mood visibly lifts when they head outside for some fresh air; it’s no surprise really, given ...
First bike memories & bikes through the decades with Halfords
Do you remember your first bike? It’s such a classic gift to receive as a child, isn’t it - and whether your parents painstakingly wrapped it, led you outside with your eyes closed to find it, or just hid it under a blanket, nothing quite compares to the excitement of that first ‘big’ present. Halfords asked me to join in with their Bikes through the decades feature and share my own first bike memories. I was a mid-70’s baby (showing my age ...