running shoes on for Bliss

Why I am Digging Out My Running Shoes to Raise Money For Bliss

Exercise has always been a big part of my life. I enjoyed it throughout school and have always had active, physical jobs. I have loved classes such as Pilates, step aerobics, Zumba and Hiit as well as running. I even lifted kettlebells and Bulgarian bags during my second pregnancy! Safely, of course, under the watch of an experienced fitness instructor. I wanted to be strong, fit and healthy in order to get the natural birth I so eagerly wanted after experiencing a traumatic emergency c-section with my first baby. And I was doing really well. My fitness levels were probably the best they had ever been, I was strong, I loved working out and it gave me focus.

Continue reading “Why I am Digging Out My Running Shoes to Raise Money For Bliss” →
Related Posts:
Super Baby Food: Your Complete Guide to What, When and How to Feed Your Baby and Toddler
feeding a baby

Curious about when babies are ready for solid food and what kind of foods you should give them? Join us Read more

Gummee Glove Review and Giveaway
Gummee Glove one turquoise and one yellow

Teething, it's not the most fun of times, is it? It is definitely something that comes up time and time Read more

Parent’s Top Tips For Choosing a Secondary School
books

It feels like it was only the other year that I was looking around infant schools and weighing up which Read more

Breastfeeding- Why All The Controversy?
Breastfeeding- why all the controversy?

This week is World Breastfeeding Week and even though I have seen plenty of amazing articles from bloggers who have Read more

preemie baby in an incubator

The Bittersweet Side of Becoming a Preemie Parent

I have held off writing this for a quite a while for a couple of reasons really. 1 I felt that I had covered quite a bit on prematurity and sometimes it really can sound like you are always being quite negative (without meaning to but until you’ve been in these shoes it can be difficult to understand where it is all coming from) and 2 because it is still painful to think about certain aspects and to reflect on how those moments made me feel.

Continue reading “The Bittersweet Side of Becoming a Preemie Parent” →
Related Posts:
Breastfeeding and Prematurity
breastfeeding and prematurity- me sat feeding william for the first time in NICU

One thing I always knew I wanted to do as a Mother was to be able to breastfeed my babies. Read more

An Eventful Birth Story: PPROM, VBAC and Prematurity
new baby- my birth story

If you have been following my blog you will know that I have been openly documenting my pregnancy journey and Read more

What To Expect If Your Waters Break Early
waters break early

At 30 weeks pregnant, the last thing I expected to happen was to have my waters breaking this early. The Read more

C-Section Versus VBAC
C-Section versus VBAC black and white photo of baby's foot in hospital after birth

This is a post I have been meaning to write for so long now. Having had an emergency c-section with Read more

Jake with baby

How to Help Your Child Cope with Having a Sibling in NICU

I was recently contacted by a Mother asking me if I had written a post on how to help your child cope with having a sibling in NICU. I hadn’t even thought about this as a blog topic but also couldn’t believe I had overlooked it! Through the emotions, the tiredness, the back and forth to the hospital, I had constantly thought about our baby and writing about his journey yet the other superstar hasn’t had a mention, and he definitely deserves one. 

Continue reading “How to Help Your Child Cope with Having a Sibling in NICU” →
Related Posts:
Key Tips for Encouraging Your Children to Be Active and Play Outside
outdoor play

Regular exercise and activity for children is nothing short of crucial, for positive development with respect to motor skills and Read more

My Top School Uniform Tips For Getting You Back To School Ready
kids school uniform hanging on a line in the sunshine - white polo top, trousers and shorts

*Ad When anyone mentions Back to School shopping, many of us are instantly filled with dread. The crowds, the queues, Read more

The Power of Prayer Candles: A Guide for Parents
prayer candle

As parents, we want to offer our children the best possible life, filled with love, protection, and positivity. However, life Read more

The Power of Anti-Bullying Apps: A Guide for Parents
a small girl on a laptop

Our children's laughter, their dreams, their innate sense of wonder – these are treasures that every parent cherishes. However, in Read more

preemie baby in a cot

55 Things a Preemie Parent Doesn’t Want to Hear (and tips on what to say and do)

When you become a preemie parent your entire newborn journey alters. You are thrown into a world that is scary, upsetting, unnerving and completely unpredictable. You lose all those firsts that should experience and you return home without your baby.

Even after your baby does come home, times can be tough and not all stories are straightforward. Whatever the situation is, those parents require support both emotional and physical. They need people to understand what they are going through and, most importantly, they need these people to be saying and asking the right things. Unfortunately, there are a lot of (ahem)

Continue reading “55 Things a Preemie Parent Doesn’t Want to Hear (and tips on what to say and do)” →
Related Posts:
How to Co-Parent Effectively
a parent holding a child's hand

Separation and divorce are challenging for all involved, especially children. The disruption in routine and familial relationships can be difficult Read more

The Top Summer Camp Preparation Tips for Your Children
kids laughing and playing

*Collaborative Post The Road to Having a Splendid Summer Camp Memories As parents, of course, we want only the best Read more

Surviving Working From Home During The School Holidays
working from home during the holidays

If you are a parent that works from home you will know that once the school holidays begin your work/home Read more

How We’ve Been Making Positive Eco-friendly Changes
how we've been making positive eco-friendly changes

*Affiliate Links A little while ago I wrote about 5 changes I was planning on making to be more eco-friendly; Read more

family in nicu

How Can You Support A Family With A Baby In NICU?

It can be difficult for people to know what the right things to say or do when a family welcome a baby prematurely. I must admit that before we had William I was pretty clueless about the ins and outs of NICU life and even though I have known of couples who have had a baby pre-term it felt as though if I asked lots of questions I may have seemed as though I was prying and I didn’t want to offend by asking the wrong thing. Now I have been in those shoes I know what a scary, lonely time it can be and for me, I found talking helped. I think we can all be a little too polite at times and perhaps if we spoke about situations a little more we could all offer and receive more help and support.

So, what does a family with a baby in NICU need and how can you provide that support?

Continue reading “How Can You Support A Family With A Baby In NICU?” →
Related Posts:
Our NICU Journey- Week One
our nicu journey

So, you arrived early. I expected it, I just knew my body hadn't felt right, I'd been saying this since Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week Two
our nicu journey week two

One week has passed in NICU and so much happened that it was all a whirlwind. We had the elation Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part one)
nicu journey week three

Another week, more hospital NICU visits to come and I begin to notice the toll it's having on all of Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part two)
our NICU journey week three part two

Our NICU journey continues: That night in NICU... I was told about prem baby's and their little noises but wow, Read more

our NICU journey week three part two

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part two)

Our NICU journey continues:

That night in NICU…

I was told about prem baby’s and their little noises but wow, I wasn’t prepared for quite so many groans, grunts, snuffles and squeaks! I wasn’t sure if I was going to get any sleep but you settle after a 2am feed and you go through until 4:30am then wake again at 6:30am. You show me that you can breastfeed on demand and wake for it ok. Your temperature seemed ok throughout the night– I checked the back of your neck, your chest and your back just to be on the safe side… I may have also checked your breathing a little too much!! I can see how I am going to be once you are home.

Continue reading “Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part two)” →
Related Posts:
‘Your Teething Baby’ sneak peek
collage of your teething baby

I wanted to give you a little sneak peek of my book Your Teething Baby, from one parent to another, Read more

Suggestions for Parents Looking to Support Their Child’s Academic Success
mum and child looking at a computer

Parenting is challenging. You want to give your kids the best possible life and help them grow into happy, healthy Read more

6 Minimalist Fashion Tips for a Polished Look
minimalist fashion

Amid fleeting trends, minimalist fashion offers many women a more streamlined approach to dressing.  It involves curating a collection of Read more

Tips For Teaching Your Kids About Pet Ownership
a cocker spaniel next to a dog bed

Pet ownership is one of life's greatest privileges. Adding a furry friend to your family can teach your kids much Read more

nicu journey week three

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part one)

Another week, more hospital NICU visits to come and I begin to notice the toll it’s having on all of us. The tiredness, the worry, the stress, the juggling of normal life with hospital life. You can only fully understand all of this if you have been in the same position, it’s a whole other world. Having Jake around is a lovely distraction from the seriousness of it all but trying to balance his needs with yours is a skill I am only just about managing.

Continue reading “Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part one)” →
Related Posts:
How To Make a Simple Grinch Costume
how to make a simple Grinch costume

When it came to choosing a Halloween costume for this year, my youngest child was adamant that he wanted to Read more

Our Visit to Little Play Town
little play town child playing in play areas

The weather has been less than Spring-like recently (to say the least) and as most of our usual indoor activities Read more

The Perfect Bedtime Routine for Your Teething Baby
The perfect bedtime routine for your teething baby text over three images of a teething baby

As you know, a teething baby is hard work at bedtime. The pain tends to wake them more often, their Read more

What Every Mom Should Know About Love Readings
a mum and child

You can be loading the dishwasher, and still replaying a text message from earlier. Your kid is asking for a Read more