Jake has really started to get into arts and crafts this year which has meant I have learnt to hunt out where the best bits and bobs are to buy, what he enjoys doing and what tools are essential. I have also learnt that messy play is a must for a toddler and is a great way for them to learn about textures, how to express themselves and to have great fun! Here are our top arts and crafts ideas for you:
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Dressing For a New You
I don’t know about the rest of you but since becoming a Mother I have somewhat felt that I have lost my identity. I have been slowly drowning in baby paraphernalia, baby feeding, caring, nappy changes, weaning, teething, baby sick and feeling exhausted. It’s probably easily done in the first year but I am 2 1/2 years on and my days have been spent wearing the same jeans several times a week, grabbing the first top I see in my wardrobe and not noticing how worn out most of my clothes actually look.
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Only You Know Your Baby Best
When you become pregnant you may buy a few books and try and read up on what will happen; you may naively think that a baby is simply ‘textbook'(yep, I am sure many of us have been there!) The baby then comes along and as you are trying to find your feet, cope with the sleepless nights and learn what your new little person needs, you will also be dealing with all those other bits of ‘advice’ being fired at you.
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The Importance of Getting Kids Gardening
Gardening, for me, has developed into a big hobby over the last 5 years or so. Once you get the bug for it, it can become so therapeutic, fun, can capture your imagination and allow you to start designing. I am a novice and definitely still have a lot to learn, but that should not stop anybody from starting up, even if you only have a few pots.
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Why YOU Time Is So Important
When you become a parent your entire life changes as do all your priorities. Pre-baby you would work hard all week and then get to chill out in the evenings. You would get to the weekend and recuperate ready for the following week by spending those two days however you wished; maybe lying in bed, going to the pub or having a leisurely afternoon walk. Once your baby comes along the days roll into each other, the night time means being up for feeds/illnesses/colic/teething etc. and the weekends are just the same routine as the week. You may come to accept that your old life is behind you and that your life from now on is non-stop and that you must always put your needs last. But burning yourself out both mentally and physically is not good for any of you and scheduling some ‘you’ time in is crucial.
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Time to Ditch the Dummy?
When it comes to the dummy, or the ‘nun nun’ as it’s known in our house, it can be a love-hate relationship. Before I had my son I hated dummies – the look of them in a mouth, a child struggling to speak with one in, the teeth issues associated with one and the annoying reliance some children develop… but then I had a baby who would scream at every nappy change, who struggled to settle and refused to sleep unless
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Fitting Kid’s Shoes Yourself
So, I used to work for a very well-known shoe retailer. I worked my way up in the company to become a Manager of a store and I was extremely passionate about what I did, especially when it came down to fitting kid’s shoes correctly. Those who worked for me will fondly remember (you loved it really!) all the training I put them through, how I worked far too many hours and had them dusting and organising the shop in every spare moment! I felt that we provided more than just an item to wear, we provided a service to ensure that people went away with well-fitting shoes and better overall knowledge of foot health. It’s funny
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