How often do you get to spend the day playing tourist in your own city? After some world travel, we returned home played tourist for the day with a day out in Glasgow.
Last Minute World Book Day Costumes
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You’re cleaning out your child’s bag finally after a couple of weeks. What’s that at the bottom? A scrunched up piece of paper? Oh no. Your stomach drops. It’s a note from school informing you of World Book Day. Tomorrow. Cue the mad dash around the house to find your child’s favourite book and try to rustle together a world book day costume!
We get it. We’ve been there. That’s why we’ve put together a bunch of last minute costume ideas that you can throw together with items you already have in the house, or get bits really quickly (thank you Amazon Prime!).
How to Make the Most of Your Home’s Period Features
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Period details in the home can vary greatly depending on your home’s era. Many different style homes boast a wealth of period features in the UK. From Tudor homes to Edwardian and Victorian style terraces to the more modern and eclectic 80s homes and your new modern build houses. Everyone has something different they want in a home, and now more than ever, unearthing and restoring period features is becoming something homeowners want to do. But how do you make the most of the period features in your home?
Skills to Teach Your Children From a Young Age
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Whether your children are homeschooled, or go to a public school, they will learn a lot of skills that will lead them into the career of their choice. But outside the school gates, there are a plethora of other valuable lessons and skills that your children can benefit from, that aren’t always taught in schools. Some of these include language, finances and decision-making skills. These will not only come in handy when paving the way to their desired career but are also deemed very valuable life skills that will help them to thrive when they enter the real world, post-education.
To give your children a jump start, consider these top skills to start teaching your children today.
6 tips for introducing your newborn to the family dog
Whilst pregnant, other than the obvious big questions (was that a contraction or a braxton hick?), one of big pieces that we pondered was how to best, and safely, introduce our family dog to baby. To make sure we did it in a way that would keep both the fur and fur-less babies happy, we talked to a few experts including our Vet and my sister (who’s a trained Vet Nurse and works as in animal welfare). They both had some great tips for introducing your newborn to the family dog!
The biggest tip for introducing your newborn to the family dog was to ensure that the dog kept getting the same amount of attention; but that it could come in different forms/from different sources! Here are some more tips on introducing your newborn to the family doggo:
Pear & Pecan Muffins (gluten & dairy free)
What else does one do when you wake up early, it’s raining outside and you’re craving freshly baked muffins for breakfast…? Answer, get up at 6am and bake some delicious pear & pecan gluten free muffins!
I’ve worked on this recipe a few times now, previously I’d found that the recipe was quite dry (probably because I’d tried to make them more nutritious decreasing sugar and adding protein powder…). This morning, after looking through the cupboard, I found that I had pecans left over from my forgotten cookies.
I love the combination of the nuts and the sweet pear, it makes for a lovely breakfast treat!
5 things I wish I knew about newborns
If you’re a new mum, or mum to be, you’ve probably been there. The endless scrolling and googling on parenting a newborn, the antenatal classes and seeking out advice from friends and family. How do you do this? How do you approach that? Why does my baby do this? Why won’t my baby do that?
You would have searched out the “best quality” advice, the advice that you were positive was correct. However, when that (sometimes not so) tiny bundle is plopped on your chest, it all becomes very clear that your baby did not get the memo on all that research.
As a new mum (my little guy is only 3 months old), I thought that I would collate 5 things that I wish I knew before attempting to tackle parenthood – it might’ve saved some stress and tears, and I hope that it helps you!
Removing the Stigma from Couples Therapy
When we’re sick, we go to a doctor. We take our car to a mechanic when it needs repairing or our phone to a technician when it’s spazzing out. So what’s wrong with seeking advice from a therapist when your relationship needs a bit of a tune-up?
There is a common notion that entering into couples therapy spells trouble for the relationship. If you’re ever brave enough to share to a close friend or family member that you and your partner are considering therapy, the usual response is “Oh, is everything alright?” or “What’s wrong?”. And, when accompanied by that worrying expression of pure pity, you could feel like your relationship is about to meet its doom.
TMC + Me | Identity After Becoming a Parent
“I am struggling to remember who I was before I was a parent”
One of our lovely TMC followers needs some advice on the subject of how to find themselves after becoming a parent.
If you’ve ever had this experience, what advice would you share?
Building stronger connections with your teenager
When kids are small, they look to their parents for help in virtually every aspect of their life. But they become far more independent during their teen years as they continue to learn about themselves and the world around them. As a parent, you will have to let them grow and learn things for themselves. Nonetheless, you will want to maintain a strong bond, not least because they will inevitably fly the nest at some stage. Here are four great ways to achieve a connection with your teenager.
6 Things You Don’t Expect To Feel When You Find Out You’re Pregnant
When you find out your pregnant for the first time, planned or not, it’s flipping scary. You begin to picture yourself with your little babe, holding him or her for the first time and picturing if they’ll have daddy’s eyes or mummy’s lips. It’s an exciting time and there are plenty of lovely thoughts to go with it. However, there are a lot of things that some may worry about at some point down the line. Those hormones like to make us panic a little bit and wonder what the hell are we doing. Even if this is everything we have ever wanted!
Oh shit, shit, shit. Do I even want children?!
For some unknown reason, there are those split moments when you realise how much life will have to change and it’s actually kind of scary and pretty darn overwhelming! Life before kids is quite nice isn’t it. You can sleep when you like, go on holiday whenever, stay up until god knows what hour and you generally don’t really have to think about anyone but yourself!
What If I Am An Awful Mum?
“Ok I’ve never done this before, what if I’m terrible at it? What if he doesn’t like me? What if I forget to feed/bath/wind/change him?!”.
I’m pretty sure every first time expectant mum goes through this little stage. The fact you are even questioning if you’re going to be a good mummy or not, already makes you a good mum. You got this!
How The Eff Am I Going To Push An Actual Human Being Out Of My Lady Parts?
A woman’s body is bloody amazing thing, we are made to be able to do this. Try and get in tune with your body, deep breaths and try not to panic!
Following on from that… Will My Lady Parts Ever Look The Same Again?
Does it go back to normal? Will I be able to pee like normal? Is sex ever going to be the same? Can I even do that again?
Stop panicking. It takes time… but you’ll get there. It’s different for every woman, but like we said above, your body can do this!
What If I Poop Whilst Pushing?
This is something we’ve all had nightmares about at some point. What if you’re pushing and pushing your precious little bean out and all of a sudden, a little pre-birth present arrives for everyone to see?
In reality, when it happens, if it happens (it probably will), you won’t even notice. The midwives whip it away that quickly, that no one tends to really notice anyway. If someone does notice, are they really going to tease a hormonal woman who’s in the middle of pushing a person out their vagina? I don’t think so!
Ok, So How The Heck Am I Going To Afford This?
Pushchairs, cots, bedding, bottles, toys, clothes, changing mats, burp cloths… jeeez these kids need a lot of things don’t they! One thing we will say – you don’t need it all, there are clever marketing tricks that make us first time mums panic if we don’t have it all. That gorgeous changing basket you’ve been seeing all over Instagram IS gorgeous, but you’ll most likely be changing baby on the floor most of the time!
Obviously all these thoughts are very natural, your body is going through a huge change and an increase in hormones are playing a huge part in how you feel. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or nervous, it’s a scary process, especially if it’s your first baby.
All we can say, is that IT’S GOING TO BE OK, YOU GOT THIS MAMA!
POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION AFTER PREGNANCY AT 40
There are many factors that lead to depression after pregnancy. I am mentioning a few factors below:
Postpartum depression, or peripartum depression occurs after a woman gives birth. Within a few hours of giving birth the amount of the two female hormones, estragon and progesterone, return to their pre pregnancy levels. Many researchers feel that this drop in hormone levels,
much like the smaller changes in hormone levels can affect a woman’s mood just before her menstrual cycle, is one of the causes of postpartum depression. It is more like an unexplained sadness & depression. It is a feeling where you feel bad, guilty, helpless & in pain just to explain it in words.
1. Genetics – One factor that can lead to postpartum depression is genetics. This type of depression can be passed down from mother to daughter. There is also a correlation between postpartum depression and women who suffer from severe premenstrual syndrome.
2. Hormone levels – As I have mentioned earlier changes in the hormone level also plays an important role in postpartum depression
3. Baby Demands – In the initial days babies can be very demanding, making the new moms so busy that they don’t get time for themselves which leads to depression.
4. Labour – Going through labour is in itself very stressful which after the birth of baby takes its toll on the health of new moms. This in return turns into depression.
5. Self-doubt – Many new moms go through the self doubt process where they doubt the ability to be a good mom & be able to do the right things for their babies.
6. Family disconnect – With all the time taken by the baby new moms can have a disconnect with the family. They can go through the feeling of loneliness even when whole family is present as they are completely busy taking care of the newborn.
This also can lead to depression To be honest after my first baby was born when I was 30, I didn’t experience any kind of postpartum depression. But when I gave birth to my second baby, when I was 40, I underwent postpartum depression. So after my Pregnancy at 40 I understood what Post Partum Depression actually is.
When postpartum depression kicked in I felt sluggish, unconnected to reality, and often underwent several other symptoms that include depression. During my postpartum depression (PPD) at 40, I would often go through bouts of crying uncontrollably and very seldom with any particular cause. I would feel emotionally charged all the time & my emotions would often play tricks on me. My postpartum depression at 40 also lead to some sleepless & troubled nights. Once a baby is born the family, friends, mother and so forth are suppose to join in a joyful expedition. But in my case I went through postpartum depression and the birth seemed more like a painful expedition than a joyous moment.
Instead of sharing a happy moment I often felt a sense of guilt because I felt a kind of resentment in me. The whole giving birth process seemed like an inflicted pain than joy. Then all of a sudden, I would begin the feeling of sadness, despair, worthlessness, and insomnia kick in. Most professionals will treat postpartum depression with antidepressants combining it with therapy. In my case, I did not undergo any kind of therapy because, luckily for me, my postpartum depression didn’t last for too long a period. But it is important for mothers with postpartum depression to seek help immediately, since the depression does not only affect the patient, it affects everyone around you, including your baby. Babies need their mother, and when the mother is unable to provide emotional nourishment and loving care, then the baby will suffer as it grows into adulthood.
Just like any diagnose there are triggers that may interrupt the mother, including difficult births, isolating one self, death, changes in living arrangements, hereditary, financial difficulties and so forth. Unfortunately, some of these triggers are going to happen. Most therapists have found treating women with postpartum depression, treating them with antidepressants and therapy has worked wonders. Recently studies are finding that depression may also be treated with Electroconvulsive therapy. Scientists are constantly searching for a solution to treat depression so the end of the world hasn’t arrived.
REF: The Best Ways To Treat Postpartum Depression – HealthPrep.com
There is hope. Studies have also shown that writing down your episodes, feelings and so forth is a great therapeutic relief. Talking is also a great source for eliminating stress, which is often linked to depression. It is important to get regular check-ups after your baby is born to
eliminate biological reasoning for the postpartum depression. In most cases, doctors may prescribe different medications. It depends on the person, but for some mothers one or the other medications work, while others have no results. If you are suffering postpartum depression, it is also important for the family to offer support and understanding.
Since, you may have suicidal thoughts the last thing anyone needs to do is push you over the edge. It is also important that the resentment you feel is not necessary toward your baby. It could be that you resent an area of your life, or an occurrence and the baby seems to be the target. You might want to try listening to easy music when you feel a sense of loss, or episodes of the depression erupt. Music has proven to heal the soul. In addition, you might want to start exercising since this too has proven to do wonders with people that suffer mental or physical illnesses. Exercise relieves the mind often because you are doing something to better yourself and improve your health. To sum it all, the biggest difference that I felt between Postpartum at 30 & Postpartum at 40 is the depression & physical pain that I went through. With the passage of time, the recovery path has also been fine.
I had good family support during both my deliveries which helped me overcome my pain & depression. Therefore, if you are in postpartum depression especially after 40, there are answers and you should never give up hope! So let’s leave the Post Partum depression behind us as a bad dream & let’s give our motherhood foremost significance in the whole journey of Parenthood.
Bio :
I am Rupali Paul, a Mom of two kids, one teen & another a toddler and I blog in the Parenting niche.
I write blogs on various Parenting & Motherhood topics primarily. I also blog on topics pertaining to Travel with Kids & review various products relating to Mom or Kids. All in all a Blog which caters to family topics surrounding Mom, Dad & Kids and their Life.
You can find my blog at https://momkidlife.com
Instagram handle @momkidlife
Twitter handle @momkidlife
Pinterest handle @momkidlife
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/momkidlife
SEAMS Indulge Hand Cream Set | Review
SEAMS is a London founded company, launched by Karen J after many years of working in the fashion & beauty industry. Karen was looking for a hand cream that could be used quickly throughout the day and wouldn’t transfer any grease onto fabrics, she struggled to find one so set out to create SEAMS Hand Cream. A special Biomimetic Lipid Complex ensures the formula instantly melts in the skin and locks in moisture! Karen’s strong sense of smell lead her to create our signature Amber Cocoon scent, a clean fresh cotton fragrance that doesn’t linger on the skin.
MOIST AF BANANA BREAD
Here are the ingredients:
- 1.5 cups almond flour (ground almonds)
- 1/2 cup of hemp seed flour (or any other plain flour e.g. wholemeal, spelt, white)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- Pinch of salt
- Spices – 1 tsp each of ground cinnamon, ginger & nutmeg
- 3 tbsp hemp seed oil or olive oil
- 3 free range eggs
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
The Method:
- Put all the wet ingredients in a food processor and mix well. You can whisk it by hand if you don’t have a food processor – just mash the bananas first.
- Put all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well.
- Grease a loaf tin then pour in the mixture.
- Bake at 170°C for 45 mins or until a knife comes out clean.
Please give this banana bread recipe a go & tag us if you do! Don’t forget to check out the wonderful Claire’s website where she shares so many delicious recipes that are perfect for the whole family.
DECEMBER BOOK CLUB PICK 2021 | JUST HAVEN’T MET YOU YET BY Sophie Cousens
Welcome to the final book club review of 2021! How did we get here already? It’s been an amazing first year; we have a fantastic club full of beautiful, intelligent women and a huge year with even more bookish fun lies ahead. Our first ever book club pick back in January this year was This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens, so when we heard that her second novel, Just Haven’t Met You Yet, was being published in November, fate had decided on our final book club pick of 2021.
TOP 10 POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS
While everyone loves to support you with what you’ll need (and potentially don’t need) when you’re pregnant, quite often us poor old mums get left by the wayside once we’ve popped out our cute little nugget. We’re left to fend for ourselves amongst leaking boobs, saggy skin and stinging bumholes and quite frankly, the postnatal fuss that we deserve is lacking! Here is our guide of Top 10 Postpartum Essentials that you need to make that time after birth just a little bit easier.
TMC + Me | Sex Dreams
“I keep having sex dreams about a colleague. Every time I look at him I find myself blushing. I’m married. What should I do?”
One of our lovely TMC followers needs some advice. If you’ve ever had this experience, what advice can you share?
January Self Care Ideas
It’s January, it’s 2022 and it’s time to make some time for YOU! We’re all run ragged after the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period, so what better time to slow down and take care of yourself. Here’s a few self care ideas to make time for just you, whether you take a day to yourself of just ten minutes of your day, there’s something you can do that is solely to make you feel good.
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