Tea, Cake and Parenting

Posts

Surviving this world without school - 5 things I've learned.

I started writing this blog in the week that the school closure was announced. That's four weeks ago now. I think that tells you how productive I've been since then. Four weeks of this strange new world. Maybe you're hitting your stride, or maybe you're running out of ideas and feeling panicked about the weeks stretching out before you! Chances are it's a bit of both. I'm certainly finding some positive and negatives. Its been lovely seeing my two play more creatively and spend more time together. Having a four year age gap, this is the first time they've really been in each others lives full time. On the flip side, the noise level is really getting to me! So no particular order, here's my top 5 things I've learned so far... 1) My 2 to is much harder than my 6yo. I really wasn't expecting this. My 6yo has never been good at self entertainment while my 2yo usually potters happily around the house with me. Turns out the 6yo has adapted much b

Why I have given up the word "sorry" for Lent

I will confess that I am not overly religious and haven't really observed lent past eating pancakes on Shove Tuesday for years. But this year I decided to give up the word sorry . Like the vast majority of British people I over use this word. Most sentences start with or include the word sorry . I apologise for everything, ... the weather, someone else having a bad day, my children being normal children. for being completely unavoidably late....... the list goes on. In fact it's so normal to me I didn't really realise how much I apologised for things that really beyond my control and not my fault until it was pointed out to me. Then I started to think about it and notice myself doing it. And I started to notice others around me doing it too. At first I thought this was a "quirk" of the British language. A harmless, quaint British thing. Something that is part of our culture. As my mother in law would say "politeness costs nothin

Guest Blog - Caroline Hayes Bowen Technique and Scar work

Caro Hayes is an experienced holistic, light-touch Fusion Therapist specialising in fascial release work using the Bowen technique, Emmett technique and Scar Release Work. Bowen Technique & Emmett Technique During her deeply relaxing treatments she looks to release tension in the body’s fascia, muscles and other soft tissue using a combination of these techniques to reduce pain and improve mobility and function leaving you feeling better physically, mentally and emotionally. Some of the conditions that have responded well to treatment include - back and hip pain, neck & shoulder restrictions/discomfort, anxiety, sciatic pain, postural issues, migraines and headaches. The Emmett Technique The Emmett Technique is a unique form of body relaxation therapy for both people and animals involving the application of light finger pressure at specific points. It is based on the belief that light touch can trigger a relaxation response in the soft tissues of the body and that the thera

Guest Blog - By Emma at Help Baby Sleep

Sleep is critical for our survival and mental wellbeing. As a parent we dream of being the best Mum or Dad that we can possibly can be, but unfortunately when we are not getting the sleep that we so desperately need, it becomes difficult to function at our best. As a holistic sleep coach, I often meet parents at their wits end who are struggling due to lack of sleep. In this article, I am delighted to share some areas that you might like to look at before going down the route of age appropriate and gentle sleep training. It may be that some simple changes can be made which will help put the right sleep foundations in place for your baby which will have a positive impact on the whole family. Healthy Sleep Foundations – What are they? It is never too early to put healthy sleep foundations into place allowing your baby and yourselves to benefit from more restful sleep. Often by getting the foundations in place it helps to address not only your child’s physical needs but also thei

A Greener less wasteful Christmas?

This year for me has really been about trying to make as many small changes as I can. While I have been recycling for years, this year I have thought more and more about reducing and reusing where possible! I have stopped recycling jam jars in favour of saving them and using them as I make more of my own preserves and chutneys which not only reuses the jars but also reduces the number I am buying and reduces my food waste as I put more effort into making chutneys and preserves when I have a glut of something. I have swapped cling film for reusable replacements and more tupperware. I have swapped kitchen roll for old muslins which I wash and reuse over and over again. And a zillion other small changes. But then December started. In our house we have 2 family birthdays and Christmas, between birthday parties, hosting Christmas and all the gift giving this is easily our biggest waste producing month. Standing in the supermarket looking at wrapping paper I felt really queasy as I real

A Beginners Guide to Cloth Nappies

Interested in cloth nappies but have no idea where to start? Here's my brief run down of what you need to know.... Why go washable? Advantages: Cost - £200-300 vs £3000 Less waste - when they've finished their life they can go to fabric recycling. Better for the environment - especially if you don’t tumble dry the energy and environmental impact is much lower Fewer leaks - much less poo up the back! Natural fibres - less chemicals (recent French study on chemicals in disposable nappies) Breathable - better for skin? Most anecdotal evidence claims less nappy rash. Studies limited but definitely support it being no worse than disposables. Disadvantages? More washing? Only 1 load every 2 days and you’re washing LOADS anyway! Messier? Not really. Changing a disposable poo can get everywhere. With washables you’re organised and everything goes in the loo / bin / washing machine without needing to be handled any more than a disposable. Smelly? Actually les