It is common knowledge that I suffered a massive stroke 14 years ago that has left me with a left sided wealness meaning that I use a wheelchair to get around and only have one working arm and hand. What some may not be aware of is that my husband, Alec put his own life…
when I was working as a registered child minder I asked the children’s parents to send a packed lunch for their offspring: This was mainly because I often struggled with what to feed my own children let alone several others! Plus the parents would know what their children liked to eat. I stored the lunch…
I must admit that I love the sun and so have been enjoying the glorious weather that we have had this week ;however I have heard a few children crying,( what I would call a tired cry) through my open windows. Children do not always cope well in hot weather, they get tired quicker, through…
I was sent the following brand new children’s books:- A TIGER NAMED LEE: It takes a stormy night for Lee to learn to face his fears. A lovely book that children will enjoy and learn from. The book is written by Sinead Murphy and the delightful illustrations are drawn by Shannon Cresham. D.M.MULLAN’S CURIOUS TALES…
This year when a foreign holiday is looking challenging, mini trips to local attractions may be a good alternative. When it is warm and the sun ‘has it’s hat on’ a trip to the beach is a great option. Things to do at the beach with children here Why not have a go at fishing,…
When I working as a registered child minder, the parents of the children would sometimes ask me, as an early years professional, if I thought there was something wrong with their child( if had special needs). I always tried to give an honest answer, but was also tactful in the way I replied. One particular…
When I was working as a registered child minder I looked after one little boy, who was coming up to the age of 3, He had a very small attention span and would quickly get bored with activities ( which I know is not unusual for a child of that age). One day I decided…
This is a small selection of new children’s picture books from Austin Macauley publications. JACK’S MAGIC PYJAMAS: Jack’s parents are surprised when he asks for more brussels sprouts at dinner time, as usually he doesn’t eat them. Little do they know that Jack’s new pyjamas are magic and have sent him on an adventure. This…
This is just a small selection of the summer crafts and activities available from ichild:- CREATE A MINIATURE GARDEN; A great idea for helping young children to gain some understanding of the world; All that is needed are a shallow container, soil and some small plants, then use your imagination to help your child to…
This was a topic that was discussed on a daytime television programme this week. I can remember learning how to budget being talked about during a home economics class when I was at school, but it wasn’t covered in any depth. Surely if managing money was a school subject then less people would fall into…
Most children’s first experience of death is the loss of a beloved pet. I lost my pet rabbit when I was about 5 years old and was so upset that my mum let me have a few days off of school to get over my loss. My son’s were understandably upset when their pets passed…
Five Qualities To Look For In Your Family Dispute Lawyer Hiring a family lawyer can be a tough decision. S/He must be unbeatable so you can trust the professionalbefore filing a divorce or adoption process that no matter s/he will fight for you in the courtroom. The lawyerwill do everything possible to make you comfortable…
This was a question posted on social media yesterday. My husband’s response to the question was ” It’s easy, turn off the electricity!” As I was reading the question I glanced out of my window where I saw a group of children playing together on their bikes, scooters and skateboards. We are fortunate in living…
As a registered child minder, a considerable amount of time has to be spent on paperwork. One part of this is to keep reports in an accident/incident book ( there are many publications available to purchase from various sources, but I just used a notebook). I was fortunate that in the 14 years that I…
As soon as I saw the front cover of this book I was taken back to my childhhod days, when I had a pet rabbit that looked just like Clover, mine was called Apache . The delightful book tells the story of what Clover the bunny dreams about, which will thrill children of a wide…
Anyone who reads my posts, will be aware that I am a disabled stroke survivor. I was lucky enough to be able to move into an adapted bungalow at the beginning of March. Previously I spent most of the days sat in an armchair watching the television. The move has enabled me to start doing…
As a parent and former registered child minder, I can remember the challenge of persuading a baby to keep her hat on:- My tips for this are:- To start getting baby used to wearing a hat as soon as possible after birth – no matter what season they are born; whether it’s a sun or…
A friend has suggested this post, after we were chatting about after school activities, she has a daughter who likes to do cooking with her mother in the evening and as I have only got boys ( who are now grown) she asked what boys like to do after school apart from getting muddy and…
This summer even though the covid19 restrictions are slowly being lifted, more families will be holidaying in this country and weather permitted spending many days on the beach. While adults may be content with sitting enjoying the sunshine and getting a tan; children often become bored. These are my ideas for keeping them entertained:- When…
IBird watching has many benefits for everyone, children included. Children can benefit from learning about nature and the natural world, by exploring more about the birds they see: what they choose to eat from the different feeders offered in the garden; which different kinds of bird favour which food and where they feed- from a…
Firstly, I must make it clear that I have no medical knowledge on this subject, it is written purely on my experiences only. I first learnt that two of my sons were colourblind when a routine eye test picked it up. When the option told me that my eldest son was colour blind, my response…
I first heard of baby signing when I attended a workshop on the subject while I was working as a registered child minder. So when I discovered that there is a local sing and sign group run by Elle, I was keen to find out more about it: Babies will use all kinds of gestures…
This glossy paperback book is aimed at children aged 4-8 years of age. It is quite different from any other children’s books that I have come across; in a good way. The characters in the story are unique and brought to life with the colourful illustrations. The book is written by K.C.Hayes and illustrated by…
Parents will be only too aware that children seem to have a way of attracting dirt, leading to stains on clothing. The following are some hacks that I came across this week:- GRASS AND MUD STAINS:: Are the most common stains to appear on children’s clothes. Cover the stain with white toothpaste ( not any…
I was contacted by Ventorros Press to ask if I would review some of their children’ sbooks:. Billy Plonka and the grot laboratory being the first. This book is aimed at children aged 7-12 years of age. It is a chapter book with 22 chapters, that are just long enough to hold a child’s attention…
When I was a child minder I was sometimes asked to look after siblings, which I happily would, provided I had the spaces, plus I was frequently asked by such parents to give a sibling discount. Although, I did apricate that it was expensive for parents to send 2 children to me at the same…
This is something that I was asked on social media. The parent said that allowing her 18 month old child to have a nap in the afternoon was inpacking on bedtime in a negative way. My advice was to try how I managed it with my own children: As all children are individuals, however, what…
I survived a massive stroke back in 2007. As I have recently moved into an adapted bungalow, I am looking at ways of getting some independence back. One of the tasks I wanted to be able to achieve was to make myself a hot drink when my husband wasn’t at home. He was concerned that…
Thea, a registered child minder has requested this post. Having an Ofsted inspection is a nerve racking time for any setting; but as child minders often work alone, it can be more worrying if you are the only person that the inspector will see/ask questions ( nurseries and pre-schools will have several members of staff…
The concept of children having a bedroom to themselves in a relativity new idea; years ago when families were bigger children had to share a room. When I was a girl, I was lucky enough to have my own bedroom: I was the eldest of 3 girls. My younger sisters shared a larger bedroom, which…
Over the 14 years that I worked as a registered child minder a few of the children I cared for had special needs: My first experience of caring for a special needs child( which was funded through social services, as respite for the parents) was a little girl, who was 2 years old as she…
Paloma Faith has been reported of saying that she felt guilty about having a second child: She said that she felt that she was being disloyal to her daughter and was concerned that she couldn’t love another offspring as much as the first ( did she have enough love for them both?) Will I love…
Another child minding related subject today. When I was a registered child minder I did charge for bank holidays; this was because I was advised to on an introduction workshop that I attended before getting my registration. Parent will be paid for bank holidays we were told, so should you. If I was asked by…
This is a small selection of crafts available from ichild:- 3D EASTER CARD: This craft is suitable for older children with a flare for arts and crats as it requires some skill. FOLDING FOX CARD: This is a little simpler than the previous card, as it just needs a few neat folds. PAPER PLATE CHICK:…
The simplest and most effective way to teach children how to count is to count everything aloud with them. Start from a young age by counting their fingers and toes with rhymes such as this little piggy and 1,2 ,3 ,4 .5 once I caught a fish alive to make it fun. I always used…
I was sent the following to review:- MONKEY-DOG! A NEW BREED OF SUPER HERO: Children will love this brightly coloured book, which is full of fun and a few comical dinosaurs. Some of the text is in rhyme and is written by Steve Dixon. The book is illustrated by Chloe Harvey- Hall. It is aimed…
Just before I registered to become a child minder I went on an introduction workshop, where we were advised to take retainer fees from any prospective parents wanting our service . When my registration was approved I began to advertise for children to look after. Marketing your child minding business here. I didn’t have the…
Sockie stars are a new brand who make fantastic socks for children; these socks are special because they have capes that can be taken on and off with the attached Velcro strip. I was sent a box of sockie stars containing 3 pairs of brightly coloured children’s socks. and 6 capes. . Also included in…
This is a question that came up on social media recently: As the majority of child minders work in their own homes, having the children on their furniture comes with the territory. When I was a registered child minder I was lucky enough to have a house large enough to turn my dining room into…
Sarah, whose daughter will soon be moving up to a secondary school has asked for this post. Going to a secondary school is an exciting, but maybe a worrying time for children. . I can still remember the butterflies in my stomach when I made the transition many, many years a go. If your child…
Both children and parents are having to learn to cope in these strange circumstances: Try to get children out on the daily walk as part of your routine, as that will help with everyone’s well being and mindfulness. Making the daily walk more interesting here You may have to be more disciplined with children during…
50% of parents have said that they feel their children are lonely during the lockdown. Therefore it is paramount that we keep an eye on our children. Talk to them about their feelings and persuade them to get out and go for a walk to get some fresh air, exercise and a change of scenery…
One of the latest fads to come over from America is for expectant parents to draw up a baby contract before the child is born . This contract clearly states how the workload which comes with a baby will be shared between parents; getting up during the night, bathing, dressing and nappy changing. Of course…
DYDD GWYl DEWI( St. David’s day card): Children living in Wales, or any children with a Welsh connection can celebrate St. David’s day by colouring the picture of the Welsh dragon surrounded by daffodils; then stick onto card. DAFFODIL CRAFT: This can be made from store cupboard essentials. DADDYPIG AND MUMMY PIGPUPPETS( to celebrate Mother’s…
It has been reported this week that Kim Kardashian is selling her daughter’s artwork for large sums of money and that perhaps she is persuading her daughter to do art because of the money it is making. Whether there is any truth in this report or not, I don’t know, but my thoughts are that…
This lovely children’s book tells the story of Monty, a chocolate Labrador dog; who, typical of his breed loves food which means he causes havoc at the school fair. The book has a bright, colourful front cover and is written by Claire Owens. It has 127 pages and 14 chapters; which are just the right…
PANCAKE DAY CROSSWORD: This is great for older children as a way of filling their time during the half term break from home schooling. PANCAKE DAY IN FRANCE: Explains about how the French celebrate pancake day and has a recipe for crepes. FILL IN THE BLANKS: An activity that will help children to improve literacy…
I suffered a massive stroke in 2007, which has left me disabled. As a former registered child minder I know that children are inquisitive and can only learn about such things by asking questions. Some children who were playing in their garden as I was passing on my electric wheelchair asked why I needed to…
During the lockdown, children’s parties, like most other events, need to be a little different, These are my ideas: Get everyone in the family to dress up in a theme of the child’s choice. Ask friends and other family members to send cards and birthday wishes, so the child still feels special on their day….
Have you ever wondered why we have weeds in the garden? This children’s picture book explains why weeds and wild flowers grow and why we need them. The humorous rhyming text is written by R.J. Furness. The bright, vibrant illustrations on every page are drawn by Kathryn Short. At the end of the book there…
With yet another lockdown in force, it doesn’t look as though the children will be going back to school for a while yet: These are my home school hacks to help:- Be prepared: just as if children were in school get them to have their pencil case ready before you start; they won’t then have…
This is the second book written b y Linda Cartwright about lockdown life through the eyes of Alfie and Alexa: This time the story focuses on their mummy’s experience of the lockdown. From grey hair roots to clapping for the N.H.S. and home schooling: this book covers most things about life in lockdown in a…
This is just a tiny selection of Valentine’sday crafts available from ichild:- VALENTINES’S DAY FRIDGE MAGNET: Children can celebrate Valentine’s day, they could send cards and crafts to family members including pets. Love isn’t just for adult lovers. This craft is a perfect example , all that is needed are coloured pens or pencils, glue,…
Another request from Sarah. Another lockdown means taking children out for a daily walk to keep them occupied and healthy. But not all children are keen on walking, so having some ideas to make it more exciting could be helpful. As most children, especially the younger ones love to have a splash in a puddle,…
My experiences as a parent, grandparent and resisted child minder have taught me that some children don’t deal with not winning very well:- These are my tips for dealing with this issue: Start from a young age; getting children to play board games with siblings and other family members is a good way of introducing…
When I was a registered child minder I always wrote out a contract keeping my business professional. Most parents were really good at sticking to the times stated in the contract; however, sometimes life gets in the way and it was not always possible to honour those times: I understood that and as long as…
I think that most of us start the new year with good intensions, but most don’t stick to our resolutions: As a young girl I came up with a plan at the beginning of a new year that I thought would help me to get rich: If I saved a penny every day by the…
Most families will make their own Christmas traditions. When I was a girl living at home with my parents and 2 sisters we didn’t put the tree or other decorations up until a few days before Christmas: Now I am living in my own home the tree goes up on December 1st, usually, however, this…
Sarah has suggested this post, thanks, Sarah. There is nothing as special as having children who believe in the magic of Father Christmas, in my opinion. But as children get older , usually around the age of 8 or 9 upwards, they start to wonder if he is real. I remember asking our parents if…
SNOWMAN PAPER CHAIN: : A simple way to make a lovely Christmas decoration. There is a snowman template complete with accessories ( facial features and clothes) to download a or if they are creative children can draw their own snowman then it’s just a case of folding a concertina and cutting out- a good opportunity…
I was sent a baby boy medium hamper: This arrived earlier than I was expecting; giving me a pleasant surprise. On opening I discovered a box tied up with a red ribbon bow. Inside was:- Rex, the dinosaur soft toy rattle( with a soft jingle bell sound). The toy is brightly coloured and will appeal…
I believe that children can benefit from having a pet and have written several posts on pets for children here However, when a pet dies or has to be put down the pain can be almost too much to bear. My first experience of death was the loss of my pet rabbit, Bambi, when I…
I was sent this wondeful children’s book for review. Anyone who likes unicorn’s ( and let’s face it who doesn’t?) will love this book. It is full of bright, colourful illustrations and the text is super educational for children: Explaining about different people; their many colours of skin, varying religions and how they all get…
I was delighted to discover this children’s book that is set at Watermouth castle, where I have visited several times. Watermouth castle is a tourist attraction in Watermouth cove, North Devon. This wonderful book is the first to be written by Hazel Stuart. Her daughter Georgie Beable has drawn the colourful illustrations. The book is…
Elsie has suggested today’s post. I was very fortunate in that my 3 son’s were dry at night quite soon after getting rid of daytime nappies. Some children may take a lot longer to get the hang of being dry at night though. Signs that a child is ready to go to bed without the…
I was sent the following new releases for review: PANCAKES IN THE MORNING: This sweet story is told through the eyes of a family of birds who discover and love the taste of pancakes. It is written by R. Towers and Eli Ramos has beautifully illustrated it. Pancakes in the morning retails at £10.99 BUT…
Being a new mum is very exciting, but it can also be tiring and overwhelming for some women . My biggest tip is to take any help that is offered. Keep visitors to a minimum when you first have your new baby; friends and family will want to visit and see both of you, but…
I discovered this company on Facebook. I emailed a clear photograph of my Jack Russell cross dog, Jake. It was confirmed that my photo was a good match for a portrait; that would be A4 in size and framed in a colour of my choice. During the process of getting my portrait completed I was…
As we enter yet another national lockdown, thanks to the corona virus; today’s post is intended to cheer everyone up. A daytime television programme mentioned a child in Scotland who took what she thought was hand sanitiser to school: It was in fact a bedroom lubricant that her teacher handed back to the embarrassed mother…
Followers of my blog will know that I work regularly with ichild. This is a selection of their literacy activities:- FILL IN THE BLANKS: Is what it says ‘on the tin’ fill in the missing blanks on the harvest related words under the corresponding pictures; the completed words are written at the bottom of the…
This may seem an odd topic for a parenting tips blogger to write about, but pets, especially dogs are a member of our families and can be an asset to any children luckily enough to own one. Are dogs and children a good mix here. There are lots of things that dog owners can do…
Lizzie, a registered child minder has requested this post. Children don’t automatically know how to play, they have to be shown what is expected of them. I played with my own children from the baby stage; helping them to enjoy a rattle and a baby gym. When they reached the sitting independently stage of development…
I was sent a pack of 10 double sided, wipe clean flashcards for review. The thing that makes these flashcards better than the average ones are that not only do they help children to learn the names of colours and shapes. There is also the option of tracing the shape and it’s name on the…
A troll is a person who cyber bullies another person; typically on social media. Signs that may alert a parent that their child is being trolled are:- They may stop looking at their phone, make excuses not to go to school and may not want to socialise by going out with friends. If you think…
SPIRAL FALLING LEAVES DECORATION ; This only requires store cupboard essentials for children to make a lovely autumn decoration. There is an option of using the ready coloured leaves, or children can colour their own blank download to make a lovely autumn decoration. HALLOWEEN WITCH MASK AND HAT; The mask is a simple download to…
I saw a question on social media asking how to teach positional language ( over, under, beside, above etc.) to early years children. My ideas are:- To read books to the children; such as We’re going on a bear hunt by Helen Oxenbury. . Or the Usborne books which feature a little yellow duck to…
When I was a registered child minder, I was sometimes understandably mistaken for the children’ s mum. I was a busy child minder having lots of different children of varying ages to care for: One day I was walking up my street with a couple of children when a lady that I recognised as living…
Austin Macauley sent the following books fore review:- SANTA’S NAUGHTY LITTLE ELVES; This is a lovely book all about Santa and his elves who decide it is too hard making so many toys for hundreds of good children; they hatch up a plan to make the nice children’s list shorter. The book is full of…
Like most events this year, Halloween will have to be different this time, thanks to the covid19 pandemic. I doubt that home owners will welcome children who want to put their hands into bowls of treats to their front doors in the current situation. So how can we celebrate Halloween with our children in a…
Managing the behaviour of older children can be more of a challenge than when they were younger. Older children tend to have more attitude for a start and may sometimes answer back. My tips for behaviour management ( of younger kids) here can be adapted to be more suited to older children. My tips for…
There is a saying which states; that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing: So does this mean that we should dress our children appropriately and send them out to play in all weathers? Personally, I am not keen on the rain, but understand that children are not so fussy. Recently…
DINOSAUR BOOKMARK; Is a simple download to colour as you like, then stick onto card and you have a bookmark ( this would suit any age of child as toddlers can scribble to their hearts desire and older children can be more creative) DINOSAUR COLOUR AND COUNT; For younger children this is a picture to…
I discovered Crafts you’ll love on Facebook. They offered me a set of 4 coasters to review, I decided that using photos of my dogs would be good, however, Crafts you’ll love will make coasters from any photos: family members, scenery: Almost anything that is personal to you. I was very impressed by the way…
This is a fun, children’s picture book, which tells the tale of Henrietta Hen and her friends who go on a berry picking adventure. The book is full of bright, colourful illustrations by Sarah Leigh-Willis which makes it even more inviting for children. The rhyming text is written by Ozgen Hall. Children ( and adults)…
Children would learn and grow better in a happy and relaxed environment available at the educational and daycare centres. Parents often face challenges in selecting the right care and education centre for their young children. This important decision should be a well-informed one, so it is better to know precisely about the quality of child…
Years ago having a baby outside of a marriage was frowned upon; thankfully, times and attitudes have changed and many couples chose to have children before they get married, but should you get married for the sake of your children? My second husband and I both said that we didn’t want to get married again…
This is the second Zara dogdog book that I have reviewed the first one is Zara dogdog on the school run here This book has a bright,sunny front cover. Zara dogdog loves to have fun with her family, but she must be kept safe in the warm sunshine; the book explains to children ( and…
Another topic that has been discussed on a television programme this week. I am blessed in having 3 grandchildren, who unfortunately live hundreds of miles away meaning that I don’t get to see them as often as I would like; we do video call each other as often as possible to keep in touch. My…
Regular readers will know that I am an advocate for rewarding good behaviour and ignoring the unwanted in children. Positive parenting goes one step further; instead of telling children “no, don’t do that” have a more positive approach to behaviour management by saying things like “never mind” if you child accidentally drops something on the…
This is a subject that I have experience of:- We are a blended family read more herehttps://thenextbestthingtomummy.com/?s=blended+families. I and my husband both have children from a previous marriage; our boys never called the step parent mum or dad as they all had an absent parent who they saw regularly. If a stranger who wasn’t aware…
This was a discussion on a daytime television show this week. Surly woman who chose not to have, or can’t have children can still feel maternal towards other people’s children, especially close relatives who provide nephews and nieces, or even feel maternal towards animals? ( I have had several fur babies who I had maternal…
Having your baby go through the teething stage can be a stressful time for parents: My own children didn’t suffer too badly, thank goodness; I remember them having bright red cheeks, dribbling more than usual and the occasional loose nappy- all common signs that teeth are on the way. To prevent the skin from getting…
Sarah, has suggested this post As the schools have been closed to most children for a much longer time than usual. Some children and parents may be feeling anxious about going back in September. My grandchildren are desperate to get back to school, as the lock down is getting boring for them now, however, many…
POLARLICIOUS: This magical book will take children on a journey to the Arctic where they will meeat a polar bear and a seal. I love this book for the fabulous illustrations and so will children everywhere. It is written and illustrated by Neil Seddon and retails at £9.99 THE SNOWMAN: This is a different take…
This delightful children’s book tells the 2 different view points of Alfie and Alexa, who live next door to one another, whilst living in lock down. Alfie is finding it boring and wants the lock down to end; whereas Alexa likes all her family being together and doesn’t want it to finish any time soon….
Now that the lock down rules are slowly being relaxed and children will be going back to school next term, now is the time to start preparing children for this. As children will have been at home with their families for much longer than usual, some may struggle with separation anxiety when having to get…
Award publications kindly let me have this book to review:- The front cover is colourful and informative as to what the book has to offer. From how to deal with burns,asthma, chest pain so much more. This book will inspire any child with an interest in first aid or with hopes of joining the medical…
I was watching a television programme were a woman had sextuplets( 6 siblings) and she used restraints to keep hold of them all. The mother actually received some verbal comments from a passer-by who told her “Those are children , not dogs, only dogs should be on a leash!” This got me thinking; I used…
This is a question that was asked on a social media site: My thought was no, we shouldn’t always let them win, as children need to learn that life can be hard and they can’t always be a winner. Loosing sometimes is something that is going to happen. I have been told by a friend…