The adoption process involves several home visits. Your social worker doesn't need to see a show home (thank flippin' goodness for that) – but they do need to see that you have the space for a new child/ren, that you're able to keep the home clean and tidy enough to nurture human life, and that … [Read more...] about ADOPTION AND VICARAGES: HOW DO I KEEP CHILDREN SAFE IN A ‘PUBLIC’ FAMILY SPACE?
Home
The following articles are all based around our homes: making them more organised or efficient, tips or hacks, ideas for how they can work best for us and our families. Enjoy!
5 VALUABLE WORK LESSONS FROM A 9-YEAR MATERNITY LEAVE
I recently read 5 valuable work lessons from maternity leave from the Jasiri blog (a wonderfully thought-provoking new blog, if you were looking for one to get your teeth into!). I was nodding along with every single one of Naomi's points. Yep, that had absolutely been my experience too. But I was … [Read more...] about 5 VALUABLE WORK LESSONS FROM A 9-YEAR MATERNITY LEAVE
CAN I BE A FEMINIST AND A STAY-AT-HOME MUM?
I'll be honest: feminism didn't really play a major part in my life until recently. I've been pretty fortunate not to have known any gender-related obstacles at work or at home. I haven't suffered abuse or harassment at the hands of men, nor have I been prevented from doing anything I wanted to do … [Read more...] about CAN I BE A FEMINIST AND A STAY-AT-HOME MUM?
THE MINISTRY OF A MESSY HOUSE – REVIEW
My wonderful cousin Naomi, general fountain of knowledge when it comes to books, especially Christian ones, recently sent me a copy of 'The Ministry of a Messy House' by Amanda Robbie, after reading my blog How does God bless others through our mess? Well, blow my socks off if it didn't just put … [Read more...] about THE MINISTRY OF A MESSY HOUSE – REVIEW
HOW TO PLAN A ROBOT PARTY FOR £30
A few weeks ago, I challenged myself to spend no more than £30 on my daughter's 2nd birthday party - a dollies' tea-party. We recently held a robot-themed party for Mister's 4th birthday and, again, I wanted to see if I could do it for less than £30. (A small aside: what a cool theme for a … [Read more...] about HOW TO PLAN A ROBOT PARTY FOR £30
HOW TO PLAN A DOLL-THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR £30
It’s all Kate’s fault. My friend Kate, mum extraordinaire, just happened to drop into conversation one day that she sets each of her oldest three kids a £30 budget for their birthday parties. £30??!! She makes them a cake outside this budget, but everything else (food, entertainment, decorations) … [Read more...] about HOW TO PLAN A DOLL-THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR £30
HOW TO MAKE ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL (AN IDIOT’S GUIDE)
Considering its popularity, I'm amazed that so few people make their own elderflower cordial. It really is incredibly easy to make, and is one of my favourite early summer traditions (check out 100 Free or Cheap Summer Activities for Kids for more ideas!) My guess, though, is that there … [Read more...] about HOW TO MAKE ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL (AN IDIOT’S GUIDE)
HOW DO I STAY ON TOP OF MY KIDS’ TOYS?
Not the most glamorous topic, I know, but it's something I've been chatting to friends about recently, and it seems we all struggle. One friend reckons toy storage should be taught in antenatal classes, it's so tricky. I have to agree. How to store toys in a practical, space-saving and easily … [Read more...] about HOW DO I STAY ON TOP OF MY KIDS’ TOYS?
YUMMY MUMMY, LETTING THINGS SLIDE
Recently I scanned one of those 'what's hot/what's not' columns at the front of a lifestyle magazine. Under 'what's not' I was interested to read that 'yummy mummies' were on their way out, because they were more prone to depression than 'working mums who let things slide'. Oh dear, I thought. I'm a … [Read more...] about YUMMY MUMMY, LETTING THINGS SLIDE