You know you are a twin parent when...

One of the best feelings in the world its being and becoming a parent but when you become a parent of twins or more there are some things that only twin parents will relate to for example

You know you are a twin parent when.... people say to you having two children with a small age gap is the same as having twins and it really isn't having to babies to change, wind and feed at the same time are not the same as having two children a year apart in age gap.

Twin Parents should be able to relate!

1.  You are so tired you know you have fed one twin but can't remember which one it was.
2.  You are so tired you just lost count of how many scoops of milk you put in the bottle and have to empty it all over again.
3. You become an expert at carrying two babies around in your arms or on your hip.
4. You would be a millionaire if you got a pound for everytime someone told you-you had got your hands full. 
5.  Perfect strangers think it's acceptable to ask if you have had fertility treatments.
6. You buy a bigger car and are actually ok with it.
7. You resign yourself to the fact you won't have a tidy house again for a very long time.
8. When someone tells you that they know EXACTLY how you feel having twins because their kids are 18 months apart and it was just like having twins and you have to stop yourself from jumping down their throat and telling them how wrong they really are!
9. You know what the word “singleton” means.
10. If you have twins that are a boy and girl you are fed up with trying to explain as to why they are not identical.
11. You know that feeling when they are both looking adorable then one of them throws up on themselves.
12. You don't think it is acceptable to just send one card or one present between them.
13. You have learnt how not to make eye contact with people when you go out so you don't get stopped every five seconds.
14. You are still thinking about whether you sing happy birthday once on there birthday or once for each child.  
15. You seem to get an instinct for wanting to buy everything in twos.

What would you add to the list because I am sure there are some things I have missed!? 

looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Weaning with Hipp Organic

A few years ago when I first started weaning Jack I wrote an article on Hipp Organic baby food showing you a lot of the different flavours and varietys they have multiple jars and packets and even make a baby juice drink for your little one they are all yummy easy to grab and go packets and jars a fantastic idea if you need convenience when you are a busy mum like I do, admittedly it is easier to give the girls things that are already made and ready to go but of course I still want to know that they are healthy and not full of rubbish thats why Hipp Organic is one of my favourites.

Hipp Organic has just introduced a range of delicious pure vegetable jars which is ideal for babies first tastes and for when your little ones are ready to start weaning, we were sent a small selection of these to try with the twins. Weaning has taken a bit longer than usual with the twins, I think I thought they were ready to be weaned and three times I started weaning them and had to stop, for various different reasons, one of the main reasons is they are slightly behind because they were born earlier. but I am happy to say they are now successfully trying different things every day but we are still using the pureed first foods.

Organic Hipp pure vegetables for yummy first tastes come in three different flavours there is pure white carrot, pure parsnips and pure peas. Hipp Organic first tastes pride themselves on these jars containing no added salt or sugar and the food is then gently steam cooked to preserve only the best nutrients afterwards is finely pureed resulting in the best consistency for baby.

On a day to day basis, I use a range of ready-made food and homemade food for the girls but as I said above it can be very difficult when you have a large family and you are on the go all the time to make homemade meals. so the first tastes weaning jars worked really well for us the girls really liked the pure white carrot and the pure parsnips but they just didn't like the pure peas at all and just kept spitting it out on the several occasions I tried them with it.

I liked that each jar only had one individual vegetable in each rather than having a mix of a jar, for example, several different vegetables with them only being one vegetable I could tell exactly which foods they like and which food they don't like.

The Hipp first tastes jars can be given to your little one at room temperature or can be warmed up which is ideal if you are on the go or out and about as a personal preference both of my girls prefer the jars at room temperature rather than warm, I love that the jars are organic and the only thing that has been added to them is water these were a big hit in my house with the twins and a big hit with me knowing they are getting a healthy meal.

We will be continuing to use Hipp Organic and I will be stocking the cupboard with their lovely products as it is one of my favourite food brands for babies. you can find out more about babies first tastes, weaning and other great information by visiting the Hipp Organic website Here you can also view the full range of there baby food products.

We were sent the yummy first food jars of baby food from Hipp Organic for the purpose of this review all opinions remain honest and my own.

     

Ten tips for Getting Out and About with a Toddler and Twins

Becoming a parent of Twins is really exciting and slightly terrifying at the same time. Thoughts of everything times two going through your mind is an awful lot to think about, but what if you have a toddler as well? It's going to be difficult getting out and about right? Well here are 10 Tips for getting out and about with a toddler and twins to make life just that little bit easier.

1) Think about the size of the seats on the pushchair - When shopping for a pushchair its easy just think about the twins being pushed in it, remember your toddler will probably still want to be pushed in it, take into consideration the pushchair size some of the double pushchairs that are around are beautiful but the seats are quite small - for me Jack was a big boy so a lot of them didn't make the grade as he wouldn't have fit in them.

2) Consider the weight of the pushchair - You are going to be carting about, three children under three, I know pushchairs have wheels but some of them are awful to push when they have a lot of weight in them and it becomes a nightmare. Unless you are muscle woman get something lightweight!

3) Buy a double baby carrier -Twins are generally renowned for being small when they are born, my twins when they were born, were around average size I have never had a baby carrier before let alone a double one but this was amazing I didn't carry mine in the double carrier until they were six weeks old because of my C - Section but it was easier to get out and about, the toddler went in the pushchair the twins in the carrier, note that you can only probably so this until about five months then it becomes too heavy. You can view the twin Weego baby carrier I used here 

4) Get a single baby carrier - I invested in an Ergo 360 single baby carrier and its the most comfortable thing I have ever bought. It is easy to put one of the twins and your toddler in the pushchair and then carry the other twin. My tip is not to let the toddler get out of the pushchair while you're carrying one of the twins it is an absolute a nightmare to get them back in while you have a baby carrier strapped to yourself.

5) Join a baby sling library - Yes these actually exist! ask your health visitor about them or look you can look up your local sling library group online. They're amazing places where you can hire a sling or baby carrier, the sling experts will also show you how to baby wear and help you find the best one suited for you.

6) Put them in the same carrycot - Now if they are really small and you have a baby carry cot big enough to do this in the early days you could do this as it's easy to push all three children, however, I wouldn't recommend this especially if you have a long way to go because of the risk of SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome).

7) One on the front one on the back - Again if you like babywearing and carrying the twins you could try the Twingo, this is a double baby carrier where you carry one of the twins on the front of you and the other one on the back, it is easy again to carry both twins and put the toddler in the pushchair. Note the Twingo carrier is aimed at slightly older babies 4 months+ with a good head hold.

8) Invest in a second pushchair - Make use of helping hands if someone offers to come out with you or you are going out with your partner one of you can push the double pushchair and one can push the single pushchair.

9) Buy a buggy board - If your toddler is sensible (not many are) you could just try standing them on a buggy board and again it means pushing all three at the same time this has worked better for me recently but my two-year-old is heading towards three so he is that little bit older now so he will stay standing still on it.

10) Get a buggy board with a seat - There are quite a few buggy boards around now that have a seat attached to them meaning that your child can sit down so at least your toddler won't get tired - the downsides as with any board is it's really difficult to get up and down kerbs if there is drop down try to plan where you cross the road to make things easier.


If you have any other suggestions for getting out and about with twins and a toddler I would love to hear from you leave me your suggestions in the comments below. 

  

25 Positive and Appreciative things you should say to children

Being positive is something that is difficult to be all the time as a parent and sometimes when children are naughty you often cant ignore them it is so easy to get into the habit of just telling them off all the time.

It shouldn't be difficult, but it seems to take a lot more thought to praise a child, not because we don't care, but because when they're being good it's easy to enjoy that time, the peace and quiet that we all love I find when they have massive achievements like in school or at one of there clubs I always make a huge fuss of them, but around the home sometimes I am that wrapped up in family life the praise sometimes gets missed when really I should be watching and praising them or giving them positive encouragement in every good thing they do, after all, we all love to be told when we are good at something or made to feel appreciated and that should be no different in our children.

25 Positive and appreciative things you should say to your children,

1. Thank you - so easy, yet often gets forgotten
2. wow, that was so helpful,
3. You are really good at that
4. You make me feel better
5. You always make me smile
6. You have been such a good boy/girl today
7. That was really really kind
8. I'm so proud of you
9. That was a great choice
10. That's a brilliant idea
11. You are amazing at that
12. You make me laugh
13. I believe in you
14. You can do it
15. Well done
16. Your opinion always matters 
17.  Being your mummy/mum/dad is my favorite thing 
18. Its Ok we all make mistakes 
19. You tried your best that's all that matters 
20. You tell the best stories 
21. Wow you were super fast 
22. You will always come first 
23. I love you
24. I Will always love you and never stop 
25. You fill my heart with pride and joy  

Remember if you are positive about Your children generally they will follow your lead and be positive to others such as their friends, family, and people they meet throughout life. Try saying things daily to them and watch their confidence grow it will also help them if they grow up and go through hard times in their life, they will already have the positivity to help them deal with difficult situations.

Has Stranger Danger Been forgotten?

As I waked to the school this morning with the kids I heard one of them say you cant talk to anyone and the other one say i'm not talking to anyone in that game they were talking about there iPad I have always drummed it into them they're not aloud to add just anyone into there games and if some one adds them they they have to show mummy first before accepting them. I repeated to them they should not talk to anyone that they don't know, then came the questions what about kids what about a man with a dog the list went on they didn't seem to understand the concept of not talking to people then I sat back and thought about what I was saying to them if they were to see a policeman they wouldn't know him but if they were lost I would want them to talk to him.

Has stranger Danger been forgotten? I think that the concept behind stranger danger is still there but it needs to be taught in different ways, media campaigns on this subject seems to have slowed right down, the media and in our schools are so hot about teaching Our children about being safe online and being careful what they share and whom they talk to to protect them from online predators, stranger danger or at least the concept of it, on the streets seems to of somewhat been forgotten. Now maybe because over some years this is due to the decline of parents who will actually let there children play out side on the front with there bikes or play on the park that is probably across the way from there home, As parents we all know why we don't want our children playing outside in the street alone or why we don't let them do things that our parents let us do, but ask yourself do your children know? I mean really understand?

I don't agree with the stranger danger alone as I said above stranger danger just doesn't quite sit right anymore because essentially if your child was in a dangerous situation being afraid to talk to people around them could put them in more danger. I believe that teaching your child about dangerous situations in stages makes more sense than the outdated stranger danger message as it can be split into sections and this is how I would teach my own children here are my top tips for keeping them safe you can never be to careful with children.

Avoid making personalised items too obvious, - school bags, packed lunch boxes , book bags when you label them think about where your child's name is going to go put them on the inside of the item rather than on the outside for all too see avoid named t-shirts or football shirts with there full name across the top if a child thinks an adult knows there name already it can give them a sense of trust and the adult come across as more friendly.

Establish a code/secret word, - this is something that I taught my boys a few years ago when they started going to the nursery for after school club we have a secret word and any adult that is approaching them or says they have got to take them home must know the secret word if they don't the boys know not to go with them.

Teach them not to have body secrets, - I personally hate that I have to teach my children this but I have always taught them that their private parts are theirs and only they should touch them if anyone else does they should tell mummy straight the way also if they are made to touch anyone else's they know its wrong and should follow the same rule. they also know that they shouldn't keep secrets its a good way to make sure children are always open about things.

If they are in danger alert someone,  - the obvious of course would be a policeman but of course these are not always to hand so the next best thing I would suggest is to approach a mum with young children generally mums are on the ball or to run in to a shop/shop keeper - most shops will have CCTV these days so the chances are they are going to be safe.

Teach them to fight back, - I would always want my children to know this that if someone was actually trying to take them away or hurt them they should fight back kick, scream, bite whatever it takes to grab peoples attention.

Let others know that they are in danger, - how many times have you walked past a child that is having a meltdown or screaming having a tantrum and you haven't paid a bit of attention to them, teach your children to shout things like he/shes  is a stranger or to shout I want my mum and dad they need to be getting people to pay attention and not just walk on by.

Its food for thought right? I think the age old day of stranger danger is not going to work anymore, but teaching your children in a more complex way but easy for them to understand is going to keep our children safe. the reality of online strangers is still just as important but remember these people walk among us it is just as important to keep teaching them of the real life dangers on our streets and not just forget.    

Little Splashers, Swimmer Teddy Bath Toy & Pop Up Teddy Shower Buddy

Bath time should always be fun for babies and children and there is nothing better than having some great toys to accomplish this we were sent two great bath toys from Hape toys - Swimmer Teddy Bath Toy and the Pop Up Teddy Shower Buddy,

Swimmer Teddy Bath Toy specifications,

• ABS
• Colorful teddy bear wind-up swim toy
• Perfect for use in the bath or at a pool
• Race your little friend around in the water
• Encourages kids to interact and participate with water play
• Recommended for ages 12 months and up

Priced at £12.99 available from amazon The swimmer teddy is the perfect water toy for your little one whether it is for by the pool or in the bath The swimming teddy is brightly eye catching and colourful we think he is very cute too once you have wound him up on his back he swims round and round in circles. which Jack really found very funny and was turning round and round in the bath squealing with excitement the Teddy bear he was also dunking him in and out like the teddy was a diver off the side of the bath. This swimming teddy is very well made and I would imagine it would be to break as he is solid. he is also quite a big bigger than most of the other bath toys that are around making it easier for little hands to hold. We really enjoyed playing with the swimmer bath toy he has been a big hit in our house even though he is aimed at young children my five year old and seven year old both play with this every bath time now. He is an all round enjoyable toy for young children and older ones.

Pop Up Teddy Shower Buddy, 

• ABS
• This little friend pops up and down
• Offers engaging fun for little ones
• Perfect for bath or shower time
• Encourages kids to interact and participate in water fun
• Recommended for ages 12 months and up

Priced at £12.99 from Amazon, this pop up shower buddy is my personal favorite out of the two bath toys, Again this toy is very well made and a lot bigger than the average bath toy. The teddy sits inside the cloud and when its filled with water the teddy bear rises to the top, once lifted out of the water the teddy bear sinks back into the cloud as the water drains out of the multiple holes in the cloud in a shower type motion its almost like magic. Jack was saying the teddy bear is saying boo and asking where the teddy has gone he had great fun playing with this toy laughing and giggling and splashing it into the water as a parent this toy is great for encouragement if your child is afraid of the the shower as it stimulates this motion  and it will make them more confident with water before introducing the shower. The two older ones have been using this toy to wash each others hair and think its really funny they all love this toy its great, stimulating and fun toy well worth its price.

These two fun and fabulous bath toys were sent to us for the purpose of this review all opinions remain honest and my own.

Establishing a Bath Time Routine for Babies and Children

Bath time can be such a bind and quite stressful at times especially if like me you have five children to look after and sort out, however even if I am stressed I try to help them enjoy it as much as possible. From day one with all of the children I have always stuck by a routine I think with children what ever the age establishing a bath time routine for babies and children helps to keep my sanity as a parent and also the kids never resist bath times as they never remember not having a bath so it is a fun time rather than a chore for them.

My personal Bath time routine starts around five pm and ends just after seven, I start with the youngest two then bath Jack my two year old son and then the oldest two have a a bath together.

Key tips for bath time, 

Preparation, 

• Make sure you have everything you need organised before you start pajamas, nappies, talcum powder, towels any lotions that you use, and dressing gowns if they wear them - if it is cold I usually just pop the towels over the radiator.
• Make sure you have hot water, sounds ridiculous but in our house we have solar panels and if there is no sun there is no hot water so I need to turn it on the amount of times I have forgotten to do this is unbelievable! 
• If your child has bath toys that are not stored in the bathroom make sure you have fetched the toy they would like to play with

   Safety, 

• Water temperature should always be tested to avoid burns. Place the top of your hand in the running water to be sure it’s not too hot or too cold, since this part of your hand is more sensitive than your palm.
• Never leave a child unattended in the bath. It is best to be within arm’s reach to avoid accidents. 
• Wipe up any water spills as soon as possible and be sure that the soap isn’t left on the floor to avoid slips.
• Always use slip-resistant mats inside and outside of the bath or shower.
• Use bath time equipment for babies and toddlers, such as a baby bath or safety seats to stop them moving around in such a big space.

Make bath time fun,

• If you children have a lot of bath toys rotate bath toys so children don’t get tired of the same ones.
• Bath toys do not have to be expensive, give them a plastic cup or an old shampoo bottle they make fantastic water shooters.
• You could buy some bath crayons or some bath foam and see what shapes and animals they can mold them into.

Personal care,

• Encourage children to wash them selves even if they are little and not doing it correctly the younger they try the easier it will get as they get older.
• If you have younger children use props to teach them how to wash themselves for instance a doll or a bath character get them to was the toy how they should wash them selves its a good way to get them to learn.

fear of the water, 

• Some children can be afraid of the water or just afraid of the noise of the bath filling you can reduce this fear by filling the bath before the child gets anywhere near the bathroom.
• You could try encouraging children to put there faces in or near the water and blowing bubbles - of course make sure they are always supervised.
• Sometimes television and imitating things being pulled down the drain can make children be frightened this might happen to them, you could try getting them out of the bath and getting them to watch the water go down also you could put a toy in the bath to show them this isnt going to happen, also remind them they are a lot bigger than the plug hole 
• If they are still frightened or you having trouble getting them in, you could get in with them sometimes having mummy or daddy in the bath with them is enough reassurance for them to start enjoying bath time as they should do.

Bath times can be as we all know hard work but enjoy your child's bath time make it fun even when things are tough, children grow up and become more independent and these are the times you will look back on and smile about! 

  

Preparing your Life and Mind for Twins

Being a mum of multiples if always going to be more hard work than having a single baby things so preparing your life and mind for twins is important as once they are here things can be quite chaotic at times, the easiest way to deal with things is to prepare in advance so you are ready because you never know what might happen.

Be packed and prepared for the hospital early.

Unfortunately with twin pregnancies the chances of having your babies early are a lot higher than a normal pregnancy and having complications in pregnancy are higher as well, have your bag packed by the front door or somewhere that is easily accessible, also if you have other children have them a little rucksack in place with nightwear and anything important they might need.

Talk.

If you have other children make sure you talk lots about the twins, I tried to involve my boys every step of pregnancy, even taking them to one of the ultra sound scans so everything was made to be more real for them and so that also they didn't feel pushed out or left out. I also set up any equipment I had such as the baby bouncers and Moses baskets about six weeks to a month before I had the twins so Jack who is two could have a play and would be used to seeing things before they arrived and also so that he could have a play with the toys on them and would be bored with the toys by the time the twins arrived and did not feel jealous.

Make things personalised.

My twins are not identical, however when they were born it was easy to confuse them with each other and I can imagine its harder when they are identical, get some hats or bibs with there names on or if they are identical you could try always dressing them in different socks or mittens so you can tell them apart and so other people can easily differentiate between the two of them.

Get support.

Ask people if they would like to help out before the twins are born, discuss with your partner ideas of how you can help each other, I realise not everyone has the greatest support network in family and friends, if this is the case speak to your midwife there are charity groups that will come in and watch the twins for a couple of hours, even if you just get some much needed sleep or do the house work grab all the help you can you will honestly be grateful of the help. Also join Twin mum groups on social media such as Facebook or join the boards on net mums there is always someone online to give advice or just a friendly ear to listen no matter what time of the day or night.

Rest.

I know this is difficult if you have other children but try and nap or put your feet up when you can, getting sleep and rest at this point is important for your health and well being.

Preparing your mind

Try to understand people will say stupid things.

Being pregnant is an odd time in your life where you are on probably the scariest most crazy journey of your life. Your hormones and emotions combined with complete strangers offering you advice purely because you are pregnant. This is a time I would honestly say you have to take people with a pinch of salt, People say all sorts of things without engaging there mouth with there brain and most people dont realsie what they are saying can be hurtful and upsetting if its taken the wrong way. It’s really not worth your time or energy to get upset over stranger’s comments just listen to peoples advice it doesn't mean you have to follow it. Some days are much harder than others but let the stupid and sometimes predictable comments go over your head but do enjoy the compliments you get when you get them.

Enjoy those lasts before the firsts begin.

It’s so so easy to get carried away in all the excitement of being pregnant and never mind the fact you are having twins but don’t rush things. Everything will happen eventually ( I know it feels like forever) but once those babies arrive life will never quite be the same again. Especially if its your first children, enjoy every moment of time you have to spend with your friends, family and partner while you can. Of course they will still be there after you give birth but somehow relationships change and nothing is as easy as just nipping to the shops or for a coffee. You need those last few weeks of rest and time of reflection to get through the rough patches. which is the perfect time to write down your feelings and make memories what your life is like in this moment. maybe you write a letter to your baby and your future self, detail your experiences of being pregnant and your hopes and dreams of your family.

Give yourself a break

There is no perfect anything never mind pregnancy. You can read every parenting book, every website but I truly believe nothing can ever quite prepare you for being a parent, you will get to a point where you just need to sit back and relax put the books down, stop googling. Don't stress If you eat that extra bit of cake or chocolate your babies will probably enjoy that mummy is relaxing don't stress it, if you decide to stay at home and sleep instead of meeting up with friends if they are true friends they will completely understand. No one ever said that being pregnant was going to be easy it sometimes seems a lifetime to get to the finishing post. A lot of people presume because you are glowing you are happy all the time its OK to have days where you just want to sleep or listen to sad songs and cry we have days like this when were not pregnant, so it is actually OK to have a bad day during your pregnancy too. When you get towards the latter months of pregnancy everything can be exhausting never mid the fact you are housing and growing two babies. If you’re tired, take a little nap or have an early night. Rome was not built in a day meaning somethings can just wait until the next day. Look after  and listen to your body

Depression awareness.

Being a mum of twins or multiples is a happy time like every new baby, however it is a massive life changing experience and it can also be very straining and stressful experience. There are going to be so many happy, blissful moments but you need to be mindful of the toll it can take on you not just physically but mentally as well. Depression and mood disorders are very common amongst mums of twins and multiples. If you think about it, this completely makes sense; excessive amounts of hormones, endless sleep deprivation, the extra physical stress all put on your body at the same time could and can trigger a imbalance in the brain that of course might need medical intervention to correct. Having twins and multiples is not a guarantee that you will get postnatal depression but having an awareness of the warning signs is good to know just in case. Also its good to let people around you (friends and family) know so that they can watch out for and recognise the signs of postnatal depression in case you don't. Sometimes people looking in from the outside see things more clearly and have a better an honest opinion of how you are doing.

Most of all enjoy every moment of your pregnancy and when the twins arrive, yes it can be stressful at times but pregnancy and babies don't last forever time drifts by so fast cherish and embrace it.

Back to School - Winter Cupboard essential bumps and germs Kit

Now the kids are back at school and the bad weather is taking hold, the germs slips trips and heads are banging together in force, we have already had three letters from the school advising parents to check your child's hair for those horrible little nits or should I say headlice.

To all mums make sure you have your Back to school - Winter cupboard, essential bumps and germs kit at the ready here is exactly what is in mine sent to me by Superdrug to help me show you exactly what you need and of course if I miss anything I would love to hear your comments at the end.

1. Superdrug - Detection Nit Comb RRP: £1.99, As I said as horrible as it is we have already had three letters from the school asking parents to check there children's hair for nits a nit comb always comes in handy as unfortunately these never seem to go away its a problem all schools seem to battling against.
2. Superdrug - Fix em Plasters - RRP, £2.99 How many times can a  child fall over on the way to school I think Liam racked up five times one morning on the way to school which of course ended up in grazes and ripped trousers so plasters are always good to have 
3. Superdrug- Savlon - RRP, £1.50, has a range of uses, Cuts and grazes, insect bites and stings, minor burns and stings, you can also use it for skin problems such as blisters sores and chapped skin this is an all rounder great to keep stocked up on.
4. Superdrug - Antiseptic wipes - great for cleaning up cuts and grazes and for keeping children's hands clean if you are out with all the bugs flying around prevention is key.
5. Superdrug Haliborange Mr Men Little Miss Omega3 & multivits Softie 30 - RRP £5.99  - as well as being a balanced vitamin they will also keep help to keep your child in good health so they have the vitamins to fight off all the nasty bugs that are flying around.

I would also add to this list tissues - plenty of them for those runny noses, a good chap stick, lypsil or Vaseline for all those dry lips and noses, a good carpet cleaner and sickness bowl in case the kids do have a sickness bug, its a horrible time of year and as a parent its better to be prepared with children.

You could win the chance to buy all of these useful things and more. You can stock up your winter cupboard with essentials by telling me what you would add to the list? what is you absolute essential for keeping the germs at bay let me know and you could win yourself a £25 Superdrug voucher just enter via the Rafflecopter below and good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These winter essentials were sent to me from Superdrug for the purpose of this article all opinions expressed are honest and my own.

(Please note that all entries will be checked against comments for validation).

The first entry on the rafflecopter form to leave a comment on the post is mandatory

All other steps on the rafflecopter form are optional. 

Only one entry form per person is allowed (however, you can tweet with the bonus click entry daily or use the free entry to increase your chances).

This giveaway is for UK residents only.

Once the Rafflecopter picks a winner, I will check if the winner has done what was requested and I will contact them, if they do not reply within 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person.

The giveaway will begin on the 18/09/17 and will close on 16/10/17 at midnight.

You Have Got Your Hands Full! 10 quick Come Backs

Since having the twins I have heard this phrase "you have got your hands full" at least once a day but its getting to the point where I go out with the kids and hear it from at least three strangers a day and im not normally a negative person my glass is always half full but it is slowly driving me insane, I mean what exactly does it mean? That people think my life is really busy? That I cant cope? That I don't have any time for myself? Or are they implying that I shouldn't have five children that perhaps I am lazy or a baby making machine with no other life outside of motherhood.

When people say it sometimes I feel like they are looking down there nose at me, like I am, or have done something wrong, I usually just smile and say yes - I know people are probably just trying to make small talk and most but not all are not being rude, but I feel like an idiot just smiling and burying my eyes into the pushchair.

I am proud of my family every single one of them at there is not a single moment where I have thought I have got my hands full. There has got to be some better responses to use when people say "you have got your hands full" I put my thinking cap on and this is what I have come up with perhaps people will start to think before saying that god damn awful phrase.

• Feel free to take them off my hands for an hour.

• No there not, full were thinking of having some more.

• It just looks that way because I am small but I can handle a lot more than this.

• Yes but my heart is fuller. 

• Better than being empty.

• We just don't know how to say no. 

• Right? well I better sell a few. 

• We can't afford a television. 

• yep and I love every minute of it.

• Never a dull moment 

Its not easy being a parent, but as I will always say I personally would not change it for the world, so if your one of those people thinking of saying to a busy looking mum "you have got your hands full" try and maybe think of something more constructive to say for some mums a comment like that can make or break someones day. 

Do you have any more to add to the list? I would love to hear your thoughts? 

Relationship breakdowns, What about the children?

How difficult is it when relationships break down? as a young child, I think most people would say they dream of the perfect family, two point four children, a dog, a marriage, but in this day an age things are never that simple, people are quick to have children with people they think they know or as an accident/mistake/nice surprise its not wrong, I will be the first to hold my hands up to this, but long term it makes life difficult as some of these relationships will work and some just don't for many reasons - infidelity, personalty clash, age there are so many reasons relationships break down, which is hard when its just the normal person with no ties but each other.

What happens when there is children involved? - Many couples stay friends, many can be amicable for the sake of the children, share the parenting, share responsibility and then for others its a down right battle every step of the way, there are the dads that are fighting every corner for the rights to see there children or mums for that matter and then there are the few that just are not bothered if they see there children again the latter I myself can never understand.

But is it right to force someone to be in your children's lives if they don't want to be? whether it is a mum or a dad if that person doesn't want to be there for a child surely long term its going to cause that child more damage, or is it better to have them there no matter how rubbish you think the other person is as a parent giving the children the chance to learn for themselves - I honestly don't know the answer to this question its something that is personal to yourself, what I do know is that whatever the situation between yourself and the other parent the best way forward is not to argue - although you might not be arguing directly in front of the children they pick up on tension they feel your moods, they feel your pain, no matter how little or young you think they are trust me they know.

I do think that both parents deserve a fair shot no matter how much you dislike the other - this isn't about you anymore its about the children no matter how bad you feel, no matter how much you think they will be better off without that parent unless they have committed a major crime or have neglected them or are likely to (which has to be proven) I think they deserve to see there children and your child wont understand if you stop them seeing there parent, as far as they are concerned they love each parent equally so for there sake you need to put your differences aside, even bite your tongue if you have to, Always remember Children come first.

How can things be made easier?

• Work together - This means co-operating sort out the best arrangements to suit each other remember your both human and need each other to support each other lifestyle for example its no good trying to get the other party to agree to have your child a certain day if they have to work or have other commitments.
• Talk - When you have children especially younger children its hard to find out what there day has been like or what time they have eaten - or even if they have been to the toilet, sometimes you have got to exchange words, if you really feel like you don't want to talk to the other person or feel like you cant, you could try introducing a memo book or communication book which is solely used to write what the children have been doing or you could talk through a family member or friend that is completely neutral on both sides.   
• Keep cool - There are going to be times on both sides that you really want to scream and shout about things but seriously ask yourself what it is actually going to achieve long term, its not is it sometimes being a little tactful is the better way forward and might make things better in the long run.
• Remember Your Child has feelings - You may think that the other person is the worlds worst human, you may hate them or resent them for different reasons but all children know is that person is a person they love, don't make them feel like its wrong to like them or to talk about them and don't cloud there own views, let them make there own its important to put your differences aside for there sake. 

Any relationship breakdown of any form is difficult, I hope my list above helps you to think about your own situation, its so easy to get caught up in a battle of words and actions but ultimately when there is children involved its only them that matters - no matter how hard that is to swallow.

How have you coped with a relationship breakdown? Did you get caught up in the battle or arguments? and what has happened/is happening now I would love to hear your thoughts?  

           

Liam - Autism (ASD) the signs and whats happening now?

Its just over two weeks since Liam had his diagnosis of ASD - or Autistic spectrum disorder, you may be thinking what does that mean now? or what even is Autism? I thought I would tell you a little bit more about Autism - well what I have found out so far, and keep you updated on whats actually happening with Liam because its tough, it really is tough when you hear someone give you a diagnosis for your child, you feel alone, I think in that moment you can feel like the only person in the world that has a child that has autism and sometimes you just don't really know what to do next.



What I know so far about ASD and its traits, 

The signs and symptoms have always been there with Liam, I guess he is like a puzzle though, the diagnosis is about putting all his symptoms together, all his little ticks if you like and placing them in the right boxes to give him the right diagnosis here are the signs of Autism.

• Does not play with other children - Liam finds it very difficult to mix with children, he doesn't have any so to speak established friendships  and finds communication difficult.

• Joins in only if an adult insists and assists - What I mean by this is, he finds it difficult to be a part of things if he isn't encouraged, he would much rather be on his own.

• Indicates his needs by using someone else's hand - again communication can be very difficult for him and sometimes it finds it really difficult to display what he is thinking, so he will take you to what he wants or will point using my hands, instead of his own.  

• Inappropriate laughing and giggling - Liam displays this a lot when he is hurt he will laugh instead of crying, when he is happy he will sometimes behave like he is distressed.

• Lack of creative and pretend play - Liam hates dressing up he will only do it when he is really encouraged too and he isn't very creative either although a little encouragement sometimes goes a long way - even though by choice he would do none of the above.

• Variety is not the spice of life - he hates change anything from clothes to routines to room changes he cant manage with it it sends his anxiety through the roof - for example the living room was decorated at Easter - he is still asking for the old carpet back.

• Talks a lot about one topic -  Liam does this a lot things that he loves and knows a lot about he will talk for hours about - but only when he feels like it.

• Inappropriate eye contact - This is very true of Liam, he doesn't make eye contact a lot and when he does it is very fleeting.

• bizarre behaviour - Liam often does things that are very different to what a "normal" child would do for instance he will randomly lick objects or walls, floors, he will still chew toys and his clothes and sometimes find it very difficult to follow instructions.

• Echolactic - this means he copies things like a parrot, not all the time but he does do it.

This is what I have learnt so far and as you can see Liam fits all the boxes, autism is incurable, but with the right support at the right times, this will hopefully make an enormous difference to his life.
what happens now? Liam has been referred to nutritional services as he is obsessive about foods and different textures he just wont try new things but this is all to do with having heightened senses. As for the paediatrician he will not be seeing her anymore he has been refereed back to his GP which means anything he now needs his doctor will be the first person who we will be visiting.

How do I feel now? 

I feel disappointed I feel as though we were given his diagnosis and have just been left to deal with it I fell like we are no better off for having it, where are the support groups? or the classes to learn how we can make his life easier or better?  really I feel we are no further forward - but I am going to make it my mission to find out where the services are hiding and where the support is for parents - I will keep you updated.

What are services like in your area? what are your thoughts on being given a diagnosis and then just left to deal with it I would love to hear your thoughts.

How to pick the right holiday destination for a trip with the little ones

When you're planning a family holiday, there can be bigger fish to fry before you can even get round to wondering how many buckets and spades to bring or how many pairs of pants will be enough. First things firsts, you have to get the destination right.
Picking the location for a holiday with the kids may seem like an easy task, but there are multiple things you need to consider to ensure that the trip goes smoothly. Here are a few tips surrounding how to pick the right destination for your family holiday:

1.       Weather Check  - Whilst you and your partner may have always dreamt of holidaying in the Caribbean or Dubai, they might not be the most child-friendly destinations just in terms of the weather at certain times of year. Be sure to check average temperatures of the destinations on your shortlist, so you can see what the weather might be like at the time of year that you'd be visiting. If the mercury is going to be topping 30 degrees, you may want to reconsider. Heat of that kind is no fun for kids and you'll have to be ultra careful with sun protection which could mean you'll never be able to properly relax.

2.       Travel Time - Consider how long it's going to take you to get to your destination. If it's a long-haul flight then you may want to change you plans and go somewhere closer to home. Look at resorts in the canary islands, which offer good weather all year round but are only about 4 hours away by flight. Also, ensure that the transfer time is fairly short once you've landed, as there's nothing worse than one long journey after another with the kids in tow. Consider spending the extra on a private transfer, as it saves a lot of hassle at the airport, shortens the travel time and you'll be sipping cocktails at the pool by the time your fellow holidaymakers arrive in a shuttle bus.

3.       Things To Do -  Although mum and dad's idea of a holiday might involve doing as little as possible to get the most from the relaxation, family holidays aren't like that. You need to ensure that wherever you are going has plenty for the youngsters to do, whether it's a kid's club (which will give you a certain amount of time off), or some fun beach activities and excursions. Bored children can lead to tantrums and a ruined holiday.

4.        Budget - Every family wants to hop on the next plane to Disney World with their kids, but you need to be realistic about what you have to spend when booking a holiday. Don't get carried away and go over the top. Create a budget and stick to it.

5.       Suitability - It's no good looking at a resort that's going to be full of hens, stags and revellers for your family holiday. That won't be the kind of environment you want your children to be around, as a 24/7 drinking culture and constant loud music can make for an ugly family holiday setting. Avoid party resorts in the likes of Ibiza, Majorca and Cyprus and look further down the road at more family-friendly hotels if you do want to visit these islands, as they have plenty!

Just remember that careful planning is the key to ensuring that your family holiday goes without a glitch. You can never do too much research, but make sure that enough is carried out before you actually book rather than afterwards when you've already committed. It can be tricky to amend a booking if you've had a change of heart or realised that the destination you've picked isn't suitable for a family break after all.

Chris Clarkson, Managing Director of online holiday firm www.sunshine.co.uk

*this is a guest post

#Weaning Week, Baby led Weaning

Baby Led weaning has been around for years most parents do this without even knowing they are doing it, the confusing thing about baby led weaning is probably just by the name of it, So what is it? it basically means no purees, no ice cube trays, no food processor, no potato masher, no baby rice, no strange fruit and vegetable mixtures its just you and your child, eating food that you enjoy with you and your family.

The difference between baby led weaning and traditional weaning, is only in the order that children learn to eat, with a puree, they learn to swallow first and then chew, which works fine until they meet a lump. With baby led weaning, the babies learn to chew first and swallowing might come some time later.

How to get started with baby led weaning. 

The best time to try giving your baby finger foods, is when you and your family all sit down to eat. Remember never use this method before six months not only will most babies not be able to pick there own food up but there digestive system wont be ready and they won't know how to chew.

The easiest foods for babies to pick up themselves are the ones that have a natural handle about them like broccoli as they have a long stork, carrots that have been cooked so they are soft cut into stick shapes, you could even try bananas cut into strips so they are easy for your baby to hold.

Your baby might not eat them to start off with and just play with what you put in front of them, they might just suck on them but eventually once they learn what they like they will eat them. This method will also help them to learn how to use there pincer grip this is where they hold food in between there forefinger and thumb but to start off with they will just clasp food in there fist.

What are the benefits of baby led weaning.

By using the baby led weaning its encouraging your baby to try food for themselves they learn quicker about different tastes and textures, they learn how to handle food and eventually learn how to use there pincer grip effectively. It will also help to feel more independent and part of the family. Hopefully this will be fun, increase your babies confidence and your baby will develop a positive attitude towards food.

Money Habits to teach your children

It’s amazing how quickly children grow – one minute they’re tiny babies, depending on you for absolutely everything, and the next they’re fully fledged little people, setting out on the adventure of growing up.

And, because childhood seems to be a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of time, it’s not only important that you cherish every second of it, it’s also vital that you start instilling into your little ones the attitudes and behaviours that will put them in good stead when they venture out into the big, wide world.
Recently, I’ve been trying to make a concerted effort to teach my children good money habits. Don’t get me wrong, it’s something that I’ve always tried to do – but now I’m making a solid and conscious effort to get it right!

A friend of mine recommended this really great money advice video from Mrs Moneypenny – she’s got some great tips, and they gave me a really good starting point.

Set a good example It goes with out saying that the majority of your children’s spending habits will come from you – so make sure you practice what you preach and set a good example.

Pocket Money

The amount of pocket money that you should give your child is a question that I’m sure has been troubling parents all over the world for decades, if not more.
The fact is, there is no easy answer to this question; it’s completely down to your personal preference (and your budget, of course).
Mrs Moneypenny suggests giving your child one pound for every year of their life – so if they’re 10, give them £10 per week or month, if they’re 7, give them £7. I’m trialing this approach with my little ones and it seems to work really well, especially when they get a pay rise on their birthdays!

Budgeting

When it comes to teaching them the importance of budgeting, it’s never too early! I think it’s so important and it sets them up to be good money-managers in their adult life, so I’ve always encouraged my kids to save their pocket money and budget it, so that they can afford the things they want – whatever they may be.

One thing I hadn’t thought of though is getting them to split their pocket money three ways. This is one of the things Mrs Moneypenny suggests and it’s something that I’m definitely going to introduce in my household.

The way the concept works is by getting your little ones to split their money into three parts – one third to spend on something they want now, one third to save for something they might want to buy or do in the future, and one third to give to charity. This sounds like a great way to teach them good saving habits and I can’t wait to give it a try!

A few years in the future…

Although it’s probably not one for your toddlers, when your children start to reach their early teens, it’s a good idea to start introducing them to the concept of their credit report. This might sound strange, and to be perfectly honest it’s not something I’d considered before I discovered Mrs Moneypenny, but when you think about it, it’s a really worthwhile activity.
After all, it’s one thing telling your children about the impact that their financial decisions can have upon their future, but it hits home far more if they can see it for themselves. So take some time and go through their report with them, explain the things that can affect it, and how a negative report might well cause them problems in the not too distant future.