Things to do with the kids this February break in London

London is a big place with no shortage of fun family-friendly activities to keep you entertained this half-term. If you’re planning a whistle-stop tour of the capital, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss out on any gems. Be sure to ask friends and family if they have any recommendations of places you could visit while you’re in town. Here are a few fun things to do in London during February half-term:

Ahoy, Matey!

You can’t take kids to London without calling into the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. It’s filled with vintage toys that will leave you feeling nostalgic for the good old days. This half-term, A Pirate’s Life For Me at the V&A is the perfect way to entertain your daredevil kids. The interactive pirate ship is sure to be a hit with your swashbuckling kids.

Vintage TV screenings

If you want to introduce your kids to vintage children’s TV, the National Children’s Centre has you covered. They are screening various shows from the good old days during half-term. Best of all, it’s free to attend once you’ve paid entry into the museum. Find out more and plan your magical visit here.

Head to Knight School

If your kids love crafts, roleplay and using their imaginations, they’ll love Knight School at the Tower of London. Interactive, educational and medieval, it’s the perfect way to learn all about this important aspect of London’s history.

Go crazy this half-term

If you don’t have plans you may end up going crazy this half-term, but you can prevent that happening by finding a brilliant activity for all the family. Crazy golf is a fun game for all the family and with plenty of stunning mini-courses across the capital, you should be able to find a venue near you.

Check out plonkgolf.co.uk to find your nearest crazy golf course in the capital and get ready to have some fun this winter.

Spend time with Charlie Brown this half-term

Charlie Brown is just as cool now as he was in the 1960s, and Snoopy is just as hilarious ever. Head down to Somerset House to take a look at this exhibition. See Charlie Brown, Snoopy and other much-loved characters in all their glory and teach the next generation about this iconic cartoon.

Don’t forget, if the weather is nice during half-term, London has some amazing parks you can visit without having to spend a penny. The Princess Diana Memorial Playground is particularly good, so be sure to drop by if you have an hour or two to kill.

This is a collaborative post.

Photo by Dan Roizer on Unsplash

5 Tips For Updating Your Bathroom

If you saw the dark brown bathroom suite and floor to ceiling floral tiles of Britain’s Worst Bathroom, you might be thinking about updating your bathroom. If you haven’t see the aforementioned bathroom, go look now, you won’t regret it.

The problem with bathrooms is that you quite often inherit them. And, unlike a bedroom which might just require a quick paint job, redecorating bathrooms can be costly. You might end up having to tolerate the bathroom until you can afford to redecorate. A full bathroom redesign can cost thousands of pounds. And, since it’s not a job you’re like to do often, it’s important you end up with a bathroom you’ll love for years to come. If you’re about to embark on a bathroom redesign, you’re probably spending lots of time researching the different options available to you. For re-designing of your bathrooms in Harrogate, Visit our website Harrogate Bathrooms.

Here are some things to consider when updating your bathroom:

1. Best use of the space

If you’re completely redoing your bathroom, now is the time to think about moving the suite or adding in a separate shower. Plumbing changes add costs, but, if you can afford it, it might be worth it to get the bathroom of your dreams. If you have the space for a separate shower cubicle, it’s definitely worth adding one to the room. Imagine the room stripped back to an empty box, where do you want the bath to go? Where will the toilet be best placed? Start from scratch to get the bathroom you really want.

2. Include storage

Good storage keeps a bathroom looking new and clean. Make sure you have enough storage for all of the kid’s toys, the flannels and all the tubs, bottles and razors lurking in your bathroom. Having somewhere to hide this stuff away will make all the difference to your bathroom. Check out bathroom suites which incorporate storage, like sinks with big drawers or cupboards built in. These provide a clever way to use space even in small bathrooms.

3. Seek out inspiration

Don’t start a home project without first creating an inspiration board. You can do this easily online using Pinterest or by collecting cuttings from magazines. Since this redesign is going to cost a lot of money, it needs to be perfect. Explore all of your options at the research stage and identify the features you do or don’t want. Pick your colour scheme, and find inspiration from photos of existing bathrooms. Don’t rush into any decisions, give yourself time to fully explore the possibilities.

4. Shop around

You don’t have to buy everything from one place, sometimes it pays to shop around. Not only could you save money, but it also means you can find all the things you love. From a budget point of view, look around for sales and promo codes that could save you money. And from a finishes point of view, if you want black taps but your supplier doesn’t stock them, look elsewhere. Don’t settle for anything less than perfect.

5. Finishing touches

The finishing touches are what makes your bathroom yours. It’s the prints and plants and decorative touches that give your bathroom style. These are things you should ideally think about during the planning stage, but they can also be added in at the last minute. Plants look great in bathrooms and add a feeling of freshness to what could otherwise feel like quite a sterile room of the home.

Happy bathroom hunting!

This is a collaborative post.

Photo by Kirsten Marie Ebbesen on Unsplash

The Curse Of The Squawking Toddler

I don’t know if this is a second child thing, or if we have just done a terrible job of parenting the second time around, but my two-year-old squawks.

She also talks, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t some weird new way of communicating. She hasn’t developed her own language or figured out a way to share anecdotes with her feather friends. It’s a thing she does as well as talking, not at the same time you understand, but just as an extra tool in her communicating toolbox. She’s got the expressive facial expressions down (shit-eye much?), the body language (she can throw her arms in the air like no other), the angry sentences (‘no, mummy, I not use my words,’ said defiantly and often) and now she has the squawk.

It is high-pitched and loud and very much like the kind of sound you would expect to hear from a deranged and tortured bird. We live in a terraced house so I am expecting the RSPCA to knock on the door any day now. ‘Excuse me, ma’am, but we received reports of a bird of prey being mistreated.” Our local RSPCA officer is probably American and I almost certainly have the eyebags to pull off ma’am.

The squawk comes during times of great neglect. Like the time I told her she couldn’t have another biscuit or the time I politely suggested it might be bedtime. Sometimes she does it at 3 am because she is enraged that she needs the toilet (if you own a lucrative earplug factory, it is probably our neighbours making you rich). Sometimes she does it because she doesn’t like her dinner or because she wants to go out in January wearing only her sister’s t-shirt (no shoes, no knickers, no coat).

It starts with a warning. A wide-mouthed wide-eyed silent scream to let me know she means business. If I do not immediately concede and let her have what she wants, the squawk starts. It is loud, especially loud between the hours of midnight at 4 am, I have noticed. Sometimes, it is a short sharp note not unlike a smoke alarm. Other times it turns into an endless high-pitched shriek that only culminates when she runs out of breath. Thank god for her toddler-sized lungs otherwise she would probably already have an ASBO.

I have observed the reactions of our cat and nearby wildlife and it is clear that my toddler is no Dolittle, the squawk merely comes from a place of spite. She does it for no other reason than because she can. I am hoping she will grow out of it, that one day she will simply learn to say ‘I’m disappointed to hear that,’ instead of squawking like an unhinged bird frothing from the beak.

I am not used to this unnecessary screech, my first child displayed her annoyance at this age by saying things like, ‘I want to scrunch you up and throw you in the bin.’ Now that I could handle. If anything, my heart swelled with pride at her threats and insults, my talented little wordsmith. I struggle to feel anything when faced with the squawk, especially when I am half asleep.

She will grow out of it, right?

* Squawk not pictured.

5 tips for the perfect pre-spring clean

5 tips for the perfect pre-spring clean

I haven’t yet watched Tidying Up on Netflix but it’s on my list of things to binge. Our house is feeling pretty cluttered at the moment. I spent most of yesterday sorting through my bedroom and getting rid of things I don’t want or need. I gave the playroom the same treatment before Christmas, though it probably needs doing again thanks to Father Christmas.

With a house full of new toys and books, now feels like the perfect time for a pre-spring clean to set the house up for the year ahead — here are five fab tips to get you started.

1. Cruelty-free hand cream

This time of year is not kind to hands, add in some cleaning products and elbow grease and you have a disaster waiting to happen. Grab some cruelty-free hand cream from natural store Kijani Living — ingredients like lemon, peppermint and cocoa butter will keep your hands supple and smooth while you spring clean.

2. Green duster

Our house has high-ceilings so a duster is needed to get rid of hard-to-reach cobwebs. Opt for an eco-friendly duster like the ones from Greener Cleaner which are 100 per cent crafted from wood pulp and Eco-Flek.

3. Gentle furniture polish

Cleaning seems to be on-trend at the moment and I’m sure that the companies who make cleaning products are enjoying booming sales. Worryingly, many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that you may want to think twice about before using them in your home.

Amazon’s selection of eco-friendly furniture polishes is pretty impressive. Opt for a product with natural scents and oils to reduce its impact on the environment.

4. Make your own

If you’re hoping to reduce your reliance on plastic this year, you might consider making your own cleaning products. This will save you money, keep your home free from harmful chemicals and reduce your plastic waste. There are plenty of videos and blogs explaining how to make effective cleaning products yourself.

5. Tough door mats

A practical product to place at your door is a tough yet attractive door mat which will trap external dirt and detritus and protect your carpets from gunk and grime.

Specialist mats from hygiene gurus Kleen-Tex have plenty of options — their classic kleen-scrape model is grease, oil and solvent-resistant, so it’ll cope admirably with fierce family footfall from children, pets and guests.

Can you add any cleaning tips? Please share them in the comments section.

This is a collaborative post.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

#FamilyHolidays2019 — 5 tips for food, leisure and logistics

#FamilyHolidays2019 — 5 tips for food, leisure and logistics

January is a funny old month, isn’t it? Christmas is over for another year and, with it, all of the stress of buying presents, writing cards, hosting family and drinking your weight in vegan Baileys. The weather isn’t great (though arguably, this year is pretty mild so far) and you’re probably skint.

One guaranteed way to improve your mood is to start planning your summer holiday. Whether you’re heading across the globe to a luxury resort or popping across to France in your caravan, a vegan holiday takes a little bit of forward-planning.

So here are five tips for food, leisure and logistics on your 2019 family break.

1. Vegan restaurant finder

Some cuisines are more accessible to vegans than others — for instance, India has lots of inspirational plant-based dishes but you might struggle a little more for food options in the Czech Republic.

However, locating vegan restaurants on HappyCow.net takes the stress out of eating on holiday — browse their desktop site or download the app to find your plant-based fix in over 185 nations worldwide. You’ll be able to find not only vegan restaurants but other eateries in the area that serve vegan options.

2. Vegan passport

The Vegan Passport is a multilingual phrasebook developed by The Vegan Society which provides the phrases for ordering animal-free fare in 78 languages — including Zulu and Igbo as well as Euro favourites French and German.

96 per cent of all global languages are covered and there are handy photo prompts to be double-sure nothing gets lost in translation.

This indispensable travel tool is now available in app form — check vegansociety.com for details.

3. Vegan airline food

I haven’t flown long-distance since my honeymoon and back then vegan airline food was pretty grim. A lot has changed since then, though, and I am assured by my forever-backpacking sister that airline food is now pretty tasty.

A recent airline food poll by Vegan News found Emirates to be the best airline for vegan meals. With delectable dishes like meat-free lasagna peppered with premium ingredients, this is one carrier that doesn’t make alternative diet options feel like an afterthought. If you want a vegan meal on your flight, don’t forget to book this in advance.

4. Family airport lounges

Several UK airports offer family lounges with affordable deals if you book ahead of time. And if you want to secure a stress-free start to your trip, these havens of tranquillity just yards from the busy concourse are heaven-sent. Aspire Lounges at  Manchester’s terminals 1-3 welcome kids of age 2 and over. Check online to see if your departure airport offers something similar.

5. Airport parking

Cruising to the airport in your own car can be conducive to calm when your party includes children at a range of difficult ages — and it’s so convenient hopping back in your ride on the return leg of your trip.

So booking airport parking with Looking4.com helps you bag a bargain on park and ride or valet services and provides peace of mind that your vehicle will be stored safely and securely while you’re away.

This is a collaborative post.

Photo by Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa on Unsplash

How Much Freedom Should A Seven-Year-Old Have?

It takes a while to settle into a new job role, doesn’t it? At first, you feel unsure of what you’re doing and terrified that the rest of your colleagues can tell. And then your confidence starts to grow and people start asking you for your advice and, eventually, you feel like you belong. How long that takes varies from job to job, with parenting, it takes more than seven years. I have now been a mother for seven whole years and I am no wiser (but plenty older) than I was on day one.

The thing about parenting is that it’s constantly changing. As soon as you think you have the hang of something, the world spins and everything you thought you ‘knew’ comes crashing down around you. I remember that so well from when my firstborn was a baby. I knew when she would sleep and how to soothe her and how often she would feed, and then a regression would hit and it was as though she’d been switched for a completely different baby.

I’ve noticed that parenting gets both easier and harder at the same time. Toddlers might sleep a little better than newborns, but they also put a lot of energy into trying to escape from your grip when you’re walking down busy roads. They may not leave you with chapped nipples, but they will throw a bowl of tomato soup at your once-white kitchen walls. Four-year-olds can be reasoned with, but they are also capable of biting other kids on the heads when they don’t get their own way. Six-year-olds may be the perfect companions for days out and restaurants, but they will shout that they hate you when they’re mad at you.

My eldest daughter turned seven this week and, for some reason, this feels huge. Seven is on the cusp of something, isn’t it? Seven isn’t big or mature, but it’s heading in that direction. It feels, to me, a world away from six. Seven seems like the right time to start giving her some freedom, to let her out into the world to make decisions and mistakes for herself (with me, pressed up against the front bedroom window, watching intently, probably). To me, she still seems so little, but she isn’t really. She’s growing up fast, and it’s important to me that she grows up feeling sure of herself and I think independence is an important part of that.

So now, as a parent, I have the tough job of navigating this awkward in-between stage somewhere little and desperately wanting not to be. She isn’t yet demanding things older kids have, there are things she would like, sure, but nothing she is desperate for. She isn’t begging to do things by herself, but I don’t necessarily think I need to wait for her to reach that stage before she gets some independence.

One thing I feel very aware of at the moment, probably because it’s January and we’ve been spending a lot of time indoors, is how little freedom Ebony really has. We live on a fairly busy road so she can’t play out on the street. I asked about independence over on Facebook and quite a few parents said their kids were allowed to play out with kids on the street. That sadly isn’t an option for us because we live on a busy road. And that causes problems with the other things she could do because crossing that busy road is necessary to get most places she could go. I think I will work on her road crossing skills over the coming weeks and then reassess.