As women, do we talk enough to our men or daughters about periods? I'm not talking about trying to totally freak them out, but more about explaining the practicalities of them and what is available to use each month. I recently came across an interview with comedian Gary Meikle in which he talked about life as a single dad to his daughter. In it he mentioned how, when she started her periods, he realised that he knew nothing, and as a result he ended up asking the local shopkeeper for advice as to whether he should be buying tampons or towels for her. For girls, getting their period is an ... read more
Zoggs DC Super Heroes Collection
As a parent you sometimes think that you know a brand. You've bought their products yourself and also seen them being used by other parents. It's a brand that you're happy to buy and happy to recommend. You know and trust them. Then, as a blogger, you get the opportunity to work with said brand and look forward to doing so as you've been a satisfied customer of theirs for years. You go along to meet the brand, her more about them and see their latest product lines and at that point they absolutely blow you out of the water. Pun very much intended as that's exactly what Zoggs have done this ... read more
Fighting the Common Plights of Old Age
Old age is something that only certain people are fortunate to reach and attain, there are no two ways about it. But, even though it is a privilege to be able to reach old age, there are still some common plights that come with it. But, if you're going to live comfortably in your twilight years, then you're going to have to do all you can to fight these plights. Or, if you want an elderly relative of yours to live comfortably in these years of rest, then you should help them fight these plights too. For advice on what should be done, make sure to read on. Image source Fighting bad ... read more
A Healthy Family Is A Happy One
Health is a big topic across all forums and sources of education and for a family, health has to be important. Whether you’re dealing with preschoolers or teenagers, your children need to be aware of their health and what it means to make good choices across their lives. As a parent, you are the driving force behind their health and wellbeing, so while you’re controlling the kitchen and their activities, you should be the one to ensure they are eating well and moving enough. Health matters a great deal and if you are putting emphasis on the fun side of health, the whole family can ... read more
As easy as riding a bike…
Do you remember learning to ride a bike? For years I struggled so much with balancing, then one day I was round at a friends house on a playdate and somehow I just mastered it. I've still no idea how I did it, but things just clicked and the next thing I knew I was happily riding around her garden as if I'd been doing it for years. There's something about riding a bicycle that I just love. A sense of freedom as you ride along with the wind in your hair. Or more accurately nowadays, with the wind rushing past your aerodynamically designed cycling helmet! It may not have the same romantic ... read more
Don’t Let Your Summer Health Disappear Into Autumn
Summer has finished (rubbish), the kids are back at school (phew), and you’re probably getting used to the morning routine and the change in weather (although, there wasn’t loads of sun over the summer holidays). The longer days and the sunshine make it much easier to enjoy healthy food and get outside to keep active, which results in you feeling pretty good about yourself from about May through to September. However, once autumn is in full swing and the days are short and far colder than before; it’s a challenge to keep up with the active side of life and munching on healthy food all day ... read more
Using technology to get a good night’s sleep #ElectricSleep
There was a time that we were all told to avoid technology before bedtime if we wanted a good night's sleep. The general idea was that if you were looking at a screen, or interacting with technology in any other way, it would prevent your brain from winding down properly before you drifted off to sleep. Even if you did manage to nod off, the sleep you had would not be as deep or restful. As technology has changed and advanced, opinions towards it and sleep have changed somewhat. It used to be the case that people might curl up with a book in bed, and some old-fashioned types like me still ... read more
Staying active at the office with #OfficeYoga
One of the benefits of being self employed and working from home is that I don't have work colleagues watching how I work. I can either sit at a desk or table like a "normal" working person. I can sit on the sofa with my feet up, or even sit in bed in my PJs with my laptop balanced on my knee. I can get up at any point and wander around and sometimes I even find myself walking up and down the garden whilst on the phone. Basically, I can be as comfortable as I want and as mobile as I want, but I realise that not everyone's as lucky. If you're sat in a traditional office and hunched over a ... read more
The week I completed a marathon…
The week before last I ran a marathon. 26.2 miles. Ok, maybe I should come clean. I didn’t run that marathon. Not the London one. And actually I didn’t run the whole thing. I walked some of it. And I also didn’t do it all in one go. It was spread out over the whole week. But, despite all that, I still completed a marathon last week. Something which before I would have doubted I could do. And if I’m really, really honest, half way through the week I was still doubting I could do it. But do it I did, and actually I’m pretty damn proud of myself as it happens. I’ve been rather quite about all ... read more
Challenging myself to Swim the Distance
Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know that one of my least favourite times of the week is taking my kids to their weekly swimming lesson. I've always considered swimming a life skill and it's also something that both of them enjoy, but boy, the whole getting them out of the pool, showered and dressed again in a cramped changing cubicle thing can drive me mad! Especially as all three of us are tired and hungry at that point. To make the whole thing somewhat more bearable though I've started using the time that they're in their lessons to try to improve my swimming and have a bit of me ... read more