kids Archives - Journeys Are My Diary

Getting ready for “Back to School”

August 26, 2017 by Bel Leave a Comment

There’s still one week left in August but already I’m beginning to think about the kids going back to school. As much as I love having them around for the summer holidays (and I promise I’m not sick of them and looking forward to sending them back again), I do dread the expense of “back to school”. For some reason, Summer seems to be that one time when they need loads more school uniform, new shoes and then a school bag, lunch boxes stationery etc.

School Uniform

With Lily’s school uniform, I’m very lucky that a school jumper or cardigan with the logo on, is not compulsory. As such, all her uniform tends to get bought from places like Asda and Tesco, who have tops, skirts, trousers etc. all around £4-5 mark. These are also great places to get PE kit, socks, underwear etc. Megan on the other hand, wears school uniform that is all very specific to her school and is quite regulated too. Last year, when she started in Year 7, I spent almost £200 on new school uniform and that was only one blazer, one pack of shirts, one skirt, one trousers etc. Luckily this year I don’t have much she needs to top up on, other than some more short sleeve blouses.

Shoes

Ever since the girls first started wearing shoes, I have always taken them each year to get their feet measured at Clarks and then buy a pair each to last the year. While I’m all for shopping on a budget, £35-40 is well spent on a pair of Clarks shoes, given that they do last the whole year. Today I took the girls to get their shoes and funny enough the girls ended up with the exact same pairs as this time last year (except in bigger sizes of course). Megan is now fitting in a 3.5, while Lily is in a 1.

Backpacks

As well as the obvious school uniform necessities, there are plenty of extras that are needed for the school year. Last year Megan had a backpack from Asda Living which was really cute, but unfortunately it lasted about 3 months before one of the zips broke. In the end, she made her way through three backpacks during the whole year and we’re anticipating similar this year. That said, all the backpacks we bought previously were fairly cheap and so after quizzing her on what friends seem to have, Jacks Wills seems to be a brand we could try. Luckily Lily bought herself a Joker bag during the middle of last year and she is very keen to continue using that, along with her every growing collection of pom pom keyrings.

Stationery

Last but not least of course, is all the stationery, notebooks, calculators etc, that are needed – especially for Megan at secondary school. For the most part she has everything from last year, but a trip to Smiggle last week gave us a top up on some mechanical pencils and highlighter pens. To be honest there was a lot more there that we could have bought, but we behaved ourselves for the time being. Megan did join the Smiggle VIP club however, so no doubt we’ll be back there before too long.

Decoding Dreams

November 11, 2016 by Bel Leave a Comment

Dreams have been a huge topic in our house recently, especially as both my girls tend to have them every night. For me, I don’t ever remember having dreams as a child (though I’m sure I did) and for the majority of my adult life I barely had any either. Many times my friends would talk about their dreams and all I could say was “I don’t really have any”. However I’ve noticed over the last few years I do seem to have more and as I’ve always known, its my brains way of processing everything that happens. I don’t know if I have a more stressful life nowadays, or maybe more things happen that need processing – but whatever the reason, I definitely have dreams more often than not these days.

Last night, I had one of those dreams that you’re not really sure if it’s good or bad. The dream itself was good I suppose. I don’t remember it clearly now (and honestly I’m trying not to as well) but my dad was in it and it was happy and I was happy and there was love. However when I woke with a start this morning, I realised it was just a dream. Then there was that bittersweet moment as reality set in that my dad wasn’t around and that I couldn’t talk to him or see him, or hug him as I had in my dream – as he died twelve years ago. All morning I’ve felt a bit shaky, a bit like I want to cry and the truth is I know why I dreamt it, as there is family drama going on – especially that which involves my mum and I can only imagine how much she might be missing him right now.

Luckily though, Lily came down this morning and was all chatter about a weird and wonderful dream that she had. The girls always make me smile with their dreams as they’re nearly always happy, but if not then at least strange and funny. They used to have nightmares a lot when they were younger and I put most of that down to the fact they had good imaginations so they worked overtime when they sleep. Now I’m glad they are better at enjoying their dreams and can make the most wonderful stories based on them. Sometime we try to pick apart what their dreams might mean and I’ve sometimes even googled the odd thing when it’s been a really specific dream.

In association with Adjustamatic adjustable beds, I wanted to share this video about explaining kids dreams. I love that as a child, your mind sort of protects you from the bad aspects of your thoughts and puts them into more relatable stories in your dreams. That said, as far as my bad dream went last night, seeing my dad and being able to hug him again was actually a really special part of my dream – so maybe our mind is always looking out for us, in its own way.

Life Lately (Summer Holidays)

August 5, 2016 by Bel Leave a Comment

I’ve been a little quiet lately and that’s partly because I’m busy with Closet Geek but also because the kids are off on Summer holidays. While we haven’t done much so far, we have been camping (last weekend) and we’re going to a Harry Potter convention this weekend (followed by a Yule Ball).

I have updates to make including my round up of July, our camping trip to Staxton (near Scarborough), of course the Harry Potter convention and maybe even a review of Curlformers. Please understand that it’s not because I don’t want to be here, its just that I want to enjoy my time with the kids and of course, complete my orders!

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Should You Have New Year Resolutions For Your Kids?

December 15, 2015 by Bel Leave a Comment

At this time of year, we’re all pretty busy with getting Christmas just right for our children. We want them to have a memorable time and all the presents we can afford. As parents, we’re probably dreading the battle of the Brussels sprouts, though. Why is it kids just won’t eat their vegetables? Still, the tree is up, the presents are wrapped, and my shopping list for food is prepared. I’m doing pretty well!

Being this organised gives me time to think about next year. I know I had some New Year resolutions last year that I was determined to stick to. I didn’t manage it. But I’m convinced next year will be my year. I will lose that weight. I will move my life in the right direction. While I’m thinking about fixing my own life, I can’t help but think about all the things I would like to happen for my kids in 2016.

I’m not sure that New Year resolutions are the best way to encourage your kids to do well, though. I would love them to start the year full of optimism and drive to learn new things and better themselves. But I think it needs to be their choice, not mine. We’ve talked a little about some of the things they should be working toward next year. Most of the conversations end up discussing the possibility of visiting Disneyland though!

We’ve talked about learning new things. Music has been important in my life since I was a little girl. I would love the children to have a passion for it. Starting music lessons could be an option but I know they need to be keen to see the lessons through. I don’t want to be buying expensive instruments if they’re going to quit within the year. I know that you can hire clarinets and flutes. You can even take on a piano hire. It’s something to talk about.

There is, of course, the problem of noise when you live nearby of the neighbours. When you think about most instruments, they are pretty loud. With pianos, you can, at least, choose between an acoustic and a digital piano with a headphone socket. It might be worth hiring a piano to see how we get on with it. Who knows, I might even take up some lessons too!

Dance classes and swimming classes have come up as well. Doing something active would be good for the kids to do. It can improve their fitness as well as help them meet other kids. I would have loved to take dancing classes and be elegant and graceful in that way. It’s such a creative thing to do. Will my kids enjoy it? I don’t know. Anything that they do is great at first. But like most kids, boredom can set in, and they lose interest.

Taking on new interests and hobbies is a great New Year resolution for anyone. When it comes to the kids, though, perhaps you can steer them in one direction or another. After all, they won’t know if they like it until they try it. What would you love your kids to be doing in 2016?

My Fave Fun Things to Do With the Kids

September 22, 2015 by Bel 1 Comment

This post is contributed by Alex.

When you have kids, your world completely changes. You’re not focused on entertaining yourself anymore, you need to keep them happy and entertained. It can also help if the way you entertain them also teaches them a thing or two! Here are my fave fun things to do with the kids. Take a look for some inspiration!

Picnics

I love going for picnics with the kids. They love it too, especially on a nice day somewhere beautiful. We take a cosy blanket, and healthy snacks as well as a few treats. I like to take flasks of tea too. I always invite other members of the family to see if they want to come along too. If the weather is bad, no need to panic; indoor picnics are fun too!

Hiking

Hiking helps you to stay active and get some exercise as a family. I have a book that I like to pick routes from, so we only do one twice if we really enjoyed it. It’s always nice to explore new places in the area!

Arts and Crafts

I love doing arts and crafts with the kids. It helps to expand their imagination and improves so many skills depending on what we’re doing that day. We make jewellery, cards, and even just paint pretty pictures. It can get messy, but that’s what you sign up for when you have kids.

Theme Parks

If you want a fun day out with your brood, theme parks are a must. There are so many theme parks dotted all over the UK, so you have a lot of choice. There are nearly always bits especially for kids there too, with rides themed around programs like Wallace and Gromit. There’s nothing like watching your kids have an amazing time somewhere like this. And trust me, they’ll sleep well when you put them to bed.

Gardening

Gardening helps us all to get some sunlight and fresh air. The kids love to help me get rid of weeds and plant flowers. Even just water the garden! They learn all about bugs and things and take a real interest in gardening. You know what they say too, it’s good for them to get their hands dirty.

Cooking

Cooking teaches kids about what foods go well with other foods, different flavours, healthy meals, and so much more. They love creating things with me in the kitchen and then eating what we’ve made! We don’t always bake cakes and things; sometimes they just help me with the dinner.

Reading

Reading to kids helps them to expand their vocabulary and listening skills. If you take it in turn to read, they also improve their reading and speaking skills. Not to mention you both get to enjoy a great story together!

I guarantee you’ll have so much fun with your kids and love spending the quality time together. Make time for things like this at least a few times a week to help them develop and grow. Thanks for reading!

Book Review – Mister Cleghorn’s Seal by Judith Kerr

September 18, 2015 by Bel Leave a Comment

You may well have heard of Judith Kerr before and if you have, the chances are it’s because of the childrens book “The Tiger that Came to Tea” or the Mog books. However I was offered her latest book “Mister Cleghorn’s Seal” to review and since it’s aimed at 7+ years, I figured it would be perfect as my girls are 7 and 10.

Lily and I read the book together as a bed time story, over 3-4 nights. It’s not a big book and it isn’t broken into chapters, but it’s more than you’d want to read in one sitting, unless you were sitting down for maybe 30 minutes or so.

An exquisite new story to delight readers young and old, from a much-loved writer and illustrator.

What do you do if you find an abandoned seal pup on a rock in the middle of the sea? Well, take it home with you to your flat, of course.

At least that’s what Mr Albert Cleghorn thought, though perhaps he hadn’t considered all the complications…

This is the story of what then happened to Mr Cleghorn and Charlie the seal in their determination to find a home for Charlie and, incidentally, happiness for them both.

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, Mister Cleghorn’s Seal is a classic in the making from the inimitable Judith Kerr.

Lily and I both enjoyed the book – a story about Mister Cleghorn, who now retired, is lost for something to do and takes a vacation by visiting his brother. While there he find a seal and decides to take it home with him. The story is cute and endearing, it’s also well written and enjoyable. However, I’m not entirely convinced that the target audience is 7+. Lily did enjoy the book, but it wasn’t really on par with a lot of the other books we’ve been reading recently – James and the Giant Peach, Matilda etc. It was probably the right reading level for her – as in, she could have read it herself – but the storyline probably wouldn’t have been something she would have picked.

As a massive fan of stories like Catch a Star, Lost and Found, Room on the Broom, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and even The Tiger that Came to Tea, I didn’t find this book in the same league. It’s a good story and I enjoyed reading it, but I think it’s still a young child’s book when being read to a child, and unfortunately not the right topic to attract 7+ years.

Things No One Tells You About Divorce (From Someone Who Knows)

September 15, 2015 by Bel Leave a Comment

This post has been contributed by Alex.

...And Then Sometimes Valentine's Day Sucks!

As you know, I’ve had a divorce, and so I know how it feels. Some people think that a divorce is the end of the world, but that is not the case. Despite what you may think right now, you will carry on and live your life. When a relationship comes to an end, it is best to let it go. Trying to hold onto something that’s no longer there is not healthy. In the long run, it will only cause you more pain than you need to feel. If you are thinking about getting a divorce, I would like to offer some advice.

Your kids should be your priority

If you have children, you need to put them first. Many children find it hard to cope with a divorce. That is normal. The most important thing on your part is that you support them. They need to know that you both love them no matter what. Kids tend to internalize things and think that everything is their fault. You need to make it 100% clear that is not the case. You don’t want your children blaming themselves for this issue. Instead, you need to show them that you care no matter what happens.

It doesn’t have to be painful

Most people think that divorce has to be super painful and long. In reality, you can get a divorce that is almost painless.The experts at Quick Divorce say that it can be much faster than you imagine. If you and your partner agree that it’s the end of the line, things will be quite simple. All you need to do is talk to your spouse about what you both want. If there is no bitterness between you, there is no need to make things hard. You should help one another through this time.

It will be hard to explain

When you get a divorce, there is one thing you will notice. Everyone will expect you to explain why you’re getting it. Don’t worry – people just want to see that you are okay. If it all gets too much, you can tell people to back off a little. They will understand why you need space. Of course, you need to explain the divorce to your kids. They have a right to know. Don’t worry too much about everyone else. You can talk to them when you are good and ready. Before that time comes, you don’t owe them an explanation at all.

You will feel better soon

Believe it or not, you will feel better again soon. When you end a relationship, it can be tough. It’s hard to get over a breakup. It’s even more difficult than that to get over a divorce. When you file the paperwork, it will all feel a little surreal. Just go with it. In due time, you will start to feel like yourself again. That is all you can ask for in the long run. Remember, sometimes marriages don’t work. That’s not as bizarre as you might think. You need to make sure that everyone is happy, including yourself.

Game Review – Dobble Card Game

September 15, 2015 by Bel 5 Comments

Have you ever heard of Dobble? It’s such a fun game and this last week I played it with the kids. We had such a good time that I wanted to share it with you!

Dobble is what I would call, a quick game or a starter game. It’s ideal as a travel game or something to do with the kids, but if you were having a gaming evening, Dobble would be a good game to start with, to get everyone in the mood. Inside of the box, is round cards. The cards are made up of multiple symbols, different on every card but always with one overlapping to another card. There are 5 suggested mini games that you can play with these cards, so the girls and I gave each one a go.

I don’t know if you can read the instructions, but set up is really simple. One face down card in front of each player and a draw pile in the middle with face up cards. On go, players turn their card over and try to match a symbol from their own card, to the card on the draw pile. As soon as they spot one, they say the name of the symbol out loud and take the card. This continues till the draw pile is gone and the person with the most cards wins! Simple right? But honestly a lot of fun. The other games are all similar, but with a slight variation to make a different game.

After playing all of the games, the girls and I loved Hot Potato best. This got us shouting and screaming and in turn laughing loudly. It was a lot of fun and actually the girls were much better at this game than me. Megan also liked the first one, while Lily liked the last one. As you can see from each of the instructions, each mini game is just a little different and you can even make a tournament using all five games.

While the game is totally suitable for children from about 7-8 years old upwards, its also fun for adults. I had a blast playing it myself with the kids but I can’t wait to play a game with my friends too.

Do you like the sound of Dobble, would you like one for yourself? Well obviously you could buy one from retailers such as Argos, WHSmiths, John Lewis or Tesco and Waterstones on the High Street (RRP £12.99)… or you could just enter my competition! The conditions are really easy! Enter with the rafflecopter below, until the end of September, when a winner will be drawn at random. Only open to UK residents I’m afraid, as the item is being directly shipped from Esdevium Games.

a Rafflecopter giveaway