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Gift ideas for 5 year olds
I’m in the thick of it. Class parties. My eldest started school in September and there’s been plenty of party invites rolling into her book bag and my WhatsApp. Five seems to be the age when kids start asking for parties. Ida has has whole day planned, and I’m sure she’s not the only one.…
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How I’m preparing for birth – Books, podcasts, and tips
I love to read and listen to podcasts. Podcasts are basically free lessons or therapy even. I’d used podcasts and books to help me get through the heartbreak of a miscarriage. When I was hoping for a baby and when found out I was pregnant, I lent on podcasts and books again. I listened to…
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Christmas Budgeting Hacks
There’s so much pressure at Christmas. Have to see Santa somewhere. Have to buy the teacher a Christmas gift. Have to cram the diary full of activities for the kids. Have to book in Christmas drinks with everyone you haven’t seen all year. Add in buying Christmas gifts and cards and December quickly becomes a…
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Pack my hospital bag with me – what I’ll be packing for baby number three and what I’ll leave out this time!
I’ve had two babies in hospital. Each time I’ve packed my hospital bag at about 37 weeks. I’m 32 weeks pregnant now and starting to think about what I’ll pack and what I’ll leave out this time. Toiletries After giving birth, I was desperate for a shower. Birth is a messy business. As soon as…
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How to budget for statutory maternity pay
It’s no secret that maternity pay in the UK isn’t great. You’ll get 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) then £184.03 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for 33 weeks. Norway’s parental leave is very generous. Covering 49 weeks at full income, or 59 weeks with 80% income. When I…
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How your relationship changes when you have kids
When you’re curled up together on the sofa, with your partners hand on your bump, you might say things like “We won’t change.” “We’ll stay the same, won’t we.” “The baby will just fit into our life.” In my experience, things change. But, it’s not always a bad thing. Here are a few ways your…
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What I learned from my trip to Disneyland Paris – and what I’ll do different next time
In August 2024, me, Matt, Ida (4), and Martha (2) went to Disneyland Paris. We had the most incredible time. You can read my thoughts on: Now I’ve had a month to digest Disneyland Paris, I’ve thought about the things I’d do different next time. I’ve also thought about ways to save money, have more…
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Soft Play Review: Clara’s Corner
Clara’s Corner is a toddler soft play in West Wycombe. It’s fairly new, maybe 2023, 2024, and everything still looks well loved. Soft play isn’t my favourite thing to do with the girls if I’m honest. I usually leave soft play for Matt (He’s a huge fan). But, Matt was working and it had been…
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Is Disneyland Paris good for a two year old?
It’s tricky to know when to do Disneyland if you have kids who love Disney. Do you go while they’re young and cope with endless toilet trips, battles over things in the shop, and trying to fit in naps? Or do you wait until they can hold their bladder, have a formed pre frontal cortex,…
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Taking young kids on the Eurostar
When we went to Disneyland, we took the Eurostar. I toyed with the idea of the plane, but we’d got the Eurostar a few times before and it was an enjoyable experience… Would it be so enjoyable with a two and four year old? Well. It was different. At one point I looked at Matt…
Fromthemotherside 