• Tiny figurine from Clangers magazine
    family - parenting

    Make, read and do with Clangers magazine

    April 23, 2016 - By 

    A magical new magazine is out and it’s home to some very special inhabitants. Clangers Magazine is a place for children to discover, wonder, play and explore. It’s jam-packed with over 30 Clanger things to read, make and do, along with a special space sticker section, Clanger Club and regular features such as ‘I spy in space’ as well as two stories. It’s an intergalactic learning journey where the reader helps the Clangers to solve their latest problem and it’s sure to capture the imaginations of those children who wonder, “What is out there…?”. The first issue of the new…

  • Farm Life range from Schleich
    family - parenting - playing - toy review - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    Farm life small world play with Schleich

    April 21, 2016 - By 

    I know I keep going on about the weather but it’s been warm, and sunny, which means the children can play outside more! They love playing outside and our tuff spot is one thing which really facilitates outdoor play. Farm life small world play with Schleich We were sent some of the new sets from the Farm Life range from Schleich to review. As soon as my children saw the packaging they were really excited as they love Schleich toys. The two sets were: Stable cleaning kit with calf and lamb (41422) Every morning, the farmer gets up early to…

  • Lego Friends Emma's Creative Workshop
    book review - family - mindfulness - parenting

    Monday Happy List – week 82

    April 18, 2016 - By 

    Last week I had a job interview. It felt good to put some nice clothes on and talk about my career pre-children. Unfortunately I didn’t get the job but the interview experience was really useful so I’m feeling positive about getting a job soon. With my youngest starting Reception in September I really feel like it is time to get my working life back on track. I love this time of year. The sun actually has some heat to it and I’ve been wearing sandals 🙂 The children have been enjoying the longer days and have both been in shorts…

  • PlaymobilBrigade
    days out - London - parenting - Playmobil Playologist

    A day with London Fire Brigade

    April 9, 2016 - By 

    Last month I mentioned that London Fire Brigade fire stations will be hosting 65 collaborative open days with Playmobil across the capital throughout 2016 to teach children about fire safety in the home. These events are part of their 150th anniversary and today we attended the Playmobil VIP launch party at Soho Fire Station to kick off these open days. It was great to see behind the scenes at the fire station. Soho is London’s busiest station covering famous theatres, hotels and London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade. The present station dates from the 1980s but there has…

  • parenting

    Preparing for the Tooth Fairy

    September 25, 2015 - By 

    My children are 3 and 5 and obsessed with loosing their teeth. I’m not sure why they are worrying about their tooth, I think an episode of Peppa Pig may be the cause! They’ve always been good about cleaning their teeth twice a day and regularly ask for new tooth brushes and paste. I’m not sure if they just like to try new things or are attracted by the displays at the supermarket though. I’m a little obsessive about them cleaning their teeth after eating sweets and I don’t think it’s a bad thing to teach them about looking after…

  • parenting

    The Clangers returns to our screens

    June 12, 2015 - By 

    A large part of my parenting journey seem to a full on nostalgia-fest, reliving with my own children some of my favourite childhood toys and tv programmes. Did you know the Clangers are coming back to children’s tv via CBeebies? The first episode will air at 5:30pm on Monday 15th June and will be on daily. We saw a brief advert for it yesterday and my children were intrigued by the little mouse-like creatures who live on, and inside, a small moon-like plane. My favourite character has to be Granny Clanger who is fond of knitting. Luckily for them (and…

  • book review - mindfulness - parenting - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Mindful discipline

    January 18, 2015 - By 

    Today I wanted to share two new parenting titles from Scribe with you. They aim to help parents solve two of the most commented on, despaired over and debated about parenting dilemmas: sleep and discipline using Mindful discipline The Happy Sleeper by sleep experts Julie Wright and Heather Turgeon offers an alternative sleep training method to ‘cry it out’ or ‘attachment parenting’. Using an approach rooted in making children feel safe, secure and happy in their bedtime routines, The Happy Sleeper offers practical advice for parents wanting to create good sleeping habits, or undo poor ones. The fantastic thing about…

  • book review - parenting

    What I’m reading: The Playful Parent by Julia Deering

    January 11, 2015 - By 

    I’m not a huge fan of parenting manuals. You can probably tell from the books I share here that I love my craft books and the odd piece of fiction. At the end of last year HarperCollins asked if I wanted to take part in in their 31 days of inspiration and ‘live a book’ in January. This month they are bringing 31 of their inspiring books together covering areas such as; professional development, parenting tips, health, exercise and general well-being. Some of the ideas in these books involve a complete overhaul, whilst others require small changes to effect positive…

  • parenting

    Sponsored video: Barclays and Mumsnet ‘Your Bank Live’

    November 14, 2014 - By 

    Today I wanted to share a video with you. I don’t know about you but sometimes I wonder if shops and brands ever think about their customers experience, especially customers with young children. I dread visiting my local bank as my children have a tendency to go crazy. They love to play with the button which opens the door and they swivel on the chairs until they get dizzy and fall off! Luckily for me Barclays have listened, with a little help from some members of Mumsnet. The video shows some real mums from Mumsnet road-testing a real Barclays branch,…