Supporting our kids education

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It is so important for us that we support their education, and so the one thing I make sure my son does is reading, and we are going to work on his words using flash cards today and a bit of writing. Flashcards are great tools to have to teach kids and then as they improve you move onto putting words learned into a sentence and when he does this at home I keep the school up to date of what I have been teaching him at home.

If there is something you aren’t sure of then tell the school as I have found like two weekends ago I didn’t get his homework, so it is good to communicate this as the teachers, because they will have better tools and knowledge that I don’t. It has been an education to me, because the setting of schools now are so different to when I went to school.

When I was at school you had your teacher and that was it. I never received 1 to 1 support, which I wish I had as school because I did have difficulties and felt like I couldn’t get to grips with topics like maths. I would dread doing tests and wanted to be swallowed up and wished I could hibernate for the winter until the end of school.

Getting my son to do homework can feel like a burden because he can be reluctant about it and so then I end up dreading it too. You do have to be tough and even it is a little bit it can still add up, its getting it done is the hard part for me.

Henry never really says much about what he learns and so the teachers will inform us by notes as my son gets a taxi to and from school, so I have to make sure I am or his dad is there to see him off to school and one of us are in for when he comes back.

Often schools will do some training and meet ups to talk about us as parent of teaching kids and they will often tell you what will be happening in the next year of school. I am not sure if they still do this. Henry has consultations and so make sure that I can go to that and meet with his teachers.

The one thing you can do is do a video of them doing some reading for example or some arts and crafts which they haven’t done at school, and also like I did last summer holidays is do via google a photobook to show his teacher of what he did during those holidays and gives my son something to talk about. For my son is not big on big conversations so needs encouragement and so doing these types of things as parents helps both the school and you as a parent.

My son does have learning difficulties but he awareness is advanced and wants he gets something he will continue doing that task. Example when we go by car, my mums car he will says it is 20 mile per hour road, and we my mum and I was surprised that he knew that when he first did this. Perhaps this is on our part being ignorant, I don’t know but he knows a lot that he won’t disclose so prompting and rewarding what he has done in school and home adds to their development and if you aren’t happy with something that is being reported from the school that you speak to the school about it.

I do write books on parenting and so if you would like to check them out you can by visiting amazon and written in the names of Carrie Challoner and Carrie Holmes.

Also I have 3 Youtube channels and other blogs, along with Social media and Pinterest, and on my main the channel (first link you see below and second link my secondary channel) I do parenting videos so check these out.

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjvO2fsowvFne_iMuG7d1g/videos

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Link for my Pinterest:

Blogs:

https://carriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com

https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com

https://theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.com

https://everyonecanbuildacastle

https://mystylewayofliving.blogspot.com

https://buildingselfconfidencetud.blogspot.com/

https://organzie4thebetter.blogspot.com

http://stylishmamma.blogspot.com

https://mydailythougthsandfeelings.blogspot.com/

Social media:

https://www.instagram.com/typicallondongal/

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Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Kids and diet

As a kid I was a super fussy eater and would not have sauces, vegetables unless they were a pea, and when I ordered a burger in McDonalds I would have just the bun and the burger and wouldn’t stand it when food touched other food on the plate. If a pea, and had to be garden peas, touched a chip of example I wouldn’t eat the chip, but eat the pea.

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When I first weaned Henry I started with baby rice and porridge and Farley Rusks, and would make my own vegetable purees and he loved them, especially if it was sweet potato and carrots for example and cabbage soup and loved it. Yet now won’t touch a vegetable unless it is super hidden. He is not as fussy like I was, and will eat when he feels like it a banana, but won’t touch any other fruit.

A kids diet has to be nutritious and filling and avoiding too many snacks, but making sure they are hydrated especially in the summer and have a good breakfast, a good lunch and good dinner is important, but when they are fussy it is fish fingers or chicken nuggets and not anything else. So how to get them eat well?

if they can’t see it they can’t moan about it

So making meals that hides the vegetables is a must and Henry is given a multivitamin everyday in liquid form. I have avoided Henry from fizzy drinks and will only have milk or water. I make sure Henry has good amount of exercise and so after he has had his dinner we will go out into the garden to play some football, or I get him to run around a cone, just making sure he is active. I know some say that they shouldn’t exercise after they have eaten, but it is good for their digestion and it’s not fast, intense exercise just a jog and a kick about.

I don’t have it all sussed out. On the contrary, and do doubt myself as a parent at times, but if he has a good amount of energy, and does some form of physical activity, whether it is tennis or cricket, and a good night sleep then, we as a parent can relax too and helps with our wellbeing too. When it comes to activities it can be one child at a time or something the whole family can do. My son would often join in, when I exercise and dancing, like we did today, when he came home from school whilst his dinner was cooling down.

Life as a parent is not always straight forward, and there will be times where they’d rather watch a video on youtube than play football, but aren’t we all like that at times? I spend a lot of time at my desk, writing and not exercise, but I know I have to move in order to get to Epsom ready for when my son returns from school. Any forms of exercise is good, if you enjoy it and ready so they are properly hungry so they will eat and have them help make food. It is one of the best ways for them to try new foods. I want my son to learn how to cook, and grow his tastes so he is not be fussy and gets the nutrients he needs.

It can be hard work and like last week Henry moaned about having pasta, but he ate it as there was nothing else and is not going to have chips everyday or nuggets. I have worked on my taste buds too, and have controlled my eating. I am no longer super fussy and I now do eat my vegetables and so will your children. persevere, and if they don’t like it at first keep trying, and often if he sees us eat something he not ever had, he was often ask if he can have some. So moving on the right track. Well I hope so, and having a meal together has helped to. As a kid we always sat as a family eating our dinner and so important in their development.

I do write books on parenting on Amazon, under the name Carrie Challoner or Carrie Holmes.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Learning about your kids

So as you may follow me I have been updating a lot of blogs on this site, but then I saw this quote and wanted to use it to write a new post.

Being a parent is great but often they can drive you mad. The relationship I have with my son is funny, because he is very much the parent sometimes and I’m the child.

Just say I am not having a tantrum, and going to do what my son does when he doesn’t want to do something, crosses his arms and stamps his feet, and save it for later when we play football in the garden. This is not always the case as he never wants to get out of his uniform, but it is a rule that if he wants to play football in the garden he must change his clothes.

When I try he will say “I’ll wait until my daddy gets in” and this can make me feel a little bit like “Oh so what’s the matter with me then?”

A word of warning if in the future you may play football with my son, he is a diver. He asks me to tackle him so he can fall down. That this is the world we are living in and wants to play rugby too, and he doesn’t realise how heavy he is, and will wrestle and dive bombs me, and yes we are making him realise he isn’t a year old still, so trying to lean him off, from jumping on me can be a hard task.

He can lash out sometimes, because he gets upset if he doesn’t win at football for example, especially when I want to see if I can get a goal. Often I will stop if he does it, lash out, because it is important that he learns that we all have lost sometimes, and not be hurtful because it can effect his social skills.

They have to learn to take turns. Social skills are a must. My son does have ADHD and autistic, but I don’t use this as an excuse when he misbehaves and so we, his dad and I have made it clear when he does that, not good, and if he continues then we can’t play.

I do enjoy parenthood when my son is smiling and not being stroppy but that’s kids working out how what they want to do, from what they’ve got to do. Henry hates pressure, but he has to learn. Education is there for him to grow, but you can make the learning fun, by inventing games that will help with their learning. My son loves watching Blippe and likes to do experiments of what items sink and what items float, using different objects in water.

Today he reluctantly read his book, but when he got a well done, he smiled and went back to playing. I then had my son running in the garden, as he has Sports Day coming up and so did this to help him prepare, and then played football.

It is important to me that Henry has fun both at home and at school, but he needs to learn more about boundaries, as he can get very close to other children, and is affectionate, not to get on another child’s nerves , but because he likes to comfort other kids. This can be tricky, because he wants to be in every child he sees in the park game.

When the other children don’t want to, it does hit a nerve and feel bad for him. Kids are more switched on than what we think, and getting to know our kids is a hard task because they change all of the time, but then there have been times when he has made a friend, like when we would take him to see one of my auntie’s who live by the coast of England, loved playing with his cousins and a boy he met in a playground near the sea, who was there on holiday and so great to watch my son form relationships.

He loves one of my mum’s friends daughters and when they play it is so sweet and never squabble and have such fun. Every child has their own personality, and so rejection from other kids is part of being a kid, and growing up they will experience this. Also that child or children are learning about building relationships too, not just Henry and I feel you have to be respectful for that and kids have boundaries like us adults.

Kid will play up, and then the next day be the sweet like butter wouldn’t melt but again this is helping to form their own traits and you as the parent traits too.

Never give yourself as a parent a hard time, and enjoy your kids and watching them grow is amazing to see.

I do have many parenting books on amazon, under my name, Carrie Challoner and Carrie Holmes

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Spending time with little man, Separation Anxiety

As I write this blog all I want to do is give my son a big hug, but he is now in school so I will need to wait for cuddles and I never knew about separation anxiety until I became a mum. I do get to see him everyday, as I wait for him to be come home from school and because it is Friday he stays with me and then goes back to be with his dad on Sunday.

The time I spend with my son, we will read a book, sit and watch a TV programme, play some games. He has a new game where by we have to try and get a ball into a dinosaur’s mouth. That is how it is described and was really good fun. Henry and his dad made it up. So we played that yesterday.

My son never stays sitting for too long and has to get up and play. He loves Tipping Point, as UK Quiz show and has his own machine and has a Countdown game too, and I am like that he is into these programmes, because they are educational. It has amazed me by how he has built up loving these, and decided to like these on his own.

We do play board games like Snakes and Ladders, he did have connect4 but not played that in a while, and he is really getting into dinosaurs. Again not influenced by me or his dad, or his grandparents, but on his own. I love the fact that the loves so much to do new games and we have played Dino Duo, which is stack of cards, where we can do matching pairs and snap.

I like to explore, and I do take him up London and have done a bus tour as he love busses and trains. I would like to take him on a plane and a helicopter, and I hope we get the chance to do those and finding new parks and walks.

By doing these different things it does help with my Separation anxiety and he gets it too, with me and his dad, and so to tackle this we count the sleeps and co-parent the best we can.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Creating Memories for your kids/Fantastic Jubilee Weekend

What a celebration we had this week, celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee and I hope you like me have filmed and taken photos of the celebrations, and what a lot of memories we have created for our children. I would love creating last-full memories for my son, so he can share them when he gets older and may have children of his own one day.

Today it is the Pageant and have this playing as I write this blog on my laptop ready for when it begins. With Kids it is good to keep a diary of this events, as they won’t happen very often not in many of our lifetimes.

The one ways you could do is what I have done for my son, is write him a letter to him to talk about it, and something to treasure and put them in a shoe box for them to keep ready for when they are able to read them.

With Henry I use journals to use to document happy memories, with writing and pictures of good memories and something he can keep and be passed to his children to keep too. If he decides he wants to. It will be my son’s choice.

A lot of schools were having kids paint picture of the Queen which was a fantastic , and why not do it for some else’s birthday party and use as gifts for other children to keep. I have made a scrapbook which included all of my sons’ first drawings and cards. These are keepsakes, and you can put them into a frame, and put on the wall to remember the occasion. Or the yearly celebration.

This weekend

With the technology we have now there are so many ways to print off photos, and why not teach kids how to arrange flowers and have them dress up the tables and take a photo of the kids who have helped you put the celebrations together and do a guest book. You don’t have to do this at a wedding, but for other occasions too.

Light a candle for those who are no longer here with us, and have the children help arrange a celebration, but have the write happy moments they had with that person, and have your children do a copy of different pictures redone as they get older, and do this with each age that each person has reached.

This weekend has been a blast and I want to see more street parties and celebrations, it just help mark the age of our ages we have all reached.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Celebrate the Queens Jubilee with your kids

Yes it is! and I am so looking forward to the street parties because of this birthday to the Queen. She is an amazing lady and so would love to meet her in person to tell her, instead though my son wrote to her and received a reply.

I would encourage you to have your children write to her and I did as a kid when at Primary School, wrote to Prince William and called him, “Mr William” and I can’t remember if I did receive a reply, but glad I did that.

We Brits like a celebration, and so there will be many street parties, and so why not do one aswell even if you aren’t from the UK, as it will be a memory that will be great for them to tell to their children in years to come.

Have your kids create decorations for it and flags. I remember back when I was a kid celebrating the Royal Weddings, and celebrating the Queens I think 25th anniversary of being Queen and I appeared in a local paper, The Fulham Chronicle, and was dressed in a blue, white and red outfit, and then you had the Royal Weddings.

Tell the story of the Queen, and her life leading up to being the Queen. Have them write a story of the Queen and of the this Jubilee celebration. It will be a good memory and if you take photos for the celebrations, create some wall art, like a collage of this anniversary and with Henry we made a crown.

I wrote about this in my daily blog on google: https://mydailythougthsandfeelings.blogspot.com/2022/05/what-to-do-when-it-is-raining-during.html

Have your children make their own invitation to invite people to your street party and have a seating plan.

Create some cup cakes and have them decorate them for the day.

Then there is Bunting, all you need is string and paper and cut them into triangles, and have them decorate plates for it and cups. Play some Jubilee games like parcel parcel, lucky dips and egg and spoon race. Just making it fun for them to cherish and look back to smile so if there are other celebrations in the future, then they can then tell their kids and lots of things can be passed down, like clothes and have a Platinum Jubilee jumble sale.

The ideas are endless but having fun is the key.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Kids and Mental Health #mentalhealthweek

This week it is #mentalhealth week and as a child I did have issues with my mental health and felt I was alone in that and so would keep it to myself. With my son I can see that he gets a bit of anxiety when I don’t go out with him and spends time with my mum (Nanny), and can have meltdowns because he finds it hard when he is told he can’t have something.

I want to get in touch with my son and if he has worries, my role as see it, is to help him go through them and for him to be able to talk to me on how he is feeling. I want to be his shelter and keep my door open to him.

When it comes to your mind as a parent, your mindset can change when you become a parent and can be tough to understand our children’s minds. They are human too and people with thoughts and feelings too.

I believe that kids should be allowed to express themselves, and so if for example my son gets upset I then listen and get to grips in helping him and I think how we respond can have an impact. I try to work it out with him rather than offering punishment. My son is very self aware now that I can see that he can’t always work out why we can’t have something, and confused but I will get to his eye level and explain rather than getting cross.

With children they often want to reach out and be indecisive, and this can lead to them becoming frustrated and feel unheard, when we should have our ears listening the whole time and listening is the key for me. We expect our kids to listen to us and so it works hand in hand.

With my son who has ADHD and slight Autism, he will jump from one thing to the next and it is challenging to get him to concentrate long on one thing, yet when he is concentrating and when we disrupt them, can be confusing to him ad so when he is quiet and is happy playing I let him and let him tell me what he wants to do next. This will help his mindset because he will see that he will be able to play when he’s not disrupting anyone else and gives a good message.

It is getting in touch with their thoughts and feelings, and teaching them about how to express themselves without anger and often if not, from experience, they can lash out. Ask how they are and if they are are concerned about something, and discuss it with them.

Thank you for those that are following my blog, it means the world and there will be more blogs to come. I am doing a Life Coaching programme “2022 Project” helping you to have a better life and a better year. Go over to my site: Everyonecanbuildacastle

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Teaching Kids About Easter and why we celebrate

I am not super religious but I do like to celebrate Easter and as a kid would watch the story behind this yearly holiday every year on the TV and have read the bible too.

Easter is about Jesus who was crucified on a cross because of people not believing in him, because of the miracles he had done and was the son of God, and was able to see things before they happened, and so predicted that he’d be betrayed by one of his disciples and that it was his last days of his life, he speaks about this on his last supper with his disciples and died on the cross for us all.

Whether you believe in the story I will tell my son, Henry about it, and will let him decide if he believes it or not but want to tell him for his own knowledge. His grandad did give him a bible one that was handed to him as a kid and would like for him to read it. You don’t have to go on and on about it but just to acknowledge the history of Easter and not just about receiving a chocolate egg.

Take them to a church service to celebrate it and have them know the story, of course if you aren’t religious and not keen then don’t, celebrating the holiday is up to each parent and of course if you are of a different religion then of course you tell them that story about being a Muslim or if you are Jewish, whatever beliefs you have, tell them and again let them decide if they believe it or not.

When it comes to religion I don’t go to church but did as a kid and went to two Church Of England Schools, and we would be taught and have an Easter church service and would participate and one year I did play Jesus in an accessibly and was about the last supper.

I know a lot of people would have thought this was wrong being a girl but it was because noone else wanted to do it and so they looked upon me. Of course everybody believes in the Easter Rabbit, but sharing what it is truly about will help them get more out of the yearly holiday and still have fun.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

When kids don’t get along/Stop Arguments

Me and my brother were as kids fighting and squabbling all of the time, and so whenver we’d played a game, like football and or a board game lead an argument. Some kids feel that it is okay to shout, and my eyes have been opened this week as I witnessed kids, whilst helping out at a kids club, ended up with some of them shouting. This opened my eyes, because we ourselves as adults do this too, and so is this effective?

The behaviour of a child comes from us their guardian and I would stop Henry my son from watching the Jeremy Kyle Show because of the shouting. This is not the way to communicate, yet it something we find ourselves naturally doing.

When it comes to children they will copy you, so you have to be aware of your own actions. Avoid swearing, and if a child moans about a child is doing that make them aware that if they continue then they will be consequences, like making them sit out until they learn that bad language is not welcomed.

Hitting is another issue, and you find that kids will lash out. It is a tough one because one child say they didn’t and that is was an accident, whilst the other child says no they did it on purpose. I found this difficult and I struggled with this. What I did was tell them both off together and made them apologise. However this wasn’t totally effective because one child refuse to. If it is someone elses child then tell their parent of but if it is your own child, then move them away and speak to them quietly as much as you can away fromk the other child. You will find that other children will try and stop it too.

My aim since doing the Playworker work is to help support parents with their lives with kids that have Learning difficulties and help children one to one with their parents as I have felt from this week, is that there still isn’t enough support for parents and their children. My Anxiety rose a lot and did effect me, and so really want to reach out and say “It is okay and you will be helped”, and I need to learn too.

I found it very hard to look after a group of children together when some have learning difficulties and the one area that showed when helping out a Holiday club that one area was, building friendships with other children, super shy and wanted to play on their own. Their was one child for example that was playing football, got angry over another set of kids because they weren’t following the rules and some racial names were being said.

This is another area, teaching kids how to communicate to each other better. I felt very overwhelmed by this and so could only image what that felt like to hear these bad words. I felt that some kids did suit the environment, and needed to be in a smaller group as it was a lot of kids and were different ages.

My son, loves other kids and likes to make friends, but when he doesn’t win at certain games, can begin to play up and be disruptive, or they are bored and needs to then do something else. With Henry it is two things, and must tidy up. Again he may not always want to, but with Henry he will often do it without prompting and so make it into a habit, by showing them what to do. Have everyone, including you tidy up, and make sure that they all are helping.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Celebrating Mothers Day

It is near the end of the week and Sunday if you hadn’t put in your diary is mothers day and as a mum I like the fact that this is celebrated as we do a lot, not saying dads don’t, they have their day as dads and so it is only fair we have a day for ourselves too.

If you need tips on what to buy then check out my new March Newsletter which I put together for March 2022.

first-weekly-newsletter-march-2022Download

Some countries celebrate Mothers Day later in the year, and so these tips are for you too. I like simple gifts, like a scented candle, a mug which I received last year from my son, and also a plant and a handmade card. This makes it more personal.

Why not make homemade chocolates. I did this one year, all you need is good chocolate that you can melt, a saucepan that can fit a glass bowl and moulds.

• You melt the chocolate in a glass bowl in saucepan that can fit a glass bowl
• Make sure that the bottom of the glass bowl is not touching as it can burn the chocolate
• When the chocolate has melted, spray a bit of oil in the moulds to stop the chocolate being stuck
• Put the melted chocolate into the moulds
• Then when the chocolate has cooled down in the moulds place in a freezer or fridge
• Once chocolate has set, take the chocolates out of a mould and put into a nice gift bag

Mother’s day only comes once a year so it is good to keep such memories, and so why not create a collage of passed and present memories, like pictures taken when on holiday with your mum and get all your kids to write a message on it. Same with creating a scrapbook. I did this once and it just a really special gift that they can keep forever.

When it comes to Mothers Day I like to go for a coffee, have a cooked breakfast, having a nice dinner and have a bit of time to sit in the sun as it has been nice weather in the garden, reading a book.

So I hope you have a good mothers day and if you would like to check out more content I like to share check out these links:

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjvO2fsowvFne_iMuG7d1g/videos

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Link for my Pinterest:

Blogs:

https://carriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com

https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com

https://theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.com

https://everyonecanbuildacastle

https://astylewayofliving.blogspot.com

https://buildingselfconfidencetud.blogspot.com/

https://organzie4thebetter.blogspot.com

http://stylishmamma.blogspot.com

https://mydailythougthsandfeelings.blogspot.com/

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You can follow me on this blog and thank you if you already are.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Letting kids take charge

Hello and welcome! Thank you for following and supporting this site, it really means the world to me. I know I say this all of the time, but it is true.

In this blog I am talking about “Letting kids take charge”, is it a good thing or not?

Well the main aim is to make them independent, and so letting them manage the things in life is a must, in helping that. Example: Henry likes to use my bank card to get through the gates when we go through a train station, which I don’t mind as long as we both walk through and he gives it back to me.

When it comes to special occasions, like Mothers Day, let them be in charge of picking the gifts and cards, letting them fill in the card and give the gift, but when it comes to schooling and being in charge, if they start playing and not wanting go to school, it can make the morning time a nightmare.

Yet it is good for them to pack their own bags, and remember to take their coats and jackets, and snack they can have at school.

When it comes to toilet training, sometimes they need prompting, so I ask a lot when it comes to my son, because often he won’t go, but he knows that he needs to. Teaching them to do things on their own is essential, because you aren’t always going to be there to help them, so allow them control, and show them how to put on their clothes, when it comes to putting toys away and managing their stuff they have.

• If they want to choose what to wear, let them
• if they want to pick a meal to have the in week, before shopping day, let them and give them the shopping basket with list, and get them to pick items on the computer, if you shop online
• If they want to help with the gardening, and help plant seeds and flowers, let them
• When a child wants to help you take care of cleaning then yes let them

Independence comes with learning and so if they want to do something for themselves then encourage them to take charge and be there to support always but they discover many things on their own.

I do film parenting videos on my Youtube channel is you’d like to check these out, then you can via the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Fussiness and making choices/Good skills for kids

Hello and welcome to a new blog, and thank you for liking and following my blogs I have sent out before. Your feedback is great to receive and truly welcomed.

In this blog I am talking about Fussiness and making good choices and helping them have good skills.

My son has become super fussy like this morning he didn’t want to where the white shirt I put on him because it was too big and long sleeved. So I listened and put a short sleeved one that was slightly smaller, but still fitted, before a tantrum had triggered.

Should you always give them what they want?

Not all of the time because they need to know that when you tell them to do something that

they must do it, they need to see that they don’t have the control all of the time.

Example my son hates wearing a coat, so the rule is when out and it is cold he puts it on, and when indoors he can take it off, until we can get back out again when we don’t have to wear a coat, and teaching them about the seasons, to get used to dressing for different weathers and climates, is a huge lesson and with repetitive they will begin to get it.

This is another tip, only given two options at a time.

He still gets upset still on occasions and has specific choice on jackets he will wear, and tops too. He hates hoodies, so the next option he can have is to wear a long thick top instead, like a long sleeve top and a jumper.

Should you scream and shout to get them to do as they are told?

No! When I have done this my son has laughed in my face, but he also knows from my reaction that I am beginning to lose my patience and will stop and think about what he is doing, but with a more steady voice, and when he sees I mean it, that he will then do what he can to make me happy again.

Children need to learn boundaries so set them.

When my son wants to have his tablet, the tv and play on his tipping point machine, he can be disruptive if he doesn’t have these three things. So I made it a rule that he can’t have more than two things at once, and this helps with choices and to get him to play, he needs to do some reading and writing.

So set tasks for kids. This can be after they have read a book, they can help do some baking or for my son can get to play in the playground near to us.

Time outdoors is a must when it comes to my son, as he can start to jump around on the sofas, due to boredom.

When it comes to rainy days, as long as not torrential then we still play outdoors and,

don’t wear your best clothes and the same with them too.

Tracking bottoms is a must for Henry as he could play outdoors in any weather but they will catch a chill even if they are warm person, so.

Have games they can play inside, example the classics, game of cards, do a puzzle, play a board game or put music on and have a dance.

Henry my boy has a good body temperature and,

so don’t fear the rain and if they want to jump in puddles then they can, and climb trees and,

make the outdoors into an adventure.

When the days feel long because they are persisting that they want to the park, but can’t on that day due to the weather or the place they want to go to is shut,

Tell them that as soon as the place is open again then we can go. Teach them also about time and what day the places they love are open from and to, and jot the things they want to do, down in a planner, so they can see it and go through the diary with them and set dates.

This is a good way of teaching them about different times of the year and have a tradition where on Easter for example, when they want a chocolate egg or see a particular friend or their family, they can and show them. With my son, it is based on sleeps, and go through the time via a clock to see the date and time.

This stops them from feeling they aren’t ever going to get what they wish for, and asking when they will get to see a friend or a family member.

Fussiness is based on all of us as we all want things to be done in a particular way, and having things to look forward is a way to do that, and set a date with your kids.

If they have made a good choice tell them and thank them for it, as they will continue to do the right thing when you do.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Travelling With Your Kids

First of all thank you to my new followers of my blog site, it really means a lot to me, and helps me to deliver more posts to help you and myself being a mum of an 8 year old who luckily likes to travel.

He gets upset with the train as he likes the train to go slower and not fast, but I know that is impossible to control because you don’t always see the driver, and others on the train with their kids need to get to their destination to go home or go out, and so I will take his mind of it to see what he can see out of the window and he doesn’t like going backwards so we always have to go facing forward, and so its getting a sit. Not always possible, but he really makes it clear here wants to sit forward and will find a sit to do that. even if it means sitting apart.

So what I do is tell that when we are going to travel by train to spend the weekend with him and get to the station in good time and get on part of the train that is easier to get on and off at. I get freaked out by the gaps between the train and the platform. I witnessed a child once when travelling back from Lincoln, falling down the gap of the train and this memory stayed with me so I get off where the gap is small and stop my anxiety and anxiousness I can feel when travelling with my son.

If it is a long journey put some calming music on and keep chatting to them through the journey and always make sure that each child has gone to the toilet before hand and have bags packed the night before and check what is available where ever you go in case you forget anything that you can buy once you have reached your destination.

As a kid I suffered with Travel Sickness and so would need plenty of air and would take tablets for it. The issue with those some can make you drowsy, but did help. If your child has travel sickness speak to your GP to find out what is safe to give to your child if you want to go via the medicine route, that they can take for it, and make sure to pack drinks for you and your kids.

Make sure when it is boiling hot outside that you have windows open if not any air conditioning and never leave kids or pets stuck in a boiling hot car. This is so dangerous. If you and your children cycle then make sure that your children understand road safety and they learn what signals to give to help them to cycle safely.

Going on the age of your kids, make sure the car seats are suitable for their age or use a booster seat if they no longer need a car seat but propped up to sit safely to travel.

When it by bus it can be difficult because only certain amount of buggies can get on a bus, so I would travel when the I knew the bus wasn’t going to be packed and would miss the rush hour by travelling in certain times of the day. So after 10am. I know if you travelling to a nursery or school not always possible, so I would next time have baby carrier so then you don’t need to worry about getting on the train or bus. If your child is walking and have them going on how old they are.

I used to get so anxious about travelling with Henry because of the gaps and travelling too far, in case he needs a toilet and there isn’t any, but following the above has been how I managed this.

I have a new Newsletter of what is coming up in my content so check this out below:

first-weekly-newsletter-february-2022Download

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting Through Half Term/Celebrating Valentines Day with your kids

Hello and welcome! Thank you all for following me on this blog it really means the world to me, and really helps me to deliver more content you may like.

So Friday is the last day of term and half term again, and that means going out a lot and it lands on Valentines Day. Yes it is here again, I would like the time to go a bit slower, but out of my control like everyone who feels the same.

I am going to set out a plan for next week and see what I can book that is budget friendly and creates a good time during my sons holiday. These are the times you can really get a lot out of. I still not sure if I will be working next week, so if not want to get outdoors and explore.

Of course it depends on the weather, and going to check this out and planning on taking Henry to the Cinema as was nervous in doing so as he has ADHD, so going to see what’s on and see which Cinemas are open.

When it comes to affording the cinema, as it can be expensive is to bring your own snacks and often you can save money if tickets are pre-booked, or save for it beforehand. I will also be looking at local football team fixtures, but you do have to pre-book once the tickets become available.

My son has started Swimming lessons now and want to heIp, his learning and checked local swimming pools, and they do sessions for all and so going to check to see if I can take him this week, of course it may be busy but great way to bond with your kids and miss swimming myself and going to take this up again, as I like to keep fit however possible.

Check out “Better Gyms” as they do swimming classes too and do parent and baby swimming classes, and some of them have soft play for kids too.

For Valentines why not go for a family meal and give your kids a card. I am going to do this for Henry, and going to get him a kinder egg as a gift and some chocolate coins.

So I hope this helps you to plan your half term and remember if you need a coffee have one as it can be a long week ahead.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting through the Early days of birth

I can’t believe how much having a my son Henry has changed my life and you can’t underestimate what having a child means and what joy it brings as well as difficult times.

Getting though the early days of birth is to get to know your baby and if you feel low talk to someone, because it can be isolating, and you may get things wrong like bath time like me and my son’t dad did. We planned to do it when having a coffee, and before I ran the bath my son’s dad stripped him off and went disastrous but we soon learned.

The items that will help with getting yourself together is to have different changing areas depending on the space you have and I had a basket from TKMaxx and used it to store my changing products with nappies and even vests and babygro and did the same for upstairs in his bedroom too, and worked wonders.

Try and Save yourself as much time as possible and have things to grab

The other thing is to not worry about fancy products but what suits you. I wasted money at a baby show on a baby changing bag, and was too heavy to carry around, and so in the end I purchased a less expensive bag from Avon, believe it of not and much better.

Expensive doesn’t always mean quality

When it comes to feeding your baby again have a station or stations, a bag that has a place for a bottle, along with nappies and breastpads as your boobs will leak. Like with the baby changing, put your nursing pillow where you can easily grab it to feed and nursing bras and clothes definitely worth money.

I had trouble with my milk and took it for granted and so wished I had prepared myself for that, but I still gave him my milk by expressing and so never fear, there is support out there but to make things simple, you can give both formula and breastmilk.

Comfort is a must and how you feel about breastfeeding, I had a real hard time, but wished I had continued because it is just easier in a way that having to carry around loads of bottles of milk is a challenge, but if you feel worried chat with your Health Visitor or midwife, and help give you good advice and ask about feeding your baby beforehand, if you can.

The birth of my son happened so quickly in the end that we had not prepared ourselves at all.

Pack your bags as soon as you get to 25 weeks

Feed your baby on what you feel is comfortable with,

STOP THE GUILT

Enjoy the feeds because it is a great way to bond with breast and formula

With tiredness and rest, when it comes to sleep it does change and try to rest as much as possilble to give yourself time to recover.

If the baby is a sleep and you need to get bits done then give yourself small tasks like laundry and a bit of dusting, but for a while recovery is more important for your health and wellness as you can from my own experience, become run down and I ended up with a viral infection and effected me in seeig my son. I do put this down to not allowing myself to recover properly and stress.

It takes time to get used to this new stage in your life but you can get through it, so allow yourself time to be with yourself as this is important, and do some tasks you not done for a while which means, catching up on a book, afternoon snooze if your baby naps. I say this because it has been said that all babies nap through the day, but Henry didn’t for a while and would only sleep when being held, so just take your time and take each day as they come, and also never fear like you are on your own.

A good place I would read is the site the babycentre, this site tracks your baby’s growth and what they should be doing at each stage, as preparing yourself for this transition is a must, and it helps you to look forward to it and helping you develop as a parent and the develop of your child.

I’d like to thank those that have followed me on this blog and liking my blogs, honestly it is a dream to be part of the blogging community and I do also create youtube videos, which includes parenting and have online courses and books.

Here are links to those, so please check them out and if you wish to share my blogs, along with my courses, books and videos, please do.

Youtube channels:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjvO2fsowvFne_iMuG7d1g/videos

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW6X7xXVFoaToqlDpGLTtSg

Link for my Pinterest:

Books

My books will be found under the names, Carrie Challoner, Carrie Lee Holmes and Carrie Holmes

https://www.amazon.com

Blogs:

https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com

https://carriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com

https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com

https://theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.com

Social media:

https://www.instagram.com/typicallondongal/

Tweets by Carrie82434764

Link to my Online Courses:

https://carrieseducationnetwork.thinkific.com/

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Time Management As A Parent

This morning as I didn’t have to get up unsociable hours as Monday’s and Tuesday’s I have to get up at quarter passed five, I wanted to still get up at 8:30am setting my alarm for 7:30 but slept and got up after 9am, yet still got stuff done, for example finished the editing I was doing for a new book I am writing, booked a blood test, had a shower and so to manage my time I will set my alarm for later as I go to bed around 9pm but don’t actually get to sleep past 11pm.

Managing time as a parent is tricky as some days things happen like your child getting sick are unplanned but that is why managing time can help. I like flexibility and so I always have this in mind so if there is something I need to do next I get them done but being flexible and give myself time frames to complete tasks I need to do, is for me important, and not giving myself to much to do.

Sleep is very important as I do need a good 8 hour sleep to function properly and so I do make sure I can, not on all days because like when I get up early I will feel tired and this is natural but the days I don’t have to get up so early, make sure I do to get through the rest of the week, a good 8 hours.

Doing the school run can really be time consuming, especially when my son would want to look for squirrels and buses but can be fun by making this time to enjoy nature and greeting other parents on the way. Now my son gets a taxi to and from school due to being a fare distance it has helped lift the pressure of the school run.

I always find during the school days that time goes so quickly and before you know it is morning again, even with my son getting a taxi and be there in his home he lives with his dad goes fast, but glad I have the resources to do get bits done during the waiting on my son go come from school.

I live by using my notebooks, my google calendar, my Whismith’s diary and also use OneNote to stay on track with time and is how I manage my days as a parent.

I am so happy that you my followers and viewers of this blogsite have liked my blogs and I also have three Youtube channels, books on amazon.com under the names Carrie Challoner, Carrie Lee Holmes and Carrie Holmes.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjvO2fsowvFne_iMuG7d1g/videos

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW6X7xXVFoaToqlDpGLTtSg

Link for my Pinterest:

https://carriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com

https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com

https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com

https://theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.comI also have some online courses and this week finished my first newsletter and a free EBook on Creating a Vision for new and better year.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

My first newsletter and new EBook

I have created my first Newsletter which is talking about challenges I am going to be doing and how they benefit in doing, and is the first one for 2022.

first-weekly-newsletter-january-2022Download

I have also created a new EBook about it is all about Creating a vision for 2022.

2022-visionDownload

So, check these out and there is more to come on this blog site and if you haven’t checked out my Youtube channels then please do as a do videos Truth About Parenting videos and channel about how i like to live and a free educational youtube channel too, teaching and talking about Customer Service, writing a blog and coaching.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjvO2fsowvFne_iMuG7d1g/videos

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW6X7xXVFoaToqlDpGLTtSg

Many thanks,

Carrie X

Changing schools again

My son Henry is under Sendco which bascially means he has to have for his learning extra support, because of his learning ability is means he is behind in terms of education compared to his peers in his class, and so had to change schools because of this and looks like he will be moving to another school more for kids that have special needs.

My son Henry playing in a local park when he went to his first school

When looking for a school it should be down to us parents and feel a little under pressure that its kind of been taken out of our hands and is a little frustating.

The key thing is, “Will it make you happy and your child happy?”

“Will they my son thrive or get behind not getting the support that your child needs still?’

“Is the school going to follow what they stand for?”

This is causing me to worry because Henry still asks if he can go back to his first school, the second school was picked but we had no way of checking it out first because of COVID and the Lockdowns we have had, and looks like we won’t be able to physcially see his next school for the same reason and so is going to be virtually instead.

It looks like it wil l take a while for this to be determind and if we don’t get the result we want, Henry getting the third school of our choice he could be potentially move to a school so far away from where my son lives and so feel like we are hanging in the air with our fingers and toes crossed.

If your child has had to change schools then I hope they got a good placement and what I fear is that Henry is going backwards instead of forwards and luckily this second change wasn’t so bad to when he started at his first school and has taken it in his stride. Changing schools can cause a meltdown as kids want security and so do we as his parents, and one tip I’d give is to stay in contact with the school if the change has been determind and ask as many questions and get as much information as you can.

It has been a worrying time and feel disappointment by the education issues we have had, and schools put out their values but again because of this change losing faith in it a lot more.

I hope me sharing gives you support and is helpful and please comment below if you have had this type of experience too. The one thing I want to create is a community and reaching out to you like you have with me.

Thank you all for reading my blogs and following me and I also have three Youtube channels, and so a regular series of videos called Truth About Parenting:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjvO2fsowvFne_iMuG7d1g/videos

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW6X7xXVFoaToqlDpGLTtSg

I have also written books and you can find these on Amazon.com under the name Carrie Lee Holmes, Carrie Holmes and Carrie Channel. My most recent is my book: Mum&me.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Meeting your kids expectations

Kids are unknown of their have high expectations, like now as a write this blog he is demanding my attention, as he sits next to me at my desk. When tired and he wants me to play football and I would like to be laying on the sofa from getting up so early, I find he will do everything he possibly can to make me want to play football.

They will expect you to deliver the goods to them a lot, like my son wants a real southwest train, yet is impossible, but would like to build him a train looking like one of them. I do not know when this will be done, but is on my list and going to make him his own London Waterloo. When I have done these things I will show you, but now it is in my head and once I get some time to myself as i wanted to write this blog, i need to figure how, and how i should create these items my son desperately wants.

Kids will often change their expectations, example food, one minute my son doesn’t like Bananas but the next he does, he didn’t want Cheerios this morning, but Coco pops, yet he still ate them. Who knows what it will be tomorrow, but then kids are unpredictable at times.

We can as parents have expectations of our kids like now I want Henry to dress himself now rather then relying on me and want to be as independent as possible. I do jump in and help which I think is a natural trait being a mum, but try not too, as he needs to do things for himself.

When it comes to kids and expectants they grow as they grow. Henry wants to do canoing but he needs to learn to swim first so now is having lessons, and soon when he gets a lot older want to make his own way to school.

There will be a time when he won’t rely on me so much and want to go his own way, and so I dote on him because i do worry about having more children, it is something I’d like but the expectation of that makes me fearful but also that it could still be possible. and that’s me setting expectations of my own, and I think we expect ourselves to have the same energy as our kids have but often running empty energy but on a genarator that helps scrape ourselves off the floor to play football for example.

Routine is the key. Henry likes routine and so what I do is set times, one to get myself together, time to get what he needs like his breakfast, dressed and ready for the day. I set time so he plays on his own and I do my own thing for a bit, and then time for us to play together and have fun.

Make it a routine that he has a cut of point of making sure he is ready by quarter to 8 in the morning, and thankfully his dad will help too. I then set a time for me to travel back and have some freshair and get on with work I have to do, and my son expectation is to play before he gets picked up for school.

I like block scheduling as explained above, but have items to grab that my son expects to have when he gets picked up for school and then when returning, time to play and do homework from school.

Often Henry will protest, and I get why, being at school all day he wants to be done with it, but again we as parents expect them to do so. We do have to meet theirs. To do this is to have a schedule for them and for you, and when there are holidays all they want to do is play and play.

Again scheduling and make them understand that we all need time for ourselves aswell as together, and worn then of when they are needed to do their homework, and when they can return and play.

I hope you find these blogs helpful and thank you all that are following me on this blog and a Happy New Year.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Setting Good Intentions for your kids

Being a mum of a 8 year old boy I want to make sure I give my son the best example of who to be to be the reason why I love being a mum. I talk on this blog site about struggling as a parent, but for me that is part of getting to know my son, as he is forever changing and that is the same for all of us.

With motherhood I am learning everyday, and that it is learning what my son wants and what he needs to help him be happy to be alive and to thrive with each milestone.

I want to make sure I am there when he falls over and make mistakes and both me and him learn from those moments, and support him with a fully opened door.

With each step he takes I want him to be okay with the change and if not we work on why to help him as a unit and give him space to grow and to learn from life too.

I came about this blog of another succesful woman, Mel Robbins and watching MuchelleB on Youtube.

I have written some good intentions for myself to follow and wanted to share them with you on how to set intentiions for myself and as a mum.

my-new-year-intentionsDownload

I talked about goal setting, and Intentions can help you reach them by practicing them and what you want the outcome to be.

I want to make sure that my son has a life of happiness and deal with sad times too. I want him to be able to say how he feels and doesn’t get shot down.

For me I want him to be proud of me, like I am proud of him and be the rock he needs in his life.

My son came into my world unexpectendly but I don’t regret a thing with my son and love the fun we have and I proud of the little boy he his and continues to be.

So if you want to change the people and things in your life then setting intentions helps do that.

Thank you for all the feedback you have given about my blogs, it really makes me smile and enjoy sharing blogs about being a mum and helps me to help you in way I never thought.

I also do videcos on Youtube called The Truth About Parenting so check then out if you would like to see them.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Things to avoid/Safety for your kids at Christmas

It is 6 days yes I know, who else wants time to slow down?

However I am happily sitting with a Christmas jumper writing this blog and thinking about what to avoid for your kids:

1. Avoid glass baubles as I smashed one once in Marks and Spencers and will catch kids eyes and glass can when smashed go everywhere or If you do then make sure they are high up so they can’t reach, or help them put them on the tree

2. Lighting candles in kids rooms use the Led types instead or if using real candles place on high none wooden shelving

3. Chestnuts as kids can have an allergy and can cause choking. Put out snacks like breadsticks avoid dips because double dunking, this can spread germs if you do put these out use individual pots of dips instead

4. Flashing lights if there are kids with epilepsy can cause fitting. Use stable lights and not near candles

5. Keep bags that are cloth and paper keep away from candles and plastic bags away, use reusable because of landfill and plastic bags can kill a child via suffocation

6. rubber toys and sharp bits on toys, and cell batteries. These are deadly if a small child puts this in their mouths, and also spreads germs so anything put in their mouth make sure it is clean and that is food landing on the floor

7. Electrical toys depending on their age and development. If they want to use them then always do so under supervision and store them away safely too. Check for loose wires, and wire them if you can along the wall with a warning sign if they are able to read and be safe in using the appliance.

8. Real trees, make sure any loose trimmings are swept and when neaer it are supervised again, and have shoes on to protect their feet

9. Smoking. Make sure any guests that come over and yourselves do so outside away from kids and any real fireplaces with fire have a guard around it and have a Carbon Mixide monitor is put into place along with a fire alarm.

10. Don’t serve kids boiling hot food and I would always have the kids meals served first and so whilst getting others older kids or young adults are served so the smaller kids can cool down and no kid burns their hands if the plates are put in the oven to keep food hot

I hope these tips are not scaremongering anyone as I want everyone to have a good Christmas and many others write about the joy of Christmas but its’ not if a small child for exanple has to go to A and E so do still have fun, but avoid items that can end up spoiling it.

Many thanks for reading

Carrie X

 

Kids and associations

Kids are a lot more clicked on that we underestimate them at times, but kids now seem to be a lot more self aware of themselves now compared to when I was a kid. You can tell what era they were born in, and make associations about things they see, hear, taste and smell. So they begin as they grow to use all of these senses, along with touch.

So for example, they will see that food because they see you eat it, they will see that food is for eating, but then early in their life a lot of things can end up in their mouths if not careful. When working in a nursery there were kids who would try eating a crayon or sand, as soon as your back was turned.

They don’t often realise, but they also follow regular patterns od each day, and not learning about time, know when it is time for their breakfast, when it it time to play and when it is leading up to bedtime.

They will begin to remember things, like where the park is from their home, when they see the pond they know they may see ducks and swans. They know what things are, like a funfair or know what a toyshop looks like. Kids at first when born and I didn’t know this until I became a parent, and that they associate you, mum mainly, food and drink, especially if they are breastfed. So as soon as I held Henry, my son he would cry for food and make the motion to feed, but I found breastfeeding a hard task because I wasn’t producing a enough and Henry it appeared to not know how to latch on, but I now wished I had kept with it, as from looking back he did, it was my milk that was the problem.

There is breastfeeding counselling now, which I would defintely do if there is a next time, because I will learn a bit more about and with Henry I was ignorate to it, thinking I’d produce milk like a tap, but that was not the case. From baby age, I found that with Henry he knew who people were instantly and it would be by the words they’d say and they do copy, and so yes watch the swearing, as I am guilty of swearing in front of my son, and so, I try my hardest not too. I don’t want reports from school saying he is rude and saying bad words. It can make them become isolated, and I found that making a song and dance out of it too, encouraged it a lot more. So I will says “Kind words Henry” and they can do it, to get a reaction from you, so by saying “Kind words” and ingnoring it, he will stop as he see’s he gets the wrong attention if he does.

As they grow they will associate things that soothes them, when they want a bit of stimulation, like a certain song, a sport, a TV programme and story telling and books. They will at first look at the pictures, but then begin to associate the image with the word.

They start to know different colours they see, unless they are Colour Blind, or they are unable to see at all, but they will have stronger senses, like touch, hear, see and taste. They will start to know more of what they like and don’t. They will start to associate relationships with people and other children and who they are and if they are a friend or not.

It is all about understanding what is what.

If you would like to read more of my content you can by following this blog, and visit my Pinterest:

I also film parenting chat videos, under the Truth about parenting, please check my content here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Parenting Drama, How to avoid it and stop arguments between the other parent

Hello and welcome! So yesterday there were a few arguments, not me but between other people as I had an appointment discussing my work and what I want to do next. It was an argument between a person who was on security and another employee and I felt so awkward witnessing this and it was about letting people in and it made me think of parents when they argue in front of their kids.

Photo by Keira Burton on Pexels.com

I have been there and it can make the child not knowing what to do. So when Parenting becomes a drama because you and the other parent doesn’t get along, how do you deal with it.

1. Set up a placed where you can just talk to the other parent or time to sit and chat, when your child is at nursery, being looked after by a friend or at school, of when they can’t hear
2. Talk to each other sensibly and without rage, and if you need to go outside for example as it is getting too much, give yourself and the other parent time and space recuperate
3. Stop being bad cop or good cop, and be on the same page. Kids should come first and not used as a weapon
4. Ignore emotional blackmail and again if you need to take step back and get perspective with another parent’s views you discuss as adults, then do and get to a place with your minds, that both parents are included in your kids lives, unless they are abusive or violent
5. Remember kids have a voice too, so if they want to express themselves then let that happen, as children do have a sixth sense and they will learn what is going on and see it so don’t push them aside, but sit and chat with them. Kids often won’t let on how much they know is going on, so hear them and listen to what they want
6. Have a family discussion so if you have a lot of children then sit with them and have a family meeting to discuss any issues you and they have, and this can help all of you in being happy

Never forget we are all humans including our children and it is important that we treat them that way.

Please check out my Truth about parnting videos.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Kick start to being a parent/Having time just you and them

First of all. Thank you to those who have followed me as I continue to write blogs on this site, honestly, you help me continue the skill I love and I glad that you like them. I would not be here still if it wasn’t for you supporting my blogs and so a BIG BIG THANK YOU!

So kick start being a parent. Life changing experience you’ll always remember, but not telling you how to parent but what will help you.

1. A good cup of coffee or tea, with a good book to read when you get 10 minutes from your children who may cry, run in my case and you just need to take that time to enjoy such luxuries
2. Get into a good TV or video series on Youtube. I always need my daily dosage and gives me time to rest and take some time away from everyday errands as a parent, like rushing on school days and afterschool clubs. Parenting is a busy business
3. A playlist of music and dance to when you and your kids are doing chores or if they are napping and you can get the home together, even the tiniess of jobs. Its good to see ticks on a to do list rather than crossing outs
4. Meeting the girls for drinks. We all need that time to see our friends without our kids at times. It does not mean we don’t care, but to have that time to chat, dance and catch up on your girlfriends and have a nice evening to yourself, just makes a nice change
5. Take up a hobby. It is good to learn new skills and good for you and your kids and why not do a hobby that you all can do for a change of environment, being indoors especially as lockdown has started to move on, and it can be painting, playing football, going to football matches, running a family team and get other friends with kids involved too
6. Have your meals prepped for the week. Something I miss doing and would like to have Henry helping me now in the kitchen preparing meals, great for them in being independent and how to make good nutrious meals
7. Get your kids to shop with a list instead of you and have them meal plan along with washing up and doing their own laundry instead of you
8. Have time with your kids making lists of when they do chores on what rewards they woudl like, but are doable and have a chart of what they have done for the reward, like have them strip their beds to be washed or made them. All of these skills will help as adults and its good grounding activities that you can do as a family unit, even if you are a single parent.
9. Have kids writing a story and have the read them out to you. Writing is a must in skills and letter writing too. Just skills that will create memories and develop good relationships with other kids and other people
10. Go for family walks and spend time visiting different places, but following the COVID socialising rules.

I do also do a Youtube series on my Youtube channel called Truth About Parenting check out my latest one.

Truth about parenting: Skills that kids should be learning.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Discovering what our kids really want

Kids cab be like a jigsaw puzzle where we think we have found the pieces to help build them only to find that we haven’t got it right once again. I have lacked confidents being a parent and trying to please kids all the time is hard work, but I think its because we underestimate their true feelings about how they see the world differently to you.

Have a chat about what they would like and I was this weekend watching the comedy Outnumbered where the kids are very like they have a explanation for everything whilst they are trying to have a family outting in London. This reminded me of my own sitauation.

Henry can be very hard to please and wants a large Thomas Tank Engine train but checking out Hamleys in London, found nothing and I did offer to buy him a toy there but some were quite expensive and weren’t that much to them. so now on the look out and every item I showed him, he said no to.

With Henry though he isn’t possessive over seeeing new toys, he just likes to see them moving and never gets upset about not having a toy. He does play his tipping point machine and watches videos on his tablet, but he will pick up a toy if there is something he wants. I do have to be careful of the price, but I save money so I can treat him, but if he mucks about or does get annoyed then I will take him out of the environment and then crouch so we have eye contact, very important and then ask “Do you really want that toy?”. I only buy the on item and he knows that it is one toy and that’s it.

I will give Henry options like or I will tell him what we are doing, and then he will decide where he would like to go to first, and he is good at making those decisions and stick with them, but checking with them. As you ask a kid 5 times there is bound to be a different answer so say “So we going to Hamleys first?” at which he will say yes to, and then get the bus back, and he will say usually that he wants to go on a train.

I think it is important to allow kids a chance to have a day where they make the descion, and they feel included and more agreeable when you had over the decision making hat, for a day or two.

It is about allowing them to use their voice, us to listen to them and be part of it rather than being forced to go out or to choose a toy.

I find even though we can still have strops it can be lesser than you being the parent, calling the shots all of the time.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

School run how it has been better

I thought I would document this as I struggle and get very anxious over the school run and want to let you know about this because it can be a mission getting kids to school. Henry because of his previous school didn’t think he suited it when going up to the third year there, he was referred and now goes to another school he now has a taxi arranged by the local authority to pick him up to take him to and from school.

It did take a while for this to be sorted out, but now it has been done and I do feel a lot better. I hope you don’t see this as selfish but it was his previous school who made it clear they wanted him to change so we did, and had to contact an outside travel service and didn’t realise it was not straight forward when it came to the transport to his new school.

I do feel that his previous school had let us down as they initially said that Henry would be helped and thrive in their open evening but not the case. For the first week and two days, I had to take him by local transport and called a taxi and turned up first time fine, but the other one didn’t turn up and so had to get two buses and a real mission.

Now we get help in getting our son to school has been a Godsend and thankful that Henry hasn’t had a meltdown about it and loves it.

So if you can get help in getting your kids to school then find out about it, especially if like my situation it means paying a lot on travel and it just another thing you don’t have to worry about and just being their for when he is picked up and then dropped back, helps take the pressure from it.

If you can get help then take it. I know I chose to be a parent, but that should not have anything to do with it and as parents getting a bit of support in whatever area you find a struggle then take them up on it, making sure it is safe to do so.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

When kids Have a Meltdown About Going to School

This is a form of Separation anxiety and when Henry began nursery and school, he had this and in the schools in the UK do, is a “Moving up day” where they are taken to the school they are going to via nursery to be shown around and meet their teacher and just allows them to get to know school before beginning.

https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2017/8/6/c24a8de7-c255-4fe3-8b4d-78c7df60dfb8-fotolia_162214979_subscription_monthly_m.jpg?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop&crop=faces&fm=jpg

Yet, this week Henry began school, in a new place as he has 1 to 1 support for his development and further his learning.

He has been fine so far. Not tempting fate, and Friday he was greeted by the Taxi driver set up by Surrey council to be taken to the school due to distance and was fine.

It can happen at anytime depending on the child and how they see it, and this has to be respected and it is a shock to them, as school and nursery is not the same They have to get to know a new set of people and that can be scary. It was for me.

Taking my so to school on Thursday, there was a young girl in tears and it was upsetting to watch as she didn’t want to go in and let her guardian there leave and as a parent, if that is her parent, is very difficult to deal with, and when kids have a meltdown there often seems like there is no solution, and I bet the parent or carer of the child most probably gets anxious over it too.

Becoming a parent should never be underestimated as you are responsible for the child and it an be daunting as a parent, when it comes to school. To Henry we help to talk about school to help him get understand it and what he will be doing each day and Monday he is doing horse riding and when his teacher told me I was like WOW.

So it depends on the school, the teachers and the child. Just help your child prepare and they do adjust to it in the end, and its listening and observing them that can help.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Its Official the new school year has begun!

Hello and welcome! Thank you for the likes of my blogs on this site, and the follows I have received. It really means a lot.

So the school year has begun and yes it is back doing the school run again, and for me I will be doing the school drop off and had to arrange transport for Monday and then again for the rest of the week ahead.

I have created a free Printable with a few tips to help kick start you, and about getting the kids involved.

getting-back-to-school-free-printableDownload

This is free to download and print if you need some support in getting kids back to school, and it is all about planning ahead and getting everything together without the mad rush.

So I hope you find it useful and more blogs to come.

Many thanks for reading and downloading if you wish to.

Carrie X

The Bank Holiday with kids Summer Hols 2021

Yes, and yes, it is another bank holiday and tomorow I see my son again and looking after him over the weekend before he is back at school, and for kids they just see it as another day, but teach them what they are for, and this month September was when Diana died and when 9/11 happened and so it is reflection of the two, yet I think its a good one because it creates an extra day until schools are back on.

So if you have children and you need a bit of help as to what to do, then here is what you can do:

1. Instead of having a family roast on a Sunday why not have it on Monday instead and have a bank holiday party and be great end to the summer holidays. Have your kids help cook it, cooking is a great thing to teach and it was my nan who inspired me, as she loved to cook
2. As they are going back to school help them create a vision board of all the things they have enjoyed during the school holidays and would like to do again
3. Have them read a story to each other and create stories of their own
4. Take a last minute trip to the seaside and have the search for seashells, I loved doing this as a kid and like my son to do the same, as shells are great for displaying in your home and completley free
5. Have kids do knitting and sewing. I loved as a kid with my nan’s doing knitting and sewing and make garments and is a great to learn. Teach them to do their own alterations on clothes and one of my nieces make her own scrunches.

So lets get this last weekend done and then its here “School time again”, happy last weekend of the summer.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Shopping Ideas Post about Buying for kids/Birthdays and other occasions

I used to write these blogs on my other site Carries Verstile fashion on WordPress too about Shopping ideas, but because I write about many topics and sites wanted to do a Shopping Ideas post, when it comes to buying for kids.

Thank you for your feedback on my posts really means the world and I do a video on my Youtube Channel called Truth About Parenting each week so here is a link to watch them, along with other topics:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

It can be tricky, especially when they are a sibling as they tend to, in my experience, receive hand-me-downs which i do recommend by the way, cause being a first time mother, it saved me a lot of money, and when you have other children to buy for being relatives, then it can be hard to know what to get them, when they change their favorite things all of the time.

They can have multiable things they like and so it is tricky to not get two of something. Often because of sibling rivalry you buy the other kids a gift in case the child who for example has a birthday, may get upset and it is good to do party bags for kids if it is birthday party.

When it comes to Chritmas I tend to do a theme for each year and try for example my nieces not getting something the other child has, and this can even be kids who have a huge age gap witht heir sibling.

Children also grow up so quickly and I was practically going through my son’s clothes and toys to hand down or to a charity shop.

With toys it can be hit and miss, as for me it has to be something my son is into and so I will observe what he currently likes and go with it for as long as I can before he becomes a fan of something else, and he is very much my son, as I as a child had many favourite gifts. Mine was beauty items, clothes or a record, and on year got a HiFi that I went ont using for years, and even now I have one. Its in my old home and when i do have my own place again will invest in one.

Choosing music is a great gift still so find out if they love in terms of music, and with digital technology you can make them their own compilation CD of songs they like.

The way to save money is to check out Charity shops, and that is where many of my son’s cuddly toys came from and books, and if you check Amazzon they will sell a series of books.

We have a store in the UK called The Works and they always have a deal on kids books and toys too.

Recycle gifts. I made Henry his own Advent Calendar, using boxes and toys from Christmas Craciers two years ago and would like to do the same this year too, and I used , toys received from Christmas Crackers and bought some other little toys from Pooundland, of course always make sure you supervise and wait until they are slightly older and no longer put objects in their mouths.

The other thing you can create is using recycliing items in your home to make thiings like spaceships or Airships out of plastic bottles, or reuse plastic containers from chinese restaurrant to make into gift boxes or to put little bits from games into and have them help orgainze the home, by making gifts you already have in your home.

I reuse Jewellery boxes as they are great items to use for other small gifs including giving all kids if having a birthday party, a keyring with their names on them inside.

Make them cupcakes with their names on them or homemade chocolates. Use milk coloured chocolate rather than dark as thart is better for making chocolates and for kids, or packages bags with smarties or fudge, if they like it.

So, never break the bank if on a low budget and you be surprised how you can create wonderful gifts that will be long term lasting memories.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

How to keeping tabs on your Childs learning through the Summer Holidays

Hello and welcome to another blog post. This weeks post is about your kids learning through the Summer Holidays.

So it is week 3 of the Summer Holidays and its been a lot of days out, I took Henry on a boat ride up London, from the London Waterloo Bridge to the Tower Of London, and sitting at the top it was a good journey and if you have an Oyster card it was cheaper than going on the London Eye site seeing cruise, and took Henry on a bus tour today, and that was with Golden Tours, if you want to do the same, it was really good learning as he is obsessed with the London Eye, and what you can do is afterwards is have them talk about it, and I am putting together a Summer Holiday Diary for him, and you can use a photo album, traditional scrapbooks or like I am using a Notebook/Journal.

My son playing with his buses

This morning I did some maths with Henry doing adding up, and counting, and there are some really good work books for different ages in stores like WHSmiths, The Works and even Poundland.

I have taken pictures of the books he has read to add to his Diary and gonna add the maths book too. Gonna take pictures of him play countdown, his favourite show, and he loves Tipping Point. Trivia is a great way to teach kids about things, and facts.

It is good to have them to have a learning space, and so when I have a new home would like to create this for my son and for other kids I hope to have, if not too late, being in my 40’s. You can use white boards or a pin, magnetic book to put a Summer Holiday Learning plan, and breaking it down thourgh the day.

The outdoors is important and if there are a kids summer club, then check these out, as my son craves for other children to play with, and so planning a play date is good and great for you too.

Does do what you can, but never stress.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Not Going Insane During the School Holidays

Hello and welcome to a new Parenting post, today is The Second week of the summer holidays and if you are going insane already you aren’t on your own and my patience has been challenged yet I got through it and so can you.

Kids come with many traits, stroppiness, answering back and full of energy and I am just glad I have my coffee to keep me from losing the plot and it has meant I have got my weeks worth of exercise.

Who needs a gym when your kids can make you run?

It means playing football a lot, cricket or WWF, yes and they say “Don’t try this at home” but as soon as I am picking stuff up of the floor to tidy I have a 7 year old who dive bombs and now I am wrestling to get up to drink my coffee that often goes cold. Good thing Iced coffees exist, as either way I get my energy and stay awake during the day for the course of the 6 weeks holidays.

If you wanna know what coffee I drink at the moment it is Nescafe but when buying a coffee out it is a caramel latte.

Should you use food when it comes to kids playing up?

Yes as they can play up when hungry and so I take snacks and water with me. My son doesn’t really drink flavoured drinks and it is milk or water and in terms of food I will take with me, crackers. or a sandwich, crisps. raisins and since COVID I will use my bank card and not take out cash but it depends where we go. If will often just take out like £20 in cash but if not need to then I don’t.

I tend to do different things during school holidays compared to when Henry is at school, like have an Ice Cream with my son, take a packed lunch and have a picnic and play ball somewhere or like tomorrow go to the seaside to see my family who live near there and having a lot of days out, as often kids especially if an only child at the minute, miss other children being around and when I used to go on holiday would make friends with new children who were also on holiday and being near the see helps me as a parent to keep my calm.

If they get upset when leaving then reassure them that they will have more time away and can write to them as I liked doing this I met a girl called Laura when I went to Devon one year to a holiday camp who lived in Nottingham and kept in touch. We have lost contact now but I loved as a kid to have penfriends and should be memerable for kids to look back on when they get older.

So more blogs to come and remember to #staysafe make sure you wear masks if required and wash your hands regularly when out due to the spread of germs and hand sanitizer.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

When kids are driving you mad!

You have one kid wanting ice cream, another wanting a choc ice and one that wants a lolly. They may moan that they want the same as another sibling or another child and they want you to stop working and play.

Sometimes it is impossible to please all children as they are all different and so they decide themselves of what they want and actually they are saying “I want to be equal”. That is possible but when kids have strops its them being a kid and being definant.

Am I saying that this isn’t bad behaviour?

No, they need to learn communication and how to speak to other adults and kids in a kindly manner, but kids do come with hazards, like Wining, stamping their foot and one sentence my son says now and that is “I am not listening”. So say to them “Kind words” and “I am not listening too” and when I ignore him, he will then be the one who comes over to me to be sweet again.

You do have to stand your ground and let them know if they are crossing bad boundaries and you like “Polite children” but don’t go on and on about it. As I get fed up of people saying the same thing, but with a kids it may need to be repeated for them to get how they should communicate and how to still express themselves.

Kids will pick up bad behaviour at school and he has been spending time in a class where all the difficult kids go to prevent kids who aren’t separated. but for me that method is wrong. All kids should be included and be a cause of a child playing up. Remember kids still have feelings and emotions and for me is putting out a bad message to kids. You can badly bahave and we will segrigate you with other kids who play up and you get to play still but away from good behaved kids.

Even writing that I shake my head as kids learn from both type of kids and its learning how to be with other kids for when they build relations when they are older. For me it is encouraging bad behaviour not stopping it.

Remember the strops and shouting will stop and can be avoided if they see good behaved children and being a role model myself.

I want Henry to have a wonderful childhood filled with good memories and fun, but not encourage when they drive you up the wall.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Children and Being sick

Kid will get ill and i as a kid would be sick and anything going around like Tonsilitus I would get. In the hot weather we have had the more germs will spread.

Childrens immune systems are still maturing and so their bodies take time in fighting off ilness and so here are some tips on keeping kids well:

1. Carry round hand wipes and Sanitizer. Now I know they say that wipes are bad for the environment but carrying around flannels if you have more than one child is going to make things difficult. You could use one of all children but there can be more germs spread by flannels so wipes for me practical and less dangerous in passing diseases and viruses.
2. Encourage kids to wash their hands. This is all throughout the day in the mornings when they begin school, when they have used the toilet through the day and when they get home from school.
3. In heatwaves keep kids in the shade for part of the day as being out in the heat for too long can cause kids to overheat and so if you keep them safe in the shade in the afternoon when the weather can be at its hotest keep them cool and prevents over heating.
4. Carry drinks or have your bank cards or money on you to get fresh cold water and wipe them down with a cool wipe can help keep their skin cool and body hydrated all of the time
5. Invest in hats for your kids both for the summer and winter and light coloured clothing. Change them school clothes to fresh new clothes as you being surprised how much germs can be on school uniform and so keeps their school clothes clean for longer and have all unform washed altogether ready for school to be back as we get to the last week of term.
6. Swimming gear should be removed after they have swam and be showered as clorine can effect kids skin and if clothes not rinsed out and wash can spread germs and smell after a while so take their swimming gear off ready to rinse, dry and washed for next time.

So I hope that these tips are helpful and remember #staysafe and #staycool.

Many thanks for reading

Carrie X

When kids are pleased to see you

So I am helping with the School run again and it feels refreshing to be doing this again and it has been good Henry has been pleased to see me. I wrote a similar blog like this some time I think last http://when kids are pleased to see you year possibly and it often has been when I have picked him up he has asking for his dad and when I haven’t he has asked for me.

Kids change all of the time yet two days ago when I took him into school he was so pleased to see me that he sat at the dining table of my old home, I now live elsewhere, that I see we have a bond now like none other and its good to have this routine in my life again, but it was good to have a break from it too.

When it comes to school pick up the things I always take with me, is a snack as my son gets super hungry after he finishes and goes to the morning club on a Friday and so he will be ready to go home with me today and I will spending rest of Friday and Saturday with him and I make sure that he has a jumper or a fleece should the weather get cold and he always takes a healthy snack at school along with a bottle with cold water.

In the hot days we have been having I make sure Henry has sun cream on him and wears a hat to keep the sun away from his face. When doing the school run make sure you do a rehearse one to workout how long it will realistic take to get to school.

Reasure then if they get upset first as it can be a transition and you can’t underestimate it, by telling them you will be coming to pick them up or if not you who and when they will see you next.

So have good few weeks left of school and more posts to come. If you would like to see my new Truth about Parenting video then you can here: Truth About Parenting/Dream Feed and Dream Wee.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Truth about parenting video talking about/Having a child with ADHD

Hello and welcome! So I have been doing a series of videos on Youtube called Truth About Parenting and this weeks was about Having a child with ADHD and this was inspired by a video I watched of someone talking about their son with disability.

Thank you for liking my blogs on this site and following me it really means the world.

Check out my new Truth About Parenting video below:

It can have its challenges but its good side to as Henry will decide when to finish a game to play a new one and he is structured in the fact cause he knows without being told tidying things away. He can be definate if you get on his case so I don’t say it and often when I don’t he will tidy away when allowed to make that decision be his choice.

Henry can be very effecitonate, but sometimes would invade personal space, so I have had to tell him to “Give personal space” but not to the point of telling him off as such but to say if a child or adult says to him “Don’t” I will move him away and say “Too much not so close please just say hello and talk but not so close”.

He will often look at me with confusion as we hug all the time, which I would not give up for the world, and I see it, its that look to say “Well we cuddle why is it different?” and that is hard one to answer so I will say “will hug but lets have some space too and if it is me and you okay but other adults and children find it uncomfortable”.

Its being suttle but not restricting them. It is good for them to be sociable and caring so I never want to take that away, but still imply other peoples wants and learning about boundaries.

Kids with ADHD can be overly energized and I am like “It’s 4am in the morning how come he isn’t got his eyes on the floor” as I get out of bed and tread on a kids toy to the bathroom. Yet, I like having that time too, and he will watch his tablet, okay I hear the judging, but you do what you have to do, as us parents we can feel extra tired sometimes when they buzzing around the house causing havoc at 5am.

So its managing their ADHD in a way that it doesn’t excuse their behaviour when they get over stimulated with a lot of energy but keeping it down so we can spend ten minutes of reading for example, watching TV or playing magnetic darts, and keeping then from being bored as that is a trait of ADHD when they are bored they will become disruptive.

Many thanks for reading and watching my Youtube video, and there will be more to come

Carrie X

10 Parent Hacks and good habits

If you didn’t know I do have other WordPress sites where I talk alot about productivity and good habits, mainly on my WordPress site: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com

I thought I would share some parent hacks and good habits:

1. With COVID guidlines alway make sure you have antibacteria wipes on you or pocket tissues and they wash their hands when they get to school and have hand gel on you too
2. Have a getting ready for school section. So use a room that you use all of the time to hang their school uniform with bags and coats near the front door
3. Go through their book bags, after school has finished and before they set off for school the next day
4. Buy snacks you can pack without being refridgerated like Veggie Crisps, a packet of raisins or if it is a piece of fruit you have it in the fridge with their lunch boxes if they have packed lunch
5. Have a regular clear out of their toys and clothes and what can be handed down or donated to other Children who may need the items the most. Check out my blog I did about this: Decluttering your kids rooms/Good ways to play outdoors
6. Have your kids do chores and teach them how to have a good daily routine and they help with tasks like Laundry, emptying bins or dust
7. Have them set up breakfast whilst you get yourself ready and have a functional dining table that can be used as a working from home table to breakfast to having meetings, to do homeschooling
8. Make sure you look after their teeth and check them regularly and teach them to brush twice day, the morning before school and after
9. Have them have sleepover so when they celebrate their birthday without us going home on our own. I used to do this a lot with friends. We’d go to a theme park in the day and then go back to one of the kids houses watch horror films and stay overnight. Sometimes my friends mum’s would order a Chinese takeaway or a pizza. Social interaction is important more since having two Lockdowns
10. Teach kids how to recycle and make jars as storage to keep baking or crafting activities and use containers from chinese takeaway shops to help keep bits in. Anytime you recycle it stops landfill.

So I hope you find these helpful and to let you know I have a new book out called Mum&Me available from Amazon.com in Kindle and Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Mum-Me-Gucci-Tits-Queens-ebook/dp/B096ZPLGR9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1623602499&sr=1-1

I also have some online courses available so check these out too: https://carrieseducationnetwork.thinkific.com/

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Decluttering your kids rooms/Good ways to play outdoors

So the end of the school year is upon us and why not spend the final days of school a time to declutter and sort through their toys to get rid of ones no longer being played with for new toys that they do like to play and have them go through some toys to see what they would like to keep.

Narrow it down to having 5 things to choose from and they put the other items they don’t in a bin and the same with clothes and furniture in their rooms.

Give their room a makeover and create space for them to play and have a place where they can be quiet and do puzzles, create home worksheets and go through their books they love and others that they haven’t read. Hack go through the books and turn them around, to see which ones have been read and ones that they haven’t and if their are books not suited for their age anymore that have them go through with you so they can choose the books to keep and others for donating and sell.

Have them read out in the garden and have a home picnic. Have then choose the food for their picnic by laying items out for them to choose, and include fruits, yogurts and other healthy snacks.

If they love water and you have space invest in a paddling pool and when it is okay take them swimming. I as a kid had swimming lessons and helps them stay safe in water and invest in armbands and good swimming clothes.

Go through their summer clothes and see which still fit and again have a pile to sell or items to donate. Separate them into age category and then colour. any that have marks on that didn’t come out in the wash despose and keep notes of the clothes you’d like to keep, throw and sell.

Any pictures of them frame and put it into their bedroom or use cards they have received in frames as many greeting cards can make good artwork.

To do something for your kids birthday that is different and more fun like hiring a party bus. As a kid I loved the trolley buses that were decorated with ribbon and I could sit at the top deck which had fun activities on. A couple of my friends on their wedding day hired out a bus and it was good fun and something to remember.

Have them wash your car or sort the garden out, plant some seeds so they can help grow your own salad leaves, tomatoes and herbs.

Its all about fun and loving life so encourage, support and a nurture and have them live the best life they could possbily have.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Parenting on the go and how to get through the end of term/Breaking up for the summer holidays

So around this time is when the schools get ready to shut down for the Summer Holidays, even though some schools hire out the school for kids to join the summer clubs that operate on them, and they can be good so why not apply for your child to go.

Henry my son did and last year when I booked for him to join a club outside of school he really enjoyed it.

Kids feel it by the time it gets to this part of the school year, and can be a little grumpy when they know they have a few weeks left. So would you being the parent, as we go into Autopilot and try to plan for them but when I did this I then didn’t do all those things,

They need to rest and this is the perfect time, during the summer holidays to do that, so why not arrange a playdate to enjoy the summer weather and your kids can play happily in your garden of course if you have a flat not possible but can have a playdate in a local part somewhere.

Do you need to stick to a routine still?

Yes but you can let them sleep in as they can find the end of the a school year tiring, the same being a parent, and also have some days where they can have Pancakes for breakfast, making different food for the holidays different from when they eat when they come home from school.

Take them to have a breakfast in the garden when it is not too hot and then have a afternoon picnic in a local park. Do different things from the norm and why not go on a bike ride or for a walk with everyone.

Then eat out or pick up sandwiches and snacks to have outdoors.

Just make it excitable for them for the summer and then slowly wean then back into the school routine for when it returns.

Many thanks,

Carrie X

My New Book/Mum&Me

Aswell as writing blogs I am now writing books again and my book new unedited book “Mum&Me” is now available under my name Carrie Holmes on Amazon.com in Kindle version and two paperback version, a new edited version will be released soon see link below:

It is based on a Mother and Daughter relationship, how they doubt each others driving and often arguing over Elizabeth not being tidy and Elizabeth the main charactor gets annoyed with her mother obssessive purchasing on TV Shopping channels and buying items on the internet, but ends up ordering the wrong thing.

Then there is Gloria, who is Elizabeth’s arch rival with her false lips, face and boobs, and only time Elizabeth and her Mum agree on Gloria who is the head of her son’s school PTFA and asks for import but if it not one she agrees on, only she can nake the decisions, which gets on Elizabeth’s nerves.

So check it out and many thanks in advance if you do purchase it.

Carrie X

5 Ways to Keep kids safe in the summer

The last thing you need when on holiday kids becoming unwell and when having a Holiday in Menorca as a kid I got Sunstroke and lost may days of that holiday feeling so unwell.

With hotter climates you do have to make sure you children a safe from the sun, and not exposed to the heat and sun too much.

1. Make sure they wear a hat, too keep the sun away from their head
2. Use factor 30+ on their skin
3. Not playing out too long in the heat, try to keep them in the shade for sometime
4. Make sure they are wearing light colours or bright colours, so they state cool
5. Take a bottle of water with you when going out for the day and keep it cool

It is important to be outside for some Vitamin D, bt that the same time be vigilant about the hot weather and making sure they stay safe.

So I hope you find this blog informative and Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X

Truth about Parenting/Having a hobby

Hello and check out my new Truth about parenting video, talking about how good it is for your kids to have a hobby.

I always had a hobby as a kid and so did my brother, and I would encourage swimming lessons, as this is a good way for them to be confident about water and learn how to swim.

If it is a sports club then why not learn to do sports coaching yourself. I am FA Qualified and ready to do my other badges, as you can set up a sports club for your child.

So I hope you enjoy this video thank you for your time,

Carrie X

Teaching kids about how to make sensible decisions and living in a world of choice

There are many things you can teach your kids that they will help them in the future and teaching kids to make sensible decsions is one of them.

So what do I mean?

When it comes to clothing for example let them choose what they want to wear by laying some of their clothes. When it comes to books, let them choose books which are informative and easy to read and will help them establish good practices.

As soon as they start becoming aware of how to feed themselves than allow them to choose an item from their basket or draw of healthy baby snacks to eat, and let them tell you wish one they like, and show them the options they have.

When it comes to learning and doing education, at home then why not break the day in chunks to do different things as kids don’t like to doing the same things all of then time and neither do I, so it is good to break the days up where they do some sit down learning, physical play like sports and then widing down time with a good book, for the end of each day.

Get them to do a bit of acting if they want to do pretend play and create a story of existing plays like the classic wizard of oz or dancing to their favourite music, and let them choose the songs and have a mini disco, and now they can see friends why not have a play date with other parents to put on a children party.

If there have been kids who may not have had a birthday party due lockdown why not do one now, so they can still see some of their friends and family again. The same with visiting their grandparents, let them decide who they wish to be at their party and write a guest list of all their friends and family. It is good to allow kids to get involved as this helps with their growth and development, and have them greet the kids coming along with family.

Being a kid it should be all about living and learning as they reach each age in their childhood. Kids only get one birthday so even have the write the invitations and thank you guards for afterwards.

Children love it when you involve them into your plans and give them choices, not too much though , just a few that they have set out in front of them.

So let them be involved in their development as life is about learning and helping kids look after themselves without being helped all of the time.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X

Teaching kids to share/How to teach kids to take turns

When you have only one TV and 5 kids then it is like “Right how do we make sure that all get a chance to watch what they want?” well, allocate time for each child on different days and create a TV planner on your fridge on on the living room table, for them to write down what programmes they like and want to watch. If there is one they all like then its right lets put it on, but if they have others that not everyone does like then create a TV schedule for each child, and if you have Sky or Now TV for example add the programme in a timer, or saved to record so it goes into the planner and allow them time in the week for them to watch that show, and do the same for all kids.

It is good to have kids play board games as they are a great way of teaching the to play together and form relationships and it good bonding time between you and then being the parent and with their siblings.

When it comes to toys find ones that can be easily shared like a talking cuddly toy, and you can sit with them and play, and this way you are giving yourself time with them, and letting them both you attention, or skipping. I loved it when we would do skipping and it would be a whoe load of us joining in.

Play a sport like volley ball, badminton or football, anything that doesn’t leave another child out. Then tthere are toys that is meant for one person to use at a time and what I would do is have a timer so each child has 15 to 20 minutes to play with that toy, and then they have to pass it ti the other chlld and given them an alternative toy, each so they are not left sitting there and swap over once the 20 minutes is up.

When it comes to each child and having one to one time, is just important and we can’t with all our powers as humans, separate ourselves physically so I would allow each child a day or just an hour or your time with just them and schedule this and let each child know together of when they will have one to one with each parent and have then choose itens of a list which you can work with them to write, and of what they wish to do.

Have a day out with each child having one to one and have them choose some activities they would like to do outside aswell as indoors and arrange it. Even if it is to have their haircut or some retail therapy. Just have that time and make it the same amount for each child in your family.

Its all about sharing and caring, and being free for each child and make them known that they are just as important as the other children you have in your household.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X

Parenting Schedule/Life can be such a mess

Hello!Yes time for another parenting blog, and today as i write this post I put together a new Parenting video about the mistakes I have made as a parent, as being a first time mum, this can often be the case so please checkout my Youtube channel to watch this new video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

This blog post is about Parenting Schedule when it often ends up being changed, ignored or in the bin, so your day ends up being a mess and then you just wished you stayed in bed for the day. Yet with kids screaming it can feel like a duration from when you got up to when you finally go to bed.

I thought when Henry was the age to go to school, I would have loads of freetimes, but how wrong was I, as that time from dropping him off at school to picking him up would fly by. I often would feel I accomplished nothing and by the time I got free time in the evening it was already 9 O’clock.

At the moment I do have more free time as I don’t see my son at the moment as often, and I have started to feel the anxiety of our separation, and really looking forward to being in his life more and I love the hugs I get, but I miss watching TV in bed after a long day and taking him to a coffee shop so he can enjoy his chocolate muffin and taking him to many parks in London.

When do see him I now no longer worry about mess as I know it won’t be like that forever but will be done, and hugs and laughter playing magnetic darts for example is much more important than mess, so yes living in chaos can cause cleaning and home anxiety, but I would never choose tidying up over a big hug with my little dude.

Have a wonderful week and Stay safe, Stay Strong and #behappy I am all about the Easy Flexible parenting now and that is how I roll.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Teaching kids about good causes

As a kid I had a penfriend who I contacted when I was in Primary school, and I loved it. This was before the internet was introduced and would be personal letters, telling them who I was and about myself, and I am so sad that we in the end lost touch.

Photo by Lagos Food Bank Initiative on Pexels.com

I remember when they showed kids starving in Africa and it did break hearts seeing it, and I always donate whenever I can. We can all struggle when it comes to living, and so I do believe in #workingtogether and supporting families all over the world.

I hope the penfriend I had from Gambia, I think it was. is still with us and doing well. Now we have the internet it is so easy to get into contact with other people from all over the world. Of course there are people who use it for the wrong reasons, but like me I use it to share a song that I liked and a youtube video that may help others.

It is amazing to see children making a difference for other children, as we are one world, and should be supporting others, and getting rid of those who use the internet to hurt others. I like the fact that schools do a lot to help the community. At my son’s first school he attended, they would do a lot for good causes, like #mentalhealth week and #childreninneed and would encourage parents to teach kids about good causes and getting involved to support families all over the world.

It doesn’t have to be anything huge and just watching The One Show, they are do a lot to thank those who have made a difference for charities, raising money. I loved it when we would have fetes at a school on on the housing estate, where I used to live. It had so many good benefits. Like meeting other children that lived on other Peabody Estates. and being responsible and I like making a difference. I am in no way looking for a halo, I do it because I feel it is rewarding.

I never thought I’d ever run the Great North Run, which I did for the National Autistic Society and do the London 10K for Help the Heroes. If someone had told me I would have thought they were mad. So if you can help a good cause then get the kids involved and this will stay with them for the rest of their life and we want to do good all us, don’t we? I love taking part in charity events. You meet such fantastic people, example when I was working in a contact centre, others who I worked with wanted to do walking events for Charity. It was such good fun.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Gaining a Kids Trust/How kids change their mindset with feeling safe to unsafe

In today’s society it can be a tricky world, and it can take its toll on us and our kids. For no fault of their own they may be unsure of you, even if you are their parent. Trusting is a key word for me, when thinking about the relationship I have with my son, and want him to feel that he can come to me in full confidence and will support him whatever he decides to do.

Gaining a kids #trust is something that is very important that we all do, so they know that we, the child’s parents and we will never allow anyone to hurt them, but they will get hurt. I hate to face that fact, but it is true. They will fall when they begin to walk, they will catch a cold, they may squabble with another child. This is how they learn to walk and get up when they fall. If kids can use a room as a playground they will. To avoid this have toys out that they can play with and set boundaries.

Never limit kids but have rules that if they want to play and jump on the cushions to tidy them up and teach them not to put cushion over their face, especially if they are really young. control on what they watch on their devices, because they will copy.

If they find that a video scares them, never avoid but let them know it is okay and they don’t have to watch it if they don’t want to, and their fears will change. My son for example as a toddler would cry when he watched You Spin me right round, by Dead of alive and so would turn it off and just play the song without the video, using Youtube.

Henry, my son is very friendly and loves seeing other kids and when he went swimming one of the little girls there got a bit fearful of Henry and another child who looks older than his age, and so the instructor took her in and made her see it is okay.

Never fuss too much about this as they will adjust, and Henry was scared himself when he first began swimming lessons, but through being persistent and not allowing his fear to not go, is now super confident and loves it.

If they see you worried then this can pass on to them, and so it is important as a parent to have peace of mind and I know the swimming instructor, would never allow any child to drown, and if they see you are okay then they will be too.

Its taking gradual steps and you supporting them whenever and wherever possible and let them know each day they are loved, will instantly make them feel safe and that what we want our kids to be.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

10 Tips on Productive Parenting/Teaching Independents in kids

Hello as always when I write my weekly Parenting blog post please see my recent Truth About Parenting video: #BeSmart Campaign Online.

So this blog post is about Productive Parenting and no it isn’t about 25 to do lists, but making time for everything that surrounds parenthood aswell as getting stuff done.

There is a Youtube Content Creator who has a channel called Get Shit done, and it is really good in giving tips on decluttering and having a more organized life but not being a chore.

So lets think about getting out of the Lockdown because I bet you were praying for it to lift, not because you don’t love being with your kids but Homeschooling can take its toll.

1# Plan the night before of what you want to get done. This is where you can get your life together when you choose tasks that you like to do, which can then release the endorphins to do more. I find it gives you a head start and why not give your kids a list of 5 things to do, to help you

2# Teach classes in two hour blocks througyh the day. This way your children don’t get burn out and neither do you

3# Prep meals if they are back at school and you work from home, in the morning after you have dropped then off and saves you a lot of time after school has finished.

4# If you work from home then why not have a cleaning breaks throughout the day. The one thing I am looking forward to when I have my own home again is to have a declutter and buy new homewares decor items, and have your kids involved by having them write down what they would like their bedrooms to look like

5# When it comes to doing homework, rather than doing it after school why not in the mornings when they are fresh faced and there was one mum I saw who’s daughter was in Henry’s class, have her daughter reading in the car before it was time to go into school for the day.

6# Do some physical activity with your kids, like me and my son would have a dance in the morning. it is great way for you and your kids to wake up, and why not have everyone brush their teeth at the same time rather than one at a tinme.

7# Put together and create a Working from home mum Capsule wardrobe that you can grab rather at short notice rather than searching through your closet and feel like you can’t find anything to wear

8# Buy groceries online and you can buy many items from Amazon, and set programmes into your planner, so you can enjoy the food you bought and then can watch some TV without searching through and thenn it is all there ready for to have.

9# Delegate duties to your kids, like for example having them run their own bath and clean it after each use, and then it saves a job and it is always kept clean. I would put a little message to your kids, that once used please clean me afterwards, and have a hanging toiletry holder with a cloth and spray. If it is younger then put wipes for them to use for cleaning and then disposed of and in the bin

10# Have kids get rid of their plates and utensils, by having a pick up table, so a table where they pick up their plate of food take it to the table to eat, and have them help set the table and then have a waste and dirty plate and utensils station, and once cleaned and you have a dishwasher have them help empty it. This is great for their independence and it can bring smiles to their faces because you are allowing them free space and responsbility.

Being Productive doesn’t have to be things set in stone, but flexiblity helps wonders and helping them to be independent will help you get things done and teaches them life skills about looking after their home when they grow up

Many thanks for reading

Carrie X

5 Tips# in Preparing kids for school without too much hassle

Hello and welcome! So each week I do a video as part of my Youtube series Truth about parenting, and this week the video I did was talking about Parenting Mental Health.

So now your kids should have returned to school and being Friday it is time for them to be off again until next week. Five Tips in Preparing kid for school without a hassle, is the topic of this blog post.

Tip1# If they have a weekend first before they return to school get all uniform, bags and snacks packed in plenty of time, so I do this the night before, so there is no rushing around.

I find kids respond better too when things are set out, and Henry will often grab his bag himself and I put all bags and coats by the front door.

So the next tip,

Tip2# Always have a Get Ready with me place for you and your kids where you usually spend time in the morning. This saves so much time and even have breakfast ready the night before.

This means having cereal already in a individual plastic container so they can just pour in the milk, or even in a bowl.

Tip3# Write a diary to prepare your childs mindset, as some kids might be a bit anxious about going back and this will help prepare them mentally so its not a drastic shock to get back into the routine of school.

This is a great pack for kids for you and a child to use and they are just fun and beautiful and found this on amazon.com

Going back to school for me was an adjustment at times and often will have the fear of school because I work better on flexibility rather than a set structure and I think is one of the factors why I struggled at school.

Tip4# Good hack, put in their bags if they are in the early years and toilet training and you can even do this when they return to nursery, and that is use reusable clothes bags, that new clothes ordered online come in now, and put in for wet and dirty clothes, so if they do have an accident or get their uniform dirty by painting for example so it keeps rest of the items in your bag dry and clean. Let the teacher know that you have done that so they know and can use it.

This one is from Amazon and they have other colours and styles of these bags

The bags I go for is one that have the pocket at the front and ones at the side, as they are good to carry water bottles and putting sun cream in and other bits.

See these which are great to put snacks in and use as laundry bags for your kids to take to school and thesre are from amazon and do different sizes.

Tip5# Have a check list on the wall by the front door or in the place where you spend your mornings so you can go through whilst they eat their breakfast that they have everything.

I find using a White board to tick a check list is great as you can wipe it away and then do one at the beginning of each week.

So I hope you have had a good week and yes I am too looking forward to the weekend and soon I will be moving and so lots more blogs on this site and and my others.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

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