Do you ever feel like you're on a tightrope?

This seems to be my constant state of mind over the past six months. And just as soon as I start to gather some semblance of balance, managing to edge forward fractionally, someone adds a weight to one of my hands sending me dangerously close to toppling off.

And I've always had a dodgy sense of balance.

Even typing this post, I am struggling to concentrate. It's like that Internet meme which mentions the author's mind being like a web browser with seventeen tabs open, three have crashed and you can't work out which one the music is coming from. That's me, most of the time.

Insomnia is a bitch.

It's not uncommon to still be lying here at 4am just waiting…

Waiting for my husband to resume snoring. Waiting for the YouTube meditation track (that I should have fallen asleep to) to end so I can turn it off. Waiting to see if I really do need another 'tinkle', just in case.

Waiting for my mind to just stop long enough to grasp the sleep cloud and slip into much needed rest for a few hours.

Mirtazapine is too strong. It wipes me out the next day, and that's when I actually can wake up. Promethazine doesn't work, not even two tablets.

I long to feel calmed. That this entropy that is my mind will one day lose its fragility and frangible qualities, and allow focus and serenity to reign.

This piano waited ten years for someone to be able to play it. Sanded, polished and cared for as best as two non-musicians could, I swear the keys tinkled with excitement when The Boy started having lessons.

Sometimes the simplest sounding piece of music is actually deceptively difficult, like Calon Lân. He learnt this within a fortnight for the school's Eisteddfod competitions, and I think it sounds utterly beautiful; like a lullaby.

I will keep this child playing, regardless of how much he may complain in the future, because being able to play the piano is an amazing and beautiful talent.

As a teacher living in Wales, I have to teach Welsh as a second language at primary level. It's a challenge (especially when languages are not your forte!), however it is amazing to see children's confidence develop whilst learning these new skills, developing cultural interest and pride, and embedding their place as global citizens.Knowing additional languages in today’s world is very important, especially given that our children are growing up in a highly globalised environment. It may be costly, but overall there are many options you can resort to for language learning.

[Read more…]

It’s always a very exciting yet nerve racking time when you’re expecting your first baby. Not only are you preparing mentally for a new little member in your life but ensuring you are fully equipped with the necessities can be a task in itself. In order to feel organised and prepared to welcome your new born into the world, check out some of Kiddies Kingdom’s top tips on how you can get ready for your little one’s arrival.

[Read more…]

There are many reasons you may need to apply for a mortgage on your home, and retirement is certainly one. When your income drops due to retiring, you may need a way to make up for some of that loss, at least temporarily. A traditional home mortgage offers immediate help, but it also comes with almost immediate consequences. A reverse mortgage provides more worry-free assistance on a long-term basis. Here is what you need to know before you sign up for one.

[Read more…]

The last time you went searching for a personal loan via somewhere like MoneyWorld.co.uk, it probably wasn't because you fancied a pizza, or you were worried about this week's supermarket shop. However, it's hard to ignore the impact that your food shopping can have on your finances. We often think that it's the bigger things that we need to change when we want to make a difference to our budget, like cancelling gym memberships or changing broadband provider. However, simply adapting the way that you eat can make a huge change too.

Think about how much you spend on food for you and your family a week, and how much you could save towards your future if you could reduce that amount by just 10-15%. The following tips will help you to start chopping down your food bill in no time.

1. Discover the Power of Prep

Meal prepping might not sound like the most exciting way to spend your Sunday afternoon, but it's one of the most valuable things that you can do if you want to save money. It's so much cheaper and more efficient to prep your meals in advance. Not only will you be able to plan your lists for the supermarket more carefully, but you'll also be able to reduce your risk of ordering too many takeaways too. If you have meals already ready and available in your freezer when you get home from a hard day at work, you can just throw them in the oven and eat in no time. That makes it much harder to justify ordering in.

2. Learn How to Make a Takeaway

If it's the food you're craving from a takeaway, rather than the convenience, why not learn how to make some of your favourite foods? Usually, you can make a delicious pizza, curry, or anything else you fancy with much better ingredients, and save a fortune in the process. Consider pre-making some pizza dough the next time you're food prepping and asking your kids to join you in a fun and waist-friendly pizza making session. You can also consider buying some of the cheaper pizzas from your supermarket in the frozen section and adding your own toppings.

3. Explore the Reduced Aisle

Most supermarkets in the UK will have an aisle full of reduced items that are almost about to go past their best-by date. Obviously, you'll need to be careful about what you buy here. Some of the items that are available will really only be able to be eaten that day. However, you might be able to get some great deals on foods that you can grab now and freeze for later.

To make sure that you get the best share of the bargains, do some investigating and visit your supermarket at different times during the day. This will help you to track down when the largest selection of foods go on sale.

4. Don't Fear the Frozen

Fresh foods are great, but frozen is definitely the cheaper option. A lot of families, particularly in today's fast-paced world, don't have the time to use the food that they bought fresh. They might end up making quicker meals through the week when they're rushed at work, then discover that they need to throw meat and veggies away because they've gone bad.

Though you don't have to give up on fresh foods entirely, you do need to be honest with yourself about whether you're going to be able to cook the fresh items that you buy before their sell-by date arrives. If not, go for frozen.

5. Don't Trust the Sell-By Date

Obviously, sell-by dates are there for a reason, and no-one wants to risk getting food poisoning. However, rather than just throwing your food away because your packaging tells you to, it's a good idea to really find out for yourself whether the item is good or not. For instance, if your bread isn't stale or mouldy, then you don't need get rid of it just because a little label tells you to.

One thing to keep in mind is that 'best before' date references when an item is freshest – it doesn't necessarily mean that the food isn't edible. On the other hand, the 'use by' date is closer to when the manufacturer believes that the item will no longer be safe to eat; use your common sense.

In the blink of an eye, we've gone from Reception to Year Six and applying for secondary school.

Taller and older he may be, but my little boy still has the cheerful attitude and kind personality that makes me proud of him every single day. None more so than the Friday that I met him after school to discover that not only had he stood for the house captaincy election, but that he had also shown perseverance and resilience when speaking to the house became daunting and ended up elected as Vice House Captain!

Nine years after I started this blog, he still remains my pride and joy.

When you are travelling with family – you have to be extra cautious about keeping your car safe. Tyres are the most fundamental aspects of any car and they need your full attention and care in order to perform well. Before you plan to go for a family trip or just travel for the daily chores, you can follow the following tips which will help you be on point with tyre care and resultantly ensure a safe and steady vehicle:

[Read more…]

The capital is packed with attractions, famous and obscure, to tempt visitors and natives alike. Seeing all of them would take weeks (or even months) but if we choose only the more famous landmarks and amenities, we can cram the best that the city has to offer into a single week, and still leave time for a trip to a West End theatre or two in the evenings! Let’s run through the more popular destinations.

London Zoo

Situated on the north side of Regent’s Park, London Zoo is a world-class facility which not only offers a chance to see the world’s most amazing creatures up-close, but which participates in worldwide conservation efforts.

Museums

As you might expect from a modern capital, there are dozens of museums to consider. Probably the most impressive is the Natural History Museum, which offers free entry. It’s large enough to warrant multiple trips. If you’re more into art than nature, you prefer instead to take a trip to the National Gallery, or either of the Tate museums.

London Eye

Just across the river from Parliament is an enormous ferris wheel called the London Eye. You’ll be packed into a transparent capsule and slowly lifted high above the skyline. Short of a ride on a helicopter, this is probably the best way to see the capital from on-high.

Big Ben

The Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster is quintessentially London. The belfry is home to an impressive array of bells, including the largest of them, the famous Big Ben. If you’re in Westminster, it’s a must-visit. Since the houses of parliament are currently undergoing refurbishment, however, tours are closed off to the public until 2021.

Westminster Abbey

This thousand-year-old collegiate church is among the most significant religious sites in the UK. It’s where most royal occasions, from weddings to funerals to coronations, take place. And it’s also spectacular, with two eye-popping clock towers added in the 18th century.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Finally, we come to what is probably the most iconic feature of the London skyline: St Paul’s. The dome-shaped spire is instantly recognisable, and the interior is home to some of the country’s most impressive artworks and architectural flourishes. From atop the famous Whispering Gallery, you’ll be able to conduct a conversation even at the lowest speaking volume; well worth a try if you’re checking out the inside of the Cathedral!

It is believed that humans have been burying their dead since the time of the neanderthals. Some cultures do this as a mark of respect, others to ward off potential diseases and many more – including the ancient Greeks – believed this was part of the process of preparing the deceased for the afterlife.

[Read more…]