Teething can be a distressing time for babies and their loving parents. It’s a completely natural and vital process that every human goes through, but teething symptoms will still cause pain and discomfort.
Happily, we’re here to help! Our guide will help you cope by providing teething tips for pain relief, it will answer the question of when do babies teeth and provide recommendations for the best teething gel for baby.
Choosing the correct teething treatment for your baby
There are lots of teething remedies out there, all promising to make your little one a little less sad. From teething gel to powders and granules, here’s our pick of the best.
Baby teething powder or teething gels – which is the best teething medicine?
Which is the most effective treatment for teething symptoms in babies? Teething powder or teething gels? Most Mums and Dads simply use the teething relief that has been recommended by family and friends but here’s a quick guide to the differences and how they should work.
Teething powders/ Teething granules
The best teething powder should do the following:
Dissolve quickly
Taste nice
Be effective
Contain only natural ingredients
Be sugar free
Teething powder for babies come in sachets with small amounts of powder that should be spooned or poured into your baby’s mouth. They will provide pain relief and/or have a numbing effect.
Teething aids in the form of gel
A good teething gel needs to have these attributes:
Fast and reliable pain-relieving properties
Be sticky enough to stay in place without feeling unpleasant
Tasteless or with a pleasant flavour
Be sugar free
Contain under 1% of Lidocaine (the active ingredient)
When do babies start teething?
We say this frequently, but all babies and children are different, so the answer to ‘When does teething start?’ is an approximation.
Seeing the first symptoms of teething at 3 months is quite usual but the first tooth won’t pop through until around 6-months of age.
The last tooth will have appeared by 3 so, potentially, that’s quite a few days and weeks of cutting teeth to suffer in your child’s first years. That’s why it’s important to learn how to help a teething baby.
Signs of teething in babies
The signs of teething can appear as early as 8 weeks but it’s normally at 12 weeks plus. Here’s a list of the main baby teething symptoms to look out for:
One of the first sign of teething is lots of drooling so buy lots of bibs!
Biting and gumming on EVERYTHING! They do this because the counter pressure gives relief
Red cheeks
Waking up at night
A baby teething will feel grumpy and irritable so prepare yourself for more crying and temper tantrums than usual
Red gums
Being off their food
Ear rubbing – one of classic signs baby is teething but if it continues check that it isn’t the symptom of an ear infection
Teething help – what to do for your teething baby?
Baby teething tips can make your grouchy baby smile again so read on!
Teething pain relief such a Calpol or Nurofen for babies can be taken to help reduce a temperature and ease soreness.
Baby teething pain relief such as teething gel or teething powders
Massaging your baby’s gum will alleviate the pressure of a tooth coming through
Teether dummies and toys are a safe way to indulge their urge to bite
As isolation continues any initial enthusiasm around home schooling is likely to have waned. Carefully created timetables have been ripped up and chaos is like a wolf at the door.
The question of when the schools will re-open doesn’t seem to have been thought about never mind decided upon and we know that maintaining the education of our offspring is a priority, so we’ve produced a guide to the best educational apps and websites available to U.K parents.
We’ve found educational apps for android and IOS, so no one misses out. All the work is done for you. Because, let’s be honest, when we’ve been ‘teaching’ since 10am and the G&T is calling, we really don’t want to be Googling ‘The best educational iPad apps to keep my 6-year-old entertained’ do we?!
Educational apps for toddlers
Top educational apps for kids in primary school
Top educational apps for teenagers
Preschool educational sites
The best educational sites for primary school kids
So, if you’re a parent at the coal face of home schooling we hope these recommendations for educational apps and websites have been useful.
If you need further help and advice have a read of our articles: ‘Activity ideas to entertain your kids at home during the Corona virus lock down’ and ‘Five tips to homeschool your kids during lockdown’
I don’t know you, but since I ‘ve had my son I’ve been doing laundry daily. I feel like my washing machine is always on.
It’s incredible how much washing such a little person can create on a day to day basis. Through many leaks, spills and hiccups, our babies can get through more clothes in a day, than we do in a week!
And some stains are so stubborn!
The skin of our babies is very sensitive and delicate, so it is a common concern for us parents to choose baby detergents that are safe and won’t cause any reactions on their skin.
With so many different washing powders for babies out there, finding the best baby laundry detergent that will get rid of the neon orange stains but be soft on their clothes can be difficult. We’ve put them to the test and selected the best ones.
Our guide of the best baby washing powder
Here are some of the best-recommended washing powders for newborn babies and toddlers you can buy in the UK.
Everything you need to know about baby detergent to wash your little one’s clothing
What is the difference between bio and non-bio detergents?
Biological detergents contain enzymes, these enzymes are more effective at breaking down dirt and removing stains although they can cause skin reactions to those with sensitive skin.
Non-biological detergents do not contain these enzymes but will still wash your clothes efficiently but they may require a higher temperature.
Do baby clothes need washing with non-bio detergents?
Although some babies would be fine with their clothes washing in biological detergent, it is recommended to use non-biological just to be on the safe side as babies do have more sensitive skin.
What temperature water should baby clothes be washed with?
All laundry detergents will state on the packaging what temperature the clothes should be washed with.
I personally do 30*C for coloured outfits and 40*C for white clothes.
Even some non-biological detergents can be washed at low temperatures which is great for the environment and can save on extra pennies yet still making sure your clothes are still clean and fresh.
How much baby laundry detergent should be used per wash?
It will always state on the detergent packaging the required dosage per wash. Never exceed this amount as using too much detergent in your wash can also cause a skin reaction.
Is there bio and non-bio fabric softeners?
There are many different types of fabric softeners otherwise known as conditioners available. They come in biological or non-biological. If you are worried about potential skin reactions make sure that you purchase a non-biological softener for your clothes.
Here are some recommendations:
Comfort pure – a very common product used in many households. Fantastic softener for use on baby clothing.
Ecover fabric softener – plant-based biodegradable softener, great for the environment and gentle on skin
Fairy fabric conditioner – another popular family favourite, designed for those with sensitive skin
What can you use for extra stubborn stains?
If you have stains that look hard to remove just from a normal wash there are some products available suitable to be used on baby clothes.
Ecover stain remover – plant-based stain remover with built-in brush to make it easier to remove unwanted marks
Eco-egg stain remover – contains plant extracts and other biodegradable ingredients designed for sensitive skin
Alternatively, if you do not wish to use any stain removal products, you can soak the clothes in either baking soda or lemon juice before washing to help lift tough stains.
Also, make sure you do not overload your washing machine as this can affect how clean your clothes will get.
Do all your baby’s items need to be washed with non-bio products?
Whether it is baby blankets, towels or toys. Anything that comes into contact with your baby should be washed using non-biological detergent to avoid any potential skin reactions.
How do I home school my child? That’s what the parents of the U.K have been asking desperately for the last few weeks.
The consensus from teachers, education experts, child psychologist and other Mums and Dads seems to be:
Do you best with the space, time and energy you have.
Don’t freak out about them falling behind, every child is in the same unprecedented position.
Make it fun and create learning moments from their interests. Combining maths and baking is a great example.
Try and be organised and follow a planned routine.
Reward effort with stickers and praise.
To check progress and understanding swop roles with your child and ask them to teach you the subject they have been learning about.
Home School Curriculum
The home school curriculum UK teachers recommend is to concentrate on the core subjects of Maths and English during structured learning time and add the other subjects in during moments of play or relaxation.
For details of the National Curriculum click this link You’re not expected to follow it but it’s helpful to see why the school has chosen to send the resources that they have.
Check out the free online homeschool websites. You’ll find lots of ideas for how to teach a variety of lessons, from core subjects to modern languages.
Literacy
Follow the guidance set by your child’s school and read home school blogs for more ideas on how to stealthily bring learning into day to day activities. Writing a letter to the Nanna they are missing or reading the recipe for the chocolate buns you’re making.
Maths
Home school maths lessons should follow the lesson plans provided by the school and then be brought into fun activities such as baking and playing shop.
Science
Easy-peasy homeschool science lessons can be enjoyed by chatting to your kids about what they see and think while watching David Attenborough’s ‘The Blue Planet’.
Spring is here and, if you have a garden, it can serve as a giant scientific laboratory. Planting, watering, building a bug hotel and talking about the effects of the weather are all fantastic learning experiences.
Art
An art lesson will be your most fun but messiest home school idea. You kids have had their little worlds turned upside down so treat them to some fabulous and joyous creative afternoons. Paint cheerful rainbows for the windows, build noisy musical instruments to cheer the NHS and get the potatoes out for some printing.
The number of home school hours per day UK teachers recommend would follow the 9am to 3pm school day. If you’re working from home or have vulnerable relatives to care for this isn’t going to happen every day.
Create a classroom
How to home school in a limited space is challenging. If you live in a big house you’re laughing, use an entire room. You might be struggling in a small flat, make ‘school’ the contents of their favourite bag and a cushion that they either sit or lean on to work.
For older children set aside a space at the dining table that belongs to them and their ‘stuff. If that means ‘teas on knees’ for the duration of lockdown, then so be it!
For little ones it’s fine to take the lessons with you as you move around the house and garden.
How to be a home-school teacher
If you’re wondering how to home school your child and be a parent at the same time, these tips will help:
‘Why?’ is an important question for kids so start with allowing them to ask lots of questions as to why they are being home-schooled, why you are asking them to do a particular task and why it’s a good idea that they sit at the table to do their writing.
Let them make decisions about their new school. Choose a name, design a badge and let them decorate the room they’ll learn in.
Communicate everything. Let them know what the routine will be ‘We are starting at 9am because…’ ‘Numeracy will be worked on each week day because…’ Children are much more biddable when they understand what’s going on, what is expected of them and why.
Discuss the ‘School Rules’. Lunch at 12.30, now talking over each other etc. Allowing your charges to be involved in the creation of the rules will make them respect them more.
Local support
How to homeschool your child is something that can be deliberately over amongst other parents. Share hints and tips on weekly Zoom meetings or WhatsApp groups. You WILL need to rant and each of you will require support at times.
Family and friends
My Dad has a very keen interest in astronomy and some of the conversations he has had with my children about physics and the universe have been hugely influential.
Think about who you know that has knowledge of individual subjects. Set up FaceTime, Zoom or telephone chats with them and your kids
Home school groups for virtual playtime
Home school groups can be easily set up with software such as Zoom. At ‘playtime’ or on your lunch break coordinate with the families of your son or daughter’s school friends and let them enjoy some virtual playtime.
Homeschool Resources
Information from the school
Home school groups should have been set up by your child’s school to give them access to:
Teacher’s work emails
Worksheets
Tests
Recommended reading
Lesson plans
What they receive will depend on their age and the school but have a look through all the documents. Even if you trust your teenager to get the work done it’s good to stay in the know.
Homeschool worksheets
Free homeschool worksheets have been added to this article to help you set ‘home-work’ and encourage further learning. Download it here
Home-school books to use
Collins has a fantastic range of books that can be used for homeschooling. There are loads of subjects included and they are aimed at each the Key Stage. You can find the entire serie of study books here
If you’re interested in looking for educational resources and online home school programmes to work alongside what your child has received from their teacher(s), read our article on the best homeschool apps and home school websites.
Our free Homeschool Worksheet
Right click on the image and save them on your computer or print them! It’s FREE!
The times we are going through are unprecedented, scary and overwhelming. They are also an opportunity to spend more quality time than ever before with our kids. But, how to entertain your kids at home? That’s the million-dollar question! Hopefully this guide will give you some useful, inexpensive and fun ideas to entertain children for the weeks and months to come.
A Garden camp – activity ideas for kids who want to sleep under the stars
Dig out the tent or buy one – have an adventure to the loft/garage or let them help pick out their new outdoor bedroom.
Help older kids to set the tent up but let them try themselves first. It’s an engineering and problem-solving challenge.
Cook dinner on a primus stove with them but make sure they are supervised. You don’t want to set fire to your garden!
Let them sleep out as often as they want to. If the garden is private and safe, and the kids are old enough, they can be left out by themselves.
Invest in a basic tent for close to home fun. Available here.
Gardening
Let them create an area of the garden just for them by choosing plants in the colours they love.
Plan and plant a veg patch and fruit trees. Which of their favourite foods could they try and grow?
Let your babes help you with the weeding and the pruning. They will get lots of satisfaction from a job well done
Can’t get hold of seeds or plants? Use cuttings from existing plants in the garden or the pips from apples.
This is a very ‘grown up’ looking children’s gardening set which kids will love.
Star gazing in the garden on a clear night.
This is a fantastic way to teach your child about astronomy, physics and the joy and peace of the night sky. Help them draw a map of the stars, search for the Space Station and marvel at how teeny tiny we really all are.
Physical activity ideas for kids
Physical activity for kids is super important for the health of both the body and mind. This is a wonderful chance to start exercise habits that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Family Sports Day
Sadly, it’s highly likely that your children won’t have a Sports Day to enjoy this year. Re-create the crazy fun of the day in your garden. Here are some classic races to try:
Eggs and spoon (Or tennis ball and spade?)
Sprints
Sack races for toddlers (with pillowcases!)
Hurdles (Or cushion jumping?)
Bleep test (Use mini cones)
Finish off the day with high energy games to entertain kids and tire them out.
If you don’t have the kit at home invest in one of these mega packs, it will be fab for future summer days or birthday parties too.
P.E with Joe Wickes
This is one of the very best free activity ideas for kids. You just need internet access and a screen. Available on Joe Wickes’ YouTube channel every weekday at 9.30am. Joe is enthusiastic, inclusive and inspiring. You’ll enjoy getting involved every morning too!
Circuit classes
A mini gym class with kit to be completed every day or every other day. Parents and carers MUST join in!
It will help with:
Routine
Expending all that pent-up energy
Keeping them healthy
Family bonding time
This is a great website with lots of ideas for a children’s circuit using ‘equipment’ you’ll already have at home. Click here to be inspired.
These co-ordination boosting and super fun kits would make a great circuit station for younger children.
How to entertain children on a rainy day
Film Festival
Entertain kids indoors with a movie marathon when it’s raining outside. Here’s our top tips on how to make the fun last all day.
Choose a movie together. Everyone gets one choice and must make a small speech as to why they think their film should win. Vote!
Make the snacks. Plain popcorn with their favourite toppings is a good plan. Melted marshmallows, drizzled honey and raspberries has always been loved in our house.
Dress up for the occasion. Posh dresses and sparkle for the girls and a tie and hat for the boys. Put on a little fashion show as though you’re attending a glamourous premiere.
Get lots of cushions and blankets on the sofa and snuggle. This is one of the great tricks to entertain kids that allows you to chill out too.
Create a photo diary
Encourage your kids to notice and think about all the happy, funny and kind moments from each week. Entertain the kids while keeping them positive and grateful for all the lovely moments in an unsettling time.
Use a cheap digital camera.
Dig out an old phone and use the camera on that.
Make or buy a beautiful photo album.
This camera is amazing value and the kids will love that it’s a ‘grown up’ piece of equipment rather than something pink and plastic. Buy here
Make a den
It’s a classic way to entertain children, pure old-fashioned fun using clothes horses and old sheet. Things to entertain kids needn’t be expensive, all you need is a clothes horse or two and double or king-size bed sheets.
Educational activity ideas for kids
Educational activity ideas for kids are EVERYWHERE. If you think about it all activities will have a learning moment, you just need to point them out.
Cooking and baking
Good messy fun with a delicious result at the end. They are always high on the list for most parents wondering how to entertain young children but here’s how you can use cooking and baking as an educational task too.
Maths – get them to add up how grams is in each recipe or how many eggs will go into each portion of the cake.
Weighing and measuring.
Literacy – reading the recipe, writing ‘Cooks Notes’ for next time and a ‘Review’ of the food after it’s been devoured.
Science – explain heat and conductivity.
This is a simply gorgeous gift to cheer up and encourage the next generation of Master Chefs. Purchase here.
Science experiments
How to entertain kids who love science? Google or check Pinterest for safe scientific experiments to do in your kitchen.
Science toys like this comprehensive ‘Circuit Kit’ are also an awesome idea, especially for today’s tech savvy children. My two adored their version of this when they were younger. Buy one here.
Write a book and illustrate it
Entertain kids at home with by unleashing their creativity and imagination. You will also combine literacy, reading and art into one absorbing task.
Let them research the kind of story they would write on the internet and ask them to ‘take notes’ on what they discover.
Discuss how a book works. Setting the scene, characterisation and splitting the story into chapters.
Buy a proper book with a hard back that can be decorated so that their book feels special when it’s done.
This hard-back notebook is perfect for your future Booker Prize Winner. Purchase here.
Easter activity ideas for kids
Here’s a quick guide how to entertain children at home so that they still get to do some of the Easter and springtime activities that they would have enjoyed at school.
Egg decorating competition – using boiled eggs, felt tips, paint, glitter and coloured card.
Easter bonnet competition – entertain your children with a time-honoured tradition. Use straw hats or a crown made from card, flowers from the garden, feathers and anything else you can find in the craft drawer.
Make cute spring creatures from all kinds of home sourced equipment – chicks and bunnies are the easiest to do, this amazing website will inspire you, click here.
Art and craft activity ideas for kids
One of the best ways to entertain kids at home is to set up a different craft table every day. These fun activity ideas for kids would usually be a nightmare for parents but this is a time that we all need to remember, if they are occupied and quiet, the mess is worth it!
Play Doh – I know, I hate it too!
Painting – create a giant frieze painting on a large roll of paper, ideal for the garden
Glitter and glue art – glitter tattoos are a lovely idea right now as they won’t get into trouble at school.
Colouring in – you can buy some amazing colouring books now. This is especially good way to entertain kids and chill them out at the same time. This is a lovely one for older kids. Click here to buy.
The importance of relaxation and golden time
Remember! Finding things to entertain kids at home is important, but so is downtime for you and them.
We’re going to be searching for fun games to entertain the kids for many weeks. Don’t use up all your ideas straight away.
One ‘activity’ a day is perfect, especially as we have having to be teachers too! Have a read of our article: Tips to homeschool your kids for ideas and advice on how to maintain your children’s education.
Parents are constantly asking themselves: ‘Arrggh!! How to entertain children over a number of weeks!?’ Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, your young ones don’t have to be ‘doing’ all day and every day.
Let your children just be. Golden time is an intrinsic part of the school day so follow their lead. Create a comfy chill-out space for reading, iPad time, naps and watching a TV programme.
At weekends or in the school holidays, most parents of young children will be wondering ‘Are there any cheap or free things to do with kids near me?’ Entertaining the little ones without spending lots of money is a real challenge for many families, so we’ve put together a quick guide for you.
Free family days out Are you wondering ‘Are there any free family places to go near me this weekend?’ Look no further for some great free fun days out
The seaside -the most classic of all free days out
A day at the beach is the BEST idea when it comes to finding things to do on a sunny day with no money. If you’re lucky enough to live in a seaside town then you won’t even need the petrol money to get there!
Dig out the plastic buckets, spades and fishing nets from the back of the shed (or borrow a neighbour’s!) and head to the sea and sand for a day building castles, paddling and exploring rock pools.
A walk in the countryside – free days out with the kids who enjoy nature
Free things to do with children don’t come much better than a nature trail in the fields, hills or woods. My kids loved collecting leaves, twigs, fallen flowers and pretty stones. Once home they would make chunky collages with their treasure and lashings of PVA glue.
A picnic – free days out with kids who love to cook
Most young children love to eat. Empty your cupboards and let them use their imagination to plan the picnic of their dreams. You might just end up with baked bean sandwiches and orange squash but when it’s spread out on a picnic blanket at a local beauty spot it will taste delicious!
The garden centre -free days out for kids with green fingers
Local garden centres are HUGE! The range of plants and flowers will fascinate small people if you chat to them about the different colours and textures.
If you’re lucky you might just find small animals, reptiles, birds and tropical fish for sale, a freebie mini zoo!
The Park – great free days out with toddlers and older kids
Parks come in all styles and sizes. From large green spaces with Japanese water gardens to fantastic adventure playgrounds. Make the most of the parks near you to keep both toddlers and teenagers happy. Take a football, a picnic, sun cream and a bat and ball to make the fun last all day.
Cheap family days out near me – ideas to do with kids on a budget
Looking for cheap things to do with kids under 6? A big day out full of laughter and memory making doesn’t have to cost the earth. You have two options, either Google ‘cheap family days out near me’ or have a read of our inspirational list.
Boats on the river
Rowing down the river crashing into grassy banks and laughing till your sides hurt is the quintessential British day out. You don’t need to be a sailor to enjoy messing about on the water. Just make sure that you have life jackets, sun cream, snacks and a collective sense of adventure.
A local museum
When you’re wondering what to do with kids who are bored, look to your local museums for exhibitions aimed at children. Dinosaurs, space, a history of toys and nature are just some of the themes that will engage the young.
An animal farm
Girl feeds the goat at the zoo
The fun things for kids to do near me include a fabulous animal farm that costs around £25 for a family of four. Watching a chick hatch, cuddling a lamb and learning about where their bedtime milk comes from would make a fun and educational day out.
The National Trust and English Heritage Properties
Your list of things to do with kids near me should include some of these beautiful old properties and areas of historic interest. The grounds of many of them are free to enter and provide adventure playgrounds, wide open spaces to run around in and ‘fun days’ during the school holidays.
The Art Gallery A search for ‘Fun activities for kids near me’ might surprise you. Art galleries love welcoming children and encouraging the next generation of creatives. Craft activities, kid friendly talks by artists and painting lessons will delight children who love to draw and paint.
Fun events for kids near me
Free activities for children in your local area might include some of these great ideas.
Events at your local library
Fun things for kids near me will absolutely include events organised by your local library. It’s so important to use the facilities on offer at libraries and story time, reading challenges and poetry workshops are perfect for kids who love to read.
School fairs
Free things to do with children are often organised by their playgroup or primary school. During the summer holidays and at Christmas the school fair is a wonderful place to be.
It might cost you a fiver in tombola tickets, lucky dips and ice cream but it’s worth it to help your kids feel part of their community along with their school chums.
A Village Show – free kid’s activities near me that take place at the end of summer
Your village show is a classic on the list of free things to do with kids over the summer holiday. Contact the show committee for a list of the prize categories and enthuse your small people will a little competitive spirit.
Dog, pet shows and open days at rescue centres
The parent of a child who adores animals should find lots of options for things to do with the kids near me.
Cat’s Protection and the RSPCA both have annual summer open days with educational talks, competitions and exciting games.
Dog shows are plentiful in a nation of dog lovers. Encourage your children to bathe, groom and beautify your furry friend and see if you can win ‘Prettiest Pooch’.
How to find out about things to do with the kids So, how do you find out about the things to do for free with kids in your area?
Join local Facebook groups – receive relevant notifications and reminder of free activities for kids near me.
Search engines – a search for ‘Things to do with kids in Reading’ will help the local in that area to find free and cheap days out.
Read local news and media. Read your local newspaper, the newsletters which pop through your letterbox and the local link magazine. The answers to your questions of ‘the things to do near me with kids’ will definitely be in there.
Adverts. Watch out for posters and leaflets in the window of your newsagents and post office.
Sunny days at home – things to do with kids for free
Paddling pool
Fill it with bubble bath one day and ‘bath slime’ the next. Watch your kids as they are playing for peace of mind and hours of splashy fun.
Messy play
Do you hate Play-Doh? Ohhh, me too! Finding the sticky stuff from hell in your carpet is a nightmare. Let your tiny sculptors loose on a plastic sheet covered patio, drive or lawn for lots of glorious mess for the tiny tots with less stress for you.
Sand play
Bring the seaside home with a sandpit full of buckets, spades, dumper trucks and collection of the seashells you collected on holiday. Make sure your sandpit has some form of lid to protect the sand from cats!
Gardening
Planting up tubs with pretty flowers is a lovely thing to do with kids on a sunny day. Let them dig in the fresh compost, smell the blooms and pick their favourite colour combinations.
‘Painting’ the fence
Top of my list of things to do outside when bored toddlers are driving you crazy is THIS! Give them a big fluffy paint brush and a bucket of water and let them ‘paint’ your fence. It sounds crazy but watching the posts change colour as they ‘helped’ around the garden kept mine occupied and happy for hours.
Rainy days at home – ideas for fun with the kids when the weather is bad
Drama – things to do today with kids who are budding actors
Raid your wardrobe for glitz, bring out the dressing up box, drape your living room in tablecloths for stage curtains and provide an old white sheet to design the background scene.
Spark their imaginations with character ideas and story possibilities and watch as your tiny theatre actors create a show fit for the Edinburgh fringe.
Puzzles and games – free activities for kids can be found on educational websites.
Classic board games such as Junior Scrabble and Snakes and Ladders.
Simple maths puzzles and word games.
Boxed games like Connect 4 and Balloon Lagoon.
Baking
Looking for things to do when you have nothing to do? Bake! Biscuits, buns and traybakes are all easy to make for toddlers and young children.
Cooking is perfect. You’ll have fun with the kids and provide a delicious, healthy pudding for the rest of the family.
Drawing and craft – things to do today with kids who enjoy creating art
What you will need:
Flattened out cardboard boxes, scrap paper or a giant roll of brown paper bought for £2 from the Post Office.
The biggest box of felt tips you can afford.
Items from around the house to draw around such as cookie cutters and ornaments.
Potatoes, your cutting skills and a tray of poster paint for printing.
Imagination from the child.
Patience and enthusiasm from you.
Ways to make days out free or cheaper
Memberships/subscriptions to organisations such as ‘Historic Houses’ or The National Trust
Finding fun things to do with your kids can be expensive, especially for a large family. Invest in a membership or subscription and you can then visit your favourite places as often as you want for free.
A ‘Local Resident’ discount card
Listings from local authorities entitled ‘Things for kids to do near me’ will often mention residents discounts. Have a look at your local council’s website and see if and how you can register.
Often having ‘proof’ that you live in the area will entitle you to family days out for free or at a lower price than tourists.
Pay once and then get entry free
Paying once at a museum, gallery or attraction may mean your next visit or visits there will be a free day out. Look carefully at the ticket to see if this is the case for your favourite place.
Repeat visits to much loved places are great for very small children who enjoy the familiarity. Free things to do with toddlers are like treasure when their most used word is ‘again!’.
Groupon or TravelZoo
Useful websites to look at when searching for new things to do for kids near me are Groupon and Travelzoo. They often have fantastic deals on family days out. You won’t find free things to do with the kids, but you WILL find discounts on special days such as trips to a theme park or safari park.
It can be daunting considering taking your child on holiday when you are a single parent. There is a lot to consider. Single parent holidays in the UK are quite popular, with a wide range of options such as Butlins, Pontins, caravan holidays… all budgets can be catered for, for a low cost single parent holiday. Single parent holidays abroad can be more of a minefield, when having to choose airports, destinations, accommodation and many other factors. Family holidays as a single parent can create a lot of memories, whether you choose to stay in the UK or venture further afield.
We have done a few UK holidays, and I find them relatively straight forward to book and prepare for compared to going abroad for a holiday as a single parent.
Finding child friendly locations abroad, and an airline that will give you enough baggage allowance to take everything that seems ‘essential’ can be a minefield. I have taken my son abroad a few times, for short and long flights and I can honestly say they are some of my favourite memories.
First things first: where to go?
I couldn’t find a good site to find single parent abroad holidays, so I looked at major travel companies such as Virgin, British Airways and Tui.
The first big decision was which airport to fly from. For our first ever holiday abroad, I opted for the closest airport which was only a 15 minute drive away from home. Then choosing a holiday destination was the next big step. I spent hours (probably days) scrolling through thousands of holiday resorts, hotels, packages…
My son was only 20 months old so I didn’t want too long a flight time as I wasn’t sure whether he would settle for the flight, or be trying to run up and down the aisle! I chose Majorca based on it being a reasonably short flight, child friendly swimming pool and the beach just a stone’s throw away.
Other things to consider: transport when you reach your location, how child friendly is the venue and what is local i.e. restaurants and entertainment. If you need a passport for your chosen location (i.e. going outside the UK, I would advise doing this before booking anything).
Travel agents make the process less stressful (just remember they make money on it, so prices will be slightly higher than if you organise and book it all yourself).
Passports:
Getting a passport for my son will be a breeze…. I thought naively….
The actual process took a lot longer than I anticipated. I had to get his dad to complete and sign a section (he is on the birth certificate and still see’s our son), we had to include our parents details on the form (dates of birth, when married etc) and then get a passport photo done. This in itself was a challenge.
I found a shop that offered ‘guaranteed passport approved photos’ including ones for young children. It was quite expensive (£15) but after 3 failed attempts using a photobooth, I considered it an investment.
They are less strict on the requirements of a young childs photograph, and I can honestly say that my son looked nothing like his photograph on his last holiday using that passport! I wish they still had children listed on their parent/guardians passport, that seemed like a much easier process than trying to get a 1 year old to look at a camera without pulling a face or blinking.
Next step: permission from the other parent
Consent to take your child abroad as a single parent is a bit of a grey area. A lot of it depends on whether the other parent plays a role in your child’s life or is absent.
My son sees his dad regularly, so I had to make him aware of our travel plans and I gained his consent.
I read very mixed information on this, as some research said I did not need consent for under 14 days and other sites said if I left the country then I needed consent. So consent was obtained, in written form and I photocopied our son’s birth certificate to prove I was his legal parent (he has his dad’s surname).
I would advise doing your own research in this area and seeking legal advice if you are in any doubt as to what consent you need, if any. I did get questioned by customs when leaving and entering both countries as to who the child was with me, and asked to confirm my relationship with him.
Budget: low cost single parent holidays
For us, cost played a big factor for the holiday. I kept upfront costs down by choosing a self catering apartment and taking some food items with such (we took food that travels easily such as crisps, biscuits, cakes, squash) this also meant I could buy an extra item or two with my weekly food shop and not notice the extra expense in one big hit.
We had breakfast and lunch in the apartment every day and went out for dinner. For the entire 7 days, we spent £165 on food including the shopping from the supermarket. That is the same as 5 weeks food shopping for the pair of us back at home!
What entertainment are you looking for from your holiday?
We were happy to play in the pool during the day or walk the 5 minutes to the beach. In an evening, we had a walk along the promenade to find a small restaurant or café for dinner and most places had some form of live entertainment such as a singer or a musician.
To save money, take things like nappies and sun tan lotion with you. I found nappies were expensive in Majorca from the local convenience stores and there wasn’t a bigger shop within walking distance.
The ‘essentials’: what do you really need to take?
I packed far too much for my son. I think I had prepared for every possible scenario! Three outfit changes a day incase of accidents, ice cream chaos, nappy leaks…. Half of it came back unworn. I took a vast array of his toys with us, most of which never left the suitcase as we were too busy playing in the pool or building sandcastles. I took his pram with me, because I thought it would be good for his naps.
The best item I took with us was his Snooze Shade for the pram, it meant he could have a nap without me worrying about him getting sunburnt. It also meant he wasn’t at risk of overheating after I had read all those stories of how hot it gets if you use a blanket over the pram to protect them from the sun.
I got our Snooze Shade off the internet after a friend recommended it https://www.snoozeshade.com/ it was lightweight and easy to pack. It also has a zip opening, so you can easily check on them whilst they are sleeping without disturbing them.
I also should have taken out shares in wet wipes before we left, as I got through about half a pack a day! They were essential for everything from wiping hands before an ice cream, to mopping up said ice cream, to wiping over tables before eating dinner.
I took my sons child-sized cutlery with us, which was an essential pack as I didn’t find any restaurants with smaller cutlery for children to use. We used the Tommy Tippee 3 piece set from Amazon. Just make sure they don’t take them away when they clear the table. I used to wipe them with a wet wipe then give them a proper wash back at our apartment.
Surviving the flight: hints and tips
The flight was less stressful than I imagined but I think that was pure luck rather than anything else. Because of his age, my son didn’t require his own seat so the airline gave me an attachment to attach to my seatbelt.
It was tricky getting a 20 month old to stay still for take off and landing, especially when I couldn’t distract him using an app on my phone which usually works well when we have to sit still for a short period. However, once in the air and he could have a little bit of a walk and a snack, he was content and didn’t appear bothered by the new environment around him.
Other parents were less fortunate, and experienced tears for the majority of the flight, despite their best attempts at comforting and distracting their child.
A great tip that I read online, that my son did really like was the bag of surprises. Our bag contained 5 individually wrapped items that my son hadn’t seen before. They were just items from our local PoundShop – a new toy car, a drawing board, a soft toy that vibrated when you pulled the cord, a glitter ball where the glitter moved when you shook it, and a small wind up toy, but the novelty of them being new kept him entertained for a while.
I have since used this tactic on flights with my son now he is older but used items such as colouring books and magazines. It still works just as well 6 years on!
I would recommend going to the toilet before boarding your flight. Trying to squeeze into the toilet on the plane, with your child, is not an experience I would wish upon anyone. Also, if necessary, change their nappy right before you board the plane. The nappy changing facilities on the plane are very space limited, which is not ideal if you have an energetic child who doesn’t like lying still for nappy changes.
Photographs: you can never take too many!
Remember to take lots of photos during your holiday, especially if your little one is too young to remember lots of it. I must have taken 500 photos that week, the best of which I have had printed and they are in our holiday photo album. Ask other people to get photos of you as well, so that you are actually in some photos and not just selfies. Some great family photos are always a necessity.
A premature baby or they are not able to suck, you want to go back to work or simply need to take a break … a breast pump can be a valuable ally for any mother who wants to continue breastfeeding their baby.
Follow these tips to achieve and maintain optimal milk production.
From day one. I’m not going to lie the first three / four days after birth are complicated, the extraction of colostrum with a breast pump is not done well. It is necessary to wait for the rise of milk.
The breast pump can then be useful for babies born before term or low weights that do not always have the energy to suck. With a breast pump, you’ll be able to stimulate lactation so that your baby makes less effort to suck the milk out, and reduce the duration of their breastfeeding sessions, at least the first two weeks.
Which breast pump to choose?
Electric pumps, manual pumps, double pumps…There are many models of breast pumps, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Electric breast pumps are the most used as they are the most efficient in terms of lactation. The latest generation of breast pumps even offer a double or simple pumping, they are at once small, silent and painless.
As for manual breast pumps, they can be a little tedious, because you have to pump the milk by hand, but they have the merit of being quiet, light and compact.
In any case, the most important thing is to find the pump that best suits your needs, your living environment, your milk production, the needs of your infant and your budget. Our guide on the best breast pumps should allow you to choose the one that suits you best.
Could my baby end up preferring the bottle to my boob?
It can be a thought that scares you if you intend to keep breastfeeding directly from the source.
Long story short, it’s highly unlikely.
On the contrary when your baby grows they might start refusing the bottle. They won’t want to take the bottle and not the boob, while he is in contact with your breasts still full of milk.
If it’s the case and you want to give him a bottle, it is then preferable that the bottle is given by someone else than yourself, even more efficient if it’s a third person external to your household.
Our advice to get to an optimal milk production?
Drawing milk frequently sends a strong signal to the body so that it produces more milk … The more often you empty your breasts, the more milk they will produce.
From birth to the fourth day
If you can, draw milk within 6 hours after delivery. Use a hospital breast pump at the beginning to produce a lot of milk. You’ll produce a little colostrum at the beginning
As soon as possible, pull 8 to 10 times every day. This is the number of times your baby would be breastfeeding each day. In any case, the more you shoot each day, the more milk you will produce. The opposite is also true, the less you shoot and the less milk you produce.
If you can, use a double pump. It will save you time and boost production faster.
Pull your milk for at least 10 to 20 minutes then finish by massaging your breasts by hand. Use the cushion to harvest the milk that will come out thanks to the manual massage.
To increase milk production, try to draw your milk at least twice between 1am and 6am. In the early hours of the morning, the level of hormones that produce milk increases!
From day 4 to maximum production
At the end of the 4th day, you should almost reach an optimal level by making the following changes:
Draw your milk longer, try keep pumping 2 minutes after the last drop of milk or until your breasts feel completely empty.
Focus on the total number of pumping each day (8 to 10 times every 24 hours) rather than the time between each draw (every 2 to 3 hours). However you should not let more than 5 hours go by without drawing your milk for the first two weeks of your baby’s life.
Maintain an optimal level
When you reach the 750 ml to 1L daily level, you’ve reached your goal! Most mums can now draw less times while maintaining this volume of production.
My advice for this phase:
Keep a rhythm that gives 750 ml to 1L of milk per day
To maintain your maximum production level, you must try to sleep more. The majority of mothers draw milk before going to bed and then in the morning when they wake up … Try to do the same and analyze if it does not cause clogging or if it does not diminish your milk production
Draw your milk for a shorter time. Generally, 10 to 15 minutes are enough.
Once a week, total the milk you have shot in the last 24 hours. Write it down and compare weekly to see if your level is holding up or not.
How to avoid being out of stock?
Nothing will ever replace your baby sucking, it’s always more effective than a breast pump. To fill a bottle of 200 ml, it is necessary to pump at least two or three times.
So it becomes a question of organization. If you’re going to rely more heavily on bootle feeding, you should start to freeze your milk. Just freeze it in small amounts (60/70 ml), making sure to record the date, the milk can be kept for four months in the freezer and 48 hours in the refrigerator.
If you do it regularly, you’re sure to always have some milk available for the days you can’t breastfeed.
Increase milk supply
If you need to increase milk production, the faster you work, the sooner you will have results. Here are some things to try:
Pull your milk more often, 8 to 12 times every 24 hours
Pull your milk longer, wait a few minutes after the last drop of milk has flowed
Make sure the cushion for your nipple still fits, the size may change over time
Massage your breasts before and during pumping
Finish drawing your milk by hand
Stop expressing milk
When you have decided to quit drawing milk, it is important to remember to go step by step. Follow these tips for a safe stop:
Skip an expressing session and leave 2 to 3 days for your body to adapt and skip an extra session. In the end, you should only keep the first and last pumping of the day before stopping completely.
Keep the same number of prints, but draw less milk. For example, if each draw gave you 120 mL of milk, stop now at 90 mL. Allow two or three days for your body to adjust and then lower again. After a while, you will not feel the need to draw your milk.
Remember that in the “weaning” phase, if your breasts are too full, just pull what you need to make you feel good again. Leaving your breasts too full can expose you to pain and infection.
I can not get my milk, who can help me?
Don’t get too hard on yourself. There’s got to be a solution.
Try to pump your other breast while breastfeeding. If you need to express your milk without breastfeeding, try looking at baby pictures while doing it.
If none of it works, ask your GP for advice. You can also find a lactation consultant here.
Finally there are also some women that sell their milk online. It’s kind of a last resort solution but it could solve your problem.
If you need to talk we’re here. Message us, comment here and we’ll try to help you and share our experience as best as we can.
