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mummyconqueringanxiety
I am mummy to one feisty toddler and wife to a wonderful man, living in the North of England, UK and making it a priority to enjoy life every second we get to spend together as a family.
You will usually find me writing, anything from lists to blog posts, and excited by stationery - show me your post-its!
Following my recent breakdown, I believe talking about our struggles is the key to recovery. I started the blog because I felt compelled to share my story & my main goal is to help other people.
I am thrilled to take part in the Lively Lila blog tour. And to introduce you to such a special book. Today, I will be talking about this amazing children’s book.
Embrace Lila’s unique sparkle as she twirls through life’s ups and downs with ADHD, showing us all how to love who we truly are. And my blog and social media accounts align completely with this message.
Because this issue impacts our family, I feel a huge burden to ensure my little one can always be her true self. What worries me is that as she moves through school and into adult life, there will be messages given to her which contradict our message as parents – to always be yourself.
My plan is to do everything in my power to ensure she can always be her true self.
Sam – Mummy Conquering Anxiety
Backstory – why we love books in our house
It was only right to create a book review page on my blog. Since I was a young girl, I’ve loved books, and writing. I even did an English & Media degree at University. My little one has firmly followed in my footsteps and we read a range of books with her. I talk about this more on my TikTok account. Check out the videos below and give me a follow.
If you want your book to be reviewed, I would love to hear from you – contact me here.
Ultimately, we could all do with a little dose of seeing everyone’s wonderful and unique differences through the eyes of a child. If we did this, we would embrace everyone’s uniqueness and experience more joy in life. Kindness and a world without judgment would prevail.
Sam – Mummy Conquering Anxiety
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Let’s dive into the review
First reading
I first read this book with my little girl – when we were tucked up in bed. She loves reading a book to settle her down at night.
ADHD is something which impacts our family. And therefore, it’s a subject we openly discuss with our child. Explaining to her that sometimes people think differently, due to how their brains operate and that is okay.
We also incorporate gentle parenting into our parenting style. As such, we explain that people in her class can react differently due to their upbringing or emotions. And that people don’t always mean what they say. They cannot control how they behave and apologising is the way forward. We regularly apologise to my little one, if it’s needed. The message is that we are all human and nobody is perfect.
We want her to embrace everyone’s differences and uniqueness.
How to discuss the topic of ADHD with children
Because this is a topic close to our hearts, I follow the discussion on social media and in the news. I’m aware that a lot of adults don’t want ADHD or autism to be referred to as superpowers, but I think we need to consider the intended audience. And how we broach this subject with younger people.
What I love, is that the book talks about Lila’s wonderful personality traits. But also the things in life she struggles with. Because of what I’ve read on social media, I will admit that the reference to a superpower in the book caused me to question whether we should be saying this or not.
But you know what, although it felt difficult for me to read those words, it opened up a positive conversation with my little one, about the topic of ADHD. She asked if she had it and commented on some of the things she does, like remembering everything – even things from a really long time ago. it’s true. She almost has a photographic memory; we’ve noticed it since she was little. Amongst other personality traits which have led me to have these open discussions with her.
Tools for opening up conversations with children
I think we need to ask why as adults, we have these beliefs ingrained in us. Surely the issue is as simple as seeing someone for who they are and respecting everyone’s differences. It’s society and the constructs we have in place, which make it difficult to do that.
Ultimately, we could all do with a little dose of seeing everyone’s wonderful and unique differences through the eyes of a child. If we did this, we would embrace everyone’s uniqueness and experience more joy in life. Kindness and a world without judgment would prevail.
Worries about my family
Because this issue impacts our family, I feel a huge burden to ensure my little one can always be her true self. What worries me is that as she moves through school and into adult life, there will be messages given to her which contradict our message as parents – to always be yourself.
I plan to do everything in my power to ensure she can always be her true self.
Books like this give me hope that things could change. And I hope they do!
Tiny Tree Books
I’ve now reviewed several amazing books published by Tiny Tree Books and I want to say a massive thank you to them – for publishing books that deal with such difficult topics. In a great way that allows kids to engage with the subject.
Synopsis
Step into Lila’s whirlwind world in A Dance of Happy Discovery
Embrace Lila’s unique sparkle as she twirls through life’s ups and downs with ADHD, showing us all how to love who we truly are.
Young readers, prepare to be dazzled by this exciting adventure that’s bursting with boldness, bravery, and the fun of being different.
Dive into Lila’s story and uncover a tale that’s all about standing strong, letting your creativity fly, and celebrating the superhero within!
As a family, we’ve loved Bluey for a long time. We can relate to Chilli & Bandit. Bluey is as much for adults, as it is for kids. And I love that we can all sit down, as a family, to watch the show and thoroughly love every minute of it. In this post, I discuss my favourite Relatable Bluey Parenting Moments.
If you follow me on TikTok, you will have seen my reaction to the most recent episode of Bluey. Where fans eagerly awaited the outcome of whether the Heeler family would sell their house. And move to a new city. A huge upheaval for any young child. But we know Bluey loves to tackle social issues and difficult topics – teaching our children, and parents how to be emotionally intelligent.
As a family, we incorporate gentle parenting into our parenting style. And we love the gentle way Chilli and Bandit explain things to the girls. We are here for it. Bluey will always have a special place in my heart.
Side note – I started writing this post following Season 3 – Episode 49 – The Sign. However whilst writing, Bluey then released Season 3 – Episode 50 – Surprise. And I honestly cannot stop thinking about an older version of the character Bluey and the fact that all kids and parents grow up. We will never be this way again, at this very moment. Time is precious and it flies by quickly. I love that the show captured this sentiment, shared by many other parents.
Life can be difficult, as a parent to young kids. When you’re working hard to give them a great life. You’re tired every day and the little ones push your buttons. My blog is all about acknowledging the reality of parenting and just how difficult it can be.
Sam – Mummy Conquering Anxiety Blog
The recent episode – Season 3 – Episode 49 – The Sign
What an emotional rollercoaster the episode was. So much happened in the lead-up to the final moments. And all these little moments were like a win for the family and their extended family. We also saw some background characters getting their little wins in life. And we were cheering them on as we watched.
Why I’m writing about Bluey on my blog
Since the episode aired I’ve followed other parents’ reactions on TikTok. Every time I see the clip or hear the song, at the end of the episode, it makes me emotional again!
Writing is the way I express myself. It always has been. And this is a topic I’m enthusiastic about. For all those commenters on TikTok videos saying “they are just cartoon dogs” you probably shouldn’t read on – whilst I respect any opinion which is different to mine. I’m just not sure our opinions align. And that’s okay. It’s what makes the world go around.
Bluey fans. Parents, and anyone interested in the amazing, emotional, relatable show – stick around.
Let’s dive into the Relatable Bluey Parenting Moments – the show presented us with, long before the eagerly-anticipated recent episode:
1. Season 1 – Episode 14: Takeaway
Parenting takeaway: Sometimes you have to ditch your plans & have fun with the kids
The episode shows the chaos that can ensue when young children have to wait around and become bored. Parents – the struggle is real. And I love that the Bluey creators show how difficult it can be. Especially if you are lone parenting with two kids. The episode is also hilarious to watch. And heartwarming that Bandit eventually joins in the fun, with the kids. Chilli knew all along – the kids wouldn’t have the patience to wait.
2. Season 1 – Episode 3: Keepy Uppy
Parenting takeaway:Sometimes fun can cross over into not so much fun for the littlies
It might be a dad thing. But the dad in our house sometimes takes the fun too far. And maybe this is what dads are supposed to do. We can all relate to Bandit:
“Did I make it a little too fun? It’s a hard one to get right.” Any parents will know that it is a hard one to get right. The whole parenting thing in general.
3. Season 2 – Episode 40: Octopus
Parenting takeaway: We aren’t always the best at everything
As parents, we’ve all experienced a slight bit of jealousy. Sometimes, I feel like I can’t play games as well as Daddy can. Daddy probably envies me for my organisational skills. As parents, we learnt to play to our strengths. And not be offended if the little one goes to one parent over the other. She seeks different qualities from each of us.
This episode explores finding your way, as a family, when having fun.
4. Season 2 – Episode 26: Sleepytime
Parenting takeaway: You are the whole world to your kids
This episode gets me in the feels. Because it is so heartwarming and the music brings out all the emotion. All our kids know, is us. Their immediate family. At such a young age, they rely on us for everything. Which can be overwhelming at times. But beautiful. The episode reminds me to cherish these moments with the little one, whilst she is still little.
5. Season 2 – Episode 43: Duck Cake
Parenting takeaway: All parents lose it sometimes – and that is okay
I’ve talked on my blog and TikTok about being triggered as a parent. Every human being walking this earth has automatic reactions, that we can’t always control. That is okay. Bandit shows a real human side in this episode, which then causes the kids to listen. Sometimes, when there is chaos in the house – these moments are needed. it’s a good lesson for the kids on cause and effect. Teaching them that life has consequences – everyone, even adults, can become overwhelmed.
6. Season 2 – Episode 50: Grandad
Parenting takeaway: no matter how old you and your kids are – they will always be your kids
The end of the episode always gets me emotional. The episode explores the relationship of a daughter and dad when old age creeps in and the roles are slightly reversed.
At the end, Chilli asks if her dad remembers her running around when she was young, to which he replies “It wasn’t a long time ago; it was yesterday.“
7. Season 1, Episode 22: The Pool
Parenting takeaway: you will never remember everything you need for a trip outwith the kids
Writing about this episode is giving me flashbacks to the baby rucksack days – when you need three fully packed bags, just to walk to the shop. It’s difficult when you have a small baby and need a lot of supplies.
Getting out of the house is particularly challenging because we have an easily distracted child. I sometimes let out a huge sigh of relief when she is strapped in the car seat and I can just breathe.
The episode also shows us the teamwork between Chilli and Bandit. And not saying, “I told you so” – even when you really want to.
I am so excited about Bluey lately, I just had to get all my thoughts out.
What is your favourite episode? And how do you feel about the most recent episodes? Let me know in the comments.
8. Season 2 – Episode 9: Bingo
Parenting takeaway: siblings are vastly different in personality traits
As parents to a soon-to-be five-year-old, we love the episodes that focus on Bingo. This one doesn’t disappoint. It explores Bingo learning to play alone – a favourite moment of the episode – “The fridge doesn’t like me.” What a cutie!
9. Season 2 – Episode 17: Fancy Restaurant
Parenting takeaway: Romance doesn’t always mean big gestures
I love this episode. Showing us all that romance doesn’t have to mean fancy restaurants. Sometimes, it’s just the little things parents do for each other that matter. Like eating the horrible plate of food the kids made. Hilarious and heartwarming.
10. Season 1 – Episode 28 – Grannies
Parenting takeaway: Give your children the option and let them choose the right path
In this episode, the girls teach Grandma to floss. But the parenting lesson is more about whether you prefer to be right or have fun. And what a great lesson to teach young kids.
It also reminds me of my younger days, at my Grandma’s house – doing special things together – which will be ingrained in our memories forever.
11. Season 3 – Episode 24: Faceytalk
Parenting takeaway: Life isn’t always perfect but the fun continues anyway
This is the most played episode in our house. We love it and laugh throughout. We also have a child very similar to Muffin, but I think all children have muffin moments, don’t they?
The moment which strikes me is Muffin’s parents arguing in the background on Faceytalk. Bandit carefully explains the girls should mute the volume until they have finished speaking. Moments like this make me feel validated. We all argue, especially as parents – and I love that Bluey shows us the reality of this.
Life can be difficult, as a parent to young kids. When you’re working hard to give them a great life. You’re tired every day and the little ones push your buttons. My blog is all about acknowledging the reality of parenting and just how difficult it can be.
Parenting takeaway: Despite worries, the kids will be okay making friends at school
Absolute hats off to Bluey for exploring the topic of ADHD, with this lovable character. It’s a topic which impacts our family and therefore, one of our favourite episodes.
It’s also a great look at the way children might view these difficulties – with remembering things. In our family, we explain to the little one that other people can have different brains and they sometimes do things a bit differently. We are slowly starting to broach the subject in an age-appropriate way. And this episode helps us do that.
13. Season 2 – Episode 41 – Bin Night
Parenting takeaway: Spend time talking to your kids about their dayworks wonders
This episode follows Bandit and the kids carrying out a mundane task. Obviously to the girls, this is very exciting. And it prompts a conversation about something which is troubling Bingo. All is well in the end though. Talking it through with a parent helps Bingo.
14. Season 2 – Episode 1 – Dance mode
Parenting takeaway: Don’t let the fear of looking foolish, stop you from having fun
This is one of our top three episodes. I mean, the song is enough to make you love it. But watching the embarrassment of the parents. Which then turns into total fun – never gets old.
Don’t be afraid to dance like nobody is watching. Have fun with your kids and try not to care what other people think.
15. Season 2 – Episode 6 – Stumpfest
Parenting takeaway: Parents need their outlet and playtime
It’s healthy for parents to do something which doesn’t revolve around kids. It’s also healthy for the kids to realise this and not always be with their parents. We’ve always wanted a range of social settings for our little one – nursery, staying at the grandparent’s every weekend and generally doing her own thing – when it’s appropriate. I think it’s good for young children.
The most heartwarming thing about this episode is Chilli explaining to Bluey that the dads are playing. Bluey then goes on to help them play their game.
16. Season 3 – Episode 43 – Dragon
Parenting takeaway:Sometimes difficult topics can be explored whilst spending time together
There is a reason parents and therapists use drawing as a technique to speak to children. In this episode we see Chilli tell a heartwarming story about her Mum, to encourage Bluey to continue drawing. It also touches on the topic of Chilli’s Mum no longer being around.
The family encourage Bluey to persist with a task and also explain a very difficult topic to the girls. It’s also emotional when Chilli fondly remembers her mum.
17. Season 3 – Episode 26 – Fairytale
Parenting takeaway: Sometimes kids are mean to each other and deserve consequences
This episode is in my top five – because of the nostalgia. How many parents have told their kids stories about “back in the day”? This story sees Bandit admitting he was pretty horrible to his Brother and there should be consequences.
The most emotional moment is when Bandit says he met Chilli at the caravan park when they were kids. Lovely, wholesome, family moment.
18. Season 1 – Episode 43 – Camping
Parenting takeaway: People come in and out of our lives, probably for good reason. And teaching kids this is important
On the subject of camping, we love this episode. Despite a language barrier, the kids (Bluey & Jean Luc) have fun together and feel like they made friends. Only to miss each other when one of them leaves the campsite. It is lovely to see a teenage Bluey reunited with Jean Luc though. And very emotional.
19. Season 3 – Episode 1 – Bedroom
Parenting takeaway: Sometimes plans have to be changed, according to what the kids want and need
As a parent, you quickly learn to go with the flow. If emotions bubble up, or a little one needs comfort, it’s time to change something. immediately, if possible!
But this episode also explores encouraging your kids to give it a try. Another great lesson for kids to learn.
20. Season 3 – Episode 31 – Onesies
Parenting takeaway: Sometimes people have to deal with their own emotions and explaining this to the kids can be a good thing
There will always be difficult subjects to tackle in life and Bluey always gets this right! Brandy comes to visit, and after some fun with onesies and the older sisters (Chilli & Brandy) reenacting a dance they did when they were younger, Chilli can explain to Bluey why Brandy is sad. And that we don’t always get what we want in life. Even if it’s something we desire.
Summary of Relatable Bluey Parenting Moments
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. I enjoyed writing it – I am so excited about Bluey lately, I just had to get all my thoughts out.
What is your favourite episode? And how do you feel about the most recent episodes?
My little one has always loved reading books. She now asks to read a paragraph of my adult books and you can see the joy on her face when she soaks up the new words.
We’ve always made a point of reading a range of stories with my little girl. However, since she is currently experiencing strong emotions. We’ve intentionally bought books to help her understand these emotions. We also choose books which talk about different cultures and differences in the people she will encounter in life. This is very important to us, as parents.
Neurodivergence factors into our family. It’s something we are open and honest about with her – explaining that sometimes another person’s brain may work differently. And that is completely okay. Something to be celebrated.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
The Anna’s Garden Blog Tour – Mummy Conquering Anxiety
I am thrilled to take part in the Anna’s Garden blog tour. And to introduce you to such a special book.
Anna’s Garden is a book about kindness and finding happiness. And my blog and social media accounts align completely with this message.
The Synopsis – the short version
“Anna knows what she likes and what she is good at. Even though catching a ball is not her favourite game, and loud noises make her ears hurt, there are lots of other things she can do. Anna likes to spend time on her own, but she is also very kind and likes to share the things she enjoys with others.”
The first reading
Upon reading this book for the first time with my little one, the magic of friendship came across to me and by the end of the story, I felt emotional. The illustrations also bring the book to life.
I hope Anna’s Garden is a story that will support children who sometimes find the world a difficult place. It is also a message to all children to be kind, because we are all different and have so much to learn from each other.
You should buy the book because it’s a magical account of a little girl who struggles – but decides to make friends in her own way. We might sometimes follow a different path to get to our end goal. And that is okay.
How to order the book
Anna’s Garden was published by Tiny Tree Children’s Books on the March 14th. order your copy today!
The full synopsis
‘Anna’s Garden’ is a charming story of happiness and self-discovery, told from the perspective of a neurodivergent young girl — Anna!
Anna knows what she likes and what she is good at.
Even though catching a ball is not her favourite game and loud noises make her ears hurt, there are lots of other things that Anna can do. Although she likes to spend time on her own, she is also very kind and loves sharing with others.
Anna’s Garden is a classic rhyming picture book with a charming art style, written and illustrated by Sarah Hewitt. With a memorable cast and unique handling of its themes, this story will help young readers embrace their true selves.
Final Thoughts
This will remain one of my favourite stories to read to my little one and we will keep the book to look over, as she gets older.
You can read more about Sarah’s motivation for writing the book here.
Welcome to my post about Worksheets and Learning Books for ages 4-7. I don’t know about you, but I constantly look for worksheets to complete at home, with my little one. She is very creative and loves solving puzzles and drawing.
There are so many free resources online, should you want to download and print your sheets. I will discuss and link some of the great resources below. And include links to books, should you want to purchase them for your little ones.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Age-appropriate activities
When I read about gentle parenting and other parenting styles, one common theme is having age-appropriate learning. Content and activities to do, so that children can understand their abilities. We shouldn’t be expecting children to learn much beyond their abilities. That said, depending on your child, you may need to challenge them more. And this is completely your choice about what resources to download and use.
School or nursery themes
My little one is coming up to five years old. So we are still using some of the preschool sheets, in addition to the basics she is learning in Reception class at school.
I love that the school have regular home projects for us to complete. These are related to our favourite children’s stories. This leads me to our recent topic, which is one of our favourites – Julia Donaldson books.
Free Gruffalo resources
The Gruffalo was one of the first books we read with my little one. And we still have it to this day. We know it off by heart and also watch the programme on her tablet.
Our school is starting to read some of the other Julia Donaldson books, including A Squash and a Squeeze.
See the great, free resources available, if, like us, you also love these books.
My little one loves numbers. She is currently asking what clothes size I am when we visit the shops. She reads some paragraphs from my books and goes by the page number. And recognises numbers wherever she goes. Therefore, it is important to learn maths whilst at home.
I’ve spoken on my blog before about Helping Little Kids Manage Big Emotions. We even downloaded emotion flashcards to help my little one tell us what was happening for her emotionally. Children are now always able to verbalise what is happening to them or how they are feeling. Below are some resources if you want to help your little one process their emotions.
Free worksheets for managing emotions
I previously created emotion flashcards for you to print out, Feel free to download them below:
I hope you enjoyed reading through the free resources and great books available, to help your little ones develop in all areas. And do something fun with them at home.
I love that Etsy has a gift mode section, where you can look at specific gifts based on the interests of the person you are buying for.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Occasions coming up
With World Book Day, Mother’s Day, Ramadan & Easter on the horizon – it’s the perfect time to run through the wonderful gifts available on Etsy.
A collection of calm items for your tranquil peacekeeper – I think I might look in this section for myself
The reviews also look great. I always check out reviews before I purchase a product and on the Etsy platform, they are easy to access and look through. You can also find details about how many other people have purchased this product.
I still love our wooden play toys. Even though my little one is almost 5 years old – she still loves playing in her wooden kitchen, with her food items. The wood ones last the longest and they just look so beautiful.
Maybe you want an Easter gift with a difference. And to avoid giving the little one too much choccy?
Such a cute T-shirt for the little person in your life.
Someone who loves science – making and creating things. We have a creative child who loves to make things.
Funny Story about gifting
Do you have a funny story about gifting? Let me know yours in the comments.
MY STORY – I was 18 years old and my first boyfriend – first love – was staying over at our house. It was around my birthday and Valentine’s Day. The doorbell rang and a massive bunch of red roses was delivered. You can imagine the excitement.
Both my mum and I neglected to look at the card which came with the package. And assumed my boyfriend at the time had ordered these flowers (looking back, he wouldn’t have even known how to and it didn’t seem like something he would do).
We proceeded to thank my then-boyfriend, who was proclaiming he hadn’t ordered any flowers and it wasn’t him. As you can imagine, this awkwardly went on for a while and he was becoming more and more embarrassed.
I was feeling a range of emotions, mostly anger as to why he hadn’t thought to send me flowers. Haha – poor guy.
Anyway, we opened the card and they were from a magazine competition I had entered (I NEVER win competitions).
Whilst I was thankful for the amazing red roses, the embarrassment of the situation took a while to get over!
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading my hilarious gifting story – we all have one.
And I hope you’ve found some inspiration for your gifting needs.
Need more gifting inspiration – check out all my gift guides here
In the lead-up to the weekend, I always seem to be on my phone researching the best places to take my little one. She is a recent school starter, full of energy and needs entertaining. Don’t even get me started on school holiday entertainment plans.
It’s that time of year, when I am looking forward to warmer weather and planning lots of family days out, to enjoy throughout the year. If you are doing the same, be sure to check out this great list of attractions. It’s always great to have something to look forward to!
The purpose of my new page FAMILY DAYS OUT – is to help other families find great attractions to visit -without researching them. Want to be featured? Feel free to contact me and check out more details here.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Images are taken from the affiliated websites
Let’s dive into my list of the Merlin Attractions To Visit With The Kids
Merlin Passes
You can book more than one adventure and save money! With annual passes starting from £99 per person, for over 200 Days of Entry (please do view the small print on the passes to ensure this fits with your circumstances).
Unlock access to the UK’s BIGGEST and best attractions for the smallest price
When visiting an attraction or theme park, it’s always great to stay overnight so you have more access to the array of things to do. Let’s have a look at Merlin Entertainments and their great offers – if you are considering visiting the theme parks anyway.
Short Breaks Offer – 2nd Day Free –
Add your 2nd Day in the Theme Park for Free when you book a Short Break
With an array of thrilling rides, a beach, a playground and rides for little kids – you will be guaranteed a fun-packed day out. Your short break booking includes two full days of theme park thrills!
Here are some tips if you’re visiting the park –
1. Check your height before you start the day, to ensure you know which rides you can go on.
2. Bring zip-lock sandwich bags or waterproof bags for your electronics – whilst on water rides.
3. Bring spare clothes in case you get a bit too carried away on the water rides.
4. Change into flip-flops when riding water rides – no need to worry about ruining your trainers!
6. Bring lots of water! You never know how long the queues will be.
7. Want to beat the queues? Head over to Nemesis Inferno & SAW first thing and work your way around the park from there. There are fewer queues at the back of the park at the start of the day and you’ll find yourself working against the crowds all day!
Days out
Shall we look at some of the other Merlin Attractions in more detail?
Nemesis Reborn Has Arrived!Opening Saturday 16th March 2024
Nemesis Reborn invites the bravest of thrill-seekers to tackle dominating drops and intense inversions aboard the ride. The Phalanx have lost all strength and now it’s your turn to encounter this terrifying creature.
Located in Birmingham, at the NEC. There is an array of activities for your adventurous kids. Including – indoor climbing walls, archery range, iFLY wind tunnel and escape rooms.
Join Freddo and a whole host of Cadbury characters as they whisk you away on an adventurous journey in the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience, complete with motion seats!
Discover the origins of the cocoa bean and jump on the magical Cadabra ride. Seen the adverts? You will also get to meet the infamous Cadbury drumming gorilla.
Scarborough SEA LIFE Sanctuary is a unique indoor and outdoor attraction ideal for a family day out.
Penguin Island is a specialist enclosure, which was designed to let guests get closer to the animals. You can also meet seal pup patients and stop by the specialist Seal Hospital.
The perfect experience for all children under 10 years old.
Burst through the pages of your favourite stories into a magical place of imagination, creativity, discovery and play. Adapted from some of the UK’s most loved children’s stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, with 6 captivating and immersive zones, this 2-hour play experience is enjoyable for a family day out.
See, hear, smell and feel York’s stories come to life before your eyes as frighteningly funny characters transport you through time.
Surprises await you at The Dungeon… Fear the Vikings as they invade and conquer York. Discover Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot and what happened that November night. Step inside the carriage to the York Knavesmire, where one of the infamous highwaymen Dick Turpin has returned.
Image courtesy of Warwick Castle WebsiteImage courtesy of Visit Warwick website
I remember a wonderful family trip we had to Warwick Castle, over two days. The castle itself is amazing. I remember the princess castle and I want my little one to experience it. We also managed to catch the knights’ battle, which was amazing to see.
What’s on in February?
Watch the spectacular Birds of Prey display at 12 pm and 2:30 pm each day.
Join an expert team of Historians for a free guided tour of Warwick’s past.
Journey through the exquisite Great Hall, State Rooms, and Royal Weekend Party.
Slide into the world’s first Zog Playland.
Get lost in time in the Horrible Histories Maze.
Indulge in a tasty afternoon tea at the Conservatory Tea House.
Visit the Princess Tower for an immersive storytelling experience, perfect for children aged 3 to 8. Get your free-timed ticket (weekends only).
CLICK the links above, to stay up to date with the latest events.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed the rundown of these amazing attractions.
Have you visited any? Which one is your favourite?
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? The occasion is right next to a birthday in our household, so we usually don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day as a stand-alone occasion. But we do buy small gifts. And I’m on the lookout for some gifts at the moment.
If you are too, I have some offers for you…
Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
There’s no sweeter gift than our Strawberry Heart Gift Box. Inside they’ll find a Strawberry Lip Butter, Strawberry Body Butter and Strawberry Hand Cream, for all-over hydration.
Protect & Soften Hand Balm Trio – £16
Give their body care routine a helping hand with our Protect & Soften Hand Balm Trio, featuring our favourite picks from the Avocado, Almond Milk and Shea collections.
Nourish & Flourish Shea Duo – £8
Show them you’re thinking of them, with our Nourish & Flourish Shea Duo. This thoughtful mini shea butter gift set is ideal if you know they’re already a fan, or you want to introduce them to the range. It’s the perfect size for travel, too.
Nourish & Flourish Shea Gift Bag – £14
Surprise your favourite shea lover with this trio of mini treats, enriched with handcrafted Community Fair Trade shea butter from Ghana.
Nourish & Flourish Almond Milk Duo – £8
Soothe and surprise dry, sensitive skin with our moisturising Nourish & Flourish Almond Milk Duo gift set – infused with Community Fair Trade organic almond milk from Spain.
Nourish & Flourish Strawberry Duo – £8
Be sweet to someone with our Nourish & Flourish Strawberry Duo gift set. It features two body care minis, so it’s just as perfect for strawberry lovers as it is for someone new to the collection.
To remember when gift buying
Cashback apps
Using Quidco for my online purchases has allowed me to earn of total of £86.29 in cashback so far. Sign up here using my referral link and earn a £15 bonus, once you’ve earned your first £5.00 cashback on the app.
Read about ALL the money offers I use on this page
If you follow my blog or my TikTok – you will know I love a message about improving your relationships. And your outlook on life in general.
It’s all about communication and openness. It’s time to look back on the amazing reasons Hypnotherapy Changed My Life.
Upcoming collaborations – NEWS
I am excited to tell you, that I am in talks with other amazing business professionals, to progress my self-development and also talk about their wonderful businesses. Watch this space and be sure to subscribe to my blog, so you can be notified when a blog post is published.
You wouldn’t just keep a computer for 10 years, without regularly updating it, deleting files and giving it a refresh. The brain is the computer which rules our whole body – why wouldn’t we keep up with the maintenance of it?
Sam – Mummy Conquering Anxiety
Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Let’s think back to my hypnotherapy course
My hypnotherapy course ended in November 2022. At the time, I needed some self-development. But I knew that standard counselling or therapy wasn’t the option I needed. When you experience a lot of life-changing events in quick succession, it’s about reprogramming your subconscious mind, with the new life goals and patterns of behaviour you want to adopt. Kind of like a computer update.
You wouldn’t just keep a computer for 10 years, without regularly updating it, deleting files and giving it a refresh. The brain is the computer which rules our whole body – why wouldn’t we keep up with the maintenance of it?
A brief overview of what hypnotherapy does
The idea behind hypnotherapy is that it can be used to reprogram the unconscious or primal parts of the brain that function to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
5 of the main lessons I took away from my hypnotherapy course
We largely live our lives on autopilot, paying attention to our logical brain.
Hypnotherapy allows us to switch off the automatic brain, which allows us to reprogram our subconscious.
Reprogramming our subconscious can allow us to get rid of old habits, which no longer serve us.
Due to the primal parts of our brains, still ruling a lot of the daily decision-making, we can react with snap decisions, which don’t always serve us.
Practising meditation and listening to hypnotherapy recordings can empty your overall stress bucket. Making you more able to deal with the daily stresses we all face.
What hypnotherapy taught me about human behaviour
I’ve written posts on my blog about toddler emotions and gentle parenting:
However, I was surprised to learn that ALL humans can react quickly and sometimes with anger. The way our brain processes situations is largely automatic and it will often produce a default response to situations.
If your default response is outdated because you haven’t reprogrammed your unconscious in a while. Your behaviours in daily life might not be in line with how you want to respond to certain situations. This is a simplistic overview, the mechanics of the brain are much more complicated.
The initial relaxation element of hypnotherapy starts by dampening down the activity of the frontal cortex. Limiting the effectiveness of this area of the brain, central to attention, planning, and making decisions, increases activity in other areas engaged in filtering and integrating information. We become more open to information, more suggestible, and capable of creating more intense sensations in our minds (Thomson, 2019).
Completing training in the workplace and the fact I love to learn – meant I was already aware of the fight or flight reflex. But understanding it fully, helped me understand a lot about my struggles with anxiety. And the reason I reacted the way I did in certain, stressful life situations.
How hypnotherapy helped me become a better parent
Hypnotherapy alone cannot allow you to know everything about the emotional health of a child. And how to employ emotional intelligence when faced with tough situations. But it can open your mind to the science behind our behaviour. Essentially a child is unable to regulate their emotions and they need an adult to do this for them. Their outbursts, and meltdowns (however you refer to it) are nothing personal and they don’t have any control over them.
This allows me to understand that emotional meltdowns are simply a sign of communication – or a way to ask for help from the adult closest to you. If we think about times when we, as adults, have been so angry we cannot verbally put into words what is happening. Sometimes toddlers don’t have the words, but they express the emotion in other ways. To signal help is needed.
Discussions with our toddler
Hypnotherapy made me realise that toddlers and adults sometimes react without thinking. If we don’t understand something, our default response could be anger or frustration.
Whenever there is a disagreement in the house, or adults don’t agree on something, we use this as an example. To explain that in life, not everyone thinks the same. People will annoy each other, disagree, and argue. And that is completely okay. It’s what makes us all human.
Wonderful books about toddler emotions
I was recently struggling, to go further than this and say – mummy and daddy love you regardless of behaviour. Nothing changes our love for you. Then I came across this amazing book. See the TikTok video.
#duet with @iamsimplyysophie #istillloveyou I cannot tell you how much I love this book! 📖 As a Mum to a #toddler who struggles with certain things, it’s an important message! In the midst of #emotional#toddler#meltdowns & outbursts, it’s an important message for any child! One I was trying to verbally convey, before I first discovered the book! Now we sing the words to the book together & I tell my little girl, it’s how #mummy & #daddy feel about her ❤️ We now want to gift the #book to a #familyfriend & it will be sent from my little girl to her #schoolbestie 😥 Excuse me whilst I have a little cry. ❤️ Let’s all spread a message of #acceptance & #love PLEASE go & check out all the amazing books this creator has designed, to help children who struggle ❤️ #gentleparenting#mummycontentcreator#schoolrunmum#mummyconqueringanxiety
Your mental health is an important aspect of your overall well-being. You must pay attention to how you are feeling and take good care of yourself daily.
The good news is that there are actions you can take that will help your cause. If you do nothing then you risk feeling down or low more often. Instead, be willing to take charge and change some of your habits. Here you can learn some tips that will lead you to better mental health.
Find Ways to Rest & Recharge
It’s in your best interest to take breaks to rest and recharge often. It’s especially important if you’re a busy person with a lot of responsibilities. For you, it may be doing something such as playing online games on your phone or computer. Before you dive in, it’s worth checking reviews to get a better idea of what will be worth your time and which sites to play on. You need this time to yourself so that you can take your mind off of your to-do list for a little while.
Exercise & Move More
Many benefits come with getting regular exercise including reducing stress and anxiety. One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is a boost in your mood when you begin working out more often. Working out and moving more is not only good for your physical health but also for your mental health. Find activities that you enjoy doing and put on some of your favourite music to help keep you motivated. Exercising will allow you to clear your mind and reduce any stress you’re experiencing currently. If you don’t have time for an intense sweat session then at least consider getting outside for a walk in nature.
Focus on the Positives & Be More Grateful
Your attitude and mindset also play a role in how good you feel each day. Do your best to keep your self-talk and general outlook positive. It may help to keep a gratitude journal that you can write in and review often. Doing so will help keep what’s going well top of mind and there won’t be as much room for negative thoughts to enter. There’s likely a lot that you have to be thankful for if you sit down and take some time to think about this matter. Practising gratitude is one way to instantly lift your spirits and put a smile on your face.
Make Sleep A Priority
You should also make sure that you’re getting plenty of good sleep each night if you want to improve your mental health. Make getting enough sleep a priority and you’ll discover that you feel happier and have more natural energy. Do your best to get on a sleep schedule so you’re going to bed and waking up around the same time each day. Also, participate in a relaxing bedtime routine that helps slow your mind and puts you at ease. You’ll find that you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer when you avoid playing on your electronics right before bedtime.
An online store is one of the most popular options for monetizing a blog. Starting a store that’s attached to your blog allows you to sell things that are related to it. Your products might be digital products, such as downloadable documents and files, but they could also be physical products that get shipped to your customers. Whichever you choose, you need to make sure you get your online store set up properly. There are a few things to think about before you launch your store. If you want it to succeed, start considering the following essential factors.
Pricing Your Products
Pricing products can be one of the most difficult things about selling online. It can be tough to find the right price because there’s often such a big range within the same product category. Should you put your products at the lower end of the scale or go higher? How do you need to price your products if you want to ensure you make a profit? You need to do your research if you want to get it right. Decide where you want to position your products compared to any competitors you might have and in line with what your customers are willing to pay.
Image from Pixabay – CC0 Licence
Providing Customer Support
When people buy things online, they might have moments when they need to seek support. Maybe they’re not sure which product to choose, or perhaps there’s a problem with their order. You don’t have staff working in a physical store, so you need other ways of providing customer support. One option is to add live chat to website stores, which will enable your customers to get help when they need it. You could also provide customer support via email and respond when it suits you (although not too slowly).
Delivering Your Products
Of course, you have to make sure your customers receive their products. If you’re selling digital products, you need to think about the logistics of how it will be provided to your customers. Will they receive a link for an instant download? If so, where will the files be hosted? When you’re selling digital products, make sure you check the VAT rules, as it can be tricky where they’re concerned. If you’re selling digital products, you’ll have to arrange for shipping. Will you be using drop shipping or a fulfilment service, or will you be sending out orders yourself?
Leverage Your Readership
As you’re putting your store together, make the most of your existing audience throughout the process. Start by making sure you choose products to sell that make sense for them. There’s no point in selling anything that they won’t want to buy. You can also get their feedback while you’re planning your store to see what they think. Use your social media following too, as well as your email list, especially when you want to get people excited for the launch of your store.
Monetizing your blog with a store could be a great step to help it grow. But it’s important to plan before you take the leap.
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