After recently levelling up my business, I am on a mission to help busy mums manage their lives, start a business, or improve engagement and sales in their current companies.
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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 started this blog in August 2021, because I felt compelled to share my story with other people. Going through challenging circumstances, naturally makes you assess how resilient you really are. I was in a dark place at the time, social media and talking about my experiences really helped me. And I knew it would help other people.
Talking about your experiences could make someone feel less alone. I am now accepting mental health guest posts. I would love to help other people get their message out there – to the people who need it most.
Let’s explore – Topics To Get You Started In Talking About Your Mental Health
Everyone has a unique experience
I hope other people never experience the darkness of anxiety or depression. However, the reality is, that we may all experience challenging circumstances in life. There will be times when our stress bucket fills up and there needs to be an outlet. A healthy amount of anxiety is a natural defence mechanism. And in small amounts, it can keep us safe. But it’s when the balance tips that the problems begin.
Talking helps
It is no secret that talking to other people can help with our mental health. There has been amazing research on the power of community groups and connecting with our peers.
One main lesson I’ve taken from starting my blogs is that we can speak out – to help other people. But we may never know about the great impact this has. We don’t need to know. The purpose of kindness and empathy is to give it out. Not to measure the effect you had on someone’s life. Just know – that by talking honestly about your own story, you may positively impact someone else. You could even quietly save a life.
Sam – Mummy Conquering Anxiety Blog
Let’s dive into the topics you could talk about, to start a conversation which may help other people
The symptoms of your mental illness
Everyone is different. And like all other ailments, both physical and mental problems impact individuals differently. Talking about the symptoms you face, could help you relate to other people out there. Whi might also be experiencing the same thing as you.
Every person is different and no mental health diagnosis will impact people in the same way. Writing about what you personally do to stay well, despite your struggles, could help inspire someone else to adopt well-being tools.
Your mental health goals & aspirations
Because my mental breakdown was triggered by pregnancy, work stress and becoming a new mother, all of these factors are something I personally worry about. Overcoming this adversity and worry has proved to be a massive hurdle for me. But worth the work.
Often great life goals can be borne from the toughest of life circumstances. Writing about how you formulated these goals can be liberating. And it will definitely help other people.
Want more Topics To Get You Started In Talking About Your Mental Health?
Your daily & weekly self-care routine
We should ALL have a self-care routine. Despite what society tells us, it’s important. We look after ourselves physically but often neglect the mental health we should preserve and nurture.
Sharing what you do daily or weekly, to look after your mind can inspire other people to look after theirs. Or adopt some of your routines, which could prove to be life-changing for them.
An example from my own life was persevering with a Hypnotherapy course. Agreeing to start it was completely out of my comfort zone and some days, I was simply too busy to set aside time for the Zoom calls. But it was worth it. And I am now well versed in meditation, so much so that a quick 5-minute meditation recording really helps.
Life changes you’ve made to help your mental health
It’s a fact of life that we sometimes need to make significant changes in order to help our health. In the same way that you would eat less sugar if you were diabetic. Or you would pursue a course of physiotherapy after a severe physical injury. Sometimes we have to make changes to our lives to protect our mental health.
Sharing some of the life changes you might have made, with other people, may help them to start putting changes in place. Or start to think about the possibility of doing so. There is power in this.
Final Thoughts
One main lesson I’ve taken from starting my blogs is that we can speak out – to help other people. But we may never know about the great impact this has. We don’t need to know. The purpose of kindness and empathy is to give it out. Not to measure the effect you had on someone’s life. Just know – that by talking honestly about your own story, you may positively impact someone else. You could even quietly save a life.
With Christmas approaching, it’s the perfect time to introduce you to our family T-shirt brand—designs lovingly created. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Sustainable Clothing Items For Christmas Gifts…
Let’s talk about the sustainability element
We picked a platform where sustainability was at the forefront of making the products. And the quality in designs and wearability is there. Everything is made from organic materials, using renewable energy. We must all start doing our bit for the environment and it starts small.
Why we started the family business
Who doesn’t love sustainable Clothing Items For Christmas Gifts? Welcome to Roaring Pumpkin Tees. Since experiencing a mental breakdown in 2021, I have made it my mission to share my story, with honesty, to raise awareness of mental health struggles.
My first blog Mummy Conquering Anxiety began when I had an overwhelming feeling I had to start talking about my experience.
THE DIFFERENCE – this is a family project…
If you follow my first, second and third blogs, you will know I refer to my toddler as ‘little pumpkin’. And oh my – she is fierce, feisty, and sassy! Just like her mummy. This business is dedicated to my very own roaring pumpkin. I made her. I’m proud of her. May she always go out into the world and conquer it.
Ready to take on the roaring pumpkin spirit? Check out our lovingly made designs…
Shall we get into the lovely products we’ve created for you all
You never know the struggle someone is facing. I hid my anxiety condition for 15 years. People sometimes feel ashamed to reveal their true feelings or struggles. Therefore, I want everyone to wear the message – Be Kind.
Being Kind can have a massive impact, which you will probably never know about. A kind word or gesture could literally save someone’s life.
Love really does make the world go round. And it was love from family, friends and complete strangers on the internet, that got me through my mental breakdown.
Be kind, make connections, and express love. You won’t regret it!
I kept myself closed for years. But opening myself up, and stepping out of my comfort zone, was the best thing I ever did.
This lovely bear was drawn by my toddler, spruced up a bit using my hubby’s technical skills and brought to life by the skills I’ve self-taught as a blogger.
I tell my little one about having limited channels on the TV. VHS movies, DVD players. She’s had a tablet for a few years, with access to an Amazon & Disney+ subscription. So she doesn’t really understand the struggle.
GUEST POST – Author Bio – Tips on living Live Your Best – Most Positive Life
Hello from me, my blog is GAWD, Generalised Anxiety and Worry Diaries.
On the surface, I’m your average forty-something mum, with two kids, a husband, and a dog. Giving off the impression that life is effortless. But scratch that surface and you’ll find that I’m harbouring a secret power, I am in fact – Super Anxious Brummie Mummy! It’s a title I take very seriously. I can spend hours agonising over the stupidest of things. I meal-plan weeks in advance, make endless lists, set thousands of reminders, and have online shops booked in for over a month. Super anxious mum has all bases covered, she’s got fingers in every anxiety-inducing pie.
GAWD is a place where I serve you up some regular ramblings from me and my bonkers, anxious brain. Some of it is not that easy to stomach, gawd no. Some bites could give the Norovirus a run for its money. Some of you will relate, some of you will laugh out loud, and I’m guessing that some of you will run for the hills. But that’s what it’s all about. Having those difficult conversations, in the hope that those affected, will reach out. I’m a mental health mentor and young person’s mental health advocate. I’m a MSc psychology grad, so I’ll throw in a teeny bit of science into the pot, to help us make sense of things.
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.
It’s getting dark by 4.30 pm, the mornings are gothic and misty. The long, hot, sunny days are fading into a distant memory. With winter firmly on the horizon, you’d be forgiven for losing that positive outlook on life. Winter blues are a real thing. Especially for anxious souls like me. Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please will someone put a nice big dose of positivity in my bobble hat? Isn’t that how the old rhyme goes? Well fear not, I have devised a clever strategy to help us all, even the seasonally affected folk, to start feeling that festive cheer and pack away that negative bleurgh.
Festive? Cheers…
At the time of writing this, I was dusting off the Halloween decorations, getting the sparklers out for bonfire night, and starting to think about the big ‘X’ (festive celebration, starts with X and ends with ‘mas). I don’t know about you, but it kind of feels like the moment that the children go back to school, after the summer holidays, life ramps up ten gears.
If only it was a slow burn into Autumn, revving up to Christmas. But oh no, it’s stress-o’clock from the get-go. It’s so busy, it’s like our fixed calendar celebrations and holidays are setting us up for a fail. Then January hits and it’s all quiet on the western front, with only the most depressing day of the year to look forward to.
Scan the QR code to join my exclusive Facebook Group, where you get the following:
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– as a blogger, I receive exclusive offers & discount codes. & I do a lot of shopping research for my articles – I will be sharing these offers with you
-self-care tips, affirmations, positive quotes, how to thrive in life (I need to remind myself of these daily tips too)
Tips on living Live Your Best – Most Positive Life – CONTINUED
Plus there’s life’s daily demands and those curve snowballs, for instance; navigating the freezing school run, endless amounts of laundry, wardrobe changeover, what to cook for dinner, and salads are officially out. (Not that my kids thought they were in.)
My LATEST gift guide – including fall home decor to bring in the season in style! & a few Christmas gifts
It doesn’t help that I gave birth to my children in the Autumn months. I mean, I should have really mapped out the old gestation calendar a bit better. I always say I’m not going mad, we’ll keep the kids’ parties simple. Cut to – headless chicken-style party planning with the end result resembling a Hollywood-esque style, grand affair. Sixteen party favours per bag, bubble teas being produced at a rate of knots, icing cupcakes until two in the morning. I do jest, I love making the kids happy. But I feel like anxiety adds pressure to my plate that’s kind of unhelpful. An inner push-me-pull-me scenario. Is this good enough? Am I good enough? Push, push, push and break.
Bee positive
So short of moving Halloween to January, or home-schooling the kids, (not gonna happen). I feel the need to post some guidelines on how to not lose your mind get through the busiest of seasons and most importantly stay on a positive tip. But what do I mean? You can say “bee positive” and all of those other lovely little phrases, but it’s hard when you’re faced with life’s trials to actually grasp what it means to be and more importantly, stay positive. Sometimes it feels so much easier to focus on the bad things in our lives, you know. Especially those who suffer from anxiety, spiralling in and out of negative thoughts. And the culprit? I present to you, cortisol. This little firecracker is a chemical in the brain which increases when we’re on a negative tip. It’s the body’s reaction to stress or a threat.
Walking risk assessments
Negative thoughts are essentially threats to our system. Being prone to negativity is not a new thing for humans. Many moons ago, being on guard and looking out for risks, with high levels of cortisol running through our veins, was essential for survival in an unsafe world. Now we live in a safe(ish) world. Unfortunately, it just so happens that anxiety disorders can make us feel like those poor old cavemen and women. Like we are in imminent danger, every second of every day.
Anxiety and negativity do have their positives, even in these modern times. Anxious, negative thinkers often catastrophize thoughts and think of the worst-case scenarios, thus avoiding potential drama. We’re able to spot where helpful changes could be made in our lives, so we make great leaders. Negativity could save a life, anxious people make great risk assessors. We’re also fab realists to have around. So make sure you keep us on your Christmas card list.
Life changer
There are times though, that negativity needs to take a back seat. To make way for positivity and raise those levels of dopamine and serotonin – the happy chemicals. It’s not just about being happy-go-lucky little cheeky chappies, it’s so much more than that. Those with optimistic outlooks are said to live healthier, more fruitful, and enjoyable lives. I think one study said that optimistic women live on average 4.4 years longer! 4.4 years folks! There is an indirect relationship between optimism and adopting a healthier lifestyle, thus extending time on this sweet planet. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. “Time is our most precious commodity.”
Happy little pictures
So how do we go about living our best positive lives? I decided that rather than grand red letter day-type positivity excursions. (They were all out of hot air balloon rides in Surrey.) I’d go about identifying the small everyday wins. I set about conducting a small-scale experiment. To post daily pics on my Instagram. account – Super Anxious Brummie Mummy! What better way to document the small wins than by the power of photography? There’s nothing like an uplifting or funny picture to lift the spirits. Plus those little hits of joy were exactly the bursts of dopamine and serotonin my body needed to counter the negativity.
Now I’m going to lie, it wasn’t easy. Some days I was racking my brain thinking, “What on Earth is a winner from today’s s**t show?” And worse than that, anxiety and cortisol were fighting against my small wins and trying to cloud them with negativity. Brain, why do you test me so?!? On other days, small wins smacked me right in the kisser. They took on exciting new forms, like, finding joy at the loo seat being clean and put down, or watching my dog, a most excellent, furry bullet squirrel chaser. I did some real soul-searching. This process, for me, has really proved that, where there is darkness, there’s also light. Yep, it was also National Poetry Week, I had a go at poetry. I liked it = small win.
FROM THE MCA BLOG – Books to help you on your positivity journey:
By confronting negativity head-on and finding the positive within a negative, I was adopting the ‘negative bounce’ method. Real bonafide psychologists have coined this fun term, (Tugade, 2004). Also, it turns out that I am not only countering negativity and becoming more positive. I’m building resilience to future negative events. Because guys, headliners – ‘life is full of these ups and downs.’
Tips on Living Live Your Best – Most Positive Life. Other top small wins and negative bounces:
Bee rescue, I saved a bee from a spiderweb. This is even after my unfortunate encounter in the summer, where one travelled up my trouser leg and stung me twice! Overcoming fears and wildlife rescue. I mean, it’s all there, right?
In future, when someone is asking me to “Bee positive ” I’ve a good mind to tell them to “buzz off!” I’m doing just fine without a winged stinger of a phrase to keep my chin up. I am, of course, joking, who doesn’t love a little positivity meme? I’m just trying to drum home that positivity is in the eye of the beholder. But do remember negativity has its place, it’s how we manage stressful situations and protect ourselves. It’s learning how best to bat those thoughts away when they become unhelpful, that’s the key
gawd blog founder
Not lost my stuff because a coffee pot lid had been left off, so when I went to use it it fell open and sprayed coffee everywhere. I laughed. That is a small win right there. (Big win for others in my house you might argue.)
FROM THE MCA BLOG – Want more money-saving tips – you can check out my money-saving hacks page:
Celebration that I can keep a plant alive, not just any old plant. My child’s bonsai tree is notoriously difficult to care for. Small win. I would move that to big wins, but let’s see if it’s still alive in a few months.
Capturing a very large spider in a glass and setting it free. I’m petrified of the hairy beasts. But the kids were fascinated and we had fun looking at its gorgeous fangs… We named him Derek Gordon. (8-year-old son’s choice.)
And do you know looking back and seeing all of those small wins documented, is an affirmation that I am ok. I’m happy with my lot. In future, when someone is asking me to “Bee positive ” I’ve a good mind to tell them to “buzz off!” I’m doing just fine without a winged stinger of a phrase to keep my chin up. I am, of course, joking, who doesn’t love a little positivity meme? I’m just trying to drum home that positivity is in the eye of the beholder. But do remember negativity has its place, it’s how we manage stressful situations and protect ourselves. It’s learning how best to bat those thoughts away when they become unhelpful, that’s the key. Right, back to Instagram.
TTFN.
A final word from MCA founder, Sam:
I hope you enjoyed reading this fab guest post – Tips on living Live Your Best – Most Positive Life
Learning the tools for managing stress is easier than ever these days. There are so many resources out there, but those who are obsessed with finding wellness tools to combat their anxiety may inadvertently be suffering from a different type of anxiety. Overthinking is a mental loop that can be paralysing and affects many different aspects of life. When we overthink our decisions, it will impact our well-being. So, if you are a chronic overthinker, let’s explore some invaluable resources that can help you dial it down.
Limiting Stimulants
Some people can benefit from slowing down. Changing your state sends a signal to your brain that you need to be calmer. It’s not as easy as telling yourself that you need to slow down but about sending those signals on a regular basis. Sometimes we need to ease ourselves into a slower pace by limiting our stimulant intake. Alcohol and caffeine can kick our overthinking into high gear. Reducing the consumption of stimulants can help calm the mind and alleviate the mental loop of overthinking. Understand your caffeine limits, but also look at products such as medical cannabis and CBD oil. Learning to change our state is key because when we make that conscious decision to slow down, our body and mind will eventually come to match it.
Journaling
For many, writing down thoughts and worries is very cathartic. When we start to make regular notes about times when we’re overthinking, we will come to recognise certain patterns. When we see our overthinking stems from conflict with a certain person or a certain situation, we can then look at this on paper and take an objective view of the situation because it was not part of our consciousness at the time. This is particularly effective if you find yourself overwhelmed at home. If you find yourself in conflicting situations or a disagreement with a spouse makes you very stressed, taking the steps to write down your thoughts on the situation and having a pragmatic approach to your thinking can help you stop yourself from overthinking in the future when you encounter the same type of situation.
Regular Relaxation Practices
The importance of learning how to relax cannot be overstated. If you have an overactive mind, understanding the triggers is one thing, but as we’ve already touched upon, changing your state will also give you better control over how you feel. We have to remember that overthinking is linked with stress and anxiety. This, in turn, is the body’s reaction to a situation, even if it’s not particularly stressful. We all have that inbuilt fight-or-flight response, so having those moments throughout the day where you can focus on your breathing, even if for a couple of minutes, or engage in progressive muscle relaxation, as well as techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve, can be vital.
If you find yourself overthinking, you may need to go for a combination of these tools and tactics. If you are a chronic overthinker, you are not alone. It could be a persistent challenge, but with the right tools, you can break the cycle and recognise that overthinking is detrimental because it stops you from being present. When you are present in the moment, you won’t stress, and you will get so much more out of life.
Halloween is one of the most magical times for many of us. Whether you have fond memories of trick-or-treating as a child. Enjoy donning your fancy dress outfits for a night out on the town or prefer to stay inside sipping a PSL, it’s always guaranteed to be lots of fun.
However, the holidays seem to become more heavily commercialised with every year that passes. New trends are always popping up around this season. Which tend to be bigger, better and usually, more expensive.
Enjoy a low buy Halloween and autumnal season without the pressure to spend excessively by using these three tips…
Here comes your Low Spend Guide to Halloween
Opt for activities instead of items
The supermarket aisles are filled to the brim with seasonal items during October. If you’re trying to reduce the overwhelm, steer clear of the temptation to buy, and focus on planning activities instead.
Some low-spend ideas to get you in the mood for the change of seasons could include:
Rotating your wardrobe, bringing out your comfiest jumpers and cosy socks, and storing your summer items away until next year
Taking a long woodland walk through the crunchy leaves
Binge-watching an autumnal TV series (If you haven’t seen Only Murders in the Building, this could be the perfect choice to watch it, whilst snuggled on the sofa!)
Get recipe testing
One of the best ways to embrace the colder evenings is to spend time perfecting a few tasty meals. Look out for new recipes to try which use seasonal ingredients. Such as butternut squash, mushrooms, pumpkin, apples or figs.
If you want some money-saving offers, check out this page
Warming vegetable soups with crusty bread are always a huge hit at this time of year, or try something a little different, like a butternut squash risotto.
If you’ve got experience in the kitchen, you could even try a Halloween-themed dish, such as pumpkin gnocchi or ravioli. Another option is to create mini pizzas or pies in spooky shapes.
For the cosiest family dessert, try making mini smores using tea lights, or perhaps a chocolate fondue!
Another tip, coming up in the Low Spend Guide to Halloween
DIY your decor
Instead of purchasing lots of Halloween-themed decor that is likely to be stored away for the majority of the year, only to see the light of day for one month of the year. How about making your own decorations instead?
Paper decorations are super cheap to make. And can either be folded flat and stored for next year, or recycled.
If you have small children, try heading outside with a bag and collecting dried leaves to make your own leaf crafts and projects. This could include garlands, collages or even puppets!
Another thrifty option is to collect any old glass jars and decorate them to make colourful tea light holders. This is a simple upcycle that the whole family can enjoy, and it’s free too.
Avoid adding to the clutter, and get your craft on this season!
Author bio
Taryn runs a money and lifestyle blog called ‘Saving in London City’ and is on a mission to share the best money-saving tips, tricks and hacks. Taryn discusses the best ways to have fun on a budget today, whilst also saving towards long-term money goals for your future, such as a house deposit or dream holiday.
Being a parent is challenging, especially when it comes to raising kids. As the world evolves, you want your kids to be ready for the outside world when they become adults. You want them to be strong, enough to adapt to the complex landscape, technological advancement, and unforeseen challenges. As parents, you want the next generation to have the skills, mindset, and resilience to thrive in an uncertain future. If they can grow up feeling brave no matter their situation, you have done your job.
Let’s dive into Parenting: Preparing Your Kids for a Brighter Future
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.
Here are some things you should look out for when Preparing Your Kids for a Brighter Future
FROM THE MCA BLOG – Shall we have some discount codes before we begin…
How to Secure Your Kids’ Future
Effective Communication
Communication is a difficult skill to master since adults struggle to master it, too. Without communication, you can’t understand the other person’s thoughts or wants. Kids are always curious more than adults, so you want to teach them how to express themselves clearly, actively listen, and collaborate with others. Without communication, how can your kids have good relationships with others? The reason why relationships are difficult to handle is because of poor communication skills. Raise your kids to express their thoughts confidently.
Embrace Challenges
Life isn’t perfect. There are many challenges and obstacles in life. As parents, you need to prepare your kids for the unknown future. You want your kids to be strong and face those challenges head-on. Help them see that a challenge is an exciting opportunity rather than something daunting. Even if they fail, you should cheer them on or encourage them that there will be a next time as the parent. By doing so, your kids can tackle a new and unfamiliar task in the future. This will help them to have a positive mindset and be problem solvers.
FROM THE MCA BLOG – If you want to get started with selling on Vinted – you can find tips & standard promo wording to use, in this blog post
Independence and Responsibility
Part of Preparing Your Kids for a Brighter Future is nurturing learning and growing, so you want to give them simple tasks to learn from. You can give them simple chores like making the bed, wiping the table, or folding clothes. Giving them age-appropriate chores will instil a sense of responsibility and independence. Slowly, you can give them difficult tasks to do so they can have strong work ethic and the ability to manage tasks effectively. If you spoil them all the time, they will never know what independence and responsibility is when they are adult.
Lifelong Learning
Most kids grow up thinking they don’t need to learn anymore after school. However, life is a journey full of the unknown. Your kids won’t know everything all the time. You want your kids always to be curious and keep questioning things about the world. Learning is not just confined to the classroom but a lifelong pursuit. Encourage your kids to explore various subjects so they can develop a habit of seeking information. Whether it’s dancing, singing, arts and crafts, or filming, your kids want to learn, encourage them to try and learn.
FROM THE MCA BLOG – Parenting books to help you on your journey
Financial Literacy
Not many kids grow up knowing anything about money. You don’t have to teach them the complex things but the basics so they understand how money works. The earlier they learn, the better off they will be. Don’t spoil them by giving them money for free because they will never want to do anything. Life isn’t free, so they should know how hard it is to get money. Let them understand what hard work is and being paid to do a service.
FROM THE MCA BLOG – Want more money-saving tips – you can check out my money-saving hacks page:
Kids don’t know what being grateful is. When kids see what other kids have, they want it, too. Teaching your kids to be grateful is essential because it is the foundation of their emotional well-being. If you teach your kids to appreciate things, they will treasure what they have, not get entangled in materialism, and focus on contentment and personal growth.
Implement Healthy Habits
Teach your kids that health is a priority over anything else. Healthy habits are vital for kids and adults. Kids should get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, and stay active. With technology these days, kids don’t know what outside is. Don’t let them sit in the house, play video games, and watch YouTube all day. Create a schedule for them where they can stick to it. Kids should learn that health is an important factor in life and should not be ignored. By teaching them to make good choices, they will have a healthier lifestyle.
Scan the QR code to join my exclusive Facebook Group, where you get the following:
– tips based on my highest engaging posts on social media – what works & what doesn’t
– standard wording templates I use for social media
– tips on side hustles & how to get started
– as a blogger, I receive exclusive offers & discount codes. & I do a lot of shopping research for my articles – I will be sharing these offers with you
-self-care tips, affirmations, positive quotes, how to thrive in life (I need to remind myself of these daily tips too)
Build Relationships
Having strong relationships with others is good for your children’s growth and well-being. In life, you can’t do everything by yourself. Teaching your kids to build healthy relationships by communicating effectively, resolving conflicts, and cooperating with others will lay the foundation for successful collaboration in the future. The world doesn’t revolve around just you but multiple people in the universe.
If you set an example, your kids will follow. You are the leader that should lead your kids with pride. Kids look up to their parents the most, so whatever you do, you will greatly influence them. Kids often learn through observation, so whenever they observe an adult’s behaviour, they will follow. Whatever morals, values, behaviours, and skills you want your kids to have, you must teach them when they are young. Slowly, they will develop and become the person you want them to be. If you become a role model for them, they will become role models for others.
Creativity and Innovation
Kids can be so creative sometimes. They think about things that not even adults know. As parents, you want to encourage your kids to follow their passions, think beyond conventional boundaries, and develop problem-solving abilities. By encouraging them, you empower them to be confident, independent thinkers better equipped to tackle the complexities and uncertainties of the future.
In Summary
Parenting: Preparing Your Kids for a Brighter Future – Think About Your Kids!
No matter how hard life can be, your teachings are important to your kids. As parents, caregivers, and educators, you play a huge part in your kids’ lives, so lead them by example. They are the next generation, so you want them to prepare for the unknown. Every parent wants what’s best for their kids. If you want your kids to live happier, more fulfilling lives and become well-rounded, you must impart these valuable lessons.
Author Bio
Cindy is the blogger behind Ordinary Asian Girl. She is your average Asian girl who wants to share relatable experiences that adults navigate daily. Whether it’s financial matters, thrilling adventures, or life’s intricate puzzles, she wants to share her experience and knowledge with all.
OK, where do I start? The Great British Seaside Holiday. Going on a UK Staycation. I am aware some of my readers may not know what it is. Do not fear, I will explain below. As kids, we visited many places in Britain. Mainly because of lack of money and well, traveling abroad with two kids ain’t fun.
I’m calling it the “British” holiday because that’s mainly where we visited as kids. Since being an adult, we have visited Wales quite a lot and I will talk all about this in future blog posts.
I wanted to discuss this subject because my younger sibling has grown up not valuing this type of holiday as much as I do. My reaction is totally different. These holidays make me really excited and I absolutely love everything about it. Based on our family experience, I suspect other people out there either love or hate it.
If after reading this article, you feel inspired to book your next UK Staycation, I have included all the links you need…
Quick note: Mummy Conquering Anxiety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. 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 thinkwould be useful for you.
History of the Great British Seaside Staycation
Butlins is a household name in the UK. My Grandma had the same pictures of my Mum on the beach as us when we were little. The only way you could tell the difference was one set of pictures was black and white, and one was in colour.
I’ve also stayed in a few Pontins holiday parks, for party weekends. Back when I was young and full of energy.
The fascination with this type of holiday began in the 1950s and this article explains the history in more detail.
We have a Haven holiday coming up and also regularly visit Parkdean. With our little one becoming more aware of the world around her, these types of holidays will soon become the norm. I pack up the car with everything we need and the drive is generally about two hours away. Perfect when you have a toddler!
What attracts me to these holiday parks, over a different type of holiday?
1. Bingo
Who doesn’t love bingo?
Quite often these parks will offer linked bingo, where you can win a large prize, and it’s fun, sitting in the entertainment room with the kids zooming around.
It reminds me of a bit more upmarket Working Men’s Club. When we were young teens, everyone had their parties here and it was right across the street from us. It is now a housing estate. This Guardian article explains how some have remained and adapted to the current times.
2. The entertainment
I must say the quality of entertainment has improved over the years and I am very impressed with the activities we have been able to pre-book for our upcoming Haven holiday.
The joy of getting ready to go out and knowing there will be something to entertain the kids. Family fun for everyone involved and I just love it.
3. Cheap drinks & lovely food
Parking the car up, throwing the bags on the bed, walking to the pub. Can’t wait. We already have a table booking just after our check-in time, haha!
It’s great for us because we know the setting will be child-friendly and we don’t have to worry about disturbing other people who are also trying to have a nice meal. Our little one can make friends, play in the arcades, we can eat and drink, safe in the knowledge she is entertained and looked after.
This is a huge bonus for families with young children!
Pre-children, we also visited as a couple and absolutely loved it. We rented a caravan for a weekend and enjoyed the bar, minus the kid’s entertainment (there is usually a separate entertainment room and the bar is a bit quieter). I did insist on playing bingo though and hubby wasn’t that impressed.
These days we book the top brand of caravan, this allows us to have more bedrooms, bathrooms and overall comfort. As we stay with the in-laws it gives everyone a bit of personal space. Having decking is also a must. Our little one can play outside, but she’s safe in an enclosed space, and it’s also nice to sit there in the morning with a coffee, or a drink at night.
4. Play area for kids
Now I have a child, it’s also beneficial to have a play area and this is usually right outside the bar, making it convenient for everyone to have a good time.
Whilst I love our local park, the play area tends to be far away from the cafe, which I totally get. However, when you’re on holiday it’s a different vibe. It’s accepted there will be children around and everyone has fun together.
It reminds me of the vibe I get in Spain, where families go out more and do things together. Children are welcome everywhere. I am not saying in the UK they aren’t, there is just still this stigma of child-friendly and non-child-friendly places to eat and drink. I totally understand. If we had a date night, I wouldn’t want a screaming child next to me.
Maybe we are all just a bit more relaxed when we’re on holiday, and it’s a great thing.
If you don’t have a holiday planned, you can check out my blog post, which includes 20 ideas for fun activities adults and children can do together…
I’ve made use of the list this year, as this is the first holiday we’ve been on over the summer.
As we usually have a week of school activities to keep the little one entertained, she will need something similar when we go on holiday.
In the past, I’ve booked a bug hunt, nature trail, and slime-making class. This is quality family time spent together and uses up some of her energy.
6. The accommodation
When planning a Great British seaside holiday, there is something that always attracts me to stay in a caravan.
Staying in a caravan isn’t the most luxurious accommodation I’ve ever stayed in, but it’s nostalgic and fun. There is just something about it I love.
These days we book the top brand of caravan. This allows us to have more bedrooms, bathrooms, and overall comfort. As we stay with the in-laws it gives everyone a bit of personal space. Having decking is also a must. Our little one can play outside, but she’s safe in an enclosed space, and it’s also nice to sit there in the morning with a coffee, or a drink at night.
I can picture myself now! Having a sneaky look on Twitter and a lovely coffee, hopefully, before anyone else gets up, breathing in the sea air. I need it after the year I’ve had.
Check out my other blog posts in the holiday section:
We also want a dog to join our family, eventually. When the time is right. This year we have family members joining us with a new puppy and we were struggling to find accommodation to house us all, along with the dog. This caravan site is the perfect solution.
It’s great that some of the parks we visit are dog-friendly. Another bonus of staying in the UK for a holiday is for those who don’t want to leave pets behind.
8. Amusement arcade
When the hubby & I got together, one of our shared passions was travelling to the seaside and spending hours on the 2p machines. We did this even before having a child. It’s something we both did as kids, we’ve grown up loving caravan holidays, and we want our little one to experience the same joy.
But he draws the line at loving the bingo and entertainment as much as I do. That’s why I bring my mum along. Eyes down…
9. Near the seaside
These caravan parks are perfect to use as a base camp to explore other nearby areas.
During our stay, we usually split our time between park activities and going out for the day to the nearest seaside.
Other holiday parks, booking sites & hotels I want to mention
As I am usually the event planner in the family, I’ve spent many hours researching holidays and know quite a bit about when prices spike and what facilities are available in which parks.
The Great British seaside holiday, happens to be my area of expertise, simply because it’s where we visit the most as a family. When you go abroad, the work is taken care of for you, but these types of holidays need someone organised at the helm.
I frequently use Hoseasons, as their website has a large range of bookings at other caravan parks. You can also filter by holiday type, whether it be adult-only with hot tub, child-friendly, activity parks, cottages, or large houses. They also have a range of special collections you can search by. If you sign up for their email list, you also get sent regular offers.
I’m also a huge fan of Booking.com. The biggest selling point of Booking.com is free cancellation. With what’s going on in the world recently, this is a huge benefit. It gives you peace of mind if for any reason you’re unable to travel.
We have a Village hotel near us and it’s where we go if we want some child-free time to relax. What I love about their hotels is the layout. Everything you need is onsite. You just park the car up and get ready to relax and indulge.
They have a Starbucks, a pub, a restaurant, and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, gym, and classes. A spa. Room service, rooms you can upgrade to with a coffee machine and sky package.
What more could you possibly want?
The pandemic & its impact on UK holidays
The pandemic caused a whole different take on the British holiday. All of a sudden, people couldn’t travel outside the UK and therefore had no choice but to book a holiday in this country.
This article provides some practical guidance on how to ensure you are covered when booking a holiday.
Due to the high demand for UK holidays, we struggled to find suitable accommodation for this break, at a reasonable price. We had to compromise on the location and duration of the stay, but I am looking forward to a break and that’s what matters.
Hopefully next year we can get back to our usual routine, of going abroad, with some holiday parks scattered throughout the year, so I can get my bingo fix!
Before I pack up my car & get going…
Do you have any holidays coming up? Tell me about them below or add me on social media – for updates on mine.
I can’t wait to hear from you.
Feel like booking a stay at Village Hotels?? Click below…
I also love supporting small businesses and other creatives. Etsy allows me to shop for what I love, whilst also supporting other people.
Sam – Founder of Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog
Yesterday was the first day I remembered how gloomy October can be in the UK. But it’s also my favourite time of year. Autumn, Halloween and the lead-up to Christmas have always excited me more than the summer months.
I have storage boxes full of Halloween and Christmas decor. But it’s old & tired. We are in need of a fall refresh.
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 courtesy of individual sellers on Etsy.
With only two paydays until the main event, it’s time for us all to start thinking about our Christmas Shopping. And narrowing down what we want to buy our loved ones. Personally, I love a unique and quirky gift. I am always on the lookout for something nobody else would buy.
Sam – Founder of Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog
I also love supporting small businesses and other creatives. Etsy allows me to shop for what I love, whilst also supporting other people.
Hello, My name is Princess Joe-Igbuzor. I’m a Nigerian Law student who is passionate about mental health and women’s rights.
I am indeed thrilled to be writing this guest post for your blog, I hope you enjoy the read and have a great day.
About My Blog
Write_rspace is a mental health blog which focuses on saying big things in small ways. Predominantly writing about mental health, my focus is to de-stigmatize the mystic aura behind mental health and reduce it into concepts that people can understand in everyday life.
Different things spring to mind depending on how deep you are in your personal development journey. For some, Affirmations are like a list of mantras that you recite to yourself every morning. Others see it as some form of ritual in which you chant a string of words.
Putting it plain and simple, Affirmations in this context are sentences you say to yourself to profess the opposite of your surrounding situation.
It’s speaking positively even in the negative.
No one who is truly happy stands in front of a mirror and tells themselves they’re happy.
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.
Lets dive in
Over time, a lot of individuals including myself have begun to see Affirmations as a form of ritualistic activity. It almost seems like affirmations are delusions we tell ourselves because as said by Mark Manson in his book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F**k, ‘No one who is truly happy stands in front of a mirror and tells themselves they’re happy.’
Ever since I had jumped off the bandwagon and stopped using affirmations in total or so I thought. I, like most people, thought affirmations were sentences you told yourself in front of a mirror every morning and that was all there was to it.
So then I would ask myself and I’m sure you’ve asked yourself this too,
‘Why should I say I’m happy every morning even when I don’t feel happy?’
Like I said earlier, it makes one feel delusional especially when those words don’t instantly make things perfect and we still go about our day feeling down.
But what we have failed to realize is that Affirmations are never one size fits all. It’s not some ritual or only an activity that some people partake in. We all use affirmations day in and day out.
Let me show you 7 ways you unconsciously use affirmations
7 ways you unconsciously use affirmations
An ‘I’ll be fine’ on a bad/rough day.
Remember the last time you were having a really bad day, your self-esteem felt like it was non-existence and you just wanted to disappear literally.
When you find yourself in this situation and after having a meltdown session, you clean your tears and you say, ‘I’ll be fine.’ or ‘I will get through this’.
Do you want to know a secret? That ‘I’ll be fine’ or ‘I will get through this’ or their variations are affirmations.
But we say it so often that we don’t realize they are affirmations.
How?
Because everything in that moment is telling you that things won’t be fine and yet you profess the positive even in that state.
I recall, last month I was going through a really bad few weeks and I had been trying to keep it all inside but this particular day every emotion I was feeling felt heightened and I wanted to drop everything and just go home but I couldn’t. In the midst of all that, I remember saying, ‘I will be fine, I have gone through so much and this will not overcome me.’
I didn’t instantly feel better but I was calmer in that moment so it was easier to face the task at hand. I know I was aware at that moment that I had used an affirmation.
The ‘I look good’ on a bad hair/outfit day.
We have all had our fair share of bad hair/outfit days, it’s a common occurrence in life.
But telling yourself you look good in an outfit that you know you don’t or you could better is a form of affirmation. You just don’t pay close attention to it. The outfit doesn’t make the person, The person makes the outfit.
So even when you are putting on an outfit that you know you look mid in, you square your shoulders and readjust your posture and tell yourself, ‘I look good.’
On days when you have a sudden wardrobe malfunction and there is no alternative so you make a spare outfit, you still tell yourself you look great despite knowing you could look better.
Some books to help you on your affirmation journey
The ‘I can do anything I set my mind to’ when goal setting.
Whether you write it down or have a vision in your head, we all have goals.
Some parameters of what we hope to achieve. However, some days come and we are down in the dumps wondering if we will ever achieve the goals we had in mind. An experience I’m sure we all relate to is that of setting resolutions.
At the beginning of the month or year, we set resolutions of the things we hope to achieve before the specific timeline runs out. But almost always by the middle of the month or a few months into the year, we lose our momentum, that drive that we had the day we were setting the goal is almost non-existence.
Setbacks with goal-setting
Or perhaps we have been trying to achieve the goals but we have encountered some setbacks.
Naturally, we begin to reevaluate our goals and attempt to make some changes but then suddenly we get this deep resilience that we can do anything we set our minds to.
Sometimes we say this out loud. Oftentimes we just feel it and rather than change course, we tread down the same path with renewed energy and motivation.
The ‘I’m great’ when doubt sets in.
For every athlete and artist out there, you can resonate with a moment in your career when you were doubtful of your capabilities even when you have proved yourself before.
The mind is a tricky place and although you know you can achieve this feat, doubt and fear have come to nestle you just right before the race, game or performance.
You tell yourself to just breathe and calm down but your palms become shaky and sweaty. You certainly can’t perform at your best like this so you try to give yourself a confidence boost but that doesn’t seem to help.
And then you start to take deep breaths and tell yourself ‘I’ll do great.’, ‘I’m great, I have done this before, I can do it again.’
I’m a university student and last semester was tough. I had done well in previous semesters but this last semester, doubt started to sink in. I would read for hours and not remember a single thing, I knew I was in over my head and I needed to get out of there fast or my grades would fall.
So every time, right before I started reading or writing any form of test or exam, I would tell myself that ‘I’m great and I can do this. I have done it before and this time will be no different.’ I didn’t know it but It was affirmations that helped me get through that doubt.
Tools to help you on your self-development journey
The ‘It’s not that bad’ when things are really bad.
Affirmations don’t always have to be in the form of all positive and go skippy, they can sometimes hide in semi-positive statements especially when we subconsciously don’t want to admit that we use affirmations.
You have been in a situation that was very bad like stage 10 bad and yet you told yourself that, ‘it’s not that bad.’
Like a hall, you rented for an event getting flooded before the event or you got a bad score on a test you worked hard for.
In the midst of all this, you tell yourself, ‘It’s not that bad.’ and you move on. It doesn’t make things better but it begins to hurt less.
The ‘Tomorrow will be better’ after a long day.
Some days are never-ending, they seem to have 36 hours instead of the usual 24 hours. The night can’t come any faster so when you do eventually get to crawl into bed. You are already exhausted and just want to be over with the day so you tell yourself, Tomorrow will be better. Because it has to be.
That’s affirmation at its best. You are speaking into a new day and declaring what you want from it even before the day is here.
Some days you don’t even realize that you are saying this or speaking it into existence. It just seems natural and far from mystical.
Lastly, we have the ‘It’s a phase, It will pass’ after a series of bad weeks/months.
This we use when we have yet another bad week after a string of bad weeks or another bad month after a few bad months.
We tell ourselves that we know things may be not great now but no situation is permanent and it will all pass soon despite no inclination that things are getting better.
One of the instant benefits of these unconscious affirmations is the sense of calmness and assurance that you feel after speaking these positive words into existence.
Closing Remarks
Affirmations don’t have to be in front of a mirror or said at a particular time of the day. That’s the hidden magic to it.
You can make use of affirmations daily without even realizing that you are. In the same way, we have positive affirmations, there exist negative affirmations.
But now that you know the benefits of positive affirmations, you can imagine what effects negative affirmations will have.
In what ways have you used affirmations unconsciously in your daily life?
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