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.
Bigger homes often come at a bigger price. This can be challenging for those on a tight budget that physically need a larger home (i.e. those with a growing family). Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of a bigger home. Below are just a few solutions.
Be less picky about the location
The location has a big impact on the price. If you’re hoping to rent a bigger home in a city, consider checking different areas of the city to see how prices differ. The most desirable locations are the most expensive, however, you may be able to save money by moving to somewhere that’s up-and-coming.
A compromise
Many people find that they’re able to afford a bigger home at a cheaper price by making location sacrifices like moving to somewhere that’s noisier or somewhere that’s less central. Just make sure that you make the right sacrifices – moving to somewhere with a high crime rate can result in cheaper prices, but is generally not worth the risk (especially if you’ve got kids).
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Buy a fixer-upper
Fixer-uppers are homes that are not in great condition. They typically need a lot of repairs, but as a result, they’re cheaper than homes of the same size that are in good condition. If you’re buying a home, consider looking around for these types of properties. Make sure that any repairs needed are not urgent, otherwise, you’ll have to budget upfront for these too.
Ideally, you want a property that you can buy cheaply and put up with for a few years until you save up enough money or gain enough equity for repairs and improvements – why not check out Flooring Hub.
Look into new builds
When it comes to buying property, new builds are often cheaper than older properties. In fact, you could find that you can get a three-bed new build for the same price as a two-bed older property in some areas. New builds have other perks beyond being cheaper – new builds as offered by developers such as Bellriver homes builders can often be customised during construction. First-time buyers may also be able to grab discounts or free funding for new builds. On top of this, you can guarantee that a new build will be more energy-efficient and have less wear and tear than an older home.
Share a home
If you’re single with no kids and you’re looking for somewhere bigger to rent or buy than your current home, it could be worth looking into sharing a home. While you may only be able to afford an apartment on your own, renting somewhere with a friend or sibling could allow you to explore bigger options like houses. If you’re buying somewhere, you can meanwhile take on a lodger to help pay for bills.
If you’re a homeowner, another option may be to simply convert or extend your current home to make it bigger. For example, it may be possible to convert an attic into an extra bedroom. This could give you the added space you need without moving, and it could be a lot cheaper than moving.
Looking to renovate your home? And more importantly, Renovate On A Budget?
Renovating your home can be exciting, but it can also make a huge dent in your finances if you don’t prepare adequately. According to research, about 77% of homeowners in the UK spent money on home renovations in 2021. Have you considered renovating your home but haven’t done so due to the cost involved? Thankfully, there are some budget-friendly options you can consider to help you save money, including the practical tips below.
Refresh and renovate with new paint
Image Credit
The quickest, easiest, and most affordable way to give your home a facelift is to paint the walls. You don’t need to paint the entire room. Refresh the space with a new colour. You can make it a fun family activity by painting together or choosing which options you’ll want to revamp your rooms with.
You don’t need to do everything in one day. You can do it in bits, tackling one space at a time, Engineered Wood Flooring to spruce up your floor.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to renovate your home.
Create a character with velvet dining chairs
Your home reflects you, and there’s no reason you can’t show your personality through your interior design. One great way to do this is by adding some unique pieces of furniture. For example, why not explore some budget-friendly velvet dining chairs? Not only will they add a touch of luxury to your space, but they’ll also help to create a focal point. Plus, they come in various colours, so you can find the perfect ones to reflect your personality!
Change out cabinet hardware
A simple, budget-friendly way to add spark to your kitchen is to change your cabinet hardware. And no, you don’t have to buy expensive designer knobs, either. Instead, check out your local hardware store or search online for affordable options from various brands. The great thing about this project is that it could take less than a weekend with minimal tools to renovate this area. All you need is a screwdriver and patience to remove the old knobs and get the new ones in place.
Renovate by Layering lighting with new fixtures
Swapping out your lighting is one of the most impactful ways to create a dramatic change in your home without doing a major renovation. You can buy lighting for relatively little money, and several options are available. You can also layer in different types of lighting, from spotlights to ambient lighting. Options you can explore include accent lighting; this could be fairy lights around the bed frame or LED strip lights underneath cabinets that provide just enough light to set off any room. Additionally, an overhead light or two will brighten up any dark room and provide an interesting focal point for the eye. Look for vintage fixtures that fit your preference and budget, or go bold with statement pieces like unusual wall sconces or glass pendants.
Upgrade kitchen and bathroom countertopsto renovate this space
The most popular kitchen and bathroom countertop options include durable acrylic, wood, and marble, which come in many styles and shades. Plus, it’s straightforward to install yourself. If you’re looking for something with a bit more luxury, you can opt for quartz or granite. Both of which are still relatively cost-effective. If you don’t have a lot of countertop space in your kitchen or bathroom, consider adding a backsplash when you renovate. It’s an inexpensive way to give your room an instant facelift. Another pro tip: look for remnants at local building yards for more savings!
Add storage solutions
Smart storage solutions can make searching for various home items easier. One inexpensive option is to repurpose furniture. For instance, use an antique or vintage dresser as a stylish bathroom vanity, and a stack of old suitcases as end tables. Or sturdy boxes as handy yet stylish storage. Plus, baskets of all shapes and sizes are incredibly versatile and can store everything from books to pot plants. Finally, add some hooks and rods to your walls or the back of doors. They’re great for hanging hats and scarves or storing cleaning products out of sight.
Incorporate smart tech for efficiency gains
There are many intelligent tech options, but one of the easiest is getting smart lighting hubs and bulbs. Which allows you to control your lights remotely. These can help save money on electricity bills by ensuring you use the light only when necessary. Smart thermostats are another great option that keeps your interior warm and saves you money in the long run. Beyond this, there are lots of fun gadgets you can get, like Alexa or Google Home, that allow you to control other items in your home, such as security cameras, door locks, and more. It’s an easy way to add convenience and give your home a little 21st-century touch!
I wanted to share with you some unique and quirky gift ideas I’ve been trying out. Whether you need an idea for a birthday, wedding, or a treat for a friend – I have you covered.
Please note – some of the items featured were sent for me to review – all thoughts are my own
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 Quirky Gift gift ideas…
KIND2 – Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
I was kindly sent these shampoo and conditioner bars to try. My hubby and I have different types of hair. But we both tried them and were impressed.
The bar lathers up and the foam isn’t too overpowering, but it works. They also dry quickly so you can keep them in a dish to use next time.
I have very dry, frizzy hair and these products still nourished my hair – which can be quite difficult to achieve, with some products.
Overall, I would purchase these bars again, or as a gift for a loved one. The sustainability element impresses me. Just imagine all the single-use plastic we go through, with beauty products alone. Something MUST change.
Why not visit Etsy and check out some independent sellers?
Cheerful Buddha
I was recently contacted by Cheerful Buddha who kindly sent a gift pack to try. Having tried their products before, I can confirm their coffee is great.
As a prosecco lover, I was over the moon to be contacted by Say It With Champers to review their Christmas themed mini Prosecco product. I was so excited about it arriving, and was not disappointed with the package when it did arrive.
I don’t know about you, but I do love a personalised product. It gives more meaning to a special gift for someone and shows you have thought about them. These gifts would also be perfect for use in the corporate world. My dad gets a luxury Christmas hamper each year from work and always gives us some of the products from it. What a treat.
The unboxing
The main thing I was impressed with upon arrival of the Christmas themed mini Prosecco was the packaging. When I opened the box, it was wrapped in a cold jacket, which meant it was ready to drink straight out of the box. I find this pretty amazing and it’s something I didn’t expect.
The website also offers Champagne bottles. All occasions are covered and they even sell vegan champagne. Their ready-made hampers also look fantastic.
Who I selected the gift for
I selected a gift for family members, one of which loves prosecco as much as I do! The fact the recipient can keep the bottle with the personalised label and it can then become a keepsake is also a bonus. This would be particularly apt to mark a special occasion or remember a significant event, like a graduation or work-related achievement.
If you’re looking for a great movie to watch whilst your drink your prosecco, check out this post: 25 movies to stream this Christmas.
Final thoughts
Overall I am happy with the product and can’t find fault with the end-to-end process. From ordering to delivery, the process was smooth.
AD – own products. If you haven’t already heard, we launched our family T-Shirt business today! roaringpumpkintees is born. We’ve worked hard over the last six months – drawing, editing images and creating the look and feel of the website.
I’m so proud of my achievements with the launch of this blog, then the second and third blogs. In addition to a new family endeavour, which allows us to get our little one involved in the whole process. She even helps me click buttons to create designs for my blogs. And it’s teaching her great lessons, about working hard, managing money and following your dreams.
I wanted to go into a bit more detail on why I chose this name for the first business I set up
My toddler is full of sass, definitely has a fierce spirit and is exactly like her mummy in this respect. We are both stubborn and when we put our minds to something, we will not be stopped. Under any circumstances! I am proud of my toddler and I want to always nurture her roaring pumpkin spirit. Even if she can be frustrating at times (as I’m sure all toddlers are). I’ve spent my life being misunderstood by many people around me. But I am now at a point where I value the people who make time to understand me. We are all unique and it should be celebrated.
Following a difficult pregnancy, mental health problems throughout early pregnancy. A traumatic birth, returning to a high-pressure job just as covid hit, and then work pressure whilst working from home. This perfect storm would be enough to push anyone to breaking point. For me, it inevitably resulted in a mental breakdown. And it would be a full 18 months before I felt anything like myself again. During this time, I felt compelled to set up my first mental health blog. And subsequently set up another twoblogs. I completely changed careers, twice, and worked on my self-development through a hypnotherapy course – with a great therapist.
Here are some reasons you should start your own, online business
Low Start Up Costs
The only cost to you is setting up a website. The actual printing is facilitated by another company, meaning the risk to you is minimal.
Everyone loves T-Shirts
Who doesn’t love a quirky design on a T-Shirt? I’ve always loved them and as a family, we own loads of them. Why not put your own creative ideas out there, for other people to buy?
Add another income stream to your life
It’s no secret that I would love to run my blogs full-time. However, anyone in the blogging industry understands these things take time. And in the meantime, I have bills to pay. It’s also wonderful that I’ve finally found a day job I love so much!
Adding another income stream to your existing side hustles can allow you more financial freedom, to make decisions about your future. Or address anything you need to pay off before you start meeting your future financial goals.
The ability to work from home
The world has changed dramatically since 2019. Working from home is now the norm for a lot of people. Setting up any online business will allow you to work from home, on your own terms.
You get to do something you’re passionate about
We are all creatives in our house. It’s something I want to nurture in my toddler. Staring your own online T-Shirt business can allow you to show off your creative side. And basque in the excitement of coming up with new designs. Sharing your passion with everyone else.
If you’re ready to start your own T-Shirt business, sign up to Teemill with my referral link
Some of our designs – click on the image to purchase…
Final Thoughts
I’m so happy we now have a family-run business. With designs, we have created together and that means something to us. Hopefully, they will also mean something to you.
Check out my Guest Post from Jasmine Fitze. I am accepting guest posts on all of my blogs – you can find more details here.
Introduction
Hi, I’m Jas! I feel so grateful to be writing a guest post for Mummy Conquering Anxiety. Especially around this time of year. Autumn is my favourite season of all. And I enjoy writing plenty of blog posts around this season too. And candles are a great topic!
I am a digital creator who loves creating content around architecture, travel, food and drink, coffee, and lifestyle. In addition, I love to see the little things every day. Learning to love my own company by venturing out of my comforts. And providing the life that I deserve. I hope you can feel inspired by the life I live. Realising life’s happiness starts off with small and simple joys.
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
Candle Talk
I love it when autumn arrives, purely because of the overload of candles. Candles are up there as one of my favourite things to buy in shops. Especially when the seasons are changing and you get into the cold, crisp, autumnal weather. When it gets to that point, there’s nothing better than cosying up at home. Surrounding yourself with warm aromatic fragrances, and sipping on some luxurious hot chocolates.
I would say that my candle preferences are more towards scents that are rich, sweet, vibrant, and spiced. This is why I get excited when autumn comes around because I feel in my element. I could get lost for hours in the home fragrances selection trying to find the ones that I vibe with.
A collection showing some of my favourite scents:
Pumpkin Spice: Takes me into a world of pumpkin patches, spiced lattes, pumpkin everything basically!
Cinnamon: Forever love the warm spices of cinnamon that remind me of autumnal bakes and hot chocolates.
Coffee: With me being that much into coffee I just can’t get enough of the coffee scents, especially as each one has its own richness and character to the flavours with the creaminess bringing it all together.
Spiced apple: Sweet but juicy scents that I get from this fragrance. Definitely makes me think of toffee apples or apple pie/ apple crumble, and even apple cider of many kinds.
Coconut: I’ve always been into coconut-scented things. I love the creaminess and subtlety of the scent, I think it’s an ideal all-round candle, but especially ideal for having next to a box of chocolates, particularly bounty’s to compliment the atmosphere.
Honey & chocolate: This scent I’m particularly talking about is the Glade candle. When I came across it I knew I had to pick it up. Smells Devine and I thought of it like a crunchie chocolate bar and this candle delivered those sensational aromas.
Are any of these scents your favourite too? Comment below
There’s something quite magical about walking around the city in your warm and thick coat, with a coffee in one hand, and seasonal shopping bags in the other. What I love about this home decor piece is that they make for an ideal gift for someone or for even yourself. On any special or random occasion, there’s a candle for everyone at any time!
Shopping for Candles
A few shops that I recommend browsing for autumn candles & diffusers are TK MAXX, B&M, and Wilko.
I am forever heading to TK MAXX for their library load of candles and diffusers of all different aesthetics, scents, and personalities. I highly recommend making a visit to have a smell through them. You’ll likely end up walking out with a great collection.
In Wilko, you will find plenty of autumn-scented fragrances such as pumpkin spice, apple cosy cider, and marshmallow Irish cream. Great prices if you are looking for a unique scent at a low price. And with the sizes, they have a good burning time. B&M have a selection of basic and characteristic candles. Ones that are ideal for repurposing other household decor pieces.
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One shop that I haven’t mentioned yet but have to put out there is M&S with their distinctive candles. They are pricey but the jar has battery-operated lights, within the jar of the candle, so it serves multiple purposes. It would for sure make an excellent centrepiece to a dining table or coffee table. Bringing a glowing atmosphere to the room.
Alternatively, there are plenty of wonderful small businesses on Etsy, such as @dolewickscandleco (check her out on Instagram). DW Home is also a great place for endless seasonal scents with distinctive jars. Perfect for repurposing, check out their Instagram and website for more. On Instagram, there is @illumine_candle_co which is a small business in Exeter, with beautiful hand-poured vegan-friendly soy candles.
Candles are up there as one of my favourite pieces of decor to buy purely because they light up the room so well and the stunning aromas each one has. I also love repurposing them, giving them an extra life through using them as drinking glasses or desk organisers, they come in handy for many things.
And That’s a Wrap…
We have now come to the end of this blog post. I hope you have enjoyed reading through my candle preferences and suggestions. Here’s to many more cosy days at home as well as shopping adventures.
If you would like to learn more about me and my content, see the details below.
I’ll leave some links below, I hope to connect with some of you!
The pandemic has considerably transformed Britons’ attitude towards investing. According to a 2020 survey, one-third of the population owns stocks and shares, which is a significant increase compared to the previous years. Three-quarters of millennials and generation Z consider investments a priority as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 fluctuations. Reasons to invest are diverse, ranging from the fear of missing out on essential social movements to compensating for poor saving account interest rates.
Yet, as it becomes easier to invest, more and more people worry about the negative consequences their investment strategy could have on the household budget. If you struggle with investment anxiety too, these few tips could help you manage your fears and build a sustainable source of secondary income.
Ultimately, you may want to build an investment portfolio, but you are unsure whether you can afford it. Therefore, it’s essential to be realistic about your finances from the start, evaluating what amount you can afford to invest. You may also require to consider where you can save money first. This step is crucial because, as profitable as a good investment p[ortfolio can be, it also drains your day-to-day budget. So, if your household is still recovering from the financial loss of the pandemic, you may want to settle the major part of your debt first before taking more money off your budget.
Work with a professional financial advisor
Lack of knowledge is one of the most common causes of anxiety when it comes to investment strategies. The truth is: Investing can be tough and requires careful management of your assets. So, if you are not the kind who enjoys dealing with money matters, managing your trades and accounts is likely to increase stress levels. Instead, working with a financial advisor can ensure you can rely on an experienced and knowledgeable asset manager who can not only educate you but also create a custom plan for your budget and needs. So, whether they execute and monitor indices trading or recommend tax-saving strategies, a financial advisor can help you build a sustainable investment portfolio that matches your objectives.
Understand what you want to achieve
Why do you need an investment portfolio? It is an important question to ask yourself as you reach out to an advisor. Financial advisors can provide guidance not just for investment strategies but also for a variety of monetary concerns. So, if you are seeking a side income to launch your first business, they could direct you toward options that may be more suitable such as governmental grants, business loans, and other capital funding solutions.
Investment strategies as a way to tackle debts may also not be the best approach. A wealth manager can provide debt management strategies that can help you recover your financial balance.
Additionally, your investment strategy may vary depending on your long- and short-term objectives. Discussing openly what you wish to achieve through an investment portfolio will provide the foundation for your unique portfolio plan.
Investment anxiety affects more people in Britain than we expect. From lack of financial experience to fear of making mistakes, anxiety can be triggered by many issues. Yet, a realistic and honest approach under the guidance of a financial advisor can help you figure out if investing is the right thing for you.
I want to say thank you to Chloe from Nyxie’s Nook for this amazing guest post. I personally found social media to be the most amazing, supportive community following my mental breakdown and I definitely needed it. This post outlines the reasons it can be helpful for mental wellbeing.
Let’s dive in
Social media has long since been branded as hazardous to our mental and physical health. For those within a certain age bracket, it’s seen as something akin to the fall of socialisation. We constantly hear about children as young as six becoming addicted to social media, or adults missing the world around them because their nose is stuck in their phones.
But what about the positive side of social media? If we look beyond the addiction and online trolls, social media has helped shape the 21st century into a more inclusive place to be.
For a long time, we’ve been under the assumption that asking for help is a weak or attention-seeking behaviour. But with the help of social media, we’re now much further forward in realising that speaking up about our issues is an act of strength.
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5 Positive aspects of social media
Social media can be a great way to raise awareness, bring communities together andhelp those less fortunate.
Before the use of the internet and social media, we all seemed so far away. America, Japan, England, Finland; We were all divided by oceans, land and borders. With the use of the internet and, in turn, social media we’re able to raise awareness for issues that would otherwise be limited by location. By using social media we can reach other, like-minded people who can help spread awareness among their own communities and so on.
We’re better able to keep in touch with our loved ones, arrange online catch-ups and even play virtual games.
With so much of the world in lockdown at different times and for various levels of COVID-19, many of us have become separated from our families and peers. And with the current state of things here in the UK, our isolation isn’t set to end any time soon. The internet and social media have become a way for us to socialize, catch up and even watch movies together while staying safely apart.
Netflix has created their Netflix party to help socially distanced subscribers to watch television shows and movies together. Zoom has become the number one go-to video chatting application for social catch-ups to business meetings. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter also deserve honourable mention for helping us keep in touch and meet like-minded people who are better able to help and support us. Some of the most trusting and inspirational people I know were found via social media!
Finally, although not specifically on social media, as an avid gamer I find the use of online resources helpful in finding gaming partners. There are various places online to connect and even chat with gamers worldwide. I’ve met so many people through my love for Animal Crossing and The Sims. I’m in various community groups online where I can chat about the games, get information, tips and advice, and even swap friend codes.
Of course, this is all done from a safe distance and, as an adult, I’m aware of the danger of meeting others online. If you have a teenager or even a child who frequently games with others online, it’s suggested that you keep an eye on their activity. Have a chat with them about online safety and take an interest in what they’re doing without being overly critical.
Social media can be a welcome distraction from the outside world or a devastating realisation of the world around us
Social media has acted as a means for me to distract myself from the goings-on around me, but it’s also been there to remind me of the harsh realities of the world around us. Without it, I doubt I would be kept as informed as I am. I avoid the news at all costs and have long since stopped trusting state-funded news reports. So various online sources, social media included, have been my direct link to COVID-19 news, election updates and even any new information being spread in regards to mental health services in my local area.
In regards to acting as a distraction, by frequently visiting social media and getting to know others online, I’ve been able to build a small support network. This support network is usually biased and helps distract me just by chatting about things other than what’s on my mind.
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Social media has helped to normalise help-seeking behaviour
For a long time, we’ve been under the assumption that asking for help is a weak or attention-seeking behaviour. But with the help of social media, we’re now much further forward in realising that speaking up about our issues is an act of strength. Many adults and young people are coming forward to encourage others to ask for help for things such as mental illness, grief, sexual assault etc. No longer are these things taboo, rather, we’re unified in our need to speak up!
Social media can offer a creative outlet
Much like writing a blog or sketching in a notebook, creating social media posts can act as a creative outlet but on a much smaller scale. The likes of Instagram are especially good for displaying things such as photography and artwork, while Tik Tok is for the videographer in all of us.Others can view your work, like, share and even become inspired. But, of course, it’s not always about the number of likes and engagement you get. So long as you’re careful about how you manage your life on social media, it can be a wonderful place to find and hone your creative voice.
What are your thoughts on social media and its impacts? Do you feel that it’s a positive, negative or a bit of both? How do you use social media and how do you protect your mental health when using it?
Final thoughts from me
I agree with all these benefits and I hope you enjoyed reading the post. All the details you need to connect with Chloe are below. Please go check out her blog, show some love, comment on posts and do what we do best in the blogging community, interact and show support.
With Father’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to share some of my favourite Father’s Day Gift ideas.
If you follow this blog, you will be aware that I regularly find it difficult to buy for the men in my family. It becomes even more difficult when they already have everything they want! I am constantly finding new and quirky gift ideas, that nobody else would think to buy. And I have some great Father’s Day Gift ideas to share with you today.
Let’s dive into the Father’s Day Gift ideas
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.
Some items were also sent to me for review – all thoughts are my own
1. Cheerful Buddha
I was recently contacted by Cheerful Buddha who kindly sent a gift pack to try. Having tried their products before, I can confirm their coffee is amazing. And I am now a huge fan of their chocolate as well. Perfect as a Father’s Day Gift.
MUMMYCONQUERINGANXIETY_15 AT THE CHECKOUT FOR 15% OFF
2. Subbytech
Subbytech sent me their CliX Light Up Charging Cable to try out and I was not disappointed. I love the fact that it comes with several adapters, which magnetically click into place.
We also love an extra-long cable – and you can purchase it in various sizes.
Check out these other gift guides, which might be helpful if you’re purchasing for the man in your life:
I think you all know what’s coming up – who doesn’t love a box of flapjacks?
Flapjackery offers award-winning, gluten-free flapjacks in a variety of flavours. Choose between boxes of 3, 6 or 12 giant flapjack slices. Each box contains a combination of chocolatey, scrumptious flapjack flavours. And with message plaque boxes, you can now tell your Dad or father figure, how much he means to you.
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4. Buy Sheds Direct
Maybe you want to treat a deserving Father to the ultimate gift – a garden shed. I know my hubby wants a shed or garage, to restore furniture. Whatever the reason, I am sure this would make the recipient really happy.
Weird Fish currently has a sale and a great Men’s Section for you to browse and select a great Father’s Day gift.
6. Dare Motivation
Why not give a healthy gift this Father’s Day?
Dare Motivation is a Nutritionally Complete plant-based shake. An all-in-one blend of seeds, superfoods, herbs, phytonutrients, and pre-and probiotics. As well as 26 essential vitamins and minerals.
Free Delivery on all Orders Over £20 to Mainland UK
20% off with Code AWESOME20 or by signing up for the newsletter
Refer a friend & get £10
Final thoughts
I hope you found this guide useful and found some great gifts for your loved one
It is a proven fact, that the early years of our lives shape who we are and how well we cope with challenges in adult life. A traumatic experience in childhood can have lasting effects. Exploring emotions is vital.
All human beings have emotions. They start to develop at an early age, often when toddlers don’t really understand what they are yet. The common one in our house at the moment is missing other people. This involves a daily conversation filled with reassurance, that everyone misses the people they love.
Because toddler emotions are a challenge I currently face. And I know other parents definitely go through this cycle, I wanted to write a post dedicated to the best stories I could find, discussing children’s emotions.
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 think would be useful for other people
Let’s look at the research into why we should explore emotions
Understanding children’s emotions are critical to understanding their behaviour. Early years children feel a range of emotions, but often cannot express, interpret or process them like us.
With poor emotional skills, it could be harder for children to learn:
Children grow and develop rapidly in their first five years across the four main areas of development. These areas are motor (physical), communication and language, cognitive, social and emotional.
Social and emotional development means how children start to understand who they are, what they are feeling and what to expect when interacting with others. It is the development of being able to:
Form and sustain positive relationships.
Experience, manage and express emotions.
Explore and engage with the environment.
Positive social and emotional development is important. This development influences a child’s self-confidence, empathy, the ability to develop meaningful and lasting friendships and partnerships, and a sense of importance and value to those around them. Children’s social and emotional development also influences all other areas of development.
Parents and caregivers play the biggest role in social/emotional development because they offer the most consistent relationships for their children. Consistent experiences with family members, teachers and other adults help children learn about relationships and explore emotions in predictable interactions.
To nurture your child’s social and emotional development, it is important that you engage in quality interactions like these on a daily basis, depending on the age of your child:
Be affectionate and nurturing: hold, comfort, talk and sing with your baby, toddler and child.
Help your baby experience joy in “give-and-take” relationships by playing games like “peek-a-boo.”
Provide your toddler with responsive care, letting them practice new skills while still providing hands-on help.
Support your child’s developing skills; help him/her, but don’t do everything for your child, even if it takes longer or is messy.
Teach social and emotional skills, such as taking turns, listening and resolving conflict.
What happens if we don’t manage emotions
One of the most important ways parents or guardians can help is by listening to their children and taking their feelings seriously. They may want a hug, they may want you to help them change something or they may want practical help.
Children and young people’s negative feelings usually pass. However, it’s a good idea to get help if your child is distressed for a long time if their feelings are stopping them from getting on with their lives, if their distress is disrupting family life or if they are repeatedly behaving in ways you wouldn’t expect at their age.
What’s Troubling Tawny? The award-winning second book in the Sumatran Trilogy! Tawny longs to make friends with another rhino, but her shyness holds her back. When she meets a hornbill called Tallulah, she is surprised to learn that she has a lot in common with the beautiful bird.
Poppy the porcupine has always wanted to make a friend, but her defensive nature prevents her. When a young tiger cub stumbles upon her one day in the rainforest, she reacts badly and scares him away.
Determined to change her ways, she sets out to find him, but little does she know that the tiger cub is about to have a problem of his own. In the face of danger, will Poppy find a way to save the day?
The Problem with Poppy is the award-winning debut picture book by British author Emma Sandford. Illustrated by Ukrainian artist Olena Osadcha.
If you could change something about yourself, would you do it?
When Sarah Simpkins is teased about her shadow in the school playground, she finds herself wishing she didn’t have one.
That night she has the chance to make the wish come true. But will losing her shadow really make her happy?
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Let’s Be Friends Again
Purchase the book below:
Let’s Be Friends Again
Kids World Books – Sibling fights, tantrums and subsequent bonding is the theme of this story.
The story is narrated by a boy and he narrates rather than shares his experiences with his sister. The boy and the girl play together. They spend most of their leisure time together. Just like every sibling, they fight often and bond subsequently.
The boy finds some trouble with his sister. The boy sometimes babysits for his sister and she used to trouble him! However, she was a good listener and the boy used to tell some great stories. The boy refused to share his toys with her. Yet, the smart girl used to grab all her brother’s toys. The tantrum began when the girl played with his brother’s pet turtle!
The girl thought that the tank where the pet turtle was kept was too small for the turtle. She carried it to the pond and let it free in the pond.
The boy was as angry as he lost his pet turtle. He showed his anger in many ways. He shouted at her. He threw away his toys and kept on thinking about his turtle. His parents supported his sister. He planned to avenge the loss of his pet and imagined many things. (This is definitely a fun part that everyone would die laughing).
He couldn’t sleep for hours thinking about the pet. He then saw his sister playing in the garden so happy like never before. The boy was surprised as well as very angry seeing her sister happy.
He made a decision! What was that?
Let’s be friends again, the lovable brother and sister, their cute fights, rivalry, etc are narrated beautifully. It happens very commonly in every household.
Children and young people are still developing – they don’t have adult brains or bodies, so need help to understand and manage their emotions.
You’ve probably heard your parents or grandparents say “they’re just attention seeking” or “they’re being difficult”. But there’s usually more to it than this.
We often ask people who contact Children 1st Parentline: “What is your child trying to tell you when they’re acting like that?” Looked at this way, unwanted behaviour is usually about a child needing something – or their way of trying to work out how to manage something.
From a toddler’s need for comfort to a teenager’s conflicting desires for independence and security, testing behaviour is common and is often set off by everyday experiences rather than big events.
Jodi also thinks the book will come just at the right time for children who have had to shut themselves away all year and might be scared to try something new.
She added: “It is a lovely story for 4–7-year-olds about taking yourself out of your comfort zone to try new things.
“Worley’s story is a fab way to engage children with these cute little monsters and learn how to develop their confidence.
“The book also included suggested activities for parent and adult readers.
“I’m also now writing my second story for the series about Worley and Co!
“Having suffered quite a bit as a kid – I lost my dad at 10 and my best friend at 14 – and had a lot of bullying and not nice things going on and I didn’t know how to cope,” she explained.
“That had a massive effect on me as an adult which led to a breakdown. I don’t want kids to go through what I did. The more people I can teach and I can help the better. I don’t think I would have had as big a meltdown if I already had tools to use.
“My characters are all monsters – I have a whole tribe of emotions monsters that teach children about emotions. Worley is the main one and he meets his friends with different emotions.
“The first one was teaching him to be brave and through the monster, you learn you might make a mistake but it will be fine. He realises he doesn’t need to be the best at everything.
“The second book is about anger. The book is written as a rhyme; basically, Worley gets angry and doesn’t know what it is. His friend George, the angry monster, teaches him it is ok to be angry and how to manage it.
“It is done in quite a fun way so children can understand.”
Buster Finds His Beat
Purchase the book below:
Buster Finds His Beat
A feel-good story about an autistic boy, That will capture your imagination and fill you with joy.
Buster uses ear defenders to soften sounds he hears, Find out what happens when he faces his fears…
Pick up your copy, you’ll be in for a treat, As he uses the power of sound to find his own beat.
The first book in a new rhyming picture book series from D.M. Mullan and Kirsteen Harris Jones – welcome to D.M. Mullan’s Curious Tales… Hector van Groat If something is missing, and you’re feeling blue, you could learn from Hector, who feels this way too. This little genius lives in an upside-down boat, and he grunts from his hill like a grumpy old goat. “Hector van Groat needs no one but Hector because he is a genius, a crazy inventor”.
A beautifully illustrated picture book about mental health for young readers. Where Is My Smile? is the story of a little boy who can’t find his smile anywhere. He searches and searches, but it’s nowhere to be found. Where could his smile be? This delightful picture book is perfect as a bedtime story, and to help little children understand that it’s okay to be sad sometimes, but we can always find our way through it.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading my list of books to inspire conversations with your toddler about emotions.
Do you have any of these books? Or will you be purchasing them? What techniques do you use to explore emotions?
I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
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