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.
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.
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.
You never look good trying to make someone else look bad!
Today I have a great guest post to share with you all! All about Effective Leadership.
Trishna Patnaik has a BSc (in Life Sciences) and MBA (in Marketing) by qualification but is an artist by choice. A self-taught artist based in Mumbai, Trishna has been practising art for over 14 years. After she had a professional stint in various reputed corporates, she realised that she wanted to do something more meaningful. She found her true calling in her passion which is painting. Trishna is now a full-time professional painter pursuing her passion to create and explore to the fullest. She says, “It’s a road less travelled but a journey that I look forward to every day.” Trishna also conducts painting workshops across Mumbai and other metropolitan cities in India.
Trishna is an art therapist and healer. She works with clients on a one-on-one basis in Mumbai.
Trishna fancies the art of creative writing and is dappling her hands in that too, to soak in the experience and an engagement with readers, wanderers and thinkers.
Bullying is a distinctive pattern of repeatedly and deliberately harming and humiliating others, specifically those who are smaller, weaker, and younger or in any way more vulnerable than the bully. The deliberate targeting of those of lesser power is what distinguishes bullying from garden-variety aggression.
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.
Bullying can involve verbal attacks (name-calling and making fun of others) as well as physical ones, threats of harm, other forms of intimidation, and deliberate exclusion from activities. Bullying peaks around ages 11 to 13 and decreases as children grow older! Overt physical aggression such as kicking, hitting, and shoving is most common among younger children; relational aggression—damaging or manipulating the relationships of others, such as spreading rumours, and social exclusion—is more common as children mature!
Most bullying occurs in and around school and on playgrounds. Approximately 20 percent of students report being bullied at school. Boys and girls are equally likely to be bullied.
Why People Bully
People bully because it can be an effective way of getting what they want, at least in the short term, and because they lack the social skills to do so without harming others. Bullying also is a way of establishing social dominance, although over time, as children’s behavioural repertoires generally broaden, it becomes the increasingly dysfunctional way.
Are bullies born or made?
Bullies are made, not born, and it happens at an early age; if the normal aggression of 2-year-olds is not handled with consistency, children fail to acquire internal restraints against such behaviour. Bullying remains a very durable behavioural style, largely because bullies get what they want—at least at first!
What are the psychological features of bullies?
Bullies have a distinct psychological makeup. They lack prosocial behaviour, are untroubled by anxiety, and do not understand others’ feelings. They exhibit a distinctive cognitive feature, a kind of paranoia: They misread the intentions of others, often imputing hostility in neutral situations. Others may not like them, but they typically see themselves quite positively. Those who chronically bully tend to have strained relationships with their parents and peers.
Who Bullies Target
Bullies couldn’t exist without victims, and they don’t pick on just anyone. Those singled out for bullying lack assertiveness even in non-threatening situations and radiate fear long before they ever encounter a bully. These are children who don’t stand up for themselves!
How do bullies decide who to pick on?
Up to about age 7, bullies pick on almost anyone. After that, they single out kids to prey on; engaging in a “shopping process” to determine which other children would make suitably submissive victims. Bullies like victims who become visibly upset when they are picked on and who do not have friends or allies. Those chosen as victims evince insecurity and apprehension.
What are the distinguishing features of victims?
Victims easily acquiesce to bullies’ demands, handing over bikes, toys, and other playthings. They cry and assume a defensive posture; their highly visible displays of pain and suffering are rewarding to bullies and serve as an important signal of the bully’s dominance. Children who become victims offer no deterrent to aggression, which can make them disliked even by their non-bullying peers.
Why Bullying Is So Harmful
Bullying carries the implicit message that aggression and violence are acceptable solutions to problems when they are not. Cooperation and the peaceful resolution of differences support an increasingly interconnected world. Bullying not only harms its victims, but it also harms the perpetrators themselves! Most bullies have a downward spiralling course through life, as their aggressive behaviour interferes with learning, holding a job, and establishing and maintaining intimate relationships.
Do bullies grow out of it?
Some bullies do leave the behaviour behind. But many do not; aggression is a very stable social interaction style. Many who were bullies as children turn into antisocial adults, who are far more likely than nonaggressive kids to commit crimes, batter their wives, abuse their children—and produce another generation of bullies.
How to Handle a Bully
The best defence against bullying is being socially skilled—teaching all children social skills and allowing them to develop confidence in their own abilities. As social engineers for young children, parents are especially important in bully-proofing their children: They can regularly inquire about social challenges their children face and role-play possible solutions. The second-best defence against bullying is to walk away and not fight back.
What can you do to stop bullies?
If you are being bullied, you should talk to someone you know well and trust; they will give you much-needed support and will often have suggestions you hadn’t considered for helping with the situation.
You might feel more comfortable taking a friend with you to talk to the bully or when seeking help. If you feel you might get too nervous to speak, write down what you’d like to say on paper or in an email. If you feel safe and confident, you should approach the person who is bullying you and tell them that their behaviour is unwanted and not acceptable.
If you are being bullied while at school, it is a good idea to seek help from a friend or to talk to a teacher or counsellor to see if they can help.
Four Types of bullying behaviour
Physical – examples include: hitting, pushing, shoving or intimidating or otherwise physically hurting another person, damaging or stealing their belongings. It includes threats of violence
Verbal/written – examples include: name-calling or insulting someone about an attribute, quality or personal characteristic
Social (sometimes called relational or emotional bullying) – examples include: deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumours, sharing information that will have a harmful effect on the other person and/or damaging a person’s social reputation or social acceptance
Cyberbullying – any form of bullying behaviour that occurs online or via a mobile device. It can be verbal or written, and can include threats of violence as well as images, videos and/or audio.
Bullying can have a massive impact on your mental health, both now and in the future. If you’re bullied as a child or teenager, you might be twice as likely to use mental health services as an adult. It doesn’t matter if you’re being bullied at school, at home or online, bullying can mess with your head. But you’re not alone, and you deserve support.
Common Types of Bullies
Bullies have different styles, personalities, goals, and behaviours. Their motivations for and methods of bullying are all different! And not all bullies will fit neatly into a category. Some bullies will fall into several categories and some may appear to be in a category all their own.
Bully-Victims
Bullying victims often rise up after being bullied. They bully others weaker than them because they, too, have been bullied. Their goal usually is to regain a sense of power and control in their lives.
This type of bully is very common. In fact, a large number of kids who bully others have been bullied themselves by peers. Their bullying is a way of retaliating for the pain they are feeling. Other times the bully victim comes from a home with domestic violence or suffers abuse from an older sibling. In these cases, bullying is a learned behaviour.
Popular Bullies
Popular bullies have big egos. They are confident and condescending. They usually have a group of followers and may feel like they rule the school. These bullies have a sense of entitlement that can stem from their popularity, size, upbringing, or socioeconomic status. They thrive on the physical power and control they have over their victims and may boast about their bullying.
Popular bullies are sometimes the school’s star athlete or perceived school leader. They flourish on the attention and power they get from bullying. Peers often tolerate this type of bully because they would rather be accepted than bullied.
Relational Bullies
The relational bully is usually a somewhat-popular student who enjoys deciding who is accepted at school and who isn’t. Excluding, isolating, and ostracizing others are the most common weapons used by this type of bully. Most often, the relational bully will use only verbal or emotional bullying to maintain control. Many times, mean girls are relational bullies.
Relational bullies also maintain their power by using rumours, gossip, labels, and name-calling. Typically, they target others because they are jealous or feel they are socially unacceptable. Maintaining popularity is the key reason for relational aggression. The relational bully will do anything to be part of the “in the crowd.”
Serial Bullies
The serial bully is another type of bully often found in popular circles. These bullies are systematic, controlled, and calculated in their approach. Parents, teachers, and administrators may have no idea what a serial bully is capable of. Serial bullies are skilled manipulators and liars and are usually fake friends. Their sweet and nice persona is just another way to manipulate situations to their liking.
They are able to twist facts and situations to make themselves look innocent or to get out of trouble when confronted. In fact, serial bullies are often so skilled at deception that their victims often are afraid to speak up, convinced that no one will ever believe them.
Group Bullies
Bullies in this category are part of a group and have a pack mentality when they are together. They tend to bully as a group but behave much differently when they are alone—even if they are alone with the victim. Usually, group bullies are cliques that imitate the leader of the group and just follow along.
Because kids feel insulated when they are in a group, they often feel free to say and do things they wouldn’t do otherwise. They also feel less responsible for their actions because “everyone is doing it.” This is a very dangerous type of bullying because things quickly can escalate out of control.
Indifferent Bullies
Indifferent bullies are often unable to feel empathy. As a result, they can often appear cold, unfeeling, and detached and have very little, if any, remorse for what they do to others. Indifferent bullies are bullying for the sheer enjoyment of seeing another person suffer. They are not deterred by disciplinary actions. Traditional bullying intervention does not usually bring about change in their bullying. Additionally, indifferent bullies are often vicious and have deep psychological problems that need to be addressed by a professional.
Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you.
Today I am so excited to welcome a guest blogger! I am also over the moon to introduce a mummy, also facing difficult issues with a newborn. I can relate to this. My guest blogger today has turned a negative experience of her own into something to help others. All the details you need to connect with Lauryn can be found at the end of this post.
POST UPDATED 30 July 2022
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Let’s dive into why a sleep routine is important
I felt very ready to have a baby in every sense. I was 32 years old and financially secure. It was great that I had a successful teaching career of ten years and my relationship was strong.
As a confessed perfectionist, when we fell pregnant, I did all of the homework to be fully prepared. We did an online hypnobirthing course together. I planned my drug-free, calm labour. In addition, I planned to breathe the baby out (LOL) simply. I also knew all there was to know about the fourth trimester. I was, of course going to breastfeed. It was on the agenda to get started early with a bedtime routine. Additionally, I planned to be back in the gym from six weeks postnatal. I also signed up for lots of baby classes with my NCT friends.
I had all of the right things to ensure a sound night’s sleep for our baby. The right clothes, crib, mattress, baby monitor, and dream sheep to get her sleeping easily. You name it, we had it.
Finally, eight days after my due date, I started feeling labour pains. My feelings were weirdly nervous and excited. I just could not wait to meet this baby I felt so connected to during the pregnancy. Preparing, I calmly got my hypnobirthing tools ready. Bouncing on my ball, candles lit, and a comedy video, had me feeling prepared.
My labour did not go as planned. After 30 hours, I ended up having an emergency C-section and my daughter came out with suspected sepsis and was whisked straight off to neonatal care.
Once I got home, all the planning we had done during pregnancy felt pointless. I felt beyond unprepared for this responsibility. Breastfeeding was not working for us and I felt like the ultimate failure in getting the formula out. My daughter had classic colic and cried for 3-6 hours every evening. It was exhausting and I felt awful I was unable to console her.
How had I gone from feeling as if I knew exactly what to expect, to this? I realised that one thing no one had told me might come with new motherhood. Anxiety.
I have never been an overly anxious person, but all of a sudden every aspect of motherhood was anxiety-inducing. Breastfeeding, sleep, guests coming over, leaving the house. All of it. My plans to go to classes and groups were far too big for me to face and I was so anxious about guests coming in case she would cry and I would not be able to settle her.
How lockdown impacted the situation
Eight weeks after she was born, we were plunged into the very first lockdown. This was great for me because it meant I didn’t have to face my anxiety about going out or guests coming over. Although in hindsight, there were negative aspects, because it didn’t give me a chance to talk to professionals, as medical visits and access to health visitors had ceased.
To regain control, I started a very rigid sleep routine with my little one. Every nap had to be to the minute of my new programme. The sleep environment had to be perfect. If it ever went out of the window, it was a huge stress for me and could ruin my entire lockdown day.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Needless to say, I realised it was time to do some mental digging and see what was going on. I opened up to friends who had suffered postnatally and searched for information online. After thinking about it, I eventually concluded that anxiety was linked to birth trauma. I had not given myself the chance to go over my labour or the fact she was taken straight from me due to being ill upon arrival.
Once I did a little work on myself through the lockdown, the pressure I’d put myself under started to lift. I introduced yoga, meditation, and journaling into my routine.
Turning a negative into a positive
I eased up a little on the sleep routine and now two years down the line I have trained to become a sleep consultant to work with families on gentle sleep schedules and training, to cause the least anxiety possible.
If anyone out there is new to this parenting gig and finding things tough, open up. Talk it out when you’re ready and know that this storm will pass and get better. More beautiful days are coming your way.
Lauryn and her little one
Angelcare were fantastic for all of our baby’s needs when we had a newborn. Check them out.
More details on how to contact Lauryn
Lauryn has worked as a full-time teacher for 10 years, teaching Drama and English in both primary and secondary settings. Since having her first child, Eliza, she realised the importance of sleep for well-being and this led to her training to become a sleep consultant in Summer 2021. Lullaby Lauryn launched in October and she can’t wait to help as many families as possible improve their sleep.
My thoughts on awareness days – whilst I believe there is much more work to be done in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, I am thankful for awareness days, in bringing such important issues to the forefront of peoples’ minds.
Trigger warning – throughout this post, I will discuss intimate topics regarding the birthing process. Depression, anxiety, paranoia & touch on baby loss. If any of these subjects are a trigger for you, please do not continue to read this post
PLEASE NOTE – It’s also important to note that this post contains an account of my own personal experiences and perspective during that time.
The right time
I’ve wanted to talk about this for a while. But I simply haven’t been ready. You may have seen a TikTok post about the dangers of postpartum depression. This subject is something I am passionate about. Because my mental health significantly worsened during pregnancy. Hormones played a huge part in my declining mental well-being.
The essence of this blog is to raise awareness of both mental illness AND how difficult pregnancy can be for some expectant mothers
Before we get into it
It’s important to note that it’s only over the last year that I feel able to discuss these issues. For two years following birth, I really struggled mentally and emotionally.
I will be honest and say that I still have some paranoid thoughts about the safety of my little one. Which I think stems from the fact we experienced an emergency situation during birth. I try my best not to let these thoughts impact my daily life. And I’m no longer a believer in “what if” – the what if never happened. Probably for a good reason. Therefore it’s just a waste of brain power. And in the past, contemplating the “what if”, sent me to a dark place mentally. I’m quite disciplined these days in not allowing my mind to run away with itself.
Going into the hospital to be induced, I was full of anxiety and what followed was a series of traumatic events. I just wasn’t able to adequately cope with it.
Existing anxiety
Looking back, I think the main personality trait which worsened my anxiety levels in the hospital, was lack of control. I also live my life based on instincts, something you can’t convey in a clinical setting.
Six months before birth I just knew it would result in a c section. I had a feeling, but it was more than that. It was so believable to me – like it had already taken place. This made interactions with midwives difficult. Because I just wanted the outcome I KNEW would happen anyway. I want people to understand that expectant mothers DO know best. We know our own bodies and instinctively feel things someone else could never understand.
But first… Some context – let’s look at pregnancy and the lead-up to the birth
In addition to stress from my day job, one of the biggest driving factors for my decline in mental health was pregnancy. I still can’t remember a day, during pregnancy, when I felt happy and well. There probably was some, but for me, the whole process was one I just didn’t enjoy! This experience makes me apprehensive about going through the process again. AND it makes me angry when I see polished parenting posts online. I wish people would be mindful that not everyone’s pregnancy experience is the same. I am happy with people posting about their lives. Just not making their lives about everyone else. This can be so harmful to young expectant mothers.
Having to travel to work, five days a week, met with stress, whilst pregnant, sick & tired, was a daily battle. It got to the point where I couldn’t physically do it anymore and had to leave work one month earlier than planned. The worry of an already short maternity leave and money pressures, added to the anxiety of the whole experience.
Antenatal depression
I’ve discussed on the blog before that I suffered from antenatal depression. However, at the time I didn’t know this term and nobody helped me in establishing what was actually happening to me. Labels aren’t always helpful when it comes to mental health. But on this occasion, for me, it would have been. I made the difficult decision to start taking antidepressants during pregnancy. I had no choice. Being incredibly unwell, at such a vulnerable time in life was horrible. And I needed something to stabilise me.
Going into the hospital to be induced, I was full of anxiety and what followed was a series of traumatic events. I just wasn’t able to adequately cope with it.
The nitty gritty
We arrived at the hospital, apprehensive, as any first-time parents would be. This is us in the sunshine, not knowing what to expect.
I was induced on my due date because one of the measures of my scans was a little concerning. That day we had a stand-in sonographer. And to this day I feel like he was sent to me by those watching over me. As you will learn later in this story, my little one was at risk and had a chest infection. In newborns, this can be severe and they label it pneumonia (something I cried about when I read the notes) If I hadn’t been offered an induction on my due date, where would we be?
SIDE NOTE – I was given my maternity notes, which I opened one day and it resulted in a complete meltdown. I don’t think this information should never have been in my hands. When firstly, I was so out of it during the experience, that I don’t remember much. And secondly, the trauma of it all made me vulnerable.
The induction suite
The induction was going well until they asked my partner to leave at 9 pm. Partners couldn’t stay in the induction suite. At this point, I lost the one person who could support me and knew me inside out. Don’t get me wrong, maternity staff are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet. But they do not know you enough to understand you in your most vulnerable moments of life. For these reasons, I am a huge advocate for partners or trusted people being allowed to sleep in maternity wards, preferably in private rooms with bathroom facilities. It’s an absolute must for me. And something I will always continue to advocate for.
Loss of a trusted person who knows you well
Mentally and physically things went downhill after my partner left. I was in so much pain and something was wrong, but I felt like the staff wouldn’t listen. There was stuff scattered all over our cubicle because I was in so much pain I couldn’t bend down and pick things up. I felt like a nuisance to other people in the induction suite. My anxiety levels were through the roof and I felt alone.
The staff agreed move me at 1 am. At this point, I was unable to pick up a phone to speak to my partner (they had to do it for me). And they rushed me round, on a wheelchair to a birthing room. But prior to this, I was told one wasn’t ready!
Epidural
Because the pain was so bad, I requested an epidural. My mum and hubby witnessed me in so much pain and not doing well at all, prior to them agreeing to pain relief. The anaesthetist took ages to arrive. I’m fully aware the NHS staff are busy. But in the moment, it was difficult to be anything other than fuming, exhausted and ready to flip out.
SIDE NOTE – I still have sciatica to this day and my back has never been the same since the epidural. But each time I raise with a GP, I’m told it shouldn’t be an issue. Lasting physical damage as a result of pregnancy is also something I am eager to raise awareness of. It happens. And I would rather listen to the genuine experiences of people who have suffered physically postpartum (there are lots of people saying the same thing as me)
Following the epidural, I was able to recover slightly from the pain. There were two lovely midwives assigned to me. But I was very sick and needed to have my clothes cut off, because sick went everywhere. They tried to put a thin sheet on me and I felt overheated. Like I would be sick again. Therefore I spent the majority of my time in this room, completely naked for all staff to see. In moments like this, you simply don’t care. Birth and motherhood definitely make you less bothered about vanity and how you look.
I want to thank those two midwives. They turned a traumatic experience around, for the majority of the time I was in hospital. For a while, my anxiety levels were reduced and I could get some much needed rest!
Anxiety setting in
Although the pain was gone, I was still somewhat anxious that they kept topping up the epidural and the pressure I was feeling just didn’t feel right. It would transpire later that my little one was stuck and her shoulders were ramming into my bottom. Something I had told staff since about 10 pm, in the induction suite. The surgeon commented that she would never have come out naturally and that whoever made the c-section decision, made the right call. This is EXACTLY how I felt earlier in the night.
It’s just a given that new parents will probably be less equipped to cope with the anxieties and potential trauma of birth, than parents who’ve already experienced the system.
Not being heard – let’s rewind
Let’s go back to the delivery room. Nothing was progressing and I wasn’t passing any urine. I also had some feeling down one leg, which was strange.
I asked for a c-section, but because I had known it would happen six months prior, I didn’t come across in the right way. And the staff in the room felt reluctant to do it. They wanted me to wait it out! It was a battle to have my wishes fulfilled. I take on board that some of the reluctance was due to how I reacted.
Following a collective decision to finally do it. Panic stations ensued. Signing paperwork, getting me ready. What I wasn’t aware of at the time, was that I had a fever and the little one was clearly in distress and needed to come out. I was completely out of it. And to this day, I tell a different story to my hubby. Bless him, he was aware of everything that happened that day. And also suffered mentally after birth. We both did.
The aftermath of the C-section
The operation went well, but I was distressed as to why she wasn’t crying (apparently c section babies don’t cry as they have mucus stuck and staff have to clear their airways)
The relief I was feeling during these pictures was immense. She was finally here and safe. But not for long.
My poor mum had waited outside the emergency delivery room for over an hour. Probably worried sick. I was only allowed one other person with me in the theatre. And my mum completely understood that this should be my hubby.
My little baby whisked away
We were taken to a private room, but the midwife was concerned about my little one looking blue. The neonatal manager came in and gave her some oxygen. Then quickly whisked her away to the neonatal ward. At the time, this was painful for her to be taken and I was so out of it, I didn’t know what was happening. Sleep was the only thing on my mind. But then I felt guilty for wanting to sleep and not being able to take care of my baby.
I couldn’t fully comprehend she had been taken. In hindsight, she was in the best place possible. And both the midwife and neonatal manager called in to check on me (after their shifts had ended!). They understood how painful this situation was and their care had a positive impact on me. In what was a very distressing situation.
My medical notes were clear. I had depression and anxiety problems, which we so severe I started taking antidepressants during pregnancy. It would be great for maternity ward staff to be aware of these notes and essentially factor this in, during a stay in the hospital.
Hospital stay
In the five days which followed, my hubby was the one caring for both me and my little one. I was in a ward where it was noisy. The staff busy rushing around and I wasn’t doing well mentally. I didn’t want to get up and about (due to the risk of blood clots after surgery, you need to get up and walk). Therefore I had to be encouraged to go see my little one and it was a while before I did.
Fear of being judged
I’ve spoken on the blog and my social media accounts before, about the fact that I believed the hospital staff were watching me. Paranoia set in and it’s one of the reasons I didn’t want to visit my little one. I was afraid of getting it wrong. It’s important to say, they were not actually doing anything to rationalise this feeling. But high anxiety levels, exhaustion, and hormones played a big part in my warped perspective. A perspective which was very real to me at the time.
In terms of breastfeeding, I didn’t feel like a choice was being presented to me, for how I wanted to feed my baby. To be honest, going through the pain of breastfeeding was the last thing on my mind and probably the one thing which would have tipped me over the edge mentally.
My little one is fine, never having been breastfed. And I know LOTS of other babies who are too. I wish society would be more accepting of the fact it’s a choice. I’m fine with being told about the benefits of breastfeeding. But not being presented with your own clear choice to make, is a problem for me.
Honest feelings about the neonatal unit
To be honest, part of me wanted to stay away from the neonatal unit for fear they would talk about breastfeeding. The nurse looking after our little one didn’t, other than to ask what my decision was. But I was apprehensive about it constantly.
I stayed in the hospital for three days and was relieved when I was discharged. You don’t get proper rest on these wards and are woken up every hour for checks. The real recovery began at home. But I was so distressed about leaving my little one in the hospital. I couldn’t win. It felt like I chopped my leg off and left it behind. But home was the best place for my recovery.
We were offered a room in the neonatal ward but refused it. I wouldn’t have properly rested. I was still weary of being there and there were other, more needy parents who would use it. Parents whose babies would remain on that ward for months and not days. (at this point, I should make it clear again that neonatal staff are some of the most amazing people. But my perspective was totally warped by anxiety, depression, mum guilt and birth trauma).
My heart goes out to anyone who has endured birth trauma, or separation from a little one following birth. Or any family who has suffered mental health problems as a result of the pregnancy or the birth process.
Coming home
When my little one eventually came home, we were so thankful. But we also didn’t have a clue what to do. Nobody helps you. I was so overcautious about her safety, I would ask my hubby to carry her from room to room in a Moses basket. And ask visitors to hand gel first (we didn’t even have visitors for the first few weeks). Because she had already been ill, I was convinced she would get ill again.
A turning point
Whilst I coped well, the medication helped. It would be two years before I could fully move past the trauma that happened to our family.
The turning point was me drunkenly saying I didn’t want to have another child, for fear they might die.
Solutions
Ultimately, we need to stop judging new parents for feeling completely normal feelings, following birth. After a traumatic experience, these reactions are completely justified. So why do new parents and specifically new mothers, feel unable to speak out? Without fear of being judged or stigmatised.
In terms of maternity wards, simple changes could be made to ensure the experience is a little better. Such as private rooms, enough beds and partners being allowed to stay overnight.
I am fully aware there is no simple solution to the problem.
I also don’t think it’s appropriate to warn new parents of the dangers and unpredictability of childbirth. It’s just a given that new parents will probably be less equipped to cope with the anxieties and potential trauma of birth, than parents who’ve already experienced the system.
TikTok post – postpartum psychosis
You may have seen my TikTok post about the potential mental health dangers for new mums. Postpartum psychosis is something which can happen and it’s great that we are starting to raise awareness on this topic. More needs to be done to support new mothers and families.
I’ve spoken before on my blog about how beneficial a mental health nurse or well-being expert would be on a maternity ward. This would have benefitted me and my family so much. My medical notes were clear. I had depression and anxiety problems, which we so severe I started taking antidepressants during pregnancy. A mental health champion would have been amazing!
Health visitors
In the UK we have health visitors, who make contact when you come home, but you have little contact with them. And at the time, in my mental state, I honestly just felt like they were checking up on me. I felt inadequate as a mother. But like I had to put on a brave face during visits. My health visitor was caring and sympathetic. But I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being judged.
To tell anyone the reality of the thoughts inside my head would have alarmed them. I was in no way a danger to anyone – just exhausted, anxious, depressed, hormonal and thrown into a completely unknown situation. With a severe lack of sleep. Wondering what on earth had just happened to our family, and trying to make sense of it all.
Let’s not stigmatise already traumatised new parents
Ultimately, we need to stop judging new parents for feeling completely normal feelings, following birth. After a traumatic experience, these reactions are completely justified. So why do new parents and specifically new mothers, feel unable to speak out? Without fear of being judged or stigmatised.
Final thoughts & summary
My little one is almost four years old. And I finally feel like I have mentally and emotionally moved past this experience. Time helps you move on. Education also massively helped. Reading about what happened to me. Labelling some of the mental health conditions I had. And speaking to other parents, transformed my recovery.
Peer support and talking to other parents, also have a powerful impact. You get vital information from other people in a similar situation. And the connections I’ve made since starting this blog, help me mentally every single day.
I will never stop posting on this blog. It was born from trauma, despair and finding my way through a very dark place.
But what I’ve created helps people. I know this from the amazing comments and feedback I get. Advocating for more understanding of those suffering poor mental health, is something I will continue to do.
If you are a parent, there’s a good chance you have dreams of creating the perfect garden for your child. A place where they can explore, learn, and have fun! It can be a lot of work to create such a space, but it’s definitely worth it. This post will walk you through the process of creating the perfect garden for your child.
Via Pexels
Make sure your garden is safe:
This is probably the most important step in creating a perfect garden for your child. You’ll want to make sure there are no poisonous plants such as rhododendrons or azaleas. Old trees can also be a safety hazard. If they are close to your house, they could fall and damage your property or hurt someone. Dead trees should be removed by a tree removal company, and live trees should be regularly checked for signs of disease or instability.
You’ll also want to fence off the garden to keep out any potential predators, such as dogs or coyotes. If you live in an area with deer, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep them out as well.
Other potential hazards may include water features such as ponds or fountains. These can be dangerous for small children if they fall in. Make sure any water features are properly fenced off or covered.
Choose plants that are interesting and fun:
Your child is going to be spending a lot of time in the garden, so you’ll want to choose plants that are interesting and fun for them. Look for plant varieties with bright colours, interesting textures, and fun shapes. The plants you choose should also be easy to care for. You don’t want to spend all your time in the garden just taking care of the plants!
You can consider some of these plants for your garden:
Sunflowers
Zinnias
Coneflowers
Marigolds
Cosmos
You can also include some edible plants, such as strawberries or tomatoes. After all, what’s more fun than eating something you’ve grown yourself?
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Add some playful elements:
In addition to plants, you’ll also want to add some playful elements to the garden. This could include a sandbox, a swingset, or a climbing structure. You can also add some toys or games such as balls or badminton.
Create a comfortable seating area:
Your child is going to need a place to rest and relax in the garden. This could be a bench, a picnic table, or just some chairs. You’ll want to make sure the seating area is in a shady spot, so it’s comfortable on hot days.
Add some lighting:
If you want your child to be able to use the garden at night, you’ll need to add some lighting. Solar lights are a great option because they’re environmentally friendly and cost-effective. You can also use lanterns or string lights.
Creating the perfect garden for your child is a process, but it’s definitely worth it. With a little planning and effort, you can create a space your child will love. And who knows, maybe they’ll even fall in love with gardening too!
We want to do fun activities, but like a lot of working families in the UK, we have overstretched ourselves this year and are only just managing monthly outgoings. Some big bills will get paid in the next few months and I’m hoping this will ease the pressure. Given my fragile mental state over the last year, I’ve struggled to cope with the money worries.
Therefore, we’ve had to adjust our social life and how much it costs to go out for the day. But we still want to have fun on a budget.
It’s annual leave time coming up and we have a week together as a family. We plan to spend part of the week going on days out and a little rest time in between, to do some activities at home.
I have a list of 10 activities we are doing this week. All of them are within our budget…
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Lets get started on the list…
1. Visit the local park
We are lucky, where we live has lots of green space and it’s great for children. We have a cafe in the park, two playgrounds and a huge amount of open space to run around in.
I plan on packing our picnic bag and paying a visit to our local park. Obviously, we need a ball and some other games to keep us entertained. At the moment, we constantly chase our little one around. This really helps. Anything to keep her entertained and create a distraction makes less work for us.
Mummy might also take a bottle of prosecco because all that running around deserves a reward.
Because we all have a week together as a family and toddlers have way too much energy, we will be making use of the car journey. See where we end up. Stop for a coffee if we see a cafe, or just park at the side of the road and take in the view.
2. Go for a walk
If you’re also looking to have fun on a budget, this activity is perfect for you…
Our little one loves to be pushed around, taking in the sights (our Joie pushchair has taken some stick, but it’s still working!). As we walk, she points at the birds and flowers. We have a sing-a-long most mornings on the way to nursery. If she sees a bus, we have to sing Wheels on the Bus and do the actions.
This week we will be going out for a walk. Maybe we will just set off in one direction and see where it takes us (the hubby & I have a secret love of checking out houses with for sale signs and looking at where we want to live next!). I must have a browse on Rightmove beforehand and check out what is available in the area, hehe!
3. Window shop
We have an old mill near us, with a cafe, and shops you can browse in. It’s a short train journey, so you can have a fun day out, without spending too much money.
As we keep promising the little one a train journey, it’s a great day out for us, because you don’t have to spend a lot of money and it gets you out of the house.
4. Visit English Heritage & National Trust sites
You will hear me talk about these days out in future blog posts. We were former members of English Heritage and have visited many sites, including Stonehenge. We even planned holidays solely around visiting these places. More on this when we renew our membership… CAN’T WAIT!
There are several sites where the grounds are free to walk around, it’s picturesque and something different. As a member, you get free parking, which is also a bonus.
Our local site will receive a visit from us, for something a little out of the ordinary, that our little one hasn’t seen before. We love visiting the cafe (if they have one) and maybe buying her something from the gift shop. Fun for all the family.
You can view details about English Heritage Sites here. For National Trust information click here. If you have a membership with one, they will often allow free entry or discounts on the other one.
To sign up for an English Heritage membership click here.
5. A drive in the car
Parents, hands up who takes their toddler out in the car, with no destination, just to get them to sleep? My hand is up! Pre-children, the hubby & I loved driving down a country lane and picking between left and right turns, to see where we ended up. Driving around, listening to music, without a care in the world. There is something relaxing about it.
Because we all have a week together as a family and toddlers have way too much energy, we will be making use of the car journey. See where we end up. Stop for a coffee if we see a cafe, or just park at the side of the road and take in the view.
These days we have a sing-a-long in the car, with some dance moves. I might create a Spotify playlist, including some of our favourite nursery rhymes for the car journey.
Entertaining kids at home can be difficult. Hopefully the following steps will help with some ideas to have fun on a budget…
6. Baking
Given my love of baking (read more about it in this post), we will be doing some this week.
Maybe something easy like shortbread biscuits. We have a cupboard full of icing pens and other decorations we can have fun with. After that, we will eat all the biscuits as a reward for cleaning up the mess. Pass me the baking supplies.
7. Read books
As we have a toddler creating chaos in the house and they often have way too much energy to read a book, we are trying to make a big deal about gathering a pile of books and reading them together.
Sometimes when we’re busy, reading gets pushed aside. We let her watch Peppa Pig on her tablet and try our best to watch educational cartoons and talk about it, but sometimes it’s an easy solution for a busy life. Any parent will understand the need for 30 minutes to do the dishwasher whilst the little one is distracted.
But this week is about making use of our endless one-on-one time. A great opportunity to read stories aloud and enjoy the fun. She can have a bit of tablet time as well. I’ve chosen easy to read picture books with a small number of words, a compelling story, and lots of animals. Let’s see how it goes. I will make a bookworm out of her!
We bought a lovely book package, which included a bookmark, drawing sheet and children’s book. You can find more details here. Before she was born, I also bought one of The Works books bundles. Affordable and great for toddlers. Although we showed her these too early and she was ripping the pages out! I would say they are perfect for ages 2+.
Charity shops were also a fantastic source of affordable book bundles. She has the Roald Dahl and Mr. Men complete sets sat on her bookshelf, and they were reasonably priced.
Books are the perfect way to have fun on a budget. I also try and give money to this charity when I can, to ensure disadvantaged children receive books because it’s so important for their development.
8. Home cinema
We are finally at the point where our little one will sit through Toy Story. How exciting.
As we’ve snapped up a free Disneyplus membership for three months, we are making use of this and have Disney films on most nights now (the hubby is on a mission to convince me to keep it).
During our annual leave, we will be watching the classics. Snuggled up in our blankets with some snacks, on the sofa together. Quality family time.
Luckily we have a lot of ducks near our house. For a toddler learning about animals at nursery, this is the best free activity we have access to. Most nights we take our old loaf of bread and give the ducks a slap-up meal. It’s always fun and exciting for all the family and gets us out of the house for some fresh air.
As we don’t have to worry about getting up early this week, we will be making the most of this time and taking our time in the evenings to enjoy the scenery.
This leads me onto the best and final activity of all…
10. Chilling in bed
After all that money-saving fun, I bet you need a snooze!
I am so happy our little one now wants to lay in bed and chill in the mornings. It’s horrible when you have to dive out of bed, still half asleep and tend to a crying baby!
On our rare days off, how many adults want to watch TV in bed, snuggled up without a care in the world? We will all be doing it this week. Our little pumpkin can fit in the middle of our bed and we will be snuggling, with snacks, and probably watching Disney films. Sometimes the sofa just doesn’t cut it and you need to be in a sleepy mode to enjoy your chill-out time.
Bring it on!
Final thoughts
I hope this post will be useful to anyone trying to entertain a toddler on a budget, or if you have children to entertain during school holidays at the moment.
Let me know your money-saving hacks for days out with the kids, or entertaining activities to do at home. I plan to take control of our family finances and keep saving money, so more ideas are welcome.
Gift-giving can be difficult, especially when the recipient is a toddler! Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just to show how much you care, picking out the perfect gift for your little one can be quite challenging. But don’t worry – here are seven ideal gifts for toddlers that will put a smile on their faces!
Photo by Tatiana Syrikova
1. An Activity Table:
An activity table is a perfect way for toddlers to learn and explore new activities! Activity tables come in all shapes, colours, and sizes and can feature anything from educational games to puzzles. They are an excellent way to keep toddlers occupied and engaged while developing problem-solving, coordination, and creativity skills.
2. A Doll House:
Dollhouses offer endless hours of imaginative play, and they’re great for little ones who love pretend play. Whether it’s assembling a mini family or creating storylines between their dolls, kids adore acting out stories with their friends or siblings. Plus, they make great additions to any playroom!
3. Ride-on Cars:
Let’s be honest – what kid doesn’t love a cool ride? Ride-on cars are a great way to get toddlers moving and provide them with hours of entertainment. From electric models that look just like mom and dad’s cars to those featuring cartoon characters, such as this children’s Lightning McQueen ride-on car, these toys will surely bring great joy!
4. Kitchen Sets:
Kitchen sets are a great way to get toddlers involved in pretend cooking and baking activities. They can even help with real tasks such as stirring ingredients and setting the table. These toys also allow children to use their imagination while having fun playing together!
5. Puzzles:
As kids age, puzzles become very important for cognitive development and problem-solving. From simple three-piece puzzles to more complex ones featuring multiple pieces, they help children learn how to think through problems by working out each piece until the puzzle is complete. Puzzles are also a great way to keep little ones entertained when you’re on the go – just grab one of your favourite travel puzzles, and you’re good to go!
6. A Swing:
Everyone loves a swing! Swings are an essential part of childhood, providing toddlers with lots of fun and joy. From traditional swings that you hang from a tree branch or ceiling to modern ones featuring adjustable heights, there are plenty of options out there that your toddler will love!
7. A Play Tent:
Play tents are an excellent way to get toddlers to explore their environment. From simple indoor play tents to those with endless features, they help kids use their creativity while having a blast in the process. Your little one will love creating stories and adventures while playing in their tent!
When it comes to picking out the perfect gift for your toddler, these seven ideas are sure to please. Whether it’s a ride-on car or a kitchen set, you’re sure to find something that puts a smile on your little one’s face! So shop around and pick out the ideal gift – your toddler is sure to thank you for it!
When you’re a mum, your whole world revolves around your kids. You want to keep them safe and happy at all times, which can sometimes be a challenge, especially regarding home safety. There are so many things to think about! This blog post will give you some essential tips for keeping your child safe at home. We’ll cover everything from fires and falls to poisoning and electricity. So read on, and conquer those anxiety demons – your little one will be safe and sound!
Tip 1) Fires:
Install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on each floor of your house, and make sure to check them regularly. Keep all flammable materials away from heat sources such as stoves or radiators. If you have a fireplace, buy a protective mesh gate and keep the area around it clear of debris.
Tip 2) Falls:
Baby-proof your home by covering sharp corners with bumpers, installing safety gates at stairs, and installing locks on kitchen cabinets containing hazardous items. Also, make sure no small objects like coins or marbles are lying around where curious fingers can get to them.
Tip 3) Poisoning:
Keep medications, cleaning supplies, and other potentially poisonous substances locked away in a secure location, preferably up high out of reach. Be sure to label all containers properly and dispose of expired medicines correctly.
Tip 4) Electricity:
Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic guards and make sure that barely used appliances are unplugged when not in use. Teach your children the dangers of electricity by explaining why they cannot touch exposed wires or put objects into wall sockets.
Tip 5) Health Risks:
Purchase a good first aid kit and keep it in an easily accessible place. Make sure you know where to find the emergency numbers for your local doctor and hospital, as well as the Poison Control Center. Keep up to date on vaccinations and checkups for your child, too.
Tip 6) Cleaning:
Cleaning and maintaining a safe home can be challenging, especially with small children running around. To help you stay on top of this task, make sure to vacuum regularly, clean up spills immediately, wash bedding frequently, and replace worn carpets or rugs. Be sure to get vertical blind cleaning tools to get in those hard-to-reach spots.
Tip 7) Sanity:
Taking care of yourself is just as important as keeping your little one safe. Make sure to get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and take some time for yourself each day. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, leaving you more alert and prepared to handle any safety issues that arise.
Children are our most precious gifts, and ensuring that their homes are safe and secure is essential. By following these home safety tips, you can help reduce the risk of accidents or injuries in your child’s environment so they can grow up happy and healthy. Don’t forget to take a few moments each day – you deserve it!
Your home has got to be safe for you and your baby. There are so many things that could potentially be dangerous, and you want to make sure that you are avoiding every single one of them. If you’re not 100% sure about the kinds of things that we’re talking about, then it’s a good thing that you have come across this article. Most articles like this will deal with basic things like baby proofing, but we’re going to look at more general maintenance of the home. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.
First, you need to make sure that you are sorting out any and all repairs as they arise. The longer you leave them, the more potential they have to get worse, and from there they can end up costing you a small fortune. We know that it can be expensive to get professionals out to take a look and fix the issue, but it’s going to be worth every single penny that you are going to have to spend. For example, if you need a local electrician to come out and sort an issue, it’s much safer than trying to do it yourself, even if it is going to cost you.
There are some repairs that you will be able to do by yourself though. These are the more basic repairs that you don’t have to have any kind of specialist knowledge to complete.
Have A Security System
It’s also important that you have a security system in your home so that you feel safe and secure. There are a lot of people out there who don’t have one, and we don’t really know how they feel completely safe in their homes. There are so many different types of security systems, so do your research and find the one that works the best for you. For example, some have silent alarms, and others have loud alarms that let the intruder know they have been caught. It depends on your goal, but make sure you’re looking into them.
Ensure All Windows And Doors Are Secure
The last thing on this list is to ensure that all of your windows and doors are secure. You don’t want there to be coldness getting through gaps in the door or windows, and you also don’t want anyone to see this as a vulnerability in your home. If you know that your windows or doors need sorting, then you need to get a professional in asap to check the seals and everything else.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you are going to need to do in order to keep your home safe for you and your baby. It’s important that you are giving your home a safe and stable environment to grow up in, which means putting your effort into things that you may not have put effort into before. We wish you the very best of luck and hope that you see success here.
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cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
