Ad – This post is in collaboration with Jack’s Supermarket
Going back to school this September has been quite the emotional rollercoaster! Like many families across the globe, not only were both my children returning to school after 6 months at home during lockdown; but both starting new schools too – my youngest heading into a school based nursery for the very first time and my eldest to a brand new junior school.
As a Mum, I had not only had to get my head around new COVID restrictions, staggered start times (including an impossible task of being in two schools at exactly the same time for drop off) and the return of the dreaded parent pay emails, but also create packed lunches for school for the very first time!
With money being tight in this household at the moment, trying to create healthy yet inexpensive packed lunches that the girls would actually eat and enjoy was the first hurdle – and this is where Jack’s Supermarket came in.
Who are Jack’s?
Jack’s discount supermarket is part of the Tesco family, and have stores all across the UK.
A supermarket packed full of great quality products at outstanding prices, Jack’s are passionate about supporting and working with regional farmers, growers and producers, with 100% of their fresh chicken, lamb, beef and milk from British famers.
Not only do Jack’s sell big brands at great prices, but have their own range of Jack’s branded products too, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. Every two weeks there is a fab five fruit and vegetables at outstanding prices currently cucumbers for just 39p and four pears for 59p! These offers reset every fortnight to reflect seasonal fresh produce.
For the savvy shoppers amongst you, you’ll also be pleased to know that Jack’s don’t just sell food!
Every Thursday, Jack’s launch new products in there When Its Gone Its Gone Ailse (WIGIG) with a wide range of products from homeware to electricals, kids toys to furniture. I know only too well the pull of the middle aisle, but being able to pick up some practical essentials at the same time as the food shop is always a winner!
Our Healthy School Lunches on a budget
Being a single income family at the moment and currently in an area of local COVID intervention, sticking to a budget and trying to keep my children fit and healthy feels more important than ever.
Mike headed off to our local Jack’s supermarket to pick up some goodies for the girls lunchboxes. He took £40 to spend and was so shocked when he got to the till that he actually said HOW MUCH? We picked up a huge amount of food for just £24, with not only enough to make our girls lunchboxes for the week, but some evening meals too (just a small selection of which is shown below).
My Budget Friendly Kids’ Lunchbox Ideas
I wanted to create some fun and nutritious lunchboxes for the girls and ensure it was something that would actually get eaten and not come back at the end of the day untouched.
It’s important for me to include lots of fruit and veg, whilst at the same time some familiar flavours and child friendly options that even my youngest picky eater wouldn’t turn her nose up at!
Here are some of the girls favourite budget friendly kids lunchboxes using the fresh produce I bought from Jack’s.
Chicken and cheese roll ups
When it comes to packed lunches sandwiches can be just a little… well boring. Whilst I love seeing all the fancy sandwich art creations on Pinterest, we have to be realistic in that most working parents just ain’t got the time for that! Roll Ups are super quick and easy to make and unlike sandwiches which are best made fresh on the morning; these can be easily made the night before and popped in the fridge ready to go.
Simply layer a tortilla wrap with cheese slices and meat of choice e.g. sliced chicken or ham (adding lettuce or baby leaf salad if desired), roll up and slice into small sections. I used cocktail sticks to hold these together overnight, but for safety reasons removed these when I added them to her lunchbox.
Pitta Bread and humous
The girls love what they commonly refer to as a picky lunch, so sliced pitta bread and humous with lots of crunchy fresh veg is a great healthy option for their school lunchbox and is a great way to bring all the colours of the rainbow.
These Strawberry yoghurt drinks are ideally sized for lunch boxes too, with no faffing around with spoons that will inevitably get lost of discarded at the bottom of a rucksack!
Vegetable Quesadillas
Like many children, my girls are much more likely to eat veg when theres some fun flavours involved and quesadillas are a big family favourite in this house!
Whilst super tasty served hot for a quick and easy evening meal, they are also ideal sliced into small triangles and eaten cool. We filled ours with mild cheddar cheese, sweet peppers, red onion and some mild salsa.
Lunch box snacks
As well as the main element of the girls lunchboxes, I made sure I packed the girls bentos full of fruit and vegetables too, crunchy carrot sticks, slices of cucumber, and easy to eat fruit such as blueberries, sliced strawberries and quartered grapes.
So what’s the verdict?
We’re a few weeks into the school term now, and whilst it hasn’t quite gone according to plan (Erin’s been at home already for some of it due to covid cases in her class!) the lunchboxes have gone down a treat, with very little coming home at the end of the school day bar the odd apple with just one bite taken out of it (lets face it, some things never change).
We’ve been really impressed with just how much we were able to get for our money at Jack’s and at no point did I feel like we’d sacrificed on quality. I’ve very quickly learned that school lunches don’t need to be expensive and that you really can keep the costs down and spread your shop across the school week without breaking the bank.
You can check out the location of your nearest Jack’s Supermarket here.
What are your kids eating for their packed lunches? I’d love to hear your suggestions too!
*This is a sponsored post with Jack’s supermarket. We were given a voucher to spend in store and compensated for our time however as aways, all thoughts and opinions are my own*
At the time of writing we are 6 months into a global pandemic and as of today, Solihull, Birmingham and Sandwell are back into a localised lockdown – with households no longer able to meet with others in their homes or gardens.
Whilst lockdown has been tough on all of us, working from home, juggling school and homelife, for those trying to conceive, falling pregnant and/or giving birth during covid times, the journey has been particularly bumpy.
The pregnancy journey many families are having are far from what they would have experienced with pre March, and far from the birth plan they would have written given the choice. There has also been much anger from pregnant women across the UK that pubs, bars, restaurants and even soft play *shudder* have been allowed to open, yet their partners cant experience the joy of first scans and antenatal appointments.
We chatted to Rebecca from Not Another Mum Group, who is not only pregnant, but expecting TWINS(!) about her experiences of being pregnant during a global pandemic. You can follow Rebecca’s pregnancy journey at Not Another Mum Group and on Instagram
When did you find out you were expecting?
We found out we were expecting at the start of April. We’d been trying for another baby since January. It took us nearly 3 years to conceive our first child Teddy, after lots of fertility tests and were 4 weeks away from starting our first round of IVF, so we really didn’t expect to get pregnant so quickly!
Were you shocked to discover it was twins?
Weirdly, the week before finding out I was pregnant, I kept having dreams about twin girls and we’ve always joked about having twins or triplets as both run in my family. I don’t think we actually thought it’d happen though!!
We went for a private scan at 7 weeks where we found out there were two heartbeats. We laughed a lot, so did everyone we called that afternoon! We already have a one year old son, Teddy, who turns two a few weeks after the twins are due to arrive.
What were some of your biggest concerns / fears about expecting twins during a pandemic?
The information around how COVID-19 affects pregnant women and the transmutation to babies in the womb was very limited when we first found out I was pregnant. It was quite daunting not knowing what would happen if I did catch it. I was concerned that I had no face to face midwife appointments until 24 weeks, however, due to the twins sharing a placenta, I’ve been having biweekly scans at the hospital so they’ve been monitored quite closely.
I think my biggest fear overall is having to be alone during labour or shortly after giving birth. I had quite a traumatic experience giving birth to our first son so I wouldn’t want to be without the support of my Husband and Mum this time around.
What has been your experience of antenatal appointments during your pregnancy?
My midwife appointments have all be via phone call up until the point I was 24 weeks pregnant. I had a ‘booking in’ call at 8 weeks and a check in at 16 weeks. I’ve had no extra community midwife input due to having twins. I went to my first face to face appointment with the midwife at 24 weeks and will see them again at 30 weeks.
From my 12 week hospital scan, I’ve been seen at the hospital every other week. We are expecting MCDA twins, which means they’re sharing a placenta but have their own sacs. This comes with a higher risk of Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome where one twin gets too much blood and one doesn’t get enough. This can be fatal for both babies so we’re closely monitored with scans and consultant appointments. Our care has just been moved to another hospital so we are now seen by a multiples specialist team.
I’ve had to attend all appointments alone so far (apart from the private scans we’ve booked ourselves). When I was pregnant with Teddy, we found out that he had a cleft lip at the 20 week scan so going to that scan this time around alone was by far the worst appointment.
Thankfully, the twins both look healthy with no visible problems.
What is the plan for your birth?
I have requested an elective caesarean. Due to the twins sharing a placenta, they will be delivered at 36 weeks. I was induced with Teddy as I was nearly two weeks overdue (and had a very pushy consultant) which wasn’t a nice experience. I felt very out of control and ended up having an episiotomy with a forceps delivery which for me was the worst case scenario I’d thought of for myself when pregnant.
So to manage my feelings of control around the birth of the twins, I’ve asked for a caesarean this time.
I am concerned about being left alone with two newborns just after surgery if my Husband can’t be with us after the birth due to the COVID restrictions. I’m also concerned about the difference in recovery time, but I think I’d have requested a caesarean regardless of the virus.
Will your partner be able to be with you during the birth?
I haven’t been told about the specific restrictions around birth partners just yet. I think that is discussed when I’m around 30 weeks pregnant. I think my Husband will be allowed to be in the room for the birth and shortly afterwards, but then will have to head home until visiting hours. 🙁
You’re currently only allowed one birth partner.
Will you have options for Teddy’s childcare during the birth or is this another added complication?
We have family members who will be on standby to look after Teddy when I go into hospital. I guess changes in restrictions could complicate this though nearer the time. Currently, we have immediate family in our social bubble.
What will happen if you go into labour early?
As I currently understand it, I will be taken in for a planned caesarean if I do go into early labour. This will be reviewed depending on the twins position at the time.
What will happen if the twins have to stay in for any reason (i.e. if born early)
My twins will be delivered around 4 weeks before their due date due to sharing a placenta as the efficiency of it drops significantly from that point so they’re likely to need some NICU support.
As I currently understand it, we may only be allowed to spend time with them during hospital visiting hours once I’m discharged. And if we need to isolate, we won’t be allowed to see them at all until the isolation period is over. This will be incredibly hard!
What are your views on maternity arrangements during covid times? Do you think the restrictions are fair?
That makes me really angry to be honest. People can go get drunk, a situation that lowers people inhibitions, therefore affecting social distancing. I can go get my hair cut or nails done. I can shop in a busy supermarket. I can go to a theme park. I can have dinner in a restaurant. But my Husband, who lives in the same household and would be wearing PPE, can’t come to hospital appointments for his own children. I think it’s wholly unfair. Pregnant women are the forgotten few in this pandemic.
I think mental health decline is going to be a major consequence to the way the virus has been handled in terms of the restrictions and rules.
Personally, I’ve found it extremely difficult to understand and cope with. I’ve had anxiety attacks about it and dreaded going to the 20 weeks scan alone in fear of what they would tell me (due to finding out about Ted’s cleft at that scan). I always lose sleep through worry on the run up to scans and it’s awful for the Fathers too.
They have to stand outside the hospital or sit in cars, waiting for news. Each time I go for an appointment I’m there for at least two hours too, which can leave my husband feeling pretty anxious and helpless too!
What impact do you think the restrictions will have on Mums (particularly first time mums).
Due to some of the restrictions put in place, I imagine there could sadly be an increase in post natal depression or requests to access maternal mental health services. As a first time mum with Teddy, meeting other mums and going to baby groups was such an important lifeline for me personally. Setting up Not Another Mum Group to meet local families was the best decision we made. Sometimes you just need to connect with someone in the same situation as yourself. Whilst a lot of this can be done virtually, it just isn’t the same.
Even as a second time mum, especially expecting twins, I’m already concerned about how I will socialise (and cope in general) with other Mums with three children under the age of two to look after at the same time!
When discussing this with my community midwife, I was told that due to the COVID restrictions, maternal mental health services are really very limited and I should look at downloading a mindfulness app. Whilst I agree these apps can help, I really don’t think that’s the solution!
Thanks so much Rebecca for sharing her experience! I cant even begin to imagine how hard it has been not to be able to have your partners reassurance and support. I feel so sad that what should be such a special experience for so many people has turned instead into an incredibly anxious and stressful experience for many.
Wishing you all the best for your new arrival(s) – Teddy is going to be an amazing and super cute big bro!
Are you currently pregnant or did you give birth during the pandemic? I’d love to hear about your experiences!
Not every mum suffers from postnatal depression (the baby blues) after giving birth, but many do. Whether you’ve had a home birth, given birth in hospital or had your baby at a private maternity hospital like Guys & St Thomas, the one thing you can’t control about your birth experience, is the hormones and emotions you will experience after.
Feelings of sadness and depression can become part of the whirlwind of emotions that take place due to the hormonal imbalance that exists after pregnancy. In some cases, symptoms of postnatal depression will only last for a few weeks, but for some Mums, these symptoms can drag on for months.
It can be a real nightmare, especially as those first few weeks after giving birth are supposed to be joyous ones. Thankfully, those feelings will eventually wear off, but in the meantime, there is much you can do if you aren’t feeling yourself. Here are some tips for dealing with postnatal depression.
Speak to your doctor
This is the most effective thing you can do, as your doctor will suggest a treatment plan for you. You might be prescribed certain medications, and counselling might be suggested too. Your doctor will also act as a listening ear for the worries you are having, so this in itself could alleviate the way you feel. So, don’t brush your feelings of depression aside. Book that appointment with your GP as soon as you can, as the help you receive should be invaluable.
Try a natural remedy
There are all kinds of natural remedies that have proven qualities to combat feelings of depression. chamomile (and green) tea, St. John’s wort, and a variety of other herbal remedies available from your local health store can alleviate the way you feel. However, as effective as some of these remedies are, your doctor should always be your first port of call. They will advise you on what is and isn’t safe for you, so do book that appointment to benefit from their experienced advice.
Exercise your body
Of course, you won’t feel like exercising much after having your baby. And nor should you, as your body does need time to heal and rest. However, you should attempt to move around a little, as both the physical activity and the fresh air you receive if you exercise outside can do much to elevate your mood. So, take your baby out for a walk in the stroller, potter around your garden, relieve your partner of some of the housework duties you have given him to do, and follow these tips on how to get back into exercise as a new mum. As long as you don’t push yourself beyond your limits (ask your doctor for advice), you should feel a little better as a result.
Eat a healthy diet
Common sense will tell you that a diet of junk foods and sugar will do little to remedy how you’re feeling, even if they do give you momentary feelings of pleasure. So, be sensible with your food choices, and eat those mood-busting foods that will relieve you of your depression symptoms. Go for your usual fruit and veggies, and anything else overloaded with the essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs. And make a meal plan for the week to help you with your shopping, as you will then be less tempted to ring for that takeaway in the middle of the week when your cupboards are looking empty.
Make time to rest
Yes, we know you will be busy caring for your baby’s needs, but self-care is important. Bring in mother-in-law to help you with your duties, and offload some of them to your partner. Then take time out for yourself so you can relax, put your feet up, and take the occasional nap. And be sure to get a good night’s sleep too, perhaps by asking your partner to take some responsibility for your little one if they wake early in the night. You will then wake feeling fully rested, and your renewed and relaxed mind should do much to improve the way you feel.
Don’t be alone
Your symptoms can feel worse when you’re alone, despite having your baby with you. Your fraught state might also make you question your worth as a mother, and this could elevate your feelings of depression. So, don’t isolate yourself. Be with other Mums, perhaps at a local baby group. Hang out with your friends. And call on your family for support when you need them. When you’re with other people you will feel less fragile and alone, and you will also have people to talk and have a laugh with, which in itself is a good way to fight feelings of depression.
So, we hope these tips were useful to you, but let me know what you think. And if you have ever experienced postnatal depression, let us know what you did to improve the way you felt.
When my eldest started school 3 years ago, I had no idea what kind of school Mum I was going to become. It takes all sorts and I quickly learned that most of us, myself very much included are winging it 99% of the time.
After 6 months of lockdown, many parents across the UK are feeling mixed emotions about their children going back to school. From nerves to jubilation, the return of the school run will see a whole new breed of School Run Mums emerge from the safety of the four walls of their home, stepping out into the unknown and attempting to navigate through the so called ‘new normal’.
Which one of these New School Run Mums are you? (Best read in the voice of David Attenborough)
The Frazzled Mum
The Frazzled Mum arrives 10 minutes later than her allocated time slot for drop off, having already dispatched two children into their respective educational facilities. After 6 months of lockdown, it appears that schools were under the illusion that Frazzled Mum was indeed a Super Hero, with the ability to be in 3 different school playgrounds at almost the exact same time.
As a result of her trying to get from one school to the next in approximately 4.25 seconds, Frazzled Mum can be recognised by her slightly manic eyes, windswept hair and sweaty brow, the latter of which she tries to hide for fear of additional thermometer checks and the prospect of another 14 days at home with her children.
2. The Sentimental Mum
This Sentimental Mum is feeling quite emotional about the end of an era, having thoroughly enjoyed the time with her children making salt dough ornaments, growing sunflowers and painting smile stones for the local park. She is most likely to be seen with a camera in one hand and a large Lockdown Memories scrapbook in the other, whilst blubbing into a tissue and feigning mock excitement.
3. The Coordinated Mask Mum
Every school pre COVID had a Coordinated Mum – the one who whatever the weather, prided herself on always being impeccably dressed for the school run, coordinating the colour of her outfits to the season and matching her ridiculously expensive handbag to her shoes.
During lockdown, with a lack of physical shopping to satisfy her needs, Coordinated Mum has transformed into Coordinated Mask Mum, with a variety of reusable masks to suit every mood or occasion, including her personal favourite – “If you can read this, then you’re too F*&*%ng close’
4. The Activewear Mum
During lockdown this Mum has found her calling, making the most of her right to daily exercise, walking the distance from Lands End to John O’Groats around her garden and taking part in every virtual running challenge going. She’s determined to keep up this new active Mum persona come September, but in all reality, is very likely to shift swiftly back to being Sanitiser Mum or Hiding Mum by at the latest, the third day of term.
For now, The Activewear Mum has popped on the Leisurewear, laced up her trainers, flung her lockdown medals around her neck and is likely to be seen stretching and lunging enthusiastically on her way out of the school playground like Joey from friends. “Could I BE wearing any more clothes?!”
5. The Sanitiser Mum
Sanitiser Mum is not ok. She is more than a little uncomfortable with the return of The Dreaded Germs, and is most likely to be seen in the far corner of the playground, manically scrubbing her children from top to toe in 99.99% antibacterial hand gel, before topping up a personalised bottle attached to their book bag.
She can be heard from quite some distance incessantly humming the tune to Happy Birthday and reminding her children about the importance of good hand hygiene, before breaking off mid chorus for a sudden shout of DON’T TOUCH THAT, or ‘CATCH IT BIN IT KILL IT Johnny!’
6. The Drop & Run Mum
The Drop & Run Mum has literally been counting down the days till 2nd September, and after spending every living hour with her children since March. weeing with an audience, shouting ‘I’M ON THE PHONE!!’ 300 times a day and retrieving snacks from the fridge every 22 seconds, she ain’t hanging around!
Before her little cherub can turn around for that last reassuring glance over their shoulder, The Drop & Run Mum is already back in her car, rushing back to pour herself a extra large glass of red which she will drink on the toilet ALONE for the first time in 6 months.
7. The Hiding Mum
The Hiding Mum has emerged from the wilderness for the first time in 6 months and the change of seasons and the requirement of wearing anything other than her pyjamas has left her feeling somewhat vulnerable and exposed.
The Hiding Mum is most likely to be seen wearing extra large shades and a mask, creating an almost foolproof incognito disguise and standing as far as humanly possible away from any other parent.
8. The School Project Mum
The School Project Mum is a very easy one to spot, rushing across the playground with grace and poise, her child trotting along enthusiastically at her ankles. In her arms she is carrying a giant cardboard monument representing every single phase of Prehistoric Britain from the Stone Age to Iron Age and beyond.
Whilst most of the class’s summer project was completed the day before term started, this child has actually made their own bronze entirely from scratch by combining copper and tin .
9. The What Day is it Mum
The What Day is it Mum is a tricky one to spot, mostly because she isn’t there. Instead she is at home, again (as if she hadn’t been there long enough), and could have sworn that the first day of term was actually tomorrow… in fact – what day is it? Is it still 2020?
10. The Questions Mum
The Questions Mum is like a duck. Calm on the surface but paddling like buggery underneath. Whilst she looks like she has everything under control – arriving at school on time, remembering the PE Kit and having packed her child’s favourite lunch, she has also sent 324 whats app messages to the parents group in the last hour alone, and is almost certainly going to forget the next non uniform day or jar collection for the PTA.
The Questions Mum can usually be seen forming a strong bond with School Project Mum, who effectively becomes her unpaid PA and diary management system for the next 5 years of her child’s life.
Joking aside, I’d love to know how you’re all feeling about the start of term.
What’s your favourite type of bread? Have you heard of Vogel’s No Bits Seeded White?
When our unpredictable British weather starts to get a bit warmer and the sun is finally shining like a welcome beacon in the sky, I love nothing more than to head out on a family picnic with the girls, heading to our local National Trust favourites with a basket jam-packed full of goodies. We drag out our favourite picnic blanket, race to find a nice shady spot with a view and kick off our sandals to feel the tickle of the grass between our toes! I love the conversations and the chit chat from the girls as they tuck in, before sitting relaxing with Mike, watching them chase each other round monkey puzzle trees and play hide and seek, nipping back occasionally to top up on snacks or one more sausage roll.
Given the choice, if it was completely up to me, I would always pick some freshly baked seeded loaf for our sandwiches, which is not only soft and packed full of real flavour, but is a far healthier option too; containing more vitamins, minerals and healthy fats than white or wholemeal bread alone.
The trouble with seeded loafs however, as you will probably know from my previous posts, is that my youngest daughter in particular is an incredibly picky eater. She is very much a visual eater, deciding whether or not to try something purely based on the way it looks, and there is no chance on earth that she would eat anything with visible ‘bits’. She is also a creature of habit, so once she has established a taste for one variety, she is often very set in her ways.
For that reason we tend to revert back to a basic white loaf, which whilst pretty boring in comparison, is far more likely to keep everyone happy and avoid public mealtime meltdowns (because lets face it, no one wants one of those!)
It appears I am not the only one! Recent research by bread makers Vogel’sfound that over a third of parents have given up the bread they love in favour of a white plain loaf – Why? – because kids just don’t like bits!
We were recently approached by the team at Vogel’s to see if we wanted to try their No Bits Seeded White. Designed for parents but with kids in mind, and I decided to put it to the test at our recent family picnic.
Vogel’s No Bits Seeded White loaf is made from a unique blend of seed flours. It has the same nutrition of a seeded bread, but with the soft fluffy texture of a normal white loaf, making it ideal for finger sandwiches or a lunchtime treat.
Made with milled grains and seeds, Vogel’s No Bits Seeded White loaf has a nutritious nutty flavour, but the texture is still soft so the whole family can enjoy.
Vogel’s No Seeded White Loaf is packed full of buckwheat, golden linseed and fava bean flours which not only help keep the wheat content lower but ensure the loaf is packed full of protein and fibre, keeping everyone fuller for longer, so we can head off and explore the woods without exclamations of ‘can I have a snack?!’ five mins into our post picnic walk.
Vogels No Bits Seeded White Loaf is also made with no added preservatives or sugar and no palm oil, meaning you can be confident that you are feeding your family quality, nutritious food.
Best of all, there are no visible bits in sight! I made our picnic sandwiches for the girls without telling them it was any different and waited to see what reaction I got! With the exception of the odd crust (which are more like a freshly baked loaf than your average supermarket brand) the girls ate the lot and for me, the crusts were my favourite part! It felt like a proper bakery bread – soft and fluffy in the middle, but with a burst of flavour and a crisp and crunchy texture on the crust. Delicious.
If you have a picky eater in your house but are keen to take back the bread choices for your family picnics, then Vogel’s No Bits Seeded White is a great place to start!
Vogel’s No Bits Seeded White loaf is available to buy at Waitrose and has an RRP of £1.55.
AD – This post is in collaboration with Safe + Sound Health
I have never been a “Bubble wrap mum”. As much as I have my heart in my throat when the girls speed off on their scooters, narrowly avoiding oncoming children, dogs and walls(!), I have to let them learn that at times, there are a few bumps along the road. Learning about danger, fear, adrenaline and risk is a really important part of growing up, and as a result, the girls have had more than their fair share of bumps, cuts and bruises!
Allowing children to experience some ups and downs is a really important life lesson. For one, I want my children to learn that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we fall down and we hurt ourselves, but we get up, we dust ourselves off and we carry on. That positive and resilient attitude is now more important than ever.
During the last few months in particular we have spent an incredible amount of time outside. Whether it’s been planting our own seeds and sunflowers in the garden, going on scavenger hunts in our local woods, completing obstacle courses at National Trust welly walks, or climbing trees in the fields behind our house, the girls have definitely been embracing their love of the great outdoors. We’ve seen lots of muddy knees, the odd trip and tumble and a few tree related grazes; but by embracing my inner Brownie and making sure I’m prepared for whatever life throws at us, the girls have come out relatively unscathed by their daily adventures.
Here are my tips for keeping smiles on their faces even when things don’t go according to plan!
Don’t panic!!
This is easier said than done, but remember that your reactions can affect the child’s response. If you rush over flailing arms & panic stricken when your child falls down, this will add to their anxiety and inevitably result in a more extreme shedding of tears.Obviously I don’t succeed with this one if it’s a particularly traumatic fall, but for the odd grazed knee or scraped arm, I try to appear nonchalant even if inside I’m thinking “arghhhhhhh!!”
Cuddles and kisses
You can’t beat the whole ‘kiss it better’ approach – when my Mum used to kiss my knee after a fall it was like she had waved a magic wand – reason being that 9 times out of 10 it was the shock that caused the tears rather than physical pain. Neve & I also do the ‘eyelash spider’ where I fan my eyelashes on her cheek. It tickles her face and always makes her laugh, turning tears to smiles pretty quickly.
Offer praise for being brave
Whilst having a quick cuddle I remind her that she’s done really well and how brave she has been. I find if I repeat this as she’s picking herself up and we’re dusting her off, the tears stay away and she maintains her self control.
Keep it Clean
Cuts and grazes can really sting and smart, so it’s important to keep the area clean to prevent infection. Safe + Sound have handy ‘on the go’ bottles of hand sanitiser and antibacterial hand foam that are ideal for popping into your handbag or rucksack when going out on a mini expedition. The Safe + Sound antibacterial hand foam is fast acting and kills 99.99% of bacteria and dries quickly without leaving any sticky residue, meaning you can ensure your hands are clean and germ free even when you’re out and about with the family. For cleansing minor skin irritations or scrapes, you can also spray on a little of the Safe + Sound cleansing antiseptic spray which has an almost instant calming effect.
Plaster it up
For my daughters at least, the simple suggestion of a plaster with a fun design on is like watching a kid at Christmas – their attention is taken away from their grazes knee, and quickly becomes focused on which choice of design they want to pick! This can become quite humorous though – be prepared for exclamations of “Mummy I need a plaster!” at the sight of any feint red mark on their body.
The Safe + Sound hypoallergenic plasters are made specifically for children and are super gentle on delicate skin. The plasters come in 2 different packs with 8 different designs including princesses, unicorns, dinosaurs, mermaids, monsters, robots and spaceships. They are wash proof, so can withstand splashing and wet environments and extremely flexible, meaning when the girls do get back up and start running around again, they stay put!!
Distraction
If in doubt, distract, distract, distract. Whether it’s a forest school den in the distance, a secret path or a low flying butterfly; it’s amazing what a bit of diversion tactics can do to improve everyones mood!
How do you comfort your little ones when they fall?
Hi, I’m Lucy, a thirty something mum of two from Birmingham. A memory maker, tradition keeper, stationery addict and Mr Men fanatic. HR Advisor by day and sleep deprived Mama by night!
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