How to move home with kids without stress

Moving house can be a little bit of a stressful situation, and that’s before you have children, it can be an exciting time, and it can be a time of change. My eldest has moved twice with us, first from the home we renovated, then we rented for a while before buying the house we currently live in. We are currently gearing up again for another move at some point in the new year and I thought since I've gone through it a few times I would share what I have learnt. I've also written before about what we are looking for in terms of our new home and how to rejuvenate your current home if you have no want to move anytime soon. But once you have searched and found the house for rent or home to buy that suits you and your family, you will have to consider many different things to ensure that your move goes smoothly as possible. What we are looking for when we move house is as little problems as possible, we are always on the lookout for potential issues, and being prepa......

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Dealing with the loss of a family Pet

If you have ever loved a pet, then you probably already know that unfortunately they don’t tend live as long as we do, although my Aunts tortoise is still going strong after 35yrs. We lost our beloved family dog last year as well as our two goldfish (which my son loved) and it was a real learning experience for us all as it was the first time my son had had to deal with such things. For us as adults we do to a degree understand and deal with these things better but it can hit children pretty hard and there for as a family can be a difficult time to deal with. I thought I would just talk from our recent experience on what its like. When the time does come however and your dog or cat passes away, well-meaning family and friends may recommend that you adopt a ‘replacement pet’ right away, or try to lift your spirits by remind you that you have only lost a pet which just doesn't really work with kids and rather than helping, this can make the process of grieving all the harde......

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Room - The stunning must-see film of 2016

Imagine life as you know it exists within the four walls of a tiny room? Imagine having your freedom taken away from you, to be confined to a small space and to bring an innocent child into that but you can only keep the reality of your situation hidden for a limited amount of time. Room is based on the novel by Emma Donoghue and is incredibly moving, even more so if your a parent as you cannot help but connect with Ma who is played by Brie Larson and has been nominated for an oscar for here stella performance in this film. I was lucky enough to watch a preview of Room before its release and can honest;y say I was drawn in right from the start and shed a tear or two as Jack and Ma bravely hatch a escape plan and then have to come to terms with what has happened to them and readjusting to life outside Room. The UK film distributors StudioCanal have been kind enough to offer one of our readers the chance to win an amazing hamper of goodies including - Soundtrack of Room......

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You and Me

On the weekend we visited the grandparents and Johns old stomping ground. The sun was out and since Mr A was at the park it gave us half an hour to have a walk around the town and enjoy each others company - it's strange walking around the place I was pregnant and our old house we welcomed Mr A too when he was a newborn. I know it's always brings back a lot of nostalgia for John especially since he grew up in this town. For me it was a part of the patchwork that makes up my life but I am happy we have moved on, closer to the city. John weras - Levi's Jumper, Gap Shirt, Edwin Jeans and Superga shoes It was lovely having the sun on our faces and actually being able to use sunglasses for the purpose they are made. It also gave John a chance to finally wear his new Superga shoes he picked up for a bargain at TKMaxx in Bath last month. I am very much into denim this winter/spring - there is something very comforting and about it and practical of course. I am so hap......

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