How to Get Through Separation as a Family

Separation is tough. When a family breaks apart, it can feel like everything is shifting beneath you at once and nothing will ever be “normal” again. However, with patience, honest communication, and the right support, it's possible to move through the transition in a way that protects relationships and prioritises emotional health. Communicating Openly and Respectfully Good communication doesn’t solve everything, but it does make everything more manageable. Whether you’re speaking to your ex-partner or your children, aim to be calm, honest, and clear. Avoid blame and keep the focus on what’s best for everyone involved. Children, in particular, benefit from age-appropriate, honest explanations about what’s happening . Reassure them they’re not the cause of the separation and that both parents will continue to love and support them. Being able to handle these conversations without overwhelming your children can feel like an impossible balancing act but if you’re delicate and honest,......

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City vs countryside vs suburbs: which is best for family life?

When you picture raising a family, where do you see yourself? In a fast-paced city, a quiet suburban neighbourhood or a peaceful countryside retreat? Having gone through this myself, I can tell you that each location has its own advantages and challenges and, while you might already have a preference, many families feel torn between the options. There's no single right answer but understanding what each has to offer could help you decide where to lay down roots and build your future. After all, it's not just about location – it's about lifestyle, convenience and how much space you need to feel at home. Urban living – opportunities and challenges Living in the city brings a certain buzz – everything you need is close at hand. Having shops, schools and entertainment on your doorstep can make family life more convenient. For instance, you could quickly nip to the supermarket for forgotten essentials or choose from well-established schools with a wide range of extracurricular a......

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The Modern Family Home: Finding a Space That Grows With You

For a family, there is no place more important than the home. You need to choose or design a home that suits your family’s preferences and needs both now and in the future, but this is easier said than done. With this in mind, this post will show you how to find a space that grows with your family over time. Interested? Keep reading to find out more. Embracing Flexible Layouts First, you want to embrace flexible layouts. Open-plan designs and multipurpose spaces can easily be reconfigured, which allows you to adjust your home as your kids grow up and your needs change. New build homes are ideal for this , as you can benefit from flexible layouts that allow you to change your space, such as turning a playroom into a home office as your kids get older. Prioritising Energy Efficiency Energy-efficiency is another important consideration when it comes to choosing a new home. This is so that you can make long-term savings while also reducing your impact on the planet. Energy efficient featu......

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How to decorate a living room like an interior designer

I n my experience, there’s nothing quite like the feeling that comes with carving out a space that is truly your own. By taking your surroundings and injecting a bit of yourself into them, happiness and belonging are never too far away. And the living room seems like a good place as any to put that into practice. So today, I’m going to be sharing how to (re)decorate a living room on a budget that feels professional yet authentic. You’ll get that editorial, put-together edge, whilst not straying too far from your roots, budget or your morals. Yes, modifying your living room need not be expensive, character-depleting and can be environmentally sustainable and I will be sharing some tips on how to help make that happen. Defining your purpose & limitations I think the biggest hurdle we face as homeowners is the sheer number of options. Open to us are so many choices: keeping on top of home repairs DIY or calling in the professionals; deciding whether to redecorate the living room with......

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Tech that fits into family life and increases productivity

We all know how distracting social media and smartphones can be but we also know that technology can be a great tool that actually helps us to be more productive, healthier and improve our overall wellbeing and that can fit into our family life in a positive way.  As we approach the new year I know many of us are starting to think how we can improve our life or home, mental and physical health and starting to set goals for the year ahead. We may want to connect with our family more, be more present, move more and get into nature & not surprisingly tech can really help with that when used correctly.  For me personally, I want to tap more into both my physical and mental wellbeing, be better with time management and make space for creativity and self care, something I struggle with as a busy parent.  Here are a few pieces of tech I am introducing into my life to help me do that.  1.  GO Air Sport True Wireless Headphones With two music-loving kids, who have di......

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Best dogs for active families: Finding the perfect fit

Dogs are such a special addition to any family. Furry balls of fun running around can enhance family life, get everyone outside for exercise, and provide lots of laughter and love. Finding the right fit for your family can be challenging, though. You want a breed that can match the activity levels of your family whilst still creating companionship. Here are ten of the best breeds for active families. Labrador Retriever One of the most popular breeds in the UK, Labradors are all-around winners. Their versatility and friendly nature mean they are perfect for families with children. If you are a group that likes hiking, running, and outdoor play, then expect a labrador to join you on your adventures happily! Border Collie Border Collies are known for being highly intelligent animals with incredible stamina. As such, they are an ideal match for families who enjoy being outdoors for long periods. You could even start a new family activity of agility training, which Border Collies absolutel......

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The Emotional Impact of Divorce on Parents

*Guest post There can be many reasons why a couple decide to end their marriage and often its for the best of everyone involved, however that doesn't mean it's easy by any measure. Whatever it is that triggers divorce proceedings, it can be a particularly emotional time – even when parting ways amicably. After all, this is the end of a huge chapter in their life. Things can become particularly emotive if there are children too. If you’re a parent who is considering divorce or if you’re already in the middle of divorce proceedings, you might find that there’s an added mental toll. Your children’s wellbeing At this time, it’s likely that you’ll be trying to juggle your own feelings as well as those of your children. This is, understandably, a huge change for them, so you’ll need to consider their emotions too. Back in 2019, there was a significant study by the Institute of Education which revealed that parental separation is more likely to affect the mental health of children ag......

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How to Cut Down On Family Spending

The cost of living has been hard, for so many people, and many families are looking to cut down on family spending. This is certainly something I have been doing in recent times to help combat rising costs but this can be hard to balance with still wanting to be able to provide a comfortable life for your family and memories with your kids.  Here are a few strategies that can help you cut back without sacrificing too much. Create a Family Budget First, to get a clear picture of your finances, you should try and create a monthly budget as this can help you control your spending.  Write down your incoming and outgoing cash flow, totalling your household take-home pay and dedicating a percentage to different categories, such as rent/mortgage, bills, food, and entertainment. If you find that you are spending all of your money each month, you need to go through your expenses and find ways to cut back and make savings. If possible you should also have a small percentage of your inco......

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5 Tips for Organising Kids' Wardrobes

*Contains affiliate links  Organising a child’s wardrobe is something that may seem small and unnecessary but can really help save you time, money, reduce stress and help keep your kid's space tidy. Clothes are often the first thing that ends up on the floor or the bed and making sure they have a spot for everything will keep the clutter to a minimum. Not only that, but it will get them in the habit of putting things where they should be, which they will carry for the rest of their lives. If you think that’s an impossible task, don’t be afraid. Here are a few tips you can follow to organize your kids’ wardrobe. Take Inventory of What they Have Having two boys I do this fairly often as I reuse all my eldest son's clothes for my youngest. You should start by looking at what they have and what they don’t need anymore. This could allow you to clear the wardrobe, but also check what they may need at the moment. Give away anything that is still salvageable. If there are some things ......

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