How to survive chickenpox this summer

My eldest who is now 7 had chickenpox when he was around 5 months old and it was one of the worst cases our GP had ever seen and certainly wasn't the mild illness we had been expecting but this may have been due to how young he was. He ended up need Antibiotics, Antihistamines and suppository painkillers to keep on top of the pain and inflamed skin it caused. At one point he was in too much pain to lie on either his back or stomach, had constant diarrhea, struggled to feed and we had to top up his liquid in-take with Dioralyte to make sure he wasn't dehydrated. I don't think we slept for more than two weeks but once they managed to get on top of the pain, infection from open sores and inflammation things improved a lot and topical applications started to work meaning we could finally give him the comfort and relief he needed. Of course going through that means we are prepared for the next time we have to face this virus as my toddler is bound to get it at some poin......

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Pentewan Sands - 5 reasons to stay this summer

We recently had the chance to head back down to Cornwall to check out the 5 star holiday park that is Pentewan Sands situated on its own private beach near St Austell and see first hand what makes this place perfect for a family getaway. The drive down was really smooth and straightforward and checking in was very quick and easy. There are a variety of accommodation options from bringing your own tent or touring vehicle to hiring one of their family-friendly Caravans. We stayed for 3 nights in a Platinum 3 bedroom Caravan which made for the perfect base. The caravans go from Bronze all the way up to Diamond and Flagship, two above our category. Our Caravan was in a lovely spot with less than a minutes walk from the beach but incredibly peaceful. I have to say this is only our second static caravan holiday and I was extremely impressed with the facilities of this park and can see why it's so popular with families who want to get away and keep things simple without any big fa......

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Beyond the Border Festival, St Donats

Beyond the Border is a Storytelling festival that happens every two years at St Donats Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan and is a fantastic festival for families and those wanting something a little bit more slower paced than some of the more action-packed ones during the summer, this isn't to say there's not plenty going on because there is but equally its easy to just sit back and take it slow. This was actually the second year we have attended BTB Festival having worked with them in 2014. This time I wasn't there to review, in fact we bought our tickets the evening before as a last minute thing as we knew the weather was going to be good and we had so much fun last time it felt like a great way to spend a weekend, especially as it's only 45mins from where we live.  Beyond the Border has taken many shapes over the years, I'm not sure if this is down to funding or organisation but this year was technically the "25th Birthday Barnstormer" and wa......

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4 Different kinds of Family friendly Gardens

I have always considered any outdoor space as important as your indoor space when it comes to your home, no matter how big or small you can create something really special and you can also make it a family affair and something you work on together. No matter what style or design you decided to go with just make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve as some planning is needed as a minimum. Your local garden centre is a good source of information and inspiration, as is the internet when you are deciding, for example, whether to use turf or seeding gardening styles for your new venture or if you want to look into putting down some decking, as I said planning is key. Before You Begin No matter what type of garden you choose, you are going to want to work with reputable seed companies to get your grass seeds and other gardening tools. To find the right seed company, it’s best to do your research, take your time, and to work with only the best. Now, read on ......

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