Family Wellness Mama

Lately, it feels like every other story in the news has been about some kind of horrific crime or accident involving a child. Although I try to avoid reading such stories, it’s hard to tune out and the snippets I've been exposed to are just heart breaking. It would seem, in today’s modern world, that there are dangers and eerie strangers lurking around every corner. Parents have instant access to shocking, fear inducing stories from around the world. And although it’s good to stay informed, I feel the sheer volume of information at our fingertips is striking the fear of god into us. Though many might disagree with me, I’m not convinced that there’s any more danger around now than there was 20 years ago. I do believe that the nature of these horrendous crimes and accidents have changed over the years but has the number? It’s sad that our streets are scarcely filled with the sound of children out playing and there’s hardly a camera in sight at the local ...

So, we finally found something useful to do with the survivors of the sock monster's  latest attack...sock puppets!a We made some funky friends for our sock puppets using straws, feathers, googley eyes, pipe cleaners and glitter.

A couple of months ago we went along to the little man's parents evening. The teacher told us that the little dude was making good progress since starting Class but he did have a tenancy to become easily distracted and not listen. We were prepared for this, we have had previous  experience  of the little man's short attention span in after school clubs. So my partner and I set up a rewards chart system that focused on rewarding the little man for listening and following instructions, it seemed to work. We were cautiously confident that we'd see an improvement at school in no time. Imagine our dismay  when, just before Christmas, the teacher called us in again. Our second meeting was more serious. The little man's teacher informed us that he had fallen behind with his work and as well as being easily distracted, he was now disrupting the other children's learning too. In short, he was the naughty child! Now, i'm no deluded mother but I was sure th...

Is it me or is everybody reproducing? It feels like everywhere I look my friends, family and workmates are either pregnant or have recently given birth. Now I'm not usually the type to succumb to peer pressure but, I am feeling a wee bit broody and this madness needs to stop! I absolutely love being a mum and every day with the little man is magical and fun. But, being a mum of one means I always have a free hand! Recently there's been a little voice in my head that just won't quit "It's just one more," or "look how cute they are," my treacherous mind tells me. To help me to stay strong and ignore my broody self, at least for another decade, I've made a little list of some of the reasons I love being a mum of one. I always have change in my purse: Sure it's only a little bit of change but I have noticed an increase in financial freedom since the little man started school and I don't want to go back to the nursery fees hell....

The cat had grown rather fond of a cardboard box which had been lying about the place. Today the little man and I gave it a ten minute makeover! What do you think?

Today the government's new child benefits criteria came into effect. Apparently it will stop high earning families from claiming benefits. The government  guidelines  say that families with one parent earning over £50,000 a year will be affected by the change. I agree with idea, people shouldn't receive benefits unless there is  a genuine need for support. However, I don't think the criteria is very clear or fair. Especially when you consider that two parents earning £49,000, respectively, would still be fine and dandy to receive all of their child benefits.  But, a family with one breadwinner earning £51,000 would not be so lucky. Where's the sense in that? While we're on the subject of senseless actions. The government has also unveiled plans to change the housing benefits system. Under new rules , which come in to effect in April, People on housing benefits will be penalised if their home is considered too big. the government do...

So, the big day has been and gone and we're bubble and squeaking our way through the last of the Christmas leftovers. The little mans room resembles Toys R us' shop floor after a busy Saturday and I can't even look at another mince pie. Sitting here, three days later, drinking Baileys and eating Chocolates with no idea what day it is. I can look back on the past week with a fondness that is typical of Stage 5. I have come to the conclusion that, for parents, there are not 12 days but 5 stages of Christmas: Stage 1 - Annoyance  Leaves have barely begun to fall from the trees outside when most shops are erecting their Christmas Trees inside. Much premature excitement from the little ones follows and you'll spend the next few months reminding them that advent calendars don't have 100 windows for a reason. Stage 2 - Panic Yes, the shops have been banging on about  it for months but you didn't realise it was this close! Stage 2 panic usually  peak...