Typecast

Well established social skills will benefit your child throughout their life. These skills can help children to build up their confidence, form friendships at school and even help to open up future career opportunities. Some children are naturally very sociable, while others need a helping hand to build these invaluable skills. There are many ways in which parents can support their children in developing their social skills and Surbiton High School is here to help with the following advice… Starting conversations with new people can be difficult for some children. To help your child feel more confident about speaking to others, it can be useful to prepare a few conversation starters. These could include some really simple compliments or questions, such as 'I like your hair’ or 'what is your favourite sport?' School playgrounds are busy and loud with outdoor toys for kids and can often feel overwhelming to children. It can be helpful for quieter children if pare...

A teacher plays an important role in your child's life. Your son or daughter will spend each day with their teacher in the classroom, which can have an incredible impact on their enjoyment of school. For this reason it is extremely important for parents to get to know their child’s teacher and build a good relationship together. Good communication with your child's teacher is essential to your son or daughter’s academic success. The more information parents and teachers share with each other, the more your child will benefit. Here is some great advice from St Hilda’s School in Hertfordshire, on how to build a good relationship with your child’s teacher… As parents we want our children to make the most of their education and succeed at school. In order for this to happen it is essential to have regular contact with their teacher. ‘Parent Evenings’ are an ideal opportunity for parents and teachers to communicate. Parents can find out more about the subjects being taught in the...

Routines have endless benefits from helping us feel more in control of everything, and saving time to creating structure and breaking bad habits. Its nit a surprise that we all aim for that perfect school routine including the morning rush! But where do we start? Luckily for us, a private school in Somerset have provided us with some great tips and tricks to help us all establish a good school routine in time for the new year! Getting yourself and your family up, washed, dressed, fed and ready for the busy day ahead can seem like a mammoth task when your alarm is going off in the morning. The possibility of running late, leaving without breakfast or your children bickering with each other can make matters worse. If this leaves you feeling stressed or dreading getting out of bed follow this advice to try and make it a bit easier for you and your family in the mornings. Don’t leave it all till the morning There are a few things you can prepare in the evening to save those precious sho...

We have a tiny back yard and, even after seven years here, we still miss having a proper garden even though we are not very green-fingered.  We occasionally sit out there but it's not very inspiring or pretty.  It's always in need of a 'touch-up' because we are an end terrace so we get the brunt of the weather.  It's a hard space to do anything with because it is so narrow with no ebb and flow but it gets all of the afternoon and evening sun in the summer. We bought Builders sand & cement (£9.08) Masonry paint (15.98) 2 x filled hanging baskets and brackets (£13.96) Plants and compost for hanging baskets in the shed  (10.98) (and I promise, that is not a fix.  We just bought things we thought we would need and it added up to exactly £50 after a discount on the plants that was available on the day.) We already had additional paint hanging baskets best branded rolling trays   a wind ornament that Kev keeps telling me is a was...

I have a few things whizzing through my head at the moment that aren't really big enough for a full blog post so I may as well tip them out here. As soon as I click 'Publish Post' I'll either regret it or think of another 10 things to add. I was reading this article the other day which reminded me of my inability to remember on which side the petrol cap is on my car and it offered a little tip to help you remember. This little 'reminder' was disproved by the second half of the article but I still had a look to see if the arrow was in my car. IT IS! And in my husbands car. And in my colleagues car. I don't care... I'm amazed! I've decided to lose weight (again) but have no idea how to do this effectively whilst hunched over a computer all day at work and then no motivation at home in the evening. Plus, I like my one-night-a-week bottle of wine therapy on a Friday. I need a kick up the arse a.s.a.p. And why, when I have made the decision to l...

This year has been a frugal one as you may have guessed by my posts about coupons  (we need to do more clipping in this country, in my opinion) and my (very popular) money saving tips .  I'm also trying to use cashback websites more often these days too and save up my cashback amounts so I have a little bit of a windfall just before Christmas. Speaking of which, how are you budgeting for Christmas this year?  I'm trying to be careful and I'm sharing my purchases out between in-store bargains and online offers such as this website .  I'm a huge fan of money-off round-up sites which are really easy to use and they have loads of the big-name stores that you'll recognise. Argos, John Lewis and Boden are all registered on there.  Click here for some more suggestions. Another 'hot tip' from me at the moment is to become an expert on a website like AcceIntl.com  or have a search for online competitions.  I love finding giveaways on...

My 9 year old granddaughter is that in between "tween" stage where she still really likes toys but also wants to be a bit grown up when it comes to fashion and make-up. I found out that she's been learning about the environment at school and I've had all the lectures about using metal straws and having to be vigilant with my recycling so when I saw the Watadventure personalised book, I knew it would be a hit this Christmas. " From the Sewer to the Stars : The Rise of the WatAdventurers " is a personalisable eco-adventure book designed to empower children to save the planet - both in fiction and in real life.  Perfect for my little Greta Thunberg.  It's aimed at children aged 6 to 12 years old and you can personalise the book with their name and an avatar version of themselves on the front cover and throughout the book.  The book features two novels : "Saving Slime Town" and "Planet B".  It also incorporates ...

When I started running, I pulled on an old pair of joggers and a baggy t-shirt then picked up my fairly well-worn Reeboks and set off for the first session of the Couch To 5K group.   BIG MISTAKE!  Because I was wearing "my own clothes" I didn't look or feel the part. Also, when I first started looking for fitness clothes, it was a bit of a minefield - I wasn't sure what was best to buy. However, once I'd bought a proper pair of running shoes and specific garb that I would only use for running I felt much more invested in the whole activity.  Over the past few months I have bought a few more items of running clothes but I've ensured that they fit me properly and are comfy. I've also bought a new pair of running shoes recently which are slightly lighter and more fitted around my feet and work well with my best compression socks . As for the rest of it... have a look at my video where I show you what I actually wear. None of it was expens...

I don't keep a traditional journal but I do find that writing things down helps me to remember, probably because I'm taking the time to think about the words and the reason for writing them.  Your journaling can take many forms such as setting out a list of personal goals, writing out a favourite quote or affirmation, tracking your daily tasks or writing an account of your day in a traditional diary format. Recently, I've been introduced to the #LoveYourLife campaign from stationery company, Pen Heaven . This campaign is to encourage the importance of making time for yourself, starting with just a few minutes each day using the theory that it only takes 21 days to make something a habit.  Your journal should be your creative outlet.  There are many videos on YouTube showing pretty journals with all manner of trackers (I've spend hour upon hour watching these) but ultimately, your journal is a place to dream without restraint; it is to help you realise...

Family holidays - they’re exciting, they’re fun, and they provide a great opportunity and setting for you to enjoy time with your kids, to relax (at opportune moments, of course), and cement cherishable memories for many years to come. Family holiday needn’t be stressful, as long as you’re able to give them the long and considered approach that they require, and keep your family entertained from day-to-day and to quell boredom, arguments, and stress subsequently. For four tips you can’t afford to miss before your departure date, continue to read on. Begin the search ahead of time You will likely have heard this one thousand times before, but you need to begin your search for places to go, and start booking flights, train journeys, and accommodation well in advance. You should do this in order to relieve some of the pressure off yourself, as well as try to save money and hunt for deals along the way. If you haven’t got a clear idea of where you’d like to go, then now is the...

Photo by Edouard Ki on Unsplash Are you planning a road trip in the near future?  I found out that Kwik Fit are showcasing some of the most stunning and famous roads in Europe in their new ebook.  You can find out journeys down the Route 500 in Germany and the Ring of Kerry in Ireland - Europe is full of scenic routes that let you take in the views whilst you're being the wheel. But if you're driving you'll want to make sure that your car is in superb condition so I've written a mini guide which will help you avoid a stressful breakdown. Get your car serviced Regular car maintenance, on top of your annual MOT can help prevent car problems. I know how to check my oil, water and tyre pressure but you could also get your car checked by a professional for a little peace of mind and then you can keep on top of it yourself. Check your car battery If you haven't used your car in a while, you may need to recharge the battery. If you need to repla...

Excluding those ever elusive car experts, the vast majority of drivers don’t know all too much about their cars – despite using them daily. But just taking everyone’s word for it when it comes to cars because you’re not sure how to separate the fact from fiction could be costing you. Let’s separate fact from fiction by busting the most common car myths that just won’t die.  An MOT makes your car safe to drive The confusion about what an MOT does has been going around for decades, but even more recently a study showed half of motorists still believe that an MOT guarantees their car is safe for another year and a worrying 42% of them don’t get their car serviced annually because of it. In reality, an MOT assures your car is safe to drive at the moment it has been tested – not for the rest of the year. Regular servicing is a much better way to make sure your car is fully functional long term.  A car will die at around 100,000 miles Who knows where thi...

It's been a while since I blogged about running but if you follow me on any of my social media accounts, you'll know that I've been training for a half marathon for the past three months.  I've struggled through the training due to a flare up of osteoarthritis in my knees and basically just sworn my way round every run since deciding to undertake this challenge. A bit of background... my running club - Blackburn Road Runners - had picked a local charity, #FightLikeAKid , to support for a full year. #FightLikeAKid was set up initially to fund treatment for a young boy in Blackburn. Now the charity has grown and is supporting many more families whilst their child is receiving treatment for childhood cancer. It's a charity that I can really get on board with because my own daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 1992 (you can  read our story here ). We remain eternally grateful that she was cured of cancer so now it's about raising funds for ...

Moving house is stressful enough for adults: it comes with the burden of additional work, financial worries, not to mention the fear that in the worst case scenario, it could all go wrong and your family could end up homeless! While these might be the thoughts that keep you awake at night, you are, at least nominally, in charge of what’s happening. You can speak to estate agents and solicitors, find affordable movers and packers , and start packing. Children just have a move happen to them: it’s totally out of their hands, and it can be confusing, frustrating and upsetting as well as exciting. Here are two hints to help your children adjust to the move, so they’ll be as ready for moving day as you are! Involve Them The most intimidating aspect of a move for a child is the powerlessness: it feels like a huge lifechanging event is being foisted on them. Getting them involved with the process is important: it demystifies what’s happening, gives them some agency in event...

Last year I had the best year for running.  At the beginning of 2019 I made new goals and set out with a positive mental attitude.  By March, my osteoarthritis had flared up again and gave me a huge knock-back.  I tried to battle through the pain but it was almost too much and I was on the verge of taking a recommended three months off all exercise.   Friends rallied round with all sorts of tried and tested remedies which included strapping my knee up with kinesiology tape, taking turmeric, and - the most popular of all - cannabidoil (CBD oil).   I was sceptical about the CBD oil but, after a long chat with my friend, Denise, and hearing a few more recommendations, I did a bit of research.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) have deemed CBD oil safe for consumption and it is legal in the UK due to it not containing THC which is the part of the cannabis plant that makes you high.  Currently, it is only legal as a food supplement a...

I don't mind admitting that I thought it would be hard to review a weighted blanket in the height of summer but this is about more than warmth.  I had recently been researching weighted blankets as a sleep aid because my sleep patterns have been all over the place.  I've tried memory foam pillows, bamboo pyjamas, and already use a feather topper on the mattress but nothing seemed to work effectively.   Weighted blankets are designed to mimic 'deep touch therapy' which gives the illusion of being held or hugged. This type of pressure can (and here is the science bit) increase serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that helps with sleep by stimulating a calming effect.  A weighted blanket can also encourage your body to produce oxytocin which relieves pain and stress, helping you to sleep better at night with studies showing that 63% of people have reported having lower levels of anxiety after using the blanket. Weighted blankets have been used by adu...