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Mamma Fairy

Features

Supporting Your Child with their Mental Health

Mental health concerns are something which most parents have to deal with today. The world is a very different place than it once was and in the past, mental health issues were largely swept under the carpet despite a number of teenagers and children suffering from them.

Today, children and adults alike are encouraged to speak about mental health issues and to be open about them. This is very important – if mental health issues are not to be stigmatized any longer, we need as parents to ensure that our children feel able to open up to us.

Speak to your child about their feelings

From their earliest days, name their feelings. Help them to learn that strong emotions are part of being a human and give them strategies to cope with them.

Ordinary, but negative feelings such as sadness, anger, frustration and fear can be frightening for children simply because they don’t have any benchmark with which to compare them.

Letting your child know that these feelings are normal and valid will help them to process the emotions.

Learning to process emotions and learning to help themselves to shake the feelings off through positive actions is a valuable lesson for children to learn.

Show your child the value of a brisk walk in the fresh air, show them how engaging in arts and crafts can lift the spirits, teach them how music can change our mood.

With coping mechanisms like this, as your child grows, they will soon have an arsenal of weapons with which to battle the sometimes difficult feelings we all experience. 

As your child grows and starts school, they will be able to access the support of peers and staff to learn even more coping mechanisms.

This secondary school in Kildare for example, offers support to students in a variety of effective ways and pupils achieve good academic results.

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Features

Top Tips for Helping Your Child Prepare for School Exams

For most children, exams signal a period of some stress. Even the most diligent students can feel anxiety over looming exams because there’s such a lot riding on the results. Parents too can feel concern over their child’s preparation and results – questions about how the child might cope if they don’t do well and how they can assure their child performs to the best of their ability. The absolute best solution to the anxiety which exams can bring about is preparation. Helping your child prepare for exams can really assist in many ways.

When a child has studied appropriately and for the right amount of time, there’s no reason for them to worry. Of course, there is the chance of a poor performance on the day of exams – some factors can’t be eliminated such as illness, but the main thing to remember is if your child has prepared well, then there’s every chance they will achieve good results.

Here are some top tips for helping your child prepare for their exams: 

  • Ensure you stay in touch with school and attend any meetings offered about forthcoming exams. These often include vital information such as timelines and resources which will assist your child.
  • Provide a well designed space for your child to work in. At-home-prep is vital for most children and they will need to revise prior to their exams so a desk, comfortable chair and good lighting are important.
  • Consider introducing your child to mindfulness. This relaxation technique can reduce stress considerably.
  • Make sure your child eats well and gets plenty of outdoor time.

If your child is happy and healthy there’s absolutely no reason to think they won’t do well. Another important point to remember is to discuss your child’s worries and fears with them and come up with strategies to work around any issues they might be experiencing.

If they are worried about one subject in particular, open up a conversation with their teacher about these concerns. It may be that your child simply needs a little extra tuition.

The best schools, like this independent school in Cardiff, treat every student as an individual and ensure that they have extra help where needed as well as emotional support if that’s something the child will benefit from.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Features

5 Signs Your Child Needs a Tutor

All parents hope for a child who sails through their academic journey with ease. But it’s not always like that. For many children, some subjects just take a bit more effort than others.

The most typical areas where children need support are in mathematics and English. It might be that they lack confidence with mathematics or some of the basics such as times tables haven’t been well-established. Or with English, their spelling or comprehension might not be as well-developed as it could be.

If this is the case for your child, don’t worry, a tutor can help bring them up to speed. 

Sometimes, the issues don’t rear their heads until it comes time for GCSEs or A Levels and then teachers might notice weak spots in your child’s development. 

If you’ve been thinking about getting a tutor for your child, here are 5 signs which you may have noticed and which do indicate that a tutor would be a good idea.

1 – Your child is reluctant about some lessons and not about others It might be glaringly obvious that your child is perfectly happy to attend art, English, Geography – whatever – but when it comes to maths, they’ll do anything to avoid the homework or even have time off school on the days those lessons are scheduled. If this is the case, then it’s probable that your child is lacking confidence and falling behind.

2 – Consistently low marks – this is obvious but it’s sometimes easy to simply dismiss low marks as low effort. Not all children are capable of achieving good marks without additional help. It’s fine if your child needs some one-to-one help in a particular subject.

3 – Good at one aspect and not at another – This might include such issues as your child being an excellent storyteller, able to think up sophisticated plots and characters but have issues getting the work down on paper. That’s a good sign they need help.

4 – Your child is teary and upset about school – and you know there’s no issues with illness or bullying. Children often get emotional when they don’t feel they’re doing well. Watch out for this as it’s easily solved with extra help.

5 – Poor handwriting – poor or slow hand writers do find it harder to keep up in class. This can be mended with special exercises and routines which a good tutor can show you. 

If any of the above rings a bell for you, make enquiries about a tutor. The best schools will be able to provide you with advice on how to find a suitable tutor. This sixth form in Surrey ensures all pupils have access to the support they need to excel.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Features

Helping Your Child Find their Passion

If your child isn’t one of those who knows exactly what hobbies and pastimes they enjoy, it’s easy to think that they simply don’t have a passion in life. But nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone has the capacity to be passionate about something – and it doesn’t have to be sports or dance either!

It’s easy to follow the crowd when it comes to finding a hobby or passion for your child but there’s absolutely no need to. The best route to finding a passion is to try as many different things to explore in life as possible.

You can help your child do this by ensuring they’re exposed to as many different things as possible in life. Not only traditional hobbies such as sports but also campaigns and charity work. In this way you will broaden their horizons and help them learn more about their own personality.

Here are some ideas for unusual things to try or to explore with your child as they search for their passion in life:

  • Metal detecting
  • Mudlarking
  • Charity work 
  • Volunteer environmental work
  • Helping with younger children
  • Sewing or fashion design
  • Sculpture
  • Gardening
  • Singing
  • Sailing
  • Canoeing
  • Wood or metal work

When you think outside of the box and begin to look at pastimes which might not be typical for most children, you’ll be opening new doors for your child and perhaps helping them to find something they really enjoy which they can continue into adulthood.

When your child is older, their school might help them find something they feel really passionate about. This boarding school in Wiltshire for example ensures all pupils have access to a wide range of extracurricular activities which stretch their imaginations and their sticking power.

Keep an open mind and your child will too! Try lots of different things and your child will develop a resilience and confidence which can only be earned through effort and the bravery it takes to learn new skills.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Home & Interiors

How to Spruce Up Your Patio in 5 Simple Steps

If you want to create a backyard oasis, the first step is to take a good look around your house and see what needs improving. Then, you might consider hiring a professional landscaper or taking on some DIY projects yourself. Patios can be a great space for hanging out with friends, playing games like corn hole or bocce ball, and relaxing after a long day at work. Don’t let your patio get stale when there are so many cool things you can do to it – here’s how!

#1 Fix up your furniture

Patio

Pic Credit: Pexels

The first step is to take a look at your furniture and see what needs to be fixed up or replaced. An excellent way to start is by adding some new cushions, pillows, and blankets. You can also paint your old furniture or add some fun accessories like umbrellas or string lights.

If you have any broken pieces of furniture, now is the time to fix them up or replace them altogether. There are so many great patio sets on the market these days that it’s easy to find something perfect for your space. If you’re on a budget, consider fixing up your old set with a fresh coat of paint or some new hardware.

#2 Add some plants and flowers

Adding some color to your space is a great way to enhance the look of your patio. Of course, colorful flowers are always a good option, but they can be expensive and require quite a bit of upkeep. Luckily there are plenty of other options that offer a big impact for less money!

Plants like ferns or cacti make an excellent addition, especially if you have no green thumb whatsoever. 

You can also try growing vegetables in pots on your patio – it’s easy to do with just some seeds, soil, and water each day. Finally, when shopping for containers or flowerpots, pick up some colorful accents like bright stones or ceramic frogs, so everything ties together nicely when done decorating. The possibilities really depend on what kind of vibe you are going for – are you looking to create a zen space or something more colorful?

#3 Bring in some outdoor lighting

If you’re looking for a way to create some ambiance on your patio, outdoor lighting is the perfect solution. String lights are always nice because they can be hung just about anywhere and are easy to set up even if you have no experience working with electricity.

You could also try using lanterns or candles. Just make sure all candle holders are made of heat-safe materials so that they don’t get hot enough to catch anything else on fire! Finally, you might want to invest in permanent fixtures like sconces since these tend not only to look great but will last longer without needing replacement.

#4 Create an outdoor living space

To really bring your patio to life, try adding outdoor furniture such as patios sets. This is a step that will require some planning ahead of time so you can order furniture or figure out how big everything needs to be based on the measurements of your yard! If there’s not enough room for an entire dining table and chairs, consider buying two separate tables – one with chairs attached and another portable one that can be moved around as needed. You could also consider installing benches with Cutting Mats if you’d like to tackle a project like this on your own!

Also, think about what kind of accessories you want to have included in this area, like side tables or lighting fixtures, potted plants, etc. Once it’s all put together, nothing beats sitting outside enjoying dinner under the stars!

#5 Invest in a fire pit or grill

One of the best things about having a patio is that you can cook outdoors! A good way to make your patio even more enjoyable is by investing in something like outdoor fire pits and fireplaces. This will give you a place to hang out and relax while cooking dinner, and it’s also perfect for those colder nights when you want to stay outside a little longer. For us it has been one of the best additions to our garden renovations and become a really cool entertainment space. 

There are so many different types of grills and pits available on the market these days that it’s easy to find something perfect for your needs. If you’re looking for something portable that you can take with you camping or tailgating, there are plenty of great options there too. No matter what you choose, be sure to read up on how to use it safely before starting any fires.

Now that you have some ideas, it’s time to get started on sprucing up your patio! These are just a few of the many ways you can create a space you’ll love spending time in. So get creative and have fun with it – after all, it’s your own personal oasis right outside your door!

Note: This is a collaborative post

Mamma Musings

Is Your Garden Prepped For The Winter?

garden

Pic Credit: Unsplash

With the arrival of the colder weather, trees’ leaves have already begun to fall from their branches, potted plants have begun to die, and it has become simply too chilly to spend any amount of time in your garden. It’s understandable, though, that you want to preserve your garden for the winter season in order to keep it looking presentable and to reduce the amount of work you have to do when it comes to making your garden look beautiful again come springtime. Get ready for the cold weather by reading these tips.

Mow the lawn and trim the hedges

Lawns and hedges don’t grow nearly as much in the winter as they do in the summer because of the extreme cold. Before the onset of exceptionally cold weather, take advantage of the opportunity to trim your grass and cut your hedges one last time to ensure that your garden remains nice and tidy throughout the winter season. Trimming your hedges back significantly will give you more than enough time before they need to be done again in the spring. Using treatments such as evergreen to treat your lawn can help to keep it in the best condition possible.

Out with the old, in with the new

Plants and trees may have died due to the cold weather, and now is the time to remove them so your garden doesn’t appear untidy in the winter. You should also prepare ahead if you plan to conduct any landscaping work in your yard next year, such as updating your garden furniture or purchasing a new shed, so that you can have a bin hire ready when springtime rolls around. Get rid of the old so you can make room for the new when springtime hits!

Plant evergreen trees

Your garden may look a little sparse in the winter after you remove all of the dead plants, but if you’re entertaining guests, you’ll want to make it look its best. Plant some evergreen plants in your garden to keep it looking good even if the leaves start to fall on other shrubbery.

Accessorise your winter garden

Certain people simply enjoy being outside regardless of the weather, and if you’re one of those people who enjoys being outside in the fresh air, it might be a good idea to invest in some of the following winter accessories to make spending time in your yard that little bit more enjoyable:

  • A clay fire burner for an open fire where everyone can snuggle up and enjoy the conversation.
  • If you don’t want to use a clay fire, consider a patio heater.
  • A gazebo providing weather protection, particularly against the wind and rain.
  • Outdoor fairy lights to add a festive touch.

A small amount of work now will ensure that your garden is ready for winter and will spare you from a lot of work in the spring.

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Mamma Reviews

Remain Dry with the Gamma Jacket – The Best Waterproof Jacket of 2022

black jacket

Pic Credit: Wear Graphene

Going for a walk when it’s raining isn’t usually a good decision. You can use an umbrella, but it can’t stop winds from blowing raindrops underneath and onto your clothes, leaving you soaking wet. Only the best waterproof jacket for women can shield you from bad weather, which brings us to a revolutionary jacket called Gamma. 

man in black jacket

Pic Credit: Wear Graphene

This jacket is designed to repel water and enable you to step outside, even in heavy rain. But what makes the Gamma jacket so powerful? Let’s find out. 

Impermeable Surface

The Gamma Jacket derives most of its properties from graphene – an innovative material that renders the garment 100% waterproof. It prevents water from penetrating the protective barrier and reaching the skin, whether you’re going through a downpour or trickle. 

You won’t need to worry about wind either when wearing this ladies’ waterproof jacket. Unlike standard jackets and coats, it doesn’t allow high winds to cause a chill. As a result, you won’t face the uncomfortable cold sensation associated with icy rains on blustery days. 

Straps and Gloves

back jacket

Pic Credit: Wear Graphene

Graphene isn’t the only thing that makes the Gamma jacket the finest waterproof garment. The product also has straps on the waist and hood to provide additional security. They can be fastened to repel wind and moisture for good. 

If it gets cold, make sure to put on Gamma’s built-in fingerless gloves. They’ll warm up your hands and help you enjoy your walks even more. You also get several handy accessories, such as the hood and rain hem.

Integrated Heaters

black jacket

Pic Credit: Wear Graphene

The Gamma jacket isn’t just waterproof. It’s also one of the finest heated jackets for women due to built-in heating elements.

You can activate these heaters to provide additional warmth if it’s freezing. They raise the temperature to as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit in just 30 seconds. Graphene distributes the heat evenly throughout the surface to ensure your entire upper body is toasty. Best of all, there are no cold patches or sweaty spots commonly associated with thick garments. 

Moisture-Wicking Properties

black jacket

Pic Credit: Wear Graphene

Humidity can be a huge problem on rainy days, leaving you drenched in sweat. Thankfully, the Gamma jacket can help solve this issue. Graphene’s lattice structure removes moisture from the skin, allowing it to evaporate away from your body. This enables you to avoid rashes and other annoying conditions. 

Water and Bad Weather Are No Match for Gamma

black jacket

Pic Credit; Wear Graphene

Jogging outside in the rain used to be unimaginable. However, that’s no longer the case, thanks to the Gamma jacket. Besides its waterproof surface, the garment boasts various accessories to keep you fully dry. Plus, it features powerful heaters and much-needed moisture wicking. 

For more details about Gamma, check out www.weargraphene.com.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Features

Are You Making These Mistakes Choosing A New Career?

girl on mobile phone working

Pic Credit: Pexels

Have you decided that it’s time for a fresh start with your career? If so, then you need to make sure that you avoid some of the common mistakes. Stumbling into the typical pitfalls will lead you to a career that isn’t rewarding or fulfilling and doesn’t provide real benefits in the long term.

Choosing Something That Doesn’t Excite You

There are lots of factors that you can keep in mind when you are choosing your new career. However, it is important that you don’t just think about whether it’s going to pay the right amount of money. Remember, the average individual will spend more than 30% of their life working. So, when you take into account time in traffic and time asleep you spend more time working than you do with your friends or your family. That’s why it’s crucial that you work doing something that you’re interested in or that you’re passionate about. 

Forgetting You Have Power

You might assume that employers have all the power in the job market. However, this isn’t quite the case. If you have the right level of experience and qualifications then you can decide who you want to work for and you have a certain level of power on the terms that you choose here as well. This means that you can wait it out for a company that is offering you a better deal. You don’t have to settle on the first business that throws an interview in your direction. 

A Lack Of Research

When you are choosing a new career, it’s important that you do complete the right amount of research. You need to make sure that you think about which industries are exploring hiring more people right now. For instance, if you explore teams such as Ellisons Solicitors, you’ll see that commercial property firms are anxious to gain new talent. So, if you have a background in law, then this could be a great choice. An option like this, should also provide the right level of career stability that you need. 

No Legwork

Finally, you do need to make sure that you are completing the right amount of legwork when you are choosing a new career. You can think about pursuing fresh qualifications. Don’t forget, these days a lot of the courses that could interest you or that might be relevant to a new career can be completed from the comfort of your home. So, you don’t have to let a busy personal or family life stop you from getting the career you want. It’s just a case of managing your schedule effectively and ensuring that you remain productive throughout the day. That way, you’ll be able to fit everything in. 

Now, you know some of the mistakes that you should avoid when choosing a fresh career, it should be easier for you to make the right new start. By exploring the right options you can guarantee that you get everything you want out of your new career path and everything that you need. 

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Features

Essential Skills You Should Know as an Employee in a Business Environment

hands

Pic Credit: Pexels

Whether you’re fresh out of college or a veteran in the workforce, landing your first job can be an exciting time. But it’s important to remember that some skills are essential for every employee in a corporate environment. These include communicating effectively, having excellent computer skills, and taking the initiative when necessary. In this post, we’ll discuss these three skills and how they might apply specifically to your situation as someone just starting on their career path.

Communication skills

One of the most critical skills for any employee is communication. This means being able to effectively express yourself both verbally and in writing and listening attentively to others. In a business setting, communication is key for sharing ideas, collaborating on projects, and resolving conflicts. If you’re unsure of your communication skills, now is the time to start practicing. Start by paying attention to how you communicate with your friends and family, and look for ways to improve upon your weaker areas. For example, if you have a hard time speaking up in meetings or feel like you always give too much information or go off-topic, try sitting closer to the front of the room or rehearsing what you want to say beforehand.

Problem Solving Skills

Another essential skill for any employee is problem-solving. Whether you’re looking for food manufacturing jobs or high-end corporate jobs, this means recognizing when there’s a problem, understanding why it happened and how to fix it, and taking the necessary actions to resolve the issue. In addition to solving problems independently, you should also be comfortable asking your co-workers or supervisor for help when needed. When approached with a difficult situation at work, try giving yourself at least 30 minutes before deciding your next step.

Initiative and willingness to take on new tasks

Another essential skill that’s generally expected of employees is initiative. In a business environment, this means being willing to take on new tasks and responsibilities as they come up instead of waiting for someone else to ask you first or put in your annual review request. You should also be proactive about asking questions when something isn’t clear or seeking advice from those around you who have more experience than you do with a particular task. Finally, when given a project at work, try breaking it down into manageable chunks so that the entire process doesn’t seem overwhelming.

Delivering results within time limits

In addition to having the essential skills listed above, it’s also essential to deliver results within time limits. This might mean working extra hours when needed or turning a project around quickly without sacrificing quality. If you like to take their time and aren’t comfortable with working under pressure, it’s essential to start developing this skill now. One way to do this is by setting deadlines for yourself and sticking to them as best you can.

These are just a few of the essential skills you should have as an employee in a corporate environment. If you’re unsure about your abilities, now is the time to start developing these and other valuable talents!

Note: This is a collaborative post

Features

How To Buy Premises For Your Small Business

shop open sign

Pic Credit: Pexles

Whether you want to buy an office or a shop, choosing the right premises is very important for your small business. It’s important to choose the right premises, as it’s going to be one of the biggest costs when you’re setting up or expanding, and it could play a big part in your future success. When you’re looking for business premises, take these important factors into account. 

Location

If you’re buying a shop, a good location is essential, as high footfall can help you have a steady flow of customers through the door. If you aren’t in a busy area, you will need great marketing in place to encourage your customers to travel to where you are.

However, premises in more popular areas tend to come with a higher price, so you will need to find the right balance of location and price. 

If you’re buying a warehouse, office, or other premises, its still important to choose the right location. Think about your location in relation to where your workers live and how accessible the it is for deliveries.  

Size

How big do your premises need to be? This can be tough, as you don’t want to pay for space you aren’t using, but you also want to leave yourself some room for future growth and expansion, so you don’t outgrow your premises too quickly. 

Keep in mind that health and safety regulations are in place to make sure that workers have enough space. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to work comfortably. You should also make sure you take into account how much room you will need for things like office furniture, stock, and any equipment. Make sure you also leave enough room for people to move around easily and use any equipment safely. 

Facilities

Your business premises will usually need to be connected to basic services like power, plumbing, heating, phone, and internet. However, depending on what kind of business you are running, you might need access to some additional services too, such as more specialist power and ventilation options if you are running certain equipment, or access to deal with dangerous waste. It is vitally important not to overlook any necessary health and safety equipment you might need for your small business, companies like STOREMASTA can help with your needs for the storage and management of hazardous waste.  

On simpler terms, consider how much parking you need. Do you need safe walkways around heavy equipment, blocked off with barriers from Armco Direct? 

You will need to find premises with these facilities or where they can easily be added, with minimal hassle and expense. 

Permissions

Keep in that for certain kinds of business activities, you may need some specialist permissions or licenses. It’s a good idea to look into this as soon as possible, so you know whether you can carry out your business at the site you’re looking out before you make a final decision. 

If the premises you’re considering is currently being used for a different purpose, you will probably need planning permission to be able to change the use. You will also need planning permission if you want to make any alternations or extensions to the building. 

Note: This is a collaborative post