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Mamma Fairy

Mamma Musings

Is it safe to breastfeed when you have silicone breast implants

breast feeding mother

Pic Credit: Pixabay

With cosmetic surgery procedures becoming more popular, and more easily attainable for the average woman, the question about breastfeeding has emerged. Breast augmentation procedures are particularly popular amongst new mum’s. It’s a great way to turn back the clock and regain that pre-pregnancy size and fullness.  But what about those women who have already had breast implants, and now face the choice between breast and bottle?  It’s natural that these women might anticipate some complications or difficulties due to the surgery.  But what is the truth when it comes to breast feeding with silicone implants? 

Breast feeding alone can be a contentious issue amongst mum’s. Deciding what suits your lifestyle and what is best for you and your baby are choices that only you can make.  Mum shaming and internet trolling aside, you will get advice and tips that you never asked for, and are of little use.  Everyone, it seems, is an expert and they all want to give you their opinion, regardless of whether you want to hear it or not. Add breast implants to the mix and you could well send some of these ‘experts’ into a seismic spin. Keep in mind that the decision is yours to make.  Choosing to breastfeed is just that – a choice. Only you should decide what is best for you.  You are the expert in this case, and you know what suits your lifestyle better than anyone else. 

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Features

The Ultimate Hen Do Checklist for an Unforgettable Adventure

Bidding goodbye to your status of being single needs to be celebrated in the best way possible – with an incredible hen party for the bride-to-be.

hen do party

Pic Credit: Pixabay

For every maid of honour, the responsibility of planning a hen do falls on her shoulders. So if you’ve been presented with the opportunity, it means you need to get all the plans finalised, the places booked and food sorted to make sure the bride-to- be has a memorable day with the people she loves.

Whether you’re thinking of a hen do in Leicester or wherever you reside, we’ve put together a fantastic checklist to help you host an unforgettable adventure with the best hen party for the bride. 

To make your hen do enjoyable and hassle-free, incorporate these tips in your planning to put together the perfect adventure.

Let’s take a look!

  1. Understand the Kind of Adventure the Bride-to-Be Wants

Perhaps the most important step in planning a hen do is to speak to the bride to understand what she’s looking forward to. By asking her the right questions and having a chat with her, you can understand what the bride may like and hate which can help you find ways to surprise her.  

From setting a theme, finding the right activities for your hen do ideas to getting the alcohol she wants, you can proceed with the arrangements and start putting the plan into action.

Additionally, since the hen do is for the bride, make sure to keep a few surprise elements that she may enjoy in your plan to ensure you go all out to make the day perfect.

  1. Plan the Guest List

After speaking to the bride, you’ll get an idea about whom to invite or include in the hen party planning. Since the bride may have a few people she wants to invite that may not have crossed your mind, speaking to her will help you prepare a rough list of the guests you need to invite.

Organise this along with all the other details onto an excel sheet. Add the contact details of the guests so it’s easy for you to find whatever you need, quickly. 

Once this is done, speak to all of them together to finalise a date that everyone is free at.

  1. Set a Budget

What’s party planning without the logistics? Chaotic!

To plan the perfect hen do for your best friend, setting a budget is essential so that you don’t get carried away as much as you would want to.

In an ideal world, we all would love to go all out with the hen do and give our friends the best experiences that are available. However, due to budgetary constraints, it’s ideal to stay practical and organise a hen party that the bride will nevertheless enjoy.

Speak to the other hens and finalise a budget that works well for everyone. Whether you decide to do it all by yourself or ask the other hens to pitch in, you can have a clear idea of what you need to do after you speak to them.

Note down everything important and keep all the hens updated accordingly to avoid any financial mishaps from happening.

  1. Decide On the Activities and Make the Bookings

After the budget is set, you can find activities, restaurants or pubs that you wish to include in your hen do and go ahead and make all the reservations well in advance. It is important to do your research well in advance, especially if you are travelling to a destination that you are not as familiar with. If you use your preferred search engine and use the name of the location you wish to go to, such as “Asheville bachelorette party” or whatever destination you have chosen, this should yield sufficient results to begin your research.

If you’ve included the popular destinations in your list, there’s a chance that you may not get a reservation later, so take advantage of the time you have and make all the bookings beforehand.

The biggest way to do this efficiently is to make a proper itinerary that includes all the different elements that you have planned so that everyone has a proper understanding of what the day is going to be like. You can, of course, leave the bride out of this and surprise her with the activities. However, this intense organization can become stressful for the chief planner, especially when trying to secure exclusive venues and coordinate logistics for large groups. Using a specialized service, such as Kilkenny Concierge, or similar options, can reduce the pressure by having local experts manage all reservations and ensure the itinerary flows smoothly.

  1. Make the Most of the Day

Now that most of the things are taken care of, the next thing on the list is to make sure that you enjoy everything that you’ve planned along with the bride to be.

As the person in charge of the hen do, it may get difficult as you need to make sure everything is organised and going smoothly. However, this does not mean that you need to miss out on the fun and get stuck with organising everything.

Since it’s one of the important events for the bride, make sure to enjoy everything you’ve planned by staying next to the bride for it all.

To Sum Up…

Planning a hen do takes some time and effort however with a few basic tips through our hen do checklist, you can get a better understanding of what needs to be taken care of.

No matter what activities you choose, the bride is sure to appreciate all the effort and planning, making it a day she’ll never forget.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Mamma Reviews

Paj Finder Portal 4G Review

I have spoken about this during our renovation works, my husband has worked in the construction industry for many years. A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to test out the Paj Power Finder 4G I didn’t hesitate as I knew we would really be able to put this device through its paces.

The Paj Power Finder is part of a new generation of GPS tracker that utilise the 4G network. There are many different types of trackers in the Paj range. The device comes with a built in sim card and when combined with the monthly subscription can be used in over 100 countries world wide.  For the more tech amongst us I have set out a screen shot of the tech specifications opposite.

Some of the key features include:

  • multi use device, can be fixed to many types  of vehicles such as cars, mobile homes, trailers, machinery
  • 60-90 days stand by battery
  • magnetic attachment
  • SIM card already in finder
  • USB charging
  • operating manual available online.
  • monthly subscription
  • motion/ shake alarm
  • Drop alarm
  • Radius alarm
  • speed alarm
  • low battery alarm
  • User friendly app with real time alerts

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Features

How to Motivate Your Child to Learn

All parents want the best for their children, particularly where their education is concerned. The better they do in school, the more successful they are likely to be in the future. The question is – how do we keep our children motivated? I have teamed up with an independent school in Harrow to share some advice.

Focus on the Journey, Not the Destination

parent teaching child on computer

Pic Credit: Pixabay

If you focus on your child’s grades and reprimand them when they score poorly, they will feel stressed and demotivated. It will be far more beneficial for them if you focus on the learning journey, rather than the end results. So, next time you see your child working hard on a piece of homework, praise them for their efforts. If they get a bad grade on a test, remind them that you are proud of them for trying their best, no matter what the outcome.

Help Your Child Set Achievable Goals

If your child has a huge school project that they need to complete, help them break it down into smaller chunks so that it feels less overwhelming. If they’ve been asked to read a book, encourage them to take it one chapter at a time. By helping them make their goals feel more achievable, they will be less likely to procrastinate. 

Create a Welcoming Study Environment

Make sure your child has somewhere tidy and quiet to complete any learning tasks. Provide them with snacks during homework sessions and ensure they have all of the necessary equipment. The idea is to make learning easier for them so that they feel more motivated. 

Make Learning Fun

Show your child that learning doesn’t have to be boring by finding fun activities to do at home. Perhaps you could spend some time outdoors to learn about nature or create your own science experiments. Board games can be educational too. Scrabble, for instance, is great for helping children with their vocabulary. 

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Features

Helping Your Child Manage their Emotions

The better children are at managing their emotions, the more likely they will be to overcome certain challenges. If they are confident in their problem solving and coping abilities, they will be able to channel any negative emotions in a more positive way. So, how can parents help their children manage their emotions? Here are some tips from a private nursery in Hertfordshire.

Label Emotions

If you notice that your child seems to be behaving in a certain way, talk to them about how they are feeling. Teach them different ways to describe how they’re feeling. For example, if they are struggling with their homework and it’s affecting their mood, say something like “I can see that you are getting a bit frustrated with this so why don’t I help you?”. 

parent and child happy

Pic Credit: Pixabay

As well as giving a name to your child’s emotions, you could do the same for characters on the TV or in a book you read together. Take a minute to ask your child how that character might be feeling and why, as well as what they could potentially do to feel better.

The more they understand their emotions, the easier it will be for them to come up with a coping strategy. They will also become better at anticipated certain emotional reactions to different experiences and will be able to prepare for them in advance. 

Teach Coping Mechanisms

Your child needs to learn that there’s nothing wrong with feeling a certain way, it’s how they react that’s the main thing. For example, just because they’re angry it doesn’t mean they can lash out in a violent way. With this in mind, you should try and teach your child various coping mechanisms.

Next time you can see your child getting angry, don’t react with anger yourself. Instead, encourage them to take a time-out. Suggest that they should go into another room for a breather so that they can calm down. If your child doesn’t know what to do when they are angry or upset, they are more likely to become aggressive or attention-seeking. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

Features

Exploring STEM Subjects with Your Child

By exploring STEM related activities with your child from an early age, you will give them a head start from an academic perspective. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, and refers to all subjects that fall under that umbrella. There are lots of ways you can incorporate these topics into your everyday activities, to help your child with their overall learning. Here are some tips from a private school in Notting Hill.

Board Games

Believe it or not, as well as being great fun, board games are also great for a child’s academic development. Monopoly, for example, is great for teaching children basic numeracy skills, as it requires the player to perform various sums. 

Money Management

child in school

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Next time you’re out shopping, ask your child to calculate how much money you’ll need at the till, and how much change you should receive if you pay with a note. This will help them with their maths skills and show them how important it is in daily life.

Outdoor Play

Exploring nature is a fantastic way to introduce your child to STEM. Take a walk through the woods and talk to your child about the different trees and plants, and what types of animals and bugs might be living there. Plant some seeds in the garden and teach your child what’s involved in keeping them alive. Build a bird feeder or a bug hotel to welcome wildlife into your garden. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the great outdoors. 

Cars

Next time you’re topping up your car oil or windscreen wash, get your child to come and have a look at the car. Show them the engage and talk to them about what makes the car work. You could even take it one step further and talk to them about where petrol comes from and why electric vehicles are becoming more popular. 

Water Play

For younger children, water play is a great STEM learning activity. Next time your child has a bath, take along various items that they can drop into the water. Ask them if they know whether or not the item will sink, float, or become soggy in the water. 

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Mamma Musings

The Benefits of Holiday Camps for Children

There are many reasons why parents choose to send their children to holiday camp during school breaks. Of course, there’s the obvious advantages that it provides a childcare option for those who have to work throughout the holidays, but there are also various benefits specifically for children. I have teamed up with a children’s’ holiday camp in Kensington to explore further. 

Holiday Camps Promote Physical Activity

kids playing football

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Children are spending far too much time glued to digital devices nowadays, and holiday camp is a great way to encourage them to put their tech down and get moving. Lounging around, spending hours in front of the TV, is not a healthy way to spend their break, whereas holiday camp will offer various activities to improve fitness.

Children Develop a Range of Skills

When children attend a holiday camp, they are given an opportunity to develop various skills. For instance, socialising with other children who they otherwise might not have met is great for their communication skills. They will also be given the chance to practise problem solving and decision making, which will help them with their independence. 

Holiday Camps Improve Academic Performance

At holiday camp, children are able to participate in learning activities outside of a classroom environment. This untraditional way of learning is often more engaging, meaning children are more likely to pay attention and remember what they have learnt. As a result, when they do go back to school, they will have a wider general knowledge and additional skills that will help them perform well.

Children Are Given a Confidence Boost

By developing various skills and building strong relationships with new people, holiday camps allow children to feel more confident in themselves and their abilities. As a result, they are more likely to try new things and take risks, as well as approach challenges with an optimistic outlook. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

Mamma Musings

The Benefits of School Uniform for Children

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Lots of kids aren’t particularly fond of school uniform, but they actually provide many benefits that you may not have even considered. They create a sense of identity for the school, by demonstrating that each student is part of a community as such, which helps them feel like they belong somewhere. As a result, students can feel a sense of pride. 

Parents may begrudge having to spend a lot of money on school uniform at the start of term, but it actually works out much cheaper than having to fill your child’s wardrobe with different outfits for each day, especially if they want to keep up with the latest trends and designer fashion. School uniform shops often have payment systems in place to help spread the cost over a few months so that it doesn’t seem as dear. I have two boys so have been lucky I can hand them down to the younger sibling and our local parents group take donations if you wish to pass on or swap uniform jumpers etc. 

Tip: Sew name tags  or iron on patches for clothes on to your child’s uniform so that if anything is misplaced, your child has more of a chance of getting it back.

Tip: Purchase the uniform in a slightly bigger size so that your child has room to grow.

School uniforms also makes it easier for teachers to ensure all students are dressed in a smart manner so that they represent the school with pride. For my boys school the uniform is prescriptive from the crested jumper and tie right down to the colour of the school socks. While my pair often moan that they would love to be able to wear their own clothes (ie football jersey!) I am fully supportive of the uniform. It helps the parents an the teachers in my view.  For example even for the teacher when out and about with their class on field trips, if each child was wearing something different, it would be much harder to monitor what they were all wearing and enforce rules about what’s acceptable. Wearing a uniform at school will also help prepare your child for the future when they may have to wear a uniform for work. 

One of the most important benefits of school uniform is that it reduces bullying and peer pressure amongst students. If children had to wear their own clothes to school, they might feel anxious that they’re not “cool” enough or worry what their friends are going to say. My boys football team have also introduced a “uniform” as the regular Saturday morning training had descended into a battle of the Premier League teams.   It makes it a lot more cohesive and gives the sense of “one team”.  A child cannot be judged or harassed about what they’re wearing if they are all wearing the same thing. 

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Home & Interiors

5 tips when you want a loft conversion

Over the last number of years we have been renovating our 1970s built house and the final piece of the project was the attic/ loft conversation.  The purpose of the room for us was a play space/ games room for the boys.

My husband works in construction so we were starting the project with some basic knowledge and a rough idea of loft conversion costs.  We have finished our conversion now and are really thrilled with the end result, the kids especially love the cool chill out space.  I thought armed with this experience, I would share some tips we have gleaned as part of our conversion:

Check it’s suitable 

Attic/ loft

Pic Credit: Pixabay

One thing I didn’t fully appreciate until we started our project was that not all lofts are suitable for a conversion, for example you might not have enough head space or roof height. Also do consult local planning laws to see if permission is required.

Use a reputable builder 

Work like an attic conversion will likely require structural work so it is imperative you use a reputable builder with the requisite insurances in place. It would be no harm to chat to any neighbours who have had it done to 1) view the finished product and 2) get a personal recommendation

Consider the time of year 

We needed some quite substantial work done on our roof, which involved scaffolding and lifting off the roof tiles temporarily while the windows were fitted. For that very reason we opted to do it during the summer months to minimise the house being left exposed to the elements.

Factor in access to the loft 

attic/ loft

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Once the loft becomes a liveable space, a pull down ladder will likely not be sufficient.  In order for us to put in the full stair case we had to loose some of our box room but that was a sacrifice we were willing to make for the extra loft space.

An extra bathroom?

We decided against it in the end but one thing that is well worth considering is whether you can stretch the budget to add an additional bathroom as part of the loft conversion.  If every house is like ours, you can never have enough bathrooms!!!

 

Hopefully this has been some help if you are thinking of considering an attic conversion. Having come out the far side it has been totally worth it for us.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Features

How to make reading fun for your child

How to make reading fun for your child

reading with kids

Pic Credit: Pixabay

With World Book Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to embark on a new adventure, discover new worlds, and make new friends as you turn pages with your little one. Whilst reading can offer escapism, creativity and knowledge, we understand that sometimes reading can feel like a chore, especially when your little one is still learning, asking questions and stumbling over words.

If you think about it, though, this is all part of the fun, as you soak up knowledge and stories together, you never know where the next page will take you. If you’re looking for ways to spark creativity or to enjoy the magic of books with your child, read on. 

Reading nook/hideaway

First, how about creating a special space that’s dedicated to all the new lands that are waiting to be discovered. You could make a little cosy reading nook or hideaway with lots of cushions, blankets, fairy lights, and of course – a selection of books. Your little one could hide away in their quiet corner and draw, nap, read, or just escape. There’ll be no better place to enjoy the book they select from the £1 voucher offered from their school or nursery to encourage World Book Day reading.

Use puppets or act out the story

Another way to immerse your child into their reading, is for you to grab some of their toys, use puppets or even yourself to act out what they are saying. That way, as they concentrate on the words, the story is coming to life in front of them. They’ll be so swept up in narrating what’s going on, that they won’t be thinking about how hard they might be finding the reading itself. 

Change where you read – go on adventures

Reading on the sofa or sat at the table is fun and all, but if your child is easily distracted or not quite hooked on the story yet, you could go out and make it immersive. If it’s a winter book, why not get wrapped up and sit in the garden, or in the dark with a torch at Halloween, or you could even visit locations that are similar to those in the book, like reading Paddington at Paddington station, perhaps.

Rate the books 

Children love sharing their opinions, so why not make it a part of reading. You could do a simple thumbs up or thumbs down system after every chapter, or rate books with star stickers. Not only will this help you to find books that your child is more likely to enjoy, but you could also ask them how they would’ve finished the book – allowing them to explore their creativity and let their imagination and storytelling skills run wild. 

Make reading a reward 

There’s nothing that makes kids want to do something less than if it feels like something they have to do. It’s easy to say “no TV until you read a chapter”, in an attempt to encourage your little one to pick up a book, but giving them books as gifts or rewards will enforce the thought that reading is something fun and desirable. If a child picks up a book by themselves, they are far more likely to enjoy it. 

Leave them wanting more 

It’s been known that when reading aloud, stopping at an exciting part and reading it to yourself, can encourage a child to want to pick up the book and find out what happens for themselves. Why not try this and see if your little one tries to find out the rest of the story on their own, or even asks for you to read it? 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post