Show your home some love during the festive season

Christmas is a mere weeks away but once the flurry of festivities are over, all you are left with are leftover sweets and some annoying stains on the carpet. January is the perfect time to pull out the duster and mop and spruce up the house, so it is fresh for the year ahead. Rug Doctor, the carpet care experts have put together some handy tips to help you clean and transform your home for the year ahead.

Start from the top and work your way down

With each room start at the ceiling and get rid of the cobwebs before working your way down walls and finishing with the carpet or hard floor.

Care for your curtains

Are your curtains looking drab? Well take them down, remove the hooks and give them a quick warm cycle with a wet towel in the tumble dryer to get rid of the dust. Remove them immediately to prevent creasing and, after inserting the hooks, re-hang them.

Take it one room at a time

Planning is crucial so make sure you plan ahead and choose where to begin; make a list of the areas you want to target and tackle them one step at a time. Do little and often and if you add a couple of extra jobs to your regular housework routine, it’ll be a doddle.

Prepare the spare rooms for the next time

Spare rooms often double-up as a junk room throughout the year. If you’re had friend or relatives to stay with you during the Christmas holiday, give it a spritz. Free up some hanging and storage space and and freshen up the room for the next guest who comes to stay by opening the windows. A carpet deep clean can refresh any musty smelling carpet, making all spare rooms look and smell inviting again

Add a splash of vinegar and a twist of lemon to make those windows shine

A top tip for making those windows squeaky clean is to mix 25% vinegar to 75% water in a bowl, adding a squirt of lemon juice for an extra fresh clean smell. Then, using an old piece of cotton towel, wipe the solution onto the glass, then simply wipe clean with a dust free cloth.

Deep clean those carpets

Did you know the average family of four sheds up to 3lbs of skin per year? Most of this ends up trapped in the carpet fibres along with food debris, pollen, dust mite droppings and all the other nasties that vacuuming alone can never remove. Surprisingly, despite these shocking facts, over 80 per cent of homeowners have never washed their carpets!

Nothing refreshes a room more than a deep cleaned carpet, and renting a wet extraction carpet cleaner can have your carpets looking, feeling and smelling as good as new in no time and at a fraction of the price of hiring a professional.

Shower Solution

Limescale around the bath taps and shower head are often something we live with, but can be easily cleaned with hot white vinegar. But don’t use it on plated taps – you will ruin the plating! However, if your shower head is not removable don’t worry. Simply take a plastic bowl, fill it with hot white vinegar (heated in a saucepan) and immerse the shower head in the bowl.

Take an old tooth brush and scrub the shower head. Don’t forget to run the shower to remove excess vinegar. Wipe the outside of the shower head with a wet cloth and buff up using a dry cloth.

Say “oh là là ” to your laundry.

Boys in the house? Line their laundry baskets with a couple of sheets of paper towel sprinkled with tea tree oil to keep nasty smells at bay.

Give your walls a fresh new look

The New Year is for new beginnings and change, so why not change the walls and jazz them up with a splash of colourful paint or be on trend this year with some retro inspired floral wallpaper. Or go for a combination of classic blue and white to create an illusion of more light, which looks great in a flat or apartment.

Don’t forget the bed sheets!

Fresh bed sheets give you the peaceful, comforting night’s sleep you have been longing for. Spray some delicate fragrances like lavender or camomile to help you relax after the hectic festive period. There’s nothing like the moment when you slip into your comfy nightie or pyjamas and sink into your fluffy warm fresh clean duvet.

For more information on Rug Doctor please go to www.rugdoctor.co.uk

Disclaimer : We received no financial compensation for this post but thought that they were some good handy hints to share!

New research reveals that it takes up to two years to get the hang of motherhood

How did you feel when your new baby arrived? Nervous, anxious, elated, excited .... totally at ease? In the words of my midwife, I was an "experienced mum" as I already had an older daughter but it had been a few years since I had had to remember the nappies, the wipes, the change of clothes .... the whole baby routine and new research reveals that it takes up to two years to get the hang of motherhood. It certainly makes you think! I am delighted to share this research as it will certainly make most mums smile at least a few times before you have finished!

Feeling overwhelmed, nervous and scared are the overriding emotions today’s parents feel when they’ve had a baby. In a new survey of 2,000 UK parents by Munchkin to celebrate the launch of the new Click Lock™ range of cups, the international baby brand polled parents and confirmed it can take them up to two years s to get to grips with parenthood, with 58% of mothers fearing they would never get to grips with it. It’s not just mum worrying about herself either, with two thirds stating it takes dad a long time to adjust to their new role.

Even before the birth over half of respondents said they felt scared and just under half felt nervous about the impending arrival showing that this worry for parents starts long before baby is born.

The report showed that nearly two thirds of mums said that they didn’t feel they could confide in anyone if they didn’t feel it had all clicked into place with the most popular response stating that they thought it was something that everyone felt and they didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. If mums did turn to someone it was more than likely their own mum, with 5% asking their mother-in-law.

Top Ten things that mums felt had to be mastered before things clicked in to place

Being in a good routine 

Knowing what to do when baby is crying 

Not worried about dealing with baby in public 

Not panicking when baby is poorly 

Leaving the house with a spare change of clothes 

Being able to change a nappy quickly 

Having baby sleeping through the night 

Leaving the house with milk/food and snacks 

Always having a toy to entertain baby with 

Being able to leave the house on time

 

But many parents admitted that their worry was a regret and that they should have enjoyed the experience more. Two thirds admitted they wished they has been more calm and relaxed and less worried.  

Claire Rayner, Munchkin spokeswoman says “It’s expected that all new parents will feel emotional and overwhelmed after the birth of their child but it’s surprising that it takes up to 2 years for mums to feel that everything had clicked into place.

 

“It seems that mums feel that they need to have a number of tools in place before they feel fully confident in their role as a parent.”

 

“At Munchkin we develop products to make life easier for parents and our new range of Click Lock™ cups have a clear audible click when the cup is sealed so that on top of everything else mums have to worry about, spillages and leakage from our cups isn’t one of them.”

 

Sometimes things in life just click and this is never more true than with the brand new Click Lock™ Cup range from Munchkin! With over 20 years experience, Munchkin, the award-winning international baby brand , is thrilled to launch the brand new Click Lock™ cup range, one of the most innovative and exciting range of cups parents will find on the market today.

 

The Click Lock™ range features ‘ click’ to lock technology providing a leak proof guarantee, , so drop, throw or tip upside down, no liquid will come out. The cups could not be simpler to use, simply turn the lid until it ‘clicks’ in to place providing parents with an auditory reassurance that the cup is completely sealed. What’s more, the range, just like all Munchkin products, is fun, vibrant and practical, making parents lives that little bit easier .The Click Lock™ cup range starts at £3.99 and for more information log on to www.munchkin.eu.com   

 

Parents worldwide are choosing Munchkin products because they really do excite and delight, making life easier for today’s busy parents, and having sold over 55 million cups worldwide to date Munchkin know what makes a good cup! 

Each item from Munchkin has been designed to excite and delight children whilst making parents lives easier and more enjoyable. The full collection includes a range of colourful and clever bathing, feeding and hygiene products. To see more of the fantastic range and for full stockist details log on to: www.munchkin.eu.com or like the Munchkin Facebook page: Munchkin_UK

Disclaimer: We received no financial compensation for this post, we just thought it was fab to share!

Why move to Growing Up Milk?

With our little one "growing up" we are already having the debate about when to move her onto the next level of milk or whether to just give her whole milk. Here is a mum talking about the move to "Growing Up Milk" by our friends at Aptimal!

Helpful hints on how to keep cool this summer

The sunshine has finally come out to say hello to 2012, but while we all enjoy basking and bathing in this glorious weather it’s important we take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our little ones! Hot water expert, Megaflo has put together some top tips on how to keep cool and protect yourself in the heat.

1) Dress for the weather

Make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing to keep you cool. Try wearing light coloured garments too as dark clothes absorb the heat.

2) Cream up!

Make sure you use sun screen whenever you’re in the sunlight to prevent yourself from burning.

3) Refresh yourself

Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the fridge so when you need a refresh you can give your face a spritz!

4) Get fanning

Fans are a great way to cool yourself and get air circulating throughout your house!

5) Ice cool

Keep plenty of ice trays stocked up in the freezer so you can keep your drinks cool, or even make your own ice lollies!

6) Take a cool shower

Having a cool bath or shower helps keep your body temperature low leaving you feeling revitalised to carry on with your everyday duties.

7) Drink the right drinks

Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water especially while participating in sporting activities. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.

8) Protect your head and neck from the heat

Wear a cap or hat to protect your head from the heat as this will reduce sun exposure to your face.

9) Eat summer foods

Eat light summer dishes little and often rather than hot and heavy meals.

10) Chill out

Make sure you alter your outdoor exercise pattern to take advantage of cooler times. Early morning and late evening should be cooler so try and schedule your exercise for then.

For more information please visit http://www.megaflo.com/

Megaflo is showing its support to helping save water by co-funding a Pump Aid project to develop, dig or improve water wells and install pumps and flushing toilets for 21 schools in Malawi. Pump Aid is a charity dedicated to providing clean water and good safe sanitation to underprivileged areas in rural Africa. ..... They are showing their support, we wanted to show ours by posting this information.

Disclaimer : This post is not in any way sponsored, nor have we received any compensation or remuneration for this post.

These Bobux are made for walking : Step Up Shoe Review

Who doesnt love new shoes? Well actually the 10 month old is not a huge fan of shoes and takes every opportunity to take her little pram shoes off! So we were filled with excitement and trepidation when we were offered shoes from Bobux to review.

Bobux tell us that the step up range has been designed specifically for pre-walkers, with a natural shape, flexibility and easy accessability. Perfect for special occasions, the "twinkle toes" dress shoe will catch every girls eye. (they also caught her bug sisters eye, who thought, and I quote "mommy, they are toooo cute").

 

Now with the little one trying to go from crawling to walking in one massive (lilypad) leap, I dont think she is quite ready as she curls her toes underneath her when she is standing. However, when she has the Twinkle Toes on, she keeps her feet flat ..... this is definately progress

 

The velcro straps are quite sturdy and to date, she hasnt figured out how to get them off .... which is definately a bonus as I have spent many a time retracing our steps to find a "missing" shoe!

 

The shoe itself is just adorable (I refer to 7 year old's comment above) and make my baby girl look like a big girl. They are flexible and light weight, which makes them great for wearing indoors and outdoors, although given the weather at the moment its more likely to be indoors!

 

All in all, they get a huge thumbs up from us and we feel these Bobux are definately made for walking, and that's just what she'll do!

 

Shoes available from Bobux priced at £29.99 - also available in white!

The Evolution of the Family Holiday - Guest Post

As always, we are delighted to welcome our regular guest contributor from Moneysupermarket.com. What are your thoughts?

To us Brits the family holiday is one of the most important dates in our calendar, for parents and children alike there is not much that tops the excitement associated with getting away with our loved ones for a week or two.

But with populations, economic situations and even climates changing how will that leave our much cherished family holidays in the near future?

Currently a week to Cornwall or an all-inclusive break to Spain might be the norm, this infographic by TravelSupermarket shows how our holiday habits might change – who knows our children might be taking a sun break to Sweden by the time they have their own families!

The Butlins Future Report: What is a 3D Dad?

How have things changed?

In years gone by, the man was the bread winner and the woman was the bread maker (the loaf variety of course) but with the shift in family dynamics and more complex family structures means that as long as the "bread" is on the table, it doesnt necessarily "knead" to come from one direction.

I was fortunate to read a report commissioned by Butlins on the future of family holidays and the one aspect that really caught my eye was the element regarding men and women and the shift from the traditional roles I mentioned above. Here is an extract:

3D Dads


More women entering the workplace has already driven the shift away from traditional gender roles, with women gaining greater financial independence. More responsibility for helping with housework and childcare will fall with fathers, and by 2037 we can expect to see an army of 3D Dads (Domesticated, Dynamic and Devoted).

According to the research, one in three (35%) dads currently shun housework, and one in six (16%) do little to no childcare. But it’s a far more optimistic outlook for 25 years time with 60% expected to split chores evenly, and 40% pulling their weight with childcare.

These figures seem incredulous but the report is really interesting. From supersized 14-strong Relation Vacations, to the rise of Super-Gs and 3D dads - The Butlins Future Report uncovers how changing family structures will redefine the way millions of Britons holiday in the future. The full report is available upon request or can be downloaded at www.butlins.com/future

Is your family traditional or do you have a 3D Dad??

Bloggers for #Shareniger

  

Would you want someone to help your child if they needed it? I dont need a lengthy blog post to tell you that £1.00 can simply help to change some childrens lives. £1 is less than the price of a glass of wine, than a bag of sweets and the same as a lottery ticket. Your chances of winning the lottery maybe millions to one but that £1 could give a chance to a young child with gratitude that is priceless.

How World Vision child sponsorship works...

World Vision believe the best way to change a child's life is to change the world in which they live. And the best way to change their world is to help their community to become self-sustaining. This is what World Vision Child Sponsorship does.

Other pages you might find useful.



http://www.shareniger.com/


http://www.worldvision.org.uk/child-sponsorship/


http://www.mummy-tips.com/2012/06/help-us-to-sponsor-child.html

Frankie and Bennys : Review of the new menu 2012

When we heard that Frankie and Bennys were launching new menu's, we were more than a little excited to be invited along to check them out. They launched their new menus at the end of March and in particular their dessert, lunch and specials menus were set for a change, so we were all set for a an eating challenge. (The challenge was set by my gorgeous other half who loves food *almost* as much as he loves us I think).

As we never like to do things by half, we went in force, so there were 10 of us to contend with and whilst our table wasnt quite ready when we arrived, this was somewhat compensated by the balloon decorations when we sat down (did i mention that it was the 7 year olds birthday?).

Frankie and Bennys has an old time diner feel and whilst its certainly not spacious, I think they are going for the more cozy, atmospheric feel to the restaurant. Our waitress for the evening was Jenny and she was friendly, helpful and genuinely lovely with the children. After some deliberation (and salivation) over the menu, we all decided and here is the round up of what we ate:

Cajun Chicken Burger - doubled up (of course)

OH says: Delightful 10/10

Steak & Fries with side salad

My Dad says: Not hot enough but tasty 9/10 (its worth pointing out that my dad puts EVERYTHING in the microwave before eating it so that it is scalding hot!!)

Salmon Fishcakes

My Mum says: Lovely 10/10

Spinach Ricotta

My Aunt says: Really nice 8/10

Full rack of BBQ Ribs

My Brother says: Excellent ribs - best tasted in a long while 10/10

Cajun Chicken Burger

My sister in law says: I have left nothing on the plate!!! 9/10

 

Chicken and Prawn Alfredo

I said: It was a little spicier than I anticipated but the prawns were delicious 9/10

Childs Chicken Pasta with cucumber and tomato 10/10

The birthday girl said: It was yummy

Now anyone who has been to Frankie and Benny's will know that if you have a birthday, the Frankie and Benny's staff will sing Happy Birthday to you. Now I have to be honest and say that this wouldnt be my choice of birthday celebration but for my daughter, she thinks its the best. so everytime the music started up, she would look around to see if it was for her! Needless to say, she was grinning from ear to ear when they did sing Happy Birthday to her.

So overall it was a big thumbs up from us all.

There was a little confusion when it came to pay as we were part paying with a voucher but Jenny, the helpful waitress, managed to sort it out with the Manager and we left happy, full and happy to recommend F&B's. There are always offers and updates on their website, so check it out before you go.

http://www.frankieandbennys.com/ 

Warwick Castle : The Review : No Damsels in Distress here!

Those that know me well enough, will know that I have a penchant for castles, so you can therefore imagine my delight to be invited to Warwick Castle for the day!

Warwick Castle is seeped in history, here is a little extract from their website:

"Attacked in 1264, besieged in 1642 and damage by fire in 1871, the Castle has nevertheless survived the ever-changing fortunes of history. Warwick Castle remained under the stewardship of the Earls of Warwick as a private home until 1978. After being handed over to the National Trust, the property was taken over by the Merlin Entertainments Group in 2007 and remains under their guardianship".

So off we traipsed, the 7 year old (who seems to share my love of castles) was excitedly talking about princesses and knights as we parked easily in the surrounding car park. Although I am not sure if she wanted to be the princess or the knight!

We had the pushchair with us and whilst most locations were fairly accessible, you couldnt take the pushchair into many of the rooms so I was glad that I had also brought the baby carrier with me to climb some of the staircases. We were fortunate that it was a nice day, so were able to park the pushchair up outside the rooms.

My other half has always considered he was born in the wrong century and is convinced he was destined to be a knight, so it was really interesting to be able to look into his family's coat of arms and see that the name dates back as far as the Doomsday book! Who knew!

There was always something going on from rat catching (much fun ensued here), to jousting on the lawn. I suspect that had it been raining, we would possibly not have enjoyed so many of the outside activities but despite the lack of sunshine, it was great to enjoy the fresh air and entertainment outside as well as inside.

We were advised that if our little princess wanted to get into the princess tower, we had better get a ticket in advance so we made sure that we did this on our arrival. The princess tower has alot of steep steps (I am quite convinced people had smaller feet in ye olde times), but when you reach the top, your little princess (or prince) can write a wish in the wish book. Unfortunately the "want to be" knight in our party also wrote in the wish book, saying, "I wish for chicken fajitas tonight" ..... I suspect that this is not what the wish book is for, as it sat amongst wishes for ponies and crowns!

Once she had finished being a princess, she then decided she wanted to be a knight (I hope we dont go through this many career choices as she gets older), so we purchased her a sword ..... our ribs and knuckles havent been the same since!

The whole day was simply great fun and hugely interesting too. Its a fantastic day out for children over half term or even on a weekend. I would suggest getting there early so you get chance to get round to see everything. Unfortunately as our children were under 10, we didnt get to see the Dungeons (although I suspect that the 7 year old was worried that we would leave her there if she wasnt good) so if you want a day out packed with history, fun and entertainment, Warwick Castle really does have it all.

It hasnt helped my penchant for a historical building and much to the chagrin of my gorgeous man, I would quite like to live in one ..... one day maybe!

http://www.warwick-castle.com/

Tip: If you buy tickets online and in advance, you can save up to 40% on the ticket price.

Information correct at time of release. 12/06/2012

Photos taken by me and should not be copied without permission,

Maternity Pillow Reviews : Let the pillow fight commence

I was very lucky to be offered a variety of maternity pillows whilst I was pregnant, some recommending benefits for the dreaded SPD, others talking about ease of breastfeeding, so we (and I mean the whole family) have put them to the test. So let the pillow fight commence ...

Theraline Maternity Pillow

 

The key points noted from Theraline is that this maternity and nursing pillow gives you stable support during your pregnancy, relief for legs, belly and a stressed back, easy to change sleeping positions, safely molds to baby’s body and it gives you amazing back support. I was genuinely surprised at how big this pillow is, it is definately the "daddy" of the nursing pillows and I really wanted to use it in bed at night whilst I was pregnant but dissapointingly my SPD meant that I couldnt get comfortable with anything, including this pillow, it was simply too big. This is not to say that the pillow hasnt been used, my eldest daughter has adopted it in her bedroom and it is great to sit her baby sister in, when we are all reading in the bedroom. It wraps around her easily, leaving her safe and comfortable. Verdict: Big Sisters favourite!

For more details go to http://www.theraline.co.uk/  

 

Floppeze Support Pillow

The Floppeze is a uniquely designed pillow that has multiple uses throughout the developing years from pregnancy support, feeding, sitting, travel and more. I was extremely excited that the Floppeze claims to be an especially good support for women who suffer with SPD, so I was ready and raring to try this out! My pelvis however had other ideas and decided that it was going to be a complete pain (!!) and not be eased by anything. I have concluded that this is more a reflection on my body rather than the design or abilities of any of the pillows tested. We all absolutely LOVE the design of this pillow, it appeals to children (young and old) with its "cow" design and has been a godsend as the little one has got bigger as it has been used to support her development through tummy time and learning to sit unaided. I think out of all of the pillows, this is the one that will last after the baby stage, it will be a neck support on long journeys and with its cheeky face, its like having a new pet! Verdict : Daddy's favourite.

For more details go to http://www.bibsandstuff.co.uk/

 

Boppy Pillow

The press release tells us that the award-winning Boppy feeding pillow creates an ergonomic ‘nest’ shape, which embraces and cuddles baby making them feel safe and protected and helps to aid the feeding process. A “Miracle Middle” which adapts to the shape of each and every mum guarantees a snug and secure fit and the exclusive fibre padding used in each pillow means it keeps its shape and is incredibly supportive and comfortable. This was the pillow that I used in the early days of breastfeeding, it wrapped round me snugly and supported my baby girl well. It was fantastic for my eldest daughter to, as she could sit with her little sister comfortably, without worrying about her sliding out of her arms. This is definately the "toughest" of the nursing pillows, so maybe this is actually the "mummy" of this group. Verdict : Mummy's Favourite!

For more details visit http://www.boppyworld.co.uk/

The use of a maternity or nursing pillow isnt all about asthetics and whether it looks nice in your lounge or your nursery, there is medial research that we have been supplied, courtesy of Boppy Pillow, which explains how the pillow helps with correct positioning for feeding.

Professor Guido Moro, Director at the Neonatology Operating unit and Neonatal Intensive Care unit at the Macedonio Melloni Hospital in Milan, explains: “At the beginning, it’s normal for the strong sucking of the baby to elongate the nipple and the areola tissues, which causes a certain amount of discomfort. When the baby is not positioned correctly, this will cause harsh tugging at the nipples which can lead to severe discomfort and pain to both the nipples and the breasts; over time this can even cause painful cracks and chaps,which take time to heal.”

The use of a feeding pillow makes it much easier to find a variety of comfortable feeding positions, whatever the circumstance or environment. Prof. Guido Moro says: “A feeding pillow can be a great help for mother and baby during nursing. Without a pillow, the mother’s arm muscles tire more easily and the baby can slowly slide downwards, which changes the way he suckles on the breast, something that can be rather painful for the nipples.”

So in the end, I think it comes down to personal choice. I have been lucky enough to try 3 different pillows and each have their own merits - it really depends on what you need from your nursing pillow as to which one suits your needs best!

When you think of Florida ......

What images does Florida conjure up for you? Is it Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World or the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast? So whether it is a theme park filled adventure or a relaxing beach holiday, Florida really does seem to have it all.

Leaving aside the popular music artist "Flo-rida" who is nothing at all to do with this article, apart from the fact he originates from there and may provide an upbeat backing track, what can Florida offer you?

As a sun worshipper, there is an abundance of sunshine to catch (whilst wearing sunscreen of course) as you go down the Gold Coast, offering you delights from Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

But if you are a thrill seeker, you have a collection of theme parks to choose from, with those to make you screeeeaaaaaam, to the glamorous Hollywood studios and innovative Epcot Centre.

Lets be honest, if you are reading this blog, you already know you want to go there .... so what are you waiting for??

http://www.ocean-florida.co.uk/ 

Do you know a young driver without car insurance?

We are pleased to have this guest blog from Sainsburys Money Matters, it certainly makes for interesting reading .....

It's estimated that there are over one million uninsured cars on UK roads. With young drivers facing some of the highest premium prices, many succumb to the temptation of driving uninsured.

Young male drivers are statistically the worst affected by rising insurance prices, with cover often costing well over £1000 per annum for those under the age of 21. However, the expense of these policies should never be taken as an excuse to drive without insurance. It's a criminal offence that has severe consequences for both the uninsured driver and other road users.

How young, uninsured drivers could affect you:

It is estimated that as many as one in 10 motorists have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, and this will add £30 to the average premium paid by conscientious motorists. Younger, less experienced drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident in the first place, posing a greater risk.

If you're hit by an uninsured driver and it's not your fault, you could still end up claiming on your own insurance for the damages to your car - provided, of course, that you have fully comprehensive insurance to cover it.

You may also have to pay the excess on your http://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/insuring/car-insurance.shtml  and you could lose your no claim discount.

What you can do to protect yourself and your family from uninsured drivers?

Check who you and your children are riding with. If your kids are at an age when they and their friends are passing their driving tests, double check that their friends are fully insured. Otherwise, as a passenger they may not be entitled to compensation in the event of an accident.

Check your insurance policy. Some policies will allow you to keep your no claim discount if you're hit by an uninsured driver, but not all. If you're worried about being hit by an uninsured driver, talk to your insurance company about what options might be available.

If you're hit by an uninsured driver, make sure you get as much evidence regarding the accident as possible.

Often people won't admit to having no insurance, so if you have an accident, do the following:

1. Take their full name, address and telephone number - try to check these against another document, such as a driving licence, if possible.

2. Accurately record their registration number, car make and model and the colour of the car. Also record any other significant features.

3. Take photos of the accident, before the cars are moved. This is obviously made easier these days due to cameras on mobile phones, but if your phone doesn't have a camera then keep a disposable in the glove box.

4. Take witness statement, and record their name and address to pass on to your insurance company. The more witnesses the better.

UK Half Term Holiday Destinations - Guest post

New Guest Post from our friends at Money Supermarket

UK Half Term Holiday Destinations

Half term is fast approaching and the worry of what to do to occupy the kids for a full week is filling many parents with dread. The desire to provide them with a fun filled educational week off is conflicting with the necessity of not breaking the bank. There are many great things you can do at home to have a great half term break and not spend a lot but sometimes getting away even for a couple of days can make the break seem like a real holiday.

Here are a few of the great UK destinations suitable for short breaks and ways you can enjoy them without spending a fortune.

Chester

Often overlooked for its neighbouring cities of Manchester and Liverpool, Chester is a fantastic place to get away with the children. Home to Chester Zoo, the whole family can enjoy a day out here, granted this can be a bit on the expensive side when there is a few of you but there are ways of reducing the cost. Chester Zoo often offers discount vouchers, particularly during the school holidays, always look out for these before you go. Avoid the restaurants and cafes when you are in there as they can be expensive, instead take a picnic, there are plenty of picnics spots available (indoor and outdoor) and that way you can control the amount you are spending on food and drinks.

To save even more money when visiting Chester, head to the lesser known attractions such as the Ice Cream Farm and the Candle Factory, close by you can even visit both in one day.

For a completely free activity if your children enjoy history, get them to pretend they are a Roman soldier for a day and walk the city walls and visit the ruins of the amphitheatre. A visit to the museum, which is also free, can provide you with all the knowledge to provide them with a fun and educational day out.

York

York, like Chester is a city steeped in history so is great for families with children who enjoy learning about soldiers, leaders and the key figures of times gone by. As well as its role in Roman history, York is also the birthplace of Guy Fawkes and visitors can take part in the Guy Fawkes walking tour at only £4 for adults and £2 for children.

For a fun filled day out head to the York Dungeons, here families can enjoy an interactive experience of all of York’s horrible history including rides and actors to make it all the more realistic. Money can be saved on tickets to the dungeon by planning ahead and booking online, particularly when booking a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children (the price reduces from £49 to £29.40)

Blackpool

Blackpool has long been associated with British family breaks, although more recently has been given a bad reputation, largely due to hen and stag parties flocking to the area. While it is true that there are a fair few revellers around in the evening this doesn’t stop the area being a great traditional destination for families during the day.

Of course the best free attraction Blackpool has to offer is its beach, although not many of us will want to be sat on a beach in the freezing temperatures of February! Instead staying indoors is much more preferable, Blackpool has many attractions that are great for kids, the Sea Life Centre, Pirate Adventure Mini Golf (again indoors!) Louis Tussards waxwork museum, Blackpool Tower and countless arcades. Granted these all cost money although many offer vouchers and discounts so it’s a good idea to check before you go as you could end up saving a lot of money. Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Nickelodeon Land are fantastic for the kids and both will be open this February, the Pleasure Beach only opens at the weekends but Nickelodeon Land is open every day.

Conwy

If Blackpool is a little bit to lively then heading to the North Wales coast for a beach break might be more your thing. Conwy is a beautiful town that is a great destination for a family break, as well as having a stunning coastline which is great for walks (ideal if you have a dog and like to take them on holiday with you) a castle and even the smallest house in Britain!

You can see Conwy Castle as soon as you arrive in the town, wonderfully preserved, once you enter its grounds you can imagine how it would have been when it was first constructed during the 1200’s. Admission is just £13.90 for a family ticket. Once you have visited the castle, head just down the road to the smallest house in Britain! This tiny house is just 10 feet by 6 feet in size and was built in the 16th century with people living there right up until the 1900’s. On visiting the house you can learn all about its past owners, the last being fisherman Robert Jones who himself who 6ft 3in. Visitors can enter the house and see for themselves how it must have been to live in Britain’s smallest house! Throw in a bag of fish and chips and this day out can be a great day for families with children of all ages.

This is a guest article from Charlotte at http://travelsupermarket.com/ , whether you choose to enjoy a short break in the UK or a last minute holiday overseas, TravelSupermarket can help you to find a great deal for you and your family that’ll leave you with plenty of spending money to enjoy your time away.

Gro Bag - Review

If you said the words Grobag to my parents, they would go off down to the greenhouse and start telling you the benefits of compost ..... I assure you this review isnt about THAT kind of Grobag.

We were asked by our lovely friends at Mummy News to review an Organic Grobag, which is FSID's only recommended Baby Sleep Bag specialist.

 

Now I have to admit that I love sleeping bags for babies, my children have both liked to wriggle in their sleep and it becomes a battle of wills over the blanket so a sleeping bag is the perfect solution. Baby can wiggle all they like, whilst I have peace of mind that they are not getting cold.

So why the Grobag? There are lots of plus points:

• It comes in attractive packaging (I like things that are aesthetically pleasing)
• Its Organic (something many parents worry about)
• It comes with a FREE nursery thermometer (to give you extra reassurance)
• It has been awarded 3 Mother and Baby Awards (which are voted for by mums)
• It has a "nifty" secure zip click and chin guard
• They come in an extensive range of designs (so there is something for every taste)

The question is do I love it? Its certainly practical and "does what it says on the tin" but there are so many different sleeping bags on the market, there is alot of choice for design and value. The Grobag is at the higher end of the spectrum in terms of cost and whilst there is no doubting its quality, in the current economic climate, many parents may choose a more cost effective alternative.

Legoland Discovery Centre Competition Winner

We are delighted to confirm that Cath Joyce won our competition prize of free entry for a family ticket to Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester.
She was selected by random.org through Rafflecopter.com.

The prize is for two adults & two children and is valid until the end of the year. Its a fantastic day out for all the family (worth £65.00), so if you didnt enter this time, remember to keep an eye on our blog and competition pages for new competitions being launched soon.

Saving money on family holidays

We are delighted to have another guest post from our friends at Moneysupermarket.com, so grab a cuppa and sit down to see how you can save money on your holiday plans!

Saving Money on Family Holidays

Money can be tight around this time of year, the over spend at Christmas can often lead to a miserable January of budgeting and being frugal with finances but if there is one thing a miserable January almost always evokes is the longing for a holiday in the sun. However research by TravelSupermarket.com has found that despite our lack of funds us Brits are still putting a high precedence on going on holiday, with 96% planning on taking at least one break this year. Other findings of the research showed that the price of the holiday will be the number one consideration for us when booking a holiday, overriding other factors such as accommodation and weather.

When you factor in a whole family to pay for then costs can really escalate. Here are some tips on how to get the most for your money on your family holiday:

Choosing the right destination

One of the best ways to save money is to choose wisely when it comes to your destination, if you pick the right destination you could end up saving hundreds off the total price of your holiday. For families with young children Spain and the Canary Islands have always been a popular choice due to the short flight times from the UK and these will continue to offer great value for money during 2012. Greece will also be offering its visitors plenty of tempting offers in an attempt to attract tourists to boost its suffering economy. For those who fancy a long haul beach break, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Mexican coast around Cancun are all offering great all inclusive package deals during 2012.

Be savvy with your spending money

When it comes to planning the budget for your holiday, many people fail to include their holiday spending money. Doing your research before you go can end up saving you money, never change your money at the Bureau de Change at the airport as they can often cost you a lot more than if you purchase your money online in advance.

Another great way to make the most of your holiday spending money is to take out a pre-paid card, you load as much money as you need on to it before you go and use it as you would any other debit or credit card. The benefit of doing this is that you won’t be faced with the charges so often caused by overseas transactions. You also have the added security over carrying cash with you which could be stolen; whilst of course your card could be stolen you will need a pin number to make any transactions.

All Inclusive vs. Self Catering

Deciding whether all inclusive or self catering is the most cost effective for your family depends on the type of holiday you intend to have. If you’re the type of family who enjoy long lazy days by the pool and don’t mind not venturing to far from your hotel then all inclusive could well be the most cost effective for you. If however you enjoy long days out where you might require a packed lunch going all inclusive may not be the best option – you don’t want to end up paying for food at the hotel and spend all of your time buying meals whilst you’re out and about.

When you do go self catering it can be easy to over spend on meals and snacks out, decide on your budget before you leave and stick to it, otherwise you could end up spending a lot more than if you were to go all inclusive.

Travel Insurance Options

When it comes to saving money on your holiday don’t be tempted to cut costs with your travel insurance, while it might be tempting to not pay that initial out lay of cash it could end up costing you thousands in the long run if anything were to go wrong whilst you’re away.

When travelling with your family, a family travel insurance policy can be the most cost effective, usually the policy with consist of cover for two adults and up to 4 children (although this will vary from insurer to insurer.)

Purchasing individual policies for each family member can become costly particularly when buying it straight from the tour operator, shop around on price comparison sites such as MoneySupermarket.com for the best deals and you can find you can get it considerably cheaper online, freeing up money to spend on enjoying yourself whilst you are away.