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I used to love poetry at school, especially the type that rhymes, which is possibly why I like Julia Donaldson books so much but never get chance to write or read it these days. So this is a poem for my eldest daughter. 

Only a few years ago,
When she seemed so very small.
As I walked to school beside her
Her so tiny, me so tall.

Today as she took her place beside
the other children in her class,
It made me realise how all too soon
Those first years can pass.

In my memories are the times when,
She first learned how to walk.
Or those words only we knew
When she first began to talk.

My beautiful girl so creative
When learning how to write.
But I am sure that it was only a blink of an eye
And she was a "big" girl overnight.

So as she grows older, past those infant days and more, I have to accept my eldest baby girl, is not a baby anymore.

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Love it or loathe it, one of the most popular family activities is still the good old car trip. Since the very early days of motorised transport people have made the most of the ability to pack up, hit the road and discover new places. And although today’s cars are more comfortable and reliable for such trips, boredom and arguments in the car still arise. We recently went to Devon for Easter bank holiday but it took us 7 hours to get there and with two children in the back of the car, it was definately  a challenge at times. As we are part of the Sainsbury's blogger network, we were therefore more than happy to host this guest post from Sainsbury's to ensure your family car trip goes as smoothly as possible.

The top tip has to be take time to plan your journey. It may seem more like organising a military operation at this stage, but your efforts can be rewarded with a more peaceful day out.

Where to go?

Start by deciding where to go. Each member of the family will have their own preferences and it can be tough to find somewhere that pleases everyone. Try to focus on places that offer all sorts of different activities. A day at the beach means sun-seekers can sit back and relax with a good book, kids can swim and play to their hearts’ content and walkers can explore the seaside town.

And don’t forget that you will pass other places on the way to your main destination, so you can arrange various stop-offs too. 

Map or GPS?

The tatty-edged road map has become something of a relic, as many families now use GPS technology to find their way around. Whichever option you go for, be sure to assess the optimum route before setting off so that you are aware of the nearest rest stops and potential detours in the event of a traffic jam.

Keep the troops happy

Keeping the kids happy and entertained while on a long car journey can be challenging.

Again, the key to a happy car trip is in the preparation.

Ask the kids to get a selection of their favourite books and toys together before heading off. Make sure any electronic gadgets they have are fully charged and bring extra supplies of paper, crayons and batteries, etc. 

At some point in the trip, a 'cargument' might emerge - and not necessarily between the kids! Try to keep calm and be objective about what it is you disagree on. Have a time-out plan of a silly word you all shout to relieve tension. You’d be amazed at how this trick works. 

The must-haves

Before any long car trip, you should check your vehicle is ready for the journey. This means checking tyre pressure, oil level and ensuring there is enough washer fluid. Of course, it goes without saying that you must have adequate car insurance cover in place from a reputable company such as Sainsbury's, breakdown cover, a valid MOT and tax disc. 

This guest post was written on behalf of the Sainsbury's Bank blog. It offers handy tips, not professional financial advice and should not be used as a basis for any financial decisions. Sainsbury's Bank accepts no responsibility for the opinions of external contributors and the content of external websites included within this post. All information provided was correct at date of publication. No compensation or payment has been received for this post.

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Many moms will say "If only I'd known" and having had two children, there are lots of things I wish I had known before the birth of both of my daughters. So whilst reading that LittleStuff had teamed up with Aptaclub, who have launched a brilliant new ‘Preparing for Birth’ app to support Mums through the last trimester of pregnancy, I thought it was a good chance to share my own thoughts and "knowledge" to support other mums on the run up to labour! (disclaimer : running in heels whilst 9 months pregnant is not advisable ... trust me!)

* Your body is totally designed to do this. Allow it to do its thing.

* If you continue to tense your body, it will hurt .... more! Try and relax (I am going to ignore the hoards of women laughing across the country at this point)

* If you tense your muscles throughout labour, it is highly likely that your body will feel like you have run a marathon the day after. (My first labour was a testament to this).

* Your birth plan may not go to plan, don't get hung up on it. 

* Whilst enjoying the relief of having no periods for 9 months, you may want to prepare yourself for the aftermath of having a baby. Invest in maternity sanitary towels. You will need them (NO-ONE told me this!!)

* Sleep is for the weak .... but it is okay to be weak, grab it when you can. Take no prisoners. Sleep!

* When people offer to help. Accept the help. You will not get a medal for making sure every tiny babygrow is ironed. If someone offers to take a basket of ironing or run the vacuum round let them (and go to sleep while they do it).

* In the early months, its advisable not to wear dry clean clothes, mainly due to the amount of baby vomit that your clothes have to endure. Unless of course, you get a deal at your local dry cleaners.

* Babies are an exhausting, engaging, entertaining and beautiful miracle. Take lots of photos. You will forget the labour but photos will mean you never have to forget a single moment.

This post is Little Lilypad Co's entry into the Aptaclub ‘If Only I’d Known…’ competition”

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If the amount of washing I have done after this weekend is anything to go by, it is a good job we have a decent washing machine. Let's be honest, when it comes to buying white goods (or silver or black these days), it may not be the most glamorous or exciting task, so we are therefore delighted to share this sponsored post on the top things to consider when choosing a household appliance.

There's such a range of different manufacturers and models these days that choosing a new household appliance of any type can be a bewildering process. Some people just browse online or visit a shop and fall instantly in love with a product. Others are more methodical, researching functionality and value before coming to a decision. There's certainly nothing wrong with buying an item you simply like the look of, but if its destination is a family home, there are probably a few other considerations to bear in mind. 

Durability

In any family with kids, durability can be a huge asset in an appliance. Even if you have children that are too young to use that brand new gleaming microwave, they'll be hungry teenagers one day (and hopefully, you'll have bought an appliance that lasts).

Consider exterior surfaces and how likely they are to scratch or otherwise get damaged. Is the product generally robust, including movable parts, such as doors? Finally, how complicated is it to use? Many families find they prefer relatively simple appliances, rather than ones with a host of functions they'll never use. For others, the more all-singing and all-dancing, the better!

Size

Depending on the type of appliance and the size of the family, you should also consider capacity. This can apply whether you are looking for a new fridge freezer, a washing machine, dishwasher, or any other appliance that services your family's needs. Larger families usually eat a lot of food and generate a lot of mess that has to be cleaned.

Efficiency

At the same time, you may also want to keep your eyes on the electricity bill. Larger appliances can cost more to run than smaller ones, but you'll still need appliances that fit the family's needs. Running one large wash in a high load capacity washing machine will generally cost less than running two cycles in a smaller machine. Most appliances in the UK now have an energy efficiency rating, but with a lot of new products rated A or above (A+ or A++), it can still be difficult to differentiate between different makes and models. New energy labels make this clearer, showing each appliance's annual energy consumption in kWh. 

Know where to shop

Of course, there are a number of other points to consider before making a decision. Some appliances represent major purchases, but the Co-operative Electrical Shop has a wide range of products that mix form and function, allowing you to choose the appliance that's perfect for you and your family.