Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Family Friendly Honeymoon Destinations

   Posted on 1:29pm Thursday 10th Jul 2014

   I recently wrote a post about how  life changes, seemingly in the blink of an eye, although these days more through tired eyes than anything else but my choice of honeymoon destination has changed in the last 10 years, as much as my lifestyle.

   I *may* have mentioned a wedding later this year and we are still debating over our honeymoon destination. Do we want a relaxing beach honeymoon (this may never happen with the children), a cultural city break (again, not sure how enthused the girls would be about this) or simply a big family holiday?

   I am a little reluctant to build my own package with independant agents, so I have been trawling through the First Choice website trying to find a solution. My top three family friendly honeymoon picks at the moment (I am a woman so allowed to change my mind) are:

   Kos

   We have been to Kos before the toddler was born and stayed in a gorgeous resort in Kos Town. I was always a little wary of the Greek Islands (given my necessity to put my toilet paper down the toilet and not in a bin) but so many of the new resorts have modern toilet / sewerage facilities, this isn't so much of an issue any more. You can almost always be guaranteed of the weather and with some amazing Holiday Villages to choose from, good flights and transfers, this makes it a great option for one week or two!

   Algarve

   There are those that love it and those that hate it, but the Algarve is Portugal's premier holiday destination, with pretty beaches, lots of resorts to choose from and picturesque whitewashed towns. We holidayed in Portugal some years ago and if you pick somewhere like Balaia, it is safely tucked away between the livelier resorts of Albufeira and Vilamoura on Portugal’s Algarve coast giving you the best of both worlds. The Holiday Villages again have something for everyone, from entertainment and buffet restaurants for the children to a la carte restuarants for the grown ups!

   Tunisia

   Tunisia was the choice of our first holiday as a family of 4. Again the flight times were not too long (especially when travelling with small children) but we chose to go in January last time, which was a little out of season. The best times to go here are really between April and October to take advantage of the weather ..... we learnt our lesson as the outside pool was a little chilly!! Thankfully there was a great indoor pool that the girls could enjoy.

   

   So given our October wedding, this may be a definite contender with 5* resorts a plenty.

   The girls feature in every decision we make as a family and it seems our honeymoon is no different. 

   In saying that, we could simply sneak off to an all inclusive, adults only resort on the Caribbean Coast in Mexico where I could spend days soaking up the historical sites like Chichen Itzá and Tulum, while my new husband soaks up the sunshine.

   We just need someone to have the children for 2 weeks. Any takers?

   This post is in collaboration with First Choice Holidays but all holiday experiences and honeymoon aspirations are our own!

2. How life changes

   Posted on 9:00am Wednesday 9th Jul 2014

   Last night I went on a date.

   I went out for dinner, had drinks, flirted a little and indulged in adult conversation.

   My meal wasn't shared with a small person.

   My meal didn't have half eaten and slightly chewed bits of food placed on it.

   I managed to have a whole conversation without any interruptions (aside from the attentive waitress).

   I laughed.

   We held hands, not for safety crossing the road or for fear of losing each other, just simply because we wanted to.

   Life changes you, changes the things you once took for granted.

   I remember once upon a time going to on an indulgent two week 5* holiday  where my only consideration was whether the bar stocked my favourite alcoholic beverage. Fast forward to today and I am more concerned with checking for suitable flight times, length of transfer and childrens facilities.

   Life changes you.

   My "date" last night wants us to have some time to ourselves, to find a perfect break for just the two of us.

   My "date" also knows how difficult it would be to leave the children.

   Being a mom changes you.

   Once upon a time I would have been dreaming of hot exotic climates and how tanned I could get in a short space of time but now, I want to protect the skin of my girls and don't let them outside in the sun without applying factor 50. *insert wriggling child and resistence to suncream*

   I happen to be marrying my "date" from last night and the girls will obviously be bridesmaids.

   I do wonder whether we will get through the ceremony without the toddler interrupting.

   I do wonder whether part of her meal will magically end up on my plate.

   I know that they will really want to come on our honeymoon.

   But do you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world!

3. Expressions : The friend selfie

   Posted on 8:05pm Sunday 6th Jul 2014

   Last weekend I met up for a friends birthday.

   It was a big birthday (we won't mention the number but it *might* rhyme with naughty).

   We have all been friends for over 15 years and don't get to see each other as often as we used to, you know the way work, children and life kind of takes priority at times but we do make an effort every couple of months and especially on birthdays.

   It is kind of obligatory for me to insist we take a picture, so that we will all remember these times in our old age (although the years seems to be creeping up on us now).

   Unfortunately I was trying to take the picture with the four of us in it, I managed to crop myself and my friend Kim out of it completely and this must have been the third or forth attempt. (We must have looked bonkers).

   But do you know what?

   I kind of like it!

    

   I am linking up with Actually Mummy and her Expressions Linky, go and have a look at some of the other great expressions posts this week.

    

    

    

4. Five things only parents will understand

   Posted on 2:07pm Wednesday 2nd Jul 2014

   Raising a child is hard work! ....... This may be the undestatement of the year.

   From getting to grips with the demanding routine of a newborn baby, to finding enough time to clean the home, earn a living and keep the children entertained and getting to school on time each morning, there are many challenges which you’ll face.

   Obviously, the end results are more than reward enough though and there are very few parents who’d give up the sleepless nights and parental conflicts if it meant they didn’t have their bundles of joy with them anymore.

   For those approaching parenthood - or already lucky enough to be in it - here are five things that only those with kids will understand. Whether you read this list alone or joking about it with your parents when visiting them at a McCarthy and Stone retirement home, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of things to relate to.

   1. Sleep doesn’t stop, it changes forever

   Sleepless nights are a common discussion topic for any prospective or current parent but the idea that you’ll ‘never sleep again’ isn’t entirely accurate. The truth is that while there will be a few sleepless nights to contend with, the rest of your evenings will be spent sleeping in a very different way.

   

   Forget putting your head down and instantly falling into a deep slumber – once you’re a parent you’ll only ever doze lightly when turning in for the night. All of your senses will be pricked to detect the slightest disturbance or movement and this is something which will stay with you no matter how old your children get. Waking in the night when they are babies, to waiting up for them to get in when they are teenagers ..... I worry that I may never sleep properly again!!

   2. Everyone thinks they know better – even those without kids

   I have seen so many new parents may look for guidance from parents or friends but that doesn’t mean they want to be bombarded with every parenting opinion in circulation. Unfortunately, almost everyone has an idea of what “perfect parenting” consists of – and they won’t be shy about voicing it to you.

   Even those without kids think they could do it better and new parents will have to learn a whole new level of restraint and patience when dealing with what can often come across as misguided and even condescending attitudes. Do. Not. Listen. Just find what works for you and your family.

   3. Your definition of ‘gross’ will change radically

   Always insisted on keeping a pristine house without an item out of place? Considered burps as vulgar and disgusting? Expect all of these sentiments to change when you have kids! Every parent must deal with their fair share of bodily functions – from nappy changing to sickness, you’ll have no time to think something is ‘gross’ when looking after a little one.

   From rubbing all sorts of liquids and foods into their hair and faces, to running round the house like a whirlwind and upsetting your usual tidiness, you’ll need to reconsider your definition of ‘gross’ if you’re to survive! Trust me, I know.

   4. Schoolwork is harder than you remember

   Packing the kids off to school can seem like a relief for parents – until they bring you their homework that is! Most kids will need a little help and guidance from time to time and this puts a lot of pressure on parents who may have been out of education and the working world for some time.

   Schoolwork will almost certainly be harder than you remember – research by The Open University Business School found 70% of adults couldn’t answer mock GCSE finance questions correctly and this will present numerous challenges for both you and your child. Only this weekend I was doing "mental maths" with my 9 year old and there were certainly some questions that made me have to think!

   5. Everything you do is ‘embarrassing’

   Finally, expect your kids to view every action, comment and move you make as ‘embarrassing’. For most parents, turning their children red-faced seems to be a natural talent and the phrase “you’re so embarrassing” is one you should become familiar with.

   Don’t take it personally though – all parents are in the same boat and sometimes, just sometimes it is good to get them back for those "gross" moments! (but I didn't say that!)

   This post is in collaboration with McCarthy and Stone but all none sleeping children are our own!

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