January is cold, bleak (and very snowy) and usually a time when parents look at the cost of Christmas and feel like the January pay day is a long long way away. It is a time when people focus their minds on saving money or making changes as it feels like the perfect time to spring clean your life and finances!

Consideration of moving house is always something that a new year brings in our house and the debate of do we need to move, where do we move and what mortgage should we get? With two children in tow, a cat and a significant amount of small toys, not to mention my (ahem) shoe collection, this is not a decision that can be taken lightly. 

In all seriousness, moving house is more about location, school catchment areas and crime rates, who would have thought I would get all sensible in my old age? Once upon a time, my only consideration was fabulous decor and a comfortable bed but now, ensuring a safe neighbourhood and good schooling for my children is of paramount importance to our house location (not discounting the fabulous decor and comfortable bed of course).

My eldest daughter is a creature of habit, if I move the furniture around she gets upset and I can't tell you the tears that ensued when we changed our car so moving house will have to be for a very special reason or a very special house. With my youngest daughter coming out of the baby phase, maybe another addition to our current household maybe the reason we need ....... but shhhh don't tell my other half just yet! 

 

The Lilypad blog is not controversial or political, we like humour and peace but we also share information about things that are important and what is important to families is making sure that they have enough money at the end of each month to feed, cloth and put a roof over their children's heads.

Now my daughters have a better wardrobe than me, like to eat me out of house and home and have enough doll's houses and play houses to call a village, so the benefit should surely be called "mummy benefit" not "child benefit", as I am the one in need of new clothes and my favourite treats to actually remain in the kitchen cupboards long enough for me to enjoy them. I am joking of course ( I hide my treats).

There is no escaping the news this month that the Government are making significant changes to the child benefit system which mean that not everyone will automatically get the same amount of child benefit, as has historically happened. It has been announced that higher earners will now see their benefit taken away over a phased process. The current system means that parents are currently able to claim £20.30 in child benefit a week for their first child, and an additional £13.40 for any further children they have. The benefit is worth around £1,000 annually to parents with one child, £1,700 to those with two and £2,500 to parents with three. This is certainly not money to be sniffed at!

Having children is our choice, obviously, and a choice that many of us make over and over again. On the face of it, it does appear to penalise those higher earning parents who have worked hard to command such salaries but equally the "pot of money" is not endless, so it must be capped somewhere. The system is never going to satisfy everyone and the qualifying levels can be quite confusing but I found a clear outline on the MyFamilyClub website here.

The benefit system in this country is acclaimed all over the world, yet berated by the very people that receive it. I don't always agree with Government decisions but ultimately they have a budget to manage, the same as every family does. 

Do you love Crocs but the current weather stops you and the little ones from wearing them? Did you know that Crocs do Wellingtons too? Perfect for this horrid weather!!

They are:

• Waterproof rain boot
• Fully molded Croslite™ material for lightweight cushioning and comfort
• Reflective heel logo
• FREE UK Delivery

 

Prepare for the winter - or get out and enjoy the typical British Summer weather! Now kids (and grown ups) can enjoy classic Crocs comfort – even on the rainiest days. They have a fabulous waterproof build that keeps puddle-jumping feet cozy and dry.

We are delighted to be working with Jelly Egg to launch our first competition of 2013 to WIN a FAMILY set of Croc wellies ...... you just need to enter here.

What are you waiting for? Go .....

 

 

Tweet

I know that every mum is proud of their children and I am quite sure that we all have moments thinking that they are reaching their milestones before other children but at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter when they reach those milestones as long as they are happy, content and not pressurised to do so.

As regular readers know, my mum takes my youngest daughter to Water Babies classes on a weekly basis ( I hope the snow doesn't stop that this week, otherwise I really will vent, even moreso than I did here) and last week was their best week yet. Mum was brimming with praise and enthusiasm after the lesson, so much so that she text me to say that my little fish was the star pupil! Obviously this is music to my "proud mum" ears but why was she the star pupil? She was totally relaxed in the water, holding on to the side (even trying to climb out herself, I think she forgets she is only 16 months old) and going under the water repeatedly. Apparently she was so good that the swimming teacher kept asking to "use" her to demonstrate what they were going to do next! How proud am I?

On the flip side, trying to get my eldest to go to swimming lessons has always been a battle, she loves the water but has never been a fan of the lessons. So what happens today? She is upset that the snow means there will be no lesson today! After all this time, on the one day we can't get to swimming lessons, she decides that she actually wants to go. Typical!

Learning to swim is a life skill and with both my girls being water babies, it makes me a very proud mum!

What have your children done to make you proud?