Little Loves (July) – Safe, Nights Away and Summer

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Two weeks into the school holidays and so far so good. Though I must admit as the kids are getting older they make their own entertainment, and I am a glorified taxi driver and bank clerk. But I can’t complain as I am currently sat in Starbucks, with an overpriced drink and my laptop.

Little Loves

Looking back, July was a pretty good month. The teen finished his NCS experience, Katie broke up for the summer, we said goodbye to year 7 and year 11, there was a romantic night away with the husband, I went on a Spa night away to Ribby Hall with 2 girlfriends, meals out, catching up with friends, and of course wall to wall sunshine for weeks on end.… Continue reading

Raising teenagers and how to save for their future

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My teenager turns 16 in a few weeks, and I am well aware that over the next few years, raising him will get more and more expensive. Learning to drive, heading off to University, buying a car, getting on the property ladder, I can see the future and it’s not cheap.

Raising teenagers and how to save for their future

He has already started looking for a little summer job, but many places won’t take him on until he turns 16. Though I suspect when he starts to earn a little money for himself, his first thought won’t be about saving for a deposit for a house, instead opting to buy a book or the latest music.… Continue reading

Little Loves (June) Prom, Goodbye GCSEs, and a Trip to Center Parcs

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I can’t believe the last time I wrote my Little Loves post was at the end of April, and life has certainly been a rollercoaster over the past 2 months. GCSEs have been and gone, the teen has finished High School, I left my job of 6 years, Prom has happened, and we have just returned from a chilled trip to Center Parcs which was very much needed.

Little Loves - June

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I am making the effort to read every night, as for me it’s the perfect chance to switch my brain off. I am currently about two thirds through The Keeper of Lost Things, and last week I finished Friend Request which my lovely blogging friend Angela from Adventures in Websterland lent me.… Continue reading

Are 24 exams too much for our teenagers ?

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Today my teenager completed his penultimate GCSE exam. Exam number 23 out of 24, with his final exam being taken next Wednesday. 24 exams between the 14th May and the 20th June, 24 exams to revise for, 24 exams to feel anxious over, 24 times to walk into the school hall under exam conditions, and to remember everything you have been taught over the past 3 years.

Are 24 Exams too much for our Teenagers

I remember looking at the exam timetable a few months ago. I naively thought that the 2 page document in my hand was every single GCSE, not just the ones my son would be taking.… Continue reading

Being made redundant

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I never thought I would be sat here, writing a post about being made redundant, and if truth be told that is probably quite naïve of me. Losing my part-time job, working as an administrator in a children’s nursery, was never at the forefront of my mind. But on the 12th March it became a reality for me. The job that I had loved doing for 6 years was being taken away from me.

Being made redundant

I am not going to lie, the past 3 months have been tough. I know that I am extremely lucky that we don’t rely on my salary to pay the mortgage and bills, but I have found losing my job an emotional rollercoaster.… Continue reading

17 years of being married

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The country might be all getting excited about the forthcoming wedding of Meghan and Harry, but rewind 17 years and I was getting ready to marry my very own ginger prince.

17 years of being married

I know it’s a huge cliché, but the past 17 years have gone in the blink of an eye. I still remember our wedding day like it was yesterday, getting married in the hotel where Hywel had proposed to me 14 months before. We were surrounded by friends and family (and John McCardle who used to be in Brookside) , on one of the hottest days of the year. And just like Meghan and Harry, we also got married on FA Cup final day.… Continue reading

Little Loves – Prom Suits, Zip Wires and GCSE Exams

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It is always my intention to get my Little Loves post out on a Friday, but I have spectacularly failed this week as it’s now Sunday evening. Looking back it has been a pretty ‘normal’ few weeks, and I can tell from the lack of pictures I have taken that life has been filled with school, work, and just the usual life stuff.

Little Loves

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I read a lovely message from one of the teen’s teachers, who said that Morgan was extremely lucky to have such a supportive family, and that it shone through in him. Parenting teens is HARD WORK, and parenting teens going through GCSEs is even harder, so it was lovely to hear that we are getting parts of this parenting journey right.… Continue reading

Celebrate National Tea Day with Buyagift

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It seems only fitting that I write this blog post accompanied with a large cup of tea, as tomorrow we celebrate National Tea Day here in the UK. Whether you like yours brewed in a teapot, made using a tea strainer, or served to you in your favourite restaurant, Saturday the 21st April is the day to celebrate the good old cuppa.

National Tea Day with Buyagift

I switched from drinking coffee to tea a few years ago, due to suffering with migraines. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a cup of coffee, but you can’t beat the feeling of waking up to a refreshing brew (normally made by my husband, so thank you).… Continue reading

Got a friend who is a new mum ? Gifts they will love

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We all have friends or close family members in our lives that may become a mum at some point, and their journey into parenthood is of course an exciting one. As a mum myself I can just about remember those early days, and you know that your friend has exciting times to come. However, I also know how overwhelming those first few weeks and months can be, and sometimes you just want them to know that you are thinking of them. I thought I would share with you some of the best gifts you could consider giving them, to let them know you care.… Continue reading

A summer of National Citizen Service (NCS) for Morgan

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If you had asked me what the National Citizen Service (NCS) was 6 months ago, I would have shrugged my shoulders and apologised for not knowing. But fast forward to now, and NCS is talked about almost daily in our house. Morgan is counting down the days until his NCS adventure begins at the end of June, 3 days after he finishes school.

NCS

The NCS programme is open to 15-17 year olds (you need to be turning 16 by the 31st August), and aims to bring together young people from different backgrounds and cultures. Morgan heard all about NCS after they came to his school, and delivered an assembly to the year 11s.… Continue reading