How to Support Your Children Through the Death of a Loved One

Image: Xavier Mouton Photographie / Unsplash

The death of a loved one is a difficult event in life. Dealing with this loss while parenting young children makes the experience all the more taxing. You must make sure your children remember and honour the deceased, providing lots of comforting love during such difficult times.

This article will examine ways to navigate mom life during a family member’s death by creating heartfelt tributes as an emotional support system and offering love, remembrance and support during an emotionally trying journey.

Encourage Expression of Emotions

Grief can be an intensely personal emotion for all involved; your kids are no exception. Help facilitate healing by encouraging your kids to express themselves freely by writing tributes or using another healthy outlet such as art therapy. Remember that encouraging children to share difficult emotions does not involve crafting the perfect sentence or the ideal amount of tears; rather it should focus on raw expression that brings profound healing instead.

Seek Support From Funeral Homes

In times of profound emotion and confusion, funeral homes can provide invaluable support. Their professionals extend an empathetic hand, so you can focus on honouring the one you love in ways that truly represent them. When helping children through difficult times it’s comforting knowing there will be someone by your side taking care of paperwork, funeral arrangements and more.

Understanding the Healing Power of Tributes

Tributes offer comfort during times of sorrow by remembering those we’ve lost with fondness. Tributes also present an ideal opportunity to introduce children to death while paying our respects as part of an act of commemoration for a life well lived.

Selecting an Appropriate Tribute

Finding an appropriate memorial to commemorate a loved one’s memory can be challenging, yet selecting a tribute that helps your children process this loss can make all of the difference in how they cope. Each option – be it a carefully curated scrapbook with snapshots and favourite memories preserved within, a beautiful garden filled with living memories, or tangible fragments from years gone by – offers something different which helps your kids come to terms with loss.

Personalising Your Tribute

Personalisation is the art of imbuing your tribute with memories from the relationship – laughter shared, stories retold and precious moments shared together. By including symbols that remind both yourself and children of them specifically, you make the tribute that much more symbolic.

Engaging Your Children in the Process

Engaging your children in creating a tribute is like providing them a map to navigate their emotions as they deal with grief and loss – your support will provide an outlet for these complex feelings while honouring and remembering the deceased through this shared project.

Maintaining the Connection

Grieving for someone we have lost should not be thought of as a one-time celebration. Instead, it should be considered an ongoing journey, with birthdays, anniversaries and holidays providing us opportunities to remember their legacy of love while reminding us they remain with us always.

Conclusion

We play an invaluable role in supporting our children as they navigate the arduous path of grief. By comforting and helping our children process the emotions caused by loss, and finding ways to express it by remembering or honouring those lost, we foster in them resilience and empathy that they’ll carry with them forever.

Remind yourself that during this difficult period, you are creating emotional ties that will shape your children’s journey into adulthood and demonstrate to them how, even after passing on, loved ones always remain a part of their lives.

Supporting Your Family Through The Loss Of A Loved One From Afar

Loss is something no one should have to confront, yet it’s an unfortunate reality in life, and when it hits close to home, the emotions can be truly overwhelming. Coping with the loss of a loved one from a distance can be incredibly challenging; after all, how do you support your family when you may not even be present? However, no matter if you are physically apart or geographically restricted due to lifestyle changes, there are still ways to show love and support for your family members as they grieve the loss of a beloved individual. In this blog post, we’ll provide some tips on how to comfort those affected by tragedy while creating meaningful memories in memory of the one who has passed away.

Via Pexels

Understanding The Grieving Process

Grieving can be an intensely emotional experience, making it hard to imagine life without our loved ones. However, acknowledging grief as a natural part of life makes accepting it easier – everyone’s experience differs – so remember: no matter how painful at present, with time and support, the pain will lessen, and you’ll soon be back to living your life with joy and laughter again!

Reaching Out To Family And Friends For Support

Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement to stay motivated. Don’t feel bad if you reach out if you need an ear, a shoulder to cry on, or just some kind words of comfort. Reaching out makes all the difference when life gets overwhelming or we need some motivation. Whatever the case may be, there’s no shame in reaching out for help – that’s what friends and family are for – providing us with an extra set of ears, shoulders to cry on, or just listening ears that may offer words of comfort or motivation.

Participate In Memorial Services And Obituaries

Memorial services and obituaries are important occasions for people to come together and celebrate the life of a beloved. Even if you cannot join us in person, there are still ways you can contribute. Sending online condolences or contributing to a memorial fund can comfort those grieving, letting them know they’re not alone. Reach out to the funeral directors to see if there’s any way to virtually attend services – an ideal way to show your love and support even if you cannot physically be present.

Find Meaningful Ways To Honour Your Loved One

Losing a loved one can be heartbreaking, making finding ways to commemorate them even more poignant. Yet you must pay tribute and cherish the time spent together. One meaningful way is creating a scrapbook of memories with them – fill it with photos, mementos and stories that bring back fond memories. Alternatively, plant a tree or dedicate a bench in their memory; contribute to a charity they were passionate about; volunteer at an area organisation in their honour.

Coping with the loss of a loved one from a distance can be challenging. But by understanding the stages of grief and finding meaningful ways to honour them, you can show your love and support from wherever you are. Don’t feel bad asking for assistance when needed – remember that you are never alone on this journey.

5 Ways to Book A Cheap Last-Minute Holiday

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The classic family holiday is a source of much-needed relaxation for everyone. Once school comes to an end, there are few better ways to celebrate than by jetting off somewhere sunny and – ideally – cheap as chips. But, with the cost of living crisis, it’s becoming harder to plan a holiday too early. You still deserve to take some time away, though, which is why you can find an array of last-minute deals to treat your kids and yourself. 

Compare Last-Minute Deals

While it’s tempting to jump on the first last-minute deal you see, you will benefit from taking a few minutes (or hours) to compare the variety of deals available. The more you research, the easier it will be to find free child places that can save you a lot of money on tickets. Comparing also gives you the chance to avoid any last-minute surprises, such as additional fees for luggage or inconvenient flight times that could throw a spanner in the works.

Embrace Flexibility 

Despite the risk of inconvenient times, sometimes you need to suck it up and be flexible. These last-minute deals will not be here forever, so you might be forced to get to the airport earlier than you’d like. The more inconvenient, the chances are that the holiday will be cheaper, so if you don’t mind the early rise, it could be the best approach. The same goes for your destination. Everyone wants to visit the Costa del Sol, but that might not be affordable. Instead, any beach may have to do. 

Get In Touch With the Travel Agent 

Before you finalise your booking, it’s worth getting in touch with a travel agent to see if they have any last-minute deals available. As the holiday season approaches, many companies will be desperate to fill flights and hotels and sell as many all-inclusive packages as possible. There’s a strong chance that they will offer a substantial discount just to get you on the plane, so it’s always worth making a phone call. 

Don’t Overthink The Packing!

It helps to know where you’re going before you start packing, but the chances are that you’ll be somewhere sunny. Since you’re only going for a week or two, you don’t need to fill your suitcase with everything. As a last-minute deal, you don’t need that type of stress, so opt for simple things like a bathing suit, cool clothes, and maybe something nice for an evening out.

Know How to Avoid Scams

The issue with last-minute holidays is that it has helped evolve a sinister under-industry of fake flights and other scams. Before you part with your money, be careful about what you’re booking. If something seems too good to be true, do not follow through. You can check company reputations through various online means and even speak to the business selling the deal directly to double-check that it is legitimate.

Last-Minute Fun 

Although last-minute deals may mean you can’t go to Disneyland this year, getting out of the house (and the country) for a week or two will help everyone recharge. The spontaneous approach can make your holiday more exciting, and like any family holiday, you can make special memories that will last a lifetime. 

A Guide to Financially Preparing for Your Child’s Primary School Years

When it comes to raising children, financial preparedness is a critical factor in providing the best possible start in life. As your child enters primary school, you’ll need to be ready for the additional costs that come with this new stage of education. This guide will provide you with an overview of additional costs, tips to save money, and advice on budgeting for your child’s primary school years. 

 

Via Pexels

First, it’s essential to understand the expected costs associated with enrolling your child in primary school. This can include:

Tuition Fees: 

Depending on where you live, tuition fees for primary school may vary. Some schools will charge a set fee per term, while others may use a sliding fee scale based on your family’s income level.

School Supplies: 

Your child will need various supplies throughout the year, such as textbooks, stationery and uniforms. Therefore, it’s important to factor these in when budgeting for their schooling.

After-School Activities: 

Many primary schools offer after-school activities such as sports or music lessons that provide an enriching experience beyond the classroom. However, these can come at an additional cost, so be sure to factor them into your overall budget.

Residential School Trips: 

Your child may also be offered the chance to attend educational or recreational residential trips outside of school. These residential trips for schools can be anything from travelling to France for a World War II history tour to camping in the countryside. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of these trips when budgeting. 

Now that you know the expected costs associated with primary school, it’s important to consider ways to save money while still providing your child with a quality education. Here are some tips on how you can do this: 

Shop Around: 

When it comes to school supplies, shop around for the best deals. Many schools will offer discounts on bulk purchases of textbooks or stationery, so make sure you take advantage of these. 

Consider Second-Hand Options: 

For items such as uniforms, second-hand options may be available at your child’s school or in the community. This can help to save a lot of money if you’re on a budget. 

Manage After-School Activities: 

If your child is interested in after-school activities such as music lessons or sports teams, look into ways to minimise costs by carpooling with other parents or taking advantage of group discounts. 

And lastly, it’s important to have a plan in place for managing your budget while sending your child to primary school. 

One useful way of doing this is to set up a dedicated bank account for their education costs. This will make tracking your spending easier and help you stick to a budget. It’s also important to keep an eye out for any financial assistance programs offered by schools or local charities. These can provide invaluable support when times are tough financially, so don’t be afraid to apply if you think you may be eligible.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to manage the additional costs of sending your child to primary school. With proper planning and budgeting, you can ensure that your child has the best start to their educational journey.

 

A Belated Welcome to 2019

A bit belated but I’m only just getting back into the swing of things after the Christmas mayhem and New Year chaos (for us it’s the daughter’s birthday as well!).  Here’s us celebrating on Christmas day (me a bit run off my feet due to husband at work and cooking for my parents as well as me and the kids!.

2018 was a hectic one for us, the first full year I’ve worked 5 days a week since having children albeit part time but still one that exhausts my day and leaves little time to get things done.  On top of that we have had a major kitchen renovation that although is 95% completed it is still in limbo with the final fittings still waiting to be done due to major leaking from the roof (a project that’s looking to cost us around 5.5k in the upcoming months!).  And let’s not talk about the day the skip got delivered onto the driveway and shifted a section of the front wall around at an angle causing a crack along the front (another ongoing issue!).

I’m super pleased to be rid of the old kitchen and I hope to do a show and tell of our before and after new kitchen once the final issues are ironed out.

We got the children active between the eves with outdoor walks, trips to National Trust properties and a fun session at Clip n Climb – as you can see, these two never fail to be afraid of heights.

New Year saw my eldest turn 11 years old on New Year’s Day!!  Oh my where’s the time gone?  She played with my phone that day doing her own selfie which I thought was rather cute so here it is!

As for what 2019 holds for us, who know’s?

It’ll be challenging I believe in many ways with the eldest off to secondary school in September, ongoing uncertainties in my job of 17 years, solving and fixing the damp issues in our house, finish decorating the downstairs and finally carpet the house!

Keep following us to see where life takes us this year, what adventures we go on and what new things we try out!

Get Kids Reading with Roald Dahl Books at McDonald’s

With Roald Dahl being a much loved children’s author and one of the world’s greatest storytellers, it is only fitting that his books are part of McDonald’s Happy Meals for the next few weeks.  This project comes as part of McDonald’s #HappyReaders initiative, which aims to increase book ownership amongst children and encourage both parents and children to find the joy in reading!

This exclusive series of books which has been available since 13th September (Roald Dahl Day) and will be inside Happy Meals for 5 weeks from then.  The series features his fantastical characters from three of his best loved stories, Matilda, The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Each book features an extract from the original story, along with Quentin Blake’s iconic illustrations, activities, stickers and a bookmark that can be popped out from the back to help kids keep their place in the book.

Featuring some of the best loved characters over the years, the titles available are:

  • Roald Dahl’s Wonderful Mr Willy Wonka
  • Roald Dahl’s Lucky Charlie Bucket
  • Roald Dahl’s Mischievous Chocolate Factory Children
  • Roald Dahl’s Amazing Matilda
  • Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Miss Honey
  • Roald Dahl’s Rotsome Giants
  • Roald Dahl’s Brave Little Sophie
  • Roald Dahl’s Fantabulous BFG

It’s really important to read with children, whether it’s you reading aloud to them, or them reading to you.  It could even be that you take turns which is what I often do with my 6yr old to maintain his enthusiasm and keep him going through the book.  It’s also a great time to bond together and you’ll find you end up talking about what’s going on, discuss pictures in the book and actually have a lot of fun

Here are 6 top tips for reading with children:

  1. Bring the story to life by using different voices for the characters. Try out a     pompous tone for Augustus, or a high, whiny voice for Veruca.
  2. Make your child the author! Stop at exciting moments in the story and ask your child to invent what happens next.
  3. Make reading with your child a special time for you both every day.
  4. Children of all ages love to hear stories read aloud.
  5. Don’t stop reading to your children just because they can read by themselves.
  6. Let your child help choose the books that you’ll read together. If your child is excited by the subject, the story will hold their interest better.

My children have really enjoyed reading these #HappyReaders books and love the little press out book mark to keep their page when putting the book down.  Being fairly small they are not daunting and encourage children to want to read them.  We share reading the stories to give them some practice but to also let them sit back and relax whilst I read.

You can see Peter Andre launching the books in the Happy Meals at McDonald’s here:

If you haven’t already, take your children to McDonald’s so they can enjoy one of these fun books to enhance and encourage their reading!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of McDonald’s.

National Unplugging Day – Will you be joining in?

National Unplugging Day is this Sunday 25th June and families are taking part in a no technology pact for the day as a way to remind and encourage people to embrace a healthy lifestyle by regularly setting aside time away from their digital devices and be more mindful of their day to day digital usage.  In a bid to celebrate the day parents are being asked to #GoGadgetFree and spend the day from sun-up to sun-down without any technology.

Let’s be honest – could you not glance at your phone, tablet or laptop for a whole day?  I know I’d struggle, even the kids like playing on daddy’s iPad although they only play free games or watch kids tv programmes.  I was astonished to learn that from 1100 parents surveyed in April, more than half of children have one or more social media accounts with children as young as six years old having an online presence.

I’m pleased to say that my children aged 9 and 6 are yet to be active online in that sense just yet although I’m sure their time will come before I’m ready for it!   In preparation for National Unplugging Day we’ve already been trying out some board games which my children love playing and are a great way for families to interact together as well spend some quality time with each other and have fun.

If you are in the area then National Unplugging Day have chosen Winchester as the venue for their National event this year.

So what does this involve? – A whole host of Wellness businesses have been brought in to provide ‘dopamine boosting’ activities and include a number of Winchester based experts who will be on hand running the workshops and include the following:

  • Winchester based Mandy Papas Hypnotherapist will running an introduction to Mindfulness course
  • Winchester based Yoga Teacher Jenny Joslin from JJ Yoga will be hosting a Parent/Child Yoga session
  • Integr8 Dance, a dance school from Winchester, will be hosting a StreetDance workshop for children
  • BeatsDisco, DJ based in Winchester will be supplying the sounds and running a DJ Vinyl workshop for Kids!
  • Other experts who are running Workshops include:
  • Chris James – Mind Body and Health Guru and Yoga Teacher to Millie Mackintosh
  • Hoop Like a Boss – Hula Hoop Teacher and Expert

To book tickets for the Winchester event, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unplugged-at-the-riverside-yurt-in-celebration-of-national-unplugging-day-tickets-34538347126

This is a collaborative post

Best First Pets for Children

Kids need entertainment, kids need companionship, kids need fun, and they need to learn some responsibility too. In all reality, there is no better way to provide all of those things for your child than by getting them their very own pet. Here we have a list of the best first pets that you can get for your kids, ones which will certainly make them smile.

2 Common First Pets For Kids & Families

These are without a doubt the most common first pet choices that kids get and the definitely make for some solid choices. Let’s talk about them quickly.

Dogs

A dog is a fantastic first pet to get any child, especially a smaller dog. First of all, dogs are really fun for kids, mainly because dogs love to play. Dogs like playing fetch and they like running around the house chasing things, just like kids. Guaranteed your child will have loads of fun with a dog. Moreover, most dogs are extremely friendly so you don’t have to worry about your child’s safety, plus a good dog can guard your child from threats if need be. There is also the fact that dogs really don’t take that much maintenance either.

Aside from feeding, walking, and a little grooming, there is not much effort needed to take care of a dog. Your child can learn some responsibility by having to feed and groom the dog, and even take it on walks too. Most things which a dog requires can be done by your children. If your child is too young to really take care of the dog, you can be happy with the fact that they don’t provide too much work for you either. Dog is man’s best friend and your child’s too.

Cats

A cat is another great first pet choice for your child, and that is mainly because they require virtually no maintenance. Unlike a dog, cats don’t need to be walked. You can either let them go in the litter box, in which case you will most likely have to change the litter, or if your child is old enough they can do it themselves. Other than that and regular feedings, you really don’t have to do anything to take care of a cat, something that makes it perfect for kids who don’t have too big of a sense of responsibility yet.

Also, cats make for great snuggle buddies and they just love to curl up beside you, something that your child will appreciate every day as they are watching TV on the couch. Moreover, cats can be pretty entertaining too. They do a lot of wacky stuff that we all love to watch, plus they love playing with string and toys. Your child will get hours of fun out of a cat and that is a guarantee. Cats are awesome pets that are fun, easy to take care of, and quite friendly too.

If you do decide on either a cat or dog, it’s always a good idea to consider pet rescue homes as there are lots of animals that need a home, and you are doing a good deed by rescuing too.

3 More Suggestions That Don’t Require Too Much Maintenance

If you are not a big fan of either cats or dogs, and you would like something smaller that does not require much maintenance, you can always check out these great pet ideas for your child’s first pet.

Hamster

A hamster is a fantastic little first pet choice for your child. First of all, they are small and soft, which means that your kid can lift them up and cuddle with them as much as they want. They aren’t heavy, so that’s not a problem, and they are very cuddly too, something that everyone can appreciate. Moreover, as far as rodents go, hamsters are probably the friendliest of them all, with minimal chance of being bitten by them.

Hamsters are also very fun to watch. I don’t know how many times I have caught my own kids watching that furry little creature run itself into exhaustion on that hamster wheel. Something about watching them run on that wheel is just so mesmerizing for little kids. Best of all, hamsters don’t require much maintenance.

All you need is a cage, some food, a water dispenser, some bedding, and of course the hamster itself. Occasionally you need to clean the cage, remove the hamster waste, change bedding, and make sure it has food and water. However all of those things are very easy to do, they don’t take long, and they don’t have to be done that often. Even if your child is too young to really take care of the hamster, at least it won’t be too much work for you.

Betta Fish

In our opinion, one of the coolest pets that you can get your child is a fish, specifically a Betta fish. Now, these animals take a little bit more maintenance than others, and they require some special tools too. You will need a special betta tank (Aquascapeaddiction has covered some good tank options) and a protein skimmer (this post explains how skimmers help), a filter and a light, and some fish food too. However, in the long run, none of these things are very expensive, nor are they hard to set up or use.

Once you have the aquarium set up, all that needs to be done is to feed the betta fish regularly, change some water, and clean the filter, all things which a child older than 6 or 7 can probably do on their own. Also, betta fish are very beautiful creatures that will add a certain elegance to your child’s room. These fish are also very fun to watch as they swim around the tank all day long.

Ant Colony

The final cool first pet choice to get your child, and the one that takes perhaps the least amount of maintenance, is the ant. Well, you don’t get just one ant, you get a few dozen ants, which is called a colony. These are interesting pets, because sure, you can’t

pet them or really lift them up, but they are definitely fun to watch as they borough through the dirt and create a plethora of tunnels.

There is also the fact that ants require virtually no maintenance. As long as you have a glass ant house, some lettuce or carrots, and a handful of dirt, there is nothing standing in the way of a thriving ant colony. All you need to do is feed them, that is literally the extend of an ant colony’s required maintenance, something that every parent will appreciate.

Conclusion

There are many different cool first pet choices which you can surprise your child with. Just make sure that your child will be able to keep them alive on their own, and if your child can’t, you need to be fine with doing the work yourself. That being said, a pet is a fun, rewarding, and educational thing for any child to have.

In collaboration with Craig from Aquascapeaddiction

House of Fraser SS16 Menswear

Although my husband prefers a casual approach to his clothes, I do prefer something a little smarter, so we tend to meet somewhere in the middle especially if I’m buying him something to wear.  One shop that always meets this criteria is House of Fraser which  offers a wide range of good quality, smart looking pieces.

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In the Summer he tends to wear shorts on a daily basis so we normally go with something like these Jack & Jones Intelligence Preston Cargo Shorts in grey.  Being a neutral colour, they go with any top and cover the initial brief of being smart casual for comfortable  day wear.  Teaming it with a collared t-shirt such as a polo shirt also keeps the look smart, so these tops by Hugo Boss fit the bill and again go with most things, meaning a simple mix and match wardrobe is all you need for the warmer months.

For footwear I’d add a simple pair of Tommy Hilfiger Suede Lace Up Trainers, which are comfortable, casual and easy to wear.

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Another Summer essential is swimwear and it’s great to have a practical pair of swim shorts that you can wear in the pool or on the beach.  This classic grey pair by Polo Ralph Lauren are great and can be teamed with some Havaiana’s flip flops in a contrasting colour combination.swimwear

Here’s hoping the sun comes out so we can enjoy the summer months and you can be sure your man will look good with some classic pieces from House of Fraser this season.

 This is a sponsored post

Barbie Dreamtopia Movie comes to Tiny Pop

Dreamtopia is a series set in a magical make-believe world created by Chelsea, Barbie’s six year old youngest sister. Like many girls, Chelsea really looks up to her sister, and every adventure features Barbie as either a princess, a fairy, or a mermaid from a different land that guides Chelsea and her young pup Honey on a new experience.

PR_Rainbow_RidingRainbow_S32_F26_062016This series looks magical and fun and just like something my children would enjoy.  The new Dreamtopia Barbie movie special airs on Tiny Pop 23rd July at 4pm with a catch up on Sunday 24th July at 9am.  It follows Barbie, her younger sister Chelsea and her pup Honey on a magical new adventure, telling the origins story of the land of Dreamtopia!

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Dreamtopia is a land where if you can imagine it, it can happen with everything from an edible lollipop forest full of cute happy pets.  Or perhaps ride the tallest roller coaster up in the sky on a rainbow.

Why not check out this trailer below?

The film looks fun, full of exciting adventures where dreams come true, perfect for any young Barbie fans.  We can’t wait to watch the full length this weekend – will you be watching it too?

 

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