I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
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Guest Posts · December 14, 2019

10 Ways To Tackle Common Sleep Problems That Keep Kids And Their Parents Up | AD

*This is a collaborative guest post

At every stage of your child’s life, there are adjustments that need to be made. From the food our kids eat to the clothes they wear, parents are constantly having to adjust to their child’s needs. Issues related to their sleep habits are no different. Children will experience different sleep problems at various stages, and, as their parents, we have to know how to help them. 

Additionally, many of these sleep issues can keep parents up at night. In fact, a new survey done by Sleep Junkie found that parents spent an average of 5 hours and 25 minutes a night helping their children fall asleep during the first year of parenthood. Although sleep loss will lessen as children mature, parents still spend a significant amount of time putting their kids to bed. 

Fortunately, there are practical adjustments you can make to ease this burden. Below we have compiled a list of 10 tips that can help the whole family find a better night’s sleep. 

1 – Know Your Child’s Needs

The first thing you will want to take note of is the amount of sleep your child needs. This number includes nighttime sleeping and any naps they take throughout the day. Understanding their specific requirements will help you establish a schedule for bedtimes, nap times, and wake-up times. Refer to the list below to find out what your child’s requirements are.

  • Infants – 1 to 4 weeks old: 12-16 hours 
  • Toddlers – 1-2 years old: 11-14 hours 
  • Preschoolers – 10-13 years old: 9-12 hours 
  • Grade Schoolers – 6-12 years old: 9-12 hours 
  • Teens – 13-18 years old: 8-10 hours

2 – Create A Schedule

After determining how much sleep your child needs each day, you can establish a schedule with a set bedtime and wake-up time for both you and your child. Being consistent with this schedule will reinforce your body’s natural circadian rhythm and cause you to feel drowsy around the same time each night. Before long, your child will be climbing into bed without any trouble. 

3 – Make Bed Time A Family Event

At times, children may resist bedtime if they feel they are being left out. If parents or older siblings are still awake and enjoying themselves, children may become combative when they are forced to go to bed. If the whole family prepares for bed together, this can help them feel less anxious. 

4 – Create a Routine 

Your child will be more mentally and physically prepared for sleep if they have a set bedtime routine. Over time, the routine will automatically signal your child to relax and prepare for sleep. Consider working with your child to create a bedtime routine that works for them. Below we have included a list of activities that help promote relaxation. 

  • Brushing their teeth
  • Taking a relaxing bath
  • Putting on comfy pajamas 
  • Reading them a book 
  • Tucking them in 
  • Talking about their day

5 – Create a Soothing Environment 

Having a comfortable environment to retire to each night is vital to getting adequate sleep. This space should be stress-free and encourage relaxation. Consider keeping bedrooms cool, quiet, free of clutter, and with as little light as possible during the night.

Besides creating a soothing sleep environment, choosing children’s beds with storage can help minimize clutter and maintain an organized space. Utilizing built-in drawers or under-bed storage compartments can provide practical solutions for keeping toys, books, and clothing neatly stowed away, promoting a calm and peaceful atmosphere in the bedroom.

A nightlight is fine if this comforts your child, however, be sure to remove any electronic light from their sleep space. Having a comfortable and supportive mattress can also improve sleep quality. 

6 – Reduce Stress Before Bed 

As children get older, the amount of stress they deal with will increase. Teens often have stress related to friends, school, and extracurricular activities. However, high levels of stress can create an overproduction of cortisol in your child’s body. Since cortisol has been known to delay sleep, try to encourage relaxing activities before bed, such as reading, journaling, or taking a warm bath or shower. Keep nighttime activities stress-free by reducing noise, dimming lights, talking softly, remaining calm, and avoid discussion of stressful topics. 

7 – Reduce Screen Time

Teens are often prone to unhealthy technology habits. To help them find better sleep, it will be important to monitor their exposure to electronic light from phones, television, computers, and video games. This light can interfere with the natural production of melatonin in our bodies. Melatonin is the body’s key to feeling sleepy and ready for bed. Research shows that even a half-hour of television in the 2 hours before bed can disrupt our sleep. To avoid this disruption, consider reducing screen time at least 2 hours before bed.

8 – Avoid Large Meals Before Bed

When our body is working to digest food, it can be difficult to relax. To help your child get to sleep on time, encourage your child to avoid eating big meals at least 3 hours before bed. If you allow your child to drink caffeinated sodas during the day, consider limiting the consumption of these beverages at least 3 hours before bed. 

9 – Encourage Regular Exercise

Most kids, regardless of age, can benefit from regular physical exercise. When your child gets the exercise they need, they are more likely to feel sleepy quickly. The Mayo Clinic suggests that children 6 years or older get at least 1 hour of moderate exercise a day. To avoid overstimulation, be sure exercise takes place at least 3 hours prior to bedtime.

10 – Guard Against Fears 

Children between the ages of 1 and 5 may experience nighttime fears. These fears are often irrational, but dismissing them can do more harm than good. Consider addressing the fear with your child. Together you can create a plan to secure their sleep space against these fears. This may mean looking under beds or closing closets, but these simple tasks can go a long way in helping your child feel safe. When they feel secure in their space, you can both find the sleep you need. 

Although bedtime can be stressful, most of these stages don’t last long. In the meantime, these simple tips can help the whole family find a bit more shuteye. If your child continues to struggle with sleep, or you think the problem may be related to a medical issue, be sure to consult your child’s pediatrician. 

In: Guest Posts

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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