How To Keep The Kids Occupied During The School Holidays

If you have children and the school holidays are coming up, you are probably panicking. Trying to keep them entertained can be a tough challenge, especially if you have things to get on with yourself. You might worry that you cannot juggle everything and make your child as happy as possible during their time off.

That being said, there are various ways to help kids stay active and satisfied during the summer.

Here are various alternative activities that help kids stay entertained during the school holidays.

Photo by Rosemary Ketchum

Inside fun

If the summer weather does not happen some days, you might be stuck indoors with the children. Seeing as children prefer spending time outside, it can be difficult when you know there isn’t anything you can do. 

The best thing you can do is make the inside of your home fun. For instance, you could make a movie den and keep them entertained with snacks and movies on a rainy day. Plus, you could introduce toys and games to ensure they have something to keep them occupied. A Kidaroos police car and a board game could be enough to keep them entertained all day.

Cameras

Another smart way to allow your children to stay occupied during the school holidays, without them spending time on screens, is to give them cameras. Whether you want to keep your child occupied on vacation or at home, a camera is a great form of entertainment for them. 

They can spend hours capturing images of next to nothing. They will find such fun and joy in taking photos and then showing them to the family. 

Arts and crafts

If your child is into arts and crafts, this is an easy way to pass the time and keep them entertained when they are off from school.

You could allow them to paint pictures outside in the garden, create their own piece of art, or create party guest invites for their upcoming garden tea party. There are many art activities you can get your child to do so ensure they are occupied. 

Invite their friends over

To keep your child happy, and away from screens, it is a good idea to invite their friends over when everyone has time off school.

During the holidays, the children can play in the garden, bake cakes together, play board games, and more. Although you will want to spend quality time with them, you might have other things to get on with. Hence, ensuring they have someone there to occupy them will guarantee they stay entertained all day. 

You could even off for their friends to stay so they can enjoy a sleepover. This will cause lots of excitement and ensure to make your child and their friend extremely happy. 

As a result of your invitation, the other parent might do the same for your child. Your child might be able to stay with their friends for one night, which will take a load off of your plate and ensure they are happy, safe, and occupied during their time off. 

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Tips For Your Teen's First Trip Abroad Without You

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Having your child head abroad for the first time without you can feel daunting both for you and for them. It is a big step that you need to make sure you are prepared for. You want to make sure that your teen feels happy and excited and that your worries aren’t projected onto them. Yet you also want to make sure that they are sensible and ready for the trip ahead. If your child is heading abroad for the first time, this is likely to be with a school or university trip. Whether it's somewhere new in Europe like Madrid student trips or somewhere abroad with one of their friends, there are some fantastic opportunities to be had. Here we have put together some top tips for your teen’s first trip abroad without you.

Ensure they have your contact details safe

One of the most important things your teen needs to know when they are heading abroad without you is how to get in touch with you. This can come in handy in case they are feeling homesick, something happens or they just want to get in touch with you. They will likely have a mobile phone with your number safe, but ensure they also have your phone number saved somewhere else, such as written on a piece of paper that they can easily access. Write down any important numbers they might need so they can easily contact you.

Make sure they know what to do if they get lost

If they are to get lost when they are away this can be scary but preparing them can help. Have them learn the address of the hotel where they are staying and keep note of the contact details on their phone. Ensure they know what to do should they get lost and that they have cash on them as well as a bank card that can be used abroad. This means they don’t need to worry about if they lose their wallet or phone as they can still pay - such as if they need to get a cab.

Help them pack the essentials

If they haven’t been abroad without you before, chances are they won’t know all the things they need to pack. Make a list and sit with them to go through it before they go. Ensure they have all the necessities including the right clothes for the weather of where they are going as well as toiletries and other bits that might be a pain to purchase out there. Other essentials they might need include currency for the local area, portable chargers, plug adapters and more. They will also need a passport that is in date and has at least six months left on it. Check they have the adequate insurance and that they know how to access any of these details should they need to. If they do get into an accident or health problem, make sure they know of any allergies or medical information the Doctor needs to hear of.

Teach them about the local currencies and rules of where they are going

Heading abroad can be daunting so try to speak to your teen and inform them of the cultures, rules and currency of the destination that they are heading. Whether they are looking to do different excursions or exploring without planned tours, it will help for them to have a basic knowledge. This can aid them with communication and make the trip easier and more fun. By teaching them the value of currency and all about the exchange rate they won’t spend unnecessarily when they are there and it can help give them a better understanding of the money they have.

Your child or teens first trip abroad without you can be scary but also end up being a fantastic experience for them. They will learn so much that they can then apply to the rest of their life and it will be a great way to enrich their brains and help them grow as a person. No matter if they are going for one night, a weekend or a whole week but having these top tips prepared you can rest safe in the knowledge that you have done all you can in order to prepare them. Have you recently had a teen or a child that has gone abroad with someone such as the school or a friend? What did you do to get prepared? Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.

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Four Ways To Get Involved With Your Children's School

As a mother, you most certainly desire the best experiences for your children as they grow up. This could range from attending the top schools and camps, to nurturing growth and healthy maturing amongst a diverse peer group in order to learn about different cultures respectfully.

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It's not uncommon for mothers to volunteer at their children's schools throughout their tenure. Afterall, there will be many years of seeing the same faces and you'll gradually get to know, or at least become familiar, with other parents, teachers and the Head Teacher.

It may be that now, you're wondering what you can do as a mother to support your child's growth and environment simultaneously while they are enrolled, especially if you have grown to know some of the other people in charge. Here are a few suggestions.

Organise A Bake Sale

Ahh cake! A traditional, and tasty, approach for mothers and parents in general to aid the school where their child is educated is through a bake sale. Because many schools these days don't have a lot of money or resources, a bake sale could be both socially and financially beneficial to the school.

Now is the moment to put your organised abilities to use. If you are a member of the PTA, you can involve them in this as well, so that you have as much support and resources as possible.

Make sure to also donate a bake sale item or several. Now is the time to show off your famous family recipe for citrus squares or peanut butter chocolate chip brownies.

Join The PTA

If your child's school has a parent-teacher association, which most do, you should join it if you value the school and what it does for your child. As a parent, you can frequently make the largest difference by joining the PTA.

You can do this for the benefit of the school, but you can also do it for selfish reasons. Assuming you're not too busy at work, the PTA might be a nice way to meet other mums and possibly make some adult friends. You can get together to chat about fundraisers and such, but there is also no harm in having friends with whom you can go out to lunch or anything.

Organise School Trips 

Another wonderful thing you can do for your child's school is to arrange for class field trips. Schools frequently look for parents who want to get involved in this way. Residential trips for primary schools are a great way for you to get involved and volunteer. You can get to know some of your child's classmates while also ensuring that the youngsters are eating the healthy elements of their meals.

Find Sponsors For The School

If your school has a number of upcoming events, you can ask smaller local businesses or bigger companies to sponsor them. This works better with larger corporations because they usually money set aside for such things.

The more sponsorship you can obtain for these activities, the better for the school and the children. Even if a company is unwilling to donate money, it may be able to assist in other ways.

The more you contribute to your child's school, the better you'll feel. So, go for it!

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Protecting Your Family Financially

 

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Taking good care of your family means protecting your finances, as well as optimising your physical and mental well-being. However, it can be tricky to know how to make savvy financial decisions that will benefit your family for years to come. While advice from a finance professional can help you to maximise wealth, there are lifestyle changes you can make too. For inspiration, take a look at these four easy ways to protect your family financially: 

Reduce Unnecessary Expenditure

If you’re spending more than you need to on essentials, you could be missing out on the chance to make higher contributions to savings accounts. By keeping track of your budget and cutting the cost of your usual expenses, you can save money without impacting your lifestyle. 

Finding a cheap insurance company and lowering car insurance premiums is a simple yet easy way to save money, for example. Similarly, switching to a different energy provider or finding a better home insurance company can help you to save hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year. 

Invest Wisely

Investments can be an effective way to increase your capital, which means your family will be better off in the future. However, choosing the right investments and managing risk is critical to success. Playing the stock market or buying cryptocurrency can bring high rewards, for example, but they also carry a significant amount of risk. In contrast, paying into a savings account or purchasing bonds might offer a lower return but there’s also a lower risk of losing your funds. 

While many people generate an income and grow capital via investments, it’s vital to diversify your investment portfolio and assess the risk level before parting with your funds. 

Take Out Life Insurance

If you want peace of mind that your family will have the funds they need when you’re no longer around, life insurance can be a good idea. Although there are many different types of policies to choose from, you can take out life cover for a relatively low monthly premium. While this might increase your current expenditure, you can be confident that your family will have access to the funds they need in the future when you have the right policy in place. 

Teach Your Kids About Money

Knowing how to manage financial matters is a skill that we aren’t usually taught in school. Due to this, it’s essential to teach your kids how to manage money from a young age. Whether it’s encouraging them to save some of their pocket money each week or teaching teens how interest rates work, make sure you give your kids the knowledge they’ll need to manage their finances effectively when they’re older. 

Managing Your Household Budget

By implementing a household budget, you can be proactive about monitoring expenditure and saving for a rainy day. When you know what you’re spending and how much you have leftover at the end of each month, you’ll be able to enjoy treating yourself and your family to some of life’s luxuries when the time is right. 

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Ace Ultra for Whites - The Review #AceIt

I've been testing the new Ace Ultra for Whites AND I have to be honest, I didn't actually have much faith that it could clean a mucky, smelly 12yr old boy's school shirt (soz Carson!) nor a messy-play covered 6yr old's SEN school polo shirt.  Yeah, sure, brightening up my work blouses or the husbands plain t-shirts but school clothes were a whole new dilemma. 

How to use.

I poured this into the fabric softener drawer instead of softener, as per the instructions. If you are wanting to use softener as well, make sure this goes into the pre-wash area rather than in the detergent compartment. For major stains, you can pre-treat if required which is handy to know.

The Before.

The less said about this mess the better ha!

Finley's polo shirt has felt tip marks, paint, bits of food, you name it. Carson's, I mean really... what on earth is with those cuffs? And it honks! 

The 12 year old boy's shirt 

The 6 year old boy's polo

The Claims.

It promises to be gentle on delicate clothes and is formulated to help brighten dull whites, whilst treating stains. It does contain bleach so literally only use this on whites. You can't say I've not warned you! Containing bleach though also means that your clothes don't only just smell clean, but they actually are clean as bacteria and viruses are specifically targeted.

Initial Reaction

Speaking of smelling clean, I didn't like how it made my house smell when the clothes were drying on the radiators. I couldn't smell the floral scent it claimed to have, rather just bleach. Granted, most people have airers or tumble driers but we don't, and needs must when it comes to getting 4-5 washes worth of clothes and bedding dry quickly in any one given day! So, you might not get that bleach smell when drying your own clothes after being washed in Ace Ultra for Whites. I couldn't not comment on it though considering this is a completely honest review. 

HOWEVER, when my whites had completely dried all I could smell was that fresh crisp clean cotton smell which was such a relief and a real pleasant surprise. To be absolutely honest, considering Finley's ASD and sensory processing disorder along with Carson's new-found obsession with aftershave, we preferred Ace's clean fresh smelling results. It is actually better than clothes being perfumed with softeners for these 2 lads. Winner!  

The Results.

Finley's polo is like new.  I mean literally. It's the brightest its been since taking the labels off in September and where those felt tip and paint marks have gone. Blown away by that result. Remarkable. 

Before and after on a polo top

Carson's no longer smells of BO, old deodorant or aftershave... and check out those cuffs. I would say 95% of that gross grime has been completely eradicated. Seriously like, just look.  And this is after just one, quick, 28 minute wash on a 30C wash. 

Before and after on a shirt

Where to buy.

Morrisons 

Summary.

I give this a 4.5 / 5. The only thing I can find to mark this down on is my inability to fit a dryer in my kitchen, meaning radiator drying have a bleach smell in the house. I'm not even sure if that's fair to mark down on! 

Got kids?  Get this. 

Make-up on your work shirt? Get this. 

Deodorant stains? Get this. 

Dull or greying sheets or delicates? Seriously, get this. 

Big hit for us! 

This post is an entry for the #Aceit Challenge, sponsored by Ace. Get ideas in how to wash whites, treat stains and laundry like a boss with tips from the ACE site

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Starting to use PECS

Fin has been at school now for coming up to 6 months already. His complex needs meant we weren't expecting too much in the name of progress, however being at a specialist school it wouldn't have been too surprising had he actually have managed to come on in some way - we just didn't want to have our hopes up to be honest.

Well we had parents' evening the other day and we were very pleased to see that Finley has moved from 0-6m or 6-12m in the EYFS charts to 8-20m in most areas. Wahoo!! It's all the teeny tiny things that happen which are so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, yet they're the mortar to his brick building progress. 

Coming up to 5 years old now we remain non-verbal however school reported that he is very strong on his use of PECS (Picture Exchange Cards). In particularly with his choice of juice. He has a choice of blackcurrant or orange (in a green cup) and if he wants one or the other more you will know about it and he'll not give in with his whacking you on the head with his card of choice ha! 

This is just fantastic. He knows what he wants and can finally express it to adults... even if it is a little forceful at times. Well done Finley!! Currently we have food cards but that's purely down to what motivates him. He's not really very requesting of toys or anything like that, and he won't eat biscuits or chocolate;  but apples and raisins etc... he loves. We don't limit him when it comes to snacks and even though we know he won't opt for sweet things, the cards are always available should he change his mind.

Do any of my readers use PECS with their children? Any hints or tips? 

My one tip is to keep them low, almost at head height, and freely available. Fin normally goes to the kitchen if and when he wants something. He would usually drag one of us in and throw our arms in the rough direction of where his desired item lives. So we chose to pop them on the fridge with magnets and it seems to be working well at home. Not all the time though, but hey what else is new with autistic children. All on their terms isn't it! 

Fingers crossed he can start using makaton soon as well. We've been trying with 'again' and 'more' for approx 18 months and it now, very occasionally, is used. To nail makaton would be the icing on the cake for me but for now, PECS does us just fine. I'm just so pleased that he is now able to have a form of communication with people, regardless of it's limitations!! 

Rock on Fin.

Have you entered our most recent giveaway? If not... Get me entered!

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Join the #ACEForSchool Challenge!

So it's just over a month since the kids have returned to school...

Ahhh back to school new-ness!

Gone are the scuff-less shoes; early morning eagerness to get up and head off has been replaced with "oh do I have to?"; wardrobes contain 2 less jumpers & 1 randomly gained cardigan that happens to be 2 sizes too small; and the colourful lunchboxes are already fading and dinted. The joys of motherhood huh?

One thing that is different this year though, is the number of crisp white polo tops binned by now thanks to chocolate mousse stains, paint, or... if you're my child... muddy footprints from treating clothes like a rug after outdoor p.e lessons. 

Seriously, just because these supermarket polo tops are pennies to buy it doesn't mean they are disposable and that's something I've genuinely come to believe in, by utilising a simple product that will give the washer a helping hand. That product range is Ace. What's even better is, I spotted these in Poundland the other day as well so it's completely relative to the cost of the tops themselves.

No soaking, no scrubbing, no effing and jeffing about the number of times I've told Carson NOT to trample on his uniform! Simply spray the Stain Remover directly on to the marks, load in to the machine and pop it on to do it's thang. 

With Finley's autism being so severe, I was in two minds as to whether I should show this image but I just have to. Other parents in the same situation need to hear that i actually vouch for this stuff in genuinely removing stains and definitely eliminating odours!! You see Finley has an issue with sensory processing and will smear his nappy contents for the smell, feel and taste.

So in situations like this you want a fresh smelling wash without the perfumed softener. We chuck in a cap of the Ace for Colours. It genuinely eliminates odours. Again, not expensive and not hard for even the less-domesticated to use! Because, you know, we're too busy cleaning the rest of the house after this!

Crack on kids. Make a mess, explore and enjoy your childhood. Grow, develop and thrive! That's why I've taken part in the #AceForSchool campaign. Because it's all too easy to think of mess made by kids is the same as mess by adults. It's not!! It's crucial that they take part!

What I'd give to be daring enough to go jumping in muddy puddles, or hill rolling myself. When did I become such an unimaginative being?

Anyway, I digress... Not once have I had to throw a top away yet. As Carson just said before... "you Ace-d it mum!"

I did son, I sure did.

With very little effort, but I'm taking allllll the credit. 

What's he laughing at?!

This post is an entry for the BritMums #ACEforSchool Challenge, sponsored by ACE. Get help for all kinds of stains with the ACE Stain Helper http://www.acecleanuk.co.uk/ or to buy head to your local Tesco’s, Morrison’s, Waitrose or Sainsbury’s

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How my year's goal are going so far...

You may remember back in January, I blogged about giving myself 4 goals for the year. Four major things that I will do before I turn 34 next February.

Driving was one of my "defo will do's". In fact it was top of my list. Having never had a lesson in my life, I took the plunge in late March and started the lessons. I've not been behind a wheel since the middle of May due to a few bouts of Instructor illness and his holiday, and my dear Grandad passing away. But, I can tell you all that my practical test is now booked! Even if I have to push it back due to the break in lessons, I will do this, this year.  I told you I'd do it and I meant it. I've never been more determined in all my life to achieve something. 

Finley got his spot at a fantastic special needs school and starts in September so there will likely be days when he'll need picking up mid-way through the day. Having some wheels means I won't have to rely on public transport schedules or do an hour's journey on the bus from work to go and get him. I'm also 3 month's into a different role at work, which invariably means travel. Again, how cool to not have to rely on trains etc?

So that's goal number one almost achieved!

The rest, um, I'm working on! Growing strawberries may well be something I've missed out on this year but to be fair, I barely keep a border grass alive, never mind strawbs in this very very dry summer that we're having. Getting a passport is all very well and good but I doubt there'll be any jollies this year due to work commitments and Finley starting his new school soon but hey ho, what I've never known won't be missed as far as I look at it. Making bread made an appearance on the list and nope, I've not tried this either. I'm saving this for autumn Sunday's though, to go with a big bowl of Scouse. 

I cannot wait for Scouse season again... I'm so over this lettuce and lollyice diet this heat is bringing us ha! 

How are your year's goals coming along?

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3 Alternative Activities That Help Kids With Autism

As a parent, you need to know that dealing with a child with ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder – can be challenging. There will be good days and bad days as you learn to understand each other and overcome the challenges. As a result, you need to be emotionally strong to be the best parent you can to support your child. But, contrary to the common belief, having a child with autism doesn’t have to be a lonely and painful experience. 

You can find support at the school and with your GP, as well as dedicated groups and communities who are ready to help when you need it. We rely a lot on the members of M.A.C.S (Merseyside Autistic Children's Society), whether it be for advice, tips and tricks in dealing with certain situations, or even just sounding off after a particularly challenging day. It helps to talk things out with those who really understand, in our experience.

More importantly, you can help your child to thrive by providing them with stress-releasing activities. Being a neurological disorder, autism isn’t a condition your child will ever grow out of. But it doesn’t mean it isn’t manageable. On the contrary, you can use hobby and playful activities to encourage positive behaviour. In fact, the Hanen More Than Words course we took part in as part of speech and language late last year, really instilled this exact point.  

Of course not everything works for every child, however three examples are... 

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Being part of a sport team

Don’t let other parents or teachers convince your child can’t interact in a social environment. In fact, you can encourage your child to take part in sports activities. If they are unsure of what they would like to do, participation in the sports day at school inspires children to discover new activities and develop new skills. Additionally, it’s a safe environment, where your child can find reassurance in your presence. You can even show the example by volunteering to parents’ sports, from racing to football. This will nudge your child in the right direction. And who knows? You might have a football champion or a fantastic racer in the family! As they find their interest, you can gradually help them to meet their local sports team and make new friends.

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Listening to music

Music is a powerful tool that can improve anybody’s mood. But for autistic children, music can also be part of an active therapy that helps them to develop their curiosity about the world and interact with others. Additionally, as a learning tool, music can do wonders for grasping the language and understanding new words. 

When your child feels down or stressed, playing their favourite tune can do wonders to their mood – and to yours too! Additionally, you can also use music to activate cognitive mapping. Children with non-verbal autism can understand the intention behind verbal communication through musical cues. This has happened with Finley very recently in managing to say "go" at the end of a rhythmic and melodic "ready, steady...". He also now knows that that is a cue for when we are ready to to do something. It's truly fascinating. We also get the most eye contact from Fin when we sing to him. This is a winner in our eyes!

Enhance their experience through DIY art

Finally, if music isn’t the preferred method of communication for your child, you’ll find that simple art projects can dramatically transform your relationship. Indeed, art can give children the possibility to communicate their emotions through a range of sensory activities, so that feeling that can’t be expressed verbally can be exposed. Additionally, creating something can also develop your child’s self-esteem and encourage a positive relationship. Your child may want to share their art with you, which strengthens your bond. If you plan on running a simple art project with your child, you need to define with them, their favourite medium: clay moulding, finger painting, creating a 3D canvas to hang at home, etc. Ultimately, art should be fun, so respect their wishes. Even if it means having coloured rice launched all over the kitchen floor!! 

In conclusion, children with autism can benefit from creative and sportive activities that let them expand their experience of the world and use different communication methods. This can give you the chance to establish a more profound bond. Even if it feels like it's not working at the time, take it from me, it really does work in the long run. 

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Finley's Journey continued... EHCP

I rarely write about Finley and I've explained why that is in past posts, but I feel compelled to share the fantastic news with you all... Finley's EHCP has been granted and he has been offered a place at our preferred special needs school for children with complex learning difficulties, without us even having to fight for it. 

Snug as a bug... ON a rug?!

Despite me being typically hard faced and logical about things, I didn't stop crying for half an hour when I heard the news last week! The built up pressure must have finally wanted to spill out of me like water from a tipped up jug. Boy, did it feel good!!

Anyone going through the turmoil of requesting an EHCP assessment, keep going. It will be worth it in the end and it will be the greatest feeling ever when you get some good news. It's not easy, it can be very complicated, and will take up a lot of your time, not to mention be quite distressing when you have to fill that form out with every single issue in black and white. But DON'T GIVE UP!

He might have his issues but he's a ray of sunshine on this beach :)

We're ecstatic that we've managed to do something for him. I am feeling so incredibly hopeful for what this huge milestone can do for him in the long run. 

The future is bright, I just know it.

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8 Thing You Can Do Thanks To The Internet

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The internet is massive. An absolute whopper of wonder, right at our finger tips. The sheer number of things that you can do in the internet is growing all the time. Back in the day, when MSN Messenger & MySpace were about all our devices and minds could take, we couldn't have dreamed of such a phenomenon! I love the fact that our kids will grow in such a digital age, and let's face it, it comes in handy for us as well.

Want to learn? 

Gone are the days where we had to go to back to school or college after work, or worse... spend time in a library at the weekends! Nowadays, you just switch on the PC. Yup, websites like Udemy allow you to buy online courses that you can do from your computer. These can be on how to code, learn a language, use software or even on writing skills. There's a massive variety of things that you can learn about on Udemy, so if you are interested in bettering yourself then you should check it out. Countless universities and colleges also offer some online resources for people looking to learn. You can browse or even take online courses at the university or college of your choice, not just wherever is closest like before the days of the internet.

Buy and Sell?

OK, so this is likely nothing you didn’t already know. However, the vast variety of stores that you can visit, and range of products that you can buy, is insane. And it is growing every day as new websites are made and new companies become established. You can buy anything from your weekly shop to electrical products and hair products, to books or even cars. Websites like Ebay allow you to sell your own things online easily, so you can get rid of unwanted items and make some money at the same time.Whereas, sites like Etsy let you sell your own handmade items and make some money from your craft hobby. 

Bookworm?

Reading online is the most obvious point on this list. You are doing it right now. You’ve likely done it an uncountable number of times. There are so many news websites, blogs and other types of written content on the internet for you to enjoy that it is almost impossible to comprehend. If you have an interest in a topic, then there is likely a dedicated website for your chosen interest. You can even read fiction online thanks to things like Kindle and the ability to download e-books. Whether you have an app on your phone or an actual Kindle device, each of them needs to connect to the internet in order to download books and allow you to buy new ones.

Need Prescriptions?

You can order your doctors prescriptions through the internet. This means that you no longer need to go into your GP surgery in order to request your prescriptions. Instead, you can order your NHS prescriptions online. All you need to do is fill out a simple form and you can get 'em. This is much easier and quicker as you don’t need to organize visiting your doctor. Simples!

Social Media

Social media has taken the world by storm. Facebook is enormous and so is Twitter. Not forgetting Instagram and Pinterest that have their own massive user-ship as well. Social media might have started small, but it is now something that plenty of people spend huge amounts of time on each day. (I, for one, am forever being told "Put down the phone, Jo!"). Maybe we're getting our news through it, talking to other people, sharing thoughts and images, or just reading other people’s comments. Social media is mahoosive, and categorically one of the most popular things on the internet. Most businesses and companies now use social media as the first point of contact with customers and as their main way of communicating with them. If you have a problem with something, head to social media and get that problem fixed as soon as possible. Previously, we had to send an email and that could take a while to get seen and addressed... or worse, ignored!

Making moolah!

We touched on making money in the shop section, but making money on the internet goes much further than having an online store or selling things on eBay. You can do freelance work through the internet. Some people have their entire jobs done through the internet. This might be through using freelance sites like Fiverr or making videos on YouTube, or running a blog and writing articles. If you have a skill, then you can likely find a use for it on the internet. Most job listings are now on the internet, so if you want a new job then you can apply and research positions through the internet. This makes the process quick and easy to do. You can also complete things like online surveys for money. They aren’t going to make you rich, but they can be a nice bit of extra income to treat yourself with. A lot of these can be done through a tablet or smartphone. This means that they are perfect for sitting down in front of the TV to complete. I do a lot of surveys for the odd Love2Shop voucher or amazon cards - great to bank for birthday prezzies for people!

Game much?

A lot people play games on the internet. This might be through downloading on to their computer or video games console. They might also take part in online play. These are games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. Whilst this isn't for me, people can play with their friends and talk to them through the internet, which seems to keep them happy! However, playing games on the internet isn’t just these kinds of thing. If you have a smartphone, then you can download apps through the internet to play wherever you are. This might be something like Candy Crush (wish I never started - obsessed isn't the word!), Angry Birds or Clash Royale. All of these are different, but can only be played thanks to the internet. This means that you don’t need an expensive video games console in order to play fun games using the internet. Happy days.

Couch potato?

You can watch TV through internet. I mean who would ever have thought that this was possible?! This might be using a streaming service like Netflix or you might want live TV through a website on the internet. BBC iPlayer offers a service where you can stream live TV through your internet. This is great if you don’t have access to your actual TV as you won’t miss your favourite shows or breaking events. Netflix allows you to stream all kinds of TV shows and movies whenever you want. All you need is a connection to the internet. NOW TV is a favourite with Carson, in his bedroom, because he gets all his fave Nickelodeon shows without having to ask for control of the sky box downstairs. Again, very happy days!

I wonder what will be next... 

This post is collaborative and may contain affiliate links

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(Wo)Man up!!

Can we stop. Can we please just stop being so fucking offended at non-issues please? I am getting sick to the back teeth of seeing news articles, people complaining on businesses facebook pages, and bloggers jumping on their soapboxes. 

Bore off! I can see you're trying to be controversial and get a bit of a reaction on your post and that's great for your reach - brilliantly proactive, well done, but are you REALLY that incensed over a label on the latest pair of pjs you bought? And enough to tag the company in your little shout out too?

Get a grip! If it offends you - move on. 

So what that a pair of pyjamas has a label that says boys on it but your daughter wants to wear it? Big deal! She ain't gunna be wearing the label is she? Let her wear it, who cares? It really doesn't need your attention-grabbing, typed diarrohea plastered all over the internet.

I've literally just read on LadBible about some teacher getting her knickers boxies  non-binary underwear in a twist over Tesco selling 'sexist school shoes'. All because the boys were described as being 'great for being active' whereas the girls got 'sensitive soles'. This snowflake take on big brands encouraging stereotypes, implying that only boys can be sporty and girls are too delicate, is absolutely destroying our societies ability to think for itself. Where is common sense? Who cares what the description is? If we used this anaolgy in REAL LIFE, then that's like saying Dame Kelly Holmes would both look and feel ridiculous in heels.  Perhaps she should be briefed on the possibility of PTSD... because that's how serious these moaners are trying to make these issues, are they not?

Similarly, Morrisons were selling tees. The boy's one said Little Boys, Big Ideas. The girl's one said Little Girls, Big Smiles. Why on EARTH is this offensive and/or sexist? No one is saying that girls are expected to stand there looking pretty whilst boys should have the brains. Seriously, why are you reading in to this so much? There's a jumper I saw available a few weeks back emblazoned with the words 'hangover hoody'... is this championing irresponsible drinking? No. It's a caption for a hoody. If you didn't like it, wasn't your thing, or you just thought it was childish, would you buy it for yourself? No. And that's absolutely fine! Because, hello, we all have different opinions and the world would be boring if we didn't. But to just out and out berate a company, publicly, because it happens to be on kid's clothing is just incredibly pathetic.

I've been sitting on this for a while thinking that if I blog about it, it's pretty ironic that I'm offended by their being offended and, moreover, I'm plastering my crap on the internet as they have done, but I've had just about enough of these uppity twunts banging on about sexism or inequality in clothes or toys or sweets. Sexism, my arse. It's just another reason for you to whinge and 'make a stand'. Nothing but a load of moaning Minnies (oh, sorry, Michaels too)...

I'll sleep so much better tonight now I've finally got that off my chest.. And breathe!! 

What are your thoughts on this recent influx of 'news worthy stories' about sexist implications of clothing, including labels or descriptions?

11 comments Tags: rant, sexism, soapbox, stupidity

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Syn free snack? Grabits!

I was sent some new and pretty unusual snacks to taste towards the end of last year and all I've heard since they ran out is "Muuuum, when can I have more chicken on a stick for my lunch boxes?"

Yes. Chicken on a stick. Such a simple idea, yet one that I'd not ever seen before! The best thing about them? They're syn free - if you're a lover of Slimming World, you'll appreciate this hugely, I'm sure.

Grabits Original Chicken on a Stick offers natural, meaty, 100% real, ready-to-eat chicken breast, perfect for snacking on their own, or quickly and simply adding to a salad or curry, with fewer than 70 calories per stick. 

Just because you're on slimming world though, doesn't mean you can't introduce a flavoured snack as well. With Grabits Chinese Chicken on a Stick, made from 100% whole muscle, healthy chicken, you can have a flavoursome snack with, again, fewer than 70 calories per stick.

The above picture shows the sheer size of these hunger-busting treats. Hint: that's on a dinner plate, not a side plate!

At the beginning of this post, I mentioned Carson wanting them for his lunch box again. That's because Grabits really are suitable for all the family. Instead of a sandwich, Carson loved having one of these with some cherry tomatoes and cheese chunks. From what he tells me, his classmates were a little on the jealous side too.

For those who've started a gym membership as part of their New Year's Resolutions - these pack away a huge 12g of protein per portion, making it perfect to take as a pre or post-workout snack.

They didn't last long in our house as, between Carson and I, we found new ways to utilise them and quickly! He gobbled them instead of crisps at home as well as taking in his lunch box for school. I made salads with them to take to work, or snacked on them in between meals at home. Grabits actually suggest using the Chinese ones in a meal of boiled rice, soy sauce and sliced spring onion for an easy-to-prepare Chinese-style lunch. How's that for a tasty, quick meal? And with an RRP of £1.69, it's pretty cost effective too. *Shred the takeaway menu!*

You can purchase these in shops like Spar, Costcutter, Londis etc. which is great for a snack on the go if you're passing. However, having said that you can see here that they're also available in Budgens and we recently have had one appear in our home town. Great to pick up during a proper shop too! 

Follow Grabits on Twitter or facebook for meal ideas, competitions and new flavour announcements, or if you prefer looking at pretty pictures, follow them on Instagram too. 

Tell me, is this a snack you'd try? Have you tried them already and, if so, do share your ways of eating them with us.

3 comments Tags: lunch box ideas, slimming world, snack, syn free

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