Choosing the best flooring for the nursery and playroom

Expecting a baby puts you through all sorts of emotions: stress, excitement and apprehension! For most of us, we are so preoccupied with doctor’s appointments, getting things settled at work and setting up – you want to do what’s best for your new one and yourself! Decorating your new baby’s room is a fun project, but it can be stressful when you don’t know where to start!

Morning sickness and fatigue makes you want to do nothing but sit on the sofa! But we can guarantee that if you put some effort into perfecting your baby’s room, then it will make things much easier when the baby arrives, and you’ll be grateful you made the effort. So why not start with flooring?

The first thing you’re probably most concerned about is safety. There’s no point in spending a lot of money on a beautiful floor for it to be unsafe; after all, babies don’t care about appearance! We know that everyone has different budgets, so we’re going to discuss a range of floorings that’ll suit a variety of budgets and preferences.

1. Luxury Vinyl Tiles 

If you’re totally set on practicality, then this is by far the best choice. LVT is incredibly durable and will last for many years of usage without showing wear. It is water, stain and scratch proof – you can only imagine the sorts of things your floor is going to come into contact within the nursery or playroom! LVT is always very affordable too, perfect if you’re looking to do up your baby’s room on a tighter budget.

The good news is that you’re not even sacrificing a pleasing look with LVT – it comes in very convincing imitations of natural products such as real wood and tile so convincingly, that often it’s hard to tell them apart! With a range of colours, patterns and thicknesses available, you can get exactly what it is that you want.

2. Carpet 

A traditional choice for the bedroom, carpet has a lot of advantages over hard surfaces. Firstly, it’s much softer, therefore, safer and more comforting for your little one playing on the floor – you’ll be surprised by how soon they’ll be crawling! Carpet is also relatively inexpensive and comes in a range of materials from wool to synthetic, as well every colour you can imagine.

It’s well known that carpets are fantastic insulators, especially wool carpets, as well as making the room quieter; which can be really helpful during that much-needed nap time!

The only thing to say against carpet is that it can tend to show wear after too much foot traffic and discolour in sunlight. It also stains easily, so just be aware of this.

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3. Laminate 

Much like LVT, laminate is a highly practical choice that shouldn’t cause you any extra stress. Very hard-wearing and again coming in very convincing imitations of natural products, that you can still get that classic authentic look. However, it is only resistant to scratches, stains and water; but largely it will cope with whatever is thrown at it. Its main advantage it has over LVT is that generally speaking it tends to be cheaper, ideal if you want a cheap and practical fix.

4. Wood

It’s no secret that wood flooring has always and remains to be the most popular choice of flooring, and this is no exception when it comes to the baby’s room – however, we wouldn’t say it’s the best option. First of all, it’s expensive – but of course, it all depends on what budget you have.

With this being said real wood most of the time, is worth the money. It is extremely durable and also resistant to scratches and stains – however it’s not 100% resistant to these, so might not be the perfect choice for your mucky little ones. However, it can be sanded down a number of times to eradicate any damage – so you have quite a few lives with wood flooring!

With this being said, wood flooring is the perfect versatile option. Although it might be described as sophisticated and luxurious, not the typical features of a child’s room, it does mean you have the option of using the room for another use when your child has grown up. Wood flooring lasts a lifetime, so it’s worth thinking about what the room is going to be used for twenty years down the line!

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How to keep your hips healthy

Your hips are essential for supporting your weight and keeping you mobile. Your hips are used for walking, standing, sitting, running and bending. You use your hips every day which makes them vulnerable to stress, as the cartilage can become worn over time. However, your body heals this cartilage and keeps it lubricated, but as you age your body becomes less efficient in doing this. That’s why it is important to keep them healthy. Hip replacements in old age are common but this procedure can lead to complications, as in the Johnson and Johnson hip replacement settlement.

Hip pain can be caused by many things such as rheumatic diseases and arthritis, so if you are experiencing any hip pain then you should go and see your doctor. Luckily, there are simple things you can do to keep your hips healthy and prevent any issues later in life.

Healthy weight

The amount of weight you carry will directly affect how much stress is put on your hips. Keeping a healthy weight will keep you mobile for longer. Losing just a small amount of weight can make a big difference.

Balanced diet

Getting all the required nutrients you need will help to keep your bones and joints healthier for longer. Especially Vitamin C, which helps your body form collagen which keeps your joints lubricated. This will improve your overall bone health and prevents fractures. Vitamin C is found in strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, sweet potato, and peppers.

You should also eat plenty of food with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant-rich foods. This includes fatty fish, olive oil, berries, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds.

Exercise

Even light exercise helps to keep your bones healthy by making your muscles stronger. It can also improve balance and flexibility which helps to keep your body aligned and reduces stress on your hips. Stretch and exercise often to help keep a good range of motion in your hips.

Go for regular walks, take the stairs rather than the elevator and do light stretches. A good place to start stretching is through light yoga. You can find great tutorials on YouTube, such as Yoga with Adriene.

Listen to your body 

Exercise can relieve hip pain; however, you should always pay attention to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, then stop and adjust. A little pain after exercise is normal but if the pain becomes worse or lasts more then a few days then it could be a warning sign to slow down or see a doctor. If you experience sharp, shooting pain then stop exercising immediately and speak to your doctor.

Conclusion

These steps are not just beneficial for hip pain, they will support every muscle and joint in your body. As you become older it is important to take steps to keep healthy and mobile. This will leave you independent for longer and able to do all the things you want to do. Furthermore, it is never too early to start thinking about your health. Healthy eating and exercise habits are important at any age and will even improve your mood.

Encouraging Independent Living With The Elderly

All though we get to a time in our life where we become grandparents and life is fun with new generations joining us. And we are surrounded by the laughter of children. But as we get older, things around us can also be slightly more difficult. We are more susceptible to illnesses and the recovery time is harder. One of these illnesses is Arthritis.  As you get older arthritis can start to trouble you with joint pain, tenderness and stiffness. As well as the restricted movement of joints. And then there is inflammation in and around the joints that causes pain. The two main arthritis are  Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which actually affect about 8 million people in the UK at a single time.

But there are things that can be done to make your life easier. Finding ways to deal with the problems associated with lifelong illnesses means you don't have to suffer in silence. You keep hold of your independence and you can show people that there is still life in the old dog yet!

Travel

When you get older, there is no need to stop travelling. You can get so much help these days with special assistance at airports and train stations. It isn't just for people with disabilities, it is also for elderly people with life long illnesses too. It could mean the difference between going on holiday or not. In order to get special assistance, you need to contact your airline before you travel from an airport. And to get travel assistance from a bus company or train company, you just need to call their special assistance phone number before you travel.

Independent Living

Elderly people often want to stay in their own home for as long as possible because it is the home they bought their family up in. There is so much history in the home and it is heartbreaking when they need to leave. But we can support them to remain in their own home by making their house adaptable. Making simple changes like swapping the sofa for a recliner and easy riser chair will help them to get comfortable. These chairs help you to stand up without having to put pressure on your bones and then hopefully you can stand up without pain. Recliners and easy riser chairs also help you to keep balanced as you stand up and you don't get a head rush as you stand up to quick. Try looking at something like Fenetic Recliner Chairs, These chairs come in different designs to suit your furnishings. You could also apply to the council for a grant to have a walk-in shower installed in the bathroom. 

Retirement Centres

Most towns have a retirement centre where the elderly can meet for a chat. There is nothing worse than going days without speaking to someone as you get older. These centres get them out of the house. They offer lunch and afternoon board games to keep people occupied. Many retirement centres also have a dementia suite where you can drop elderly relatives off and they are surrounded by things from the 1950s or 1960s. It is a safe environment for them to be in whilst you go for the well-deserved coffee break. They often have wartime days in the retirement centres too. 

Meals on Wheels

This is important for many elderly people to remain in their own home because although they might be able to do simple tasks by themselves, they might struggle with cooking a full meal. This is delivered to your door by someone, it is cooked and warm enough for them to eat. They will even plate it up for the customer. 

Part-time carers

You can arrange for a care company to come in a few times a day, just to check everything is okay and to help with either hygiene care or domestic help. It is usually the same carer so that the elderly person doesn't become confused and they start to trust the carer. These carers are often a local person and you can get help from social services to pay for them. Make sure you get recommendations from friends about which care company to go for.

Helplines

Sometimes an elderly person loses their life long partner, their soul mate and best friend. It can be hard for them to move on after this has happened but helplines such as The Silver line on 0800 4 70 80 90 where they offer help, support and friendship to lonely and grieving elderly people. , 

Careline Or Mobile Phone

When an elderly person has a few falls, but still wants to remain independent, it is a really good idea to get them set up with a careline. They wear a necklace with an alarm around their neck, then if they fall they can get help at the press of a button. Giving them a mobile phone with easy access buttons could also help in an emergency or for them to simply keep in touch. Phones designed for the elderly with failing eyesight are normally available from a disability aid shop. 

There are many ways that you can keep your family independent in their own home, or in yours for as long as possible. Supporting them is easy when you have the correct support and products at home to help them. 

Ten Ways To Soothe Your New Baby

It's not going to be long before I am a grandma! My granddaughter is due in March and I am most excited. It is so exciting to have a new member joining our family and we haven't had a baby in the family for so long.

As a mother-in-law, I am always conscious of not overstepping the mark and being pushy or offering advice when it not welcome. Things change over the years and things that worked for me as a mum 27 years ago, maybe outdated and advised against nowadays. Although I used the same techniques when Tilly was born nearly 10 years ago.

But I got my thinking cap on and thought, maybe I could create some advice blog posts that could not only help Zach and Amber in their journey as a new mum. But also other new parents with a new baby.

9 excellent tips to save money on kid’s clothes

It costs tons of money to raise children. You need to buy clothes, toys, and food for your children.
Kid’s clothes can be a massive part of your budget. Kids grow up so fast and outgrow their clothes quickly. The clothes they wear only a few times might not fit next season. Today I’m going to talking about how to save money on kid’s clothes. You’ll save lots of money on kids clothes after reading this article.

Let’s dive right in!

1, Shop in the off-season

A new season is coming doesn’t mean it’s time to buy clothes for the upcoming season. Instead, it’s time to shop for off-season clothes. Stores will launch a large number of popular styles at the end of this season and put the trendy clothes of the upcoming season in the show window. However, in order to avoid piling up inventory, stores will have a sale on this season’s clothes. Smart parents buy kid’s clothing at off-season. Walk into a kid’s clothing store, ignore the clothes in the show window (Yes, they’re attractive!), and go straight to the clearance rack. Make sure to buy a larger size! Children grow up so fast and outgrow their clothes quickly. If you don’t buy a larger size, your children probably outgrow these clothes and even not wear them once. If your children are developing, buy a much larger size!

2, Ignore Collections

Children boutique clothing stores usually group their latest styles right at the show window or at the front of the store. They can easily catch your eyes, and you’ll see all the different pieces together.
Sometimes you only want to buy a shirt for your child, but because it group with a pair of pants, and they look great together, you buy jeans, too. You come home, find out that your child doesn’t need this pair of pants because your child doesn’t care if you buy a shirt or a collection. If your child needs a shirt, go ahead and buy it but ignore the pants in the collection. Please do not buy anything only because it looks good or it’s cheap, ignore collections. Even if it’s on sale, don’t buy clothes that your children don’t need.

3, Ask family and friends for clothes

My cousin’s son was only a year older than my boy, and she’s not going to have more children, so she gave me all her son’s clothes. Well, when you have your first child, you may want your child to wear new clothes. However, when you have more than one child, you’ll naturally let the younger one wear hand-me-down clothes. Children don’t care if they wear new clothes when they’re very young. What matters is comfort and health. Some of the clothes she gave me are brand new because her son outgrows these clothes quickly.

4, Swaps with friends

Not everyone is as lucky as I am, having a family who keeps giving me clothes. No worries. We have more tips. It is a pity that your children outgrow clothes which they wear only a few times.
 Some people let their younger children wear hand-me-down clothes or sell them to Consignment stores. Swap clothes with family or friends is a great way to save money on kids clothing. Not only do we get the most value out of clothes that our kids outgrow, but we also get a lot of surprises.
You can organize your own clothing swap group. Recruited some of your mom friends and to gather together every season. You host it, or the moms in the take turn hosting. Check carefully to make sure you get clothes in good condition.

5, Hand-me-down

Let your younger children wear hand-me-downs is the easiest way to save money on kid’s clothing. You don’t need to do any social things. It all happens in your home. There’s no problem if you have two boys or two girls. Take good care of the outgrown clothes of your older children and leave them to the younger ones. If you have children of different genders, then you need to buy gender-neutral clothes because your younger son may not like the bowknot on the jeans. Or you can choose the second tip, swap your older child’s clothes and get clothes for the younger ones.

6, Sell clothes

Take your children’s outgrown clothes to consignment shops to resell is also a good way to save money on kid’s clothing. After selling what we don’t need, you can use the money to buy new clothes. Also, you can sell clothes you don’t need on eBay. You need to take more work if you want to sell clothes online. You need to take decent photos of each of your clothes and price them out individually. Good pictures catch our eyes and make it easier to sell your items. Then you need to post your items and answer questions from potential buyers. The entire process can take several days.

7, Shop Secondhand

Well, you may feel not good to shop for secondhand clothes for your children. You can start by buying holiday special clothes. How many times do you think your kids wear Easter and Halloween costumes? If you become comfortable with used clothes, then you can start to buy other clothes.
The prices in the consignment are a little higher stores than thrift stores. You can find high-quality brands in consignment stores. But this doesn’t mean you can’t get cloth in good condition in thrift stores. Check out both of them. Look at items carefully. Are they clean, are they gently used?

8, Buy a size bigger.

Don’t forget to buy a bigger size for your children. Your children grow up so fast. They outgrow many of their clothes which they only have worn a few time. So you need to buy a size bigger, which is a great way to save money. The longer they wear, the more money you save.

9, Preserve your clothes well

Last but not least, preserve your clothes well can save money on kid’s clothes. You want to take your clothes to the consignment stores to resell. You can’t get a high price if your cloth is not in good condition. You want to swap clothes with your friends, and if your clothes aren’t in good condition, who’ll swap whit you? It will help if you tell your children to protect their clothes while playing. Also, you can buy them some inexpensive paly clothes and put your children on play clothes while they’re playing. When you wash your children’s clothes, you should use gentle detergents. Don’t dry your clothes all the way.

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How To Use Social Media For Bloggers

As a blogger, using social media is a real benefit to you. It is smart, quick and gets your blog out there for the world to see. So choosing the right platform for your posts is important. You have a selection of different social media platforms to use, some will work better for you, than others. So you need to find what works for you. 

Social Media Platforms

Pinterest - You can add a Pinterest button to your blog posts and share it on Pinterest, where other bloggers or followers will find it and reshare it. A lot of bloggers find they get loads of traffic from Pinterest. This platform works really well for craft posts because People will look on Pinterest before anywhere else. Build your platform and followers and regularly post on there.

Facebook - This is the platform that most of the world use. It's easy and you can really express yourself. Many bloggers use Facebook to microblog on and you can pay to advertise your posts so you reach a wider audience. As well as your personal page, set up a blog page. This is where people can like your posts and you can share your blog posts or other bloggers posts. Sometimes on my Facebook page, I share MEMEs, jokes and other peoples posts. This mixes it up a bit and gives a variety for your readers to read.

Photo Booths To Hire In London and Hertfordshire

Why Photo Booths are set to be the hottest property in Events in 2020.

Around 10 years or so ago, Photo Booths and Pods began to appear at a range of celebrations across the UK, and immediately became a hit in the world of events. Many thought that they would disappear within a year or 2, and now, they are set to become one of the most in-demand services in 2020.

Getting a roof replacement? Common FAQs

While it might not be at the forefront of the mind when purchasing a home, over the length of most mortgages the lifespan of the property’s roof is likely to become in issue. And with full roof replacements one of the most expensive, essential home improvements a homeowner will ever face, it’s important to know where you stand before shelling out on a new one. Here are 5 common questions, answered, to get you started.

A happy, content and successful life - 5 ways to prepare your kids for their future

I think it’s safe to say that every parent wants what’s best for their children. We work hard so they can have the things they want, we comfort them when they have nightmares and make them feel better when they’re sick. Parenthood doesn’t come with a manual, with most of us simply get by with trial and error, an abundance of love and plenty of hope, but when it comes to preparing your kids for their future, there are some positive steps you can take.

Parenthood is a difficult balancing act, especially when you throw work and other responsibilities into the mix. So, to help you out, I've gathered 5 ways you can prepare your kids for their future and help them to lead a happy, content and successful life.

Everything you need to know about a police car auction

If you’re looking for a good deal on your next vehicle then a police car auction might be the way to go. Many people haven’t heard of police auctions, or have never considered them as a place to purchase a vehicle, but often you’ll find a variety of cars at a good price.

Due to the nature of the auction, vehicles are auctioned off for different reasons, therefore you could be bidding on a fairly new car that was seized due to a failed finance payment. If the idea of a good deal on a car has caught your eye, keep reading and find out everything you need to know about police car auctions.