Worried About Home Schooling? Check Out These Ideas And Resources

In this current climate, we have seen so many changes. From being encouraged to socially distance or self isolate depending on your situation to eateries closing and schools being pretty much closed except for key workers children. It is safe to say things have changed dramatically in just a few days. Homeschooling is one of these things. This is an ad.

Schools in the UK closed their doors on Friday to the majority of their students and we find ourselves stuck in a situation that we never saw coming - parents having to homeschool their children. With this happening, I wanted to share with you some great resources for homeschooling as we all try to find our feet. The Government also have a really helpful guide to educating your child at home.

Set up a space for learning

If you don't normally homeschool your children and have been forced to, due to what's happening in the world, then you will have to adapt to these changes. One of the first things you can do is set up a space for learning. It can be tempting to let your child do their work on the sofa or in their bedroom but a specific learning space is definitely the way to go - a desk or a dining table would probably be the best option. Ensure they have everything they need for their work and no distractions in clear sight.

Create a schedule

If your child would normally be in school, the child's school should offer you guidance. I have seen so many people who say they are going to stick rigidly to the schedules given to them by the school whereas others say they are going to play it by ear. I would suggest creating a schedule where education is a priority but also plan in break times. Children need a clear structure and this will help you as a parent too.

Online sites are your friend

 There are many online sites to help your child with their studies such as BBC Bitesize which links into the National Curriculum and BBC Teach which has free video resources, whilst Duolingo offers free language lessons for kids. If you have younger kids the Artful Parent has loads of creative projects, while the National Literacy Trust has great resources for kids, teachers and parents. Many museums have online virtual tours too, so you can check out the wonderful artefacts from the British Museum and Musée d’Orsay, Paris and others, from the comfort of your home.

Utilise Facebook groups

There were already plenty of Facebook groups dedicated to home education but many more have been created in the past few days by people in the same boat. These are packed full of ideas for creative things to do and how we can encourage learning from home without making it boring. We have to remember that this is just as strange for our children, if not more so, and we need to help them as much as we can. These groups can offer great support to parents too.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

We have all been thrown in the deep end with this so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are a little overwhelmed. Private tutors are a godsend if there is a particular topic you are struggling with and the best thing is they can teach face to face or online. Search for ' tuition centre near me'  for tutors that can help you. In the current situation, we are in, being able to access a tutor online is very helpful indeed. Tutor House has a number of experienced and passionate tutors who are willing to help your child and the company only accepts the top 20% of applicants for jobs so you really know the tutor you have is up to the job. 

Be creative

Yes...the children will have to do their Maths, English and other topics from home, but why not consider being a little creative? We can’t really get out and about at the moment but why not explore your garden and teach them more about insects? Why not work on their arts and crafts skills by getting them to paint a particular picture? Learning through play is so important, they can even learn with building Duplo or Lego.  Sometimes being creative is exactly what your child needs to light that spark to get learning again.

Are you having to educate your child at home at the moment? Do you have any top tips?

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10 Easy Small Business Ideas For Mums

Looking for some small business ideas? Then you’ve come to the right place. As mums, we often want to get back into the workplace but find it difficult due to the cost of childcare. With these small business ideas, hopefully, you’ll find something that suits you such as buying wholesale kids clothing and reselling it. This is an advertorial.

Which small business ideas sound best for you?

Mobile hair and/or beauty


Are you qualified in hairdressing or beauty procedures but haven’t worked in a salon for a while? Why not consider doing it from home or in clients homes as a mobile hairdresser or beauty therapist? This way you can work around your other commitments while still having the opportunity to earn money.

Gardener

Granted this isn’t always an all-year-round job due to the weather but a gardener can set their own hours and be very flexible. It can help you to get outside and feel good about yourself too! It's the perfect job to do part-time around the kids.

Selling Kids Clothing

You can buy wholesale or you can dropship but selling kids' clothing will always be a good business idea as people love buying their children's clothes from small businesses. The opportunity to have something a little more unique than the mass-produced shop stuff will always be popular with buyers. Just take the right clothing product photography to sell your products.

Tutor

Are you well versed in a particular subject? Why not use that to your advantage and tutor those who are struggling in that subject? Sometimes all a person needs is a little support and a tutor is a perfect person for this. You can even teach online in the comfort of your own home, all you need is a headset and a laptop. GCSE maths online tutors are becoming very sought after so it's a good idea to look into it.

Pet sitter or walker


Something that is great if you love animals is a pet sitting or pet walking job. People who work long hours may need you to walk their dog when they can’t and those who have pets but need to travel may require someone to come in and check on their pets.  You can be very flexible with this business which is perfect for many people. You can even travel the world and have complimentary accommodation house sitting as well as pet sitting.

Freelance writer

This is one I personally do and it can be very lucrative if you get the right clients. If you have a solid grasp of the written word then you may want to consider giving this a go. Qualifications aren't essential either, just the ability to write accurately. You can even use online spelling and grammar software to help you such as Grammarly.

Cleaner

Another great job for setting your own hours is cleaning - you can easily build up a solid client base, especially if you live in a small village where you can have a monopoly on clients. It may not be the best job for you if you don’t like cleaning but if you adore it, why not make some money from it?

Event planner


Are you someone who loves to plan birthday parties and celebrations? Why not utilise your skills and turn it into a career? Start small by planning events for friends and families then get the word out there and expand your business. Good organisation skills are essential, and most mums have that!

Virtual Assistant

I have dabbled in this work myself in the past and have hired my own. There is such a market for virtual assistance out there - you don’t even have to leave your home. Virtual assistants may do a variety of tasks such as social media scheduling, image creation and editing, content promotion, and much more. If you feel that you have the skills for this, why not give it a go? You can even create a business out of it by hiring a bunch of like-minded individuals interested in this work. The best part is that you need not have a physical location for the entrepreneurial adventure. All the nitty-gritty of the business can be managed remotely through Your Virtual Office London (or wherever you are located).

Rent out your property

Something you could consider is renting out your property whether that is letting people use your driveway, letting someone rent a room from you or letting people use your home as an Airbnb when you are going away. It may not be the greatest income but it will definitely boost your bank account.

Do you run a small business? What do you do?

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The Benefits Of Solid Wood Flooring

If you are looking to replace the flooring in your home, then you may be unsure of all the options available, as there are many to choose from. I suggest that one type of flooring you should consider would be solid wood flooring as it has many benefits. Let's have a look at the benefits of solid wood flooring. This is an Ad.

 The Benefits of Solid Wood Flooring


Durability

 Solid wood flooring is durable and long-lasting. Carpet can fade and get threadbare, vinyl can warp and cannot be repaired. Sold wood flooring lasts for a long time and any natural marks add to the natural lustre of the wood. Any heavy damage then it can be repaired with sanding or can be refinished anyway. So it's a good choice for a long-lasting finish. 

Appearance

 Solid wood flooring has a timeless appeal. Being made of natural wood (check out this link to view a variety of wood options) it's available in all the colours of this natural product, from oak, beech, walnut and more. The natural colour means each solid wood floor is unique and this makes it extra special with no one having the same flooring as you. Solid wood flooring also does not go out of fashion, making it perfect for any decor.

 Easy to keep clean

 It may surprise you but solid wood flooring is easy to keep clean and because of this it is good for those with allergies as it doesn't trap dust or pet hair like a carpet does. They are stain-resistant and easy to keep clean, any spills are easy to wipe up. Perfect if you have a dog or a baby crawling around. Sweep it on a daily basis to remove any dust, and mop it with a nearly dry mop. Check out how to clean any type of hardwood flooring here.

Added Value


Because of its beauty and its durability, solid wood flooring can add value to your home and make it become more desirable. Buyers do not have to think about replacing the carpet. This, in turn, can make it easier to sell. So if you are thinking of doing home improvements, it's worth considering adding solid hardwood flooring to your home for the look but also the added value.

 Cost-effective in the long run

 Although initially, solid wood flooring can be more expensive than vinyl and carpet, because of its durability it lasts longer. This means that it is cost-effective in the long run. Carpet can fade, and vinyl can get damaged, but solid wood flooring almost gets better with age, taking on a unique finish.

 Acoustics

 Solid wood flooring has great acoustics, which is perfect for rooms where you play music. If installed properly they are not noisy rooms, but if concerned just install on ground floors.

 As you can see there are many benefits of solid wood flooring for your home.  The timeless appeal, chic look and durability make solid wood flooring a sound investment. Let me know, do you have solid wood flooring? Would you consider having it installed?

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3 Reasons Why You Should Insure Your Jewellery

Some items in our life absolutely require insurance, such as your car or your home, while other belongings can be insured but we don’t always think about going through the process of acquiring insurance for these items. Anything you own of value can be insured and protected against theft or sometimes even potential damage. This is an ad.

Many people amass a collection of high-quality jewellery over time, such as diamond rings, expensive gold chains, or pricey watches. Although it may never happen, burglary is a real potential threat, and your most valuable belongings can be at risk. If you own a lot of expensive jewellery, learn more about to get it insured and determine if this is the right idea for you.

Protect against theft 


One of the greatest motivators behind insuring your jewellery is the potential for theft. Cash, jewellery, and expensive electronics are typically the most common items that are stolen during home burglaries, which means your jewellery is always a target. Of course, we hope that our homes are never burglarised, but these things can happen unexpectedly and it’s better to be protected.

If you rent your home and you have renter’s insurance, your belongings are often covered, but only up to a certain amount—meaning that you might not receive money back for your jewellery should it be stolen.

Maintain jewellery to be passed down

If you own very expensive items like men’s gold chains or women’s diamond rings, you often hope to pass these items down to your children or grandchildren as special mementoes. Having jewellery insurance can help guarantee that your kin will inherit these items and keep them in the family for years to come.

Cover potential damage

Not all jewellery insurance policies will cover damage, but you can look into policies that have this feature. It will likely add to your insurance cost, but it can be worth it in the long run. Review the stipulations on the types of damage that are covered by your policy and determine whether or not you think you need this extra protection. It can help keep your jewellery in top shape and maintain its value.

What You Need to Insure Your Jewellery

Official appraisal


Before you can acquire jewellery insurance, you’ll need to visit a professional jewellery appraiser to get an accurate estimate of your jewellery’s monetary worth. When looking for an appraiser, check your local jewellery store or, better yet, look at organisations online such as the International Society of Appraisers or the National Association of Jewellery Appraisers to ensure that you’re going to a reputable source with the proper certification.

When you have your jewellery appraised, you’ll receive an official document that verifies the worth and the quality of your jewellery. This certificate must be presented to the insurance company, along with other documentation to insure your pieces.

Original receipt

Many insurance companies will want to see your original receipt for the jewellery to ensure that you are the one who purchased the jewellery. Though insurance companies will sometimes request this document, the company understands that many people want to insure a family heirloom, for which the receipt was likely lost years ago. As long as you get the item appraised by a certified professional, you should be just fine.

Certificates

Depending on the type of jewellery you’re trying to get insured, your insurance company may require some additional certifications. Aside from your appraisal, which examines the overall value of the piece, you may also need to have your jewellery examined by either the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or the AGS (American Gem Society) in the US or the National Association of Goldsmiths in the UK, to verify that your gemstone is real and determine its exact weight and value.

Photographs of jewellery

Along with your official documents, insurance companies may ask for photographs of the jewellery to verify its current condition. You should also keep a copy of these photographs for your own records to help you identify any damage that may occur over the years.

Questions to ask your insurance


Before you decide on your jewellery insurance policy, there are some important questions to consider to make sure that you are completely covered in any scenario you may be worried about, from theft to damage. Here are the three most important questions to ask your insurance company prior to buying a policy:

What exactly is covered?

Much like car insurance, jewellery insurance has different levels of coverage, from comprehensive to more basic packages. Before you sign a policy, ask your insurer to be very clear about what is covered and ask for these details in writing. Sometimes you may get a verbal promise from an insurance company, but, if it is not specifically written down in your policy, they can revoke their verbal statement and claim that it is not a part of your original policy.

Comprehensive jewellery insurance is the best way to go if you want to be covered in almost any scenario, including theft, loss, or even accidental damage. Some insurance policies will even have something called “mysterious loss” coverage, which applies to any jewellery that may go missing without explanation. In the case of damage or loss, your insurance company should provide funds to replace your item. Check out Centerstone jewellery insurance for fair-priced jewellery insurance that offers comprehensive cover. 

How will you be Compensated?

Compensation is another very important part of your jewellery insurance policy because you want to guarantee that your money will be returned in full in case something should happen to it. Ask your insurance company how you will receive the money and verify that you will receive the full, original appraisal amount. Typically, you will also receive the sales tax that was paid on the item if you were able to show a receipt and prove this amount.

How do you make a claim?

Understanding how to make a claim will make the process much easier in the event that something happens to your jewellery. Most companies will require you to call them first and explain the situation. Then, you will be notified when your claim has been processed and you can visit your jeweller to discuss replacing or fixing the item. Once the item is fixed, you need to pay your deductible, and the remaining balance will be sent to the insurance company for coverage.

Be cautious and get your jewellery insured

Although we always hope that nothing will happen to our most treasured possessions, you never know what the future may hold. If you have a piece of jewellery that is sentimental, like your grandmother’s ring or a very valuable item like a Rolex watch for men, you definitely want to consider investing in jewellery insurance. This exact level of protection can help you to feel safe and know that, should something happen to your jewellery, you will be covered. 

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Picking Yourself Up When Your Mood Is Low

Low mood is very, very common. It’s something that we all suffer from time to time. Even those of us who would think of ourselves as sunny and cheerful, sometimes feel down. Sometimes, there’s a clear reason for our low mood, perhaps an argument with a friend or partner, a stressful situation, ill health, or a bad week at work. Sometimes, it’s a combination of things, and sometimes, there’s nothing wrong, no clear reason for our bad mood, we just feel a little blue. Whatever the reason, it’s normal and usually nothing to worry about.  This is an ad.

Moods fluctuate, and unless it becomes a frequent occurrence or it starts to ruin your enjoyment of life, there’s usually no reason to be concerned. That doesn’t mean that it’s fun. Or that you want to wallow in your bad mood. Fortunately, you don’t have to. There are a few things that you can do to pick yourself up.


Get a Clean Break

Most of the time, just a few small changes can improve your mood considerably. But, not always. You might need a clean break divorce, a move to a new area, or a change of career. If there’s a root cause to your mood, and it isn’t short term, consider a clean break or a fresh start.

Spend Time with Friends

Spending time with people that we love, people that make us smile, and people that boost our confidence is always a good idea. Even if you don’t want to talk about your worries or concerns, just being around people that make you feel better can help.

How often have you hated the idea of going out when you have been feeling low, only to find that you’ve had a good time if you’ve pushed yourself to go? Make some plans with friends, even if it’s just to watch some TV together or get a coffee. I know that I have a particular friend that always makes me laugh, so going to lunch with her always improves my mood.

Treat Yourself
Treating yourself is a powerful thing. It’s you taking ownership of your mood and wellbeing. Treating yourself means that you are putting yourself first for a change, even if it’s just spending an hour in the bath with a book and a glass of wine.

Get Some Exercise

Exercise can be a powerful mood boost. When you exercise, you get a rush of adrenaline and endorphins. These help to boost your mood and confidence. Go for a run or to the gym if you can, but even a short walk in the fresh air could be a big help. Walking in nature has been shown to improve feelings of well-being.

Make Some Changes to Your Lifestyle

Take a good look at your lifestyle. Could any changes help to improve your mood? Could you make small changes to your diet? Try to get more exercise? Go to bed earlier? The benefits of a good night's sleep are well documented. Often, tiny changes are more sustainable and so more effective.

Make a List

Lists can be a great way to pick yourself up. Writing to-do lists can help you to get through the day when times are hard. Having a list of things that you’ve got to look forward to can give you a lift, and lists of things that you love about yourself, are great when you need a quick pick me up.

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TEMPUR® Comfort Pillow Review And The Benefits Of A Good Night's Sleep

This is an AD for TEMPUR® 

We all know how much we feel refreshed after a good night's sleep. The kids (and the husband!) seem much more manageable, and we can cope better with the ups and downs of daily life. There is so much documented evidence of the health benefits of sleep that it's one of most people's goals - to get a good night's sleep.

Of course, that isn't always possible. It can be hard to fall off to sleep, you need the right environment to sleep comfortably and then if you wake up, sometimes your thoughts can keep you awake. Everything seems just that little more worrying at 3am. I know that since I have become older, I seem to wake up in the night and my thoughts start racing and I find it hard to get back to sleep.

 The benefits of a good night's sleep

 The benefits of a good night's sleep are well documented and the NHS website links lack of sleep over the long term to poor concentration and low mood and also more serious health conditions like obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

 Sleep and memory survey

One thing I didn't realise about the lack of sleep you can get, is the link between this and poor memory. Recently TEMPUR® decided to look into this further and conducted a sleep and memory survey in the UK.

TEMPUR® are a brand with an important scientific background. TEMPUR® was first created by NASA in the 1970s to cushion astronauts during lift-off as they journeyed into space. Over the past four decades, they have spent time and money into research and now produce mattresses, pillows, beds and accessories that evenly distributes weight and pressure as you sleep.

The aim of the survey conducted by TEMPUR® was to explore the link between the effects of a poor night's sleep on memory. For the survey, 5000 respondents aged over 18 were questioned. These are some of the results.
  • Over half of those surveyed believe that the lack of/poor sleep makes their memory worse.
    •
  • Women are most likely to be affected by poor memory after a poor night’s sleep (59%).
  • Those who rated their sleep as excellent or good reported an average of 7 hours of sleep per night.
  • Those who rated their sleep quality as poor reported an average of 5 and a half hour's sleep per night – this group were more likely to rate their memory as below average.
They also looked at mattresses and the effect on sleep, with 4 out of 5 people surveyed believed the right mattress is essential for a good night's sleep. The most well-known mattress in the survey was TEMPUR® with 80% of people saying that they had heard of the brand. As you can see anecdotally people do feel a lack of sleep affects their memory. 

TEMPUR® Comfort Cloud Pillow Review

To help me get a good night's sleep TEMPUR® recently sent me the TEMPUR® Comfort Pillow Cloud - a pillow made of thousands of micro cushions. 


The pillow is slightly different on both sides and feels soft to the touch and yet it is also very firm.



I was interested to see how it would support me when sleeping. 

When I tried the pillow out that night, I found it a little heavier than expected however not unduly so, but that also meant it stayed in place throughout the night. It seems to mould to your head as you lie on it, with the unique memory foam, and was incredibly supportive. You seem to sink into the pillow which I really liked, providing great support.


 The pillow has a soft cushioning on both sides, and both sides are slightly different - it's up to you which side you sleep on. The cover is removable, washable and breathable too. 

Of course, there are other things that can affect your sleep like taking regular exercise to make you tired, staying away from technology and the blue light it emits that increases alertness an hour before you sleep and avoiding caffeine. However, having a comfortable sleep position and the feeling of being supported in your bed can all help sleep so I can see this TEMPUR® Comfort Cloud Pillow being beneficial to many. It really appeared to support my head and neck.

TEMPUR® are so confident you will like the TEMPUR® Comfort Cloud Pillow that they will let you try one for 30 days in your home. If you don't think the pillow gives you the head and neck support you need then you can have your money back. That's confidence for you! So you don't have anything to lose.

What other things can I do?

As well as using a supportive mattress and pillows there are other things you can do to sort out a night routine that works and get a good night's sleep. Turn off the phone and laptop at least an hour before you go to bed, take a relaxing warm bath, have a milky drink or chamomile tea and try and wind down.  I find listening to relaxing music and natural audio sounds like waves gently crashing or pattering rain helps me go to sleep. Check out relaxing music and nature sounds like this on YouTube, iTunes or Spotify.

Let me know, have you tried a TEMPUR® mattress or pillow? How does a lack of sleep affect you? Do you have any tricks to get a good night sleep?

* AD This post is in conjunction with TEMPUR®, but all thoughts are my own
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