Tag: family life

Children, Families, Family Life

Becoming More Productive At The Weekends

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Becoming More Productive At The Weekends

Are you someone who wishes they could spend their time productively at the weekends? 

Don’t worry if you are often lazy; we are all allowed to relax. But if you wish you could spend your time doing things and not lying on the sofa, you’ve come to the right place for inspiration. You can have magical weekends consisting of a balance of relaxation and productivity. How great does that sound?

Using this guide, you can find the best advice for becoming a more productive human at the weekends.

Learn new skills

If you want to spend your time wisely when you have spare time, it is a great idea to learn new skills. For example, you might be eager to start baking when you have time. If you lack the skills, you can use your weekends to perfect them and make yummy treats. You can use this easy brownie cookie recipe to get to grips with the concept of baking. When it tastes great and has a perfect texture, you will boost your confidence and feel more inclined to create more bakes. Then, you can master a new hobby and spend your time more productively at the weekends when you don’t want to lie around and do nothing. 

Set a list of goals

Kickstart your weekend off on a good note by setting goals. Set goals at the end of the week for your weekend. What are some things you want to get done? What house project should you work on? Or what new places do you want to visit? Are there things you faced this week that you know will make your weekend more challenging? Plan ahead for those. What are the priorities in your life right now? Maybe cuddle your babies on the couch instead of going to a movie on opening night. And don’t forget to plan to relax. 

Have a regular sleeping pattern

Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule is among the most important and often underestimated things you can do to improve your productivity and general well-being. Go to bed and get up around the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps to regulate your body’s clock and could help you fall asleep and stay asleep for the night. Instead of worrying about how many hours of sleep you get, focus on how you feel during the day. If you are feeling refreshed and alert, you get enough sleep. Create a cool, quiet, dark (or dimly lit) and gadget-free sleep environment.

Centre yourself when you step out of bed

Centre yourself immediately after you get out of bed. Decide what you want to do before you get up to prevent yourself from losing motivation. These helpful methods could be making breakfast, going for a short walk, meditating, journaling, stretching, or anything else you think would get you off to a good start. The feeling of getting up for the right purpose will greatly motivate you to take part in activities you know are good for your health and happiness. Try it out. Get up earlier, and notice how positively the extra time in the morning affects your mood throughout the day.

Don’t spend all of your time on your devices

Set boundaries on devices and reclaim your time by having limited screen time during weekends. Don’t spend your weekends scrolling through social media or watching endless TV shows on Netflix. Create limits on your devices and set specific times to be without a screen. Spend time reading, doing an outdoor adventure, or picking up a creative craft. It’ll help you have a more productive weekend.

Nourishing activities for your health

On the weekends, don’t forget to take care of yourself by participating in activities that nourish your physical, mental, and emotional self. Set aside time for relaxation, hobbies, and activities you enjoy. Whether it is practising mindfulness, spending time outdoors, or working on your favourite hobby, it is important to prioritize self-care.

Household chores are wise to tackle

Pledge to spread the household chores across the group to lessen the workload and maybe give yourself and your family more time to do things that are more fun. Switch on and off each week with certain jobs like cleaning, grocery shopping, or cooking dinner, and try doing something with someone to keep it fun and work on teamwork, too.

Single-tasking is good

Focus your attention on the task or activity at hand. Avoid multitasking. It can decrease efficiency and increase stress. If you focus your attention on the task at hand, you can work more efficiently, be more focused, and less stressed.

Families, Family Life, homes, interiors

Here’s How To Manage Moving Day Without The Stress

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Here’s How To Manage Moving Day Without The Stress

Moving is a huge experience in anyone’s life and can be the thing that brings you closer to your dream home, your ideal location, or even your plans to start a family. Unfortunately, moving is also a notoriously stressful experience that’s often right up there with weddings or having a baby in terms of its emotional overload. And, in fairness, anyone who’s moved more than a couple of times in their life will have a fair understanding of why.

There’s simply no getting around the fact that moving your belongings from one place to another can quickly see your blood pressure rising. Even if you have minimal belongings, you’ll likely need to arrange some sort of transportation. And then there’s all of the waiting around for contracts, keys, and confirmation that you really will be moving. That’s a lot for anyone to deal with, especially when you add in the emotional weight of such an important process. 

By the time you’re finally in your new property, it’s natural to feel a little fried, and you might even find that stress stops you from truly enjoying this achievement. But, moving is a notable life event that you deserve to enjoy. 

Making this experience as stress-free as possible is crucial for allowing yourself to do that. But, what does a stress-free move actually look like?

1 – Do whatever you can in advance

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that preparation is going to make your moving day less stressful. That’s just common knowledge. The complication comes from the fact that you can’t do a single thing in your new home until those keys are in your hand. But, preparation is still invaluable in the lead-up to your move.

Clear schedules for your packing and old house cleaning can especially mean that you’re able to approach your moving day with less stress. Fail to do this, and your moving day morning will end up being a mad rush, even before your move itself. But, if you make sure to have everything packed at least a week or so in advance, then you shouldn’t need to spend any longer than an hour on this for the big morning. Equally, planning a full house clean that you complete the day before your move where possible will save you from needing to go around the whole house last minute. Instead, you’ll be able to have a leisurely breakfast, say goodbye to your home, and embark on your new life feeling fresh, rested, and ready to go.

2 – Lower the moving day stakes

If you intend to get settled and unpack everything on the same day, then you’re naturally going to feel some pressure. Especially when you have to wait around for potentially more than half the day before you can get those keys in the first place.

By lowering the moving day stakes, you make sure that you’re not constantly watching the clock, or working until the early hours of the morning to get everything in place. Instead, having less to do will allow you to sit back and enjoy every moment of this process. 

If you’re in a position to do it, the absolute best way to lower the stakes is to simply avoid moving on the moving day itself. After all, as mentioned, waiting for keys can take half your day or more in some situations. That doesn’t leave you with much time to play with and is often one of the main sources of moving-day stress. But, if you’re able to stay where you are for the time being, or have the finances to look into a temporary rental, it won’t matter half as much when you get that long-awaited call to collect your keys.

At the very least, make it so that you don’t have to unpack the whole house right away by packing your essentials into a couple of key boxes. This way, even if you don’t get into your new home until the late afternoon, you’ll likely be free to sit down and enjoy your new living space with a glass of wine by no later than seven that same evening. All of which will make a huge difference to how calm and happy you feel throughout this process.

3 – Tackle things step by step

Too many of us attempt to tackle a move in one massive leap, but there’s no reason to bite off such a big chunk for your moving day. After all, when you add in waiting time, travel time, and unloading time, your moving day is probably pretty jam-packed already. That doesn’t leave you much time for things like decorating, unpacking, and heading out to meet all of your neighbours. But, guess what? It doesn’t need to! Instead, you can break everything into a step-by-step process.

For instance, by taking things one room at a time in your new home, you’ll be far better able to enjoy yourself, perfect your interiors, and think about where you want everything to go. Make this possible by either designating a ‘storage room’ in your new home where you can put all of your boxes to begin with, or by seeking short-term storage for your things until you come to the relevant room, and can bring those boxes on board without overwhelm. Make sure to decorate as you go, and try to give yourself around a month before you aim to have everything in place.

Equally, don’t worry about meeting all of your neighbours or exploring your entire new town or city straight away. Instead, set aside an hour or so out of each day in the week after your move for explorations of this nature. Then, simply aim to check out your local restaurant one evening, or head into the town centre one afternoon. As for your neighbours, meeting everyone one at a time and in a timeframe that suits you makes it way more likely that you’ll feel calm enough to engage in proper chat, and make some potentially lasting connections in your new area. All without the mad rush of trying to do all of this on your moving day.

4 – Hand over what you can

In life, we often put too much pressure on our shoulders, and never is that more true than with a house move. Sure, we might feel okay about asking for the help of our friends and family when moving our belongings. But, not many of us consider asking for help once we get to the other end. 

In reality, though, there are plenty of moving day tasks that you can hand over to either professionals or loved ones. And, every single one of those tasks will be something less for you to worry about. 

Admittedly, you might want to unpack your belongings yourself as you know where you want things to go. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make the most of other people. For instance, you might want to ask for your family’s help with keeping the kids entertained while you move. You may even want to balance the pressure of interior design by hiring an interior designer or decorator to start getting the house to match your vision the moment you move in. Equally, something as simple as handing over the transport of your belongings to a moving company can give you less to worry about, less to do, and way more time to have fun throughout your moving day.

5 – Look after yourself

Moving is a lot, and no one can deny that. But, this experience is often made more stressful because we forget to look after ourselves throughout. And, that’s guaranteed to take its toll when we’re also dealing with the big emotions of leaving places behind and welcoming entirely new areas into our lives.

Luckily, minimising your stress using the tips in these articles is, in itself, a form of moving self-care. But you should aim to go even further than that to ensure a stress-free move. Some of the other crucial things that you can do to care for your well-being during this time include – 

  • Avoiding late nights to ensure that you’re getting enough sleep
  • Packing a ‘care box’ of essentials, including relaxing tools like reading materials, bath salts, etc.
  • Making sensible eating choices, including healthy takeout or eat out options and pre-made meals
  • Taking regular breaks from heavy lifting, bending down, etc.
  • Continuing to practise relaxation techniques including meditation and deep breathing

Conclusion

It’s all too easy to feel swamped by the stresses of moving day, but there really is such a thing as a stress-free move. By taking these steps towards achieving that goal, you should find that you can embark on life in your brand new home with a happier, healthier mindset overall. You just need to plan, prioritise, and simplify the process as much as possible. Who knows, doing so might allow you to enjoy your move so much that you’re desperate to do it again soon! Or not…

Children, Families, Family Life

Six Holiday Activities For Boisterous Kids

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Six Holiday Activities For Boisterous Kids

Kids are always full of energy. But how can you siphon off the excess so they become more manageable at home?

That’s a question that’s dogged parents for countless generations. The good news is that there are now more options than ever before. Holidays don’t need to consist solely of kids bouncing off the walls and you pulling your hair out. Here are some ideas for keeping them occupied. 

Go To The Trampoline Park

One option is to take them to the trampoline park. These are incredibly fun and give them a thorough workout at the same time.

Most parks have distinct areas for different age groups. This way, you can prevent bigger kids from bundling yours out of the way while keeping them bouncing at safe heights. Usually, you pay by the session, but you can also get memberships. 

Go To Splash And Play

You can also try heading over to the waterpark to see if they find that fun. Getting them sliding down slippery slopes, going on Congo River rapids, and playing with jacuzzi jets can keep them occupied for hours. 

Some parks are indoors, which is great for freezing temperatures. However, most theme parks and recreational destinations also offer outdoor versions. Just remember to pack the sunscreen if you use one of these and reapply it to your kids regularly to prevent them from burning. 

Join Dance Classes

Thanks to operators like Gymfinity, signing your kids up for dance classes is more straightforward. These operate during term times but also lay on additional sessions during the holidays to give parents some respite. 

Various dance styles are available, and most instructors will go through several types in the course of a single session. Your kids will do everything from ballet to the cha cha cha. 

Get Them Building Forts

If there’s nothing available in your area, you can get your kids building forts. Using pillows, cushions, and blankets to construct elaborate castles can be immensely fun and also teaches them motor skills. After a few practice sessions, you’ll be shocked at what they can produce. 

Go Into Nature And Collect Leaves

You can also try going into nature and collecting leaves and bugs. Finding big pine cones, stems, and twigs introduces kids to the feelings, smells, and sensations associated with nature, providing them with a more visceral connection to them. 

Going into nature also exposes them to the weather and how the sun and temperature change throughout the day. It gives them a sense of what the world is really like outside the home and classroom. 

Add Glow-In-The-Dark Fun To Your Living Room

Another activity for boisterous kids is adding some glow-in-the-dark fun to your living room. Adding neon sticks and fluorescent paints to the interiors can be a fun project and looks incredible when the lights go out. Plus, it introduces your children to some fun physics. Glow sticks are just weird because they produce light as a result of a chemical reaction. That’s a chemistry lesson right there.

Families, Family Life, moving

The First Few Days After A Move – Advice For You

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on The First Few Days After A Move – Advice For You

There’s a great deal of advice out there detailing how to move house. That’s fantastic of course, and very much needed if we’re to focus on living in a new home without crumbling from the stress of it all.

But let’s say you’ve already followed that advice. You’ve commissioned your local removalists to carry your most prized possessions (and have been successful), you’ve been given the keys to your new property, and you’ve moved into the household ready for your new adventure.

Now the real work starts. Living in a new home can feel like a task as much as getting there was, because after all, you have to start decorating and adorning the property in the best way you know how. Meeting the neighbors and trying to deal with any issues you notice, while just getting used to the place is a task enough.

So, what should you do the first few days after a move? In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:

Create An Unpacking Priority List

If you’ve ever moved into a house and spent the first three months living out of your packing boxes, you’re not alone. Most people would accept that this is hardly a comfortable way to live though, because you can never be sure where something is, if you’ve unpacked it, or if it’s in a random cupboard you placed it in. Create an unpacking priority list room by room, and get the hard work out of the way. Also, use a note-taking app to help you identify the exact layout of where essential items will be. It can save you a great deal of time and frustration.

Update Your Address & Contact Information

It’s important to sit down, perhaps for a few hours with your partner, and comb through every account you have. Broadband, utilities, banking services, savings accounts, retirement funds, workplace details and more, and update your new address. It’s very easy to realise you haven’t had correspondence from a particular service for years, and that’s because your address has been outdated! At least now, with a little effort, you’ll know everything is up to date.

Segment Space For Your Children

Now, it’s likely you’ve already defined where the children will sleep and what rooms they can decorate and sprawl out into. But it’s also important to help manage arguments. Perhaps your son has placed his gaming console and speakers against the wall of their sibling, and that means constant humming bass and thunderous explosions are regular evening irritants. Reorganizing the room orientation, putting in ground rules, and dispelling arguments before they happen is key. If two younger children are sharing a bedroom, you might help them decide who has access to what areas for play and storing their belongings. We can see these as the growing pains of moving into any new space, and don’t worry, every family has them, even if they rarely feel glamorous to deal with.

With this advice, you’re certain to manage the first few days after a household move.

Families, Family Life

How To Prevent Stress In A Busy Family Kitchen

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on How To Prevent Stress In A Busy Family Kitchen

As a busy parent you will know that the kitchen is often the central hub of your entire household. From children doing their school projects on the dining table to toddlers running around your ankles asking for snacks; there’s always someone in and around the kitchen area. There will always be ways to improve your home and make things better for your family, but creating a more peaceful and less chaotic kitchen environment may be the perfect place to start!

Organise Your Kitchen Cupboards

Organised kitchen cupboards will help you to stay on top of everything you’ve got in the pantry and more. Knowing exactly what you need to buy in your next food shop will help to reduce your stress levels and ensure that you never run out of the most popular cereal in the household!

Ensure Your Appliances Are Working Correctly

During the busiest and most stressful moments of your life, you’ll often find that things in your home like to break and malfunction. Whether you’re trying to make toast in the morning without a functioning toaster or you’re desperately trying to defrost the freezer without wasting a whole lot of food, there is a lot of maintenance that goes into running a calm and smooth kitchen. Checking that your oven has fully working ec motors and ensuring that your dishwasher is serviced regularly will help you to mitigate these incidents. It’s also worth getting appliance insurance just in case you need emergency repairs in a hurry!

Change the Layout of Your Furniture

Sometimes kitchen furniture can get in the way of a free flowing and calm space. If you find yourself constantly tripping over chairs or coffee tables, you may want to rethink your room arrangements. Creating the illusion of space will always help to prevent stress as everyone will feel as though there are more places to go in the kitchen. Have a go and re-jigging some of the furniture you currently have and see if it makes your space feel more practical.

Keep It Tidy and Minimal

When it comes to keeping your kitchen clean, tidy and minimal, there are a number of different things you can do to ensure this is the case. Whether you’re making healthy kitchen cleaners or getting rid of unwanted items, there is so much you can do to create a calm and cohesive space. When you’re surrounded by mess and excess items, it can be very easy to get overwhelmed and stressed, so it’s always best to tidy away your dishes and belongings whenever you can.

All of these ideas will not only help you to maintain a productive, happy and stress-free kitchen, but they will also help you to stay calm too. When the kitchen isn’t working properly or feeling organised, your mind can start to go into overdrive and panic can quickly set in. Taking all of these precautions and measures now will help to prevent any future meltdowns and stressful moments from occurring in your well-oiled and orderly kitchen!

Children, Families, Family Life, Food, Healthy Eating, Large Families, Parents, Recipes, Reviews, Shopping

School Night Dinner Sorted With Richmond

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on School Night Dinner Sorted With Richmond

[AD] Who’s in for dinner tonight? What clubs am I picking up from? Who’s house do you need dropping to? These are all of the questions I am shouting as we are leaving the house in the morning. Once these problems are solved I then need to throw in the logistics of work and housework, and somewhere in the middle off all this I need to think about what I’m going to feed everybody for dinner.

Time is always limited during the week, but I always like to make sure the children have a wholesome, hot meal each evening, especially during the colder months which is sometimes easier said than done when you are pushed for time. So I was intrigued when I was asked to try the new Richmond Toad In The Hole Kit. With the promise of only 5mins prep and 40 mins cooking time I wanted to put this to the test as normally for me toad in the hole can be a little faffy and something I save for the weekend.

The compact box comes with 10 sausauges and a packet of batter that you simply put into a bowl and add 200ml of water to. Not an egg or milk in sight, so I was keen to see how this batter was going to turn out. The meal is meant to feed a family of 4, but we easily stretched it to 5.

Sauasages browned, batter mixed and poured on and sides all ready I was super impressed at how quick and mess free it had been to prepare.

Now for the taste test! Sadly my batter took a beating as the kids all gobbled it down, exclaiming it was so much lighter and fluffier than mine. So well done Richmonds, you have made a fuss free, mess free dinner that has pleased the whole family and we will certainly be going back for more.

Children, Families, Family Life, Flowers, Food, Gardens, Kent, Kids Days Out, Learning, Memories, Outdoor Play, Photography, Picnics, Reviews, Summer, travel

Not A Holiday Without A Trip To Hever Castle

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Not A Holiday Without A Trip To Hever Castle

I actually can’t remember when we last had a hoilday without a trip to Hever Castle. Our love for it never falters and I would find it hard to tell you what season there I love the most…well actually that’s a little lie as it has to be Christmas. With that said though whatever time of year you visit you are in for a treat and for us the other day was no different.

As I’m sure you have noticed the weather this summer hasn’t exactly been the best, but there is always something to see and do at Hever. We headed straight for the playground as this is always one of the boys favourite areas. Frankie is reaching the age where is sometimes gets a little bored of playgrounds now, but we spent a huge amount of time in here with the boys playing chase and making new friends in a huge game of hide and seek.

Next up we plotted up by the water to feed the ducks and have something delicious from the BBQ. Hever is perfect for picnicing and we normally do a mixtutre of both. Taking snacks and drinks to keep us going and then treating ourselves to something nice – which always includes an ice-cream!

We didn’t go inside the castle on this visit as the children were keen to stay outside, but it is definetly a must if you are planning a visit. Instead we ignored the weather and went straight to the water maze. For me this is such a pretty feature to the already stunning grounds, and something I have never seen anywhere else quite like it.

There are still covid restrictions on this attraction, but the queue was short and we still had a heap of fun.

We sadly missed the times for the falconary exebitions that run twice a day, but we spent the rest of the day enjoying all the little hidden walks around the grounds whilst the boys tried to spot as many naked statues as they could – something else they never seem to get bored off and mananged to meet one of the birds of prey on our way round.

We had yet another fantastic day and can’t wait until our next trip.

Children, Families, Family Life, Holidays, Large Families, Memories, Parents, Seaside, Summer, travel

Honolulu With The Family:What To See And Do

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Honolulu is the largest city in the state as well as the capital of Hawaii. It is located on the south shore of the Island of Oahu and is considered the gateway to the chain of islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands. With an average high temperature of 85 and an average low of 71, spending time on the beaches is popular in Honolulu.

Taking the family to Honolulu is a fantastic idea whatever time of year it is because the weather is warm and sunny all year. Even in December and January, the average temps are about 75 degrees. Wherever you decide to go with the family, be sure to drop off your backpacks and heavy bags at a luggage storage site in Honolulu first.

Check Out the Fishes at the Waikiki Aquarium

Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions on the island. What started with 35 fish tanks and 400 plants and animals has expanded to over 3,500 plants and animals in almost 500 species. In fact, in 1978, it had the first display of Pacific corals in the US.

The aquarium is divided into 15 sections. The Amazing Adaptations exhibit has a collection of pipefishes, sea dragons, and seahorses and is one of the most popular. The Giant Clams and Coral Farm exhibits are also pretty popular. But the 7,500-gallon Edge of the Reef outdoor aquarium is the main attraction.

Visit the Animals at the Zoo

If you want to see some land animals, take the family to the Honolulu Zoo at the 300-acre Kapiolani Park. The zoo boasts more than 1230 animals on the 42 acre s with numerous exhibits to explore. See them all from the huge Asian elephant to the zebras from the African Sahara and everything in between.

The zoo was opened in 1916 with several lion cubs, a sun bear, a monkey, and a handful of exotic birds and today houses a huge variety of creatures in several different sections. The African Savannah is the most popular, featuring lions, baboons, African painted dogs, black rhinos, chimps, and meerkats.

Swim with the Dolphins

At Kahala Resort, their Dolphin Quest program is more than just swimming with a few dolphins. They have their own group of six dolphins that you and the family can meet in person up close. The Dolphin Adventure lets you spend an hour with these beautiful creatures swimming and touching them. The Premier Experience offers a private session for just your family to swim and play with all six of the dolphins. These adventures are only for those five years and older though so if you have a younger child, try the Wee Family Fins and Fun where even the tiny tots get to meet, feed, and play with the dolphins.

Play for the Day at Sea Life Park

Another great place to hang out with the animals, Sea Life Park celebrates the local sea creatures by providing the public the chance to get up close and personal with some of them. First, visit the Hawaiian Reef Aquarium, which is a 300,000-gallon tank with 2,000 marine animals like sharks, turtles, and stingrays. 

They also have the Hawaiian Ocean Theater, where the park staff hosts many shows displaying sea lions, penguins, and dolphins. You will get a chance to feed some of them at the Sea Turtle Pool and Stingray Lagoon. But do not miss the Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat where you can see these amazing animals.

See the Bottom of the Ocean on the Atlantis Submarine

For those of you who want to go deeper and see more wildlife at the bottom of the ocean, check out the Atlantis Submarine. You and the family will take a shuttle ferry to the submarine location in Waikiki. The Undersea Adventure takes you down in a real submarine in the comfort of AC and cushy seats.

For approximately one hour, you will descend 100 feet where you will all get to see marine life up close in its native habitat. The coral reef was rebuilt in 1988 to revitalize the area and it has become a treasure trove of fishes, turtles, and vibrant corals. See two sunken airplanes and sunken ships teeming with wildlife.

Get Some Sun on Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is the most well-known and popular beach on the island of Oahu, and you will know why when you see the gorgeous crystal-clear turquoise waters and two miles of white sand. In the 1800s, the beach was a private space for Hawaiian royalty but today it is a public adventureland. 

But Waikiki has several beaches stretched out along a huge section of Waikiki Bay stretching for miles along the southern side of the island. One of the best sections of beach for kids is Prince Kuhio Beach, which is also known as The Ponds because there are two walls that offer calm and shallow water to play in.

Learn More About Hawaii at Bishop Museum

Teach the kids about the history of Hawaii while you are in Honolulu at the Bishop Museum. It’s the biggest museum in Hawaii with the largest collection of Polynesian artifacts in the world. The exhibits of Hawaiian life and culture are thanks to Charles Bishop, who founded it in 1889 to honor his wife, Princess Bernice.
Some of the permanent exhibitions include the Kaimiloa Expedition of 1924, the Falls of Clyde from 1968, and the Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium, the oldest planetarium in Polynesia. With 25 million items, each with its own story, you could spend the whole day there and not see everything there is to see.

While you are in Honolulu, don’t miss out on trying the local foods like Poke bowls, Kalua pig, Lomi salmon, and of course, shaved ice. Some of the best places to eat with kids include Mac 24/7, the Honolulu Burger Company, Hula Grill, and Duke’s Waikiki. And for dessert, try Island Vintage Shaved Ice or Liliha Bakery.

Blogging, Children, East London, Families, Family Life, Food, Holidays, Kid Bloggers, Kids Days Out, Large Families, London, Memories, Photography, Restaurants, Reviews, travel

Mama Shelter:The Kidzcation

by thejoyoffive1 Comment on Mama Shelter:The Kidzcation

Stepping out of the cab with the blistering sun burning down on us, we could have easily been on an LA strip and not in the centre on Hackney when we arrived at Mama Shelter.

The grand, black building and striking canopies gave the hotel that immediate ‘wow’ factor, which also fills me with dread when it comes to travelling with kids! Little did I know though my worries were soon to be quashed.

We made our way past young couples sipping cocktails in the sun and entered the entrance hall where we were greeted with a ecletic mix of clashing, colourful prints and luxurious fabrics that were a feast for the eyes; but I think the game changer for us all was the arcade game sitting right by the reception; which imedietly put my mind at ease about the children being there and gave them something to do whilst I checked in, in peace.

I couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. I was told everything I needed to know and the children were asked what they were looking forward to during thier stay.

Our stay was going to see us experience Mama Shelter’s ‘Kidzcation’ which means that when you book one room you get one half price which is interconecting if avaliable so the family are all still together.

Our rooms consisted of a double bed and two singles which worked perfectly for us. There was plenty of room to move around and all the little essentials you need such as an area to make drinks and gorgous own brand bathroom goodies.

Screen addict Frankie homed straight in on the TV and was over the moon with the huge array of free movies on offer…I think he would have been happy to stay there all weekend. Another lovely little extra were the sweets on the kids beds and the super cute Looney Tunes masks that the boys kept on for the majority of their stay .

All settled in we made our way down to dinner. The restaurant was buzzing and had a fantastic atmosphere. There was a heated debate over who was sitting on the sofa which resulted in a full on meltdown from Oscar. Normally this would make for a fraught evening, but thanks to our wonderful waiter the crisis was divered and his kinds words telling me what a fab job I was doing with the kids meant so much!

We feasted on the best burgers I have ever tasted and finshed off with a variety of puddings from cookies and milk to brulee’d pain perdu.

The children’s menu mirrored that of the adults which is always somthing I like, instead of the usual beige offerings. Mine all wolfed down their meals and I had the chance to sit and enjoy a G&T in peace while the boys played on the super cool football table.

A check out time of 12pm meant that we could have a really lazy morning which is always welcome when you have numerous little ones to get ready. A few coffees, a bit of TV watching and a long relaxing shower later we went to fill our bellies once more. Children under 12 eat free for breakfast and they get to choose from the main menu which has a great variety. We are definitely a pancake loving family and couldn’t turn down the fluffy panckes dripping with syrup and covered in crispy bacon.

Full to the brim the boys made full use of the arcade machines before we headed to the karaoke room. Tucked away at the bottom of the hotel are two karaoke rooms where Oscar was in his element. The disco lighting and iPads to select your favourite tunes were a fantastic addition to an already wonderful stay.

If you are looking for a stay that caters perfectly for the kids whilst still giving the parents something special then Mama Shleter is the place to be!

Children, Families, Family Life, Health, mental health

Letting Go Of Those Worries On Mental Health Week

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Letting Go Of Those Worries On Mental Health Week

As a parent it’s not only a backpack full of stuff we carry around on our shoulders – we carry the weight of everyone’s worries.

Just as the countless snacks and water bottles weigh us down, so can all the mental pressures that raising a family can bring.


So on mental health week I just wanted to say that it’s ok to acknowledge things are getting on top of you, it’s ok to have a good cry and let it all out, it’s ok to have that extra long bath to get away from things for five minutes, it’s ok to close the door and take yourself for a walk to get that much needed alone time and most importantly it’s more than ok to let others know you are felling like this.


We spend a great deal of time checking in on everyone else and it’s ok to check in on ourselves too!