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Christmas is coming for a pregnant mum, but the alcohol, blue cheese and egg nog are out. So, it’s about time we found some pregnancy gifts that mum can actually enjoy. But what gifts can be given to a pregnant lady during Christmas? Whether you’re scouring Etsy for handmade gifts, Amazon for same-day/next day delivery, or supporting small businesses to find special personalised gifts, I’ve got you covered.
Below is a list of gorgeous gifts for expectant mothers which also double up as a great baby shower pregnancy Christmas gift guide too!
Products for morning sickness relief
If mum is newly pregnant, then pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, can be physically taxing on the body. So one of the best gifts for pregnant women is something to curb that nasty nausea! After five pregnancies, I have my running favourites, which may not always be healthy, but they have got me through the brutal sickness. These are:
Sour strawberry laces (ok, not so healthy)
Avocado with lots of lemon and salt (healthy-ish)
Ginger and Lemon tea (healthy)
Sour Morning sickness sweets (these are my favourite, especially the sour raspberry flavour!)
Getting a pregnancy pillow will not only provide mum with the comfort that she needs but it will protect the baby and allow the body to pass maximum nutrients to the growing body.
There are lots of different types of pregnancy pillows out there but the best one I’ve tried from experience is the total body pillow that protects both front and back and provides comfort between the legs too to prevent hip pain.
Some great expectant mother gifts can include belly butter for that growing bump! One of my favourite kinds of belly butter is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturising lotion, which you can buy from Amazon here. This belly butter helped to prevent stretch marks on my belly, even with big babies! So I would definitely include it in the Christmas gift list!
If you’re buying for a pregnant friend, then a pregnancy journal or pregnancy planner can make for a great present as the journal allows mum to record her journey from positive pregnancy test to her due date and ultimately birth to even baby’s first Christmas! Plus, it can double up as a book to read during down times too!
Adding a nursing cover to the Christmas gift box is ideal for mums who want that extra bit of privacy when breastfeeding in public. But sometimes nursing covers can get restrictive for both mum and baby so this Eclipse Nursing Privacy Cover above (in Fairy Tree) from Bellamoon* is structured in such a way that it doesn’t swamp or cling to your baby, so they can enjoy a feed in a private airy space and without any distraction. It’s easy to put on and take off – you simply loop the strap over your head and you have a protective barrier to shield any leaks, sprays and exposure while still allowing you to have a full view of your gorgeous baby.
With fluctuating body sizes, mum will need some comfy pregnancy and nursing bras to keep her comfortable during feeding times. Add a pop of colour to mum’s wardrobe by gifting her a limited-edition Lipstick Ballet Bravado Designs nursing bra*, which is the perfect stay-at-home nursing sleep bra for those cosy sofa days during Christmas. Its pull-on styling with no back closure means that it provides light support for lounging and sleeping, plus it’s ideal for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond! RRP is £26.00 and you can also find other colours here.
Personalised baby hamper
One of the best gifts for expecting mothers is to offer a fancy gift box or expectant mother gift basket, which includes items for mum and for when the baby arrives too. My favourite of the baby hampers is this beautiful Baby Blooms My First Year Hamper*, which you can get in Blue, White or Pink. This award-winning luxury hamper (we were gifted the blue hamper) which can be personalised by adding the baby’s name, is a gorgeous and practical gift for mum and new baby.
With 5-star reviews this baby hamper should be one of the first items to add to your list of Christmas gifts for pregnant women because it contains all the necessary items, not just for those first few weeks, but to take baby right through to their first birthday – and beyond! So, what do you get in this beautiful pregnancy gift basket?
1 x Little Bunny squeaky toy with blue ribbon – suitable from birth.
1 x Little Bunny comforter with blue ribbon – suitable from birth.
1 x Little Bunny ring rattle with blue ribbon – suitable from birth.
1 x box of Little Love pyjamas containing two pairs of 100% cotton pyjamas ,age 0-6 months.
1 x Little Love bathrobe, made from 100% cotton, age 0-12 months.
1 x Little Love blanket, made from printed cotton on one side (100% cotton) and velour on the other side (75% cotton, 25% polyester). Blanket is 75cm x 100cm.
1 x 100% cotton snuggle wrap in blue, (90cm x 70cm). 3 x 100% cotton muslin squares in white, (70cm x 70cm).
1 x 28cm traditional style seated teddy bear with a subtly embossed white ribbon bow around the neck, wearing a soft white knitted jumper embroidered with 2020 in green thread. Your choice of name can also be added to the jumper (see above) – suitable from birth.
1 x 100% cotton bib rolled to look like an ice-cream in blue.
1 x pair of our special stay on socks rolled to look like a cupcake in blue.
3 x pairs of our special stay on socks rolled to look like lollipops in powder blue, cornflower blue and Babyblooms green.
1 x large, lined wicker basket, ideal for nursery storage once unpacked.
You can get next day delivery on orders placed by 3 pm (Monday to Friday only) so make sure you visit Babyblooms’ shop now to order the baby hamper now! The current price is £212.
Comfortable PJs for mum
Matching PJ’s are essential for Christmas, and Scandi born brand, Polarn O. Pyret*, have got mum and other members of the family covered. Grab some comfy grey and white striped pyjamas for the smallest and the oldest members of the family like these gorgeous organic cotton grey and white striped PJs above!
RRP is from £7.50 to £25.00 and you can get them here*!
Bed and Bath Bundle for some cute bathtime bonding!
With everything baby needs for a blissful bath time followed by a great night’s sleep, including the Bath Support, Cuddledry Handsfree Towel and the Love To Dream Swaddle UP – this bundle is a must-have for new families in 2020!
Cute baby blankets
Cute baby blankets are a must for mum because they are so versatile and they keep both mum and baby warm. Opt for a couple of blankets in your Christmas gift for an expecting mother like the gorgeous Bamboo Knitted Baby Muslin Blanket from moKee, which is a nursery must-have and is only £9.00!
Include a soft and comfortable blanket like this travel essential, the moKee Tuck Baby Blanket which comes in five different colours and costs £29.00.
Your baby will love it against their skin!
Nappy Disposal Bin
Nappies are going to be the bane of a new mum’s lives, but nappy disposal needn’t be a nuisance. The Korbell Nappy Disposal Bin* is a stylish yet practical option for any nursery from Cheeky Rascals. This completely hands-free nappy bin promises to contain all nappy odours within its 100% biodegradable liners, making the more un-glamourous parenting tasks a breeze!
The unique double-seal protection instantly hides all odours keeping the nursery smelling clean and fresh – it’s safe to say this durable and easy-to-clean nappy bin is a must-have for any pregnant mum!
Newborn Gift Box
Once the baby comes, you may look for a nice congratulations present for the baby. I recently ordered this beautiful Baby Boy gift set for a friend of mine who just had a baby boy and I love it so much, I had to include it in the Christmas gift list (I just hope she doesn’t see this guide before she gets her present next week!)
Baby carriers are great because not only do they promote close contact with the baby but they all ensure that mum’s arms are free so she can actually get other things done. There are so many different types of baby carriers around, but I love the Izmi Baby Carrier* because it supports development in three ways:
Movement
When carried, babies experience an automatic, deep relaxation which does more than soothes them, it actually helps to reduce stress and aids digestion.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is the hormone which is linked to love and connection which is released in both men and women during positive interaction and contact with their baby.
Skin to Skin
Skin to skin contact can boost Oxytocin levels but it has also been shown to stabilise your baby’s heart rate, breathing and temperature.
The Izmi baby carrier is also adaptable and combines the functionalities of a soft structured fabric sling with the support of a buckled carrier to support baby from newborn to 18 months old, which means you can enjoy ample cosy quality time together with baby!
Click here to buy the Izmi Baby Carrier here now from £80.00 now in 5 different colours with a booster cushion and storage bag included in the price!
First year picture frame
A great keepsake for mum is to immortalise the memory of baby’s first year in pictures! I was gifted the exact same 5-piece baby keepsake gift set by my family and it’s such a lovely way to keep memories of our beautiful baby in her first year. With this 5-piece set you get:
We take sleep for granted but once kids come along it’s all we wish for! So, getting mum a comfortable bed for baby to sleep in is one step further to helping mum sleep better, even if it’s only broken sleep for the first few months. We were gifted this gorgeous SnuzPod 4 bedside crib*, but already had the SnuzPod 2 gifted by my best friend, so we were already SnuzPod lovers. So what does the new SnuzPod 4 have that aids better sleep?
The SnuzPod allows you to sleep better, feed easily and be closer to your baby
The new ComfortAir breathable system means that it can help the baby regulate their temperature for a good night’s sleep.
You get a New 3D breathable mattress to and a new machine-washable mesh liner.
The SnuzPod 4 has a gentle reflux incline option and lightweight lift-off bassinet for use around the home
The SnuzPod 4 fits more beds than any other traditional bedside crib (new max. height 73cm)
The SnuzPod 4 also meets the new bedside crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019
Make sure to follow safe sleep rules by ensuring all four sides are up as having one side open may be a safety hazard for baby.
The Snuz brand also stocks the SnuzCloud* which is a sleep aid that helps comfort and settles your baby to sleep. The SnuzCloud has four soothing sounds: a heartbeat, pink noise, lullaby and waterfall as well as two light options: a calming pink glow and a soft white night light.
The SnuzCloud is soft, plush and portable which means it can attach to your crib, cot, pram or car seat so you can help baby settle wherever you go!
Go one step further with your gift ideas this season and help with the dreaded night-time nappy changes! The SnuzPouch* is an award-winning baby sleeping bag with a genius nappy change zip to limit all disturbances for babies (and parents!)
Prices start at £29.95 for 0-6 months 1.0 Tog and 2.5 Tog. You also get a range of different patterns and colours which you can find here.
The above Christmas mum and baby-specific gift list is not exhaustive, but I’ve included all the items I would want for Christmas if I had my own wish list.
Is there anything I’ve missed that should be on the list? Share your favourite mum and baby Christmas gift list in the comments below!
Christmas is going to be a little different this year. No doubt you’ve heard the latest UK government decision that up to three households can mix this holiday season for five days. I won’t get into the political and medical implications of this decision – just make sure that whatever you decide to do you keep safe while doing it!
If you have a larger-than-average family or a group of close friends and family who are in your inner circle, then a Secret Santa gift exchange might be a great way to go this year.
Secret Santa? What’s that?
Secret Santa gift ideas are generally reserved for colleagues at work during the holiday season. Your name gets put into a hat, along with your colleagues’ names and you’re randomly assigned a coworker to buy a secret gift within the set budget. You sign it from Secret Santa so the recipient has no idea the present was from you.
The idea is to save money on presents because it takes away the responsibility of overbuying on gifts and then during the gift exchange everyone gets a similar priced present. And the great thing is, no one knows who bought what. So if they don’t like the present, you can just walk on by and shrug your shoulders. “Sorry, don’t know who got you that!”
Job done!
So a great way to take the stress out of sending gifts to different households you might not see this year is to try doing a Secret Santa for the family. My sister in Amsterdam has been in charge of organising the Secret Santa for the last few years and this year we have involved my kids (eight and nine) for the first time, which is great! We have ten people in our Secret Santa list this year – last year it was eight, so our inner circle is ever-growing!
It was also the first time my September babies Facebook group did a Secret Santa for everyone because we all live in different corners of the UK. All the babies get a lovely present and the beauty is in the surprise element of it all.
So what are some great Secret Santa present ideas for the family? Prepare your inner circle because below are the best secret Santa gifts you can buy which will ensure Christmas can still be great, wherever family and friends will be this year.
How do I organise a Secret Santa for the friends and family?
If you have a family and friends WhatsApp group or you have an inner circle of members with whom you always share Christmas, then send a round message to everyone to ask if they want to get involved in Secret Santa first before you continue. And if you’re worried about your personal information being shared, you can just submit your name and leave all the other information out.
Ok, people have agreed. Now what?
Set the ground rules. What’s the budget? Who’s involved? Give the members the full Secret Santa list too, so they can see whom they will potentially need to send a Secret Santa gift.
Automate the process by using online platforms
Drawing names out of a hat is so c. 2,000! The easiest way to set up Secret Santa is to use a random name drawing platform like Elfster or Draw Names. You just create a group, punch in who’s doing the Secret Santa, make exclusions, i.e. who should not draw whom, get everyone to confirm and then the fun part – draw the names! Now you have your Secret Santa recipient ready to receive their perfect gift!
But, what gift should I get for Secret Santa?
So what are great Secret Santa present ideas which pass the family and friend test? The world is your oyster here. Think about who you’ve drawn and do some detective work on what they like. Also, the online websites I’ve talked about allow recipients to create a wish list so you can just pick out any gift they’ve chosen that’s within budget.
Where can I get Secret Santa presents?
The Wish List you create comes from Amazon’s search engine, so it makes the whole process easier to find a gift for your recipient. Plus, you can ask secret questions to the recipient and they won’t know who’s asking. Ask direct questions like, “What do you want for Christmas?” Or “Is there anything you don’t want?” That will make your life a lot easier when it comes to figuring out what to get.
Are you still stuck for ideas? Not to worry, here are some perfect Secret Santa gifts for the whole family!
Creative secret santa ideas
You don’t have to just pick a gift from Amazon. Get creative! Buy the tools to make a gift or find cute little unique handmade shops from Etsy. Your chosen recipient will be able to get something no one else will have, so it makes that gift extra special.
Funny Secret Santa gifts
Looking for Secret Santa gift ideas which can cause a little bit of a chuckle? Then look no further, I have some great ideas for Secret Santa gifts below:
Funny coffee gifts
There are some seriously funny coffee gifts online that play on parents being sleep deprived so it works really well as a gift for Chirstmas.
Even though the inclusion of face coverings in our wardrobe wasn’t what we had on our 2020 bingo card, this is now part of the world’s reality and they are slowly becoming the family’s most used accessory. They come in all colours, sizes, and designs, and they are even personalised now! Face coverings from Daily Disco incorporate all of those factors in one. They can be customised, or kept plain if you want, and come in a variety of different designs. You can put the kids’ names on them, or a fun phrase they like to say, it’s up to you. These are the perfect example of function and fashion, and they are ready to take the family’s mask game to the next level.
Cool Secret Santa gifts
Trying to find a gift which passes the cool factor? Maybe you’re shopping for a teen or dad going through a mid-life crisis, here are some cool gifts for Secret Santa:
With the current state of the world, people haven’t been able to travel as much, and they have been cooped up inside. So, a great option could be offer day gifts like a picnic basket full of snacks and a Kanga cooler full of drinks! They can take it to their local park, or just use it in their backyard, which will take most of the work out for them. Picnic baskets require minimal effort, but still allows the recipient to have an experience together with the family.
Here are some other great picnic ideas from Amazon:
Yummy treats
If you have a family that is big on sweets, but may not have the time to get into the kitchen this year, some Christmas cookie gifts from Mrs Fields is a great go-to. They have tons of cookie tins, baskets, boxes, and bags to choose from and they are extremely affordable. Plus, it will knock out gifts for the whole family, as everyone will enjoy them! If you want to go for a couple of items from Mrs Fields, they also have chocolate-covered strawberries, crispy rice treats, brownies, and yoghurt covered pretzels to choose from – there’s something for everyone!
Secret Santa gift ideas for her
If you have a sister, a daughter, a grandma, an auntie or a best gal friend, here are some great Secret Santa gifts for her:
If you’re adding friends to your Secret Santa list then you could get them something that makes their lives easier – or if they live alone, provide them with some entertainment during the Christmas holidays. Here are some great Secret Santa ideas for friends:
Nothing says Merry Christmas quite like adorable Holiday gnomes courtesy of Vine and Nest. These will be a crowd-pleaser for friends who love to decorate and the kids are sure to love the ability to bend their hats into whatever shapes they want. Maybe they can even help the family Elf report back to Santa. If those you are shopping for already have too many gnomes in their holiday décor collection, Vine and Nest have so many options to deck their halls for this jolly season.
You can also send personalised photo gifts in a picture frame so your friends can put up treasured memories on their wall. Or perhaps send them some essential oils for a relaxing ritual or bathtime fun.
Here are some other fun gift ideas for friends:
Secret Santa gifts for men
We are boy heavy in our family and three of them have birthdays in December too, so Christmas can get quite expensive! So buying practical gifts like a stainless steel water bottle or a barbecue set might be the right way to go. Here are some other ideas you can buy for the men in your life.
A Weekend Getaway
Renting out a place from Getaway is a holiday gift sure to please Dad if he has been working extra hard because the family get out of the house and spend some uninterrupted time together.
Getting an experience as a gift is perfect for outdoor families who are trying to take a step back from material items, and would like to live a more minimalistic lifestyle. A Getaway weekend also works for families who enjoy the wilderness but don’t want to go full-on camping. The Getaway pods have full bathrooms and kitchens, which are two of the amenities that keep most people from camping. There will be no comfort sacrifices here! Plus, you’re spending time with just the family so you keep your distance from others – in turn saving the world!
You can if you want to, but it defeats the object of Secret Santa. If you’re super close to your friends and family they may end up guessing who got what anyway (our family always do) but try to make the fun all about the Secret aspect of gift giving.
My sister introduced the concept of Secret Santa to us almost four years ago now and we haven’t gone back to regular gift-giving since. Give it a shot and extend the Secret Santa list to those you haven’t seen since March due to the pandemic. It’s such a great way to get close family and friends involved and when you have your round Zoom Christmas get-together, get everyone to open their Secret Santa Christmas gifts together. It’ll be a great way to make magical memories that will last for years to come.
*Collaborative feature post*
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases*
What should you do about your problems in marriage?
Emotional intimacy is abundant at the start of a relationship, so one can assume it will always be there. But many couples find their emotional intimacy starts to diminish after some time, especially after kids, and it can become a struggle to bring it back.
A relationship can be hard work to maintain, and once one party decides they don’t want to put in the work anymore, the cracks start to appear. Without hard work and commitment from both of you, your relationship may start to slip away.
Common marriage problems can escalate quickly which may lead to considering leaving, which can be one of the toughest decisions you will ever make. But focussing your attention on keeping the intimacy alive first ensures you have done everything in your power to keep your marriage alive. So what should you do about your problems in marriage?
Check out some tips below on how to keep your marriage alive.
Communicate
If you and your partner’s dinner conversations are filled with pregnant pauses, your workday can be described in a terse sentence, your mind is filled with financial worries, or maybe your attention is focused solely on the kids, then your marriage may have problems. This is known as ‘parallel lives’ – avoiding conversation, side-stepping intimacy, not doing things together and a general feeling of awkwardness, where before you were in complete harmony.
When the sum total of your intimacy comes down to physical intimacy in the bedroom, then it’s time to start focussing on emotional intimacy away from the bed too. A healthy sex life is in no way a bad thing, but when it comes at the expense of real communication, you might run into problems.
Make the time to talk to one another about your feelings and learn to listen. Notice we said make and not take because this is something for which you need to create space in your life. It’s instinctual to want to react, reflect your thoughts and feelings, or offer a solution, but focussing on listening will provide a bigger impact on a mutual conversation.
Be affectionate towards each other
When your normal affection patterns – the kiss as you leave for work, the hug when you get home, physical intimacy or sexual activity – have seemingly disappeared, then there may be a problem. This kind of behaviour signifies ‘disconnection’. Of course, it could be just temporary and there may be good reasons (maybe the kids have zapped all life from the both of you), but if it has been happening for some time, then it’s more likely to be a committed relationship problem.
One of the easiest ways to increase your emotional intimacy is to increase your physical intimacy. If your bedroom antics have become a little more than routine of late, it could be time to think about shaking things up.
Unleash your kinky side and see what you can dredge up from your imagination. When you let go of your inhibitions and allow yourself to be vulnerable around your partner, you reveal a side of yourself that would normally be concealed. When you’re in a relationship where you feel confident sharing this vulnerability, you know you’re in a good place.
Show appreciation
Gratitude and appreciation help to nurture a more loving relationship. But appreciation is about more than giving gifts or saying thank you, it’s about recognising the things your partner does for you of which you may take for granted. It’s easy to forget you both play a role in keeping the household running, and each party will often focus on how much work they are taking on and forget their partner’s contribution.
Taking out the bins at night is a small task, but when one partner does it without being asked to do it, it ticks one thing off the household to-do list and lightens the load for both of you. Take a moment to appreciate the small things your partner does and practice gratitude for their presence.
Is it worth sweating the small stuff?
You may have never noticed it before now, but he’s always on his phone or he leaves his empty coffee mug on the edge of the sink. And he doesn’t look at you when you speak. You argue all the time about silly things and regardless of what you say it always ends badly. You feel disconnected and you blame him for why the relationship isn’t working.
When events and emotions start to overwhelm you, rather than reacting, try to take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Then decide on your course of action, knowing that you’re always free to change your mind if you must.
Spend quality time together
Couples fall into the habit of assuming that any time spent together is enough. While those evenings spent in front of the TV binge-watching the latest true-crime series are no doubt special, you need to create space in your life for quality time. This might mean taking a weekend away, or it could be as simple as a long walk on a Sunday afternoon. When you start to spend quality time together, you create new memories, and this is vital for emotional intimacy.
Reminisce
Looking back over old photos and heading down memory lane is an excellent way to boost your intimacy. By looking fondly at a time when emotional intimacy was free-flowing and taken for granted, you can reconnect with those emotions and remember why you fell in love with your partner in the first place.
It’s a common problem that many couples these days only have these photos on their phones, so it’s harder to connect with them on an emotional level. Try getting your favourite photos printed and creating a memory book together so you can reminisce while creating something you can return to time after time.
Try something new
Getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to create new memories. This could mean exploring each other’s hobbies to find out more about the person with whom you’re spending your life with every day. Or it could mean trying something you’ve never done before.
You might not enjoy skydiving, rock climbing or horse riding, but at least you’ll have a fun memory that you share with your partner that might bring a smile to your faces years down the line.
Allow yourself to be vulnerable
Perhaps you’re busy, or stressed, or feeling drained. This is normal in the modern world, but these feelings can also make you more guarded in your personal life. You might feel that if you let your guard down at home, you’ll be more emotional and less effective at work.
Being vulnerable at home shows your partner you trust them completely. A key part of emotional intimacy is letting your guard down and sharing your thoughts with your partner, even if this might make you more vulnerable than you want to feel.
Hire help
Sometimes working on your relationship means giving yourself permission to pass off some of the tasks you would rather avoid doing. If housework is zapping your time and attention, you could find a way to outsource cleaning to someone else. And if childcare is the source of strain in your relationship, consider asking for help from those around you.
When you pass off these tasks, even if it is only once per month, you can direct more of your attention to your partner and focus on your relationship. Hiring help around the house or childcare support could be just the thing your relationship is looking for.
Go to therapy
You don’t have to manage this all alone. Therapy isn’t a sign that your relationship is broken, it’s a sign that you’re willing to work on it. Therapy can give you the tools you need to explore your relationship and practice things like gratitude and communication while exploring your intimate connection. A therapist might offer some outsider’s insight that you have previously overlooked.
Do you have fantasies of leaving the relationship?
If you feel trapped, it’s tempting to think about a new life, in a new flat and/or in a new relationship. If these fantasies are occurring on a regular basis, and in greater detail, this may well be your subconscious telling you it’s time to get out or that something is missing in your marriage.
Separation and divorce are certainly not easy and many couples choose to stay in unfulfilling or unhealthy marriages, even though they know in their heart of hearts that they should leave.
Couples often invent reasons to justify remaining in the relationship. In their state of confusion, they stay in the marriage and wait for something dramatic to happen that might finally push them into facing up to reality.
Should you stay?
It may make for a grim conclusion but if any or all the above apply to your marriage, you need to decide whether you should stay or go.
Your decision-making process can range from minor concern to ever-increasing anxiety, and if, after you’ve made the decision to leave, you’re standing there with your bags packed, ready to go, and other competing voices begin to take hold, it’s important that you listen to them very carefully.
Slow down and try to work out exactly how you really feel and what you are or are not willing to do. Don’t think that listening to these voices is, in some way, cowardly, or that second thoughts are a sign of weakness. Rather, consider the two sides of the argument and pay attention to which of these is stronger.
If a part of you is saying, hang on, there’s more that both of us could do to save our marriage and you believe it could be fixed, then take your time and give this more serious thought. if you have kids then you owe it to them to try everything you can first. Sometimes in the heat of it all when you finally realise you’re going to lose your partner, your overriding feelings may be what saves you from making the wrong decision. So listen to them.
Talk to your solicitor about the benefits of a clean break divorce. ‘Clean break’ divorce orders cut the financial ties between you and your partner. Whilst a divorce ends a marriage, it doesn’t necessarily finalise the money side of a relationship. Unless an agreement known as a Consent Order and a Clean Break Order is issued by the courts, your ex-spouse could claim a portion of your income, assets, pensions, or property anytime in the future.
It’s a tough place you’re in and the decision you finally make will be a life-changing one for all concerned. But if you know in your heart that it’s the right way to go, then proceed with confidence, knowing that your life will be better for it in the long run. But if you want to stay and work on the marriage, then start working on your emotional intimacy now as it is a vital part of any relationship. Without it, you could be left feeling more adrift and alone than if you were single. Prioritising this abstract part of your relationship is a worthy task and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. So make sure you’ve exhausted all options before you take the plunge.
*Collaborative feature post*
How to become a digital nomad family and travel the world
Being a digital nomad family might sound like a dream lifestyle (or have you running for the hills) but is it? A remote job, travelling the world, no pressure from a boss, sleeping late, staying the night out with the kids and waking up at your heart will… sound great, right? Well, it doesn’t come as easy as that. Like any other lifestyle, digital nomadism has its fair share of obstacles.
Whether you have just started your remote job because you wanted to break out of the rat race, or you’ve created a bucket list and wanted to spend more time with your family. Or, if you’ve packed up and already jumped on the plane for your first trip, our guide gives you a lot to take away.
Haste is waste
Do you love to make spontaneous decisions, only to regret them later? If yes, you need to drop that habit before going. Sure, a little spontaneity here and there makes life exciting, but being a digital nomad is no joke—you must be careful before taking any unplanned step or travelling to any place. You also have to remember that you’re not just responsible for yourself. You have kids with you, and you will need to ensure they are safe and secure.
It’s essential to think twice and research thrice before you go anywhere, especially for countries that require certain documentation and impose strict laws that foreigners may not be aware of but are punished for violating. For example, if you want to travel to Turkey, you’ll need to research their online-only visa system and application process well before your arrival. Always do your homework before taking off somewhere on a whim if you want to avoid potential troubles.
Don’t take your job for granted
Even if you have a few jobs lined up, you can’t depend on your clients or company to travel with you across time zones. Your savings are an essential backup safety net in case your income runs dry.
Most aspiring bloggers and remote workers would be the first to tell you that online gigs are rarely regular. Sometimes the demand is high, and other times there is none at all. So, to stay safe, break that piggy bank before you hit the road. Work as you travel and save some of your income for your next trip, and make sure you have reliable housing lined up. Sorting out a place before you arrive will save you a lot of stress, especially if you land late or during a busy season. Depending on the city, finding short-term rentals can sometimes be trickier than you’d expect. Platforms like HousingAnywhere Frankfurt (or another local area) can be helpful when searching for short-term rentals. Keep in mind that your family still need to eat!
Carry a spare backup set of supplies
As much as you love the idea of travelling, you also need to keep in mind that you must maintain a consistent workflow—which can be pretty unpredictable given all the variables you might encounter. Where will you find WiFi? What happens if your computer dies, or something breaks? What happens if there’s a pandemic? Oh… wait…
Come prepared with a spare battery, hot spot signal, battery case, and laptop mouse. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best is always better. Because unless you have a sizeable savings account, if you stop working, you’ll stop travelling, too. And if the pandemic halts you on your journey, you need to be able to continue working while your family are kept safe in secure accommodation while you wait.
Keep an eye on your bank account
Speaking of your bank account, don’t just take off to explore the world without a care in the world under the misguided belief that you’ll just figure it out when you get there. Sorry, that’s simply not how it works. Rather than quitting your job, see if your employer is willing to offer an extended leave or flexible hours.
Own a home or an apartment unit? Don’t sell it for access to fast cash; rent the property to tenants and have a friend or family member manage it while you’re away. You’ll generate passive income to fuel your worldly adventures, as well as a place to come home to when it’s time to head back.
If you’re travelling with an international credit card, be extremely careful as you swipe away. Unless you’re closely monitoring your bank account, it’s really easy to overspend and fall way out of budget. Pro tip: set aside a separate emergency account with enough money to get you a flight home tomorrow, in case something ever happens.
Unless there’s a significant exchange rate, carrying the foreign currency (safely!) with you on hand may be better. That way, it’s much easier to visually monitor your spending amount and dial back the frivolous purchases as needed.
Final thoughts
Enjoy every experience, make new memories with the family, meet new people, indulge in different cuisines, and devour diverse cultures. But, don’t be too hard on yourself as you figure things out along the way, and try to avoid treating your passion as a tedious job. Rather, consider remote work as an end to a means that’s helping you and your family live a life that most people only dream of.
*Collaborative feature post*
Christmas interior decorating ideas on a budget
The colder months of the year have arrived. The air is crisp, leaves are turning into an explosion of different colours, and warm recipes are on the menu. If you want to get your home ready for the holidays, it doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour. Below, we’ve put together some Christmas decorating ideas for turning your home into a winter wonderland and preparing your family for a wonderful Christmas season with a view! Keep reading to learn some great Christmas interior decorating ideas on a budget.
Get your house ready
The Christmas season is a great excuse to dress up your house in fancy festive decorations. Make some Christmas savings, grab your old Christmas cards, colourful scrap paper and all the sparkle you can muster, and let’s decorate your home in time for Christmas!
Prepare yourself with the right affordable outfit
You may not be able to invite others to the Christmas festivities thanks to the pandemic, but there’s no reason why you can’t dress up in ugly Christmas sweaters for the occasion – they’re all the rage at the moment! If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can even decide to make your own ugly Christmas sweater. Take one of your old sweaters you don’t wear any more and add some tinsel, some patches, and maybe an LED light string for the extra holiday flair. You’ll definitely win the ugly holiday sweater virtual party with that monstrosity!
Decorate your floors with shine
During home improvements, one of the biggest changes can be made in the simplest way – by changing your floors. A large red rug can really make a room pop in time for Christmas. Or, if you want to get fancier than that, then why not Walk on Glass instead? Glass floors can not only make a room brighter, but they can create an illusion of a larger room, meaning you can cram in more Christmassy decor without making the room look too boxed in.
Dress your front door with a bow wreath
(Photo credit: Haeley Giambalvo)
Shout “Merry Christmas!” from the rooftops with traditional Christmas decorating ideas like a super bright and colourful wreath on your front door. You can grab a nice simple wreath from any pound shop for just £1, but it would be so much more fun to make your own. Hot glue different colourful bows together to a Styrofoam wreath and you’ve got yourself a unique wreath that you can use time and time again that won’t burn a hole in the pocket.
Make your own garlands and bunting
If you want to bring a festive, happy ambience into your home, you may want to make your own garlands and bunting. You can hang this decoration from the mantle, from doorways, or across the entryway of your home. Bunting and garlands are also incredibly affordable to buy from craft and handmade art sites like Etsy if you prefer not to do the work yourself.
Make your own ornaments
Christmas trees are the stars of the holiday decoration ideas during this festive season and if you don’t have any ornaments, buying them all at once can be expensive. Instead, you can try making your own out of newspaper or by decorating plain glass ornaments. It’s time to get creative with paint, glitter, and glue! You can spend an afternoon creating your own ornaments with Christmas music playing in the background. It will be a real holiday experience.
Use your Christmas cards as decorations
When we were kids, our mum used to hang our Christmas cards up like bunting and we knew that the Christmas season was upon us. Everything may seem so technical these days, but Christmas cards are still in full flow. Decorate your bare walls with your old and new Christmas cards – there are so many pretty and colourful cards available these days you’d have to be made of stone if they don’t brighten up your mood–and your house.
Get Holiday Florals and Plants
Plants and holiday florals can brighten up any holiday space – plus, they’re an incredibly affordable addition that can make any home feel more festive and joyous. Add a poinsettia to your entryway for a pop of colour. Get a rosemary bush for a functional but beautiful hardy plant that will outlast the season. The plants could also double up as great gift ideas for the family too.
You may even want to go as far as getting a regular subscription and delivery of plants directly to your doorstep. There are plenty of cheap options to choose from that can help you brighten up and cheer up your home this holiday season. Plants are great outdoor decoration ideas too.
Decorating your main table in the dining room with Christmas colours can really impact the whole Christmas theme, but dressing up your dining chairs will spice up the entire room altogether. You don’t have to go all out – a simple wreath at the back of each chair and a lovely colourful centrepiece across the table will do the trick. You can go one step further and add a ‘Holiday’ decoration to your windows, like the image above from shelterness.com, or around the table to get you into the spirit of Christmas.
Or make your own tablescape with found objects
It’s incredibly easy to put together a tablescape with found nature objects like branches and pinecones. You can even spray paint the branches and pinecones a rich gold color so that your dinner will sparkle in response.
Get into the festive spirit by decorating your office desk
The pandemic has brought a lot of workers home which may mean you might have to work over Christmas amid the Christmas decorations. No problem! If your office is in the living room, then make it a Christmas living room and bring Christmas to your desk by grabbing some tinsel from Poundland and some cheap fairy lights. Brighten up your work desk, so you don’t feel like you’re totally missing out over the Christmas period.
Get creative with lighting
Candles are a classic for a reason – they can turn any interior design space into a cosy, calming getaway. Invest in a few pillar candles and put them in key spaces where they can warm up the room. You can even get candles that deliver a holiday-themed aroma like vanilla or cinnamon.
Extend the Christmas spirit into your child’s room by adding a Christmas light. If you have trouble selecting a night light, check out my extensive post on the best night lights for kids here.
Make lots of Christmas food!
My favourite bit about Christmas, apart from the presents, is pigging out on the delicious food. You may be going for a traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings, but this is your chance to get creative with the homemade Christmas treats! I especially love the above little green Christmas pancakes, which are so easy to make. Just add some green food colouring to the batter and cook the pancakes in different sizes. Then you just stack them up on top of each other and cover with sprinkles and a star made from apple to decorate the top. I also love making a Christmas Tree out of puff pastry, it’s so easy to make.
A huge, real Christmas tree is a sight to behold – but it’s often quite a large expense. If you want to avoid emptying out your bank account for a tree you’ll have to throw out at the end of the season anyway, consider getting a smaller (but cuter!) Christmas tree. You can find some great Christmas Trees at your local Christmas Tree farm.
Plus, a smaller tree has the benefit of shedding fewer pine needles on the floor, using fewer ornaments, and using less water. And, most importantly, it won’t make a huge impact on your bank account!
Jazz up your Christmas Tree!
Involve your children and get creative by throwing on some tinsel, baubles (don’t forget chocolate baubles!) and fairy lights. Complete your tree with an angel or a star at the top and dress up the whole look with lots of presents wrapped in colourful gift wrap. Job done!
When you love Christmas, it’s easy to spend a lot of money trying to outfit each room with the best decorations possible. However, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to bring holiday cheer inside. Christmas is a time of happiness, cheer and a whole lot of giving, so make sure you pass on the good cheer and enjoy this beautiful and very magical winter season, by using the tips outlined in this article on how to decorate your home for Christmas on a budget.
*Collaborative feature post*
How to save money at Christmas
Yes, I mentioned the C-word already!
You might not want to think too much about Christmas just yet but it’s rapidly approaching, which means life is about to get a heck of a lot more expensive – than it already is.
However, post-pandemic, Christmas has become more about ordering presents from the comfort of your own home, which can also become quite costly.
Christmas can become so money-oriented for most and with just under two months to go, time is ticking to start your Christmas shopping too. This is normally the time when I think about gifts as well, but in reality I’ve always done Christmas shopping last minute. My son, brother, sister and dad’s birthdays are all in December, so I start to feel the pinch by the time my Christmas shop is over.
This year, I decided to be a little more organised with my Christmas plans and work out how to be more practical with my Christmas gifts this year, as well as offer cheap Christmas gifts which are still high quality and useful for each family member.
So, here are some quick tips on how to save money at Christmas, and still get awesome new gifts for the family even though it’ll mostly be a virtual event this year.
Make a list and check it twice
If Santa can make a list of who he will give Christmas presents to this year, then so can you. If I had a million pounds sitting in the bank account, I would buy every single person I know a Christmas present. However, I am not that flush and so this year, I sat down and made a list of close friends and family who absolutely should receive a gift, bearing in mind that I have four family member’s birthdays falling in the same month, so, that’s eight presents already.
Is it normal to buy non-family members gifts for Christmas just for the sake of it?
The question is are you able to trim your list down even further? Do you buy for second cousins whom you rarely see? Maybe a card for them would suffice this year, especially if you get them a personalised Christmas card. You can find some great Christmas cards from Card Factory, which are not overpriced. Perhaps speak to them about it; they might be glad of the reduced expense too! If you get this list done as soon as possible then you can get in some early xmas shopping before the mad rush.
Set yourself a spending limit
Once you’ve worked out exactly who you’re buying for, then you need to set yourself a spending limit to ensure you don’t end up seriously out of pocket. You can grade the limit depending on how well you know the person, but you need to make sure you stick to it or you can end up looking at a nasty surprise on your bank balance. Set yourself a limit on spending on the children and your partner too, no matter how tough it might be to enforce when you get into the spending habit.
Spread the purchases
If you start now, you will still be able to benefit from one or two more paydays before the big day. Many people may have already started the buying process but if you haven’t, it’s not too late! One year, 13million people were expected to head for the high street for some last-minute buys; don’t be one of them if you don’t have to be, especially during the pandemic – ordering online is safe!
Transferring some money into a separate account, or your various savings accounts would mean that you know exactly what you have to spend without breaking into money that you need on a day-to-day basis, which means you’re saving money in the process.
Look out for the supermarket savings schemes too – while you may have to spend the money in-store, you’d be surprised at what they stock nowadays. When you spread money across your bank accounts, you can also use one particular account for Christmas shopping and ask family members to chip in some money to buy each member one decent present rather than lots of little cheap gifts.
Consider using your credit card
A survey from My Voucher Codes found that 56% are still using paychecks to pay for all their Christmas expenses, while 30% are using their credit cards. It may be worth considering using a credit card if you are sure you can keep your monthly repayments, as some cards offer a 0% interest rate. Make sure you check how long the 0% interest rate lasts for because these credit card companies can raise the APR up to as high as 18.9%.
So, make sure you pay them off before they bite.
Avoid debt at all costs
Debt, when it’s not invested into something that will achieve a higher return (so you can pay it back quickly), is bad news, especially when it’s to purchase frivolous buys that you don’t need. Christmas on a budget means sticking to the simple rule of thumb – if you can’t afford it, don’t spend it. Try to avoid resorting to store cards and credit cards unless you absolutely have to.
Start the Christmas shopping early
The earlier you start your Christmas shopping, the easier it is to spread the cost out, reducing the chances of having to pay for everything all at once. Some people like to pick up presents throughout the year and even start as early as January sales! If that seems a bit early then you should really get a move on once November rolls around as Christmas really is only around the corner.
Seek out the sales and utilise deals on the internet
The beauty of our generation is that we no longer need to make that mad rush to the shops and resort to buying the last item on the shelf. There are so many options available to you online now and my go-to favourite, especially for last-minute Christmas gifts, is Amazon.
They can provide some amazing deals, and help you save for Christmas, by offering up to 80% off the original price. So you are bound to find a bargain for your cheap Christmas shopping if you look hard enough. Plus, if you have Prime then you can benefit from same/next-day delivery too! Check out how to join below if you haven’t done so yet:
Moneysavingexpert.com (an amazing resource website for money-saving tips all-round) have created ‘Amazon Discount Finder’ which “manipulates Amazon web links to create customised bargain-basement pages” and it is a great way to prepare for a great Christmas for less.
eBay is also a great site for grabbing some awesome gifts at a fraction of the cost. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that some items may be used, however. Some of the auction items are labelled as ‘used’, even if they have barely been used once.
If you look hard enough, you can also even find some summer sales around with great knock-off prices, meaning you can get a little more for your money.
Give to charity while you’re Christmas shopping
Use online stores who use a percentage of every purchase you make and donate it to charity – so your gift keeps on giving! Give as you Live, the shopping website with a big heart takes 2.5% of every purchase and donates it to your choice of charity. Or, if you don’t know which charity you’d like to donate to, then the money will go to the charity of the month.
There are over 4,000 retailers to choose from and there are exclusive deals for registered users too. Christmas is also a time to indulge a bit (within the budget of course!), and with Give as you Live you can let go of the rules slightly and just enjoy some good ol’ fashioned unremorseful fun while giving back to various charities as well, along with those organisations who plan to give away free Christmas stuff each year.
Do a secret santa
A great option on how to make Christmas cheaper is to do a Secret Santa. Secret Santa is normally reserved for those at work when everyone pulls a colleague’s name out of a hat and you buy a token present for them, rather than shelling out for several people at work. However, you can also do this amongst friends and family, and it works particularly well if you have a large family. You can use cool websites such as Elfster so that everyone can draw up wishlists of gifts, ensuring everyone gets something they want.
How do you save money on making gifts for Christmas?
What do you give someone who has everything? One great tip on how to have a cheap Christmas is to make a personalised one-of-a-kind gift that has been made by you or your children. Personalised gifts carry little to no price tag because they are created with love by you. Sometimes they can be the best gifts to receive because they are so personalised and all you need to fork out for are the supplies to make them. Save time wrapping presents too here.
Some great seasonal presents can include Christmas cookies in a personalised jar or a keepsake box full of little items that hold sentimental value to you and the recipient. And, if it all goes wrong, just blame it on the creativity of the kids (just kidding!)
Can you give gift cards or cash as presents?
If you’ve set aside a budget and you know how much Christmas money you’re planning to spend on each recipient, then think about sending out gift cards. That way, every person gets the same value gift and they can spend the gift card on something they truly want. Gift cards can be expensive though, and sometimes it doesn’t feel right to send a gift card of less than £20 as a Christmas present. So, if you can find cheap Christmas presents instead that cost less than £20, but are still quality enough to make a decent present, then go for those instead.
Is money the most useful Christmas gift?
It could be if you can afford to give cash.
Is money for a Christmas gift good enough, though? If so, why don’t you speak to family members and discuss Christmas money ideas for those saving for something in particular, so you can help contribute to their one special present by helping putting money towards it.
Is there such a thing as a free Christmas?
Even making presents for the family costs money, but you can make Christmas savings by becoming a financially educated student with where your money goes and work out how much you spend every year, so you can make savings where possible. It’s very difficult to work out how to do Christmas for free, so cut costs where possible.
How much money should I budget for kids Christmas presents?
The question is, how much money can you afford to budget for Christmas presents? Don’t go into the red and make sure you have all bills paid before you spend on extras. A good way to answer this question is to do a financial plan and work out how much you can afford every month to set aside for your kids’ Christmas presents.
Money saving Christmas gift ideas for kids that won’t break the bank
World Map Jigsaw Puzzle – 150 pieces
Suitable for ages five to ten years old, this fun yet educational world map puzzle is the perfect game to help kids learn about the countries of the world while enjoying the challenge of completing a 150-piece jigsaw puzzle. Kids can also discover local inhabitants and landmarks as well as continue their learning with a giant poster of the world map included in the box.
PROS:
Kids from 5 to 10 can enjoy this educational puzzle and pass it down to younger children when they are old enough to give it a try too.
CONS:
Some countries are not named on the puzzle
RATING:
5/5 – Challenging, educational and fun. Get the whole family involved over Christmas too!
PRICE RATING:
£
DISCOVERY CHANNEL – BUG BARN
A great gift for bug enthusiasts who like to catch and observe bugs in detail. The Bug Barn pack offers a range of bug collection tools to observe the world of the insects up close. This educational gift is for ages eight and up, but my then five and six-year-old boys had just as much fun exploring in the garden with this Bug Barn.
PROS:
Great value for its contents and works well to catch bugs, examine them and then put back. Gets the kids outdoors and learning about nature.
CONS:
You can use the magnifying canister on its own, the rest of the kit are embellishments
RATING:
5/5 – Great for kids of any age and is well made to keep them amused for hours. Get the kids wrapped up and take them outside to learn about the winter bugs!
PRICE RATING:
£
Ravensburger Labyrinth Game
An a-mazeing game that has magical moving walls and tons of treasure to collect. Get the kids to move their way through the labyrinth, avoiding the traps and building up their wall-moving strategy to outmanoeuvre other players and collect all the treasures that are in their path. It’s a great two-four player strategy game for ages seven and up, that will get the kids thinking about their next moves strategically.
PROS:
The rules are easily adaptable for younger kids to understand and challenging enough for older kids to enjoy playing with adults. Easy to set up and lots of fun to play. Plus it’s cheap so you can work out how to save money for Christmas by getting Christmas gifts that still entertain the kids at the same time!
CONS:
It takes a while to get used to and the game has a lot of rules, which can get confusing.
RATING:
5/5 – The game is easily adaptable for all ages and fun to play with the whole family at Christmas. So, bring this board out when the eggnog has been passed around and the food has been scoffed.
PRICE RATING:
£
Hedbanz the game
A fun game for two – six players aged seven and up (but five-year-olds can get involved too), Hedbanz develops deductive reasoning skills and strategy. The ‘What Am I?” game involves the children asking questions until they can figure out what the cartoon of either an animal, food or object is on their adjustable headband. The first person to guess who they are wins.
PROS:
A great game to encourage everyone to join in and develop their vocabulary in such a fun way.
CONS:
The game can get a little repetitive.
RATING:
A great game to get all the adults and kids involved to play over Christmas dinner. Expect a lot of laughs.
PRICE RATING:
£
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Gemstone Dig Kit
Suitable for ages six and up, the Mega Gemstone Mine Dig Kit allows children to become treasure hunters and start an incredible rock collection of 15 rocks and gemstones, which they unearth and discover. Kids get to learn the geology of each specimen using the full-colour learning guide included that contains lots of fascinating facts.
PROS:
You can take the Mine Dig Kit with you anywhere. The kids will concentrate on digging out the stones for hours and enjoy looking up what they’ve unearthed in the guide included.
CONS:
Some older children can find the rocks within minutes and may move on to other games.
RATING:
5/5 – A great Christmas game to play on the main table. Discover the rocks and gems with the children and learn what they all mean together with the guide
PRICE RATING:
££
Articulate for kids
A fast-talking description game for four to 20 players and kids from six to 12 years, Articulate is fast, entertaining and fun all at the same time. The game helps kids to read, learn new words and describe them using their imagination, which is great for developing their understanding of the words.
PROS:
The ideal way to encourage kids to get descriptive, while concentrating on not saying the actual word. It’s a great way to broaden their vocabulary.
CONS:
The timer runs out very quickly, so you may need to adapt the rules accordingly for younger children.
RATING:
5/5 – The perfect family board game to play over Christmas when the adults are a little tipsy and the kids are getting full on sugar. A fun, yet educational way to encourage the kids to broaden their vocabularies and gently push them to use more descriptive words to help other players guess the word in under the time limit.
PRICE RATING:
£
VTech 193803 Kidizoom Smart Watch DX2 Toy, Blue
Kids from five to 12 years can take photos and videos wherever they are, with their new fancy portable camera watch that not only provides eight-plus games you can download but a built-in motion sensor and pedometer, as well as an intuitive colour touchscreen. The smartwatch comes in Blue and Pink.
PROS:
There are tons of features for the children to enjoy at such an affordable price. A calculator, calendar, alarm, stopwatch and voice recorder, plus much more is included!
CONS:
The smartwatch uses up the battery quite quickly and the screen is not crystal clear. No GPS tracking included.
RATING:
5/5 – A portable smartwatch that enables the children to document their fun Christmas by taking tons of pictures and videos of the family gathering and savouring them for years to come.
PRICE RATING:
££
K’NEX Imagein Deluxe Building Set
This educational construction set contains 480 classic K’Nex pieces and 35 building ideas that will get the kids’ brain juices flowing and imaginations wild. Perfect for ages seven and up, but five-year-olds would still able to have a go, there are tons of open-ended building fun that the whole family can enjoy together.
PROS:
Great gift and affordable, the K’Nex building set encourages the children to interact with all age groups and work together as a team to get imaginative with their build. Comes with a large storage box to store other K’Nex pieces too.
CONS:
Quite a few small pieces included, so be careful with younger children around.
RATING:
5/5 – The kids will have hours of fun using the small K’Nex pieces to build something imaginative and creative. Get the adults involved too to build something Christmassy that the whole family can be proud of.
PRICE RATING:
£
Chilli Pro Reaper Reloaded Stunt Scooter – Full Neochrome
Scooters promote fun, balance, confidence and durability as well as develop gross and fine motor skills. Riding a scooter helps kids’ coordination skills and improves their overall strength and endurance, so it’s well worth buying them a scooter for Christmas and getting them out in the winter months to ward off the cold bug.
PROS:
Fun, durable and high quality. The integrated handlebars and headtube help kids to manoeuvre and glide through windy paths easily and with confidence.
CONS:
These scooters may be too intermediate for younger children, so it’s worth shopping around for more beginner style scooters.
RATING:
5/5 – Nothing gets a child’s heart pumping more than burning their energy in the great outdoors and scooters are the best way to improve their confidence, motor skills, strength and balance. Forget the cold, wrap up warm and take the whole family out for a scooter ride! You can find the full range of scooters over at Skatehut.
PRICE RATING:
£££
Melissa & Doug On the Go Secret Decoder Deluxe Activity Set and Super Sleuth Toy
Perhaps you’re making the Christmas dinner and you need the kids out of your hair for a while. The On the Go Secret Decoder Deluxe Activity Set and Super Sleuth Toy will keep the kids amused for hours, cracking and decoding puzzles to solve dozens of mini-mysteries with more than 50 unique activities included in the set. The set includes a Secret Decoder Game Book, Seek & Find Game Book, Secret Message Activity Pad and magic-reveal sticker sheets.
PROS:
Great kit for a budding spy, which will keep your child busy for hours on end. Kids can send coded messages to each other through their secret message activity pad and encourage the other family members to get involved cracking the codes.
CONS:
Once the games are completed there isn’t much else you can do with the set.
Rating:
5/5 – This is a great family bonding game, where kids are encouraged to work together to crack codes and think outside of the box
PRICE RATING:
£
Some other great gifts for the family
For a new mum
BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One Air
I have very fond memories of using the Bjorn Miracle Baby Carrier. I spent almost the entire Christmas with my eldest and my youngest cuddled up to my chest (at different times) in the Bjorn Miracle Baby Carrier (my eldest was just five days old when I used the Bjorn carrier for the first time and my youngest was eight months old when I used the carrier again for a second Christmas).
I had two very fantastic Christmases with two very happy bunnies, who were able to watch the world go by as I was scurrying around helping with the Christmas cooking and socialising with friends and family.
I then used the Baby Carrier One with my baby girl in 2019 and it has been one of the most useful tools for busy mums to carry on with jobs while keeping baby close to your chest.
You can face your baby the other way too, which is what I did with my youngest, so they could see what I saw and get up close and personal with friends and family. A fantastic buy and one I’d use again if I ever had more babies!
Now, if your children are a little older, say, between one and a half and five years old, then you’re probably going to want to get some time to breathe over Christmas. So, why not cast their attention to a HUGE box of Lego Duplo. It kept my kids amused for hours, so it should allow you to get on with the Christmas cooking/watching Christmas TV/lounging about in PJs etc, whatever you want to get up to over Christmas, but can’t because you have children hanging off your legs.
PLUS, they get one super awesome Christmas present too that will last way beyond, so it has staying power. Double PLUS – if you have Amazon Prime, you can opt for one-day delivery and, sometimes, evening delivery, depending on stock and availability.
Features
Includes a boy LEGO DUPLO figure
Features a wagon base, 2 window elements, a dog, numbered bricks and a wide selection of other DUPLO bricks
Match the numbered bricks with the corresponding decorated bricks
Store the bricks in the iconic LEGO brick-shaped storage box
LEGO DUPLO products are fun and safe for younger hand
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Tracker and Sleep Wristband
So, if you’ve over-indulged a little bit and you want to get back on track fitness-wise before the new year approaches, then you might want to check out the very popular Fitbit wristband, which does a multitude of things that may help settle you back into normality after the Christmas haze has lifted.
Not just a tool for measuring your calories burned and distance/steps taken, but it also tracks your sleep, i.e. how many hours you’ve slept and your quality of sleep. It doesn’t impose on your lifestyle because you just strap it to your wrist and you leave it on, allowing the Fitbit to clock in all the important bits of information you want, day and night. You can also quite helpfully sync to your smartphone or computer if you wanted to. Sounds like a handy tool for maintaining that healthy New Year plan! I always break mine after the first week, so I might need some help from Fitbit this time…
“Fitbit Flex is the ideal way to track your activity without imposing on your lifestyle. Just strap it to your wrist and leave it there, through day and night and then sync it with your smartphone or computer to see how active you are.”
Flex tracks a number of activities to help you evaluate your lifestyle:
Christmas isn’t all about the giving of presents; it’s about quality time with the family. Your kid’s faces will be a picture regardless of what they have, so don’t panic. There are ways to save money at Christmas and there isn’t any need to go all out.
And, don’t forget, being prepared and planning everything is the best way to save money at Christmas.
So, follow the above tips on saving money at Christmas and January will be a lot kinder to you and your bank account.
*Collaborative feature post*
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases*
*Contains affiliate links*
Fun kids activities for half-term which are pandemic-friendly
For some families, school holidays means squeezing in a quick sunny holiday abroad or visiting the extended family. As 2020 has other ideas for us half-term will be focussed on taking a well-earned break from the culture shock of school after a six-month hiatus (thanks to the pandemic).
Whichever way your family prefers to normally spend the one-week break, make this half-term a safe and socially distanced school holiday to remember and inject some mojo back into the kids’ school spirit for the second half term.
Financial planning firm Lemonade Money believes that, with some creative planning, parents can spend pennies rather than pounds and still enjoy some good quality time together during half-term.
So, below are some fun kids activities for half term which are pandemic-friendly.
Go camping in your backyard or in the park – if you can manage the cold weather!
A great way to spend half term with the family is to go camping together. However, as we’re unable to travel abroad or visit somewhere crowded, bring camping to your backyard or visit your local park to find out whether they offer open space camping in their vast fields. You could glamp up your camping experience and hire an RV or campervan, so you camp in style.
A great idea for this experience would be to choose a modern camping specialist provider which provides an array of options, such as self-catering mobile home holidays with style, quality and comfort. This is glamping at its best as you don’t need to get your hands dirty and pitch up a tent. These days, you can find places which provide every essential you need, like a home away from home. You will have electricity and running water, plus it’s safe as you’re the only ones inhabiting the camping spot. Find out whether the service provider has thoroughly cleaned the mobile home and what the safety rules are for when you have to leave.
Before you know it, you’ll be back to your new normal and one day you’ll be able to camp in peace in places like Costa Brava Holidays next year – here’s hoping!
Venture outdoors and explore your area
A busy half-term doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. If you’re a Google whizz, you can discover great places to go which doesn’t involve mixing in crowded places. You could be adventurous and explore your local parks, which, for the most part, should be free. You could afford to do something different every day during the seven-day break, as long as you keep to the social distancing rules.
And for transport, grab some great commuter scooters for the kids from skates.co.uk and ride around your local area with them. You can even try to keep up with them by riding on your own scooter or running alongside them for free exercise – if you can keep up! I generally can’t.
Check out www.free-events.co.uk and www.wherewecango.com for more half term kids activities. Just make sure the half term events comply with the current social distancing and safety rules before you set off and check if you need to book tickets in advance.
The UK is blessed with lots of beautiful country parks which remain open during the pandemic. So, if you’re looking for a family day out, why not take a picnic and enjoy some al fresco dining as a family. Some country parks offer open parks, nature trails and educational fun like the farm and playground centres. Check out Exploring Dorset’s local lovely country parks which are open during half-term.
Visit the extended family and friends virtually
Half-term is normally a time to catch up with the grandparents or the rest of the extended family. As some boroughs are in Tier 2 and some even in Tier 3, you aren’t able to mix in other households or hold get-togethers of up to six anymore. So this year is all about exhausting technology devices and virtually keep in touch with extended family and friends.
You can video call up to eight people and Zoom is great for hosting multiple rooms and functions. Create a family quiz and play games while including all participants in the creation and gaming process. It won’t replace them actually being in the room with you, but the little ones will love the break in routine to chat with their family in the comfort of their own home.
“We are doing a zoom quiz with the kids’ friends. We all have to make up ten questions with a certain theme and then take it in turns. It’s a great way to get everyone involved and they get to stay in touch with their friends over the holidays.”
You could start a building project or grab a large blank canvas and create a family painting. Projects are a great way to start the holiday, paired with clear goals for the kids and a lot of team-building fun.
You can find a great large canvas to start with from Amazon here.
Build a really large jigsaw puzzle
If you fancy another team-building exercise, jigsaw puzzles are at the top of the list. If adults join the party, try a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle together, which may last the week. It may be worth investing in a Portapuzzle, so you can put the jigsaw away when you’ve had enough. When you’ve completed the puzzle you can hang it up on your wall with some Jigsaw glue. I found this great tutorial on how to frame your jigsaw onto the wall here.
Alternatively, you can buy a 75 – 100-piece jigsaw puzzle just for the kids, which will keep them amused for a while and give you a little bit of a break. 100-piece jigsaws can also look great on the wall.
Encourage the kids to put on a show or indulge in some role play. Whether you are sailing the seven seas, pretending to be ninjas/princesses or making a whole imaginary world out of tea-stained paper and cereal boxes, there’s nothing more magical than getting creative with the whole family. Grab whatever you have in the house to make that den where you can hide from reality and step into the world of the child’s mind.
Autumn may be cold, wet and full of muddy puddles, but as Peppa Pig likes to chant throughout her shows, “If you want to jump in muddy puddles, you must wear your boots!” Don’t be afraid of the cold, that’s what coats, hats and scarves are for! So, grab your wellies and head to your nearest park (it’s free!) or wetlands centre for a fun half term for kids. Just remember to warm up with a nice mug of hot cocoa when you get back (yum!)
Rekindle those old games that you loved playing when you were a wee child and teach your own children how to play, so you can enjoy them together. If the weather is miserable outside, break out those cards and play simple games like ‘Snap!’ or ‘Go Fish’. Or, create some numbered boxes on the floor with chalk (or something washable) and play hopscotch until your legs get tired. Snakes and ladders, Guess Who? and Connect 4 are also some great games to get the whole family involved. If you are feeling competitive, perhaps an educational game of Monopoly might get the spirits up. You can even assign the youngest as the banker, so they learn about how to manage money. Learning maths through play is so much more interesting than simple addition and subtraction equations, right?
Children love to soak up new and exciting experiences like a sponge. So, satisfy your children’s curiosity by creating some great homemade science experiments by using the bits and bobs you have lying around in your house. YouTube has tonnes of half term ideas for kids on how you create some simple experiments for fun half term activities at home without spending a penny. Make notes on your findings and talk about them with your child afterwards, so they understand the results of your experiments. Why did the egg sink or float? How did the water turn into a tornado using just glitter and washing up liquid? These simple experiments will help your child grasp science so much better at school, so give them a good start at home.
“Drive-thru cinemas. 🙂 There seem to be loads popping up all over the UK at the moment. They seem to be showing Halloween themed films which would be ideal for this week.
The tray game is a great way to build up a child’s memory and it can be fun too if you place a lot of interesting items on the tray. Adjust the number of items, depending on the age and then cover with a towel. Then ask them to list off how many they could remember. Or, you could take an item away and ask them to write down or tell you which item you removed. There are lots of ways you can make this memory game interesting and you can offer one of the objects on the tray as a prize for the winner. Chocolate items may make the game a lot more interesting.
A great idea for a tray table which already comes with accessories from Amazon here.
Play tuff tray games
Use the same tray and create some tuff tray games for the kids to enjoy. If you’re unsure of what to put in a tuff tray, check out The Work Life Blend’s Tuff Tray Ideas to keep the kids busy. There are 50 half term activities to choose from and all look super fun for adults too!
If you’re based in or around Norfolk, then you could check out Norfolk Pumpkin Patches over half-term with the kids where you can go pick your own pumpkins and/or spend the entire day out. As it’s all outdoor fun, most places would be open during half-term and there is so much for the kids to do that you’ll need more than a day out to enjoy. Most places will have COVID precautions in place, so you should find something fun for your kids to enjoy. But make sure you call them up first to find out whether you need to book ahead first.
Once you’ve picked your pumpkin from above or from other areas near to you (check out Skinny Spending’s article here on other places you can find pumpkins, and set to work carving. Even if you can’t go trick or treating, you can still enjoy having your own pumpkin at home and use the rest to make delicious Pumpkin Pie!
From setting up your own party games to creating some spooky snacks for snacking in between apple bobbing and pinning the hand on the zombie, bring Halloween to you and make it a day/evening to remember. Check out some more tips from Mummy Est.2014 on how to bring Halloween to you at home.
You can find some Halloween decorations from Amazon here
“We plan on making our own chalk games like snakes and ladders and chess outside. We also do pin the tail on the donkey and throw bean bags into hoops.”
Get into the Halloween arts and crafts spirit and grab yourself an apple or a potato. Cut them up to resemble a pumpkin and then paint them in orange. Then just print on paper! Super fun.
Sticking to the topic of Halloween, paper crafts are great because they’re cheap and they build on motor skills. Plus, it’s a great way to get the family involved too. Kiddy Charts have some fantastic paper craft activities that kids of all ages can enjoy over the half-term!
Have a Halloween-themed movie night!
Round up some large bowls of popcorn and cuddle up with the family for some age-appropriate Halloween movies after you’ve exhausted yourselves from all the Halloween fun. Mom of Two Little Girls has a great list of Halloween movies which are perfect for kids here.
“We are forecast lots of rain next week so will be working our way through this list of kid-friendly Halloween movies.”
Rocks are a great tool with which to get creative because you can paint them and either decorate your backyard/driveway or you can hide them for others to find. It’s a lovely free present for a child to come across a painted rock and keep it for themselves. So paint some secret fun messages on the rocks and place them around your local area for the locals to find.
Invest in an activity box – or make your own!
The boys and I used to enjoy receiving our fortnightly Weekend Box and monthly Toucan Box in the post. But, sometimes, we were not always up for an afternoon of arts and crafts, especially when the kids were winding down after school. So, I stored the boxes away and when we had some spare time to get creative, I brought them out again for some indoor activity fun. Once we made a snowman over the Christmas holidays, courtesy of Toucan Box, which was so fun to make.
I just love how everything you need is so helpfully provided for you in exactly the right amount required for the activity. Plus, you get to build your own activity box of items that are leftover from each box. So, if you don’t want to buy or subscribe to an activity box, just use your own, along with all the wrapping and packaging you received over the festive period and keep it for holidays like half-term. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make anything super constructive, just the act of mucking in and achieving something together is well worth the bonding session and the brain cells used in the process!
The Halloween Toucan Box includes items like a special edition Halloween magazine and sticker sheet, as well as awesome Halloween craft projects, so the fright night fun goes on and on for your little one.
Head over to ToucanBox’s website here and get started at just £10.95 per month per box. You can also save money and subscribe to the 3-month, 6-month or 12-month plan and pay a cheaper price. Act fast to get your Halloween edition ToucanBox now. Suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2 and rated excellent on Trustpilot with 3,400+ reviews.
Plant a garden
Spring will be around before you know it, which means now is as good a time as any to start growing your own crops. Kids love to watch veggies grow, so make your own window garden box and introduce them to the world of plants. If you are looking for instant results, planting seeds like sunflower, cress and salad are great during the half term because they offer quick results. Gardening aids physical development and helps children to understand the world of nature. Check out how does your garden grow for more ideas on how to do a spot of gardening with the kids.
Spend a day crafting using microwave playdough, which is safe to put in the mouth, so our 13-month-old can get involved! Check out the recipe for microwave playdough here.
Go for long walks with the children
Walks are great because you get in much-needed exercise but you also get to enjoy nature and bonding with the family. I’ve always loved walking, either on my own or while walking with a pram and it’s kept me fighting fit during labour and birth because I walked almost every day. Now with two energetic boys and a newly walking baby girl, walks are perfect to spend some outdoor time together – plus it doesn’t cost a penny! Time and Pence have some great tips on how to walk with children here.
It’s also important to wear the right shoes and clothes when hiking to avoid injuries. Check out this post on what to wear when hiking.
“We will be doing lots of walking over this half and a visit to some of the English Heritage sites.”
After you have dinner with the family, why not take a break from the norm and head outside for a brisk night walk. Not only does walking in the fresh air after dinner helps you to digest your food, but it will help kids go to sleep easier. Walking after dinner also helps children stay asleep at night because their tummies are not too full or empty.
If you want to plan your walk, Google is your friend for researching organised bat or nocturnal animal spotting walks in your area. So, before the evenings get too light, grab some torches and hot drinks in travel-sized thermos’ and make your way down the road together. Make sure the route isn’t too perilous or you flash your torch at oncoming drivers and temporarily blind them on the road. Also, it would be very useful to wear high-visibility outerwear, so vehicles can spot you in the dark.
Make sidewalk art
If you have concrete in your garden or you are by a local park, why not grab your chalk and go wild on the ground! Don’t let the grotty weather get in your way, you can always roll out some lining paper or an old blanket and paint on top. Why not go one further and grab a massive canvas, some set of decoration equipment, like paint, materials, coloured pencils etc and paint to your heart’s content.
Find some nearby plants, leaves or twigs to add to the creativity too? You can have hours of fun creating some pretty amazing artwork that you could hang up in your home when you’re done. Imagine the results!
Use voucher sites to treat the family to a day out
Lemonade Money also suggests that If you are planning to treat the family to a day out, use sites such as Groupon, Wowcher and Voucher Cloud to secure great savings and sign up for weekly alerts to get the latest deals. These deals can save you a small fortune and if you take your own food and drink, you’ll spend even less. It helps to browse the net for deals and ideas whenever possible.
Create a boredom jar
If you’re still stuck for things to do in the half term, you can create a boredom jar if you’ve exhausted all options and your kids are still bored. Fill it up with some half term fun for kids when you feel like there’s nothing to do around the house. And, make it so all the suggestions are free, so you don’t add to any extra expense. Your Best Friend’s Guide to Cash offers some tips on how to create a boredom jar and other half-term lockdown survival ideas that may be of interest.
“Begin to make some homemade Christmas gifts, bath bombs, bookmarks, soaps keeping little hands busy and entertained”
It may be too early for Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t to prepare now. It may be a virtual Christmas this year, but at least you can enjoy some festive fun, by preparing the Christmas decorations or even decorate the tree. Too early?
It looks like it’s set to rain for most of the week, so get your creative hats on and use this chance to spend some adventurous time together. Grab some of the ideas above or if you have any tips of your own, share with us in the comments below, so we can try them out too!
*Collaborative feature post*
*Skates.co.uk kindly gifted us two JD Bug Scooters, but all thoughts are 100% our own*
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*
How to help your retiree parents declutter their home
Once all their little ones have flown the nest, your parents may be wondering what to do with all the extra space in your childhood home now that it’s empty. Decluttering and downsizing for seniors can be a significant nuisance—heating and cooling the home, shovelling the driveway, and mowing the lawn. These obligations can become more burdensome as your parents near their golden years.
While letting go of the home you all built lasting memories in with the family is extremely hard to do, decluttering and downsizing might be the right choice to ensure your parents can spend their sunset years how they planned. With less maintenance to worry about, a smaller home can give them more time and energy to divert elsewhere, whether it’s travelling the world or playing a round of golf. To get started, let’s look at the four important points below to consider when helping your parents declutter and downsize as retirees.
1. How much they can afford
Just because they’re moving into a smaller home doesn’t mean it’s necessarily cheaper. A smaller home that’s brand-new or in an expensive area can be much more expensive than their current home. Before they downsize, have they determined how much they can afford, especially since their cash flow will shift dramatically once they enter retirement and they are no longer working full-time?
As they begin their decluttering and downsizing adventure, work with a local realtor and accountant to help them find the perfect property and balance their finances. Your/their accountant can help them determine what financing option is best for them, such as a conventional mortgage or a VA loan program if they were a member of the armed forces.
2. Location
Location, location, location—the three words real estate agents live by. As they near retirement and plan to downsize, they now have the opportunity to plant their roots somewhere else. This is a great opportunity to finally make their dreams come true, whether living by the beach, in the country, or in a vibrant city.
One thing to keep in mind when looking for a new place to live during retirement is their support and care system. While they might be tempted to move from the frigid Northeast to the warm shores of Florida, think about who will be there for them if they ever need help. Having family around is always important, especially as they age, so keep them closeby in mind as you help them plan their move.
3. Current real estate market
They’re most likely not thinking about what the real estate market will be like in the next 25 to 30 years during retirement. However, because real estate is an expensive investment, it’s important to keep the real estate market in mind, especially if they plan to downsize again when they reach an older age, such as 85 or 90. And if they’re leaving behind their property to any beneficiaries in their will, they’ll want to choose an investment that will benefit their family, too.
Some factors to keep in mind when they’re downsizing during retirement include:
Home values in the neighbourhood they’re looking at
Number of active listings in the area
Current interest rates
Local housing market trends
By analyzing the current real estate market in the area they’re looking, they’ll be able to get a better understanding of whether they’re making the right decision.
4. Declutter their belongings
Their house isn’t the only thing they should be downsizing during retirement. By moving into a new home, they’re going to have much less space than they’re used to. While they might feel compelled to keep every little thing they’ve collected over the years, now’s a great time to cherish those memories, accept them for what they were, and move on.
Clearing out trip hazards like scatter rugs, loose cords, and cluttered walkways can go a long way in preventing falls — but it’s just as important to have a backup plan if one does happen. The CDC reports that 1 in 3 seniors will fall at home each year, so having a way to get help fast is essential. For Canadian families, looking into a medical care alert canada system can bring real peace of mind, knowing that support is just a button press away — even when loved ones can’t be there in person during the big declutter or downsizing phase.
Once they find their new home to live in during retirement, get accurate measurements of each room. This way, you can help them determine what furniture will fit, and what furniture might swallow a room up. For any furniture they no longer need, you can help them host a yard sell, or sell online through an online marketplace.
Wrapping up
Your parents’ golden years are meant to be stress-free and relaxing. The last thing you want is a large house all your parents live alone in that requires tons of maintenance. By decluttering downsizing, your parents can consolidate their belongings and live in a smaller home with easier upkeep. But before they do so, make sure they take these four considerations into mind when downsizing as a retiree.
How have you helped your parents declutter and downsize? Pop a comment in the box below and share your tips with us!
*Collaborative feature post.*
How the no fault divorce UK system is changing the picture for divorcee children
No-fault divorce will eliminate the need to blame one spouse for a divorce, but how will this affect the children of divorced couples?
The UK has a system of divorce that requires one spouse to prove the other acted in a way that caused the breakdown of the marriage. That said, with no fault divorce, there’s no need for proof, and divorce can be granted by consent alone.
This new system hasn’t been introduced yet but will likely become law by autumn 2021. The question is, how will this new no fault divorce system affect the children of divorcees?
Today, we’re going to give you a brief overview of no fault divorce and how it’s different from the current system. We’ll also dive into how this will affect the children of divorced couples, before giving you some advice on whether you should wait for the law to come in before you get divorced.
What is no fault divorce?
As we mentioned in the introduction to this post, no fault divorce is a new system of divorce that allows couples to end their marriage without proving one spouse is at fault. Under the current divorce system in England and Wales, one spouse must file for divorce, and accuse their partner of misconduct if they want to dissolve the marriage. There are three reasons you can use to end your marriage:
Unreasonable behaviour
Adultery
Desertion
Once the spouse has filed for divorce, their partner needs to respond, and if they disagree, the person who filed the proceedings will need to provide proof of their initial claim of misconduct. If they can’t provide this evidence, the court might rule that the two must live apart for two or five years until they are able to get divorced.
After several cases of people being forced to stay with a partner because they weren’t able to prove misconduct, the government created a no fault divorce bill. This has now made it through its parliamentary journey and is ready to be passed into law.
This new bill means that, instead of blaming your partner for misconduct to end a marriage, a couple can claim ‘irretrievable breakdown’ as the reason the marriage is ending. Then, they can get a divorce without having to suffer any painful separation periods.
How will no fault divorce change the picture for children?
So, now that we’ve covered the main difference between no fault divorce and the current system, it’s time to discuss what impact this type of divorce/family law will have on children. This section will serve as a sort of no fault divorce pros and cons debate. There are two primary views on whether the new bill is a good or bad idea for children…
Pro – Removes the toxic environment of fault-based divorce
Instead of parents having to blame each other for the breakdown of their marriage, no fault divorce can end it amicably and quickly. This prevents any long, drawn-out arguments over whose fault the divorce is, and just the general tension caused by them having to stay married any longer than they want to. It also avoids the parents coercing the child to take sides; no blame means no sides to take.
The less fighting between the couple, the less their children will be subjected to it. Ultimately, although their parents will be divorced, at least the child didn’t have to witness the breakdown and further resentment caused by their parents being stuck in a toxic marriage.
The Justice Secretary, MP Robert Buckland, said: “The institution of marriage will always be vitally important, but we must never allow a situation where our laws exacerbate conflict and harm a child’s upbringing. By sparing individuals the need to play the blame game, we are stripping out the needless antagonism this creates so families can better move on with their lives.”
Buckland’s sentiments were mirrored by Aidan Jones, the CEO of relationships charity, Relate, who told The Independent newspaper:
“Our current divorce laws encourage increased animosity between parting couples because they are led to decide who is ‘at fault’ and why. This can be difficult to navigate – especially when there’s already a lot of bad feelings and conflict between partners,” he says. “Even when things have been relatively amicable up until that point, the process of having to apportion blame can turn things sour pretty quickly.”
Aidan Jones, CEO of Relate
Relate also released research showing that conflict between parents damages children more than anything else during a divorce. This suggests that no fault divorce is a more compassionate system than the current one.
Con – More children will have divorced parents
Keeping in mind that conflict between parents damages children more than anything else during a divorce, the avoidance of divorce itself is the aim of those who disagree with no fault divorce.
One thing that the current divorce system has in its favour is that it tries to encourage married couples to stay together. The marriage has to have undergone grave misconduct for a divorce to be granted, as most other things are considered small enough for the couple to recover from.
With no fault divorce, couples will be able to get divorced on a whim over a minor disagreement or issue, which could lead to more children having divorced parents.
Also, with divorce proceedings happening at a higher speed, there isn’t much time to discuss how the parenting will be organised after the divorce. Because of this, the child might be dragged through a painful child custody battle.
This sentiment was expressed in a letter written to the Telegraph by several MPs who asked the government to focus their attention on helping couples reconcile instead of introducing no fault divorce. The MPs also claimed that enacting the no fault divorce bill would be poor timing, as COVID-19 has already made couples more fragile and on the verge of filing for divorce.
One of the MPs, Fiona Bruce, said of the bill:
“This bill is a bad bill. It sends out the wrong message at the wrong time. No-fault divorce is really state-approved unilateral divorce.
“Ministers like to say that it is all about the divorce process and not about marriage. They are wrong. The removal of fault sends out the signal that marriage can be unilaterally exited with no available recourse for the party who has been left.”
Fiona Bruce, MP
Should you wait for no fault divorce to happen?
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill made it through the House of Commons on 17th June. It’s now on its way to receive Royal assent, and will need to have additional amendments made to it by the House of Lords.
Unfortunately, for those of you waiting for no fault divorce to be passed, the bill will not come into force until autumn 2021. So, it may be a waiting game for those wanting to part ways without a cause.
So, is it worth waiting until next year for no fault divorce to pass?
If you’re in a marriage that isn’t working, and you’re sure that you’re going to get divorced anyway, it might be worth filing for divorce now. Especially if you have children who have to watch the breakdown of your marriage over the next year, why not nip it in the bud.
However, it’s a good idea to make sure you have evidence of misconduct, or a partner who won’t contest the misconduct, before you file for divorce. If you don’t have this, you’ll have to wait at least 2 years to get divorced anyway, so you might as well wait for the no fault divorce bill to be passed.
Change is inevitable
Today, we’ve managed to cover what no fault divorce is and how it differs from our current system. We’ve also delved into the two sides of the coin on how it will affect children, and shared some advice on whether you should wait a year for the bill to be passed into law.
Depending on whether you believe no fault divorce will cause more divorces or not changes the way this new bill affects divorcee children. If the level of divorce doesn’t go up too much, then no fault divorce was the right choice. However, if it goes up a lot it, could mean that many more children end up with divorced parents than under the previous system.
The main thing to remember is that this bill has now been passed and will be put in place in 2021. We have to hope that the benefits of reducing the pain of divorce for children outweighs the possible increase in divorce rates.
Hopefully this post has shed some light on the topic of no fault divorce. Leave a comment down below if you have any insight into the topic, and thanks for reading!
