I was a retail manager when I had my son and had every intention of returning to it after my mat leave but it is amazing how much a little person can change your perspective on life. I decided to find a way to work from home, childminding was something that I had considered previously but now I applied for my childminding registration. I also became a Bodyshop at Home consultant, as I had previously been a retail manager for The Bodyshop this seemed perfect.
I also spend a lot of time on the internet and inevitably searched the net for work at home opportunities. The online offers are endless but the majority of them are scams, they all offer the same thing, get rich quick!!
Beware of any scheme that asks you to pay a fee upfront, I have done this and have been well and truly burnt. My advice is if it looks to good to be true then that is exactly what it is.
There are ways of making money but you need to invest a lot of computer hours before you start to see any income, and not a huge one at that.
I have found that my childminding is my best way of making an income, it means I actually get to spend time with my kids and that way I don't miss a thing!
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Treats for mummy!
How often do we actually spend money or time on ourselves. Well, if you do decide that a wee bit of pampering is in order then please take a look at this website. Coastal Aromas is a business run by a friend of mine in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire. It has literally hundreds of pampering products and offers a fantastic personal service.
www.coastalaromas.co.uk
www.coastalaromas.co.uk
Heads Of Ayr
Another place that we had a fab family day out was Heads of Ayr farm park. This is located in Ayr on the West Coast of Scotland and again if you get good weather is a fantastic place to take the kids.
We went on Easter Monday so it was very busy but even still it is so well laid out that overcrowding never is a problem.
It is a farm park but is so much more. It has a number of different animals that the kids will love to see, horses, cows, monkeys, meerkats, goats and even a camel. You can buy food in the gift shop to feed the animal, definitely a kids favourite activity.
It also had about eight large trampolines for the kids to play on, two large inflatable pillows for them to bounce on and a few play areas, one in a sandpit which my two loved.
There are also indoor facilities, an indoor play area, soft play, coin operated diggers, petting area and farm machinery made into climbing frames.
There are a couple of eating areas but they also provide plenty of picnic benches if you want to take your own.
We had a great day out and will definitely be going back soon.
We went on Easter Monday so it was very busy but even still it is so well laid out that overcrowding never is a problem.
It is a farm park but is so much more. It has a number of different animals that the kids will love to see, horses, cows, monkeys, meerkats, goats and even a camel. You can buy food in the gift shop to feed the animal, definitely a kids favourite activity.
It also had about eight large trampolines for the kids to play on, two large inflatable pillows for them to bounce on and a few play areas, one in a sandpit which my two loved.
There are also indoor facilities, an indoor play area, soft play, coin operated diggers, petting area and farm machinery made into climbing frames.
There are a couple of eating areas but they also provide plenty of picnic benches if you want to take your own.
We had a great day out and will definitely be going back soon.
The Dark Days
I myself was a sufferer of postnatal depression, not with my first child but with my second. It was something that I can onlyexplain as being life changing. At the time it was horrendous but now I look back at it with a positive perspective.
If you are a sufferer or know a sufferer the please read my blog, http://babybluesormore.blogspot.com to see what my experience was like.
If you are a sufferer or know a sufferer the please read my blog, http://babybluesormore.blogspot.com to see what my experience was like.
The Childcare Dilemma
Going back to work is one of the hardest things to do after becoming a mum and mainly because you have to decide who will be looking after your child while you are away. Many mums are lucky and have family who are more than willing to step up to the task but others have to rely on other childcare solutions.
NURSERY
A nursery is a good option, your child will be cared for in a child friendly environment by trained nursery nurses and will be mixing with other children. If this is the option that you decide on then here is my advice before you committ,
1. Visit the nursery at a busy time so that you can see the staff and children in action, this will give you a good feel for the place.
2. Check their recent inspection report online, you can do this through the Care Comissions website. THIS IS A MUST because on the surface everything may look hunkdory but the inspection looks deeper into the daily workings.
3. Ask around for other peoples opinions, word of mouth is the best way to find out.
CHILDMINDER
This is the other popular choice and as a childminder myself would be the one i recommend. This is a good choice if you want your child to remain in a more homely environment. Most childminders are involved with local toddler groups, a great way of socialising your child. Childminders, like nurseries, are inspected once a year by the Care Commission and are given gradings.
Here is my advice when considering a childminder.
1. Visit a few childminders before committing to one, this will give you the insight into how they work. You will most likely feel a positive connection instantly with the childminder you choose, there are plenty of us out there so don't be afraid to shop around!
2. Ask around, again word of mouth is how a childminder gets most of their business. Ask other childminders who they would recommend, if a childminder doesn't have the space for your child they will probably have a good idea who will!
3. Always read their inspection reports, these are done annually and can be accessed via the Care Commission website or just ask the childminder to see them during your visit.
4. Ask about the contract, this will include rates of pay, holidays and notice periods.
5. Ask to see their policies, these will include sickness, behaviour, child protection, health and safety etc.
Remember, whatever you decide you want to be completely comfortable with so don't rush and start looking for childcare a good few months before you have to return to work.
NURSERY
A nursery is a good option, your child will be cared for in a child friendly environment by trained nursery nurses and will be mixing with other children. If this is the option that you decide on then here is my advice before you committ,
1. Visit the nursery at a busy time so that you can see the staff and children in action, this will give you a good feel for the place.
2. Check their recent inspection report online, you can do this through the Care Comissions website. THIS IS A MUST because on the surface everything may look hunkdory but the inspection looks deeper into the daily workings.
3. Ask around for other peoples opinions, word of mouth is the best way to find out.
CHILDMINDER
This is the other popular choice and as a childminder myself would be the one i recommend. This is a good choice if you want your child to remain in a more homely environment. Most childminders are involved with local toddler groups, a great way of socialising your child. Childminders, like nurseries, are inspected once a year by the Care Commission and are given gradings.
Here is my advice when considering a childminder.
1. Visit a few childminders before committing to one, this will give you the insight into how they work. You will most likely feel a positive connection instantly with the childminder you choose, there are plenty of us out there so don't be afraid to shop around!
2. Ask around, again word of mouth is how a childminder gets most of their business. Ask other childminders who they would recommend, if a childminder doesn't have the space for your child they will probably have a good idea who will!
3. Always read their inspection reports, these are done annually and can be accessed via the Care Commission website or just ask the childminder to see them during your visit.
4. Ask about the contract, this will include rates of pay, holidays and notice periods.
5. Ask to see their policies, these will include sickness, behaviour, child protection, health and safety etc.
Remember, whatever you decide you want to be completely comfortable with so don't rush and start looking for childcare a good few months before you have to return to work.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Family Fun Day
We had a family day out at Loudon Castle on Scotland's West Coast on Sunday. Typically of the west coast the weather kept us guessing wether we would be able to go up until the last minute but finally the clouds dispersed and the sun came out and we had a fantastic day.
Loudon Castle is a fantastic place for children of all ages, we spent 6 hours there and could have easily gone back the next day. The park has plenty of places to eat, toilets and entertainment, all that is needed for the perfect family day out.
This was Ben's first time at an amusement park and he was completely overwhelmed, he is very like me, a big scaredy cat and at first he was keen just to watch but his confidence grew as he saw our friends children going on the rides.
Jess on the other hand was most peeved that at almost two she was not allowed on the largest of rollercoasters, think I am going to have a right little dare devil on my hands!!
There is the Pirates area where the rides are targeted at younger children, they have the most fantastic carousel, small rollercoaster, airplane rides, barrel rides and much much more. There are face painting stalls, typical fairground stalls and amusement arcades in this area too. We could have easily spent the day in that one area but there is so much more to explore.
They have a couple of big rollercoasters and a swing ride, dodgem cars and the ever popular Lofg Flume. My mouth nearly hit the ground in shock when Ben asked to go on the Log Flume but off he trotted with his Dad, Sandy, David and Blair, I think this was the time he got a bit to over confident.
There is also McDougalls Farm and this is where my daughter had the most fun, in the animal petting Barn. Jess immediately made friends with a small goat and before long was cuddling and stroking it while singing Twinkle Twinkle to it! We also got to pet horses, lambs and llamas, they even supply small sinks so that you can wash your hands on the way out.
On the way out we popped into the soft play area so that the kids could have their last burst of energy before they were bundled into the car for the drive home.
Overall we had a fantastic day and the kids have been asking to go back. I would recommend Loudon Castle to anyone looking for a great entertaining day out for all the family.
Loudon Castle is a fantastic place for children of all ages, we spent 6 hours there and could have easily gone back the next day. The park has plenty of places to eat, toilets and entertainment, all that is needed for the perfect family day out.
This was Ben's first time at an amusement park and he was completely overwhelmed, he is very like me, a big scaredy cat and at first he was keen just to watch but his confidence grew as he saw our friends children going on the rides.
Jess on the other hand was most peeved that at almost two she was not allowed on the largest of rollercoasters, think I am going to have a right little dare devil on my hands!!
There is the Pirates area where the rides are targeted at younger children, they have the most fantastic carousel, small rollercoaster, airplane rides, barrel rides and much much more. There are face painting stalls, typical fairground stalls and amusement arcades in this area too. We could have easily spent the day in that one area but there is so much more to explore.
They have a couple of big rollercoasters and a swing ride, dodgem cars and the ever popular Lofg Flume. My mouth nearly hit the ground in shock when Ben asked to go on the Log Flume but off he trotted with his Dad, Sandy, David and Blair, I think this was the time he got a bit to over confident.
There is also McDougalls Farm and this is where my daughter had the most fun, in the animal petting Barn. Jess immediately made friends with a small goat and before long was cuddling and stroking it while singing Twinkle Twinkle to it! We also got to pet horses, lambs and llamas, they even supply small sinks so that you can wash your hands on the way out.
On the way out we popped into the soft play area so that the kids could have their last burst of energy before they were bundled into the car for the drive home.
Overall we had a fantastic day and the kids have been asking to go back. I would recommend Loudon Castle to anyone looking for a great entertaining day out for all the family.
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