Ghostbusters - How we are celebrating Halloween! #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Ghostbusters". I just want to say thank you to Mandi for hosting all month! It's been fun!

Here we are at the end of October, how did that happen? I'm going to say it again, this year is flying over! The girls had big plans for Halloween this year with it being on a Saturday but Coronavirus has put a stop to that. Hmmf! This year things are different. We're going to make the best of it and hopefully have a fun day!

This time last year the girls had their costumes already organised and were getting ready to go out trick or treating after school and college. There is no trick or treating happening for us this year with the virus still being out there. I was that mean mum said weeks ago that my girls were not going out knocking at doors. There is some kids from Ellie's school still going out but I don't think a handful of sweets is worth the risk!

One thing that hasn't changed this year is carving the pumpkins. For years just before Halloween we have carved pumpkins and every year the same thing happens, the girls have big plans for fancy designs and then they realise it's too much work and just carve a face. hehehe For weeks Ellie has said she wasn't bothered about carving one and I said OK, I wouldn't buy her one and she was fine with it. Of course as soon as the shopping was delivered with the pumpkins she wanted to carve one. It's a good job I know her so well. hehehe and bought her one. We are going to carve our pumpkins today, the one's below are the one's from last year!

We have decorated the house a little. Everything has came from the pound shops over the years. We have quite a collections now. It looks a cheerful, cute kind of spooky.

We might do some baking too. Ellie wanted to make some of the shortbread witch fingers like we did last year but I have a couple other plans and Ellie has been looking at recipes and things online. Eek!

Instead of venturing out we will be having a party tea and spending the night in front of the TV like we do most Saturday evenings. Becky wants to watch some horror films but I have already said no. I am not a fan and Ellie is far too young for what she wants to watch, the "It" film, the one with the scary clown. Ellie thinks I am being over protective but I remember the original from years ago and that was bad enough. I think we'll stick with the new version of The Witches or the animated The Addams Family film from last year, I quite fancy watching that.

Are you doing anything for Halloween?

(Ad - Gifted) A Black Forest Freakshake - Recipe!

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Step By Step".

My girls love Freakshake's even though I think they are a lot of faff and just create a mess. I was recently sent the recipe for a Black Forest freakshake from Shaken Udder and decided to share it here.

It is the ultimate indulgent treat for winter! Using Shaken Udder’s tasty Chocolush Belgian chocolate milkshake, this out of this world Freakshake is an extra special dessert for all the family to enjoy. 

Credit: Matilda Bourne

To make a Black Forest Freakshake:

Ingredients:

150g milk chocolate.

2 tbsp chocolate ball sprinkles.

4 tbsp cherry compote.

2 x 330ml bottles of Chocolush! Belgian chocolate milkshake.

Whipped cream.

4 mini chocolate doughnuts.

2 fresh cherries.

Assorted chocolate bars.

Method:

1. Place your serving glasses into the freezer to chill while you make the chocolate drips.

2. Bring a couple of inches of water to a boil in a small saucepan, then reduce to a low heat. Place a heat-proof bowl on top of the water, making sure it doesn’t touch the water, and add the chocolate, stirring until it has melted. Take the bowl off the heat and leave to cool slightly for 10 minutes.

3. Take one chilled glass at a time, and pour the melted chocolate down the inside of the glass. If the chocolate starts dripping too fast, then hold the glass horizontally to stop it running. Return the glass to the freezer to set, and repeat the process with the other glass.

4. Once the chocolate has set in the freezer, dip the rim of the glasses in the chocolate and scatter the chocolate ball sprinkles over the top.

5. Add 2 tbsp of cherry compote to each glass, then pour in Shaken Udder’s Chocolush! Belgian chocolate milkshake.

6. Top the freakshakes with whipped cream, then decorate with your favourite chocolate bars. Push a straw through the middle of the mini doughnuts and rest on the edge of the glass. Top with a cherry and chocolate sprinkles!

Shaken Udder 330ml milkshakes are gluten-free, suitable for vegetarians and contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and come in a range of yummy flavours including Top Banana, Ooh La Latte, Salted Caramel, Strawberries & Clotted Cream, Vanillalicious and Chocolush, RRP £1.35 for a 330ml bottle. Available from Morrisons, Boots, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-ops, Boots, Asda and WH Smith Travel stores. 

Would this take your fancy?

I was sent a selection of Shaken Udder milkshakes in exchange for this blog post.

(Ad - Gifted) Photo gifts from Asda Photo! - Review!

There is no denying that Christmas is coming and I have already started thinking about presents for everyone. Recently I was contacted by Asda Photo who have launched their Christmas range of gifts for those looking for that personal touch!

I used the Asda photo website to create a personalised tea towel which is going to make a fantastic gift for my great Aunt. The website was simple to use, just upload your photos and position them where you want them and then place your order. It took me longer to decide on the photos than to actually create the tea towel. 

Made from 100% cotton, the photo or photos you choose will be printed edge to edge to create a stunning end product. The top stitch finish and sewn in hook for easy hanging makes this a beautiful little Christmas gift for someone special. Priced at just £13.50 I think it's a fantastic price.

As well as the tea towels there are lots of other ideas from Asda Photo:

Calendars from £8.50

Enjoy your favourite photos every day of the year with a Photo Calendar. Choose from a wide range including wall, kitchen and desktop calendars.

Cushions from £14.00

Have fun gifting this Christmas with the high quality Photo Cushions. Choose from a range of beautiful designs (including the trendy sequin cushions) and customise them with your favourite photo and words onto one side of the cushion to make a unique present.

Slate Photo Panels from £11.00

The chiselled edge of our Slate Photo Panels naturally frames the photo making them ideal to show off wedding memories and family portraits. 

I actually reviewed one of these earlier in the year and they really are something special. It is on my fireplace still and it really is something unique and different.

Photo Books from £6.00

Available in different sizes and styles; including the popular lay flat photo book - perfect for capturing landscape photos.

Jigsaws from £10.00

Add a touch of fun to games night by creating your own Personalised Jigsaw. Great for kids and adults alike, the puzzle comes in a range of sizes and difficulty levels to keep everyone entertained. Whilst the pairs game makes for a great stocking filler.

Mugs from £7.00

"Just their cup of tea" - The Personalised Mugs and travel mugs are a sure fire way to brighten up even the dullest of mornings. Choose from a wide range including ceramic, porcelain, latte, kids and the travel mug, perfect for the early morning commuter.

Canvas Prints from £12.00

Relive the happy moments you’ve shared this year and turn these memories into beautiful Canvas Prints. Available in a range of sizes and designs including collage and retro prints. Create a touching gift that they can proudly display on the walls.

Last year I reviewed a canvas print from Asda photo and it is by far the best canvas print that I have on my walls. The colours are bright and over the last year it hasn't faded at all.

Magnets from £1.00

Make your favourite memories stick... to the fridge this Christmas. The Magnetic Prints are an ideal stocking filler and a great way to brighten up a loved one’s kitchen. Pick the moments that they can enjoy over and over again.

Blankets from £28.00

A Photo Blanket makes for a great keepsake for a loved one, reminding them of their favourite moments in life. With a range of sizes and designs to choose from and with traditional edge stitching, you're sure to find a blanket that they can wrap up in on those cold nights.

Is there anything you fancy?

I was sent the tea towel free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

Greatest Day - The best days out we've had! #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Greatest Day".

For a lot of Blogtober I have had a good idea what I'm going to write about but for the prompt Greatest Day I struggled. I have had many great days. The days my girls were born, the day I met Stu, the days they both came through their heart surgeries, the day we moved house, birthdays and anniversaries and days out.

What we have been missing this year is days out! Thanks Coronavirus! When we moved house to Scunthrope we had some great plans but not have come to fruition. When we first moved, we were skint and it took a couple of months for Stu to get a job and just has we got back on track financially lockdown happened so not many days out have happened. We had one at the start of the year where we visited Hull and had a day out shopping. 

Over the years we have had some fantastic days out as a family and I am going to share a few!

Alnwick Castle! 

We visited Alnwick Castle in 2018 and had such a wonderful day so much so that I had to write it over two blog posts. Part one and part two. Up in Northumberland it one of the largest inhabited castles in England. There is plenty to see, do and there's so much history! 

Alnwick Garden.

Just up the road from Alnwick Castle is Alnwick garden and we visited way back in 2013. The Garden is a space designed to be enjoyed by all your senses, with a collection of over 4,000 plant varieties to discover, thousands of seasonal blooms and countless opportunities to get wet and play in The Garden’s water sculptures. 

The beach!

We loved a day out to the beach and it seems so long since I saw the sea. When we lived in Northumberland we were so luck to have so many beaches just a bus ride away but now the nearest one is a couple of hours away. Our favourite beach to visit up in Northumberland was Amble. It's a little seaside town with a lot of memories for us. Stu, Becky and I had our first day out there and we used to visit at least once a year. Before we moved house it was the one place we had to visit before we left the North East.

Winterton Agricultural Show!

This was the first day out we had when we moved house. My dad got us tickets to Winterton Agricultural Show as he got free one's with displaying his vintage tractor and his vintage car.

There was so much to see and watch. Every step we took there was something new and different. Horses, sheep, chickens, Alpacas, craft stalls, music, motorbikes, floats, monster trucks, scurry racing, random displays in the main arena, dog shows, fairground rides, lots of different food and so much more!

We were looking forward to going back this year but of course, it was cancelled. Hopefully next year it will be bigger and better than ever!

Simple walks.

As much as my girls will complain and not want to go out for a simple walk when they actually get outside they do have a great time and there seems to be an unwritten law that Ellie has to find a stick and carry it with her. lol

What have been your best days out as a family?

Somebody That I Used to Know. #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Somebody That I Used to Know".

There's somebody that I used to know who used to be afraid to speak on the phone, didn't exercise, had patience, didn't know anything about gardening, spent too much money, hated eating breakfast, drank too much coffee and didn't watch the news .

That person was me but since Coronavirus happened it's not just my hair that has changed, it's me too!

As bad a Coronavirus is I think it has changed me for the better. It has made me do things I wouldn't normally do.

I speak on the phone now without stressing about it. My dad may have pushed me into that when I've been helping him with his admin and bits on his computer. It was easier me speaking to someone helping with things like trying to set up things like contactless card readers and him getting new broadband internet. I won't go out of my way to use the phone but when I have to it doesn't stress me out like it used to.

I am still not big on exercise but I definitely do more than I used to. It all started with daily walks during lockdown and going out on our bikes and now I am happy to go for a walk just for the sake of it.

I used to have a lot of patience with people but a pandemic has shown me that a lot of people are idiots! Those who don't wear masks just because they don't want to be forced to by the government, the people who just don't social distance and those who take their times blocking the aisles in shops because they forget we have to social distance. 

When lockdown started I didn't know a thing about gardening but I think I have done quite well in mine considering I planted everything late and didn't have a clue what I was doing. The wild flowers in the flower bed were amazing and still look pretty good now and I managed to grow peas and tomatoes. The peppers and sunflowers didn't grow at all but there's always next year! 

We seem to be spending less money as a family. At the start of lockdown I struggled to get the online grocery deliveries and had to use what we had in and shop locally. This has carried on to a point. We still use the farm shop and the local butchers now and again but I am trying to use what we have in instead of getting a big food shop every week.

I now eat 3 meals a day. I never used to bother with breakfast but during lockdown I would eat something with the kids and have carried that habit on. I might not eat it until after 9am but it's still an extra meal. I have also stopped drinking coffee, well the caffeinated kind. I do still have a decaf one but not as much as I used to. I feel better for it.

Like most people I have watched so much more of the news since March. It did get to a point where I was watching too much and it was stressing me out but now I watch either the 6pm or 10pm news and that's it unless there's something big happening like a press conference from Boris. I feel like I have to watch the news now because so much seems to be changing every day.

Have you changed because of Coronavirus?

10 Films to watch in honour of Black History month. #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Back to Black".

There's no better way to absorb information about the world or be exposed to new ideas, culture, and histories than through film. October has seen the UK celebrating Black History Month and the films below each deal with African American characters and encounters with prejudice or racial issues which makes them great conversation starters and a fantastic way to learn a bit of history.

Hidden Figures (2016)

Three female African-American mathematicians play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn's launch into orbit. Meanwhile, they also have to deal with racial and gender discrimination at work.

A Ballerina's Tale (2015)

A feature documentary on African American ballerina Misty Copeland that examines her prodigious rise, her potentially career ending injury alongside themes of race and body image in the elite ballet world.

Hairspray (2007)

Set in early 1960s Baltimore, this musical comedy manages to tackle issues of race, weight and sexism. Tracy Turnblad lands a spot as a dancer on “The Corny Collins Show,” setting the wheels in motion for new friendships, interracial love and even a civil rights march.

Pride (2007)

This fact-based drama about an underdog African American swim team in the 1970s deals with racism head on, showing how the swimmers faced and stood up to prejudice in their quest to succeed.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This story of an African American man overcoming enormous obstacles to make a better life for himself and his son is a serious but heartwarming drama that makes for a great family movie night.

The Princess and The Frog (2019)

Disney gave the world its first black princess in 2009 and it was hard not to fall in love with Tiana.

This animated film tells the story of one hardworking waitress, defying the odds to build her (and her deceased father) a restaurant. When she wishes upon a star one night and reluctantly kisses a frog, she gets more than she bargained for. 

Remember the Titans (2002)

Set in suburban Virginia, this is where high schools were segregated even in the early 1970’s. One high school for black folks, and another one for whites. But the two shared one thing, a love of football. That is, until 1971, when one black high school and one white one were relocated into the same campus. The true story of a newbie African American football coach in a newly integrated high school, this film explores the trials and tribulations of social change in a small community where a love of the game conquers all

 Malcolm X (1992)

Spike Lee’s Malcolm X stars Denzel Washington as one of black history’s most revolutionary leaders. This famous biopic chronicles the activist’s life up until his assassination in 1965.

The Help (2011)

The Help tells the story of crossing social barriers in 1960’s Mississippi. Aspiring author and Southern belle, Skeeter, returns from college touched by the big dreams of the civil rights movement. She looks to document the untold stories of the African Americans in her community by turning to the help.

Selma (2014)

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Have you seen any of these films or are they something you would watch?

Can't Get You Out Of My Head - The Songs! #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Can't Get You Out Of My Head".

My girls are always introducing me to songs which is a good thing but they always seem to be annoying songs. It's them, the most annoying one's which I find myself singing along to or thinking about. The earworms, one's that I can't get out of my head. I am sure when I was there age my parents felt the same about the music I used to listen to but at least they didn't have the issue of all the music being available and online like I do. If my girls want to find a song they just go on to YouTube of play of through Google off Spotify.

Years ago it used to be the theme songs from Cbeebies which always got stuck in my head. Even now when someone says "this or that" I still think of Carrie and David's Pop Shop and the song This or That. Becky used to be obsessed with that song and it's probably the first song she would sing along to all of the time.

Over the years the kids have loved all the annoying songs. What does the fox say, The gummy bear song, Everything is Awesome from the Lego movie and the Duck song which is in fact very cute but it of course gets stuck in my head!



As the girls got over they got into Minecraft and even though there isn't really any songs on the game there is a ton of parody songs. There are some very clever people out there who take a pop song, change the words and make a fancy video to go with it. 

The song which always got me was the Creeper rap. Boom boom boom! I can't stop singing this bloody tune, tune, tune. lol



Now the girls are into watching TikTok and I must admit. Some of the songs are fantastic and a lot of the songs in the charts now I only know because of TikTok. For months I only knew a few lines of Savage Love by Jason Derulo because of the TikTok dance. There are a lot of songs now that I only know a few lines of because that's all that is played on TikTok but one that sticks in my head is the daft stripper song.

Somebody come get her, she's dancin' like a stripper. lol 

The most recent song to get stuck in my head is the disgusting Cardi B song WAP. If you don't know what WAP stands for Google it (when the kids aren't around). I am not usually shocked by songs. I spent my teenage years listening to Eminem but WAP shocked me.

What song always gets stuck in your head?

Smile - Gifts to make someone happy! #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Smile".

It has been a rough 6 months for us all with Coronavirus affecting our day to day lives. Sometimes we need some little reasons to smile and one thing that is sure to put a big smile on my face is receiving surprises in the post.

There are gifts for every occasion and some out there that are just meant to be sent to make someone happy and better about themselves.

Here are some ideas and as a bonus they're all under £10.00.

Send A Little Hug - £6.00 - Coco Chemistry. 

Grow Me Be Happy Sunflower Kit - £5.99 - Bee Cycle

Tea and Biscuits CubHug - £4.99 - Bear Hugs Gifts

Hang In There Notecard set - £7.95 - Bread & Jam

Thinking Of You in a Matchbox - £7.50 - Postboxed.

30 Day Challenge, Girl Power - £8.99 - Prezzybox

Checking in card - £3.00 - Etsy

Personalised Sunshine & Rainbows Chocolate Bar - £6.99 - Getting Personal
Happy: Finding joy in every day and letting go of perfect - £8.99 - Amazon. 
7th Heaven Face Mask Pamper Hamper - £9.99 - Argos

Do you know anyone who would like to receive any of these gifts?

Never Ever - Things that I just don't understand! #Blogtober20

 I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Never Ever".

There are a lot of things now that I look at or hear about and I just don't understand them and I don't think I ever will. I think it's because as my girls say, I'm getting old. lol Sometimes I think the world is mad.

 

This is a tongue in cheek blog post. I am not going into political and matters that are going on in the world at the moment. These are the silly, things that don't really matter things that I will never ever understand!

Freakshakes.

They look amazing but once you've taken your Instagram photos it's all going to start collapsing and melting all over the place. How do you go about eating them?

Algebra. 

A few weeks ago Ellie brought home Algebra homework and thankfully she understood it perfectly and I didn't have a clue. Becky said it was because it was that long since I did it at school but that wasn't it either. I didn't understand it at school, even the simplest sums. I tried to get Ellie to explain it to me but she might have been speaking in a foreign language.

Fortnite.

I understand how to play the game and the point of it but I just don't get the obsession that my girls have with it. They really are obsessed and will play it all the time given the chance. I do hope the novelty wears off soon.

 

Long nails.

When people go for a manicure and get long, false nails put on. How do they function? I am one of those people who have to have short nails because I just can't manage to live with long one's. My biggest wonder is how do you manage to wipe your bums with long nails and also how do you stop dirt from getting under them?

Online hate threads.

We all know about those websites full threads slating bloggers, Instargrammers and YouTubers. I think they're pretty shocking not so much for what people on them say but for so much time they dedicate to tearing others down. If you don't like someone, don't watch them. It is that simple. If there is something on the TV that I don't like I will turn over. I wouldn't sit there an pick every fault with the TV show then go online and moan about it. I really do have better things to do with my time.

Ripped jeans.

When I was a teenager if you ripped your jeans you threw them out or in my case cut them into shorts which my dad disapproved of. hehehe I wouldn't dream of wearing them with rips in. I know they are fashionable now but some of them look ridiculous. The one's with no knees in or the one's with more rips than actual jeans.

Expensive baby clothes.

I really don't get people who will go and spend a small fortune on a day to day outfit for a baby that they may wear just a handful of times. Designer clothes for babies is just a waste of money in my opinion. When my girls were babies they could easily get through at least 3 outfits a day and sometimes the stains from food and poo explosions left the clothes good for nothing.

High heel shoes.

Especially those which woman wear when they're going about their day to day life not just for a night out. I'm not on about a couple of inches, I'm on about those where the women look in such pain and struggle to walk. It can't be doing their feet any good!

People on Facebook!

Those who say they're so peed off but won't say why, check into a hospital but then go silent, ask questions like what time does the local shop close, Google it! Eesh!

What normal things don't you understand?

Don't Look Back in Anger - Why you should forgive them! #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Don't Look Back in Anger".

People have done things to me and hurt me in the past and I held on to that anger for a long time and it wore me down. It wasn't good for me or those around me. I have learned to forgive but to me forgiving doesn't mean that I will forget. I am still wary of people that have wronged me in the past but I have forgiven them and let it go.

Forgiving someone that has hurt or wronged you is easier said than done but there are many reasons why you should:

Everyone makes mistakes.

It is rubbish when someone has wronged or hurt you but everyone makes mistakes and can get caught up in misunderstandings. Sometimes in the middle of an argument things can seem or sound worse then they are and don't try to tell me that you haven't said something in the heat of the moment that you wished you could take back. I know I certainly have.

Living in the past makes you miserable.

It is much better to live in the now than think about the what if's and what you could have done differently. When my mother up and left my dad I spent years thinking I could have done something to change things. I might have been able to stop her leaving with her and my dad's life savings the day she left but I doubt it would have stopped her leaving altogether.

Forgiving does not mean you forget.

When you forgive someone you are letting go of the negative energy inside of you but you don't have to forget. If someone has for example lied to you or stole from you they could easily do it again. You are well within your rights to be cautious with them.

It doesn’t excuse what they did.

When you forgive someone it doesn’t mean that what they did to you is okay. It doesn’t mean that you deserve to be treated like that and they’re free to do it again. Instead, it means that you’re choosing not to carry that anger around with you anymore which is better for your mental health.

Be the bigger person.

It’s tempting to play the blame game and it's easy to be angry at someone when they've hurt you. I have said in the past that I won't reach out to someone because I was so hurt but now I've realised that I was placing the ability to heal in someone else’s control. By being the bigger person, you hold all power. 

You will be happier.

Letting go of negative emotions will free up space for more positive ones. Instead of being angry, sad and feeling down you will have more energy to feel positive emotions.

Life is too short.

Life is too short to be mad at people. I found this out when my mother passed away a few years ago. We never spoke for years and I ran out of time to forgive her and her me. I'd like to think she'd changed as a person and regretted some of her decisions. Don't go through life holding a grudge, everyone makes mistakes.

Do you hold a grudge or do you forgive?

Some Might Say - The Controversial Parenting Tag. #Blogtober20

I am taking part in Blogtober20 throughout October and today's prompt is "Some Might Say".

Lots of people have different opinions about parenting. Some people are all for one thing when others can be totally against it and vice versa. 

A long while ago I saw the controversial parenting tag with some of the most argued about topics in parenting. Some might say you're wrong to have an opinion differing to theirs and go against how they would raise their child but it doesn't matter. You raise your child how you want to raise it. These are my opinions and how I have raised and are raising my children. Everyone parents differently, I would never judge anyone on their ways so please don't on mine.

 

Pro-life or Pro-choice?

Pro-choice! Every women should have the choice what they want to put there body though. I have never had an abortion but I wouldn't judge someone if they had or wanted one, it is their choice.

Baby wearing?

I never did baby wearing with my girls but had planned to with Becky but then I had a c-section and I was so sore I never actually used the baby carrier/sling thing I had bought. If I had another child it is something I would want to try.

Circumcision?

With only having girls it's something I've never really thought about but now thinking about it, it would be a no unless there was a medical reason. I just see it as putting your child through unnecessary pain.

Adoption?

YES, I am all for it! There are too many children in the world that need loving homes. I think it's so sad that some children unfortunately will never know the love from being part of a family. Once my brother and I had left home my mum and dad used to foster children. They were short term foster carers and it was so heart breaking to see all the kids going through the care system. I always thought to myself if I could have adopted them I would have.

Baby piercing?

My girls haven't got their ears pierced, I chose not to pierce their ears when they were younger as I think they are dangerous with babies and toddlers. I had my ears pierced when I was a teen and they didn't stay in for long as I was always catching them on things. I know piercing ears only causes a little pain when they are done but I wouldn't want to put my children through any pain that isn't necessary. The girls have asked for their ears pierced but at the moment it is out of my hands. With their heart conditions the doctors don't recommend it as it could cause infection. 

Breast VS Formula?

Does it matter as long as the baby is fed. The breast is best nonsense has to stop. A fed baby is best!

CIO (cry it out) VS other?

I left my girls to cry for a couple of minutes to see if they would settle themselves but leaving them for longer is something I couldn't do. The majority of the time a baby cries because it needs something, sometimes that could just be a cuddle.

Smacking?

A tiny tap on the bottom or on the hand yes but just a tap, not a smack, I did when my girls were little and they were out of control but that seemed to stop when they were a little older at about 5 years old when I could reason with them. Sometimes saying no is not enough when they are determined to touch or eat something they shouldn't. Obviously now my girls know the rules and we have set boundaries.

Co-Sleeping?

My girls were great sleepers and when Becky was little Co-Sleeping wasn't a thing in fact I am sure midwives didn't recommend it at all. When Ellie was little it was just starting to happen but it never crossed my mind to co sleep. I would have been terrified of rolling on her. Sometimes when the kids were poorly they did sleep with me and Stu was relegated to their sofa but I felt like there was enough room in a double bed for me and a poorly child and plus if they were ill I hardly slept anyway. I have nothing against it but it wasn't something I really did.

Home VS Public VS Private schooling?

I think as long as a child is educated then it doesn't matter. Before lockdown I thought that home schooling would be amazing but it is hard ruddy work. We discovered it's not for us and we're not rich enough for Private schooling. lol We are lucky in our country to have public schools and thankfully Ellie is in a great one.

Vaccinations?

Yes, I don't understand why people wouldn't vaccinate. It's like they are happy with running the risk of their child catching a disease which could hurt or even kill them. 

Medicating children?

Yes, as long as its not over medicating children. I try not to take medication even things as simple as paracetamol for a headache. Thankfully my girls are rarely poorly but if they needed medicine they would have it. When Ellie was little she used to really suffer with chest infections and the only way to clear them was with antibiotics, that was always a last resort though.

Cloth VS Disposable nappies?

With both of the girls I used disposable nappies. Cloth one's weren't popular then even though my mum used to use the Terry's ones with my brother and I. Cloth nappies have improved a lot since then, with no safety pins in sight and if I was to have another child I would consider using cloth nappies. They are better for the environment after all.

Store bought baby food vs homemade?

When my girls were little I used a bit of both. The girls would eat porridge or something similar for breakfast a jar, store bought for lunch and usually what I was eating for tea. Like with breast V bottle it doesn't really matter as long as the baby is fed.

How do you feel about these controversial subjects?