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How To Convert Your Attic Into A New Kid’s Bedroom

January 20, 2025 by Wendy S

Like a lot of people, you move into a house in preparation for your first child. You need more room, so you find somewhere with at least one additional bedroom – but ideally two. One room is used as the baby’s room when they arrive, and the other is a spare room for guests. It’s the perfect setup…until baby number two arrives!

Having a second child throws everything up in the air; you now need even more space. Ideally, you want to keep the spare room, but you also need both of your kids to have their own space as they grow older. It feels like you have to move again, but there’s one simple solution staring you in the face: convert the attic.

You only use it for storage, which means you’re wasting so much valuable space in your home. It’s time to embark on a home improvement project and convert this space into a new kid’s bedroom. Here’s what you should do:

Move everything into storage

An attic seems like a great storage place, but it’s terrible. Most attics aren’t equipped to keep things in great condition – unless you convert them into livable spaces! Nevertheless, you like keeping things up there because it removes clutter from your home and feels like the only place to store them.

On the contrary, you can get the best of both worlds by using storage units. Move all of the attic clutter into a storage unit for a small monthly cost. Think of it this way; it allows you to add a new bedroom to your home without having to move house and spend far more money.

Clear it all out, leaving you with an empty attic space that’s ready to convert.

Make the attic livable

This is the biggest step in the conversion process. You need to turn your attic into a cold, dark, and gloomy place into something a child wants to sleep in every night. Make it a livable area by focusing on the following:

Boarding the flooring
Installing more insulation
Adding lots of lighting
Decorating it with kids stuff

The first two points will be the hardest, so you may want to get help with them. Board up the floors and reinforce the walls/roof with quality insulation so the room feels warmer and more soundproof. Lighting brings it to life – and the final step is a brilliant excuse to spend quality time with your kids. Ask your child to help decorate their new room and they can pick out everything they want.

Be sure there’s a safe way in and out

Lastly, we have a step everyone always forgets. Your attic is usually accessible by a ladder that pulls down from the ceiling and allows you to climb up. This is a great space-saving idea, but it’s not ideal for a kid’s bedroom.

This room has to be as safe as possible, so you’ll need to install some permanent stairs for your child to walk up and down. There should be a handrail on them for added safety – you’ll find tons of ideas on Pinterest to give inspiration.

After all of this, you’ve completed a big home renovation project and added a new kid’s bedroom. It stops you from needing to move home and deal with all of that stress, yet you gain extra room for a growing family, while keeping the handy spare room too!

Awesome Things To Do When You’re Camping As A Family

October 11, 2023 by Wendy S

Camping has to be one of the very best types of vacation for a family group. Not only do you get to explore the great outdoors, but you also get to spend time together away from all the distractions of modern life. Of course, if you take your family campaign you will want to make sure that they are amused and engaged during their stay. The good news is you can find some of the very best activities everyone can get involved in on a camping trip below. Read on to find out what they are.

Do some campfire cooking

The first and some may argue one of the most fun activities you can do while camping is cooking. After all, you’re going to need some hot meals during your stay, and campsite cooking is quite a different experience from cooking and eating indoors. Where possible try and do some proper campfire cooking, even if it’s just S’mores! All you need is gram crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. Although a spread like Nutella can make them pop.

Campfire bread cooked by wrapping it around sticks and placing it in the fire is another firm favourite. This is because the kids not only get to search for and collect the sticks to cook it and make the dough, but they also get a fun savory snack at the end of the process. Although, you will need to make sure the kids are well supervised whether cooking on a camping stove or over an open campfire flame, and that you maintain proper campfire safety.

Try building a survival shelter

Another great camping activity that the whole family can get involved in is building a survival shelter. The idea of this is to collect materials that you find around you in the forest and then use them to create a structure that provides some protection from the elements including the cold and the rain. If you are a truly adventurous family you may want to spend some time in your shelters before you head back to camp as well.

To prepare for this task, watching videos on the different types of shelters that can be effective is a good idea. You can even split the family unit into 2 teams and have a competition to see who is the best survivalist!

Fly your drone

Flying your drone is also a great camping adjacent activity to try. This is for two key reasons, the first is that it’s a great way of recording your trip and getting a bird’s eye view of the terrain you are in. While the second is that you can often find locations that are great for camping, and drone flying at the same time. A perfect example of this is camping in a coastal spot which allows you to to fly your drone out over the sea.

However, some important considerations need to be made when flying a drone. First of all, you need to make sure you have a reliable and robust piece of equipment, like the DJI M30T which is lightweight but still portable. This is something which makes it perfect for camping when you don’t want to have to use up all your luggage space.

Secondly, you need to plan the location where you will fly and film carefully. For example, densely populated forests tend to be a bad idea even for the most advanced drone users as it can be hard to avoid all the obstacles that they hold. Last of all, it’s crucial to remember that in many places you will need to hold the proper permits to fly your drone, so be sure to apply for these well ahead of time, or you risk confiscation and fine.

Scavenger Hunt

One of the most fun activities for the whole family during a camping trip is a scavenger hunt. The basic principle of a scavenger hunt is that you set a certain number of specific objects that each team or individual must find. The great thing about this is that you can tailor it specifically to your group or location making it easier for kids and more challenging for the adults. Another great thing about scavenger hunts is that you can get a wealth of premade sheets to use online. All you need to do is download them and then print them.

Alternatively, if you are looking for something for the older kids or a more mixed group then what about giving geocaching a go? It’s very similar to a scavenger hunt but the idea is that you are given the latitude and longitude coordinates of a geocache and then you hike to that area to find it. The twist is that not all geocaches (usually small plastic containers to protect from the weather) are easy to find and some are rather deliberately camouflaged and hidden so you really have to search for them.

Happily, you can usually get some clues from the notes that other people have entered on the geocaching website you use. Once you have found the cash, there is usually paper and pencil for you to add your name, initials or date. Sometimes there will be tokens inside which you are encouraged to take and then distribute in a different geocache so they move around the country and even the world!

Go on a Hike

Surely a classic camping activity has to be to take the whole family on a hike? Hikes can be great fun for so many reasons such as getting out and exploring a new location, getting to see things that you can see from any other vantage point, and working up a good sweat.

For the whole family to hike together successfully it’s a smart idea to make sure everyone is kitted out with the proper equipment before you begin. This means sturdy walking shoes or boots, along with natural fibre socks that provide comfort and a barrier for the foot so it does not rub, but that also lets the foot breathe and will dry out fast if they get wet when fording a stream.

It also makes sense to do a little research into your route before you begin. Look online to check the skill and fitness level of a potential route, and make sure it fits everyone including the weakest member of your group. Also, be sure to get information about potential hazards, the times of year that it’s safe to hike that trail, and how long it should take approximately. Be sure to take at least one fully charged smartphone and a powerpack in case of emergencies as well.

Relax

Last of all, but by no means least, a fantastic activity to do as a family while camping is to relax. Indeed, there is no better place in the world to relax than in the wilderness because you are so far away from people, work, school, and all the little things that stress you out every day.

With that in mind, what about hanging some hammocks between the trees and spending some time dozing in the sun? Alternatively, you may like to spend the time reading, or telling spooky stories around the campfire. (A great activity that helps kids develop their imagination and public speaking skills).

Although, if the weather is less than perfect you could build a pillow fort inside your tent. Then if the kids insist, you could all watch a movie on a portable DVD player or your phone while snuggled under a blanket! Add some yummy snacks like candy, chips, and popcorn if you have a gas burner and some Jiffy Pop and you can while away some happy hours altogether as a family.

Baby Care Basics For First Time Parents: What You Need To Know

August 15, 2023 by Wendy S

Image by -Rita-👩‍🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay

Everyone gets excited when they’re expecting a baby, but there’s also a certain amount of anxiety involved in it. You’ll need to worry about taking care of your child, as they naturally wouldn’t be able to do it yourself. As a first-time parent, that can feel overwhelming, but it gets easier with some baby care basics.

Knowing what to expect in the days and weeks after having a baby helps with this. While it can still be an exhausting experience, you’ll be able to make sure you and your baby are still taken care of. With a little effort, and maybe even a few sleepless nights, you shouldn’t have a problem looking after your newborn.

It’s worth diving into everything you need to know before you have a baby. If you’re pregnant, consider it essential reading.

Top Baby Care Basics You Need To Know About

With a few baby care basics, you shouldn’t have a problem taking care of your newborn. There’s quite a bit of advice out there, so it’s hard to figure out what’s actually helpful. While keeping your and your baby’s needs in mind helps, you’ll need a little extra help with it. It’s worth diving into a few of the essentials with it.

If you’re a first-time parent, this is one of the more anxiety-inducing parts of the process. Where do you even start, and how do you even look after a newborn? Thankfully, it shouldn’t be as complicated as you might’ve thought. When you’re having a newborn, there are a few things to focus on, especially in the days and weeks after they’re born:

Sleeping – Your baby doesn’t know what night and day are, and they’ll be adjusting to life outside the womb. That leads to newborn sleep patterns being a little all over the place. It’s one of the more obvious things you’ll have to know about before your baby arrives. They’ll be sleepier than they would be as they get older, and will often need much more than older children.
Safety – You’ll already know you’ll need to keep your baby safe, but you mightn’t know everything you need about doing it. Swaddling them right, getting them the right kind of clothes, and similar baby care basics help with that. Then there’s the likes of sudden infant death syndrome and other conditions to worry about. Know how to reduce the risks of these happening so you don’t have anything to worry about.
Washing – You’ll have to wash your baby regularly, with this being at least two or three times a week. Sometimes, that can be complicated, and your newborn mightn’t enjoy it. If they object to having baths, you could consider the topping and tailing approach, where you clean their head, bottom, and similar areas. They’ll be more comfortable with it and will get used to being cleaned. Bathe them two or three times a week on top of this.

That doesn’t mean that’s all you’ll need to focus on when your baby’s born. There are quite a few other things you might want to know about. You mightn’t know about many of these until your baby actually arrives. By knowing what to expect, though, you’ll make it a lot easier for yourself.

At least, you’ll be better prepared when they actually get here. It’s worth going through seven of the more important – and often overlooked – things you’ll need to expect when your baby gets here.

What To Expect After Having A Baby

1. You’ll Be Sore

When you’re having a baby, it’s natural to focus on the health and wellbeing of the newborn as soon as they’re born. It could be all you’d think about, and you mightn’t even factor in how you’ll feel in the days and weeks after they’re born. It’s something you’ll need to think about.

Chances are you’ll be quite sore, and it’s pretty easy to see why. Childbirth can be a traumatic experience for any woman, and you should be prepared for it. Know what the recovery will be like in the days and weeks after you give birth.

2. They Could Get Sick

You’ll naturally want your baby to be as healthy as possible, and you’ll put a lot of time and effort into that. It mightn’t always turn out that way, and there’s a decent chance they could get sick in the first few days after they’re born. These are usually some of the more common illnesses and shouldn’t be life threatening.

You’ll still need to be prepared for it, though, as it avoids you being overly stressed about something you don’t need to be too worried about it. Consult your newborn’s doctor, and everything should be fine.

3. Feeding Is Hard

Your newborn will naturally get hungry at various points during the day. In most cases, it’ll be easy to feed them, but that mightn’t be the case during the first week of their life. They could be much harder to feed than you would’ve expected. It’s easy to see why that’s the case.

They would’ve gotten used to being fed a certain way in the womb, and they could be expecting that kind of treatment again. They’ll need to adjust to being fed with a bottle, so it’ll be a little trickier to feed them in the days after they’re born.

4. You Might Cry

Everyone knows a baby will cry a lot in the weeks after they’re born. What they often don’t realize is the parents could cry a decent bit, too. That’s especially true with moms, as they would’ve been through a traumatic experience during childbirth. It’s a natural part of the process, so be prepared for it.

Even if you have a C-section, it could still be an emotional time. Don’t be ashamed in feeling the way you do, and make sure you experience your emotions. Don’t keep them inside, and let them out when you need to.

5. You Won’t Get Much Sleep

As mentioned above, a baby’s sleep patterns can be a little all over the place. You’ll need to adapt to that, which could mean you mightn’t get as much sleep as you might’ve had before. Be prepared for that and try to sleep anytime your baby sleeps. It’ll make it easy for yourself.

Taking shifts with your partner gives the both of you the chance to get some extra sleep whenever you need it. While that takes a bit of juggling, it’ll make sure you’re getting close to as much sleep as you and your partner need.

6. Your Baby’s Skin Needs TLC

After your baby is born, you’ll likely want to give them a bath pretty soon. They’ll be coated in a white, waxy substance when they first come out of the womb. It happens with every baby, and this substance is called the vernix. Since it might make them appear dirty – and even make them smell – you might want to wash it off quickly.

As it turns out, that mightn’t always be the best approach. It could offer a few benefits if you leave your newborn coated in it for a few hours or even a day or so. They might cry less, and they’ll be less likely to develop hypothermia while protecting their skin. Give it a day or so before you wash it off, and your child will be better off because of it.

7. There’ll Be A New Normal

With all of the above in mind, it’s easy to see how having a baby leads to your life changing dramatically. That should be obvious to everyone, but it’s often difficult to understand and figure out exactly what this new normal will be. In many cases, things could get more difficult, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing.

The key to this is to adapt to your new normal, and there are quite a few ways you can do this. You and your partner can figure this out relatively easily by working together on it. Since most of these changes can be quite personal, it’s worth spending some time figuring this out with your partner.

It’s also worth mentioning friends and family might be eager to help. If you need it, there’s no shame in taking them up on this.

Baby Care Basics: Wrapping Up

First-time parents have a lot to take on board, and it could feel like an overwhelming experience. It leads to a lot of anxiety as you worry about how you can take care of them. You’ll have to know the essentials before the baby’s born, and that’s especially true of some baby care basics.

By knowing what to expect and how to handle it, you shouldn’t have much of a problem. There’ll still be a lot of work involved, and you could even feel yourself getting exhausted on more than a few occasions.

That’s natural and shouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of. You’ll still be getting your grips on everything, but knowing a few things beforehand makes this much easier.

4 Fun Weekend Activities To Do With Your Kids

July 7, 2023 by Wendy S

Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash

Weekends are tricky for parents as you want to have a rest but also need to keep your kids entertained and stimulated. It’s tempting to just sit back and let them run around the house or play video games for 48 hours straight, but you know that’s not a good idea.

Instead, you could make weekends more enjoyable by doing some activities together as a family. One day can be dedicated to doing an activity or two, while the other is there for you to all chill-out. With that in mind, here are some fun weekend activities that are suitable for families:

Escape Rooms

They sound scary, but escape rooms are suitable for children of all ages and they aren’t frightening in the slightest. As you can see you the Escape Ops website, most escape rooms involve a scenario of sorts. You and your family are “trapped” in a room and need to find the way out by completing a series of clues.

It’s a fun game for everyone as both you and your kids work together to get out. This is also a great one for stimulating their brain on the weekend, so they’re still learning stuff and developing. If you really want to spice things up, you and your partner can do an escape room alone and then the kids do the same one by themselves. Compete to see who does it the fastest!

Scavenger Hunts

You’ll be surprised how popular scavenger hunt games are these days. There are multiple providers who will basically put together a scavenger hunt across cities. Most of these events take place on mobile apps where you’re told where to go, what to look at, and are given lots of questions to answer.

It’s up to you and your kids to answer all the questions and make it to the final destination. If you have to collect things – like physical objects or photos of landmarks – you need to ensure they’re all ticked off before you end. The cool thing about this activity is that it lets you spend time with your kids outdoors. You’re enjoying the great weather while exploring your home city in a new way. Plus, most of these scavenger hunt things will have leaderboards on the app so you can compete with other people or families!

Science Experiments

This is a fun one to try if you fancy staying home over the weekend. Google “at-home science experiments for kids” and you’ll find hundreds of ideas. From the classic Coke and Mentos experiment to loads of other quirky ones – there are so many things to do.

In fact, here’s one idea below that lets you create a lava lamp at home with just a few ingredients:

Stuff like this is wonderful for kids as it keeps them entertained while teaching them cool new scientific things. Also, parents are guaranteed to learn new stuff as well! You’ll act like you knew what was happening in the experiments, but internally you’re freaking out at how cool they are.

As an extra bonus, science experiments are perfect for rainy days when you can’t go out and try some of the other activities on this list.

Bike Rides & Walks

You can’t go wrong with a family bike ride. Kids love an excuse to get on their bikes, so why don’t you join them? Look for family-friendly bike trails in your area and give one of them a go. Pack a little picnic while you’re at it so you can stop for a bite to eat while enjoying the open air.

If there are no bike trails near you, you could plan a bike ride to a local park or somewhere else. Just make sure there’s a safe route so your kids don’t have to ride on scary roads. Also, if you don’t have bikes, or would rather walk, then go for it. There are probably loads of walking routes or hiking paths near you to try. You could even drive to a local National Park and then proceed on foot for a fun family day out.

And on that note, you’ve come to the end of this post. As evidenced by the activities above, there are many ways to have fun on weekends with your kids. You’ll no longer be cooped up inside with children running around everywhere and can finally enjoy this time as a family.

How To Spend More Quality Time With Your Kids

May 2, 2023 by Wendy S

Credit – Pixabay CC0 License

Having children is the greatest journey that you’ll ever encounter. However, there is no doubt that it passes in the blink of an eye. Therefore, taking the necessary steps to maximize the joys of family life is essential for all parents. Spending more quality time with the kids should be at the very top of your agenda.

While it may feel like trying to navigate a minefield, the truth is that simple steps can make a big impact. Here are some of the most effective ways to achieve your goal.

Involve The Kids In Cooking

Young children won’t be very enthusiastic about cleaning duties, although playing games can make tidying up more fun. Thankfully, most kids are more receptive to joining you in the kitchen. As long as you make it enjoyable.

The key is to look for recipes that provide tasty results and won’t take up too much time. This peanut brittle recipe in the microwave is a great example that will soon become a family favorite. The time spent preparing the meals together should deliver magical memories.

Other options may include baking pizzas, making smoothies, and growing simple fruits in the garden.

Choose The Right Family Trips

Family days out are an opportune moment to do things you like with the people you love. Sometimes it’s great to simply see your children enjoying an activity or event that is aimed at them. In short, their happiness will put a smile on your face.

Still, it’s important to consider activities where you can participate too. Choosing camping trips instead of the hotel vacation where children spend most of their time in kids’ camps can work wonders. Meanwhile, family sporting activities are great days out.

When you look back on those memories, it’s far better if you played a central role rather than sit on the peripherals.

Credit – Pixabay CC0 License

Embrace Their Hobbies

One of the best ways to enjoy quality time together is to share a hobby. As a parent, allowing your child to lead the way can be one of the best decisions you ever make. The fact that they’ll associate you with their favorite pastime is a game changer.

If your child loves a particular sport, you should support them. Any artistic or creative endeavor should be embraced too. Whether it means attending parent-child classes to learn an instrument or training together in the backyard is up to you. It can become a new routine.

Seeing your child’s development, along with your own, is sure to make it more rewarding for both of you. Perfect.

Lose Unnecessary Distractions

Oftentimes in life, the biggest improvement is to remove negatives from your life. This is especially true when wanting to spend more time with your kids. While you cannot forget other responsibilities, several tasks can be dropped to save valuable time.

For example, if you spend a lot of time on social media, putting a block on platforms with these apps is ideal. Alternatively, you could look to automate daily tasks or outsource a portion of your work. Either way, the benefits will become instantly noticeable.

When combined with the active effort to improve the times you spend together, incredible results are assured.