Working in the health care field can very stressful. Caring for patients and engaging in biological research is often mentally and physically tiring. Nurses, doctors and all those involved in patient care often spend their days responding to the needs of others. In the process, they may neglect their own health.

All health care workers need to find ways to stay alert and remain energized to avoid their own health problems. This is the best way they can help their patients get the care they need and get better. As health care workers start their day and go through shifts that can stretch for hours it is imperative for them to find the energy they need to do their job and do it well. 

Get a Good Night’s Sleep 

One of the best ways to stay energized is to put enough time in the sack. Lack of sleep can cause all kinds of health problems including weight gain, high blood pressure and an inability to concentrate. If possible, stick to the same bedtime each night. Avoid eating and drinking within three hours of your planned bedtime as this can make it hard to get to bed.

Sleep in a darkened room that is as quiet as possible. Put inviting pillows and quilts that make the bed an inviting place. Do not watch television or eat in bed. Reserve it for sleep. You’ll wake up feeling refreshed and happy if you get at least seven or eight hours in bed a night. 

Start with a Good Breakfast 

Breakfast is the meal that fuels the rest of the day. All those in the health care sector should make sure they have a great breakfast that helps them feel confident and prepared after running to the hospital to begin their day. Starting the day with a well-balanced breakfast plate containing protein, carbs and fiber is essential. Scrambled eggs with toast and a side helping of fresh fruit provide the best possible calories to power through a shift. 

Stay Hydrated 

Lack of water can lead to feelings of fatigue. All health care workers need to have enough water on hand no matter what they’re doing. Bring water in a water bottle or make sure you know where the water fountains are at work. You’ll feel better and your skin will show it. Look for flavored waters if you find plain water unappealing. 

Proper Support 

Many health care professionals are on their feet all day long. They need to have proper support to avoid tired feet. A comfortable and practical nursing shoe will be one with enough padding, as well as a heel that stretches across the entire shoe to help them reach items from high cabinets. Good shoes should be easy to clean and durable. The right shoes will also be shoes that are comfortable and fully move with the wearer as they go about their day. Look for shoes made from natural materials like rubber and leather. Rubber soles can help you keep your balance even in the event something spills. 

Get Some Exercise 

Staying fit is vitally important for health sector workers. Many health sector workers must do physically demanding work all day long including lifting patients, carrying items and handing things to others in the operating room. You need to be fit when you’re working in this industry. Even if you get plenty of exercise during the day, you may be neglecting other key muscles. Take the time during the day to work out. Lifting light weights can be highly beneficial, especially for women. If your facility has an onsite gym, take advantage of this benefit. Ten minutes on an exercise bike will help the rest of the shift flow more smoothly. 

Snack Intelligently 

A fast snack can give you the calories you need to ward off that afternoon slump. You need to find a snack that won’t make you feel bloated or add to your sense of fatigue. Look for snacks in the cafeteria that have a great bang for the caloric buck. A handful of almonds and a bit of dark chocolate can be the sweetness and fiber you need. If you don’t see what you like in the cafeteria, consider bringing your own from home. You can put small snacks like carrot sticks and hummus with crackers in a bag and bring them to work to eat on your break. 

Nap with a Purpose 

Many hospitals and other health care facilities allow workers access to a bed where they can rest for a few minutes or even longer during a shift. A nap can be the perfect way to emerge ready to tackle the rest of your time at work. Science has shown that a quick nap can help increase your alertness at work and help you be more productive. Twenty minute naps are a perfect way to get more energy. Longer naps can also help with sleepiness, particularly when you’re in the middle of a long shift. 

By taking some of the above tips on board next time you enter a long shift, you’ll find yourself with a lot more energy and motivation to get through the day.

Follow:

When you have children there are several benefits you can claim to help you with the costs. Some come with requirements and some may be more beneficial to you than others, depending on your specific situation.

At this point in your life your thoughts will be on how you are going to get by financially right now. Raising children isn’t cheap – in fact the average cost, for just one child up until the age of 21 is a whopping £230,000!

Meanwhile, your pension, which you are still many years from claiming will, perhaps, be at the back on your mind. However, it is important to be considering it or you could come to regret it in the long run.

What exactly is your state pension?

The basic State Pension is a regular payment you will receive from the government when you reach State Pension age. To get it you must have paid or been credited with National Insurance contributions. The most you can currently get is £119.30 a week.

This increases each year by whichever of the following is highest:

  • Earnings
  • Prices
  • 2.5%

There are ways you can increase your basic State Pension – but you won’t get it automatically, you will have to claim it.

And, what are Child Benefits?

There are many benefits you can claim when you are pregnant or have children to help you with the costs including Child Benefits. This is a regular payment from the government which is available to anyone responsible for a child under

16 – or under 20 if they are in training or education.

The rates for the 2016-17 tax year are:

  • £20.70 per week for the eldest or only child
  • £13.70 per week for each additional child

You can claim this by downloading the relevant form from the government website, however if you or your partner earn over £50,000 a year, you will have to pay back some or all of this in the form of extra Income Tax.

So, the big question – is your state pension at risk if you do not claim child benefits?

In short, yes. New mothers are being warned to register for child benefit even if they are not entitled to it. Why? Because not doing it could leave them with a far smaller state pension than they are expecting.

Changes to the child benefit system, introduced in 2013, could see new mothers lose more than half a billion pounds in state pension.

Follow:

So you have the keys to the front door, and you’re finally in the home! It’s a great and exciting time for you, and you’re eager to mix things up and create that perfect pad. But before you whip out the paintbrush here’s eight tips to consider for getting everything right.

Do… have a plan

What will your home look like? Will it feature one, constant theme, or will each room have its own distinct character? Will the colours be bright and vibrant, calm and considered, or a blend of both? How will it be laid out? What furniture will I need? Before steaming in and buying a glut of DUY items, think of your future. Some of your plans might work, and some might not, but you’ve got a better chance of success with a little forethought.

Don’t… rush the process

You may be absolutely desperate to get your property into a shape ready for a housewarming party, and that’s fine. But a ‘rush job’ of quickly buying furniture that you don’t really like, or painting walls and fittings quickly in a slapdash fashion, will not serve you well down the line. If you have to, concentrate on decorating one or two rooms at a time – and decorating these well – and then open these up to your friends.

Do… get your paintbrush out

Once you’ve decided on your them, it makes perfect sense to get the walls painted or wallpapered as soon as possible – and definitely before you’ve moved major furniture into the room. Covering chairs and tables in plastic sheets, or scraping paint off with a knife is a drain on time that you don’t need when there’s so much to do.

Don’t…. forget lighting

Whatever style of rooms you plump for, consider the quality and type of light and how that will affect the look. Think of colour, and mood, and the amount of sunlight – a lack of light can destroy the cosiness and warmth of a room with dark furniture. If you have the means, consider getting a new window or skylight installed, or perhaps different doors, through a company such as Ken’s Yard.

Do… choose a bed early

A persistent lack of sleep can lead to illness and weight gain at best, and depression, heart disease and cognitive dysfunction. So don’t spend too much time sleeping on the floor or couch. Indeed, choosing a bed is one of the more exciting aspects of building a home. Go for something that fits in with the intended style of the room, and don’t skimp on a good mattress.

Don’t… be afraid to experiment

This is your home. There are no parents or landlords to stop you any more, and that means the shackles are off. A bathroom decorated entirely in pink or purple? Fine. A front room styled entirely on the films of Quentin Tarantino? Great. A garden that’s completely paved over and garnished with statues from eastern mythology? Go for it – these people all did, albeit with a lot of cash behind them.

Do… fight the temptation that only matching furniture will do

As much as you may wish to live in a symmetrical, uniform home, where all the lamps and chairs and tables and carpets and other furnishings match up, a little randomness and quirkiness here and there isn’t a terrible thing. You don’t want your home to look like a set of showrooms or something akin to a catalogue home, do you? Trying to find items that perfectly fit in with their surroundings can lead to over-complication, or perhaps worse, a drastic let of space.

Don’t… buy everything at once

Not only will it cripple you financially, there’s a good chance that you’ll miss out on good deals or offers. Prioritising what needs to be done first – ie the bedroom – gives you time to plan out the home, and also measure up exactly what would fit well in any given space as you move along. You might move existing furniture around and realise that you can swap some items into rooms rather than buying new.

Follow:

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, which means it’s time for a little flashback to the Love Log.

Do you remember the Love Log?

I think it was the funniest thing anyone has ever written to me about. Please go and have a read if you haven’t already, or even if you have. It warrants a second visit.

Back now? Good.

Because you really DO NOT want to buy your loved one a Love Log, (unless you are doing it as a way to get out of being in a relationship with them), and because you want something better than a teddy bear holding a satin heart saying ‘Be Mine’, – whatever is your reason, I’m sure it all comes down to finding a non-crap valentines day gift for your loved one. Lucky you for getting in here as I already did a fine job for you.–…I’ve picked out a few…

Champagne flutes

This range of LSA glass is my very favourite ever. I have the tumblers, wine glasses and these champagne flutes and I have given various sets as gifts. They are really affordable (only £29 for four at Red Candy) but they look more expensive than that, which is a key consideration when choosing a gift. Give with a bottle of champagne for extra loveliness.

LSA champagne flutes View Post

Follow:

online dating trends

In a world where we can shop, order food, communicate and do pretty much everything else online; it seems strange that there is still something of a stigma attached to online dating. Across the five most well known online dating services; more than 22 million users are active in the UK alone – it can’t be so bad if such a large number of people are actively seeking a relationship online.

The stigma of online dating is now very positive, and with websites that compare the features of the top dating sites in the UK. After a little research it appears that things aren’t quite as rosy online as it seems. 2016 has seen several online dating trends that really need to be left behind as we start 2017 – there are some positives too!

Tinder Left Behind
Perhaps one of the better known online dating apps; Tinder allowed users to make a decision on a prospective partner based on appearance alone (and a short bio). This superficial approach has put a lot of users off and the internet regularly mocks the app’s concept as a haven for casual liaisons rather than meaningful relationships.

Thankfully, the heinous app appears to be failing against its competitors and will likely be committed to the archives of the App Store.

Elite Singles Tops User Lists
With over 13 million active accounts, Elite Singles has easily the largest customer base. The likes of Zoosk, Match and eHarmony can’t compete with these numbers which shows a clear allegiance across the population towards the upper echelons of society.

Not everyone who uses Elite Singles has a yacht as the advert may suggest but it would appear that one of the newer names to come into the forefront of the public eye is dominating thanks to its ‘Elite’ status.

POF Limiting Options
As an app/online dating site that started out as a free service with VIP options for a fee, POF was very popular throughout 2016 but its user base are becoming progressively more limited in what they can see and what they can post on the site/app.

These limitations are a direct ploy to encourage the user to pay for their membership and users appear to be heading, instead, to paid sites such as eHarmony, Zoosk and Match to ensure they are getting value for money.

2016 was yet another year that saw the concepts of speed dating, blind dates and chance meetings fall by the wayside. Online dating’s stigma is now very positive thanks to the bulk of users abandoning the seedier side of the internet and moving towards the paid, trusted matchmakers.

Image – Stokkete from shutterstock.

Follow:

2017 has arrived and like we do every year we make resolutions to improve our lives over the coming year. We resolve to hit the gym to get healthier and fitter. We resolve to be better friends, sons, daughters, spouses and partners. We resolve to be more productive and go for that new job or promotion. We resolve to finally go to that event we’ve been banging on about for years but never actually attended. We resolve to improve ourselves in many ways, but do we pass the same regard onto our cars?

Our cars take us to wherever we want to go, carry what needs to be carried and helps us transport our friends and loved ones. Cars have become almost an essential part of most of our lives, so why don’t we ever resolve to take care of our cars better every New Year?

Lose weight

You may wish to personally lose weight and get fit, that is what gyms and running shoes are for. But your car needs to lose weight as well. Have a New Year clear out and take out anything that you don’t need. Remove all the junk and your car will become much lighter. That will then save you money on petrol and reduce your emissions. You will be saving the planet and your bank balance.

full-boot

Keep it clean

If you want to enjoy driving your car and feeling as if you’re sat in a nice place, clean your car. You probably wash the outside of your car often to ensure it looks clean for everyone else to look at. However, inside is just as important. You should enjoy sitting and looking at the inside of your car and that means throwing out all the rubbish, dusting the dashboard, patting down the foot mats and hoovering the entire car, including the seats.

clean-car

Check those tyres

Tyres are not cheap. If you want to save your bank balance further, ensure your tyre pressure is always pumped up correctly. This allows the car to drive at peak performance. It does not have to struggle on lower tyre pressure, which costs you both in fuel efficiency and tyre tread, therefore you will require new tyres more frequently. Save money this new year.

Take it on holiday

Our cars are great for the weekly shop and getting to work and back, but they are also fantastic ways of taking a holiday. 2017 could be the year for a good old fashioned road trip. Whether you go with family or friends, you can pack up the car and set off on an adventure that may be planned down to the mile or it could be completely spontaneous and you make the whole thing up as you go along.

You could take a trip around Britain or you could head abroad into Europe and see the most spectacular places, meet the most interesting of people and drive on the most amazing roads available.

road-trip-1246530_960_720

Lease yourself a new car

In the New Year, it is time to reflect upon whether or not you need a new car or not. Have you been driving the same car for years and fancy a fresh look? Or maybe your car is simply getting old and not working to the full capacity and is actually costing you more money than it is worth?

If any of these things ring true, it might be worth considering a New Year Resolution to get a new car. There are a variety of ways to achieve that. You can get a car through car finance, which allows you to own the car after paying monthly payments for an agreed period of time. This happens either by paying the car off over the period with a PHP deal or paying off a certain amount over the period then pay off the rest of the car through a balloon payment as you do with a PCP agreement.

Another way you can get a car is through car leasing. You have a variety of options varying from paying a deposit and low monthly payments, or never needing to pay a deposit at all and car leasing for those who have poor or bad credit. The only difference between leasing and finance is that you must hand the car back at the end of the agreement, but then you don’t have to worry about depreciation and can simply hand the car back and upgrade if you fancy a different car.

2017 could be the greatest year of our lives and we start it by making our resolutions. Your car deserves to have a year just as good as yours. Make sure you make resolutions to keep your cars in the best condition possible and if necessary treat yourself to a new, fresh car.

Follow:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2017. The beginning of the year is always about contemplation and renewal and we believe you should consider a new car for the family. Now is the best time to think about it as you have summer holidays to plan for and you may need a fresh pair of wheels for that. Also as your children go through school, they may pick up more friends meaning you have to pick up more passengers during the school run. So much to consider when it comes to your family car.

Depending upon what you want from your family car, we have a few great suggestions for you. There are a variety of ways to get these cars and one of the easiest is through car leasing with no upfront deposit. All you need to do is pay monthly for an agreed period, usually 3-4 years.

Skoda Octavia

Skoda have long been rated as excellent cars and the Octavia is one of their best. It is brilliantly built, both inside and out and is very safe, making it great for your family. In fact, Skoda updated the Octavia last year, giving it a new high tech petrol engine and extra equipment.

skoda-octavia

Octavia’s Engine

There is a wide selection of engine options available for the Octavia, so we will cover the cheapest, the fastest and the greenest engines just to give you a flavour of what you could get for your family.

The cheapest model of the Octavia comes with a 1.0-litre TSI S petrol engine. It develops 115 bhp. With that power, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 9.9 seconds, making it great for getting up to speed on the motorway. It has a top speed of 126 mph. With regards to the fuel economy, you get a very respectable combined fuel economy of 62.8 mpg. You will not be losing shed loads of money running this car.

The greenest Octavia is the 1.6 TDI 110 SE Technology Greenline III (mouthful). It has a four-cylinder diesel engine producing 110 bhp. It has a top speed of 128 mhp and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 10.6 seconds. More importantly however, it has a combined fuel economy of 80.7 mpg. You won’t be filling this car up too often and it’ll save you plenty of money.

The same cannot be said for the fastest Octavia. This model is the Octavia 2.0 TSI vRS. Under the bonnet you will find a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 220 bhp. From this power, this Octavia has a top speed of 154 mph and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, making it one quick car off the mark. It does come with a combined fuel economy of 45.6 mpg, which isn’t too bad considering the power you get with this model. Truthfully if you have chosen this car then fuel economy isn’t high on your priorities.

Octavia’s Interior

Climb inside the Octavia and you will find a brilliantly well-built car. The dashboard is simply set out and easy to use so no need to mess around with the dials whilst driving. The materials are all up to the quality of its German rivals (so excellent). The infotainment system is easy to use as well. It comes with large icons and can be used on the move without having to take your eyes off the road for long periods of time.

Now when it comes to space for the family and friends, the Octavia has plenty of space for 5 six-foot adults to sit comfortable with plenty of legroom and headroom. That means when on the school run, your children and their friends will be very happy. Head around to the back of the car and open the boot, you will find an impressive amount of space. You get a whopping 590-litres of boot capacity and if you don’t need to take all the children and need some additional space, you can drop those rear seats and increase the boot capacity to 1,580-litres.

The Skoda Octavia is the best family car on the market without a doubt, but that doesn’t mean it will suit your taste. Therefore, check out our next suggestions!

Audi A3 Sportsback

Audi are great at making brilliant cars and for the practical family car, they have one of the best. Their premium family hatchback is the Audi A3 Sportsback. It comes with five doors for better access, so no more squeezing yourself or your kids in and out of the back.

2016_audi_a3_sportback_004_9657

Audi A3 Sportsback’s Engine

The one model to consider is the 1.6 TDI Sport model. It comes with a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 110 bhp. It has a top speed of 124 mph, which you will never need to reach, but it’s good to know. You will be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 10.7 seconds, which it can both smoothly and quickly so it is great for motorway driving. It is also a money saver, having a combined fuel economy of 70.6 mpg.

There is a faster model in the form of the Audi A3 Sportsback 2.0 TDI 184 Quattro S Line (another mouthful). It has a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine with automatic gearbox. It develops 184 bhp allowing it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds making it quick off the mark and great for the motorway. It also hits a top speed of 143 mph. Despite it being such a quick car, it has an impressive fuel economy of 57.7 mpg. It is quick, powerful and still has low running costs. 

Audi A3 Sportsback Interior

With Audi building the A3 Sportsback, you can be assured that the build quality will be high. The plastics are soft-touch so you have no rough surfaces. You also have leather and piano black or aluminium trim to break up the design and gives you a very upmarket feel. You get a fully up to date infotainment system that is controlled by a physical knob ensuring that you can keep your eyes on the road without having the mess around with touchscreen.

Lets talk passenger space. Audi have ensured that six-foot adults can sit comfortably both in the front and in the back without concern. If you have four adults you should be very comfortable, but add a fifth and whilst it is still comfy, it is a little tight. You don’t have to worry about this with your children. They should have plenty of space. Boot capacity is 380-litres so it isn’t as big as the Octavia, but it is still plenty of place for practical use for day to day use.

2016_audi_a3_sportback_012_7611

Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Astra is one of the best staple family hatchbacks available on the road today. It has in fact been around for over 36 years and in its lifetime, has sold over three million cars. I continue to be an affordable family car that would be perfect for the school run and commute to work.

2015_vauxhall_astra_cdti_001_7321

Astra’s engine

Like the majority of family cars, there are a variety of engines to choose from. Our first model is the 1.4i 16V Design. Under the bonnet you get a four-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol engine that develops 100 bhp. With that, this Astra hits a top speed of 115 mph and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 12.6 seconds. It also comes with a combined fuel economy of 52.3 mpg.

The greener model is the 1.6 CDTi 16V ecoFLEX Design (what is it with these mouthfuls?). This one has a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel engine. It produces 110 bhp and has a top speed of 124 mph. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 10.2 seconds. More importantly it has a combined fuel economy of 85.6 mpg ensuring you save money on running costs.

Now let us talk speed. The fastest Astra model is the 1.6T 16V 200 Elite. It also has a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine. It develops 200 bhp, allowing it to have a top speed of 146 mph and sprints from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. Despite the speed and the power, this Astra has a decent fuel economy with 46.3 mpg.

Astra’s interior

For the price, you pay for the Astra, you get a well-built interior and easy to use infotainment system. The dashboard comes with either seven-inches or eight-inches and has a newer, simpler layout compared to older models. The materials in the cabin are good quality and well put together ensuring you enjoy being sat there. Quick note: the speedometer rises in 20 mph so there isn’t actually a 30 mph mark.

Passenger space is great for families in this car too. You get plenty of space for both adults and children, although add a fifth adult in and it does get slightly tight. The Astra’s boot has 370-litres of boot capacity and when you drop those rear seats, that increases to 1,210-litres or 1,235-litres depending upon your model of choice.

There are many brilliant family cars and these are our top suggestions for you. Now should be a time of considering how 2017 can be will be the best year for your family. One way of making that become a reality is why decided if you have the right car for your family.

Getting that perfect family car can make such a difference and make everything so much easier. Driving away with a car like a Skoda Octavia or an Audi A3 has been made even easier thanks to car leasing. You don’t have to worry about placing a deposit. All you need to know if your monthly budget and how long you want to agreement to last and you can drive away with a leased car in no time.

2015_vauxhall_astra_cdti_095_9997

Follow:

Do you remember back in the summer me talking about Simples, the new online insurance tool from Compare the Market?

No, I didn’t think you would. Honestly, it’s like you’re not even paying attention.

Anyway.

The product is still in beta, but it’s had quite a few updates since the summer, so I wanted just to remind you about it and let you know how to sign up, if you haven’t already. (Which I’m sure you did the moment you finished reading my first post?)

What is Simples?

Simples is a bit like a smart online filing cabinet. It’s somewhere to store all of your insurance documents so that you can be reminded when they are due for renewal and easily access key policy information. If you’re anything like me, you just sign up for the second cheapest (my life philosophy) and then totally forget how much you paid, what you’re insured for and where you put the documents.

You have the option to set reminders so that you remember to get quotes when your policies are coming up for renewal, plus you can text Simples with any straightforward questions you might have if for any reason you don’t have access to the site or need a super quick response.

So what’s new?

Simples has added quite a few new features since I last reviewed it, which now makes it even simpler to use, with more support for different types of insurance product. This was one of the points raised by the bloggers who got together in the summer – we were keen to see more types of insurance included.  View Post

Follow:

Do you get that post-Christmas urge, as soon as all the mince pies are finished, to start tidying up and throwing things away?

I do.

It’s not strong yet, as I’m not feeling well, and the idea of doing anything much isn’t terribly appealing, but I know that as soon as I’m back on form, I’ll want to start organising. One area that’s always ripe for a bit of an overhaul in our house is Belle’s wardrobe. She has grown so quickly in the last year or so, and I don’t think we’ve quite kept up. We had a little sort out of her clothes before Christmas and so much of it was inches too short for her.

To help you get your kids’ clothes organised, I’ve come up with a few helpful hints. I’d love to hear your advice too. Or you could just bring me round a medicinal sherry. Either is fine.

Fix the foundations

There is quite literally a whole layer of clothing to get right before you start adding jumpers and trousers – underwear. I’m particularly bad at this, probably because I can’t see it on a daily basis, and it’s a long standing joke that Belle always has pants that are ridiculously small for her. She does have a teeny bottom, but not 3-4 years teeny. So, get out everything, assess it properly, and then restock, based on how many pairs of socks, pants and tights you think they realistically need.

Underwear quickly becomes a mess, so invest in some drawers dividers or mini boxes to keep the inside of the drawer tidy.

Think capsule wardrobe

Because capsule wardrobes aren’t just for women who work in offices and wear tan coloured patent shoes. (Although in my head they are.) Depending on the age of your child, and the things they like to do, you can easily create a capsule wardrobe. For example, do you have a girl who likes to dance, or run around a lot outside? If so, you’ll want to stock up on your girls’ tracksuits. If you have a teenage boy who loves nothing more than seeing how low he can wear his jeans without them actually falling down, then, well, I don’t know what you do about that. View Post

Follow:

Learning to respect wildlife is a lesson we learn from a very young age. We are taught that animals are to be loved and cared for, and that their natural environments should be preserved where possible.

Our children must learn to respect wildlife and know the difference between an animal that we can keep as a pet and those that are more suited to live in nature, rather than in our houses!

But how should you teach your children about wildlife? Well, here a few ideas…

Put up a bird feeder together

One of the best ways to teach your kids about nature and wildlife is to get them involved. So, attract birds to your garden by putting up a few bird feeders and allowing your kids to fill the feeder themselves. Birds enjoy eating a variety of food including sunflower seeds, mealworms, peanut granules, flaked maize and barley grains, and there are a variety of bird feeders on the market too. This gazebo style bird feeder is easy for children to fill up with bird seed, and because it has a wrap-around seed tray, there’ll be plenty of opportunity for little ones to watch the birds that flock to it!

Feeding birds is an easy way to get your kids excited about wildlife. Providing birds with food will not only bring birds closer to your home, but it will also help to educate young children about the different eating habits and behaviour of certain bird species.

Bird watching as a fun hobby

Get your kids excited about wildlife by making it a fun hobby for them to enjoy. You can do this by getting them to draw pictures of the various bird species they have seen in their own back yards. Pack a little ‘adventure bag’ for your child and take them to the nearest forest park or nature reserve. The bag could include items such as a pair of children’s binoculars, a notebook to record their findings, and a well-deserved snack for all their hard work!

Learning about local wild animals

At first, it can be difficult for kids to understand the difference between wild animals and pets, but it is an important lesson to be learned. You don’t have to go far to teach children about wildlife – just take a look in your own garden! You probably already have a few visitors outside. Talk to your kids about the different animals in your garden, discussing the various types of food and shelter each species requires.

Finally, you get creative juices flowing by having children make colourful welcome signs for the animals who have made your garden their home. For example, take a piece of wood or an outdoor chalkboard sign and have your kids write welcome signs such as “Frog’s Welcome Here” or “Robin Nest Inside,” to get them eager and excited about learning more about wildlife.

Teaching kids to respect wildlife can be achieved by getting them involved with feeding birds, creating log piles to act as shelter for smaller creatures and making them welcome in the back garden. Give these ideas a go and see how you and your family get on.

Follow:

More and more single women choose to go through IVF alone in order to become a mum. In fact, in 2013, 952 singles were registered with a fertility clinic in the UK. This represents an increase of 226% since 2006! Whether having expressly chosen to remain independent or having simply not yet found the right man to have a child with, for these women and others like them, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) represents an excellent solution to becoming pregnant without a partner.

Why choose IVF?

Opting to have a child alone is not an easy decision to make. However, whether it’s due to the ticking of the biological clock or simply a matter of choice, some women decide that it’s not because they are single that they are forced to give up on their dream of becoming a mum. In vitro fertilisation is often a second option for women who first try artificial insemination without experiencing any success. IVF is therefore seen as an alternative for singles who require a sperm donor in order to conceive.

In short, IVF is a fertility technique that involves the fertilisation of eggs with sperm in a laboratory dish. The result, called the embryo, is then placed into the woman’s womb. Regarding the woman’s fertility, the eggs can be hers or those of a donor.

Where to find a sperm donor?

To get pregnant through IVF, solo women can find their donors in various ways. They can opt for an anonymous donor chosen from a sperm bank or a fertility clinic. Some prefer to select a donor they know, for instance a close relative or a friend. One of the advantages is that they are already familiar with the donor’s personality and physical appearance.

Another alternative is to find a sperm donor on the internet, via a website. On these online platforms, women who want to become a mum have access to different profiles that will help them to find the right donor. There, they’ll have the chance to get to know him, to meet him and to ask him questions. You also have women who deliberately choose this option because they want to offer their child the opportunity to have a relationship with their donor.

How does IVF work?

First of all, it’s important that the woman goes to her GP to get informed about all of her options for becoming pregnant. She’ll have to undergo a series of tests to ensure that her body is able to have a baby. If the woman is using her own eggs to become pregnant via IVF, she’ll have to use medication to supress her natural menstrual cycle and then boost her egg supply by taking a fertility hormone. The next step is to collect the mature eggs with a needle in order to fertilize them with sperm. After developing in the laboratory for up to 6 days, the embryo is finally transferred to the woman’s womb with a catheter. Once that is done, patience is the name of the game, as our potential mum must then wait for 2 weeks before taking a pregnancy test.

The success rate of IVF is dependent on a woman’s age: 32,2% of women under 35 will have the chance to have a baby via this method as opposed to only 1.9% of women over 44. Becoming a mum can certainly present a lot of hurdles when you are a single woman. However, let’s stay hopeful: the joy of motherhood will be worth the effort!

single woman IVF

Image – Valeria Aksakova/shutterstock

Follow:

Adding a orangery to your home can add extra room, a great new place to relax and entertain guests and can also add value to your home in a similar way to an extension. However, do you need planning permission to put one in? It is an extra part of your house after all, but it’s not the same four brick walls as an extension usually is, so it can be a little confusing. If you’re thinking about installing a new orangery ready for the summer, take a read of this handy guide so you know exactly what you need to do to make sure your orangery is legal and safe.

orangery planning permission

Orangeries can be a great way to upgrade your space without going for a fully fledged two storey extension. Luckily, when you’re building a one storey extension, you don’t usually need planning permission. Crystal Living has some great tips that you can check to make sure that you’re within the guidelines. These include:

  • You will be exempt from planning permission if at least half the wall and 3 quarters of the roof is glazed or made from a translucent material.
  • If your orangery has an external door that separates it from the rest of the house, you won’t need planning permission.
  • You won’t need planning permission if your orangery is on ground level, is less than 30 square meters in floor area and 4 metres or under in height.
  • You will probably need planning permission if your orangery has a completely tiled roof, as this would count as a simple extension of the house.

If you’re looking for more tips on what does and doesn’t qualify your orangery for planning permissions, take a look on the Crystal Living website for more information so you can make an informed decision about what you want to do and what routes you need to take when it comes to permission. Crystal Living are experts in conservatories, orangeries, extensions and more so if you’re still not sure on the rules or you’d like to get the ball rolling with building your dream conservatory, you can visit their website, look at all the different options and arrange a free consultation.

orangery planning permission

Sponsored post.

Follow: