Family Archives - Page 3 of 4

Making the Family Move as Stress Free as Possible for the Children

April 29, 2013 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Moving home more than once is a fact of life for many of us, and whilst it can be a stressful time with its fair share of worries, there are things to do that can minimize the upheaval. Cutting ties with a much-loved district and heading off for pastures new may seem daunting, but it needn’t be. A positive outlook, plenty of planning and organization and realistic expectations all help to make moving home a rewarding experience.

Involve the children

Families on the move successfully go the distance when all members of the team are kept in the loop – and that includes the children. Right from the outset, involve the children as much as possible in planning for the move; this will help dispel any anxieties about their new lives in a new place. Also encourage the children in sorting through and packing up their belongings, and discuss what their new rooms may look like. Have fun planning together the new layout of their bedroom.

The more time youngsters have to get used to the idea of a new home, the easier they will find it to adapt and accept the change. Most children will be reluctant at first because the idea of leaving all that is familiar can be frightening. But there is an intrepid explorer inside all children and soon they will become curious about their new home. Be prepared with lots of answers to questions about all the fun things and great activities to be enjoyed at the new house!

Remain positive

Remember to put the best possible spin on the situation, without being misleading – keeping any doubts or misgivings about relocating hidden, as children pick up on these and will worry. Accentuate all the great reasons for moving home, such as being closer to other family members, making new friends, having a bigger bedroom or garden, being closer to the shops, playground, beach, etc.

There will be a million and one things to do in the run up to moving day. Involving the children in the planning and packing reinforces the reality of what is happening and helps them adjust to the situation in an involving, non-passive way. Transporting all the contents of a house or apartment is a huge job but significant savings can be achieved by doing things independently, organizing the hire of convenient shipping pods that offer a cost effective and simple way of self-moving belongings either right across the country or just into the next town.

Once safely installed in the new home children can explore and begin to enjoy their new environment. At first children may be a little clingy and it’s important to be reassuring and there for them. Quickly establish routines at the new house, getting meal and bed times regular is important as this semblance of normality will be comforting. Find local clubs for the sports or activities that children enjoy and take them along for a look, but don’t expect too much enthusiasm at first, there may well be a little shyness to overcome.

Attitude is everything when moving home. Keeping things happy and upbeat, accentuating the positives and embracing the new – there is no reason why a change of location shouldn’t be a fun adventure for all the family.

Feed the Family for Less this Spring

April 25, 2013 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

We all know how expensive the weekly shop can get, particularly when there are plenty of mouths to feed. While the idea of gourmet meals is an attractive concept, in reality it’s not possible for day-to-day living on a budget.

While the trusty meat and two veg may be a hearty British classic, many cuts of meat prove to be too expensive for the average family to afford all the time. That being said, if you plan to braise or slow cook a piece of meat, the cheaper cuts often prove to be more tender and delicious while easy on the purse, too.

Supermarkets tend to be a little hindered when it comes to cheaper meat cuts nowadays, opting to stock more glamorous cuts to meet customer demand. Instead, head to a quality family butcher such as the Calnan Brothers online, for what you need.

Feed your family for less this spring with some fantastic cuts of meat at incredible prices, including:

Brisket is a cut that comes from the lower chest of beef and is cheaper because of the greater proportion of connective tissue within the meat. As such, it needs to be cooked properly for it to taste delicious – the longer it cooks, the more tender it will be. Slow cook it with some root vegetables for a sumptuous, hearty meal.
The lamb shoulder can be cooked in a similar way to the leg of lamb, but can be bought for much less. Make sure you trim any excess fat first and add to a rich casserole with traditional British veg.
Ham hock is the joint between the tibia/fibula and the metatarsals of the foot and requires extensive braising for it to be tender enough to be tasty. Cook with green veggies or add to a hearty lentil soup just before dishing up. Serve alongside a crusty loaf for added sustenance.

Slow cooked meats are incredibly tender and flavoursome, while also offering the ultimate convenience – throw it all in the slow cooker before you head to work in the morning and it will be waiting for you when you return – simple, cheap and delicious!

8 Family Friendly Entertainment Options for a Limited Budget

December 14, 2012 by Painter Mommy 2 Comments

Spending time with family… isn’t it a good idea? Yes! And depending on what activities you choose, it can be filled with lots of joy and fun. But with today’s economy and limited funds, parents are not always able to shower their kids with expensive toys and video games. So instead of just sitting home and watching TV, how about coming up some creative ideas?

Here are some affordable activities that you can do with your family:

Board games: One of the best entertainment ideas is playing board games. There are so many different games available for all ages. Some of my favorites are monopoly, operation, break the ice, life, battleship, and so much more. Playing games allows your family to interact and enjoy a challenge.

Picnics: This is as simple as packing a few sandwiches and snacks and going to a local park. Bring a frisbee, a kite, or a ball and glove and have some fun after you eat.

Museums: Museums are great for older children where you can enjoy the different artifacts and cultural collections. Kids can learn about the history and science. Some museums even have free days so be sure to look into that.

Rent a Movie: Watching a movie together as a family is a great inexpensive entertainment option. Purchasing tickets to go the movies can be costly especially if you have multiple children. So make some popcorn, dim the lights and increase the volume. Let your family members enjoy a fun family friendly movie.

Beach: The beach is a perfect place to enjoy a nice warm sunny day. Enjoy some swimming or boogie boarding. Bring lunch. Go for a long walk. There is nothing like a relaxing day with your family at the beach.

Zoo: The zoo is always a hit with small children. Some zoos even have days where you can get tickets for a reduced rate.

Sports: Get active by doing some outdoor sports activities such as: basketball, football, tennis, soccer and more. Put on your safety gear and get some energy out!

Cooking / Baking: Get your family involved when it comes to cooking. Prepare a meal together. Bake a cake. Make some cookies. Kids love to use cookie cutters and sprinkles. And don’t forget the best part – EATING them!

Old Photos and videos: Take out the old videos and photos and reminisce together.

These tips can keep your family happy and entertained without spending fortune.

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About the Author:
This guest post was written by Jessica Williams, a tech writer from USA who is into Finance. Catch her @financeport. Payday loans are instant loans which are helpful when you run short of funds.

How to Keep your Family Fit and Frugal at the Same Time

October 25, 2012 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

Guest Post by Brett

Nowadays, many families struggle with the balance between living a healthy life and saving money. Not all have the luxury of an expensive gym membership or the ability to buy pricey organic foods. Instead, parents often have to make do with the limited resources at hand. However, just because your family is on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t stay healthy at the same time. The following are several tips on how to keep your family both fit and frugal:

Pick the Right Exercises

Each member in your family will have their likes and dislikes when it comes to exercise and sports. However, there’s no need to invest in machines or expensive equipment in order to get a workout. Instead, look for activities such as running or swimming that can be done with little or no investment. Other alternatives are soccer or basketball, which require minimal equipment in order to get started. Finding low-cost, yet fun sports can be a great way to get your family moving about without spending too much.

Change How You Cook

Fitness is not just about exercise and moving around; the food you eat also plays a major role in staying healthy. While healthy cooking is a broad topic, there are a number of general tips to keep in mind when planning a meal for the family. Common tips include buying food in season, and only purchasing ingredients that you’ll need, not what you want. In addition, try to make meals for your family as often as you can, as this will cut down on costs and unwanted calories incurred from eating out.

Be Creative

When it comes to getting the entire family up and moving, you’ll need to devise a creative way to include both the adults and the kids. Instead of boring the children with walks or yoga sessions, look for activities that engage both parties. For example, swimming is a great activity that appeals to individuals of all ages. Not only are children able to play in the water, adults can also benefit from a challenging workout. Another way is to add fitness into a chore – by integrating physical activity into chores such as cleaning, you can save time while keeping your home clean and organized.

Adjust your Daily Habits

If you find yourself pressed for time to exercise, try to work around your busy schedule. There are several ways to add more activity to your day without breaking the bank. For example, park further away from your destination to encourage members to walk a further distance. Or opt for a walk in the park, instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV. Changing or adjusting your daily habits can be a great way to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, without investing too much money or time.

Go for Used

If your family is looking to try out a sport, one way to save money is to look for financially friendly options. Buying used or pre-owned equipment can be a smart way to avoid overstretching your budget. For example, if you’re looking for sporting supplies such as a bike or swim gear, then browsing sites such as Craigslist or yard sales can yield substantial savings. In short, there’s no need to strain your wallet with costly equipment, not when there are cheaper options available.

Brett Callan is a writer for Murray Callan Swim Schools, where their Vista swim lessons offer customized support for children throughout San Diego. He loves to enjoy the San Diego weather whenever he can, whether from the beach or at a pool.

The Best Child Friendly Cities in the U.S.

September 19, 2012 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Searching for the right place to bring up a family throws up so much choice that sometimes it is hard to know where to begin. Parents wanting the best for their children look for cities that have high educational standards and low crime rates, as well as a good supply of affordable homes.

Good outdoor spaces and plenty of opportunities for taking part in sports and cultural activities are also important attributes to make a city an attractive place to settle, and after that it comes down to personal preferences as to climate and proximity to beaches or mountains.

Boston, Massachusetts

One of the country’s oldest and finest cities, Boston had the first public school in the United States, making education an important driving factor in the city’s development. The ratio of teachers to students is very good, and attainments in math and reading get consistently high scores. Boston also has everything a big city offers, with a great sporting and cultural mix and lots of wide-open spaces to explore. Median property prices are around the $500,000 mark, and there are plenty of homes available for considerably less than this.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

A good quality of life is what attracts families to the Fort Lauderdale area, and the closeness to beaches and to many of Florida’s huge amusement parks is another of its attractive features. Being Florida, the weather is warm year-round, so it can provide the ideal outdoor life for young and growing families. Crime is on the way down and property in Florida can be found at very reasonable prices. There is a wide choice of educational facilities, and areas such as Coral Springs, to the north-west, are popular.

Burlington, Vermont

Home of the University of Vermont, Burlington is a relatively small city that sits on Lake Champlain’s eastern shore and is between the Adirondack and Green Mountains. An outdoor life for families on the lakes, rivers and mountains is there for the taking, and unsurprisingly the city has an excellent education system in place, with a good teacher/student ratio. Crime figures are low, as is unemployment, though the cost of living is some 13% higher than the average nationally.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Surrounded by the sea with a mild climate and tropical scenery to match, Honolulu is a very attractive place to bring up a young family. Unemployment is low thanks to the likes of big employers in the defense and tourism industries, so after moving through the high-quality school system there are plenty of opportunities for jobs and careers. The cost of living is considerably higher than the national average, but there is clean air, great sporting and cultural opportunities and a low crime rate.

Madison, Wisconsin

Set on the shores of Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, and only some 60 miles from Milwaukee and Lake Michigan, Madison is the home of the University of Wisconsin and has a good education system from elementary through to college. Crime rates are considerably lower than the national average, and there is a huge range of recreational activities, from walking or biking by the lakes to museums and art galleries for all the family.