How To Pack For Your Family Stress Free

This is a PR collaboration.

Having just come back from a holiday I thought I would post an article about one aspect all parents dread prior to travelling; packing! Packing is one of the most stressful aspects of travelling with children. How many clothes do we have? Can they stay entertained with all the activities? Having everything in place so you have everything covered is the temptation - but this isn't always the best option! Holiday packing needn't be overwhelming. In case anything does go wrong, we've crafted some great tips for keeping stress levels low. Check out these family travel packing tips: Take Only What You Need, Don't Pack Too Much You probably won't because you are very unlikely to change your mind. Prepare everything you plan on packing, then take out half of what you planned on packing. Do not overpack - you are unlikely to wear everything you bring. Furthermore, if you are going somewhere with laundry facilities, why take along baggage you will not need? If there is anything you forget to bring, such as an extra T-shirt, just remember you can just purchase it on-site if you need it.

Get Your Children Involved 

As we understand, packing (or anything!) might take a little longer for young children, yet providing them with their own rucksacks in which they can accommodate their favourite toys and colouring books can make them feel more involved and useful. I know my children love their personalised T-shirts and I order theirs from Rarecustom. Be Aware Of Your Luggage Weight Allowances Before You Travel

Each airline clearly states its luggage size and weight limits. You may end up having to pay extra fees if you arrive with luggage that exceeds the carriers' limits even slightly. You can avoid surprises at the airport by double-checking your luggage before you leave. Of course, if you are travelling within your own country, you don’t need to worry as much about the weight of your bags. Make Sure There Is Some Extra Space

Your case is filled with a few spaces even though you packed light. Don't rush into filling them in! You may want to bring some souvenirs back home as gifts to friends and family, or even for yourself. Let them back in some space. Have A Spare Pair Of Childs Clothing In Your Carry-on 

The suitcase is not the place to store all of your child's clothes. It is not uncommon for accidents to happen and the only thing you are likely to need if they do is a spare set of clothing. A limited emergency kit including spare clothes, baby wipes, and some nappies if your baby uses them should always be kept in your hand luggage.

Pack Accessories

A single outfit can be transformed into several different looks by adding different accessories. Packing small accessories such as beads, hats, and scarves is easier than packing many outfits. As well as taking up less space! Pack Each Day Separate 

Whenever possible, pack an outfit a day for each child in individual ziplock bags. It is true that it may seem like more work, but it really saves you a lot of time and hassle when trying to put together outfits for all your family members, especially if your family is larger than average. Also, ziplock bags are also a great way to pack away dirty laundry without having to worry if it gets mixed up with any clothes you're going to bring back from your trip. Pack A Basic First Aid Kit

Being prepared for travel with children is always beneficial, so remember to pack a first aid kit that includes plasters, antiseptic cream, bug repellent, infant paracetamol suspension and child ibuprofen. Remember, it is always better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. Pack Something The Kids Haven’t Seen Before

When your children start getting bored or restless, pull out a few new toys and games from your hand luggage. A few great ideas are card games, magic writing boards (they feature an easy-to-clean screen and a pen attached that won't roll away from the screen like regular pencils), reading books, and travel games. You won't have to worry about them taking up much space either. Make Sure Pack Appropriately

Unless you plan on hiking, you can leave the hiking boots at home if you do not plan on hiking. Additionally, look at the weather forecast before coming to your destination, and make sure that you are adequately equipped to cope with what you will encounter. Have a look at travel blogs before you go to help you pack more sustainable items on your family holiday if you would like more information on that. Always Plan Ahead 

Make a list of the things you need to do. It is always a good idea to keep a mobile device handy so that you can make a note. Make a list of things you need to do and email it to yourself. It doesn't matter what you do, do whatever you find works for you, and start as soon as possible. Even if you are very careful, you are almost guaranteed to forget or overlook something when packing at the last minute, especially if you are running behind a camera with excited kids hovering in the background. Don't wait until the last minute to start planning. Make sure you give it a try, you will be pleased with the results. 

This short guide should help you to pack for your family holiday easily and stress-free. Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them in the comments below.

Bluestone National Park - Review

We recently spent 4 days at Bluestone National Park in Wales. We were all very excited about our trip as it was our very first holiday as a family. Here is what we thought of our stay, our review of Bluestone.


The Drive and Check In -
Our drive began far far away in good old Lancashire. We had estimated the journey to take us 5 hours. Once we had packed up the car and set off I realised we had forgotten something very important, the baby monitor! We had to turn the car around and drive back home to get it. This added another 45 minutes on to our journey which I was kicking myself for but better to be late than to not have it. 

We then set off again and it was roughly around 11:30am. I was apprehensive about the journey as Noah doesn't usually like being in the car for an hour let alone five but he was wonderful. I sat beside him in the back and we sang, played, read, ate and he had two naps too. He was an absolute star and Mummy and Daddy was very grateful for that! 

It was beautiful driving through the Welsh countryside which made the long trip across Wales that much easier but I did feel a sense of relief once we spotted the signs for Bluestone. We wouldn't be in the car much longer! 

We arrived at the check in at around 5 pm and it was a rather straight forward affair. The young man at the desk was very polite and informative. He handed me our key card, an information pack and directions to our lodge and off we went.

You aren't able to check in until 4:30 pm but if you arrive early you are able to park up and explore while you wait. 

Once we found our lodge we unpacked the car straight away so we could finally relax. Bluestone is a no car resort, which I think is great. You are able to keep the car down at your lodge until midnight the day you check in but for the rest of your stay it is to remain at the long stay car park. 

The Accommodation -
We were allocated a Ramsey lodge situation in Bartholomew Rise and it was ideal for us. This sort of lodge is known for it's "upside down living" style and we thought it was fabulous. The two bedrooms and two on suite bathrooms were situated on the ground floor whilst the living area and kitchen are upstairs, taking full advantage of the picturesque views. 

Every room in the lodge was very spacious and well kept and I was such a fan of the modern yet rustic styling. It was very easy to feel instantly welcome and at at home.

Inside the lodge was everything we needed and more, from the Royal Doulton dinnerware through to the wet room, it really was luxury living. There was a TV, DVD player, microwave, kettle, toaster, baby gates on the stairs, high chair, cot bed and much more. We were really impressed with what was provided.

The Location -
There is absolutely no denying it, Bluestone Park is absolutely stunning and we were constantly in awe of all the scenery. We aren't usually outdoorsy people but Bluestone has really opened our eyes to the great outdoors and we went on nature trails everyday of our stay. I think the place has converted us and Noah now thinks he is the Bear Grylls of the baby world! Ha ha.

As we were situated in Bartholomew Rise we were close to the lake, shops and restaurants which was a plus. Though being close to them it mean't it was a fair trek uphill to get to the Adventure Centre or Blue Lagoon. That being said the walk wasn't a hassle at all and was quiet enjoyable.  

Dining -
With the lodges being fully equipped to be a soley self catering stay we brought groceries with us with the intention of cooking some nights and eating out the others. This plan was dashed as we had a faulty hob that wouldn't bring to the boil so I was very limited to what I could make.

We ate at both the Tafern, Farmhouse Grill and used the take out service too. I wasn't overly impressed with the takeaway or the Farmhouse Grill's menu or food. The food was very bog standard and the menu choice was limited. Everything seemed to come with chips and the chips weren't very plesent. 

The Tafern was the best place for food in our opinion. We enjoyed our fish and chips and we liked the decor of the place. If I was to visit Bluestone again I would probably eat there again but avoid The Farmhouse Grill.

We did want to dine at Camp Smokey as the food looked and smelt delicious when we visited but they stopped service at 4pm each day which was too early for us to eat. 

The price of the meals were fair but it all adds up at the end of the week so it does pay to bring your own food (and hope your hob works!) 

Activities -

There are many different activities on offer suitable for all different ages. The Blue Lagoon, Soft Play and Circus Room are all free to use and for me that is Bluestone's saving grace because I felt the activities were very overpriced for what they were.

On one of the days of our stay we booked in for the toddler sensory class. The young lady who ran the session was great, very enthusiastic and interested in the children, remembering the name of every one of them. The session was space themed and Noah did enjoy himself but I think it was a little limited and most toddlers lost interest pretty quickly. I don't think that it was worth the cost of £7 per child and should of been around the £3 mark in my honest opinion. The sheer cost of the extra activities put me off booking anymore and I dread to think how much your stay would tally up to if you had multiple children. 

  

The Pro's -

The lodge was everything we needed and more. Comfortable, spacious and stylish.

The location and scenery was simply breathtaking and created the most relaxing atmosphere. 

The staff were a credit to the facility and ever so polite and helpful. 

The Circus Room was Noah's dream come true. It was free to use and created a safe environment to play and burn off some energy.

Free WiFi is always a plus. 


The Con's -

No child locks on the cupboards in the lodge meant that Noah was continuously pulling everything out of the drawers despite us telling him not to and distracting him with toys.

Our hob didn't work properly so I was very limited to what I could cook. A bit frustrating when I couldn't get a pan of pasta to bring to the boil and had to order from the takeaway service instead.

Late check in and early check out is a bit frustrating. Surely check out should be at the same late time as the check in? It felt like we were missing a day. 

The vending machine prices were extortionate and we ended up paying £1.80 per bottled drink which I don't think is really fair.

We were sold out of date yogurts from the on site store. I took them back and they exchanged them for me but my son had already consumed two before we had realised. The pricing in the store can also be a little steep too.  

The pool could of been warmer and we did notice signs up which mentioned not allowing your child to swim if they have been ill. I didn't think much of it but the day after their swim my partner and son were both very ill. The illness lasted the rest of our stay and the week after we came home. I was recently informed that the pool had been closed for the entire week before our stay with no notice or announcement. I am wondering if there had been an outbreak of gastroenteritis and that is why they have been ill?


Would we go again?
We would! It was a great little getaway and we all had a wonderful time. We were very lucky to have good weather and it was lovely to be out in all that fresh air. 

- We were offered a 4 day stay free of charge in the return for a review. All opinions are my own. 

My New Years Resolutions

I'm not normally one to actually make New Years Resolutions nevermind stick to them but this year with how much my life has changed recently I wanted to change my ways and create a few New Years Resolutions and stick by as many as I can.

Family time.

Now Nick, Noah and I are a family I want to make sure we spend a lot of quality time together especially now while Noah is young. As he get's a little older and more aware I want to take him to the zoo and the sealife centre. I'm so excited to be able to do things as a proper little family.

Mummy and Daddy time. 

If you are a parent you will know that as soon as your little bundle of joy arrives there is a lot less time spent with your significant other. Although I see Nick every single day sometimes I miss him because we don't have that quality time together anymore as our focus is on our son. At least once a week I want to snuggle up on the sofa and watch a film together and at least once a month I want to have a date night with Nick where we go out and enjoy one another's company.  

Diet - Join Slimming world. 

I was heavier than I would of liked to of been before I was even pregnant so of course going through pregnancy too I have a lot of weight to lose. The last time I was weighed was at my 12 week scan and I didn't even ask what I weighed as I didn't want to frighten myself. We don't actually have any scales in our house but I know I need to bite the bullet and see how much I weigh. I feel like I could lose about 2 stone. So I have a long long way to go. 

I am not the best when it comes to dieting or eating healthy. I did join Weight Watchers a few years back and lost a stone as it was easy to follow but it didn't really work for me in the long run. I have decided to give Slimming World a go as I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the programme. So wish me luck! I am going to need it. 

Excersize - Be more active.

I just want to be more active on a whole. I don't mean go full throttle working out every day cause lets face it I have a baby and don't get much sleep so at the moment that won't be feasible. Perhaps in a few months down the line I may join a gym but at the moment I just want to get out the house and go for long walks with Noah in the pram. This will be more appealing when the weather picks up a bit. 

Holiday - First family holiday.

Nick and I love going abroad and our home away from home is Alcudia in Majorca. We didn't go away in 2013 as I was pregnant. It was the first time in years we didn't go on holiday, we really missed it. This year we want to take Noah on his first holiday, which is so exciting. Probably back to Majorca knowing us! 

Mortgage - Buy our own home.

In 2013 we were accepted for a mortgage but we just need to now decide where we want to live and find the home that is right for us. We are getting there with our deposit but by the end of 2014 I hope we are in our very own home or atleast on our way to that goal. We are currently looking through various estate agents UK to find the perfect family home because now we have a baby it's time to start building a foundation for us as a family. 

Savings - Pennies make pounds.

Nick and I are dreadful when it comes to spending. We waste so much money and really need to learn how to budget better. Our savings would look a lot more attractive right now if we weren't throwing money down the drain left, right and center. We spend way too much money on meals out and takeaways. I aim to put a little bit more money away into our savings each month.  


Wedding - Make plans.

We have been engaged for a few years now and haven't talked in depth about our wedding as of yet. We've always been preoccupied with moving house, new jobs, redundancy, pregnancy and now a baby. This year I want to atleast start discussing our wedding plans and begin saving up. 2015 wedding? Who knows!

Here are my New Years Resolutions for the year. Lets see what I stick to! Here's to 2014!