How to Help Your Partner Understand What It’s Like to Be PregnantRead More It’s pretty hard to understand what it’s like to be pregnant, and when you’re growing a tiny human, the last thing you need is to explain to another person how… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 17 October 2022 How to Help Your Partner Understand What It’s Like to Be Pregnant It’s pretty hard to understand what it’s like to be pregnant, and when you’re growing a tiny human, the last thing you need is to explain to another person how you’re feeling. Because quite honestly, a lot of the time, you don’t even know yourself! But what if someone else could do it for you? Luckily, they can! As some helpful people have penned down easy-to-digest advice that you can just hand to your partner and ask them to read. Alongside a list of the best books to give your partner, we’ve included some things that worked for our readers and us. And we bet that just talking to your partner will improve your situation. Because a lot of the time, getting things out in the open will help lighten the mental load. So try not to store it up, and remember you’re in this together. “We’re arguing because I’m tired” You’re too tired for sex. And dinner at 9pm has suddenly become a no-go. Your partner called you a fun sponge last week, and you legit considered poisoning their morning cuppa. Make time to rest No one likes a moaning myrtle, and the constant chime of the words “I’m tired” would grate on anyone. But the truth is. We fucking are! So how do you fix it? TMC Editor Lydia says, “I’m always tired. So, during pregnancy, I was unbearable. On the other hand, my husband is like the energiser bunny. And the mix wasn’t a good one. But after explaining to him (on many occasions) that I was tired from growing OUR tiny human, he started to get it (ish). I also found naps helpful if we were going out in the evening. “But really, the main thing that helped was this book. My husband’s best friend read it and his wife passed it my way. It explains how you might be feeling month by month and how they can help. Occasionally, it suggested I should be given a massage or another type of treat, and it was honestly the best thing ever. Thank you, book!” Buy Now READ: Things We Wish We Had Discussed As a Couple Before Having a Baby “They don’t understand my emotions” Hormones are a bitch, and unless you have been pregnant, it’s hard to explain the up-and-down rollercoaster ride that you experience for 9+ months. But you can help your partner understand it a bit. Find the right time to talk It’s hard to articulate your emotions when you’re feeling upset. TMC Editorial Ast Luzaan Shaw says, “I always found that if I tried to have a conversation with my husband when I was feeling stressed, he was unable to listen. I changed tactics and spoke to him another time, and he was a lot more receptive. I also bought him this book; he loved reading it as it uses lots of experts and humour to explain the situation. It was nice that he was learning about my pregnancy and our baby and then had his own tools and tips to put into practice, rather than me telling him all the time and sounding like a nag.” Buy Now “They’re feeling left out” It’s normal to forget that your partner will be experiencing their own set of emotions of worry, excitement, and stress. And they might also feel a bit left out. Share the experience When you’re feeling tired, sick or stressed, it’s easy to assume that your partner would never be envious, but they might be. TMC Reader Gemma says, “For my wife and I, the most annoying thing was other people’s questions. My partner would often be asked, “Will you be next?” or “Didn’t you want to do it?” and even though we always knew it would be me who would carry, she started to feel a bit left out.” To share the experience better, we plotted in a few private scans so she could see the baby more, and she chose a lot of the nursery items and read more baby books than I did. This book was so fantastic at helping her feel less alone, and I ended up reading it after her. Yes, it’s aimed at same-sex couples, but it’s a good read for anyone as it’s hilarious.” Buy Now READ: What it’s like for two women to have a baby “I want them to share the mental load” When you’re pregnant, a lot is going on in your brain, and body. And you’re probably juggling a workload, a diary of apts, organising NCT classes and the biggest shopping list known to man. Divide the jobs and conquer For many partners, pivotal moments like baby scans or antenatal classes are when the experience can feel real. But that leaves a lot of time in between when the mother goes through a vast amount ofchanges on her own – or that’s how it can feel. Share the load and organise your new to-do list. You might not be able to give them new emotions, aches, or pains but you can ask them to help with bookings, shopping and more. TMC Reader Jenny says, “I found out late that I was pregnant, and it was such a shock to both my boyfriend and I, so while I was figuring it all out, I didn’t have time to explain how I was feeling or what I needed to do because I had no idea myself.” “This book helped us as it gave him tasks to complete, and he started doing things that I hadn’t even considered. Mental that a book could do so much to help, but it did.” Buy Now “They’re going out too much” Apparently, someone at work told them that this is the last chance they’ll have fun for a while. And boy, oh boy, are they acting on that statement. Since said convo, you’ve received at least eight diary entries for nights out and stays away. Even the score and ease your mind Explain that while you want to have fun, you can’t have quite the same time as them, and you’re starting to feel resentful. Ask them to compromise. You don’t want them to stop life as they know it but they have agreed to have this baby with you. “Figure out some things you’d like to do to even the keel”, says TMC reader Sarah, “My partner booked a lot of trips during my pregnancy, so after I got riled up and told him he needed to pull back, I then booked in a few things for me to enjoy. I also passed over some baby-related jobs to lighten my load and It made me much happier.” “A friend suggested this book, and a lot of the advice is directed towards the woman but it improved our relationship before and after the baby arrived. It helps you organise who does what, and OK, things aren’t perfect, but they’re loads better.” Buy Now
TMC Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Spice LatteRead More Recipe and image from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte Post author By The Mum Club Post date 30 September 2022 TMC Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Spice Latte Ingredients 2 tsp pumpkin purée (Maybe even use one of the kids pouches) pinch of ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve (or use pumpkin spice) pinch of ground ginger pinch of ground nutmeg 30ml espresso or strong coffee 250ml milk (any will work) Method 1. Put the pumpkin purée in a large heatproof glass or mug. Stir in the spices and espresso or strong coffee. Put the pumpkin purée in a large heatproof glass or mug. Stir in the spices and espresso or strong coffee. 2. Heat the milk in a saucepan over a low heat until steaming and frothy. Pour into the glass or mug, and spoon over any froth. Stir to combine, then dust with more cinnamon or some pumpkin spice before serving. Recipe and image from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte
Most Popular Baby Names In 2022Read More Where do we start: too on-trend and your parents will never get on board, but when does traditional tip over into dull? Whatever you choose, it will be with them… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 27 September 2022 Most Popular Baby Names In 2022 Where do we start: too on-trend and your parents will never get on board, but when does traditional tip over into dull? Whatever you choose, it will be with them for the rest of their lives, nicknames and all. The pressure is on – but this list might just help. For Girls Lily From the flower, a symbol of purity in Christianity. It’s a short version of Lillian and Elizabeth. Well-known Lilys: actress Lily Tomlin; Harry Potter’s mother. Sophia From the Greek for “wisdom.” The name was used by European royalty in the Middle Ages. Common variants: Sophie, Sofia. Well-known Sophias: director Sophia Coppola; actresses Sophia Loren and Sofía Vergara. Olivia Olivia is a Latin name that means “olive tree.” This sweet, vintage-sounding name lends itself to many winning nicknames and shorter versions including Liv, Livvy, Livia, Olive, Ollie, Via, and Vivi. Amelia Amelia is a name perfectly suited to girls who approach life with a desire to do their best. It means “industrious” or “hardworking,” and has a long history as a favored name among royalty. The name is German in origin, derived from the name “Amala.” Ava Ava’s origin is uncertain, but it ‘s widely suspected to be the diminutive of several medieval German names beginning with the element av, which may have meant “desire.” That said, this short and elegant name, pronounced “AY-vah,” could well have roots in Persian, Urdu, Hebrew, and Latin as well. Isla Isla is a Scottish girls’ name derived from Islay, the name of an island off the coast of Scotland. The name is also linked to the River Isla, a waterway in northeast Scotland. “Isla” also means “island” in Spanish, though it’s pronounced with the “s.” Freya A classic name steeped in Nordic tradition, the name Freya possesses a strong and modern vibe while giving a nod to Old Norse mythology. Derived from the name Freyja, it means “a noble woman.” It is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Aria Aria has Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Persian roots and has various meanings depending on the culture it’s in. Aria is a gender-neutral name that can be used for boys or girls, and it ‘s primarily a name for boys in some parts of the world. In the U.S., however, it’s mostly given to girls. Possible nicknames include Ari, Ri and Riri. Aria can also be a nickname for longer names like Ariana and Ariadne. Ivy The name Ivy has English and Latin origins and means “vine.” It’s derived from the Old English word for the ivy plant, “ifig.” Ivy also has roots in ancient Greek culture as a sign of fidelity. Ivy is a short and sweet name on its own and doesn’t lend itself too well to nicknames, but some possible options include Vee and Vivi. Ivy could also be used as a shortened version of the name Ivanna. Mia Mia is a shortened version of the name Maria, which is derived from the Hebrew name Miryam. Mia has also been used as an abbreviated version of the Israeli girl’s name Michal. Mia has roots in Latin languages, like Spanish and Italian, where it means “mine.” This short and sweet name doesn’t lend itself well to many nicknames, but some options include Mimi and Mi. For Boys Muhammad Arabic origin meaning “praiseworthy”. This name has a truly iconic status, staking its place as the most popular name in the world. This name can hold reverent weight to followers of Islam, who can share it with family members as a way of commemorating their commitment to their religion. Along with its religious importance, Muhammad is no doubt a classic name. It has a style and sophistication that will withstand the ages. Noah First and foremost, Noah comes from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. A less widely known story about Noah has him as the man who planted the earth’s first vineyard and discovered fermentation and its effects. Somewhat fittingly, the meaning of this sonorous name, pronounced “no-ah,” comes from the Hebrew word noach, which means “rest” and “comfort.” Jack A nickname for John and James that has become a name in its own right. It has long been used as a way to refer to any man, especially from the working classes, as in the expression, “a jack of all trades.” Theo A shortened version of the masculine name Theodore and has become very popular in its own right. Theo is already a pet form of the name Theodore, so it can be considered a nickname in its own right. However, since it is related to Theodore, a related nickname could be Teddy. Leo Lions are considered kings of the jungle, and we often associate the regal beast with leadership and dignity. This is one of the reasons why the name Leo, the Latin word for lion, has been a favorite of parents in the Western hemisphere for centuries. Oliver From the French name Olivier, probably derived from the Late Latin word olivarius (olive tree). Well-known Olivers: Oliver Cromwell; the main character in Oliver Twist; TV personality John Oliver; celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. George George is a traditionally masculine name with Greek and English roots. The prevailing meaning of George is “farmer” — in Greek it comes from “georgos” which indicates a tiller of the soil. Ethan Ethan means “firm, enduring, strong, and long-lived” in Hebrew. The most notable, and perhaps the earliest Ethan, is mentioned in the Bible several times. In books and on screen, characters named Ethan are often handsome and mysterious heroes. Tom Cruise’s infamous secret agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible film series is just one example. But Ethans are more than smooth heroes, as the name has been given to actors, scientists, politicians, and athletes. Oscar The name Oscar is boy’s name of English, Irish origin meaning “God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior”. Oscar, a round and jovial choice, is a grandpa name that’s fast taking over from such urban trendies as Max and Sam. Actors Hugh Jackman and Gillian Anderson chose Oscar for their sons. Arthur The name Arthur is both a boy’s name and a girl’s name of Celtic origin meaning ” bear”. Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by some stylish parents, emerging as a top contender among names for the new royal prince. Tags 3minuteread, coffeebreakcatchup
The Luxury Hotels That Help You Look After Your KidsRead More Ahh, holidays, they used to be so relaxing. Lazy lie-ins and chilled-out beach days seem like such a thing of the past. But these hotels say things don’t have to change… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 23 September 2022 The Luxury Hotels That Help You Look After Your Kids Ahh, holidays, they used to be so relaxing. Lazy lie-ins and chilled-out beach days seem like such a thing of the past. But these hotels say things don’t have to change completely. From creches to listening in services, you’ll get a taste of the good life and come back feeling like you’ve actually had a holiday. TMC Co-Founders Best Place To Recharge Calcot & Spa “We have visited Calcott Manor a couple of times and I couldn’t sing their praises enough. In my mind, it is the perfect pairing of a luxury countryside hotel and child friendly stay. The rooms are designed with families in mind with built-in stair gates and personalised welcome gifts for the children, which they thought was brilliant. In the evening we made use of the babysitting services to enjoy a date night In the Gumstool Inn and the play barn in the day so we could escape to the spa. I left feeling completely content and relaxed without having to miss the children. • Also, the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a short drive and not to be missed! “ Jessica Lawes, The Mum Club Co-Founder. Book Now TMC Editor’s Best Family Break The Ickworth “My husband and I took my son Max here when he was one. The hotel is set in the stunning historic Ickworth Estate, which makes you feel like you’re part of a Jane Austen novel. I felt the hotel itself could do with a slight refurb but overall, I was extremely impressed. The food was delicious, and our room was huge. We stayed for just one night and used the creche to have an adult only lunch. It was only 90 minutes, but it felt like bliss. Max loved it so much he didn’t want to leave. There wasn’t a huge amount of availability in the creche, as this was a last-minute break for us, so I’d recommend booking ahead. And as we had Max in April 2020, some COVID restrictions were still in place, but we still got to enjoy the pool with a family swim and made use of the baby listening service to have a boozy dinner alone.” Lydia, The Mum Club Editor. Book Now Best for Active Parents Another Place “I love to be active outdoors, and I’m really into open water swimming. While I enjoyed walking with my newborn, after having my baby, I was dying to get out and do some things on my own. This hotel not only has a kids club but also connects you with highly qualified babysitters, which was great for us, as we used the sitters for a few hours in the day. This way, my husband and I could go swimming together, read a book and even go on a boat trip. It helped us reconnect as a couple after months of the hard slog of ‘no sleep’ newborn life. We remembered why we liked each other in the first place – I was starting to wonder. The hotel is brilliantly set up for families and has a listening service that you can use to have a peaceful dinner on your own. I also loved how many on-site activities they ran for adults and kids. Plus, you can hire wetsuits to swim in the lakes, which was a huge plus point for me.” Chloe M, TMC Reader Book Now Best Set Up for Babies and Toddlers IKOS Dassia “Feel like going on holiday with the fam is never easy? It is here. They have literally thought of everything. We had highchairs in our room, which I thought was a bit strange initially, but it was a great tool to peacefully feed our baby before the rest of us ate. We were given sterilisers, a bath for kids, baby towels, a choice of travelcot, and they provided free mini cars fitted with kids’ seats so we could explore the island. The creche is open in slots that run from 10-1, 1-3 and 3-6, and we booked it every morning to have some chill time to ourselves. We went on beach walks in the afternoons, used the splash play, and had great family time. We booked a babysitter some evenings, but most parents had their kids at dinner, which made you feel incredibly relaxed. There are seven restaurants, and one for adults only, which is excellent if you want to enjoy a more peaceful evening. “ Charlie M, TMC Reader Book Now The Best Retreat For New Mums Soul Sanctum Retreat “I’ve saved up a pot of money to spend on myself after having my baby, and this is one thing I’ll definitely be splurging on. This beautiful retreat is set in Sussex, which is great as it doesn’t involve a huge amount of travelling and the four-day stay is about nurturing women through their transition into motherhood. The childcare professionals look after your baby while you participate in activities like yoga and swimming. And, when you have holistic treatments. Then after the kiddies are in bed, you’re treated to candlelit sound baths or gentle yoga practice. Yes, it’s expensive, but I figure 9-months of not drinking has probably saved me a LOT!” The Mum Club Founder, Lauren. Book Now A Travel Expert’s Best Family Stays Who better to tell us about the best place to stay with a baby than Frankie, the founder of Tiny Travelship , the new go-to Instagram account for those scrolling for design-led, parent-pleasing holidays. Plus, all TT hotels are recommended and reviewed by a global community of style-seeking mamas, so you can 100% trust them. The Best Spa Break – Middleton Lodge “There’s parent-pleasing spas and then there’s Middleton Lodge. A holistic hideout with a spoiling spa treatment menu specially tailored to new mums; relaxing Ren massages are designed to soothe both muscles and mind. All parents know what a luxury it is to be able to eat with two hands and your attention fully on your dinner date. Check into the Tack Room, geniously located within monitor (which the hotel handily provides for free) range of the restaurant for an adults only estate-to-plate meal (or, make use of the babysitting service). There’s no need to battle your little one in and out of the car with a stay at this gorgeous Georgian house; rambling walks through the woods are right on your doorstep. Simply strap your sprog into their sling and head out for a restorative mooch around the moors.” Book Now The Best Family Getaway – Sani Resort “Is it even possible to talk about post-baby breaks without mentioning the joy-inducing juggernaut that is Sani? A reinvention of the all-inclusive, it’s a stay that’s become synonymous with ease and elevated family-focused facilities; there’s the creche that welcomes babies as young as four months (most start at 2 years old in hotels), beachside babysitting, swim lessons, Annabel Karmel menus and even a complimentary sleep consultation session. Whilst most families head to Sani Beach or Porto Sani, those in the know opt for a stay at Sani Club – a secluded hideaway hidden in the hills that allows you all of the parental benefits the hotel offers, without having to interact too much with other people’s kids.” Book Now The Best Luxury Family Holiday – Almyra “With ultra-contemporary interiors, delicious restaurants and a glittering infinity pool, at first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking this Paphos pad was adults-only, but that’s far from the case. The Scott Dunn run Kids Club operates on par with London’s top nurseries (and welcomes babes 4 months +), there’s a game-changing packing service which takes care of all of your parental paraphernalia needs, a well considered children’s menu, and a sumptuous spa. 5* Almyra is a place for people big and small who enjoy the finer things in life.” Book Now
TMC Recipe Of The Week: Tom CollinsRead More Recipe from https://decemdrinks.com/products/london-dry Picture from https://abeautifulmess.com/tom-collins/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 16 September 2022 TMC Recipe Of The Week: Tom Collins Ingredients 100ml Decem London Dry 50ml Lemon Juice 50ml Sugar Syrup 250ml Soda Water 2 Lemon Slices Method Make the sugar syrup by heating equal parts of sugar and water until dissolved, allow to cool before using. Fill the highball glasses with ice and build the drink in each, starting with the DECEM London Dry followed by the lemon juice and sugar syrup stir well and top up with the soda water Garnish with a slice of lemon and a cherry or blueberry. Recipe from https://decemdrinks.com/products/london-dry Picture from https://abeautifulmess.com/tom-collins/
7 Super-inspiring Young Trailblazers To Celebrate On World Afro DayRead More September 15th marks World Afro Day. The event, which is celebrated worldwide, is the brainchild of Michelle De Leon, who created World Afro Day as a way for us to… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 13 September 2022 7 Super-inspiring Young Trailblazers To Celebrate On World Afro Day September 15th marks World Afro Day. The event, which is celebrated worldwide, is the brainchild of Michelle De Leon, who created World Afro Day as a way for us to collectively celebrate coiled, curly and kinky hair textures as well as educate the world about the beauty and uniqueness of textured hair. To celebrate, we showcase 7 incredible young queens (and young kings) who proudly rock their mane with confidence, inspiring a generation of children. Miles and Mia As one half of the inspiring brother and sister duo, Miles and Mia, Mia Nicole has packed a lot of achievements in her young life including a successful modelling career and being the muse of a self-titled book series entitled ‘Miles and Mia. The talented 9-year-old frequently wears her beautiful natural Afro tresses in a range of styles including braids, buns and Afro puffs. Follow Mia here Maliya Kabs With a whopping 1 million followers on both Instagram and YouTube to say the Kabs Family is a social media sensation would be a vast understatement. Undoubtedly the standout star from this adorable family is Maliya Kabs. The charismatic cutie has created many a viral moment with her impromptu renditions of classic songs belted out with gusto in the car with her dad. We also we love the fact that she wears a variety of gorgeous natural hairstyles including braids, beads and cornrows. Follow Maliya here Celai West Celai West has made a lot of waves in a short space of time as a successful model, vlogger, author, activist, STEMgirl and a spokesperson for World Afro Day. The young beauty can be often seen wearing her beautiful ‘fro in all its glory, inspiring young Black girls with curly, coily and kinky hair across the globe. Follow Calai here Santanna Having modelled for iconic fashion brands and featured on the cover of magazines, Santanna is a young up and coming personality who exudes confidence and personality. She also has beautiful, lengthy and healthy-looking textured hair and shares tips and hacks on how to maintain it on your YouTube channel. Follow Santanna here Kizzi Rose’Monáe Black and mixed heritage girls and boys are often underrepresented in the media, so it’s so encouraging to see the likes of model/actress Kizzi Rose’Monáe featured in TV adverts and ad campaigns for brands like Primark, Next, Zara and Burberry. We know how important it is for one’s self esteem to see positive reflections of themselves in the media, so Kizza’s presence could not be more appreciated. Plus, could her ‘fro be any more glorious? Follow Kizzi here The Morgan Brothers It’s important to recognise that boys need to see positive representations of Afro hair in the media too, so hats off to Ethan, Kayden and Stefan AKA The Morgan Brothers for being such a positive force for change as young models and magazine cover stars. The brothers’ IG page is filled with both modern and classic styles like the high-top fade and creative zig zag lines, and also features powerful captions encouraging young Black boys to love the beauty and uniqueness of Afro hair. Follow Morgan Brothers here Jayde Kamille With an IG bio that reads ‘six and sassy’ you know that Jayde Kamilee is a force to be reckoned with. As a mini-entrepreneur, influencer, TikToker and book reviewer, Jayde’s Instagram grid is a vibrant mood board capturing her active life as well as her beautiful coils frequently worn in a succession of classic styles such as braids, Bantu knots, cornrows and loose curls. Follow Jayde here
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Easy Blackberry CrumbleRead More Recipe and image from https://thesuperhealthyfood.com/easy-blackberry-crumble/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 September 2022 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Easy Blackberry Crumble Ingredients 3 cups fresh blackberries could use frozen or enough to cover the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking dish 1/2 cup white granulated sugar 1 cup oats 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick or 8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup plain flour Method Sprinkle blackberries with white sugar and mix well. Let stand about 10 minutes. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray and spread blackberries in bottom of dish. Whisk together oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and flour. Cut butter into flour mixture until resembles coarse crumbs. (I cut my butter into small pieces and then cut it into the flour mixture with a fork). Spread flour mixture over the top of the blackberries. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes until brown on top. Recipe and image from https://thesuperhealthyfood.com/easy-blackberry-crumble/
How I Dealt With My Baby’s Eczema – The 3 Products That Worked for MeRead More TMC member, Bethany Jones, experienced baby eczema and felt utterly helpless. That was until she found these products. Our editorial team has selected all products on this page, however, we… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 September 2022 How I Dealt With My Baby’s Eczema – The 3 Products That Worked for Me ”I don’t know why, but I felt I was to blame” TMC member, Bethany Jones, experienced baby eczema and felt utterly helpless. That was until she found these products. How do you treat baby eczema? “My son Alfie started showing signs of eczema from about a month old, and I don’t know why, but I felt I was to blame. People would comment on how sore his neck looked, and I just wanted to scream back at them, “Don’t you think I know!?” I just didn’t know what I was doing wrong. Was I bathing him wrong? Or because I was breastfeeding, maybe I was eating something that didn’t agree with him? Now I can confidently say I was doing nothing wrong, but as new mums, we blame ourselves a lot!” What is the best cream for baby eczema? “After going through the standard motions with the GP, they told me that in Alfie’s case, it would be trial and error with what creams would work. Helpful right? This made me feel even worse as not only was each new cream another expense, but I was at a loss as to where to start. With so many creams on the market claiming to be the cure, it felt like a never-ending battle. Finally, after months of trying what felt like everything, I found a 3-step system that worked for us. Here are the three products that worked for us. Hopefully, it will be the same for you.” The best tip for mums dealing with baby eczema “To any mum navigating the eczema train, keep advocating for your baby, speak up if you are unsure about anything and know that you are not alone. There are a whole club of mums going through the same. And remember – it will be ok!” The best products for baby eczema Best bath product for baby eczema An absolute essential that I add to every bath now. It creates a smooth milky bath that rehydrates dry skin. Oilatum Junior Bath Additive Most gentle baby wash for baby eczema This soothing oatmeal wash feels amazing on babies skin. Aveeno Dermexa Moisturing Wash Best cream for baby eczema This is my absolute lifesaver. Its thick and creamy consistency absorbs into babies’ skin and leaves it feeling hydrated and soft. It’s not oily or cakey at all. I kept this in all our nappy caddies and reapplied whenever we did a nappy change and when his eczema was at its worst. Aveeno Dermexa Emollient Cream Our editorial team has selected all products on this page, however, we may make a commission on some products.
How to Reclaim Your Bathroom and Clear Away Your Kid’s CrapRead More All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 September 2022 How to Reclaim Your Bathroom and Clear Away Your Kid’s Crap Give us back our space!! Someday, way back in the time before babies began, our bathrooms used to look pretty zen. It was a space where we could shut ourselves off after a hectic day and rest our weary limbs. But since our sprogs arrived, it’s just another room we have to tidy up, and the notion of soaking next to a plastic-filled net feels as relaxing as a trip to our in-laws. But in a bid to fit in some ‘achievable’ me-time, we’ve decided that Barbie & Co need to do one, and we’re going to be reclaiming our bathrooms for good! *Or at least until the next kiddie bath time. To help you feel less stressed about the clear-up, we’ve enlisted Professional Organiser You Need a Vicky to share her best transformational tips. From the top bath toy storage solutions to how she tidies up in a hurry – she makes it seem like a doddle. We’ve also rounded up our favourite luxury bath products. So when you can actually be bothered to get undressed – it’s going to be really worth it! How to transform your bathroom like a pro After a long day, the last thing you want to do is more tidying but Professional Organiser, ‘You Need a Vicky’, explains you can make the transformation easy by using a toy caddy. “I keep my kids’ bath toys in a caddy. That way I just lift it out and place it out of sight when I want to get in.” Munchkin Bath Toy Caddy Best bathroom toy storage tips Another way is to have two big baskets or boxes – one for you and one for them. “Yes, nets are popular and a great way to tidy quickly, but they’re not very attractive”, says Vicky. “It doesn’t take a lot more time to pop it in a basket or box. But make sure it’s waterproof or at the very least plastic lined, as this will prevent mould forming and make it easy to wipe clean.” Plastic Lined Basket The best bathroom storage for your luxury bath products Tiny inquisitive hands? Place breakable luxury bath products in a storage solution that’s slightly harder to get into. That way they’ll stay intact until it’s time to transform the room. Wicker Storage Trunk How to Transform it Into a Spa Fill the room with candles We love fine fragranced candles but you don’t want to burn too many and overload on scent. Plus, lighting them all takes ages. Instead light your pricey wicks and then get some battery operated candles that you can just flick on. We love using little tea lights and placing them all over the floor to create a spa like effect. Candle with Gold Stand Apply all the masks Make use of the soak time and get all your masks on as soon as you get in the bath. From face to hair, just slap it all on and multi-mask yourself to a whole new you. *Expert tip: Put a shower cap or towel turban over your hair to increase the effectiveness of your hair mask. APOTHECARY Revive Clarifying Mask 75ml, M&S The Best Luxury Bath Products Bath Oil Olverum £43.50 Ash Wood Bath Rack Dunelm £15 Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub Biossance £21.90 Luxury Matches Archivist £7 Get Naked Pink & White Bath Mat Urban Outfitters £29 Lily of the Valley & Ivy Scented Charity Home Candle Jo Malone London £56 Japanese Bathing Ritual Bath Salts Earl of East £20.80 Luxury Magnesium Bath Milk Neom Organics £40 Fine-Medium Hair Treatment Masque OUAI £32 Multi Correxion Revive and Glow Capsules Roc £35.99 Pèlroge Red Wine Domaine de L’Astré £31.99 Moonlight Slumber Soak & Scrub Plantopia £22 Mother’s Bath Oil Neal’s Yard £19 Polishing Body Brush Aromatherapy Associates £26 Boston Fern Beards & Daisies £24.99 All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Spaghetti Alla PuttanescaRead More Recipe and image from https://www.alexandradudley.com/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 September 2022 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca Recipe 4 garlic cloves 3tbsp olive oil 2tsp chilli flakes 140g pitted olives 2 tbsp capers 8 anchovies x2 400g cans chopped tomatoes Tsp salt 2 tsp sugar 360g spaghetti Method Peel and finely chop the garlic. Roughly chop the olives and capers and finely chop the anchovies. Add the olive oil to a wide deep frying pan and cook the chopped garlic gently until sizzling. Take care not to burn it. Add the chilli flakes, olives, capers and anchovies and cook for a minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt and sugar and cook gently for about 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Season to taste. Cook the spaghetti according to instructions, stir through the sauce and serve. I like to pile the spaghetti onto a platter and let everyone help themselves at the table. You can add fresh parsley if you like but I like this just as it is. Recipe and image from https://www.alexandradudley.com/
TMC’s Guide to CornwallRead More Fancy a staycation but no idea where to stay, eat or drink? Who better to show you around than one of our local The Mum Club hosts. Find out the… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 22 August 2022 TMC’s Guide to Cornwall Fancy a staycation but no idea where to stay, eat or drink? Who better to show you around than one of our local The Mum Club hosts. Find out the best things to do in Cornwall right now. According to TMC Cornwall Host, Jess Robinson Where To Stay Best Hotel: Watergate Bay A luxury hotel MADE for families. Set right on the beach, they have an incredible kids’ club for most ages, which has complimentary sessions each day. A stunning pool and spa. Restaurants and activities for all, which include movie nights, yoga on the beach and of course surf lessons. They really have thought of everything here. Book Now Best Family Rental: Penpol House Recently renovated, this gorgeous rental property has six sumptuous super-king sized bedrooms, two kitchens and plentiful gardens – all a stones throw from the water! Book Now Best Farm Stay: Macdonalds Farm If the thought of camping fills you with fear then Macdonalds Farm might change your mind. This small family run campsite has tons of amenities and things to keep the kids busy. From surf lessons to meeting and feeding the animals on site, you’ll never be short of things to do. Book Now Where To Eat Best Brunch Spot: Fore St Café, Newquay the most delicious brunch, caters for everyone and Tom Kerridge recently spotted here twice on his hols! Find Out More Best Date Night: The Tartan Fox This is just about to open but judging by Adam Handling’s other restaurants this will shoot straight to our go to date night spot! Book Here Best For a Special Occasion: Paul Ainsworth at No 6 Celebrating something? Book here for the very best dining experience possible – an absolute must for birthdays, anniversaries and such. Book Here Jam Jar Kitchen,Crantock They do the best pizzas outside of Italy. We go EVERY Friday, because it’s just too good not to. Find out more Best Coffee & Cake: Ladyvale Bakery Head here for beautiful and oh so delicious cakes! The best place to catch up with the girls (sans babies or not). Find Out More Best Pub: Pandora Inn, Restronguet Creek Feels like stepping back in time, super menu, can paddleboard / sail round the creek and moor up on the jetty or do some crabbing while you wait for your food! Book Here Best Bakery: Gorse Doughnuts to die for and the best sourdough around! Find Out More Best Lunch: The Boathouse Street Food on the Beach, overlooking Newquay Harbour. A wide variety of kitchens to sample, so there’s something for everyone. Plus, there’s also a place that sells delicious frozen cocktails, so you can be kept happy while the kids roll around on the beach. Book Here What To Do Best Walk: The Camel Trail Great flat walk or cycle that’s suitable for the whole family. Find Out More Best Beach: Crantock A huge beach great for families. At low tide there are lots of little pools to play in and caves to explore, then at high tide it’s perfect for paddleboarding. Find Out More Best Spa: The Headland A gorgeous award winning spa with the most relaxing treatments. For the best day away from the kids, team a spa day up with a few hours over in the Aqua Club, which has luxury swimming pools and a sunset spa serving delicious cocktails. Book Here Best Small Business: The Bottle, Newquay This is a wine bar, deli and bottle shop all rolled into one. Serving up loaded sharing plates and lots of independent, small vineyard wines, it’s a great place to visit. Find out more Best Experience: Rogue Theatre Wild immersive theatre experiences popping up throughout the year. An incredible experience for all the family. Find Out More Love of Lemons Vintage Boutique After a treat at Ladyvale, I love nothing more than hopping across the road to the wonderful Love of Lemons. It is home to a uniquely curated mix of vintage clothing and sustainably produced small brands. Find out more Best Family Day Out: Healeys Cyder Farm A great family afternoon out that we do with lots of our visitors. There are tractor rides in the orchard, farm animals to meet, you can visit the production halls and there are lots of ciders to sample, as well as delicious Cornish cream teas! After all this excitement, hop into the car and less than 5 minutes down the road is Callestick Farm Ice Cream – you can see the dairy cows and visit the ice cream parlour! Find Out More TMC Cornwall Brunch Club Meet like-minded women in your local area, or on your travels. Brunch, hot coffee and new friends! Book now Must see Must See: A sunset from the beach Find a spot on a west facing beach, grab a blanket and a cold bottle of wine and watch out for the green flash (a natural green light that occurs at sunset and sunrise if the conditions are right). Must do Have a surf Lesson No trip to Cornwall would be complete with a surf lesson! We love Big Green Surf School at Crantock. They do surf lessons, stand up paddleboard & kayak tours as well as have great Dick Pearce wooden bellyboards for you to borrow for free! Find out more Best time of the year to visit June or September. Either just before schools break up or just after the new school year starts. It’s quieter & the weather is normally amazing! Travel notes Cornwall can get all 4 seasons in one day. There’s a great saying here ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes’ so pack your Barbour & wellies, your swimmers & flip flops! Great knitwear and a beach blanket! Tags guide to Cornwall, travel
Shop! TMC’S Newborn Baby WishlistRead More All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products. TMC’s Co-Founder Lauren is expecting her second baby. Here… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 22 August 2022 Shop! TMC’S Newborn Baby Wishlist All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products. TMC’s Co-Founder Lauren is expecting her second baby. Here she shares the items she’s got her eye on this time round. From boujee buys to the essentials she can’t live without, here’s her ultimate newborn baby wishlist. 1. DockATot Deluxe+ Dock – Strawberry Thief – £150 These have become a lot chicer since having my first baby. And this Liberty-style pattern is number 1 on my wish list. Yes, they’re expensive, but it was such an essential item last time that I will definitely use it again. *Top tip: If you can afford it, it’s well worth getting a spare cover so you still use it when messy moments occur. Buy Now 2. Graco Side-By-Side Bedside Bassinet – £80 Having a cot that folds down and can be transferred from room to room is an absolute saviour. It’s also handy when you travel, as they’re used to their cot. A win for them and (hopefully) a better night’s sleep for you. Buy Now 3. Bambo Nature Nappies – £5.50 I love these nappies. They’re so soft and the best for looking after a newborn baby’s delicate skin. You can trust them as they’re dermatologically tested and perfume free, which means they’ll suit even the most sensitive of skins. Buy Now 4. Cubo Ai Sleep Safety Bundle – £339 I was given this as a gift and I’m so excited because I had a rubbish monitor first time round. My friend has this one and loves it! It gives you real peace of mind and there are tons of snazzy features, like visual tracking alerts that tell you if your baby’s face is covered and an app that you can access from anywhere to play lullabies or white noise. But one of my favourite things about it is the sleep pad your baby lies on as it monitors movement and temperature – giving you the peace of mind, that all new parents need. Buy Now 5. BabyZen Yoyo Bassinet & Colour Pack Bundle – £675 I already have the stroller from BabyZen, which meant I thankfully didn’t have to buy a new pram again and instead, I purchased the newborn attachment. It’s such a good pram as it goes down so easily, and it’s really light. Buy Now 6. Prada Re-Nylon backpack – £399 My last changing bag was too bulky, and I rarely used it. What I needed was a nice lightweight backpack, and I’ve loved this ‘goes with anything’ bag from Prada for ages. However, I felt like the £1300 price tag was a little too indulgent, so I’m going to get one second-hand instead. Still fancy, but I’ll be way less angry over any baby-related stains. Buy Now 7. Shnuggle Moonlight Night Light with Thermometer – £29.99 Last time I spent a lot of time and money trying to find the best nightlight. I ended up loving this one as not only does it create a soft glow and has a built-in thermometer, but it’s also portable, so you can move it to any room, which is incredibly handy. Buy Now 8. BIBS Supreme 2 Pack Sage GLOW/Cloud GLOW – €12.95 If you use a dummy, you’ll know one of the biggest struggles is finding it in the middle of the night as your baby cries because it’s fallen out of their mouth (again!). These pacifiers take that stress away as they glow in the dark and are easy to see even through tired eyes. Buy Now 9. Etta Loves Animal Print Muslin 3-Pack – £27 I didn’t realise how essential muslins were when I had my first baby, and while I’ll undoubtedly have some scraggy ones that are used and used around the house, I’ll be keeping these for when I’m out and about. Not only is the material beautifully soft, but the patterns double up as a form of baby sensory – so handy when you need an emergency form of entertainment. Buy Now 10. Aqua Wipes Value Bag of 4 x 64 wipes – £10 I love these wipes. They’re so soft and the best for looking after a newborn baby’s delicate skin. You can trust them as they’re dermatologically tested and perfume free, which means they’ll suit even the most sensitive of skins. Buy Now
10 Stages Of The Summer HolidaysRead More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 18 August 2022 10 Stages Of The Summer Holidays Stage One: Excitement Okay let’s look at the upshot here, 6 whole weeks of no school run. No ironing uniform. No screaming ‘JUST PUT YOUR SHOES ON PLEASE WE’RE LATE!’ five times a week. Days out, holidays, precious memories to be made. You’ve got this. Stage Two: Logistics Jesus six weeks is a long time to cover childcare. You’ve maxed out on goodwill from grandparents/mates/relatives and start to consider asking that lady you see in Sainsburys sometimes with the kind eyes. Stage Three: The First Morning On a typical school day, you have to drag them out of bed and feed them dry Cheerios in the car, but as soon as school holidays hit they’re up at 5am demanding Nutella pancakes. Stage Four: Preparing to Fail Trying to book absolutely anything is like attempting to bag tickets for Glastonbury; you have to plan months in advance for anything remotely entertaining and you’ll have to re-mortgage your house to afford the entry price. Stage Five: The Day Out After what seems like the longest car journey in human history, you arrive for a day out at the zoo only to find ten thousand other parents have had the same idea. Oh, and your kid couldn’t give less of a shit about the animals. The gift shop on the other hand… Stage Six: The Holiday Abroad Following the anxiety-inducing wait for the new passports to arrive, the record-breaking queue to get through security at the airport and the four-hour flight in a pressurised cabin with two small children; you arrive at your destination a shell of your former self. The hotel looks considerably less impressive than it did on Instagram and the air-con is broken but there’s a bar and a kids club and that’s all that matters. Stage Seven: Blind Date Facing a mountain of post-holiday washing, you attempt to negotiate strategic playdates with literally anyone that will take them. ‘What do you mean you don’t like Jacob?! Of COURSE you do darling, now go and play’. Agreeing to each one reminds you of that overdraft you got at university; you know you’re getting further and further into debt with these people and you’ll have to pay them back eventually, but that’s ‘future you’s’ problem. Stage Eight: The Uniform Shop Nothing makes you feel more like your mother than standing in Marks and Spencer declaring ‘He’ll grow into it’ as your kid tries on a blazer 5 sizes too big. Oh, and thank goodness for financially crippling footwear. It costs more than your wedding shoes and lasts approximately 3 weeks before they grow out of them. Stage Nine: Surrender By week five, the house looks like you’ve been burgled and the kids are feral. Screen time is at an all-time high, Netflix constantly asks if you’re still watching and now Jaffa Cakes are a regular at breakfast, because in your mind they completely count as one of their five a day. Stage Ten: The Night Before Uniforms laid out; lunches packed. You’re not sure how, but you’ve survived. You mentally prepare for the onslaught of front door pictures with the caption ‘where has my baby gone’ knowing full well you’ll be posting one too.
TMC Recipe Of The Week: Frosé (Frozen Rosé)Read More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 August 2022 TMC Recipe Of The Week: Frosé (Frozen Rosé) Ingredients 1 bottle rose wine , 750 ml (3.12 cups) 2 cups of frozen strawberries 2 cups ice ¼ cup lemon juice 1-2 tablespoons sugar , optional (try first) Method 1. Put everything into a blender and blend until frosty. 2. Serve in your favorite glasses. 3. Garnish with strawberries and enjoy!
