Tag: agegap

  • Making memories – That are priceless

    Making memories – That are priceless

    Making memories should not come at a cost. Memories are priceless, and they should be just that! Free to make!

    The summer holidays are upon us. The routine flies out the window. No school runs, clubs or after-school activities. All of a sudden, the days feel longer.

    There was a time when I’d dread just that. Long days to fill and the pressure to keep everyone busy. The pressure to do things, visit places and spend money on pointless stuff just to make “memories”. It can be exhausting trying to come up with ways to fill time.

    Don’t get me wrong, when the budget allows bigger things, days out or long weekends away, then we love to seize the moment and make the most of it. But, when your bank account needs a break then it’s time to reevaluate what’s important. What is is that matters most?

    Time – What your children really want is time. Time with you. Time spent laughing and playing. Time spent making memories with the people they love.

    The summer holidays can put a strain on you and your wallet. So here are some wholesome, free and fun things you can do with your children this summer that will create core memories they’ll carry with them forever.

    A treasure hunt and picnic –

    Make your own treasure maps at home. Draw a map of your local area and write a list of “treasures” to find. A giant leaf, a heart-shaped rock, a feather… think of little things you can pop into a bag and take home to admire after your adventure.

    Chuck some snacks into a backpack and find a spot along the way to sit, chat and enjoy your picnic. Take a moment to slow down and really enjoy your time together.

    Top tip: For an extra bit of magic, stain your treasure maps with a wet tea bag. My dad used to do this for us when we were kids. We’d leave them to dry, then he’d carefully singe the edges with a lighter to make them look like ancient pirate maps. It felt like real treasure hunting.

    Family cooking time –

    Make a meal together and let the kids choose the menu. Look up the ingredients together, find everything you need and make sure everyone has a role in the cooking process. Then you can all sit down and enjoy something you’ve created together.

    It helps children feel a sense of responsibility, gives you the chance to teach them how to safely use kitchen utensils, and it’s a great way for older children to build a little independence too.

    Top tip: Add a little extra magic to the table. Fold some napkins, light a candle, and ask the kids to make place cards with everyone’s names on them. It’s such a simple thing, but it makes the meal feel really special.

    Get outside –

    Nature is free, y’all!

    There’s nothing better than getting outside amongst the trees. Kids love to run, climb and explore. Their little bodies need movement, fresh air and room to breathe.

    I’ve spoken before about the benefits of spending time outdoors as a family (read here). It’s also a brilliant way to get your own exercise in too. Join them with the running and climbing. Build a den, lie on the grass and watch the clouds drift by. See what shapes you can spot.

    If you’re lucky enough to live near water, go for a paddle. Skim stones, splash around, get wet, laugh and embrace the messiness of it all.

    After all, kids are washable… and so are you.

    Make a den –

    My brother and I used to spend hours making dens, whether it was out in the woods or at home.
    For an indoor den, grab some blankets or sheets, a couple of chairs and build your own little fortress. Get creative, let the kids take the lead and watch their imaginations come to life.

    Let them eat their lunch inside. Let them read their books in there. Let them sleep in it if they want to.

    Those late-night chats with your siblings in a den you spent all day building are the kind of memories that stay with you forever.

    If the weather’s kind, why not build one outside in the garden too?

    Top tip: Clothes pegs are your best friend for keeping blankets and sheets in place.

    Not the best den we’ve made 😂

    At the end of the day, your children won’t remember every expensive day out or every toy you bought them. They’ll remember how they felt. They’ll remember belly laughs over a picnic, dirty feet after an adventure, the excitement of finding “treasure”, and the den that became their castle for the day.

    The best memories are so often found in the simplest moments.
    So take the pressure off yourself this summer. Slow down, say yes to the little things, and soak it all in.

    Because these are the days they’ll remember. And if we’re lucky, they’re the days we’ll remember too.

  • The Magic of a Nine-Year Age Gap

    The Magic of a Nine-Year Age Gap

    The Magic of a Nine-Year Age Gap

    When we decided to try for another baby — nine years after having my first — I’ll admit, it felt a little surreal. Life had found its rhythm. Henry was growing up fast, and for a long time, I thought my little family was complete. But something in me just knew there was still space for one more little soul.

    And then came Ivy. 💕 From the moment she arrived, she filled every quiet space we didn’t even realize was waiting for her. She completed us in the most beautiful, unexpected way.

    Watching Henry with her has been one of the greatest joys of my life. He tells me all the time how much he loves her. The other day he said, “Mum, Ivy’s the only person who doesn’t think I talk too much,” (He’s a chatterbox just like his Mum 👀) which pretty much sums up their relationship — full of sweetness, chaos, and a lot of giggles. He’s protective, patient, and so proud to be her big brother. Of course, there are moments of madness (a 9-year-old’s Minecraft world doesn’t always mix well with a baby who loves pressing buttons 😅), but somehow, it all works.

    If you’re worried about a big age gap between your children — don’t be. It’s one of the most amazing things ever. Sure, every family dynamic has its pros and cons, but a bigger age gap brings its own kind of magic.

    Here are just a few reasons why a bigger age gap can be so special:

    1. The bond is pure and intentional

    Older siblings want to help, to love, and to be involved. There’s no competition — just admiration and care. Watching that kind of love unfold is incredibly heartwarming.

    2. They balance each other out

    One brings the calm, the other brings the chaos — and somehow, it’s the perfect mix. You get the best of both worlds: the quieter, more reflective moments with an older child and the silly, unpredictable fun of a baby.

    3. Built-in role model

    Your older child becomes a teacher, a storyteller, a guide. Henry delights in showing Ivy how things work, and she watches him like he’s a tiny celebrity — which, to him, is clearly fame.

    4. A deeper appreciation

    Having another baby later often brings a sense of calm and gratitude. You realize how fleeting each stage is, and you soak up every moment — even the sleepless ones.

    5. A little helper (and part-time entertainer)

    Here’s one of the major perks: your nine-year-old can actually keep an eye on the baby while you dash to the loo or try to make dinner without burning it. It’s like having a built-in babysitter — unpaid, slightly dramatic, but surprisingly effective.

    Having children with a bigger age gap means the noise levels might fluctuate wildly — from teenage sighs to baby squeals — but somehow it all blends into the sweetest kind of soundtrack. There’s laughter in one room and lullabies in another, and in between it all, a growing friendship that melts my heart daily.

    So yes, our house is a mix of giggles, tantrums, homework, and naptimes — but it’s also overflowing with love.

    A nine-year age gap might not have been what I first imagined, but now I can’t picture it any other way. Ivy completes our family, and Henry reminds me every single day just how lucky we are. 💫