Taking care of yourself can easily slip to the bottom of the list when you have children. There’s always something — or someone — that comes before you. And while you don’t resent that, it can leave you craving a little time for yourself. That craving can become all-consuming, and you find yourself daydreaming about something as simple as going to the toilet or having a bath in peace, or wandering the supermarket alone without a small person asking for something they can’t have.
Those daydreams sound ridiculous, right? But not to a mum in desperate need of a break. The truth is, sometimes in life, we don’t get breaks. It’s continuous, and all you can do is ride the wave.
But here’s the thing — you can shift that. It’s a common misconception that self-care requires time and money. It doesn’t have to be a holiday or a spa day. It can be small moments sprinkled throughout your day — glimmers that remind you to breathe, be present, and remember that you matter too.
This can look like:
✨ Enjoying a hot coffee
✨️ Stretching your body
✨ Lighting a candle
✨️ Slapping on a facemask
✨ Taking a long, steamy bath
✨ Ordering those vitamins
✨️ Burning some insence
✨ Curling up with a good book
✨ Walking in nature
✨ Getting your nails done
✨ Laughing with a friend
✨ Dancing in your kitchen
✨ Cooking yourself a meal
These small moments, practiced regularly, can ease that longing for something bigger. Don’t get me wrong — those big breaks, real time-outs, are glorious. But sometimes they’re just not feasible. And that’s okay. The little moments add up. They create a happier, calmer version of you — one that isn’t selfish, just mindful of your own needs.
The worst thing you can do is tell yourself you don’t have time (we all do it!). But you can find time for yourself — even in the busiest days. When the children go to bed, while they’re playing independently, or when they’re eating breakfast. If you can find time to clean, fold washing, or scroll on your phone, you can definitely carve out a few minutes for you. Those moments matter more than you think.
You’re also showing your children the importance of self-care — teaching them how to show up for themselves, even during the busiest seasons of life.
So next time you feel like you need a time out, step away. Find something that makes you smile. Have that coffee — and drink it hot. Get outside and breathe in the fresh air. Cook that steak, nourish your body, treat yourself, and remember who you are!
Mindfulness — it’s a word that’s become pretty trendy lately, right?
It seems like there’s a bit of a stigma around calling yourself a mindful person these days. As if saying you’re a mindful mother (or parent) means people expect you to bake only organic goods, wear dungarees, have an allotment (I actually did have one once, and I definitely own a pair of dungarees, but still! 🤣), and never drop the F-bomb or enjoy a few too many glasses of wine.
I’m here to tell you — that’s a load of rubbish and quite frankly, unrealistic.
So, What Is Mindfulness, Really?
Photo credit – Google
At its core, mindfulness is simply about being aware — noticing what’s happening inside and around you without judgment. And that’s something anyone can do with practice.
The kids have dropped food all over the floor, everyone’s screaming and overstimulated? Take a deep breath and remind yourself: we’re all just tiny humans living on a floating rock in space. That’s mindfulness.
Chasing your kids through the forest, covered in mud, trying to stop your youngest from eating rocks — then taking a moment to stop, look around, breathe in the fresh air, and feel grateful for the beauty around you. That’s mindfulness.
Taking time out for yourself — whether it’s yoga, the gym, a walk in nature, dinner with friends, or even a Netflix binge in your pajamas with snacks — and allowing yourself to reconnect and unwind. That’s mindfulness too.
How to Practice Mindfulness
There are so many ways to bring mindfulness into your day, but it often starts with something as simple as pausing in a moment of overwhelm.
Take a breath.
Meet whatever’s happening with steadiness and kindness.
Doing this regularly helps rewire your brain, creating new neural pathways that make it easier to stay grounded and aware of your emotions.
Whatever you’re feeling — anger, sadness, joy, gratitude — let yourself feel it. All of it. Feeling is what makes us human.
Nobody’s Perfect
And let’s be real — nobody gets it right all the time. I certainly don’t! My mindfulness practice escapes me sometimes. I get angry. I shout. I cry. Sometimes I go inward and struggle to express myself.
But those moments are exactly when I realise I need a time out — a mindful pause — a break from my thoughts. I take a step back, breathe, reevaluate, and try to meet whatever I’m feeling with patience and understanding.
A Final Thought
If the idea of mindfulness feels a bit unrealistic or even frustrating, that’s okay. It can sound like one more thing to add to an already overflowing plate — especially as a parent.
But mindfulness isn’t about perfection or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about giving yourself a little space to breathe, reflect, and approach your day with a clearer mind and softer heart.
So next time things feel chaotic, take a mindful moment for yourself.
Pause.
Breathe.
And remember — you don’t need to be perfect to be present. 🙏✨️
I don’t know about you, but deciding what to have for dinner every single day can be tedious. Don’t get me wrong — I love cooking. Feeding people has always been a kind of therapeutic practice for me. There’s something so fulfilling about putting love into food and watching it put smiles on faces.
But when you’re in the midst of a crazy busy week — juggling work, school runs, laundry mountains, and a never-ending to-do list — cooking can stop feeling like therapy and start feeling like just another chore.
Let’s be honest: time and parenting go together about as well as toddlers and white sofas. Between packed schedules and the nightly “what’s for dinner?” interrogation, the idea of calmly preparing a wholesome meal can feel like a fairytale.
Enter the slow cooker — the unsung hero of family life and the best friend of anyone trying to keep the weekly shop on budget. You throw in a few ingredients before the day begins (or the night before), and by the time you’re home, your house smells like comfort. It’s basically culinary witchcraft, minus the cauldron — and bonus points, it’s cheaper than a takeaway (and healthier).
Why the Slow Cooker Is Every Parent’s Secret Weapon
Less decision fatigue. Dinner’s sorted before breakfast is over.
One pot, minimal mess. Because who has time for a sink full of dishes?
Budget brilliance. Cheaper cuts, tins, and cupboard staples become hearty family favourites.
Family togetherness. Dinner’s ready, the table’s set (well, mostly), and everyone can actually eat together — screens off.
So dust off that slow cooker and let’s dive into three recipes (beef, mince, and chicken) that busy, budget-savvy parents will love.
This is the kind of recipe that makes your home smell like a hug. Tender beef, soft carrots, herbs, and a gravy so rich it feels like a reward for surviving another weekday.
Why parents love it:
Works perfectly with affordable cuts (braising or stewing beef).
Feeds a crowd — and leftovers freeze beautifully.
Sneak in any veg you like — picky eaters rarely notice!
Parent hack: Make double and freeze half for next week’s “I can’t even” day.
Photo credit BBC Food
2. Slow Cooker Chilli con Carne (The Family Favourite)
This one’s a total lifesaver: hearty, filling, and adaptable for the whole family. Mild for the kids (unless they like the heat, mine do!), spicy for the grown-ups — and it tastes even better the next day.
Why it’s brilliant:
Uses store-cupboard staples and inexpensive mince.
Makes enough for lunchboxes or leftovers.
Serve with some grated cheese, sour cream and nachos, if you’re feeling fancy!
The name says it all — creamy, dreamy, and just romantic enough that you might fall in love (with your dinner). This BBC Good Food favourite is usually made on the hob, but it adapts beautifully to a slow cooker for hands-free comfort.
Why it’s perfect for parents:
Rich in taste, costs little.
Chicken thighs or breasts both work.
The sauce clings to pasta like a culinary love story.
Serving tip: Add spinach for extra colour and nutrients (bonus points if your kids don’t pick it out).
No slow cooker? No problem! Here are three budget-friendly options that will have you slow-cooking like a pro in no time:
Recipe or not, it always seems to turn out well! (For me anyway… I’m not sure my partner would say the same!) The slow cooker is wonderfully forgiving. Leftover veg, a random tin of beans, a forgotten chicken breast — toss them in, add some seasoning, and let it work its magic. Dinner’s served, and your creativity gets a pat on the back.
Slow Cooker Success Tips for Busy, Budget-Savvy Parents
Prep ahead. Chop and measure the night before.
Use cheaper cuts. Chicken thighs, beef shin, or turkey mince — all perfect.
Don’t overfill. Leave space for simmering magic.
Batch cook and freeze. One effort, three future dinners.
Shop smart. Frozen veg and tins work wonders.
Eat together. Even if it’s noisy, messy, or someone’s still in uniform — it counts.
The slow cooker doesn’t just save time; it saves money, energy, and your sanity. It turns affordable ingredients into meals that feel like home — and gives you the one thing we all crave most: a quiet moment to breathe (and maybe even sit down).
Final Thoughts
With winter creeping in, there’s no better time to let your slow cooker shine. It’s comforting, budget-friendly, and basically the culinary equivalent of a warm hug. Toss in your ingredients, press a button, and let dinner take care of itself — because, let’s face it, you’ve earned it!
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Parenting is a wild, wonderful adventure. Some days are sprinkled with laughter, messy kisses, spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, and stories that get sillier with every retelling. Some days feel like trying to wrangle a tornado of tiny humans, snacks, and runaway socks — but still full of joy, in the best possible way.
Amidst all this delightful chaos, every parent deserves a little pause — a tiny, warm escape where you can take a breath, reconnect with yourself, and just be. Enter the sauna: your hot and blissful hideaway.
Why Parents Deserve Saunas
Whether you’re a mum, dad, grandparent, or the lucky adult in charge of bedtime, caring for children is full of moments that make your heart soar. But even the most joyful adventures can leave you a little tired, a little achy, or a little frazzled.
Saunas are a place to slow down, let the day melt away, and reconnect with yourself — a gentle reminder that you CAN put yourself first, it’s not a crime. Self care is vital.
What a Sauna Does (and Why Families Love It)
Step into the warmth, and instantly… ahhhh. Your muscles sigh, your circulation perks up, and those happy little endorphins start doing a tiny dance.
You’ll sweat, yes — but the good kind of sweat. The kind that makes you feel like you’re melting away the little stresses and carrying the lightness of the day ahead with you.
Here’s what that heat brings to busy parents:
Stress relief: Press pause on the endless planning and enjoy a rare moment of stillness.
Better sleep: Even if little humans wake you at 2 a.m., the sleep you do get is deeper and more restorative.
Muscle and joint relief: From carrying children to squatting up and down all day, picking toys and clothes up off the floor — the warmth eases and restores tired muscles.
Energy boost: Circulation improves, your body feels lighter, and you step back into life with renewed sparkle.
Skin glow: Sweating flushes out impurities, leaving you with that fresh, radiant glow that says, “I’ve got this — mostly.”
Immune boost: The heat gently strengthens your immune system — perfect for parents constantly surrounded by coughs, colds, and the dreaded ‘back to school germs’.
Beaulieu River (yoga retreat) – 📷 my own
Family time
If your children are older – why not visit a sauna together? It could be incredibly beneficial for you all. Taking that time to unwind together and create space for conversation all while improving your health and well-being, sounds like a great example to set for future generations.
Quick Reality Check
Pregnant? Skip the sauna for now — high heat isn’t safe during pregnancy.
Health conditions? Check with your GP before using a sauna.
Hydration: Keep sipping that water! Nobody wants to be dehydrated!
Croyde Bay – 📷 my own
My Favourite Saunas
Now, full honesty: saunas themselves aren’t for everyone — but views? They’re irresistible.
I’ve visited saunas across the country, and the scenery always adds something extra to the experience. Some of my favourites include Croyde Bay, where the coastal air meets the heat perfectly, and The Lime Wood Hotel, where you can unwind while looking out over serene forest views.
Closer to home – Solace Sauna on Lepe Beach is my happy place. With wood-fired heat, Bailey’s warm welcome, and the forest and sea stretching out around you, it’s a place where you can laugh, exhale, and remember who you are!
What really sets Solace Sauna apart is the attention to detail. The little sauna hats keep your head cool in the heat, and the traditional whisking practice is a rejuvenating ritual that boosts circulation and enhances the experience. (Follow Solace Sauna on Instagram!)
Beyond the sauna itself, Solace Sauna feels like part of a wonderful local community focused on wellness and connection — a place where people come together, recharge, and share the experience.
“Many families visit Solace Sauna to spend quality time together. In today’s socioeconomic climate and technology driven culture, sauna offers an accessible way for families to connect with each-other and nature year-round while experiencing the physical, mental, and social benefits of contrast therapy. In just an hour, you can feel completely reset and help regulate your nervous system. Be that with your family, or having a mindful break from the kids”
“I have regular families who come to celebrate birthdays, spend time together, and activity to do away from screens and an outdoor activity all year round – winter dosent mean you have to stay in with the kids.”
Here’s what works for me: I book ahead and pay upfront. That way, there’s no backing out — and I’m guaranteed my little window of peace.
Even half an hour or an hour of sauna time can feel like a mini-vacation — a pause filled with calming heat and lightness — the perfect antidote to a busy family life.
So…
Next time life is filled with tiny hands, big imaginations, and spontaneous dance-offs in the living room that leave you slightly jaded, remember: a sauna isn’t just heat.
It’s your pause button. Your secret hiding spot. Your little bubble of calm and wonder.
Because even parents who can do it all deserve a moment to sparkle — and maybe a little warm indulgence too. ✨️🔥🍃
Mamas life adventures 