Tag: mum

  • Forest adventures made easy – What to pack for a day out exploring with the kids

    Taking kids into the forest isn’t just a casual stroll—it’s an adventure, full of opportunities for exploration, learning, and discovery. That said, it’s also an exercise in patience and parenting. Within ten minutes, someone will be hungry, too hot, too cold, tired, or in desperate need of a wee.

    I’ve spent so many days with my kids trudging through mud, climbing trees, and building dens — the kind of messy, magical days that stay with you forever. I hope that years from now, we’ll all look back and laugh about the muddy puddle tantrums and those heartbreaking moments when we had to leave a beloved stick or rock behind.

    Before your next outdoor adventure, grab your backpack (or three) and pack smart. Here’s what you really need to survive—and thrive—a day in the woods with kids.

    Henry aged 5

    ☔ 1. Packaway Raincoats

    Waterproofs save lives. Whether it’s raining, sunny, or somewhere in between, a lightweight, packable raincoat comes in handy. Use it for rain, as an extra layer for “I’m cold” moments, or even for unexpected UV protection on sunny days.

    🌱 2. Packaway Ground Sheet

    Somewhere to sit that isn’t a muddy patch? Yes, please.
    A ground sheet doubles as a picnic blanket, emergency shade, or a spot to pile the ever-growing collection of sticks, pinecones, and “treasures” your kids insist on collecting.

    🏕 3. Packaway Hammock

    Optional, but highly recommended. Easy to set up, a hammock gives you the perfect spot to relax and watch the kids explore, soaking up nature without feeling like you’re missing half the fun.

    🧻 4. Toilet Roll & Baby Wipes

    Nature calls. A lot.
    From impromptu tree “bathrooms” to messy hands and faces, wipes save your sanity. Trust me—parents know.

    🗑️ 5. Bin Bag

    Leave no trace.
    Carry your rubbish home, keep the forest beautiful, and teach your kids the importance of caring for the environment.

    🧊 6. Refrigerated Snack Bag

    The lifeblood of any outdoor adventure.
    Pack more than you think you need—kids will remind you they’re starving every five minutes. Bonus: snacks can double as bargaining tools for minor meltdowns.

    💧 7. Water Bottles with Clips

    Clip them to backpacks and avoid the constant chorus of “Mum, I’m thirsty!” Hydration equals happiness—and fewer complaints.

    🚑 8. First Aid Kit

    Plasters, antiseptic wipes, and eye-cleaning drops (yes, sticks go in eyes more often than you think) are essentials.
    If you believe a day in the forest can happen without a few scrapes, you either have perfect kids—or you’re new to parenting.

    🦟 9. Bug Spray & Suncream

    Even on cloudy days, bugs are relentless and sunburns sneak up. Apply generously and often—consider it a full-contact sport.

    🔋 10. Portable Charger

    Your phone is your camera, map, and lifeline. Keep it charged—you’ll want those snaps of muddy faces, puddle crashes, and “look what I found” moments.

    🎒 Bonus Tip: Let the Kids Carry Stuff

    If they’re old enough, give them a small backpack. Sure, it’ll probably end up full of sticks and pinecones, but they’ll feel useful—and you’ll carry less.

    Henry aged 7

    🌳 Final Thoughts

    A day in the forest with kids isn’t about perfection or Instagram-worthy moments. It’s about snacks, mud, minor injuries, questionable decisions, and, most importantly, fun.

    Pack smart. Live in the moment. And remember: if no one cries, did you even leave the house?

    Henry aged 4

    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link to a product and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to continue sharing honest reviews and recommendations. Thank you for your support!

  • The In-Between Mum

    The In-Between Mum

    She’s not the mum baking organic raw cacao brownies or proving sourdough on the kitchen side. But she’s also not serving turkey dinosaurs and Haribo for dinner every night. She loves a wholesome home-cooked meal (spag bol and beef stew are a win in our house), yet she’s also the first to order pizza on a Friday because—well—life.

    She’s the mum in gym leggings on the school run. Not because she’s an influencer or about to smash a HIIT session, but because they’re comfortable for the 127 errands that need doing. Pushing the buggy on a long walk counts as her cardio. Not a fitness fanatic, not a couch potato—just somewhere in between.

    She’s the mum without a “perfect routine.” The one who doesn’t run on a strict schedule, but whose kids are always bathed, fed, and clothed. She might not time meals to the minute, but she never misses a drop-off, a pick-up, or the endless after-school clubs her kids enjoy but still love to moan about.

    She’s the mum who finds peace in nature, yoga, and spirituality, but also can’t function without coffee and has an unhealthy relationship with Amazon Prime deliveries. She takes mindful walks to clear her head, but is equally capable of a late-night Netflix binge that leaves her eyes stinging. Balance in its truest form.

    She’s the mum who lets her kids climb too high, scrape their knees, and race ahead on bikes—because that’s how they learn. But she’s always there when they tumble, arms open, steady and safe. She gives them freedom without recklessness, boundaries without smothering.

    She’s the mum that likes to share a bottle of wine (or two) with friends and loves dancefloor moment when the mood is right. But she also knows her limits—because after 1am, she’s more likely to be asleep in the corner than queuing for kebabs.

    We live in a world that craves labels: the “fit” mum, the “natural” mum, the “strict” mum, the “party” mum, the “bad” mum. But what about the in-between mum? The one who is a little bit of all of them, and a lot of neither. The one muddling through, doing her best—like most of us.

    Because here’s the truth: nobody is perfect. Nobody is nailing it all. And nobody is failing as much as they fear. We’re all just navigating the same storm, raising kids in a world that often feels upside down.

    So here’s to the in-between mums. The real ones. The ones holding it all together—quietly, imperfectly, every single day.

    Cheers!

    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link to a product and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to continue sharing honest reviews and recommendations. Thank you for your support!