Tips for Communicating with Someone who has Dementia.

If a close person to you is suffering with dementia, it can be really tough to maintain the relationship you once had with them, and at times even the simplest of communication with them can feel like a really difficult battle. 

There are some tips listed below to hopefully help make things that little bit easier so you can be there for them as much as possible, and so that you will both be happier, too.

Don’t be afraid to let some things go

Of course, the person who has dementia will get things slightly muddled or even may get things completely wrong at times. You may feel yourself going to automatically correct and argue with them, but it’s often best to let some things go and just move on with the conversation to avoid frustration and tension.

Be as calming and positive as possible

Remaining calm and upbeat as much as you can will be really important for them, especially as their condition develops and they may feel scared in front of people who they no longer recognise. You will of course feel sadness and even anger towards the situation, but hiding this from them will be really important for keeping them happy and comfortable.

Trunki BoostAPak review.

Now that Bug is in school I have joined the crowds of parents on the school run dropping off and picking up their children every week day. Even though we have a car we rarely have access to it during the school run thanks to daddy needing it for work so we often have to walk to and from school.

Whilst it is lovely to walk to and from school Bug for the school run with Bug telling me all about his school day as we walk, I must admit I am not really looking forward to braving the weather when the rain and cold weather hits us during Autumn and Winter. Kindly we have been offered a lift from a fellow family who passes our home on the school run on a number of occasions but lacking a car seat for Bug we have had to decline the kind offer even when it has been raining and we have a long walk home to face. As it is unpractical to lug Bug’s large and heavy car seat to school to be able to get a lift home for now walking the school run is what we have to do come rain or shine.

But that is all about to change thanks to Trunki who came to the rescue with the chance to review the BoostAPak.

Trunki’s BoostAPak is a backpack and car booster seat combined.

Love Shopping? Love Sales?

I love shopping but unfortunately my bank balance does not agree with my love of shopping. Thanks the economic climate we live in, with money being very tight for our family, to be able to indulge in my love of shopping I have had to become very savvy when shopping.

So that I can satisfy my love of shopping yet watch the pennies spent so that I do not spend a fortune I have become a huge fan of sales.

Not only do sales allow me to indulge in my love of shopping so that I can occasionally treat myself to some new clothes, accessories or sparkly new bits and bobs for the house, sale shopping also helps me keep up with the constant need for new clothes and shoes for my ever-growing big boy Bug.

I must admit I love sale shopping so much that I have braved the queues and crowds at the crack of dawn during top high street sales to grab a bargain or ten on items we need. As well as being in the midst of the sale action on the high street (trying my best to avoid being battered and bruised by the crowds of sale shoppers fighting and scrambling for sale items), so that I can keep in touch with sales news to be able to take advantage of sales to get items we want at discounted prices I am also a member of a number of Facebook Groups run by top bargain hunters who share news about sales and great deals available online and in stores.

As I think sale shopping is a rather clever way to save money and buy items you need whilst being on a tight budget I am always on the lookout for new ways to keep up-to-date on sales news…….and thanks to a clever site called LoveSales.com I have a new way to keep my finger on the pulse of the sales action so that I do not miss the sales and online bargains.

Ella's Kitchen Toddlers Take Over Good Snacks Revolution!

Last week I wrote about Ella’s Kitchen Toddlers Take Over event at Hyde Park Speakers’Corner which was a huge success.

Take a look at this very cute video of the Ella's Kitchen event to see how the toddlers stood up for good snacks, speaking their minds from their toyboxes.

Toddlers Take Over Hyde Park Speakers' Corner.

I love Ella’s Kitchen and have done since Bug was going through the weaning stage and trying their tasty First Tastes pouches. I appreciate their tasty and healthy food for little ones and I love their fun attitude towards providing the best for little ones. As I love Ella’s Kitchen and their refreshing appreciation of the wonder of little ones I wanted to share with you all about a fun Ella’s Kitchen event that I wish I could attend but unfortunately live too far away to do so.

 Ella’s Kitchen® brand opens first ever Little Speakers’ Corner for tiny toddler debates

Tomorrow, talkative toddlers will be voicing their opinions on everything from sibling rivalry quibbles, to their favourite lunch time nibbles, with the launch of the first ever ‘little’ Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park.

#YogArtist Bug - Family time with FAGE.

A few weeks ago I mentioned the FAGE #YogArtist competition where parents are inspiring their little ones to have fun and get creative as a #YogArtist making yoghurt masterpieces to be displayed on the FAGE #YogArtist Tumblr gallery in the hope of winning a family day out and a spa day for mum.

With his own little #YogArtist kit to hand courtesy of FAGE Bug set about creating yoghurt art.

Arthritis awareness - the difference between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Next month is National Arthritis Week. From the 12th to the 19th of October 2014 Arthritis Research UK along with supporters of the charity will be raising awareness of arthritis, highlight the impact that pain has on the 10 million people living with arthritis in the UK and raising money via a variety of fundraising events up and down the country.

One company supporting Arthritis Research UK’s upcoming National Arthritis Week in October and hoping to help raise awareness of arthritis is Bathing Solutions.

Bathing Solutions, who specialise in complete bathroom solutions for the less able-bodied, are striving to raise awareness of arthritis and breakdown the perception that arthritis is a condition that only the affects the elderly. To support National Arthritis Week and raise awareness they have created a simple yet informative infographic highlighting the two most common forms of arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, and their key differences.

Win a Grip It starter pack – as seen on Dragons Den.

Today I am pleased to be able to offer my readers the chance to win a Grip It starter pack.

If you are a budding DIYer and need a little help with fixings on plasterboard then this revolutionary product as seen on Dragons Den is the perfect prize for you.

Grip It are a innovative new design of universal fixings that works with all types of plasterboard. Grip It Fixings grip behind the plasterboard, only taking up to 2.5mm of cavity space, with the uniquely designed slim gripping wings folding out in the gap behind the plasterboard to produce the most effective and secure fixing currently available. The applications for Grip It plasterboard fixing are endless especially thanks to the load ratings of up to 180kg on just one fixing. Grip It Fixings’ unique design makes Grip It ones of the strongest plasterboard fixings available on the market today!

FREE Folic Acid at ASDA Pharmacies this September.

Threemonth’s supply available at all Asda Pharmacies.

I loved being pregnant with Bug and really hope that I one day I am lucky enough to be pregnant again with another baby for a happy 9 months. The only slight downside to my pregnancy with Bug was suffering from Gestational Diabetes thanks to my PCOS and suffering from severe morning sickness throughout my pregnancy.

As I suffered from severe morning sickness with Bug I can sympathise with Kate Middleton who is expecting her second child and is unfortunately suffering from severe morning sickness once again.

With the recent news about Kate Middleton expecting her second child, Faisal Tuddy, the deputy superintendent pharmacist at Asda comments: "We are delighted to hear the news that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting another baby. Unfortunately once again Kate is suffering from severe morning sickness as she did with her first pregnancy. Morning sickness is very common amongst pregnant women, however there are a number of home remedies to help reduce symptoms and make pregnancy more manageable. These include the following:

* Having sufficient rest: Making sure you have time to relax is imperative as tiredness can make your nausea worse

* Sipping on plenty of fluids slowly throughout the day: This will keep you hydrated which might help prevent vomiting

* Allowing yourself time to get up in the morning: Not rushing, getting out of bed at a slow pace or having a piece of toast can help take the edge off sickness early in the morning

* Eating small amounts of food frequently as opposed to big meals: It is important to make sure you are still eating throughout the day without over doing it

* Wearing comfortable clothes: Wearing baggy clothes without a tight waistband will help make you more comfortable

Morning sickness usually subsides between 12-14 weeks after conception, allowing expectant mothers to get on and enjoy the rest of their pregnancy.”

When you are pregnant it is important to take care of yourself to help increase the chance of a happy and healthy pregnancy. As Asda realise the importance of taking care of yourself during pregnancy they are offering women immediate access to a fully qualified health professional at Asda Pharmacies who can offer advice on health, diets and tips for sustaining a healthy pregnancy.

This September, during its tri-annual baby event, Asda pharmacies will once again be offering three month’s supply of Folic Acid free of charge to expectant mothers or those trying to conceive. This is the second time Asda has offered its customers free Folic Acid in an initiative of this kind, which shows Asda’s ongoing commitment to its customers’ health.

Wednesday Words - Try.

Birds Eye is Back to School ready.

September is a busy month for families with summer holidays over and kids heading back to school. To help families get back into the swing of things Birds Eye has enlisted a team of mini-chefs to produce a range of tasty, kids-approved teatime recipes, to inspire parents at teatime and overcome picky taste buds.

Holiday planning made easy with Amadeus.net

I love holidays. There is something very special and exciting about spending time in a new place.  I love soaking up the culture and history of a place along with having fun and adventures sightseeing and exploring.  I also love the excitement and thrill of visiting adventure and amusement parks, and love the enjoyment of action filled days on holiday as I try activities such as water-sports. Equally I love relaxing and taking it easy, enjoying tranquil days spent lazing on the beach with a good book.

Whilst the highlight of a holiday is the holiday itself, I also love planning the holiday. I find it exciting and a great build up to a holiday to peruse the internet and holiday catalogues to find the perfect destination and the best deal. I also find that the exciting reality of being about to go on holiday comes alive when buying holiday essentials and packing suitcases.

Whilst we often have little holidays across the UK and love holidaying in the UK as Lee and Bug have yet to have a holiday abroad and it has been well over 10 years since I ventured past the shores of the UK  we are hoping that our next family holiday will be one abroad.

We have family living in France who we rarely get to see so we plan on having a little holiday in France, staying with them in their guest house which will allow us to be close to them so we spend lots of quality family time together. We hope on doing a lot of sightseeing, having magical days at Disneyland Paris and I hope for a touch of romance with Lee.....hopefully he will get all romantic for my birthday with a surprise re-proposal and a new engagement ring to replace my broken one. Another bonus of staying with family is that we will be saving money as we won’t have to pay for accommodation.

As we do not need accommodation for our holiday to France and only need flights a package deal is not suitable for us. Being a savvy-money-saving kind of girl who loves planning holidays and getting the best deal for our money I am thrilled to have a little help from Amadeus.net to help us find the cheapest and most convenient flight for our first family holiday abroad.

Wednesday Words - Learning through Play.

Healthy lunchboxes with Capri Sun Fruit Crush juice drink - #CapriSunSchool

* I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® community. This #CapriSunSchool #shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. All words and opinions are my own *

With Bug now in school part-time, soon to be full-time, I have started thinking about lunchbox ideas so that when the time comes for him to have packed lunches at school he will have healthy lunchboxes and school compliant juice drinks to keep him well fed, energised and refreshed for busy, fun days learning at school.

Small Moongazing Rabbit - garden ornament review.

As I’ve mentioned before our garden was very much unloved when we moved in and in need of a lots of TLC to spruce it up and hopefully transform it into a beautiful outdoor space that we can enjoy.

As well as wanting to have lots of beautiful flowers and plants growing in the garden I also want to have a few garden ornaments scattered around the garden, some in amongst the blossoming flowers, to add a touch of character to the garden.

Thanks to Museum Selection we have a new addition to our garden, a Small Moongazing Rabbit.