Spending more time with your family is one of the most rewarding things that you can do as a parent. Your little one’s are full of some many significant moments just waiting for you to share. However, if you’re a working parent, it can be easy to feel like you’re missing out. Of course, this isn’t your fault, and you should never feel guilty about having to work to provide for your family, but it can get disheartening at times.

Luckily, there are things that you can do to squeeze as much family time out of your daily life as possible, all without seeing your career suffer. So, working parents out there, here are just three top tips for spending more time with your family. 

Make Time for Time Management

If you commit yourself to mastering the art of time management, it can become one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal as a working parent. While time management doesn’t come easy to us all, there are steps that you can take to improve. It’s a skill, after all, and all skills need to be practised to make perfect.

The evolution of the digital world that we live in has ensured that there is an app for everything, and time management is no exception. Apps such as MyLifeOrganized allows you to manage and keep track of your tasks. And, when you use one app for work and family life, you can get the full picture of your day and plan in more time with your little ones.

Consider Remote Working

If the pandemic taught us anything, it was just how many careers can be undertaken from the comfort of our own homes. And without the commute to and from the office, you’ll find that you have even more time in the day.

If you work from home, you’ll always be able to ensure that you’re there for the school run, just make sure to schedule your meetings around this. And, if you’re a business owner, software such as Oleeo can allow you to automate time consuming tasks such as recruitment and even schedule in virtual interviews, so even your hiring can be done from your home office.

Make the Most of the Small Moments

Even the smallest of moments and the most seemingly mundane of daily tasks have the potential to be turned into family bonding experiences. For example, depending on the age of your children, you could make household chores a group activity. Take cooking dinner; recipe boxes such as Gousto come with handy easy to follow instructions, so let your little ones help you cook. Not only is this a great way to spend more time together, but you’ll also be instilling them with useful skills that will serve them well in later life.

Have you discovered the secret to more family time? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below.

This is a collaborative post.

Quick and Easy Birthday Cards for Forgetful Friends

It can be hard to remember all the birthdays of your close family and friends. But with just a few supplies, you can make quick and easy birthday cards that will remind your forgetful friends that they are loved. In this post I'm going to share how to make DIY birthday cards in no time at all (and without breaking the bank). With these tips and tricks, you will never miss a birthday again! 

Why Make DIY Cards?

Making your own birthday cards can be a fun and creative way to celebrate your friends’ special day. Plus, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg! With just a few simple materials, you can create personalised cards that are sure to put a smile on the face of your nearest and dearest. 

How To Make Physical DIY Cards

One option is to go old-fashioned and create your own DIY cards, and this is a simple process.

Step One: Preparing Your Materials
You can find most of these items at any craft store, or you can even use items that you already have around your home. Here’s what you’ll need: card, marker pens, scissors, a glue stick, and a few decorative items such as stickers, ribbons, or buttons. To get started, gather all of your materials and arrange them on a flat surface. This will make it easier to create your cards. Then, cut your card into the desired size for your card and fold it in half.

Step Two: Decorating Your Card
Now that you’ve prepped your card, you can start decorating! Use marker pens, stickers, or other decorative items to give your card a unique look. Get creative and have fun.

Step Three: Writing Your Message
Once you’ve finished decorating the outside of your card, it’s time to write the message inside. Think of a heartfelt or humorous message that will make the recipient smile. You can also include a funny joke or quote if you wish. If you're not inspired there are plenty of thoughtful quotes or ideas online that you could use instead.

Step Four: Find A Cute Envelope
When you’re done crafting your card, find a cute envelope to put it in. You can use store-bought envelopes or make your own with some extra card. If you're posting the card, then you'll want to write the address on the front - but if you're hand delivering, why not get creative with the envelope too.

How To Make Digital DIY Cards 

Want to put your digital skills to the test, then why not try making a digital card instead? You’ll need a computer, graphics software, and some design skills to get started. But don't worry if you're not at all artistic, there are simpler options too!

Step One: Gather Supplies
To make digital cards, you’ll need a computer and an image-editing program (such as Photoshop or Gimp). You can also use free online tools such as Canva to make your card.

Step 2: Choose A Template
To make your life easier, start by choosing a template from an online template library or create your own from scratch. This will give you a good starting point and make the design process much simpler.

Step Three: Add Photos And Text
Next, add photos and text to your card. You can use stock images or upload your own photos to make the card more personal. Then, type in your heartfelt message or funny joke. If you want to make the card feel more personal, you can always leave the inside of the card blank so you can still hand-write the message instead.

Step Four: Save And Print
When you’re done designing the card, save it as a PDF file and then print it out. Once printed, fold the card along the lines and you’re all set! You could always use a professional online printing service to get the best quality for your card if you don't have the equipment at home.

How To Make E-Cards

Another option is to use e-cards, which are digital cards that you can send via email. The best option for sending to someone who lives in a different country, or loves their modern tech!

Step One: Choose An E-card Service
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to send birthday cards, consider sending an e-card. You can find many free services online, or purchase themed cards from sites like Hallmark.

Step Two: Customise Your Card
Once you’ve chosen a service, customise your card by selecting a design and adding photos and text. Some services allow you to send cards directly from their website or through email.

Step Three: Send Your Card
Once you’re happy with your card, hit the send button! Your recipient will receive the card instantly to their inbox, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting a birthday ever again. How clever is that?


DIY cards are a great way to show your friends and family that you care, and can be done easily even if you’re a forgetful friend. With these tips on how to make DIY birthday cards, you’ll never have to worry about missing a birthday again! Whether you choose to make physical cards or send an e-card from somewhere like Tickle Fluff, your friends will be sure to appreciate the thought and effort you put into their special day.

Do you like to make DIY Cards?

This is a collaborative post.

6 Ways to Keep Your Children Safe Online

Preventing your children from being manipulated online is challenging. You never know what they’re doing or what new threats they might face. Social media, gaming, and other online platforms all pose a significant risk, especially if your child is left to use them unattended. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to protect them though, and in this post I'm going to share 6 tips to hopefully help.

Encourage Critical Thinking

It's incredibly important to not let your child surf the web without intellectually arming them first. Encourage your child to think critically about the information they come across online. Teach them to question the source of information and to fact-check before accepting any information as accurate. Encourage them to be sceptical of clickbait headlines or sensationalist news stories.

Talk Openly and Honestly

Next, make sure you’re communicating with your child effectively. Maintain an open and honest dialogue with them about their online experiences. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or questions they may have. Let them know that they can trust you and that you are there to help them navigate the online world safely.

Always be prepared to talk to them about their online habits if they approach you too. Don’t expect them to figure everything out themselves. They probably won’t and they could land themselves (and you) in significant trouble.

Monitor their Social Media Accounts

Parents should also learn how to prevent social engineering where criminals and hackers try to lure young people into divulging valuable personal information. Point out that children shouldn’t provide anyone with information they meet over the internet, and that they should only give out sensitive details with your supervision.

Teach them to Protect their Personal Information

Most children don’t know what sensitive data is. They don’t understand that personal information, such as passwords, addresses, and phone numbers, can be used by online manipulators to target them. Therefore, it's incredibly important to teach them to never share this information online, and to be cautious when asked to provide personal information. 

Set Clear Rules and Boundaries

Another great tactic to prevent your children from being manipulated online is to set rules. Clear boundaries around your child's use of the internet can include limiting their screen time, setting up parental controls, and monitoring their online activity. Ensure that you explain to your child why these rules are in place and the consequences of breaking them. Once they understand the reasons behind them, they are much more likely to follow them.

Use Online Tools

While advances in technology bring more risks, they also provide parents with the power they need to protect their children against the threats they face on the internet. There are many tools available that can help prevent online manipulation. These include parental control software, content filters, and anti-virus software. Take advantage of these tools to protect your child's online activity.

This is a collaborative post.