Along with many other parents, getting snuggled up to read a bedtime story has always been an important part of the bedtime routine. Of course it's easy to just pick up any old book and just go through the motions of reading the words, but that isn't really exciting for your little ones (or for yourself either). In this post I'm going to share a few ways to help you tell the perfect bedtime story - so read on if you want to know more!

Choosing the Right Story

It is important that before narrating a story, that you've picked the correct one. It can be really hard to perfectly describe something that does not suit the age of the child or his/her preferences. Also, our own personal preferences play a huge role in that. Maybe you have a preference for classic fairytales that your very young children can not understand. Instead it can be a great idea to let your child help with the story decision, as that way they know that it's a story they are going to enjoy. Of course you can help encourage a certain decision by giving them a selection of 5-10 books to pick from.

Before the Narration

With the best story book chosen, then it is time for that magical moment - the reading! When it's late or your children are not behaving particularly well, it can be easy to rush through the book and not read it properly. And the same can be said if you aren't too keen on the book, or the routine has become just that.

But it is super important to try and give your best when reading each night though, as not only is this a lovely part of the day for you and your children to enjoy, but it's crucial for children's learning too - they learn new words and ways of speaking through reading books! Keep all of this in mind before your start.

Narrative Techniques

Υou don't have to become some kind of actor or wordsmith to read a perfect bedtime story, so don't be afraid to really go for it. Your children will really appreciate the effort! Use different voices for different characters, make sure to follow the text (louder for words in bold, and put emphasis on the words in italics, etc). The tone of your voice should go up and down depending on the intensity or description of the story. You could always change some of the words that you think your children may not understand, if that makes the story telling easier for you too.

Of course, you can always turn to professional content that has been created to provide solutions to the problem of narration. Now ebooks and audiobooks offer a modern solution to storytelling, satisfying every need with fantastic storytelling and productions. Professional voice actors work for the best possible result, using their talent to convey the fairy tale's message. You can discover the different types of narrators at Voquent for every kind of story you need for an excellent and immersive experience for you and your children. Our children love using our Toniebox that is a great way for them to listen to stories at their own pace!

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3 Home DIY Hacks for Busy Parents

When you already spend a lot of money on rent or a mortgage or other bills, no one wants to fork out for home fixes too. But DIY is an investment of both time and money! If it goes wrong, you’ve lost (at best) a Sunday afternoon and a few pennies. At worst, you could end up making a serious hash of things.

That said, you should never be afraid to try your hand at something new - provided it’s safe of course! While I don’t recommend you undertake your own electrical work, there are plenty of creative ways to fix up the odd jobs around your home and experiment safely with DIY. And with that in mind, in this post I'm going to share three home diy hacks for busy parents.

Home Rendering

Brickwork has a warm and classic feel to it, but as soon as it becomes worn and battered by age, wear and the impact of the great British weather, it can be a nightmare to fix. If your home needs a new lease of life, or if you simply feel like modernising, rendering from Direct Building Products is a great way to weatherproof your home and revive a shabby exterior. With a range of colours and finishes, you can even recreate the Balamory effect, or keep it simple with eggshell or ivory tones.

Furniture Revival

If your furnishings are looking a little worse for wear, it may be tempting to send them to the tip. And while there’s no point in keeping things which are well beyond repair, there are plenty of ways to get a little extra mileage out of them if you aren’t quite ready to part just yet! If your favourite wooden side table is covered in chips and scrapes from children, pets or general wear and tear, wood markers are a perfect quick fix. Anyone can use them, and they’re available in a wide range of shades so you’re certain to find a perfect match.

Alternatively, for those with a creative streak, a fresh coat of paint in a colour of your choosing can liven up any item of furniture. And if you’re feeling ambitious, decoupage is a great way to personalise your furnishings – use family photos, florals, or even prints out of magazines to create a home centrepiece that serves as a talking point to your guests.

Baskets, Baskets, Baskets!

Organisation is the heart of a happy home, especially if you’ve got young family members for whom tidiness is at the bottom of the priority list. Baskets are a great way to keep things neat and tidy, and they're a great budget-friendly option too. Keep them in cupboards to organise different types of items and you’ll always know where to find those essentials. You could even go one step further and label each basket so you can't forget what got put where. This is particularly useful in kitchens and bathrooms. Failing all else, the Marie Kondo method will rid you of unnecessary clutter - if it does not spark joy, simply throw it away.

What other tips would you add?

This is a collaborative post.