Family Life

Things that are to do with the life of a family. Including discussions, home, education, clothing, shoes, etc

McCain – helping with meals when time is short

There really is not enough hours in the day. I have been trying really hard to get enough sleep otherwise I feel really rubbish. I have long since given up on listening to all the advice about what I should and shouldn’t be doing with my kids long ago. After all, everyone disagrees with someone somewhere so whatever I chose to do there’s going to be someone else telling me I’m doing it wrong. I have 4 children who are currently at 3 different schools. Luckily the youngest two are at the local school, but the older two are much further away. Yes my choice, but it often means something has to give. Lunchtime I often seem to miss out on lunch. It is something I really need to work on. I often reach out for a packet of crisps. So it was great to be offered some McCain’s as part of food fortnight. They sent me some vouchers and off I went. The obvious choice me was their fries ready in 5 minutes. This meant that I had no excuse that lunch time not to grab a quick bite to eat. I simply coupled them with some mayonnaise. After School The older boys and my husband do not arrive home until 5pm, so when we needed to be back at the school (16 miles away) for 6pm it did not leave much time for food. I feel it is really important to eat as a family. To be honest if I had not made something quickly before we went then who knows when we would have eaten, and it would have probably resulted in eating out. Again this was a perfect time to cook the Fries ready in 5 minutes. This time I put some fishfingers under the grill and added some baked beans to add a bit of a healthy option to the dinner. This meal was also one that all the boys ate without complaint, as I really did not have time for fussy eating. Chips Appeal Sometimes it is a struggle with a fussy eater. I want to encourage him to eat a balanced diet without going hungry. With us all being so busy we often struggle with meal planning, or food going off. I like how I can have a meal just tucked away in the freezer. I believe that frozen vegetables are healthier too, as they lock in the goodness. Couple with a chicken and vegetable pie and some chips - again a meal which is appealing to the children. That way I can concentrate on getting them to eat their vegetables. Then there’s the ultimate comfort food dinner - we had sausage, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, baked beans and chips - what’s not to love. McCains have such a huge variety of potato based products - in all sorts of shapes, sizes - and they even have chips they cook in the microwave. How often do you have chips? What do you eat them with? What do you cook when you are short on time?

There really is not enough hours in the day. I have been trying really hard to get enough sleep otherwise I feel really rubbish. I have long since given up on listening to all the advice about what I should and shouldn’t be doing with my kids long ago. After all, everyone disagrees with someone … Read more

Bad Parents Perfect Children

bad parents perfect children

Is it hard to admit when you are a bad parent and your child isn’t perfect? Where do bad parents go for advice? So I was reading an article about sexual predators – about how hard it is for them to put their hands up and say – you know what I need help? Once … Read more

Grammar School Appeal

grammar school appeal

When our oldest son took the 11+ we were naive enough to believe that it did not matter which school he went to, and that sitting the test would determine which school would be right for him. Maybe tutoring would have been on our radar if we had thought any differently, but truth is that … Read more

Kids out Playing Alone

Kids out Playing

Making decisions about parenting is probably the most difficult thing I have had to do. There’s so much conflicting advice and there never seems to be any right answers. Some areas seem to have more support for a particular method than others, but some topics are just an absolute minefield. Most parents just want their … Read more

Read on Get on – Save The Children

Read on Get on Save the Children

My son has just started secondary school, his homework was to pick a book to read for ten minutes at school today. This was really easy for him as he loves reading and finds it all too easy. Reading has opened up a whole new World to him, he can immerse himself in fantasy and … Read more

Pancake Pick N Mix – Healthy Breakfast Challenge

Pancake Pick N Mix - Healthy Breakfast Challenge

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so I was delighted to be asked to take part in the Regis Stone Non-Stick Breakfast Challenge. I was interested in the pans ability to be used with no additional oils or butter as I am a Zero Waste Ambassador. I was asked to create my … Read more

Zero Waste help 2014

Zero waste week one more thing

So here it is National Zero Waste Week. This year the theme is One More thing. Well I already reuse my bags at the supermarket, compost , own a Mooncup, used real nappies, breastfed, have a soda stream machine; Last year I looked at my recycling habits and this year I am shopping naked! That is that  have pledged to do … Read more

Back to School Kit List for the Unorganised

Back to School Kit List for the Unorganised

Back to School for the Unorganised So I have just started thinking about getting the school kit ready.  I try to get organised I really do, but it usually ends up with an idea, or even a list and I just never seem to find the time to get around to it. People being ready … Read more

Cotswold Archery Review

Cotswold Archery Review

My older two boys were booked in at Cotswold Archery, which is located in the grounds of Farncombe Conference Centre, which is in the stunning Farncombe Estate, (Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7LJ). Everything was provided (including a drink during an interval) and they had 2 hours of demonstration and practice – with around 3 or 4 bows. The initial day … Read more