I have just taken the everyday life hazard perception test and failed miserably!  It seems I am walking around oblivious to danger, scoring a measly 1/11 on the test.  The test is by LV Victoria and aims to highlight the dangers around us and can be found here.  All I can say is that I’m glad I don’t live in a city or I would probably have ended up in A&E by now.  I wonder if they will invent a driving to work version? I do kind of hope not.

I only earned my provisional walking licence.  If you see me, cross the street, I’m a health hazard!

Can you beat me?

It’s easy to think that you’re all on your own if your household is in debt. This isn’t true, though – in fact, the average household in the UK owed £11,101 in January, without taking mortgages into account.

This figure had grown a fair bit since August 2012, when it was £10,563. The figure of £11,101 is actually the highest recorded by the Aviva Family Finances Report to date. This borrowing is made up partly of credit cards (39%), overdrafts (26%), personal loans (22%) and payday loans (6%).

15% of families in the UK owe money to other family members, too.

So nearly all families have their fair share of debt to deal with. However, the amount of debt you have isn’t the issue – it’s how well you’re dealing with it. A multi-millionaire could have a hundred thousand pounds of debt they could pay back easily, while someone else could have a few thousand that they can’t afford to repay at all.

Here are a few tips on what to do if you’re struggling with debt, provided by 4debtmanagement.co.uk.

The first thing you need to do is contact your lenders and tell them about your situation. Tell them how much you can afford to repay every month and try and work out a new repayment plan with them.

If that doesn’t work, or you want some guidance first, it’s best to seek expert advice. A professional adviser will be able to recommend the right approach for you – whether that’s just budgeting a bit better or starting a professional debt solution.

If you think you would be able to pay your debts in full – but you just need a bit more time to do that – a debt management plan might be the right approach. If your lenders agree to it, a debt management plan could shrink your monthly repayments to a level you can afford, and spread them over a longer period.

The interest and charges on your debts might even be frozen (although if they aren’t, you might end up paying more). Just bear in mind that repaying your debts more slowly will have an impact on your credit rating.

Click here to find out more about how a debt management plan works.

Birmingham BMX track has a brilliant mini circuit for strider riding.  I have watched my son in envy as he has had fun on his strider this past year, often wishing that somebody would invent a strider for adults, so that I could have a go.  To my delight, it seems that the people at the BMX track thought the same as me and they have converted an old BMX into a strider.  I found out why my son sleeps so soundly after a strider session now – it’s really hard work!

When Cub was ready to wean, I looked at many different seating options for him, from high-chairs to pods and finally settled on a Mamas and Papas booster seat.  It folded up so that I could carry it to places and I loved that I didn’t have an enormous high-chair taking up floor space.  The only thing I saw to gain from an actual chair was an increased tray size but I was supposing that babies would make a mess on the floor regardless.  It worked very well, this particular one, which was similar to this, but after a few years of constant use, the up/down mechanism seized and it looked generally a bit battered, so I binned it.  At that time, my son seemed to prefer a normal chair but I regretted making such a hasty decision on it’s removal.

Luckily, my Mamas and Papas angel must have been smiling on me one day, because I was offered the Baby Bud to review.  This seat, although it doesn’t fold, looks very easy to carry all the same, with a nice handle at the back and with it being so light.  I am not planning to carry it at them moment, but it does look rather smart atop one of my dining chairs.

It is sturdy but light and has three available heights that are achieved by adjusting the feet.  This was also handy for my not-quite-flat chair that dipped a bit with the cushioning on the back – I adjusted the front feet to be a notch lower tan the back.  The seat has been put through it’s cleaning paces this weekend while we were making Easter cards – glitter, paint and glue all came off it really easily. I wriggled the seat restraints out of the holes for my son, which was a bit of a struggle but not too much hard work.  I gave up strapping him in a chair when he began to wriggle himself out of the straps on the previous booster.  He still won’t sit still to eat but the motion caused by him trying to escape looked pretty dangerous.  He is three now and I an see us using this for another year or even more, depending on his rate of growth.  There is a rubbery inner that  left in for him to sit on that can be removed as he grows too.

Cub loves his “big boy seat” (his name not mine) and tells me that it is very comfortable and he has even remained seated for several meals in it, which is a very pleasant surprise for me (getting him to sit still and eat has been a bit of an issue this far).

A small but welcome touch was the placement of strap clips to prevent excess strap:

Mamas and Papas are a a good reliable brand and this booster seat is one that I would recommend above any of their other ones for comfort, portability, ease of use and longevity (I judge this on the potential for use for 6 months until your child grows out of it).   This picture, from the box demonstrates the stages of Baby Bud but the website demonstrates this with greater clarity.

Mamas & Papas research reveals new parents’ money worries

Research being revealed today by nursery retailer Mamas & Papas confirms new parents in the UK are feeling the financial pressure of the recession. A significant proportion of young parents are having to use their savings, take out a loan or even borrow off their families in order to pay for day-to-day essentials. One in three new parents are concerned about how they will pay off their debts and even more worry about how they can possibly save for their children’s future. Recent research* reveals that parents-to-be put aside on average £2,547 to pay for the extra expenses that come with a new baby.

To support increasingly hard pressed new families, Mamas & Papas are today launching ‘Baby Basics’, a hand-picked list of all the quality essential items parents will need for those first few crucial months and beyond. Consisting of 21 items and at a total of £717, parents are able to get everything they need for the same price some parents would spend solely on their first push chair. Parents can be safe in the knowledge that all the products selected for the list are of a high Mamas & Papas quality – the list includes the award winning Luna push chair as well as a car seat, cot, bedding, clothes, steriliser and feeding equipment.

Key findings from the research included:

• 28% (1 in 4) of new parents have needed to borrow money from their family to make ends meet
• 40% of new parents say they are having to use their savings to cover the day to day essential costs
• 20% of young families have had to take out a loan since having a baby in order to make ends meet
• 30% of parents are worried about being able to pay off their debts since having a baby
• Over 40% of new parents were worried about how they are going to save for their children’s future

Other research*** revealed that parents are most likely to feel under financial pressure when their children are aged under two than at any other time. Mums and Dads of under twos are also most likely to:

• Worry about their income and finances (56%)
• Argue about money with their partner / family (22%)
• See an increase in their household debts (19%)

More worryingly 27% of parents of under twos admit they’ve stopped saving as a result of having a family, while 32% have dipped into savings in order to make ends meet.

Olivia Robinson, Creative and Brand Director of Mamas & Papas and youngest daughter of David and Luisa (founders of Mamas & Papas) said: “As parents we understand that Mums and Dads worry about what they need to buy for their new baby and how much it’s going to cost. We recognise that for many parents this is a real challenge, so have used our experience to create the Mamas & Papas Baby Basics list. Parents can be assured that when they purchase the products on the list they are getting everything they need without breaking the bank!”

Baby Basics is launching today and will be available online and through stores. Parents interested in the list should pick up the Baby Basics leaflet in stores. A Mamas & Papas expert adviser will happily help parents find all of the items they need.

* Research supplied by Aldermore Bank

Research supplied by Aviva Insurance

Baby Basics List

• Aton Car Seat – Black Jack – £120
• Luna Pram/Pushchair – £159
• Bedtime Hugs Changing Mat – £14
• Bubble Bouncer – £19.95

Sleeping

• Bibi Cot – £105
• Basic Foam Mattress 200 – £35
• 2 Cot/Bed Fitted Sheets (70x142cm) Cream – £19
• Cellular Cot/Bed Blanket Cream – £12
• Motorola Digital Baby Monitor MBP11 – £35
• Bedtime Hugs Deampod 0-6 Months – £18

Clothing

• 3 Pack All in One White – £14
• 5 Pack Essential Socks White – £10
• Essentials 2 Pack Mitts Cream – £4
• Essentials 2 Pack Hats Cream – £8
• Essentials Velour Spot Pramsuit Cream – £32
• 5 Pack Sleeveless Bodysuits – £10
• Fur Booties – £8

Feeding

• Tommee Tippee – Closer To Nature Electrical Steriliser Kit – £50
• Muslin Squares, White – £12
• 3 Pack Bibs – £8

TOTAL: £717

Recently I was given this cute infographic compiled by Legal and General, compiling the thoughts of six year olds with regards to financial matters.

I found it cute/scary/funny, so I thought I’d share it with you.  It certainly highlights the need for financial education in children!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Do you see a theme?  My New York sister is starting a family tradition with these glasses I think.  And hasn’t my hair grown!

Have fun folks!

Little ones who are taking their first steps can easily suffer from bumps and falls. Head injuries are particularly common amongst babies, though there are steps, which you can take to make your house safe for adventurous youngsters. Despite efforts, accidents can still occur and in these situations it is vital to know what to do to prevent the situation worsening. As well as first aid and contacting a doctor, taking follow-up steps may also be required. In some cases it is possible to claim head injury compensation, with the guidance and advice of a professional legal firm.

Staying safe by following a few simple tips should prevent many incidents from occurring in the first place, whilst not discouraging your baby from exploring their new world.

The kitchen can be a hazard for tots, and with many houses having open-plan layouts, keeping your baby out of this room by simply shutting a door isn’t always an option. Items in your kitchen can be dangerous when in little hands, so make sure unsafe crockery and cutlery is kept well out of reach. Fit locks onto cupboards and drawers and keep glassware and knives out of sight – those glinting and shiny surfaces can seem very attractive to unknowing babies! Covering sharp table and cupboard corners is also a simple way of preventing injury, and don’t forget to keep all kitchen appliances and electrical wires well away from worksurface edges.

Despite its dangers, the kitchen can also provide a safe area for a child to develop and learn. As such, you may like to keep safe items in one cupboard, to allow for older ones to explore. Contents could include lightweight pans, wooden spoons and empty plastic containers.

The bathroom is also a hotspot for accidents and head injuries. Make sure to lock all all medicines and sharp objects – like razors and scissors – in a cupboard, out of sight. Bathtime can be fun, though to prevent slips and scalds, a few measures should be carried out first. If possible, lower the optimum temperature on your water heater, and always run the cold tap first when preparing a bath, to prevent burns. Use a non-slip mat in the bath and – most importantly – never leave your child unattended in the bathtub.

Even having taken these simple precautionary measures, your child may still have an accident and suffer a head injury. Knowing what to do if this occurs, then, is vital. There are a few warning signs to look out for which indicate serious injury: vomiting, complaining of neck pain, difficulty walking or balancing and even momentary loss of consciousness can all spell a serious incident. In these cases, a doctor should be contacted immediately. If your baby or child has knocked their head and has lost consciousness, taking just a few actions can be essential to your little one’s future health.

After an accident, do not try and move your child, as this could worsen possible neck or back injury. If the head injury has caused a fit or seizure, turn your child on their side and support their head, whilst waiting for emergency services to arrive. If there is an open head wound apply a sterile cover, but do not attempt to clean the wound or apply direct pressure. These actions could disrupt a possible fracture or worsen any bleeding.

No mum wants to think about these worst-case scenarios, and by protecting your home they will likely never occur. However, knowing how to act quickly and calming in such incidents

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post

I am becoming a big fan of Simon and Schuster, who make books for kids of all ages.  I have recently been privileged to receive the new book titles that accompany the DreamWorks film Rise of the Guardians, recently released into cinemas.  The books have a wide age range, from a ‘ready to read’ book to a Junior novelisation.  Mt almost-three year-old loves the books, and has enjoyed naming the new characters such as Jack Frost, the tooth fairy and yetis and sticking the stickers that are inside two of the books.  Because it is Christmas month, and one of the characters is North aka Santa, the stories have caught his imagination and we have enjoyed looking at the books together at bedtime.

It has certainly made me want to watch the film, and I might just treat him to his very first cinema trip, so that he can see the book’s characters up there in the big screen.  The film itself I have read mixed reviews about but I am choosing to listen to the ones that describe it as magical, because the books certainly lead me to think that way.

Simon and Schuster are also offering the set of five books that accompany Rise of the Guardians to win as a prize in a competition.

Please enter via the rafflecopter form below.  The Competition will run until 17th December 2012 so that there is plenty of time to receive them before Christmas.  The prize will be sent out direct from the publishers.  No alternatives will be offered.  Any prize not claimed within 5 days will be re-drawn.  UK only.  No cheating or unpleasantness please

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good morning everyone.  On Saturday I reviewed two Kindle books.  This morning I received an email thanking me for this and links to three books, one of which I reviewed.  For just today and tomorrow (Monday and Tuesday 24/25 September 2012) they are FREE!

I’ve not had a chance to look at their content yet because I wanted to get the links up for you with the limited time available.

Maybe by way of thanks to the publishers you could leave a comment here, and/or an Amazon review?

Here are the links:

Codley and the sea cave adventure

Good enough parenting – The Sensible Discipline Guide for New Parents (Toddlers and Young Children from Ages 1-6)

My First Book of ABC and 123: An Educational Picture Book for Young Children (Bonus Games and Activities Included)

Enjoy!