Tears, tantrums and joy

Working from home can seem like the perfect solution for parents - if you are considering this please read my pros and cons before you make up your mind:

Pros

>Work can be more flexible and fit in with your family lifestyle

>If you can work around your kids routines and your partner helps out you may not need childcare

>You will save money on childcare and travel costs - also on office rental if you are self-employed

>You may find it easier to concentrate as there are no work colleagues to distract you

Cons

>If your kids are not yet at school it may prove difficult to do your work around their routines.  They do not always stick to their routines and certainly do not understand that they can’t interrupt you while you are working

>There is of course children’s school holidays to consider also

>Visitors coming along your home and phone calls can also be an unwanted distractions

>You may find it more difficult to switch off from work and relax as it is in your own home

Working from home can be very successful for many parents.  It all really depends how many hours you are expecting to be able to work each day and how you organise your time.  You must be honest with yourself at the start and not expect yourself to perform miracles.  You cannot do a full day’s work at home while directly supervising young children.  You may be able to fit in a few hours and maybe some again at night when they are sleeping.  Partners and parents may be able to help out with childcare to allow you to work.  If your children are at the school this obviously makes working from home a more viable option.  You must organise your time well and be very disciplined as it is easy to get distracted with other things while in your own home.

Please visit my website at:

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy

Store and supermarket shopping are a normal thing for us all to do nowadays.  The small corner and country shops are diminishing in numbers.  So too are the specialised shops such as Butchers, fish mongers, bakers etc.  The supermarkets tempt us in with all their varieties and choices.  Bargains galore are to be found on their shelves which will save you a fortune - or will they?

My supermarket bill seemed to be going up and up in recent months so I decided a bit of an experiment was in order.  I began to use my local shops more and cut out the supermarket shop for a while to see how I got on:

>I found I did save money using the local shops.  I tended to buy what I went in for and was not tempted to buy other things I was tempted into at the supermarket

>However I did not obviously have the same choice when it came to fruit and vegetables which annoyed me - the meat and fish I ate though were of superior quality

>I had to change my routine a bit in order to do my shopping at the local shops - as obviously they were not open as long as the supermarket

In the future I have decided to use my local shops more often and have found a brilliant fish van that delivers to my door every week.  I will still use my local supermarket every week for fruit and vegetable as I like the variety and freshness there - but will stick only to this lane then get out before temptation beckons.

Please visit my website at:

http://www.tearstantrumsand joy.com

I think it is fair to say that most of us are feeling the pinch of the credit crunch this year and are looking for new ways to entertain the family on a tighter budget.  I have so far this year had some brilliant family outings while watching the pennies:

*Get a copy of your local visitors guide.  You’ll be a amazed how many place you have never visited for years or maybe not at all. Set of for the day and visit somewhere new

*When it’s a nice day pack a pic-nic and head of somewhere - children love this and the cost is minimal

*Look at places near you and go there for an overnight stay - this saves on travel costs.  It also saves on long, tedious journeys and means you get more family time

*Go and visit friends who have children - playing in someone else’s garden is so much more fun for children

Remember children love spending time with you, playing with other children and seeing different things.  They get as much enjoyment out of a pic-nic in the park that an elaborate, expensive trip.  Spend time with them and have fun and they will too!!

Please visit my website at:

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy.com

The best tip I could ever give a new parent is not to fall into the extravagant birthday party syndrome.  Remember when you do this at an early age it is for you not for the child.  It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling like your child is getting less than others or that you are not such a good parent as so and so because your party wasn’t  as big.  Of course we all know that is rubbish but I see parents fall into this trap all the time.

All children are different and obviously like different things so why not think about what your child will enjoy.  My advice would be for the first few years to have a small house party.  Invite close family and/or friends.  They can bring their children along and play in the house and the garden.  This takes the stress of you as it is people you are used with and find easy to talk to.

Think about what time the party is at? Who you are making the food for?  Some parties seem to be just for children others have a more adult base.  In the beginning there will be obviously be adults there with their children so make it clear  beforehand who the food is for.  When I do house parties I always take the adults into account especially if they are travelling a while to get to your house.

Now there are of course supermarket deals on party food which are sometimes quite good value and can save you a lot of work.  Stock up on paper plates and cups when you see them on special offer - usually after Christmas and Summer time.  If you find the idea of people in your house too stressful you can always check out you local hotel as they often have small rooms that they will give you quite cheaply.  They may also give you a good deal on food or let you take your own.  Village halls are also good venues for parties at a reasonable cost.  Make sure you arrive early though to put the heaters on as they can be quite chilly.  The main thing with a party is to make sure that your child and all the guest have a good time.  I think this is easier to do with a smaller number.  Your child will be at school soon enough and telling you what he wants to do and invite - save the stress and pennies now while you can!!

Please visit my website at:

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy.com