If you have been reflecting on all the wonderful achievements and successes you’ve experienced this year, just imagine what 2014 could hold for you and your family! Have you thought about or set the goals you would like to achieve? Do you have a particular challenge in mind? Creating goals along with a plan of action could ensure 2014 is your most exciting year yet!

Take a moment to really visualise your goals: think about what you want to achieve and why. Think about how success will make you feel and consider what accomplishing this goal would mean to you. Write down your thoughts...

2013 was always at risk of being a bit of a “damp squib”. Not only does it contain the fateful number 13, unlucky for some, it followed what was possibly the most exciting year in our generation’s history (in case you’re wondering, I’m referring to the Jubilee, Royal Wedding and Olympics!). Yet goals will still have been achieved this year, records broken, lives born and new ideas launched. So what was the best thing to happen to you in 2013?

Did something amazing happen this year? The big achievements are the easy, obvious moments to celebrate but it is often...

Preparing for Christmas is a bit like a marathon. You set off on the start line thinking how much you’ve got to do – the shopping, catering, decorating, sending cards and so on. Trying to respond to these demands whilst dealing with last minute costume dramas for the school panto can be a stitch waiting to happen! Have you considered how you’ll survive the actual day without something tripping you up?

Over time, stress can build up, especially when you put yourself under immense pressure to conform to society’s traditions and expectations. Before you have a complete...

Christmas is just over a month away and it can be a very stressful time, especially on your bank balance! Here are some great tips that will help you stay within budget, allowing you to enjoy a happy, stress-free Christmas.

Make a list and check it twice!
Write a list of everything you think you’ll need to purchase for the festive season. Include presents, food, drink, decorations and travel expenses. Once you have it all written down in front of you, you will be able to juggle your budget to accommodate everything you want to purchase. It will also help focus on what you need as well...

When life runs at a million miles per hour, it is common to feel out of control and unfulfilled with life. Mums spend so much time trying to keep up with their routines that they leave little or no time for fun or relaxation. When this happens, it can be difficult to find a way to get back on track but with reflection and a revised schedule, you can be enjoying an easier, more fulfilling and happier life in no time!

Find your ideal balance.
Not everyone’s ideal of life balance will be the same. If you’re trying to live life according to someone else’s principles,...

Despite all that is easily available on the Internet and High Street, the demands of a hectic, modern and competitive lifestyle can leave you feeling unfulfilled and unsuccessful. However, if you truly analysed what you do have, you would probably feel both humbled and happy.

The excesses of modern living and the influence of celebrity lifestyles will, inevitably, impact on the desires of people the world over. Wanting what others have is not a new phenomenon but it can often leave you feeling drained and anxious, which will ultimately impact the relationships with those closest to you.

The...

Living the life you really want is about making choices that are right for you and your family. If you considered all the decisions you made during the last week, it is likely many of them considered the needs of others – the people outside of your immediate family - before your own. If this is the case, you are not necessarily making choices that are congruent with your desired lifestyle.

Living the life you want is not about being selfish. It is about finding a balance; ensuring your own needs are met as a priority, whilst keeping others happy, or at the very least, satisfied with...

Weekends can suddenly disappear into a whirlwind of DIY, catching up with friends and and never-ending piles of ironing. However, the thing most parents want to do at the weekend is spend quality time with their kids. Making time for quality moments with your children can be tricky but not impossible, if you make it a priority.

The easiest and best way to allocate quality time is to mark “FAMILY TIME” on the calendar over three hours on a Saturday or Sunday – and ensure it happens. Do this every weekend because even this short amount of time can help you to re-connect,...

In my recent posts, I’ve explained how much easier summer holidays can be when you plan your schedule in detail. This will ensure you fit in all your usual tasks and make time for family fun! Here are some more great tips to enjoying the summer!

What’s on?
You can easily find out what activities are planned in your local area – or any areas of the UK you may be visiting – by searching online. Look out for free activities and community events, such as carnivals or duck races, as the whole family can get involved.

Coupon Cutters
Most major attractions offer online...

The most common challenge faced by mumpreneurs wanting to proactively grow their businesses is limited resources, such as time and money. These constraints are the biggest hurdles when trying to balance work and family life.

There is no right or wrong way to allocate your time; it has to suit your situation and how you want to live your life. You may want to spend more time at home than at work or vice versa. Once you have decided, you can allocate a set number of hours for your business, which you can schedule in accordance with your family’s routine and your workload. You must have...