Welcome to my Lifestyle Parenting Blog, where I explore topics related to chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia while embracing a passion for yoga, books, and blogging.

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Improving Your Crafts With Different Techniques
Tanya H Tanya H

Improving Your Crafts With Different Techniques

If you are someone who likes to do some arts and crafts, you are not alone - and you are probably always on the lookout for some way in which to make it a little more interesting and engaging. One way to do that, and to widen out your repertoire in general, is to ensure that you are working on your crafts with a variety of different techniques. This will help to ensure that you are going to have a much better chance of creating what you want to create, so it’s something that you should bear in mind.

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7 Considerations When Picking out Dog Toys
Pets Tanya H Pets Tanya H

7 Considerations When Picking out Dog Toys

There are so many different dog toys to choose from that it can feel overwhelming, and it is important to choose the right one for your dog, not only for its safety but also to make sure he gets the maximum enjoyment from it as well.

The right toy can help support your dog emotionally and help with difficult behavioural issues, so getting the perfect choice for his needs can make a big difference to your dog’s happiness, attitude and your enjoyment with him.

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Decorating with Teapots and Teacups
The Home Tanya Hindes The Home Tanya Hindes

Decorating with Teapots and Teacups

There’s something quaint and inimitable about the delicate beauty of a teapot and a teacup. The only downside is that people rarely use teapots and teacups for their standard cuppa these days. Don’t you wish you could get a little more out of these pieces outside of drinking tea? Well, if you’re a lover of all things tea and teaware, here are a few ways you can decorate with teapots and teacups.

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Our Dog Kiwi and her Pemphigus Foliaceus Autoimmune Disease Journey
Pets Tanya H Pets Tanya H

Our Dog Kiwi and her Pemphigus Foliaceus Autoimmune Disease Journey

I’d just come home from surgery when my husband commented a few times he was worried about Kiwi “she’s not right”. it was quickly clear she was not herself.

That weekend we’d noticed she’d licked her paw pads raw, she was very down in herself and she wasn’t drinking or eating, we took her to the vets and they admitted her in over night to do tests, including blood tests that eliminated any major organ concerns, and they immediately started treating her for possible allergies; they did mention the signs looked autoimmune, but it was rare and they felt it was probably allergies.

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Tricky Conversations You Need to Have When Parenting a Teenager
Tanya Hindes Tanya Hindes

Tricky Conversations You Need to Have When Parenting a Teenager

As a parent, you have to complete lots of tasks that aren’t easy; that’s just part of the job. If you’re going to succeed in being the very best parent you can be, it’s important to know when to step in and when you need to take action. And for your son or daughter, one of the most turbulent times in their life is when they’re going through the changes that come with adolescence.

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5 Top Tips For Buying Dog Food Online
Pets Tanya H Pets Tanya H

5 Top Tips For Buying Dog Food Online

If you're looking to buy dog food online but you're unsure where to start then don't worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you're looking to save money or you want to increase the number of options you have, you need to be sure you're finding the perfect place to buy exactly what you need. Luckily, there are lots of ways in which you can do exactly that. Whether that means looking for offers and deals or shopping around to find the best products, the more you're doing the better. With that in mind, here are 5 top tips for buying dog food online:

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Top Tips For Looking After Your Pets During Summer
Pets Tanya H Pets Tanya H

Top Tips For Looking After Your Pets During Summer

If you're looking for tips and tricks when it comes to looking after your pets during summer but you're unsure where to begin then don't worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you're looking after your dogs or your horses, you need to be sure you're doing all that you can to keep them safe during the summer months. Luckily, there are lots of ways in which you can do exactly that. From ensuring you're keeping them cool to giving them plenty of water, the more you're doing to keep them safe the better. With that in mind, here are some top tips for looking after your pets during the summer:

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My Dad’s Wise Words
Family Life Tanya H Family Life Tanya H

My Dad’s Wise Words

It’s father’s day yesterday, the 2nd year without my dad.

I lost my dad 22 months ago and it has been the most heart-wrenchingly painful, confusing time. Grief never leaves you, it is consuming and suffocating and… numbing - it changes you. 

Amongst all the pain and grief, I have many fond memories, many happy ones, ones that make me smile. 

My dad was always good at energising me but at the same time keeping me grounded, he did this in many ways, and one-way would be from his wise words.

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IBS Truths
Tanya H Tanya H

IBS Truths

IBS Truths

IBS crept up on me so gradually that for the first year or so I didn't realise there was anything wrong. I'd simply ignored and dismissed the symptoms - I'd even resigned myself to accepting that I will probably have digestive problems for the rest my life, they were mild, annoying, and uncomfortable, but I just didn't have the time to go to the doctors for what I thought was something I could live with. I tried to put it to the back of my mind.

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How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
Tanya H Tanya H

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag

We went on our first family camping trip a few weeks ago, it was so much more than we expected.  We all caught the camping bug and are already planning for our next trip.

We just about got all the basics for our first camping trip, apart from one sleeping bag as we wanted the right type and it wasn't available. Everyone had a sleeping bag bar one, but it was not a major issue as we took quilts instead and it was a really warm few days, so it worked out well. However, we definitely need to get one more for our future camping trips.

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How to explain an absent parent and what I learnt
Special Guardianship SGO Tanya H Special Guardianship SGO Tanya H

How to explain an absent parent and what I learnt

When we think about motherhood, the first words that comes to mind are unconditional love and protection. This rings true for me as a mother, but not just to my boys who I gave birth to, but also to my little girl whom I may not have given birth to, but I am her parent.

It's normal that Summer has questions about why her birth parents do not come visit her anymore,

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My First Father's Day Without My Father
Family Life Tanya H Family Life Tanya H

My First Father's Day Without My Father

Sunday was Father's Day, the first Father's Day in my 39-years without my father.

There was no card to buy him, no gift, no visit to see him, no embrace, no kiss from him... nothing.

I have memories, lots of memories, good memories, but these memories are still coupled with the raw grief of losing him, bringing on immense sadness, aching, pain.

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How to Find a Rug that Matches Your Floor Type
The Home Tanya Hindes The Home Tanya Hindes

How to Find a Rug that Matches Your Floor Type

A rug is a fine addition to any room - providing it’s a good match with the décor! Rugs that don’t match often make a room look less attractive, and it may even make the room a bit more dangerous, especially if slippery!

Therefore, it’s important to think about a few things when buying a new rug, with one of the most important being matching it with your floor. Doing so ensures you have a stylish rug that adds to the room, while also making sure it won’t slip or cause you to trip.

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Gazillion Bubbles Brand New Bubble Pong Game
Tanya H Tanya H

Gazillion Bubbles Brand New Bubble Pong Game

We were sent the Gazillion Bubbles Brand New Bubble Pong Game.

We love bubbles! There is something endearingly fun about them, so add bubbles to a game of pong, and, well, you have, a fab game!

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Dear Oven RIP
Family Life Tanya H Family Life Tanya H

Dear Oven RIP

Dear oven, RIP. 

Our much loved oven gave us 10 years, 10 years of family cooked meals, thousands of cooked meals (good and bad). But, its' not been smooth sailing, we've certainly had some ups and downs over the 10 years; the good and the bad, we've been through a lot!

The first time the oven broke down, it was easily fixed. It was the heating element, I watched the engineer fix it, and I remember thinking to myself, wow that was simple, I'll change it myself in future if the oven breaks down again.

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Anxiety in Dogs: Is Stress Affecting Your Pet?
Tanya H Tanya H

Anxiety in Dogs: Is Stress Affecting Your Pet?

We’ve all had restless night’s where the worries of the day have left us unable to relax — but did you know dogs can also be kept awake due to stress? According to a recent study, dogs suffer a worse sleep if they have experienced negative interactions and behaviour before laying down to rest. Researchers also discovered that canines that enjoyed more positive experiences managed to sleep more soundly than those that didn’t.  

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