The ‘loss’ kids feel when you’re moving home and how to deal with it

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

They say moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do. If you need to throw stuff out because you’re downsizing or moving country, it can be difficult to part with items. Often, when were going through our ‘junk’, such as that box of cables you keep convinced that you’re going to need it one day or those dresses that you think you’ll fit into one day, you find excuses not to throw them out.

So if it’s difficult for you, imagine how your kids may feel, especially if they are sensitive souls. Mom Bronwyn Mann Jacobs today penned some tips on Facebook group ‘South Africans Immigrating to the UK’ on how to deal with the stress and loss your child may be facing if you’re moving abroad and have to do away with some of their toys. Here’s what she said:

Continue reading “The ‘loss’ kids feel when you’re moving home and how to deal with it” →

How to get creative with your kids in Cape Town

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

There’s nothing quite like a child’s imagination, and you can harness that creativity in so many ways. It’s all about coming up with new activities for them to try and giving them the opportunity to explore different things. The more you do with them the more they learn.

There are a lot of fun ways to get creative with your kids at home and out in Cape Town and the surrounds if you don’t want the mess at home! (Scroll down for a list of fun, creative workshops and classes that you and your children can attend together).

Continue reading “How to get creative with your kids in Cape Town” →

Teaching your kids to call for help

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

Do your children know what to do in the event of an emergency? Do they know how to call for help?

When my eldest son was four he went to visit a fire station with his class and I was struck by how impressed he was with it all. Of course little boys would be in awe of such an event. But I was even more impressed when he told me how the fireman had told him what the emergency numbers were.  But at the same time realized how I’d omitted to teach him that myself. I probably thought he wasn’t old enough to absorb that information – but he clearly was! So how do you go about teaching your child about emergency situations?

Continue reading “Teaching your kids to call for help” →

5 Mother’s Day rip-offs

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

Mother’s Day comes around once a year and every year we’re forced into the commercialized hype of of it all. Why? It’s because we’re pressurized by the media, bloggers, advertisers and retail stores to splash out on moms.

Don’t get me wrong, moms do deserve a good spoil, but the last thing she’d want (I’m sure) is for her kids to be ripped off. Here’s how you can ensure that you don’t get pushed into paying more than what you should:

Continue reading “5 Mother’s Day rip-offs” →

Don’t buy your child a cheap bike

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

We all like to save money and for me I make a living advising people not to overspend and whip out the credit card for every little thing they desire. Following my own advice that I dish out on a daily basis has served me well…so far. But there are times when parents (including myself) need to spend more money to ensure that their children get to enjoy a quality product and that they don’t spend more on cr*p that they were enticed to buy thinking they had gotten a bargain.

Continue reading “Don’t buy your child a cheap bike” →

10 Toys that cause injury and death

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

Recommended by CapeTownInsider

Kirstie Haslam, partner at DSC Attorneys is warning parents to be aware of the dangers some toys can pose to the health and well-being of their children following a report by non-governmental organization (NGO) World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.) that was issued in November last year.

The NGO listed the ten most dangerous toys for 2017, which have caused injury and even death.  WATCH was created 45 years ago to monitor and prevent these kinds of accidents by highlighting which toys have the potential to hurt children.

Continue reading “10 Toys that cause injury and death” →

Chore chart tips for parents

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

Today I made my first chore chart for my kids. They’re very rudimentary and basic but I’m certain (read: hoping) they will get the message across. Some of the chores on my list my kids already do. But there’s no consistency. Often my four-year-old, Hayden, will leave the bed a mess and needs to be reminded to make it up. But one day he made it up without me asking him too. Since then, he’s generally left it untouched unless I ask him.

These chores are simple but are things that I expect them to get a handle of, or at least try. They include: feeding the dog, taking the dishes back to the kitchen, which Hayden and Sebastian (2) are generally very good at, tidying the playroom and, of course, making their bed as I mentioned. With Sebastian, the task may be a bit more difficult as his cot is a bit higher than his head. But I’ll encourage him to do the basics – like at least pick up the blankets that he tossed to one side in the night. Continue reading “Chore chart tips for parents” →

Flying with kids

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

*In collaboration with Travelstart

There was a magical time (before kids) when you got on a plane and only had to worry about yourself. Now with a family in tow you’re the one that solo flyers pray that they’re not sitting next to. You’re the one with the screaming child who everyone glares at with a ‘you’re not doing it right’ smirk on their know it all faces.

For parents struggling with active children in a confined space or with a toddler or baby that’s not so sure of this massive tin can that makes lots of noise, it’s hard not feel overwhelmed and underprepared – no matter if the trip is a cheap return flight to Cape Town or a long haul flight to Disneyland, Florida. It’s also hard not be aware of how you’re being judged by other passengers ALL THE TIME.

Continue reading “Flying with kids” →

Cab service for children launches in Cape Town

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

This month sees Cool (Kids) Cabs launch in Cape Town. This cab service for kids promises to be a safe form of transport, with drivers that ensure your child is strapped in safely. Its focus is solely for transporting children from school.

Continue reading “Cab service for children launches in Cape Town” →

Our child-friendly holiday getaways for 2017

Posted on by angeliqueruzicka@hotmail.com

I thought I’d wrap 2017 up with a post about the recent trips we took with the kids over the December holidays. We took three trips in total – yes three! But for one of them I decided to leave the youngest behind (I’ll explain why later in the post).

Some of you may think we’re mad travelling with a two-year-old and a four-year-old. Granted, it wasn’t always easy keeping this energetic bunch in check but I’d say with the places we chose we had an awesome experience and I’d definitely go back to each and every one of them in the future (provided I had the money of course).

I’m also including some money-saving tips at the end because unless you’re related to Zuma or the Guptas, I’d imagine most families need to get a good deal to make the financial burden of going away that much more easy on the wallet. December is, after all, a very long month considering that you have to stretch your salary and bonus all the way to January.

Continue reading “Our child-friendly holiday getaways for 2017” →