Getting a will drafted isn’t the most thrilling or pleasant thing to do. However, it’s really important. It’s especially important when you have children because as well as making financial provision for them, you are naming a legal guardian who would have responsibility for them in the event that something happens to both of you.

Wills are also very important if you’re not married or not in a civil partnership. When a person dies without leaving a valid will their estate is shared out according to certain rules. These are called the rules of intestacy. Only married couples or civil partners (and some other close relatives) can inherit under these rules.

Another thing to note is that whilst it’s fine to include your funeral wishes within a will this isn’t actually legally binding.

Will Aid month – donate to charity instead of paying a solicitor 

November is Will Aid month. During this month, instead of paying a participating solicitor a fee for drafting a will/wills, you are invited to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid. The donation supports the work of nine Will Aid charities:

ActionAid, AgeUK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers and Trócaire

The suggested donation is £100 for a basic will or £180 for a pair of basic mirror wills. To give you an idea of the usual costs, the Co-op charges from £150 for a single will and from £245 for mirror wills. It’s worth noting that the final cost is likely to be higher as these are the entry level prices.

We gave the suggested donation, so it cost significantly less than our solicitor’s usual fee and we’d given to charities – win, win.

Book in plenty of time so you can get a November appointment. You can look up participating Will Aid solicitors here.

A note on mirror wills

Mirror wills describes when a husband and wife or partners make almost identical wills. Often in these cases each person leaves everything to the  other if they die. In the event that both die together then any inheritance goes directly to the children. There are various pros and cons to mirror wills and obviously everyone’s situation is different, so, as always, do your own research!

For more information visit: https://www.willaid.org.uk/ 

The post Will Aid Month – Getting Wills Drafted For Less appeared first on The Parent Social.

Autumn walks

It’s really the most interesting time of the year to go on a walk. Here are some of my favourite places to visit with the family.

Painshill Park at Autumn

The beautiful landscaped gardens of Painshill Park (which you may have glimpsed during the Bridgerton series!) have a host of attractions at any time of year. There’s the Gothic Temple, the Turkish tent, a 14-acre lake, the Temple of Bacchus, the fairytale crystal grotto and the Gothic tower, to name a few.

Autumn only adds to its charms. There are a number of walking routes you can follow, which take in the Painshill sights. Additionally, it’s running “Into the Woods: Parent & Child Forest School Autumn Special” and “Home Education Outdoor Learning Sessions.” Both are on from October, 3rd to December, 12th, 2025.

Find out about all of Painshill Park’s activities here: https://www.painshill.co.uk/events-at-painshill/

Leith Hill (Dorking)

We’ve had some lovely walks around here. The Woodland trail is a route of 2.5 miles (takes up to two hours), which takes you through woodland, up to Leith Hill Tower, where you can grab a cuppa and a sweet treat, and Leith Hill Place. This was home to Josiah Wedgwood III (of pottery fame) who was married to Caroline Darwin sister of naturalist Charles. It was more recently the childhood home of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

In season, there’s a huge array of mushrooms (for fungi enthusiasts, this is a great spotter book) and there as loads of great trees, including sweet chestnuts, which offer bountiful foraging opportunities.

Here are the details of the different routes: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/leith-hill/leith-hill-woodland-walk

Claremont Landscape Gardens (Esher)

This is another National Trust favourite of ours near Esher. There are lovely landscaped gardens but with plenty of wild areas, and a big lake complete with plenty of wildlife an opportunities for boating. You’ll also find a very nice children’s play area (Queen Victoria used to play at Claremont when she was a child).

This year, Claremont invites you to its We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt Halloween Adventure, based on the bestselling children’s books. From Wednesday, 15th October to Sunday, 2nd November, children can find the ghosts hidden around the garden whilst playing Halloween hoopla, racing their broomstick, and avoiding warty toads along the way, all before joining the celebration party and collecting a sticker prize. The trail is free with normal admission.

Find out more about what you can expect to see at Claremont this autumn: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscape-garden/features/autumn-colour-at-claremont-landscape-garden

Winkworth Arboretum at Autumn

What better place to witness autumn’s splendour than at an arboretum? Winkworth Arboretum comprises of 121 acres of wild woodland with over 1,000 species of trees and shrubs. It is wonderful at any time of year, but it is renowned for its displays in autumn. We were there at the start of October as the leaves were starting to turn.

This year, children can join Cyril and Bruce, two greedy squirrels, as they learn to share on this rhyming adventure trail through the arboretum. Based on the bestselling children’s book by Rachel Bright, and running until November 2nd, this interactive trail is free with normal admission.

There’s plenty on for adults too, including a foray into fungi, photography and forest bathing.

More details about what is on at Winkworth this autumn can be found below.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/winkworth-arboretum/winkworth-arboretum-autumn

Wisley in the Autumn (Woking)

RHS garden Wisley is vast and boasts a wide range of flora. As well as an arboretum, there’s Seven Acres with its wide open lawns, ponds and fine specimen trees. Oakwood is a hot spot for autumn foliage. You’ll be able to see many autumn-flowerers in the Rock Garden, Alpine Display House and in all the borders.

Pumpkins are front and centre stage at Wisley this year. The pumpkin garden trail runs Saturday, 25th October to Sunday, 2nd November (weekdays 10am – 4.30pm and weekends 9am – 4.30pm).
There will be an array of seasonal surprises including the pumpkin banquet table, pumpkin decorated trees and spooky scarecrows keeping guard over the autumn crops. There’s also Sow and Grow, Pumpkin Power with Jean Vernon, Pumpkin Palooza with Zoolab and the Pumpkin Buffet. Find out more here: What’s on October Half Term.

For full details of what’s looking good at Wisley right now, visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/explore-wisley/looking-good-now

Autumn at Polesden Lacy (Great Bookham)

From the South Lawn at Polesden Lacey, you can take in the lovely views of Ranmore Common. The ancient woodland has a diverse range of trees, so it is awash with striking colours until late October. Perserve Copse has a variety of Acer trees. These provide a lovely display and there’s plenty to see in the Sunken Garden. There are many trails to explore too.

This autumn, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt has arrived Polesden Lacey (6th, September to 9th, November). Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through the new sensory trail to find the bear.

Find out more, here.

Discover the other autumn highlights here.

Enjoy your autumn walks and please share your favourites.

The post Six Surrey Spots for a Great Autumn Display appeared first on The Parent Social.

Mayfield Lavender’s ‘Malice in Lavenderland’ Spooky Trail and Pumpkin Patch

You might know Mayfield Lavender for its glorious purple fields in the summer, but new, for this autumn, is something entirely different. In the Secret Lavender Garden at its Epsom site, Malice in Lavenderland promises a quirky, family-friendly Halloween experience.

Pumpkin picking combines with an immersive trail, which is a twist on the classic Alice in Wonderland adventure. After you’ve found your perfect pumpkin from 1000s, fall down a rabbit hole as White Rabbit guides you through a whimsical, character-filled, autumn garden trail, which includes haunted mirrors, cobwebbed tea parties, fiendish flowers, creepy wishing well, Mad Hatter’s Garden, Twin Peaks, Queen of Hearts’ Domain, and ghost train. Adventurers wind their way through the garden to find the 15 mysterious, hidden stations and crack riddles to win a prize. This is the most budget-friendly of the pumpkin patches and Halloween experiences listed here.

• Dates: Saturday, 4th October – Friday, 31st October
• Opening Hours: 10:00am – 4:00pm Arrival Slots: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm (last timed entry). Time slots are for arrival only; visitors can stay as long as they wish until closing at 4pm
• Tickets: £5 per person (ages 4+), free for under 4s.
• Ticket includes entry to the Secret Lavender Garden, pumpkin patch, activity trail and reserved parking.
• Location: Mayfield’s Secret Lavender Garden, 139 Reigate Road, Epsom, KT17 3DW

For booking and further details, go here: https://www.mayfieldlavender.com/

Priory Farm Discovery Land Halloween Trail and Pumpkin Picking

Priory Farm has been a staple for us over the years, offering something different each visit. This autumn, they invite you to step into a world of playful mischief, gentle spookiness, and outdoor adventure with three different experiences.

The Discovery Land Halloween Trail is filled with booby-trapped mud monsters, trick trap doors, illusion tricks, silly surprises and magical storytelling. There is also a PYO pumpkin field, complete with tractor rides. This takes riders to the Hay Bale Maze, where twists and turns lead to hidden surprises and a secret slide. If you just want to pick your pumpkins at your own pace, they also offer a Park and Pick experience, which still provides plenty of photo opportunities, pumpkin displays, and seasonal play features.

Dates: Open Tuesday – Sunday from 4th October to 12th October. Open daily from Tuesday, 14th October – Sunday, 2nd November.
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm (last slot at 2.30pm; Halloween trail slots are half an hour)
Discovery Land Tickets: Peak Entry – online: £12 + 50p booking fee. On The Door: £13
Off Peak Entry – online: £9 + 50p booking fee, on the Door: £10 (free under 2s)
Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins Tractor & Trailer Rides Tickets: Online: £8 + 50p booking fee.
On The Door: £9 (tickets required for all aged 1+)
Park and Pick Pumpkins: Online: £6 + 50p booking fee, on the door: £7 (tickets required for all aged 1+)
Location: Priory Farm Estate, Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, RH1 4EJ

For more details and booking, go to: https://prioryfarm.co.uk/discovery-land/halloween/

Tulleys Farm

Tulleys is the OG, the big daddy and is billed as the UK’s number one pumpkin festival, boasting a staggering million gourds. We’ve had numerous visits over the years, and if you’re looking for scale, then this is your place. There are over 30 picturesque photo opportunities dotted throughout the pumpkin fields, as well as autumnally-themed roaming characters. The pumpkin village is home to Tulley’s newly extended food court. There is a daytime pumpkin festival as well as Pumpkin Nights, which are both family-friendly. For older children (16 years+) and adults, Tulleys is also famous for its Shocktober Fest, which is Europe’s largest scream park. I’ve never been, but by all accounts, it’s pretty terrifying!

Dates: Saturday, 4th October – Friday, 31st October
Opening Hours: Daytime: 9:30am-5:30pm (last entry at 4:00pm) Pumpkin Nights: Slots from 6pm-8pm.
Daytime Tickets: Adult (14 years+) general admission from £8.00 to £13.95. Child (2 to 13 years) general admission from £8.00 to £13.95.
Pumpkin Night Tickets: Adult (14 years+) general admission from £11.95 to £18.95. Child (2 to 13 years) general admission from £11.95 to £18.95.
Location: Tulleys PYO Pumpkin Fields, Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, (closest post code for Sat Nav RH10 4PD)

For more details and booking, go to: https://www.tulleysfarm.com/

Pumpkin Picking at Garson Farm Pumpkin Parade 2025

Garsons is well known for its enormous pick-your-own farm, which has produce from late May through to October (read more about the PYO farm). However, autumn is when gourds take centre stage. At the Pumpkin Parade 2025, pumpkins and magic come alive in a charmed Fairytale Land. Wander through the pumpkins before being greeted by scenes of familiar children’s classic tales and family film favourites. Enjoy interactive activities and games and plenty of fantastic photo opportunities too (both outdoors and undercover). 

As you’d expect, all the pumpkins are farm-grown and you can select a prime specimen, whether you’re after a mini or a bumper one!

Dates: Saturday, 4th October – Friday, 31st October
Opening Hours: 9am with the last slot at 4pm.
Pumpkin Parade Tickets: £6 per person, aged 2+ years (infants aged 0-24 months are free of charge and do not require a ticket). Discounts available for family and group bookings.
Location: Garson Farm PYO, Winterdown Rd, Esher KT10 8LS

For more details and booking, go to: https://www.garsons.co.uk/pyo-farm/pumpkin-tickets

Wizards & Witches Week at Bocketts Farm Park

Bocketts Farm Park will see a spooky transformation over half term with its dedicated Witches & Wizards Week. You’ll be able to go pumpkin picking in the Pumpkin Village and follow the Spooky Stamp Trail as well as enjoy activities such as the Bocketts Disco, the Reptile Roadshow, science and slime shows and Craft Corner, which provide children with the opportunity to create a range of spooky things to take home. Of course, there’ll also be the usual favourites, including tractor and pony rides, pig racing and face painting.

Tickets are more expensive than others listed, but include full-day access to the farm.

Dates: Saturday, 25th October– Sunday, 2nd November
Opening Hours: 10am with the last slot at 2pm.
Tickets: Adults – £21, children 3-17 years £23 and children 2 years £20.50 (under twos are free)
Location: Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9BS

For more information and booking, go to:
https://www.bockettsfarm.co.uk/events/wizards-and-witches-week-1

Also check out Hatchlands Park, National Trust. There will be plenty of half-term Halloween activities (Saturday, 26th October to Friday, 31st October), which are free to members. Find out more about Halloween at Hatchlands.

And if you’re after a tasty way to use up all those pumpkin seeds, have a go at these Paprika and Cumin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds.

The post Pumpkin Picking Near London: 5 Best Places for Families appeared first on The Parent Social.

Hedrin or Lyclear?

Actually, there as so many more options. Most treatments recommended need to be left in for 8-12 hours. I opted for Full Marks for our first treatment as it was one of the quick ones.

The first attempt – Full Marks

Friday evening was spent with a bottle of wine and Full Marks solution as we treated the whole family.

This was a five minute treatment, which said no second one was required.

It took us ages to get it through the girls’ dry hair. We poured on loads and whilst it immediately made the top of their hair hugely greasy, it was really difficult to spread through to the ends. We had to shampoo and rinse multiple times to get rid of the residue and followed up with plenty of combing.

A couple of days later there were more lice.

The second attempt – Boots own brand for nits

Again this appealed as it said it worked in 15 minutes. It also had the advantage of being cheaper than the well-known brands. Boots Pharmaceuticals Head Lice Solution was also very greasy and was tough to get through the whole hair. We had to shampoo and rinse their hair twice as it remained greasy. We then combed through their damp hair thoroughly to remove the lice and nits (eggs). Lots came out.

A few days later they were itching once again.

The third attempt – Hedrin

We used Hedrin Treat & Go. Again, this was greasy. We left it to dry (though it never felt properly dry) and all went to bed with it in. It required a number of shampoo and rinses. We did lots of combing.

We repeated a week later. A day or so after the second treatment, I was horrified to find more nits and then a couple of days after that some lice.

The fourth attempt – Lyclear

Lyclear is a one go treatment. We applied to dry hair and left for 15 minutes. We then combed through the hair with the comb provided before rinsing. Success!!!

Follow up – Vamousse

Since writing this post the girls have got nits several more times. Most recently we’ve been using Vamousse, which has been the most effective at clearing them.

Comb for nits (Nitty Gritty)

I had a lot of recommendations for the Nitty Gritty comb from people reading this post. I invested in one and it is really efficient at getting them out. We use it routinely after baths.

Follow up 2 – NitWits All-In-One

After several more effective treatments with Vamousse, it seemed the lice were becoming resistant. We tried out NitWits, which worked very well, quickly and had a very convenient easy spray applicator. Also no laborious combing is required with this treatment. A comb is still provided though so you can ensure dead critters are all removed after if you choose to. Massive thumbs up.

NitNOT

We’re yet to try this, but it has been recommended by a friend who didn’t get on with other treatments due to the length, curliness and thickness of her daughter’s hair. She describes NitNOT as being like runny honey in consistency. It kills the lice and then you comb through for all the dead ones and eggs with the comb provided. It is also eco-friendly and hypoallergenic.

Lice and nits aftercare

After finally getting rid, we now use Vosene Kids 3 in 1 conditioning shampoo. It has tea tree oil and lemon eucalyptus, which are a big lice deterrent. We follow up with the leave in Vosene Kids Conditioning Defence Spray, which as well as being a repellent has the bonus of detangling the hair. We’re also fans of Vosene Kids Apple & Lemon Head Lice Defence Spray.

The post Nits nightmare – which treatments work best for nits and head lice appeared first on The Parent Social.

Kids eat free summer 2025

Ask Italian

Kids eat free 18th July – 31st August 2025. This is available for ASK Perks rewards app members only, but the app is very easy to download. Find out more here: https://www.askitalian.co.uk/kids-eat-free

Banana Tree

Kids eat FREE this summer, from Sunday to Thursday at selected Banana Trees.

Order one adult main course from its All Day menu and get a kids meal for free.

Booking and further details here: https://bananatree.co.uk/kids-eat-free

Beefeater

Beefeater is offering an unlimited all-you-can-eat breakfast including a cooked full English and continental favourites. Two children under 16 eat for FREE with every adult breakfast purchased. They also offer a two course kids menu starting from £5.99.  

More details here: https://www.beefeater.co.uk/en-gb/school-holidays

Bella Italia

Kids eat free all day every Thursday and for £1 between 4-6pm, Sunday to Wednesday at Bella Italia. Full details can be found on the website: https://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/kids Kids can enjoy three delicious courses and a drink. Meals are suitable for 2-11 year olds.

Bill’s

Between Monday, 21st July 2025 and Friday, 29th August (Monday to Friday only), up to two children can eat free all day when one adult orders any main dish. Bill’s children’s menu features many favourites such as its famous buttermilk pancakes, mac and cheese and fish fingers and chips. Full details here.

Brewdog

This summer, if you pre-book and an adult is eating too, kids can eat free at Brewdog. They’ll also be hosting kids parties throughout the summer (keep an eye on their socials).

Just make sure you book for a visit on these dates:

Edinburgh
26 June- 31 July

Glasgow
26 June- 13 August

Aberdeenshire
5 July – 17 August

England & Wales
19 July – 31 August

More details here: https://brewdog.com/pages/kids-eat-free

Brewers Fayre

As part of the Whitbread group, Brewers Fayre is offering the same breakfast deal as Beefeater where two children under 16 eat free with every adult breakfast purchased. More details here: https://www.brewersfayre.co.uk/en-gb/breakfast

Dobbies Garden Centres

Enjoy a free children’s breakfast with any adult traditional or full breakfast or a free child’s hot meal or pick n mix lunch box with any adult main course.

Offer available everyday in the restaurant and also includes a free child’s drink. Find your local Dobbies.

Dunelm

Kids eat for nothing in the Pausa cafes of home furnishing retailer Dunelm with every £4 spent. For more details go to: https://www.dunelm.com/info/about/pausa-coffee-shops

Franco Manca

Children 12 years and under receive a free kids pizza for every full-priced adult main meal (Monday to Thursday). This is in selected pizzerias though fairly widespread. Check the full details on the site.

Gordon Ramsey

Kids eat free all summer at Ramsey restaurants. With every adult ordering two courses from its à la carte menu (at least one main) children can enjoy a complimentary main course from their Ramsay Kids menu. Ages 10 and under and available across selected locations. Find out more here.

Las Iguanas

Kids up to 12-years-old can enjoy a free meal, which includes a main course, two sides and a dessert, with each adult ordering a main from the menu.

Find out more here: Las Iguanas Free Kids Meals

Morrisons

Morrisons is continuing its Kids Eat Free partnership with Birdseye. Available every day at the Morrisons café, get one free kids meal with any adult meal, which costs over £5 including The Breakfasts or The Classics.

Check out full details here.

Pizza Express

Enjoy one free Piccolo meal, which includes three courses, when you dine-in and purchase any pizza or main course from the adult menu (£10 minimum spend) Monday to Friday and Sunday, from Monday 28th July until Sunday 10th August 2025, inclusive.

To book go to: https://www.pizzaexpress.com/book/book-a-table-uk Full terms and conditions here: https://www.pizzaexpress.com/terms-and-conditions/kids-eat-free#

Premier Inn

You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to take advantage of its great breakfast offer. When one adult orders a full Premier Inn Breakfast or a Meal Deal, up to two under 16s eat breakfast for free.

For more details go to: https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/food/breakfast.html

Prezzo

From 14th July until 5th September, kids eat free with every adult main, all day every day.

Find out more here: https://www.prezzo.co.uk/about/kids/

Spaghetti Tree

Throughout July and August, one child eats FREE with every paying adult, Monday to Friday at all Spaghetti Tree locations! Children must order from their dedicated kids’ menu

Book here: https://www.spaghettitree.co.uk/book 

Tesco

Kids can enjoy a free meal with any adult purchase when dining in The Café this summer, Monday–Friday.

More details here: https://www.tesco.com/zones/tesco-cafe/kids-menu

TGI Fridays

You can really get that Friday feeling at TGI Fridays this summer. When an adult orders a main you get a free kid’s meal; available all day, everyday.

Full details on the TGI Fridays website.

Whitbread Inns

Two children under 16 eat for free with every adult breakfast purchased at any Whitebread Inn. Find your closest one here: https://www.whitbreadinns.co.uk/en-gb/breakfast

Yo! Sushi

During your local school holiday dates, kids eat free all day in Yo! Sushi restaurants when dining with a full-paying adult (minimum £10 spend).

Find out more here.

Kids eat for £1 summer 2025

There are also many places offering a £1 deal (or in the case of IKEA 95p) for children’s’ meals.

Asda

Originally just for school holidays, Asda’s Kids Eat for £1 café deal is available all year round. No adult purchase is required. More details about the initiative here.

Harvester

The Harvester’s kids eat for £1 deal returns for the summer holidays. From Monday to Friday until the 29th of August you can get cheap eats for the kids by registering or logging into your Harvester account or downloading the Harvester app.

Full details here:  https://www.harvester.co.uk/offers/kidspound#/

Hungry Horse

Children eat for £1 every Monday on selected kids’ meals at Hungry Horse with every full paying adult.
More details here: https://www.hungryhorse.co.uk/deals/kids-eat-for-1

IKEA

Everyone’s favourite Swedish retailer has a Kids eat from 95p special. They can also enjoy a host of free arts and crafts, games, and competitions.

Go to IKEA’s Summer Funhouse for more details.  

Sizzling Pubs

Kids eat for £1 from July 21st – August 29th at Sizzling Pubs (Monday to Friday from 12pm).  

Find your closest one here: https://www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/findapub/

Kids eat free in London summer 2025

For those that live in the capital or are planning to visit over the school summer holidays, Design My Night has compiled a great list of eateries offering free meals for children in London.

Kids eat free at Angus Steak House

Additionally, children aged eight and under can enjoy complimentary Kids Menu meals every day (between 12pm-5pm) when accompanied by a full-paying adult. They also receive an activity sheet and colouring crayons to keep them entertained.

Full details here.

Know any places not included where kids eat free (or for £1)?

Comment below with any others that are not included and I’ll add them to the list.

The post Kids Eat Free During School Holidays 2025 appeared first on The Parent Social.

Why are butterflies important?

Butterflies are a vital part of the ecosystem; they are major pollinators and an important component of the food chain. As such, they act as a highly sensitive environmental barometer.

What is the Big Butterfly Count?

The annual Big Butterfly Count is a tally of the different butterfly species you spot in a 15-minute period in your nearest green space.

Alarmingly, 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s and 2024 figures confirmed this pattern of long-term decline. I have my fingers crossed that 2025 will bring better results. I’ve seen more already this year than previous years; I imagine due to the sunny spring and early summer. 

The count plays a crucial role in helping assess the health of our environment. It enables Butterfly Conservation to identify significant trends and better understand how butterflies are faring in the face of a nature and climate crisis. This aids the organisation in planning how to protect butterflies from extinction, and in recognising other key issues affecting wildlife.

How you can take part in the Big Butterfly Count

1. Head to the website – https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/ – and download the identification chart (where you can also record your count)  
   
2. At any time between Friday, 18th July and Sunday, 10th August, find a nice, sunny spot where butterflies (and moths) are likely to be. Note down the number and types you spot in 15 minutes. You can take part multiple times.
   
3. Add your count/s on the website here or via the app (search ‘Big Butterfly Count’)
   

Butterfly Conservation NEEDS YOU!

Read how Butterfly Conservation is calling on people across the UK to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count and help scientists understand how climate change is moving butterflies in this press release: Calling all wildlife lovers – Britain’s Butterflies need you!

—

Have fun spotting butterflies. If you need any ideas for encouraging more wildlife to your garden, take a look at this post:

https://www.theparentsocial.com/how-to-introduce-more-wildlife-and-birds-to-your-garden/

The post Help Save the UK Butterfly Population: The Big Butterfly Count 2025 appeared first on The Parent Social.

The b.box Insulated Flip Top Water Bottle range has a carefully crafted design, which consists of triple layer insulation, a stainless steel straw, a leakproof lid when closed, and a strong, sturdy yet flexible handle attached that allows you to transport the bottle with ease.

Customisation

The water bottle is available in two different capacities – 690ml and 1000ml/1L – and comes in a wide variety of colours. I selected ‘melon mist’, and the pink handle complements the peach colour of the main frame of the bottle wonderfully. 

The Main Features of The Insulated Flip Top Water Bottle

• Triple layer Insulation 
• Dishwasher Safe 
• Can carry cold and hot liquids
• Keeps drinks cold for up to 46 hours
• Easy to clean
• Stainless steel straw and walls

My Experience

At Home:

I am always told I use a large magnitude of glasses and it gets on everyone’s (especially my parents) nerves! This water bottle holds a high volume of water and it is extremely easy to clean, therefore I don’t need to use multiple drinking vessels every day which reduces the amount of washing up and energy used. 

It is easy to fill and add things such as ice cubes, to decrease the temperature which is maintained.

Out and About: 

As the water bottle keeps drinks cool for nearly two days it is perfect to take with you on the go; whether it’s going for a walk, a workout, to meet friends, to school, to work or simply travelling to a destination. Due to the secure lid attached, that doesn’t leak when closed, it can be stored in your bag and you don’t have to be worried about liquid coming into contact with your other possessions. Additionally, I find it extremely easy to carry by hand via the strong, flexible handle attached to the lid.

Having this bottle prevents purchases of single use plastic water bottles when out of the house – this is far superior economically and environmentally, plus they look stylish and smart. 

To clean the bottle, you simply have to detach the stainless steel straw from the lid, so you can clean every part; the main frame of the bottle has a large circumference so it is easy to clean thoroughly as a sponge can fit inside.

How Does it Compare to Other Water Bottles?

A popular brand that sells drinking vessels is Stanley. One model of a tumbler they sell is £45 and has a capacity of 800ml, whereas the b.box Flip Top Water Bottle has a capacity of 1000ml and is only £32.99. It is less expensive and can store a higher volume of water! Furthermore, I believe that the b.box Flip Top Water Bottle is more elegant with rounded, less harsh edges, a shape that is not boxlike and a handle that is not a rigid structure, fixed to the main frame; it can bend, which allows the user to carry it more freely. Both contain stainless steel and a reusable straw.

Overall thoughts on the b.box Insulated Flip Top Water Bottle

This water bottle is functional, stylish and customised. It has improved my levels of hydration due to its practicality and simplicity as well as making water more appealing to drink by keeping it cool for up to 46 hours. Overall, I believe anyone looking to improve their hydration or to have a practical vessel for water on the go that is extremely reliable, should purchase this water bottle.

It is perfect for the current heatwave and is available on amazon.

The post Handy Hydration: The b.box Insulated Flip Top Water Bottle Review appeared first on The Parent Social.

Below is lifesaving first aid advice from St John Ambulance with tips to help keep kids cool (especially at night).  

Signs a child is experiencing a heat-related illness

Infants and small children can’t regulate their body temperature in the same way that adults can, which means an increased risk of harm from the heat. On any day of hot weather children can be adversely affected, but during the extended period of a heatwave parents need to be extra vigilant.

Signs that your child is suffering a heat-related illness include:

• Headache 
• Dizziness 
• Feeling or being sick 
• Sunken eyes or soft spot on infant’s head 
• Not passing urine for 12 hours or more 

Heat Exhaustion

Long periods in the sun can lead to heat exhaustion, which is more common during a heatwave. Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body. It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren’t used to hot or humid weather.

How to spot heat exhaustion  

There are six key warning signs:   

• Headache   
• Dizziness and confusion   
• Loss of appetite and feeling sick   
• Sweating with pale clammy skin   
• Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach   
• Fast, weakening pulse and breathing   

How to treat someone with heat exhaustion:   

1. Lie them down in a cool place and raise their legs   
2. Give them lots of water to drink (or isotonic sports drinks)   
3. Check their breathing, pulse and responsiveness 
4. Call emergency service if you are concerned

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is more serious than heat exhaustion and can be life-threatening.  

How to spot heatstroke 

There are six key things to look out for:   

• Headache, dizziness and discomfort   
• Restlessness and confusion   
• Hot flushed and dry skin   
• A fast deterioration in the level of response   
• A full bounding pulse   
• Body temperature above 40°C (104°F)   
   

How to treat someone with heatstroke:    

1. Move them to a cool place and remove their outer clothing     
2. Call emergency services    
3. Sit them down and wrap them in a cool, wet sheet. If a sheet isn’t available fan them or sponge them down with cold water. If available, use cold packs placed in the armpits and around the neck
4. Once their temperature is back to normal, replace the wet sheet with a dry sheet
5. While waiting for help to arrive, keep checking their temperature, as well as their breathing, pulse and level of response
6. If they start getting hot again, repeat the cooling process to lower their temperature

Sunburn

It’s important to avoid too much exposure to the sun by covering up with clothing, staying in the shade and applying high factor sunscreen. In severe sunburn cases the skin can become damaged, turn bright red and blister. People with sunburn can also develop heat exhaustion.   

What to look for:  

• Reddened skin   
• Pain in the area of the burn   
• Blistering   

How to treat someone with sunburn:

1. Cover the skin with light clothing and move them out of the sun  
2. Give them cold water to sip  
3. Cool the skin with cool water for 10 minutes 
4. Apply after sun lotion to soothe mild sunburn   
5. If there are blisters see a healthcare professional
6. In severe cases, treat symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke and get medical help
   

Cheapest suncream

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in. This can happen extremely easily during a heatwave so make sure the whole family is sipping lots of water at regular intervals.  

How to spot dehydration   

There are four key signs:   

• Headaches and lightheadedness   
• Dry mouth, eyes and lips   
• Passing only small amounts of dark urine   
• Muscle cramps   

How to treat someone with dehydration:    

1. Sit them down and give plenty of water to drink 
2. Give them an oral rehydration solution drink to help replace salt and other minerals which they’ve lost
3. If they have any painful cramps, get them to rest, help them stretch and massage the muscles that hurt
4. Keep checking how they are. If they still feel unwell after rehydrating seek medical advice   

If left untreated, dehydration can develop into heat exhaustion, which is more serious. Therefore it’s important to rehydrate as soon as possible.   

Top tips for keeping small children cool in hot weather and a heatwave  

• Keep bedroom temperatures between 16-20 degrees Celsius 
• Never angle fans directly onto a baby or child to cool them down, instead focus on cooling the room and reduce clothing appropriately 
• Use a lighter bedding and reduce the Tog of sleep bags to accommodate for warmer weather 
• If safe to do so, open a bedroom door and window to help circulate air through the room 
• When outside, a sunshade or parasol should be used instead of a muslin cloth to cover infants in prams or buggies
• Never leave children in cars, even for a short period. The temperature in a car quickly rises and cause harm to those inside. 

“During the day, we can sometimes forget how everyday activities such as driving for long periods and picnics in the hot weather can affect children and infants differently to adults. 

Long car journeys should be broken up with regular stops for rest and hydration. Under six months, breast fed babies do not need additional fluids but will probably need to feed more often. Nursing mothers should ensure their own fluid intake is kept adequate for the conditions. Bottle fed babies may require some additional water, but there is no advice regarding quantity and too much can also be dangerous.”   

Richard Webb, National Clinical Lead for young people at St John Ambulance

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St John Ambulance is England’s leading first aid and health response charity.  For more information and a first aid refresher, head to St John Ambulance’s website www.sja.org.uk 

Emergency service numbers around the world

https://www.netflights.com/blog/global-emergency-numbers/

The post Heatwave Survival: First Aid Advice for Families appeared first on The Parent Social.

Mini Fridge Overview: Portable, Efficient, Fun and On Point Mini Fridge

The So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity is an ultra-stylish mini fridge — perfect for keeping drinks, snacks, and even beauty products cool (in both senses of the word). It is an ideal addition for hangouts and perfect for road trips, late-night study sessions, and the occasional WFG (Working from Garden). Gamers, students, tweens and teens will love it.   

What’s Included:

• Mini fridge (4-litre capacity)
• Removable shelf
• USB cable
• Stickers sheet
• Instructions (if you need any)
  
  

What We Thought of the So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity

I normally do a ‘how to use’ section in reviews but there’s no need here; you just plug it in, flick the on switch and wait an hour for it to get to temperature; then you’re good to go.

The So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity isn’t just about cooling your drinks – although it does an excellent job of that – it is about cool aesthetics too. It’s sleek and has a mesmerising 3D infinity LED mirror effect door, which boasts 12 different light modes to suit the vibe or mood or you can set it to scroll through all the colour modes. This isn’t just an ordinary fridge; it’s quite a statement piece.

It’s compact and lightweight so you can move it easily between locations and it runs via a USB power cable, making it versatile and simple to use. It comes with 90 fun stickers for personalisation, which are a nice touch for younger ones.

Practical bits

The So Chill Mini Fridge has a 4-litre capacity and can hold up to six 330ml cans. It comes with a removable shelf, which makes it quite flexible depending on what you want to stash in there.

As someone who’s always thinking about energy bills (who isn’t these days?), I got the calculator out and discovered it costs approximately 6p a day to run continuously for 24 hours.

Dimensions:
Depth: 185mm
Height: 285mm
Width: 285mm

Verdict on the So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity

The So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity is a brilliant blend of function and fun. It looks great, is efficient, doesn’t guzzle electricity, and doesn’t make any loud humming.

It will appeal to a wide variety of people and is TikTok-approved, which is apparently the highest praise these days. Suitable for ages eight and up.

You can buy the So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity at various retailers including Smyths where it’s priced at £44.99.

Disclaimer:
I have been provided with this product for review purposes. I have not received any monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are my own and are based on my honest and unbiased experience with the product.

The post So Chill Mini Fridge Infinity Review: Cool in Every Way appeared first on The Parent Social.

Go incognito/search from a different device

Those pesky cookies mean Big Brother knows where you’ve got your sights set for your next holiday as soon as you start browsing. I usually find that flights are a certain price on my first look online and jump up on a subsequent visit. Or sometimes, knowing your preferences from previous times, you’re automatically quoted something more expensive. Going incognito (privacy mode) can shave a lot of money off. This article explains how. This doesn’t just apply to flights and accommodation it’s on lots of things.

Take early and mid-week flights

This is something I’ve been doing for years and it’s saved us £100s at a time. It is amazing what difference a couple of hours makes to the price of a flight. This is definitely something where the pain (getting up super early) gives a lot of gain! Also there’s a lot less traffic on the roads at this time and you get more of your first day at your destination.

Moneyboat says that mid-week flights, especially on Wednesdays, are usually more affordable than weekend departures.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights tend to be the best times to look online to bag the cheapest flights with midnight being the optimum time to get a bargain.

Spread the costs

Look out for options where you can put down a small deposit and then pay on a monthly basis to spread out the costs. Just make sure that you’re not having to pay a large premium to do this.

Book hotels with free cancellation

Locking in rooms where there’s a free cancellation policy ensures you’re covered and won’t have to pay large admin fees if your plans change. This isn’t the only money saving benefit though. You can also monitor the price of your accommodation. If it drops (and this happens a lot) you can cancel your room and re-book.

Book off-peak season trips

People head to well-known sun-drenched destinations at the height of summer. These same destinations, such as the Greek Islands, the Canaries, the Amalfi coast, benefit from warm temperatures and cheaper costs in spring and autumn (think half term) and in some cases even in winter. This can afford huge savings.

Be an early bird

Plan ahead and book your 2025 holiday as soon as possible before the prices begin rising. As well as grabbing a potential bargain you’ll also have the opportunity to spread the costs.

Compare airline prices

If like me, you’re pre-programmed to check the budget airlines first, you could be missing a money-saving trick. Head to the comparison sites to find the best prices and deals. Skyscanner is one of the big ones. I’ve also been recently introduced to Jack’s Flight Club, a site which lets you know when flights to lots of different destinations are going really cheap.

Also take a look at connecting flights as opposed to non-stop as these are often a lot cheaper.

Evaluate your dining options

While all-inclusive might feel like it takes the sting out of eating costs, it hugely impacts the cost of your hotel accommodation. Do your research and see if there are affordable places to eat in the local area and calculate whether it’s more cost-effective to book alternative options such as half-board or self-catering instead.

Vacuum pack clothes

Adding baggage allowance to your flight really racks up the costs. If you’re paying for four people to have hold luggage it becomes a very significant sum. Whilst vacuum packing clothes doesn’t reduce weight, it does create a lot of extra space, which means you can ditch some of the bags.

Save even more money by only taking hand luggage.

Join travel loyalty reward schemes

Certain airlines and ferry companies as well as Eurostar offer loyalty reward schemes for travellers. These rewards/points can often be redeemed off the price of future travel or offer other money saving perks.

The combo holiday

Half-holidays – where you visit one destination for a week and then move on to a nearby location for the remainder of the trip – are a great way to save money and combine a beach holiday with a sightseeing holiday or city break. For example, you can book a pricier resort holiday for a week, then book a much cheaper hotel near historical sites/city centre. This cuts down on the taxis or hire car that you’d otherwise have to fork out for to visit these sights if you did two weeks at a resort.

Don’t pay in pounds

When making purchases abroad pay in the local currency rather than converting to pounds. This can save a significant amount of money. As Moneyboat explains, often vendors and establishments offer less favourable exchange rates when converting your pounds on the spot. By paying in the local currency, you avoid these additional charges and get the best value for your money.

Reduce your airport travel/parking costs

Many airports have started charging for drop-offs even if your car is only there for a minute. There are however free drop-off points, which are a short walk or bus ride away from the terminal. Check the airport’s website for details of where these are and allow extra time.

If you’re driving and parking for the duration of your trip, look at parking zones that are further out as these are cheaper. Again allow extra time to get to the terminal.

Last-minute offers

If you’re not a planner and so miss out on early bird deals then go completely the other way and book last minute. This doesn’t always work, but you can often bag a bargain if hotels or flights have spaces to fill.

Don’t buy at the airport

You pay a real premium at airports for travel accessories so make sure you buy things like adaptors and neck pillows beforehand. The same goes for snacks.

The other thing that’s extremely expensive to do at the airport is buy foreign currency. I use Martin Lewis’ Travel Money Max tool to find out which local exchange bureaus are offering the best rate.

Book excursions, museums, tours etc in advance

Search what there is to see and do in your destination and plan ahead. Usually you can save a lot of money if you book activities online in advance as opposed to paying on the door. With a bit of research you might even hit upon free events and activities that are happening in the local area.

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Latest deal: Save up to £200 on your next easyJet holiday (Minimum spend applies)
Conditions: Save £200 off your holiday on minimum spend of £2000, save £100 off your holiday on minimum spend of £800  
Validity: Valid on holidays 25/4/25 to 31/10/26 inclusive
Bookings:  25/4/25 to 11pm 6/5/25
How: Go to: easyJet and use code ORANGE 

The post 16 Top Money Saving Travel Tips for Your Next Holiday appeared first on The Parent Social.