Here at Born Gifted we’re not normally fans of bumper sticker philosophies but every now and then it pays to sit back and reflect on how you are doing as a parent. None of us are really qualified to advise anyone else on how to bring up their children, however reading some of these inspirational quotes certainly couldn’t hurt!
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Whether you’re trying for a baby or are already pregnant, there are a whole range of pregnancy apps that are incredibly useful.
In such tech-savvy times, you can find out anything you need to know simply with the click of a button. The World Wide Web is full to the brim with vast sources of information and you’d be mad not to take advantage of it.
There are hundreds of apps available on the market to download straight to your Smartphone, as well as your iPad or iPod. Some show detailed images of how a baby develops and grows; others guide you on what to pack in your hospital bag- the world really is your oyster.
But with so much information and knowledge at your fingertips, how do you choose which app to use?
Here are our top 3 pregnancy apps that are highly recommended:
“This app was an absolute godsend when I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t have got through my pregnancy without it! I loved being able to compare the baby’s size to fruit.”
This pregnancy application was created by Health & Parenting Ltd to give parents a comprehensive guide during the whole pregnancy.
It has a step-by-step guide to each week so you can imagine how your baby will look at week 12 and week 42. It guides you on how long your baby has grown, how much it weighs and it has a daily tip which comes in handy.
There are action plans so you can set yourself goals and the size guide is great because you can tell your friends and family exactly how big the baby is in comparison to food; whether it is equivalent to the size of a blueberry or a peach!
Find out your due date and then work out your baby’s star sign, and get super organised with the timeline chart. It is really helpful so you know when you should be having blood tests, dating scans and when you can find out the gender.
But that’s not it- the app is really supportive in that it offers advice on food, exercise, labour and a birth plan. Keep track of all your doctor’s visits and midwife appointments, and when you go into labour, you can even time your contractions.
You can find the Pregnancy App here
“This app was great for later pregnancy. I could find out all the medical information I needed on giving birth and the checklists were extremely handy when it came to packing mine and the baby’s hospital bags.”
This application is free to download and is really useful, especially in the third and final trimester of your pregnancy.
You can track your pregnancy week by week, upload images to the photo journal and you can have access to detailed information on preconception, pregnancy, giving birth, and specific advice on a 0-6 and 7-18 month old baby. So if you want to know about breastfeeding or food no-no’s this will definitely help.
Better still, you can download some Emma’s Diary vouchers and pick up three free gift packs for ‘bump to baby’, ‘mum-to-be’ and ‘new family’, as well as £200 of Argos money-off vouchers.
There is a product guide to help you make those important purchases of baby essentials, and extra features include an ovulation calculator and some handy checklists.
You can get the Emma’s Diary App here
“My husband and I just couldn’t agree on a name for our little girl. The app was really helpful because it was right there on my phone and saved carrying around a big heavy book. I really liked that it gave the meaning of the name because it helped us to come up with something extra special.”
When it comes to deciding a name for your unborn child, this app is extremely helpful. Whether you are having a boy or a girl, the database is second to none with over 400,000 additions in 2011 alone.
It has some of the most popular names around as well as their meanings and origin to help you pick the perfect name, but it also has more obscure names if you are looking for something a little bit different.
Download it for free and use the Top 100 and A-Z lists if you are struggling for inspiration, and if you still can’t think of a name, just shake your phone for a random suggestion.
Even if you know the name of your baby already, you can search for middle names and you can get regular updates on the latest baby name news.
For example, in April 2013 the top girls’ names were Amelia, Olivia, Ava and Isla and the top boys’ names were Jack, Oliver, Harry, Charlie and Jacob.
Get the app here
So there you have the top three pregnancy apps for all mum’s-to-be. They really are must-have tools for anyone expecting. Keep track of everything that is happening to you and get expert advice from reputable parenting resources.
That’s not to say that these apps are the only ones that can help you. Just check out your App store and find one that is right for you and your bump!
Now obviously all pregnancy apps, as well as the ones mentioned above, are mostly for fun so if you do have any concerns or questions about your pregnancy, make sure you discuss them with your midwife or local GP.
It would be impossible to imagine the pain of losing a baby.
For Jennie, this became a horrendous reality when she found little Matilda Mae, an angel in her cot at only 9 months old. Her life changed forever.
Jennie is a blogger and through social media, her story instantly broke the hearts of the thousands of people who follow her over the internet. Only 15 weeks after losing Matilda Mae, people and businesses have got together from all walks of life, from all over the country to try and increase awareness of a suffering that people really don’t know enough about. Determined to help stop SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in its tracks and to try and prevent it from happening to others, Jennie and the mummy blogging community have already raised awareness through sponsored family walks and now an auction is being held on EBay in memory of little Matilda Mae.
Jennie and Baby Tilda’s story touched our hearts and we, along with a lot of other businesses, have donated some items to the Matilda Mae Memorial Auction (MMMA).
ALL proceeds from the auction go directly to The Lullaby Trust.
The Lullaby Trust (previously known as FSID) are an organisation that provide specialist support for families bereaved through sudden infant death, support research and also promote safer sleeping advice to families with new babies.
If you do nothing else today, PLEASE check out the auction which is running right now over on EBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/uniquechicgeek/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
Please help in any way you can – anything, however small will make a difference and we can all try and prevent this tragedy from happening to others.
Jennie’s Just Giving Page is here if you would like to donate directly: http://www.justgiving.com/MatildaMae
For more info:
http://www.edspire.co.uk/year_2013/05/13/the-matilda-mae-memorial-auction/
http://ghostwritermummy.co.uk/2013/05/11/the-matilda-mae-memorial-auction-is-open/
The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting and everyone is flocking to the seaside. It can only mean one thing, summer is here!
(Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Do you love music? There are various festivals taking place this year throughout the UK and better still, many of them are child-friendly. That means you don’t have to get a babysitter to look after your little rugrat; and you don’t have to feel guilty about leaving them at home whilst you let your hair down.
Here is Born Gifted’s round-up of the best festivals suitable for kids. Find out everything you need to know on where the best concerts are, as well as planning tips.
Top 5 Family-Friendly Festivals for 2013
The experts over at Festival Kids know a thing or two about taking children to a festival. They advise that when choosing a festival, you need one that has less crowds, child-friendly food, a car park, and enough space for your nipper to run around.
That is why they have recommended the following festivals for under 5’s:
16th-18th August, Cheshire
This festival is all about families which makes it the perfect choice if you live in North West England. It is pushchair-friendly and has great facilities including clean toilets and baby changing tents. It is set in a beautiful woodland area and is full to the brim with activities and adventure. There’s even an area that has electricity points to sterilise and warm bottles. Better still, under 3’s go free.
22nd- 25th August, Northamptonshire
Voted the greenest festival in 2011, Shambala has a circus, craft workshops, a theatre, sandpits, dance classes, and bedtime stories are read with hot cocoa in the family yurt. It really does have a ‘hippy vibe’ and under 5’s go free.
17th-21st July, Wilts/Dorset borders
This is a fairly small, intimate festival that has 11 acres of magical gardens to explore. There are plenty of workshops for adults and children including circus skills, crafts and drumming; and there is a YouthZone for 11-17-year-olds. There is a dedicated baby changing tent, as well as play songs and bedtime stories. Under 5’s go free.
17th- 19th May, Oxfordshire
This too is a really small festival where toddlers can run around safely. The sound levels are powered by green energy making the stage child-friendly, and there is a dedicated breastfeeding tent. Dance barefoot in the grass and get involved in the many workshops. Under 12’s go free.
1st- 4th August, Kent/Sussex borders
This has to be the smallest of all festivals with a 500 size capacity, so it really is very safe and ideal for newbie festivalgoers. There are campfires and BBQs, as well as DJs and live performances. What’s more, there are lots of fun, interactive workshops and sustainable facilities include solar water and compost toilets. Under 5’s cost just £1!
(Image courtesy of machernucha on Flickr)
In short, yes, because noise-induced hearing loss is a major issue.
Around 45,000 children in the UK are deaf which means it is imperative to protect your little one’s ears if they are going to sustain loud noise for a prolonged period of time.
Make the experience an enjoyable one and pick up some fashionable ear defenders in their favourite colour. You may want to set a good example and wear earplugs too!
(Image free to use courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Kids can often be wary of new surroundings, so get them used to sleeping in a tent before you go. Go camping for a couple of nights beforehand, or simply put a tent up in the garden, and then the festival will be a breeze.
You will need plenty of activities to keep then entertained whilst you set up and put down the tent. Why not take a portable DVD player so they can watch a film, or alternatively some colouring books, crayons and puzzles like the Janod Chunky Dinosaurs Puzzle?
Take a football, a bat and some balls, or simply their favourite soft toy in case they get scared. A festival is a great chance to put them in fancy dress with fairy wings, wands, glow sticks and pirate hats. The more inventive the better!
You may struggle to get the kids to sleep, as after all, it is a new and exciting experience for them. They are away from home and their snuggly beds, and they are bursting with energy. Try to go about your routine as usual and make the tent as cosy as possible with blankets and soft inflatable beds.
However, can you really expect them to go to bed at their usual time? We advise you to use a tent that has one big sleeping area, as opposed to multiple bedrooms because if they wake in the middle of the night, they may not be able to find you.
Perhaps their favourite comforter might help?
Make sure the kids have appropriate clothing for the event. Take lots of t-shirts and shorts if it is sunny, as well as weather-proof jackets and wellies in case it rains. If the ground gets a little soggy and the kids get muddy, so what! There’s no harm done, just take plenty of spare clothes.
If the weather is forecast to be nice, don’t forget the kid’s suncream with a high SPF factor and a sunhat.
Even if you are not an experienced festivalgoer, you will definitely have a fantastic time and create some wonderful family memories. But remember- the most important thing of all is to enjoy yourself!
There are lots of inspiring and funny quotes for parents. We have chosen out top ten to share with you. We hope you like them!
Communion season is almost here. In the UK First Communion Ceremonies are normally performed between May and June. The First Communion is basically as rite of passage for a child into the Catholic Church and is the first time that they accept the bread and wine (also known as the Eucharist) which represent the body and blood of Christ. It is normally performed when the child is around 7-8 years old. For more information we have created a handy guide to Communions here.
It is appropriate for those attending a Holy Communion to purchase a gift to commemorate the special day. Born Gifted have one of the largest selection of First Holy Communion gifts in the UK. Below are the best sellers to help you choose the perfect present. If you would prefer you can view the entire range of 1st Communion presents here.
White Laser Engraved Communion Frame – £21.99
Simple, stylish and personalised with your child’s name a date – a best seller!
First Holy Communion Yo-Yo – £12.99
How about something a bit different? This fun silver plated yo yo is a keepsake that the child can actually use! Another best seller.
Engraved Glass Communion Plaque – £24.99
Another popular present for a Communion. This stylish glass plaque is carefully engraved with the child’s name, date and your own personal message.
First Holy Communion Box with Silver Cross Necklace – £17.99
Suitable for a boy or girl, this silver cross on a chain is presented in a lovely gift box wit the words ‘First Holy Communion’ on the front. Another very popular item.
Finally, new to our Communion section is the First Communion Musical Jewellery Box which is priced at £34.99.
This represents great value for money considering you get a quality wooden, musical jewellery box decorated with a Lord’s Prayer design and personalised with the child’s name, date of Communion and personal message!
If you need any advice on choosing the perfect present feel free to contact us and one of our customer support team will be happy to help.
One of the tell-tale signs of pregnancy is cravings. This is when you suddenly long to eat new or unusual foods.
Some experts think we get them because we need certain nutrients; others believe it is purely psychological and just indulgence. One thing is for sure, as your body changes your hormones are all over the place, so your tastes are bound to change too.
Good nutrition is imperative whilst you are pregnant to enable the baby to grow and develop. Whilst you will get the urge to eat more, the NHS strongly advises against the ‘eating for two’ myth.
It is perfectly acceptable to give into to these cravings if they are normal, healthy, tasty foods like pickled onions or the odd piece of chocolate. However some women get really abnormal, strange cravings which can be dangerous!
Whether you are craving chillies or coal, this guide will help you to understand why your taste buds have gone awry; and what cravings are acceptable to eat.
Being pregnant is the perfect excuse to nibble on the occasional bar of chocolate or bag of sweets. In the very early stages, you may find that you feel very tired and have zero energy levels. A quick sugary pick-me-up can do the world of good, and they release feel-good hormones to tackle those blue days.
Giving into to some sugary delights every now and again won’t do much harm, but that doesn’t mean that you can eat a whole bag of Haribos. Sugary foods can increase your blood pressure which can be dangerous.
Many women crave cold food when pregnant, like ice cubes. Did you know that 15% of pregnant women long for ice cream?
Believe it or not but many women crave fruit when they are pregnant. Some experts claim that this is because of a lack of vitamin C but either way, it is a great craving to have and it will definitely help you to have a healthy baby.
This is a very unusual craving but it is not uncommon for pregnant women to crave harmful things like coal, dirt and chalk. It is not really known why you suddenly want to eat such bizarre items, although some people believe it is the texture and crunch that are appealing.
If you are hankering for coal, it is reported that you may have an iron deficiency and therefore you should speak to your doctor straight away. Likewise if you are pining for chalk, this too is normally a sign of nutritional deficiency.
Obviously it is not recommended to eat these because they are not edible.
When you are pregnant, you might suddenly crave spicy foods because your palette is changing. A recent survey found that 25% of pregnant women desire a curry.
So there you have a guide to cravings; some you can give in to, others you should absolutely avoid. Here at Born Gifted, we offer a vast array of gift ideas for yummy mum-to-be’s, as well as new mums.
Why not put a smile on her face and treat her to one of our personalised chocolate bars?
Our ‘I’d Pick You’ chocolate bar is ideal and you can even add a bespoke message on the back of the wrapper such as: “Thank you for eating such yummy food mummy can’t wait to meet you!”
Or alternatively, if she has been longing for lots of sugary snacks like sweets and chocolate, why not treat her to some cute boxed cupcakes? Don’t be deceived, they are not actually edible but rather gorgeous bodysuits shaped to look like cupcakes. They come in blue, pink and a neutral yellow; we’re sure she’ll appreciate the trick!
Written by Jim Wilson. Find him on Google Plus
Foxy Bingo recently released a shortlist of famous celebrity females for its Celeb Mum of the Year Award 2013 and now it’s been revealed that the winner is…..Emma Bunton!
The ‘baby’ Spice Girl, who has two cute little boys, has been crowned as the best celebrity mum for the year.
Is it any wonder why the 37-year-old took home the accolade? The infamous girl band reunited after 10 years to perform at the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics; and the singer has landed a new hosting role on the breakfast radio show Heart 106.2.
Emma said that the award would definitely be taking a pride place on her mantelpiece. She said: “I’m so honoured that thousands of you picked me, thank you to everyone who voted! This award is extra special because this is the most important thing – being a Mummy!”
Her sons, Tate Lee Jones (2) and Beau Lee Jones (5), have both been named after her long-term partner Jade Jones, who she has been dating since 1997.
The awards, which have been running for 12 years, saw a record number of votes cast. More than 10,000 people took part and Emma attained more than one third of the total votes cast.
She beat off stiff competition from the likes of former Liberty X star Michelle Heaton, who has recently undergone a double mastectomy, as well as former Steps lead singer Claire Richards, who also reunited with her band in 2012.
The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge had been nominated for the prize and was a top favourite to win, despite the fact she hasn’t even given birth yet.
And Kate Middleton was not the only expectant person to be shortlisted for Celebrity Mum of the Year 2013. Presenter Fearne Cotton and Paralympic gold medallist Sarah Storey were also in the list as contenders for the crown.
Other famous faces that were pipped to the post included new mum Adele, and Loose Women star Andrea Mclean.
Now we know that Mother’s Day has been and gone, but you shouldn’t need a holiday to show the mummy in your household just how special she is? Here at Born Gifted, we have a whole host of gifts that will definitely put a smile on your leading lady’s face.
Becoming a mother is a very momentous occasion- so if you know any new mums, why not congratulate them with our fantastic new mum present ideas.
Are you all ready for Easter?
The holiday falls on 31st March this year, which means if you haven’t yet organised any special treats or activities for the little ones, you need to get started!
Easter is not just about giving chocolate eggs. In fact, only 54% of parents in the UK give their children chocolate at Easter, according to our recent study.
We found that only half of mums and dads in the UK choose to give their children chocolate treats, which is quite surprising given that many people associate the holiday as a time to exchange Easter eggs.
We don’t know about you, but we much prefer to give our little ones a present of the non-chocolate variety.
Not sure what to give your child this year? Do not fret! There are a whole host of alternative presents that you can give including money, toys and books. And you can even go that extra mile to show how much you care by purchasing a personalised gift.
Looking for that perfect Easter gift? Here are some of our top favourites to choose from:
Nothing would be cuter than seeing your little boy or girl, snuggle up to this delightful duck fleece blanket. It is one of our most popular first Easter presents because you can personalise it with your baby’s name. Bright yellow and super soft- what else do you need!
Price: £19.99
This cute bunny mug is perfect to make your little one a yummy hot chocolate this Easter, and it comes with a packet of chocolate eggs so they can still enjoy a little bit of chocolate!
You can engrave a personal message on the back of the mug and have your child’s name featured on the front. And at less than £15, it’s a bargain!
Price: £12.99
This personalised egg cup is an ideal Easter present for your little soldier. Made from bone china, it comes in a cute soldier design and you can personalise it with your little one’s name. What’s more, it comes with some chocolate mini eggs so your monster can munch on some chocolate after dipping toast into their boiled eggs.
Price: £9.99
Everyone knows that the Easter bunny is super busy at this time of year giving all the children their Easter eggs, so why not give your child this gorgeous cuddly toy? The classic Peter Rabbit features a soft blue embroidered jacket and carrot, and it will just melt your heart when you hold him.
Price: £19.99
Don’t forget to also give your children a special Easter card too. We have a vast range of bespoke Easter cards as well as present ideas, so you can go all out and hopping mad this year!
Hope you have a fantastic Easter everyone!
St. Patrick’s Day is only just around the corner- the special day falls on Sunday17th of March this year and it is a celebration of the patron saint and national apostle Saint Patrick.
Otherwise known as St Paddy’s Day, the occasion is a fantastic time to get together as a family, play games and have fun. Your little leprechauns will love the Irish-themed arts and crafts we have found for you!
There will be some huge parties taking place around the UK with everyone dressing up in green, drinking Guinness or whisky, and spreading some Paddy cheer. Everyone can get involved with the festivities for the day whether that is by wearing a silly hat, doing the Irish jig, or experiencing some authentic Irish culture.
St Patrick is renowned for bringing Christianity to Ireland He was described as a humble-minded man that used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. That is why the Shamrock is now the national flower of the country.
He is also known for ‘driving the snakes from Ireland’. In old religious times, the serpent was a symbol that was often worshipped, which means the apostle symbolically put an end to pagan practicing.
Nowadays, it is a traditional day celebrated for’ spiritual renewal and offering prayers worldwide’. Almost all business in Ireland close on 17th March and many attend mass before the celebrations begin. Big cities really go to town with colourful parades, live music, Irish food and games.
Why not give this ‘Pewter Irish Goblet’ as a special gift to a loved-one on this day?
What do you need?
Why not combine the green glory of the special day and make an Irish-inspired plant pot? It is a fairly cheap way to keep the kids entertained and you can create a colourful centrepiece for the living room.
Simply glue a piece of ribbon together around the pot; cut out a yellow buckle shape and stick it to the front of the pot. Put the plant back into the pot and voila!
(Image courtesy of Sponnful.com)
This is a great way to create a little pot of ‘gold goodies’ which the kids can use to decorate their bedrooms. All you need is a jar of some sort, e.g. a leftover jam jar- make sure you wash it out thoroughly before you begin.
You can paint the jar green, use felt tip pens or glue green tissue paper to the outside. Glue a yellow ribbon to the outer lid of the jar, tie it in a knot, and then glue some yellow pom-poms to the lid to create the appearance of ‘gold.’
Then when it is completely dry, you can use the jar to store little bits and bobs.
(Image courtesy of Kinderart.com)
(Image courtesy of This Little Project.com)
What do you need?
In this activity, you can have fun making cute little people that are dressed in an Irish theme. Use some felt tips pens and paint to decorate the pegs as you want. Make them as life like as you can with eyes, noses and mouths.
Try using a thin-tipped brush to get intricate details. If you want to add arms on the dolls, use a drill to create small little holes at the side of the bodies, and use some pipe cleaners to create the arms.
Now dress the characters however you want with fabric and green coloured paper. You can even glue strips of paper to the head to create some crazy hair, or alternatively, make a hat. Follow our tips from the Pot O’ Green Plant game to make Irish belts and buckles.
Remember-if you have really small children, always supervise them during these arts and crafts and be wary of small choking hazards. You can purchase special children’s scissors that are safe to use, and don’t forget to wear an apron to protect clothes from paint splashes!
This ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar Smock’ is ideal to protect little ones during messy play, as it can be wiped clean!
