An easy and unusual DIY idea for getting lots of memories up on the wall

January 23, 2018January 24, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I find with the house inspiration comes in fits and bursts, I am either brimming with ideas or have none whatsoever. The girls started off in separate rooms but it’s a joy to see them so close that they decided themselves they wanted to share a room. We had bought triple bunks for both of their rooms and so I decorated accordingly but over Christmas they decided they just wanted two single beds in their rooms so that they could look at each other when they chatted, so adorable. Therefore I was left with rather ridiculous looking gaps on the walls where the bunk bed had been as I had hung pictures above the bunks in the assumption they’d be in place for years to come. Continue reading →

10 tips for protecting our kids online and ensuring internet safety in the home

January 21, 2018January 21, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I went to a talk recently given in my daughters primary school which was all about internet safety and primary school kids. There is no doubt that technology will play a huge part in our kids lives going forward but there is a huge difference between educating kids in how to use a computer versus giving them free reign with a phone or tablet and fooling ourselves into thinking they are learning. Continue reading →

Put down your phone and read a book!

January 10, 2018January 21, 2018 | thetwodarlings

We have a rule that I ‘generally’ adhere to in our house – no phones beside our beds. And you know I have to say I think it’s a great idea (it wasn’t mind it was my husbands, he’s literally allergic to social media – well they do say opposites attract!). Lucy used to wake a LOT at night, actually it’s probably remiss of me to write that in the past tense because she’s only just figured out how to sleep through so I doubt we’re out of the sleepless woods yet. Anyway, I digress, I used to find myself picking up my phone once I’d settled her, you know to check all the incredibly important social media happenings that just simply couldn’t’ wait until morning….!! But for sure the bright light of the phone really messed with my ability to go back to sleep and it used to set my mind racing with ideas or thoughts. Continue reading →

Books for toddlers 3 to 4 year old

Books for toddlers ireland books for 3 year olds books for 4 year ols the two darlings mummy blogger ireland parenting blog

November 30, 2017December 4, 2017 | thetwodarlings

The last post I did on our favourite books was such a success I decided to follow up with a post on what the big lady is currently enjoying. We’ve joined the local library which is quite possibly one of the best value things you can do with children. Our local library is pretty new and the kids section is nicely removed from where the students who are studying tend to sit. Online if you want to buy books Amazon is great of course as is the Book Depository and the Book People. Continue reading →

Lottie Dolls – realistic, inspiring dolls for young girls

November 6, 2017 | thetwodarlings

I have long since been a fan of Lottie Dolls. I think the whole ideal behind the brand appeals to me, making dolls for small girls that actually look like small girls. I mean really when you think about it it makes perfect sense, why should a 4 year old be playing with a doll with boobs far larger than her mothers and a waist almost the same size as her mothers!!! I jest but in all seriousness I love the concept of it, it means kids can identify with it and can play games around the idea of kids rather than adults. Continue reading →

Reading Eggs online learning for young children

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September 1, 2017September 1, 2017 | thetwodarlings

There’s one thing we can’t avoid in this world and its the fact that technology is going to play a big part in our kids lives. While we do not allow any real screen time apart from a small bit of Netflix on days when I need a dig out and a virtual babysitter, I have been looking for ways to get the girls au fait with technology in a way that works for us, and that way is via learning. The big lady is only one year into her formal education and it constantly blows my mind how Continue reading →

What is the right age to send your child to school?

August 27, 2017 | thetwodarlings

This is a blog post I’ve written a million times in my head but have always been hesitant to write it as I want to write it in such a way that I keep my daughters experience private. That said it makes it sound like she had a stressful time of it after starting primary school which she did not, she absolutely loved it but there were certainly some take home things I learned after her first year that I will certainly be keeping in mind for the next two ladies Continue reading →

DIY display wall for kids art

July 12, 2017July 12, 2017 | thetwodarlings

It feels like an age since I have found both the energy and the headspace to get creative around our house. I also felt like we needed to settle in and get a feel for the place before I went lashing things up on walls or painting things crazy colours. I have lots more little bits done around this house which I will eventually a)finish and b)photograph but when I put this up on Instagram stories I got so many questions. Continue reading →

Marks and Spencer school uniforms – one year on

May 29, 2017June 5, 2017 | thetwodarlings

This is a sponsored post!

With the arrival of the warm weather and thoughts of holidays close to mind it feels like a good time to update my first post on the Marks and Spencer school uniforms. The big lady has worn nothing other than the uniforms from Marks and Spencer so I technically have nothing to compare it to currently but I have myself worn my fair share of uniforms Continue reading →

Finding the middle ground with breastfeeding

May 28, 2017 | thetwodarlings

I really wanted to put some thoughts together on my whole breastfeeding experience, not because I want to pitch a tent in that camp, I don’t, I’ve said it a million time I’m neither ‘pro-breastfeefing’ or ‘pro-bottle’, I am ‘pro-feeding your baby the way you want to’ and that’s my stance on that. That said I do want to make comment on how I got on with breastfeeding, the good and the bad, and maybe it might give someone who is wondering about it all a bit of impartial advice. I’ve written previously about what I did differently this time round with this baba compared with my two previous attempts, so it wasn’t for lack of trying that I got it right eventually! Continue reading →

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