This week my Word of the Week is: Rough!! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

Ugh! This week has been a rough one with unexpected news, me not feeling so great and having to deal with a lot of real life things going on and blog issues yesterday. Things might not have been all rainbows and sunshine over the past week but things are looking up, it's the weekend and we have a lot to look forward to.

It's been one of those weeks that can just go and get in the bin. I will be glad when it's over and we can forget about it but at the moment issues from the week are still dragging on and probably will be until I receive a response to complaints that I have made about various things.

It's like everything comes all at once! If the unexpected news (I can't talk about it publicly) came last week I would have handled it just fine but I have been feeling rough this week. I have had a small dose of tonsillitis, plus hay fever and period pains! I've been tired, ached, been feeling hot and cold and just meh! I think feeling run down has not helped keep my emotions in check. Thankfully I am feeling much better now in myself, I just have a little bit of a sore throat and now a cough.

It was just too much! I had three days of feeling sorry for myself and then pulled myself together. I wrote strongly worded emails, I was going to phone the people I needed to but with having a sore throat meant I could hardly talk and didn't really want to raise my voice and it worked out well. I got everything that I wanted to say in the emails and more and probably things that I would have forgotten to say on the phone.

And to top it all yesterday I had blog issues! I don't know how or why but my domain provider decided to add a landing/launching soon page on my blog. I am not creating a new blog or website, this one is here to stay!

I only went on their website to check over my account and see when I was paid up until, I didn't even click anything. I panicked, turned to Google which was no help and the chat thing on the website wasn't great either so I rang up. Me who hates speaking on the phone but I was that upset that my blog had gone. Turns out it hadn't gone, it was safe. I could get into the back end of it where I write my posts and stuff the strange page was just there in everyone's face. Anyway the woman on the phone was so helpful and got rid of the page but then had to reset the settings at their end. Last time I did anything in those settings was when I changed from Northumberland Mam to Life As Kim. The woman did mess one little thing up so for a few hours it wasn't working, even though it said it would take an hour to work again. Between myself and the amazing Jayne reminding me to do the final step we got it back up! Phew! I still never got to the bottom of why that page appeared.

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay for her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 20. #FridayFavourites

This past week has been full of ups and downs, mostly downs but I am not going to dwell on those. I am taking the positives from my week and writing about them. These are my favourites from the week and I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

Early nights!

For the most part of the week I have been laid in bed by half past ten which is really early for me. Of course I haven't gone to sleep straight away, I've had to have a scroll on my phone but most nights I have been going to sleep by about 11pm.

ChatGPT for writing emails!

I have made good use of ChatGPT this week and it helped me out writing some emails. I couldn't really write an email saying you have let my family down, the rules you have are stupid and it all sucks! ChatGPT was much more eloquent. I got a decent result as how a situation has been handled is now being looked into instead of just filed away!

Feeling better than I was!

Most of my downs this week included me not feeling great. I think I have had a small dose of tonsillitis, plus hay fever and period pains! I know it's TMI but I have been feeling sorry for myself and probably could have coped OK with just one thing but all three at once and other things that we've had going on has knocked me for six! I feel like I am over the worst now. Phew!

A refund! 

I bought a hosepipe in March, it was greatly reduced in price and seemed too good to be true. It turns out it was too good to be true, the store I bought it from (The Range) said it comes from a different supplier and kept fobbing me off saying it will be coming soon, it never arrived so after a month of asking for a refund I finally got my money back and after all that I managed to fix our old hosepipe so didn't need a new one after all.

Costa treats!

Becky was my hero on Tuesday and treated me to a nice icy drink and a cake from Costa. The Mango & Passion Fruit Cooler. She even got them delivered, it worked out cheaper than getting the bus to and from town. hehehe

Ice cream and lollies!

As a child my dad would always give my brother and I ice cream and ice lollies when we had sore throats and I have carried on following his lead and I have eaten so many over this past week. They have helped ease my sore throat!

Support from family and friends!

My family and I have a great support system around us, we've needed it over the last year and they rallied again when we got some news over the past week. Not totally bad news but unexpected news which I wasn't mentally prepared for.

Making plans for the weekend!

After a rough week we feel like we need to treat ourselves and we're going to do just that over the weekend. Stu and Becky are off work so we're all home which will be nice. There's the FA Cup final tomorrow, Stu and I have some plans and The Eurovision Song Contest on TV which we always watch. Now I just have to come up with something to do on Sunday which we all agree on!

What have you loved over the past week?

Mental Health Awareness Week: Community and parenting older kids!

It is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year, the 2025 theme is Community! It is a word that feels more important than ever. As a parent of teenage girls I’ve came to realise just how much community matters when it comes to supporting not only their mental health but mine too. We all need a little help sometimes!

Raising teenagers and being there for young adults is no small task! There is so much pressure on them now with social media, academic pressure, body image struggles and friendship dramas. Then throw in anxiety, mood swings, occasional slamming of doors and the eternal "I’m fine" when you know full well they’re not. It can feel overwhelming but we're not in it alone and that’s where community comes in!

When we think of the word community we often imagine neighbours, schools or local groups and it can be those things but community is also about connection, the people you lean on, the ones who understand, the ones who remind you you’re not failing when everything feels like a mess.

As a parent over the years my community has included:

Other mums at the school gate who’ve whispered, "Mine’s the same. It’s not just you." It was such a reassurance to know I wasn't in this parenting lark alone.

Online groups on blogs where parents share their worries, wins and occasional cries in the car. It is good to connect with real people who are going through the same things.

Teachers, youth workers and counsellors who’ve taken the time to see my girls for who they are!

And, surprisingly even the girls themselves when they open up and remind me just how strong, insightful and emotionally intelligent this generation can be.

Teens and young adults today are navigating a minefield of emotional challenges. Social media has given them access to constant comparison, unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to be on it all the time. It has caused no end of drama, worry and stress for my family over the years, sometimes I do wish I could just take it away from them. In the past I have but they are at an age now where they are more sensible in how they use it and realise that not everything they read and see online is true. Then you add in the stress of school, college friendships, hormones and a world that feels increasingly uncertain, it’s really no wonder they’re struggling!

As a mum, I’ve had late night chats that started with “I’m just tired” and turned into deep heart to hearts where everything has came pouring out. I’ve watched my girls spiral from small worries into big anxieties and I’ve felt helpless, wanting to take away their pain but not always knowing how. That’s why community is so important because when our kids feel supported, connected and safe they cope better and when we feel supported, we’re able to help them more!

Community starts in the home. We’re their first safe space for out teenagers and young adults even if they sometimes act like we’re the last people they want to talk to. Here are a few things we try in my home:

Open conversations! Not just asking how was your day but what’s been on your mind lately or has anything felt tricky today? Anything can be talked about here!

We have a no judgement zone! I remind them and myself that it’s okay to feel angry, sad, confused or just “meh. All those feelings that we feel are valid!

Celebrate the small wins! Getting out of bed on a tough day, speaking up in class, sending a tricky message to a friend all of those things matter and if they bring a positive result they are a win!

Encourage rest! Not every hour needs to be productive, we all need some down time!

Model self care! I try to show them what taking care of myself looks like whether that’s saying no, taking a walk or doing something just because it makes me happy!

While we’re busy trying to be our teenagers and young adults rocks, we often forget that we need support too. Parenting teens can be lonely at times especially when you don't have that connection with other mums at the school gates. It was so much easier when they were little and I would speak to other mums, now I don't know the parents of my daughters friends as I am not at the school gates. 

Mental Health Awareness Week is a good excuse to reach out and reconnect. Maybe it’s checking in with another parent you haven’t heard from in a while, maybe it’s attending a workshop or finding a podcast or book that speaks to you, about what you are experiencing! Connecting with other parents even if it’s just in a online group can be a lifeline.

The more we talk about parenting and mental health the less alone we all feel. This week is a reminder that we don’t have to do this parenting thing in isolation. We’re allowed to ask for help, we’re allowed to not have all the answers and we’re allowed to admit when we’re struggling. Our teenagers and young adults are watching us more closely than we realise. When they see us leaning on others, building supportive friendships, talking honestly about mental health it gives them permission to do the same.

If you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone. There’s support available and it’s okay to ask for it. Whether it’s a GP, a therapist, a local support group or a charity helpline help is out there and it can get better!

Some useful links:

YoungMinds offers Mental health advice, guides, blogs and a find help tool. Great for both young people and parents.

The Mix offers articles, discussion boards, live chat, and a crisis messenger for under-25s.

Kooth offers free, anonymous online counselling and support. Available through most UK postcodes.

Papyrus for suicide prevention in young people, it offers support for young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and for parents/carers.

This or That: May Edition!

May is one of those inbetween months! A bit spring, a bit summer, a bit do I need a brolly and a bit why am I sweating in a cardigan! It's the month of blossom, garden faffing, Bank Holidays galore and the age old question do I wear a jacket or not? So in true springtime spirit, I’ve whipped up some This or That questions all themed around May!

Gardening gloves or bare hands?

Ohh! I have to use gloves when I am gardening. I am fussy when it comes to getting my hands dirty and I hate the thought of bugs and critters touching me. I also hate the soil and dirt getting under my nails. Yuck!

May rain: cosy or annoying?

It depends what I have to do on the day that it is raining and if we have gone a while without rain, I would say I like it then and find it cosy!

Morning coffee outside or evening drink on the patio?

I like my morning coffee outside when the world is still waking up and everything is peaceful.

BBQ in the garden or picnic in the park?

Ohh! Both have their advantages and disadvantages but I think I would go for a picnic in the park. It is a lot less fuss than organising a BBQ and then having to clean up afterwards.

Dandelions or daisies?

If you ask my garden, that would said dandelions, the grass is covered with them at the moment but I know in a few weeks the daisies will take over and they are my favourite. They remind me of breaktimes when I was at school, sitting on the grass making daisy chains.

Bluebells or blossom trees?

Ohh! I would have to say blossom tree's. There are not many bluebells around near me but there has been plenty of trees with blossom on and I always think that they are so pretty!

Rhubarb crumble or Eton Mess?

This is a tough choice, I love both and think of them as perfect desserts for this time of year. If I had to chose one to eat now I would go for rhubarb crumble because I haven't had it in forever, it has to come with custard though!

Strawberries or raspberries?

Strawberries!! I like raspberries when they are pureed down or the flavour but not whole one's, they are always so tart.

Ice cream or iced coffee?

I want to pick both but I will go for iced coffee as I think of ice cream as more of a middle of summer thing. I have been drinking a lot of iced coffee lately.

Lemon drizzle or Victoria sponge cake?

Neither would be my first choice of cake but I would go for the classic Victoria sponge cake. It was the first cake that I ever learned to bake and teach my girls to bake. So simple, but so good!

Light jacket or denim jacket?

Up until a few weeks ago I would have said a light jacket but now I am all about my new denim jacket. It seems to go well with everything that I own and is just right for the weather we've been having, sunny one minute and chilly the next!

Barefoot in the grass or wellies in the mud?

I would have to say wellies in the mud, I hate walking outside, even on the grass barefoot. It all stems from when I was a teenager I stood on a wasp when I was barefoot and it hurt and still hurt days afterwards!

Open toe shoes or trainers?

Trainers at this time of year and open toe shoes in the middle of summer when it is really hot! I do have a lot of outfits which go with open toe sandals so might have to get them out a bit early this year!

Farmers’ market or car boot sale?

I would say a car boot sale. I do love rummaging for a bargain. My brother goes to them most weeks, selling and he always makes some decent money from them.

May mood: full of plans or taking it slow?

Taking it slow, we have had a busy couple of months so May is going to be about slowing down and spending less money. I have to save those pennies for summer.

What would you answer for some of these this or that questions?