Happy New (Financial) Year! It’s time to dig out those receipts and bills you’ve stashed somewhere and see if you could be eligible for a healthy tax refund. Doing your taxes can be confusing and time-consuming. Yet that extra boost to your bank account could be worth it in the long run. When you’re a parent, you may also need to think about whether you receive Family Tax Benefit or Child Care Subsidy around this time of year. Given the many factors to consider at tax time, you wouldn’t be alone in putting off the task. Maybe you’re in a hurry to get it done? Either way, don’t forget to add ‘b ..read more

Welcome back to the Beanstalk Mums podcast! In this episode, we chat with the incredible Kathy Sullivan, author of “Moms Eat First: Five Principles to Prioritize Yourself and Create the Change You Crave”. Kathy shares her personal journey as a single mum and offers us some golden nuggets from her book tailored just for you. Ready to dive into the five principles that will help you put yourself first, tackle mum guilt, and balance career, family, and self-care? Kathy’s got you covered! Plus, we explore how to navigate life’s ups and downs while reclaiming your power and embracing peace. So grab ..read more

Children are going online at an almost frighteningly early age. For this reason, it is essential that parents have a way to monitor what they view and do … as well as when they do it. Thank goodness for parental control apps. These tools are an absolute godsend to parents who don’t have time to physically monitor their children’s time online, and quite frankly, who does? If you’re deliberating over which one best suits the needs of your family, we have you covered. See below our list of parental control apps to keep your child safe online, including all the facts you need to make an educated d ..read more

If you are a single parent, you can be forgiven for thinking that going on a perfect holiday is more trouble than it’s worth. But please don’t. Being a single parent doesn’t mean you can’t have a decent holiday. Not only that, single parent family holidays can be cheap, easy and lots of fun. I am a single mum, ex travel agent and seasoned vacationer! It doesn’t matter how hard a family trip might seem, I always find a way. If we are living on a tight budget, my girls and I still manage to travel and explore … even if we have to stay in a single room! The trick is crafting a no-fail plan for yo ..read more

You never imagined you would be a single mum on the dating scene. It’s not what we ever think will happen when we have babies and start a family. But here you are. It may not be your first rodeo, but it’s not easier at all! Why? Because this time, dating decisions don’t just affect you, but your kids as well. This doesn’t mean you can’t put yourself back out there and start to be happy again (romantically). Dating when you have children is both daunting and exciting.  Another thing you might be worried about is the thought of getting intimate with someone new. I understand that it’s very ..read more

Fashion trends come and go. If you have found yourself stuck in a style rut for too many years now, today is the day to reinvent your style. If you want to dress to impress and find a style that works for you in midlife, follow these easy steps. The Basics When you start reinventing your style, you need to get back to basics and find staple items that can be worked around. Many women make the mistake of purchasing a few items they like, which don’t necessarily work well together. Start by building a core wardrobe, either with clothes you already own in your current wardrobe or by sta ..read more

Many parents of autistic toddlers face significant challenges with their children’s sleep disturbances. Addressing sleeping problems in autistic toddlers is crucial as they not only affect the child’s health and development but also impact family dynamics and overall well-being. This article offers practical strategies tailored to manage autism-related sleep difficulties, helping to create a nurturing environment that promotes better sleep for autistic children. By implementing these techniques, families can experience improved rest and less stress during bedtime routines. 1. Gradual Introduct ..read more

Phones are new to this era of parenting. We can’t look back at our own childhoods to decide when is the right time to give a child one. At the same time, child smartphone safety should be our top priority. There is no minimum age limit to own a phone (unfortunately). There’s also no rule to say all children should have a phone by a certain age. And is age really what we should be focusing on? To help you make an informed decision, here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to buy your child their first phone or not. Child smartphone safety: should I get my child a phone or n ..read more

Your family breakup will have been an unexpected twist in your life plan. No one finds a partner and has kids, knowing that separation or divorce is on the cards. So, when it happens, we have absolutely no idea what we are doing. And the immediate reaction is to find a lawyer in the hope that they will sort everything out on our behalf. But stop! It is very possible that you will not need legal services for your separation, especially if you are still amicable with your ex-partner. Getting divorced is primarily an administrative and financial process rather than a legal one. And it has been kn ..read more

Heading off by plane for long-overdue family travel is usually filled with excitement. Still, if you haven’t done it before, the thought of flying with kids can bring a lot of worries. Stop right there! Before you start stressing yourself, know that there are plenty of small steps you can take to make air travel with your children easier. Tips for a long flight with kids coming right up! Top tips for travelling a long-haul flight with kids Preparation is key First on my list of tips and tricks for a successful long flight with kids: prepare. Many little things can make a big difference to ..read more