Kid’s Fashion – Mediocre Mum

Can Your Hubby Plait Hair?

Easy 5-in-1 Hairstyle for Girls

I was searching YouTube look for easy girls hairstyles in an attempt to tame my daughter’s hair and I came across a tutorial that purported to be an easy ‘5-in-1 Easy Daddy Do’ pitched at stay at home dads, weekend dads or inept mums like me.

I watched the video and it seemed simple enough and only involved two simple plaits. Then it got me thinking, could my husband plait hair? I’m lucky if he gets her to brush her teeth when I’m not around. But he spent a lot of time sailing and on boats so can tie knots, but could he do a simple plait.

So I set the challenge

I have to say I think he did a pretty good job for a first attempt. As a mum I have an unfair advantage, I didn’t have my daughter till I was 35 and I’ve pretty much had long hair for most of my life so plaits are second nature.

And now that I know he can do it and with a bit of practice this could mean one less job for me.

Easing the Transition from Primary to Secondary School

In association with ASDA

Cast your mind back to when you were 11. If you’re able to remember how you felt back then (and congratulations if you have the memory skills to do such a thing!), you’ll know how it felt in the run up to secondary school. You’ll remember the nerves and the anticipation as you made your way through primary school, only to become one of the youngest kids in the school again. No wonder some kids get incredibly worked up about the whole process, especially if they’re going to a different school than some of their best friends.

However, easing the transition from primary to secondary school is possible and, as their parent, you can be a key element in the process.

Put yourself in their shoes

As mentioned earlier, cast your mind back to when you were in their shoes. Secondary school can be daunting for many reasons – the bigger kids, the subjects, the size of the school, the new people – its understandable that they’re feeling a little apprehension, and you will be able to be more supportive if you can emotionally relate to them.

Treat them to some new uniform

Grab the uniform checklist from the school and treat them to everything they could need. Let them pick items that they’ll feel confident and comfortable in; take them shopping with you for trousers and school skirts from George at ASDA and allow them to choose to shoes that they love. Secondary school is a great time to show off some individuality, right down to the backpack, folders and stationery that they choose. Let them go wild…within reason.

Listen to them

Don’t ignore their worries and concerns, and don’t shrug them off either. Listen to them and try your best to resolve their issues. Emphasise that everyone will be in a similar situation – it’s not just them that will have to face all those new people and make new friends. Everyone will be doing the same thing.

Set a routine for homework

It may not be the most fun thing that they can do when they get home from school, but the sooner it gets done, the more of the weekend they can enjoy. Encourage good homework habits early on so that they know what to expect as revision and projects approach.

Help them

It can help to be attentive and to listen to them once they’re at school, too. Make time each day to listen to them, and show an interest in what they’re doing at school. Let them know that they’re not alone and that you will help them as and when they need it. Perhaps you could proofread essays and homework, give them a hand with taxing projects or help them to revise when the exam period draws near. A supportive home life will help to keep them in the right frame of mind throughout their time at school.

Secondary school can be daunting for youngsters (and you!) but if you provide plenty of support and instil confidence into your kids in the run up to September, the move should be a smooth one.

Not your typical kid’s photo shoot!

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a strong aversion to putting kids on stage, TV or modelling.

Michael Jackson, Drew Barrymore, Macauly Culkin, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears….

Need I say more?

I just feel that that environment is far too grown up for kids and they don’t have the maturity or confidence to be there. Hence why they tend to go off the rails.

On the other hand, if my daughter was lacking in confidence, luckily she doesn’t, I would consider enrolling her in a drama course.

Not your typical kid’s Photo Shoot

However, on the weekend I had a chance to have some photos of her done by the lovely Jeanette Lendon near Berkhamstead.

Jeanette ‘doesn’t do cute and sweet photos -but hard-core (pre) teenage angst!!!! Think catalogue modelling.’

I absolutely love the end result and she looks a bit too much of a natural for my liking.

Girls Black Fluffy Embellished Shrug by River Island

Aya Naya Dark Grey J Skirt by Little Beau Chic (£25)

Girls Reversible Jacket by Muddle Puddles

Girl’s Blue Star Printed Jeans by Debenham’s

Do you know any teens who could use a boost in self-confidence?

Jeanette has vouchers available for Christmas. £95 for an hour shoot which includes three High Res images and for an additional £30 an artist will do hair and age appropriate make-up. For the pre-teens this would just be lip-gloss. She is fab with kids and puts them at ease and her studio is set in beautiful surroundings.

Jeanette@jeanettelendonphotography.co.uk

079000 84147

5 Quick and Easy Hairstyles for Little Girls

5 Easy Hairstyles for Little Girls

I’m crap at doing my daughter’s hair and it often resembles a burst mattress! For the last two years running I’ve forgotten to even brush her hair on school photo day. I wouldn’t have bought the photos but parental guilt kicked in.

During the school year I don’t have time to be faffing around with hairstyles in the morning, getting dressed in time is challenging enough. My repertoire didn’t go beyond putting it in a knotted ponytail.

As it’s the long weekend and as predicted it’s raining so we thought we’d spend a few minutes playing hairdresser trying out quick and easy hairstyles for little girls.

I don’t want her to get hung up on her hair but was looking for quick and easy ways to keep it out of her eyes when she is running around playing.

Please be gentle, as it was my first attempt but with a bit of practice, I reckon they would work but most importantly she loved them.

The pictures on the left are the inspiration and my daughter is on the right.

Simple Twist

This one is dead easy. Simply twist the hair and clip into place. Thanks to Girly Do‘s for the inspiration.

Classic Plaited Pigtails

I love the simplicity and innocence of this one. She still looks like a little girl. Simply put hair into two ponytails and then plait. Found at I know hair!

High Ponytail with Hairband

Clip her fringe back. Then using fingers, messily gather hair on top of her head and put in a ponytail. Finish with a colourful hairband. Perfect for keeping her hair out of her face while she is playing and learning. Check out Latest Hairstyles for some fab inspiration.

Bunches of Colour

This one probably made her yelp the most. Simply start with one pigtail on her forehead and then progressively, in section, add more bunches. Using multi-coloured elastics makes more dramatic.

Knotted Hair

I can’t believe after all the time I spend trying to get the knots out of her hair I voluntarily put some more in??? Unfortunately, I ran out of little elastics, but as you can see if I carried on it would have been very effective. There is a video tutorial at Girly Do’s Hairstyles.

I hope to slowly add more easy hairstyles. Which one do you like best? Do you have any suggestions?