A flat digital illustration with soft summery colours showing a mum and two children enjoying outdoor play in a peaceful garden. The blog title “Surviving the UK Summer School Break” appears above in Darling Mellow's style.

Surviving the UK Summer School Break: Gentle Solutions for Busy Mums in 2025

Surviving the UK Summer School Break: Gentle Solutions for Busy Mums in 2025 Summer holidays should not feel like a battle. Here is how to stay soft, supported, and sane without needing a full-time nanny or a magical village. When the last bell rings, it can feel like a countdown clock starts ticking. Six weeks, maybe…

ByHeather 0Likes

A soft pastel-toned digital illustration showing a mum and child sitting on a bench, with the child looking up thoughtfully while holding a simple toy instead of a phone. The image includes the title “Should You Delay Your Child’s First Smartphone?” and Darling Mellow branding at the bottom.

📵 Smartphone-Free Childhood: A Gentle Guide to Waiting Longer Without Falling Behind

Should You Delay Your Child’s First Smartphone? A Realistic Guide for 2025 You are not behind for wanting to protect your child’s peace — even in a world that moves at full speed. By the time they hit Year 6, it feels like every child in the playground already has a smartphone. Maybe your child is…

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How to Handle Sibling Fights Without Losing Your Mind

How to Handle Sibling Fights Without Losing Your Mind You do not need to referee every fight. You just need to stay calm when your children cannot. Your children are screaming. You are halfway through making tea. One of them hits the other, and someone starts sobbing. You feel your body tense. The urge to shout…

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How We Save on Family Days Out All Year Round – Thanks to Kids Pass

We all want to say yes more often. But between soft play, pizza nights and the cinema, family fun adds up fast. Here’s how we save up to 57 percent - every month of the year. Let’s be honest - days out with kids are expensive. One quick cinema trip turns into twenty pounds of popcorn…

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Understanding Your Parenting Triggers Without Shame or Guilt

You are not a bad parent for being triggered. You are a human being with a nervous system trying to keep everyone safe. If your child shouts and you instantly shut down, or if a slammed door makes you snap in a way that surprises even you - this post is for you. These are not…

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Genius Kitchen Storage Hacks for Mums Who Hate Clutter (But Love a Bargain)

Because your kitchen deserves to feel calm, even if your budget is tight If your cupboards are bursting, your fridge looks like a snack tornado, and the thought of deep-cleaning makes you want to hide under the table - this is for you. These affordable kitchen storage hacks are simple, stylish, and actually work for real…

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Calm Minds, Clever Hands – Our Favourite Edx Education UK Toys (With 20% Off)

Calm Minds, Clever Hands - Our Favourite Edx Education UK Toys (With 20% Off) There is a world of difference between toys that get played with once and forgotten, and toys that quietly teach, soothe, and stay. These are the latter – and right now, they are 20 percent off. If you are overwhelmed by noisy…

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When You’re the Default Parent and It’s Breaking You: How to Reclaim Space Without Guilt

A realistic guide for overwhelmed mums who carry it all, all the time Being the default parent is not a job title. It is a weight. It means you are the first responder, the human diary, the emotional thermometer, the finder of lost shoes, the rememberer of every tiny detail that keeps your family functioning. And…

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Free and cheap days out for families in the UK featured image

Free and Cheap Days Out for Families in the UK (Updated for 2025)

Free and Cheap Days Out for Families in the UK (Updated for 2025) By Darling Mellow · 25 May 2025 · For Mums Let us be real. Entertaining kids is exhausting enough without adding price tags to everything. Whether you are on a tight budget, home educating, navigating disability access, or just done with overpriced days…

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A smiling mum and daughter sitting on a soft rug, using a printed Calm Toolkit worksheet together with coloured pens and a cuddly toy nearby — calm family bonding moment

How to Raise a Calm Child – Even If You’re Not a Calm Parent

How to Raise a Calm Child in a Loud World In today’s overstimulating, fast-moving world, raising a calm child can feel impossible - especially if you’re not naturally calm yourself. But with the right tools, routines and mindset, it’s absolutely possible to build a peaceful, grounded home environment for your child (and you). What Does It…

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