How to Host a Kid's Party (for ages 3 to 6)

Okay so holding a kid's party isn't quite like organizing a Royal wedding but you still want the day to run smoothly. Kids can be pretty unpredictable so you need to know how to prepare for every eventuality...

Firstly, if you want a theme for the party then make it simple. Something like 'animals from kids movies of '93 to '99 is far too specific and the guests just won't bother. Remember that it's not the kids making the costumes and some parents are horrendously busy. Themes like 'Cowboys and Fairies', 'Pirates' or 'Fairy Tales' are all perfect as almost any parent has a checked neckerchief and a cowboy hat or a pair of white leggings and face paints.

Secondly, plan it well in advance. Kids always want to know that you've got their party sorted so they are free to build up excitement at school or nursery. It's a good idea to get the guest list sorted as soon as possible and make sure your kids know that the decisions on guests are final. If there are any fallings-out between children then they know that they should kiss and make up before the big day. Setting a date around 2 or 3 months in advance is perfect for parents with busy schedules.

You'll also need to have a set plan for the day, unless you're planning a huge attraction like a bouncy castle. There's nothing worse than inviting 10 or 20 children to your house (or even worse to someone else's venue), not having anything for them to do and watching them run around wrecking everything. Have them come in and sit down for some calm party games, followed by some more energetic ones before the food. After they've eaten carry on with something calmer like watching a movie, pass the parcel or playing with the presents, then bring on the cake and candles and it's home-time again.

Have something for the parents. Kids love to carry on playing once their parents arrive and have a natter with the other adults and you should be prepared for some adults who love a good chin-wag too. This doesn't involve much; just enough chairs for people to sit down, some tea and coffee, possibly beer and wine and some nibbles.

Finally, remember to get party bags with a couple of toys and cake to send home with the kids at a specific time. Whether this time gets stuck to or not isn't that important as you should have booked the whole day off for the party (you will all be tired afterwards!). If you're stuck for things to put in the party bags then try melting the odds and ends of crayons in the oven to make crayon buttons (there are plenty of tutorials online) home-made soaps, mini fairy cakes or buying things like whistles, toy cars, colourful stationary, bottles of bubbles and kid's jewellery.

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The 5 Golden Rules of Early Rising (article)

We have all woken up at 6am one sunny Spring morning and thought 'This is easy', yet most people who try and keep it up just fail miserably.

It's not just an eager attitude you need for success in rising early, there are a number of factors to consider and ideas to implement in your routine...

1. The Clue is in the Introduction
Routine, routine, routine! If you go to bed one night at 9pm of course you'll wake up early, but the next night going to bed at midnight having polished off a bottle of wine gives you no chance. Set a specific time to go to bed (which corresponds with the amount of hours sleep you need each night to feel refreshed), don't eat too much before you go and set an alarm for exactly the same (early!) time each morning.

2. Get up, Stand up
The second you wake up or hear your alarm going off just jump right out of bed. It helps to tell yourself not to turn off the alarm until you're standing up and it works even better if you put the alarm on the other side of the room. After this, walk right out of the door away from your bed and don't look back. You don't have to skip gleefully- crawl if you have to, but just get away from temptation!

3. Have a Reason to Get up Early
It's best if your reason is personal and not something you'll end up resenting (e.g. 'I need to get up early to get into work before my boss'). There's absolutely no reason why you can't enjoy getting up early too. If you enjoy exercise then make time for it each morning and make this your reason. Perhaps you love food and would like to take your own meal to work each day? Wake up early and do it! Spend time with the kids, watch TV, read books, meditate etc. etc.

4. Keep a Reminder
If you're a fitness nut then buying a great new pair of trainers or having freshly washed gym clothes hanging on your wardrobe door is a good incentive. The key is to balance out the doubts in your mind when you're lying in your comfy warm bed. The foremost doubt is guaranteed to be 'if I get up I'll be cold and tired'. If you balance that with 'if I DON'T get up then I can't wear those lovely new gym shoes right in front of me' then you're more likely to do it, right?

5. Sleep Hygienically
Sleep hygiene means having a quiet sleeping environment which is comfy, uninterrupted and at the right temperature. Don't have the TV or your computer on for company when you fall asleep, as tempting as that might be. Instead, try having the radio on very quietly or a relaxing CD that will end in an hour or so.

Some of these tips may easier said than done when regarding your personal situation, but try and follow them as closely as you can, add a generous dollop of determination and you're guaranteed to get there.

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