Three tips for a super summer

There’s only a week or so left of school – how has it gone so quickly? – and the summer holidays are looming large.

Does everyone have lots planned? We are on holiday for a week and we have some days out, but that is about it so far. I think everyone’s exhausted and it will be a novelty to not do school runs (for me) and just hang out at home (for everyone).

I am relying on – fingers crossed! – warm weather, meaning we can spend time out in the garden. That’s not too optimistic for the UK, is it…?

Did you know Amazon.co.uk has just launched the Amazon.co.uk #NowItsSummer store? It’s something  that could really come in handy now it’s hot…so here’s three tips from me on how you can have a super summer for children AND parents.

Tip 1: Keep everyone cool: Hot weather has the potential to make everyone pretty grumpy but what never fails to cool everyone down and cheer everyone up is getting in the paddling pool. In previous years we’ve used our sandpit lid and filled it with water, but now both children want to get in on the action we needed something bigger.

Amazon sent us the John Adams 6 Snapset Ocean play paddling pool, which costs £12 and is available on the baby section of the summer site. It’s at least twice as big as our previous effort and comes in a colourful fish pattern. The good thing about it is it doesn’t need inflating, so there’s no having to search for the missing pump.

The good thing about it is it doesn’t need inflating, so there’s no having to search for the missing pump while everyone gets increasingly impatient.

My top tip – add washing up liquid to the water to make enough bubbles to keep everyone happy. We have already had hours of fun.

Tip 2: Have snacks on tap: If your children are anything like mine they will spend a lot of time saying ‘I’m huuuuungrrryyy’. Hot, hangry children do not make for happy children, so a constant supply of snacks works for us.

Amazon also sent us this summery crockery set, which is perfect for serving snacks outdoors, or for picnics and meals out. It includes the grey willow tray, salad servers, serve platter, cactus-patterned salad bowl, wooden bowl, and set of three small bowls (all sold separately, starting from £12.99).

I love the patterns and designs on these summery dishes (did you know Amazon sold things like this? I didn’t!)

Tip 3: And finally…keep the parents happy: While my children are still little enough to require supervision in the paddling pool, what helps to make me happy is supervising them in comfort. Ideally, sat down.

The retro-fabulous stripy Pangeon Glider Sevilla Deckchair which costs £75, makes me very happy, mainly because it means I can supervise while sitting down and reading magazines – the dream.

It’s available in three different bright colours and does require assembly, but nothing too tricky. It’s also made of special waterproof cotton fabric which means you can leave it out when it inevitably rains.

Another top tip: If you sit in this and stick your feet in the paddling pool you are all set. And make sure you have a glass of wine post-bedtime too.

All these summer products – and much more – are available on the Amazon #NowItsSummer store that uses the weather and Amazon’s recommendation technology to provide you with a range of the most suitable summer products and entertainment listings, from BBQs to towels during the hot weather to Kindle books for those rainier days.

Amazon is such a good weapon in the parenting arsenal and it’s saved me over several of the seasons, from Christmas costumes to autumnal craft supplies.  Now it looks Amazon have summer sewn up too.

As I write this it’s clouded over again…I’ve totally jinxed the summer, haven’t I? SORRY.

Thanks to Amazon and the #NowItsSummer store for sponsoring this post and sending us the items. More post…signs you’re a mum in summer, and looking back at the summers of my childhood