Tina Bailey
Covers:
parenting, Autism parenting, lifestyle, travel, Manchester, Salford, working from home, bereavement, reviews, toys, technology, books, theatre,
Doesn't Cover:
Alcohol, Religion, Meat
Creative, geeky writer, video maker & occasional radio presenter. Owned by 2 kids & 2 boxer dogs. All round Leftie. Autism mum. Views my own. @t33 on mastodon
Articles by Tina Bailey
5 Great Gift Ideas for a Digital Detox
Today I’m sharing some great gift ideas for a digital detox. Now more than ever, people are realising how important it is to spend some time offline each day. Whether they go for a walk, read a (physical) book, or do some baking, there’s plenty of day-to-day activities that are perfect for this. However, some people (myself included) need a bit of extra encouragement to step away from their tech. So with that in mind, I decided to share some gift ideas for a digital detox.
1 Honest LUWIN Skincare Review and Giveaway – Gifted
Today I’m sharing my honest LUWIN Skincare review, and also giving five lucky winners a LUWIN Skincare bundle of their choice, too. Last month, the team at LUWIN Skincare reached out to offer a skincare set as a giveaway prize. When I mentioned I was having issues with skin sensitivity, redness and dry skin, they offered to send me three products to review, which target these areas, and I happily accepted.
10 Easy Things To Do Beforehand
Today I’m sharing some tips on things to do before monetising a blog. If you’re new here, hi. I’m Tina and I’ve been blogging since 2011. It has paid the bills since 2018, and I figured it was finally time I told my readers how to get to that point… So keep reading to find out what you need to do before monetising blogs. Table of Contents Toggle Setting Up A Blog First things first, you need to make sure your blog itself is eligible for monetisation.
Win a Great DenTEK Travel Bundle Worth £50
I’m giving away two Dentek travel bundles worth £50 each! Dentek is one of the UK’s leading dental care brands, and they’ve launched a repair kit, to fill lost fillings in an emergency – perfect fore popping in your suitcase, just in case. Keep reading to find out what’s included in the Dentek travel bundle giveaway, and how to enter.
How Interactive Technology Is Changing the Way Families Spend Time at Home in 2026
Today I’m sharing how interactive technology is changing the way families spend time at home. Technology at home used to mean sitting in front of a television, computer or games console. Today, things are changing. A growing number of home entertainment options are designed to get people standing up, moving around and interacting with what is happening on screen. For families, this creates some interesting possibilities.
How Modern Living Is Redefining Personal Spaces in 2026
Today I am discussing how modern living is redefining personal spaces, using tech, personalised interiors and comfortable layouts. The lives of people are now different from those of previous generations. Due to rapid advancement in technology, changes in the work pattern, and busy lifestyles, people have changed the way they use their living spaces.
A Systems Integration Guide For 2026
Getting a computer vision model to run on an embedded board is a weekend project. Getting it to run in real time, every frame, inside a power and thermal budget, wired into cameras and downstream systems that all have to agree on timing, is the actual engineering. The model is a component. The product is the integration, and the integration is where most real-time vision projects lose their schedule.
Why is my Boiler Losing Pressure? – 1 Honest Story
Today I’m sharing the answer to the question – why is my boiler losing pressure? Which I learnt the hard way. If you read my blog regularly, you’ll know that I’ve been flipping my fixer-upper house since late 2019. One of the first things I did when I began, was get a new boiler installed. This worked perfectly for a few years, but in 2023, my boiler started losing pressure. Keep reading to find out what happened next. Table of Contents Toggle Why is my Boiler Losing Pressure?
Why More UK Families Are Choosing to Hire a Family Car in 2026
Today I’m talking about why more families are choosing to hire a family car, rather than buy one in 2026. We’re in tricky economic times, and a lot of families are changing the way they spend in order to make their pounds go a bit further. This is having some unexpected impacts on traditional British milestones. For example, buying the first family car has been an acknowledged rite of passage for UK families for decades – but that’s all changing.
6 Fun Ideas For A Perfect Anniversary Celebration - MotherGeek - UK Blog
Today I’m sharing 6 fun ideas for a perfect anniversary celebration. Your Wedding / relationship anniversary is not just a random date on a calendar. This day marks the beginning of a beautiful journey that you have started with your partner. It’s the day which holds meaning and should be celebrated. Whether it is your first anniversary or fiftieth – this special occasion deserves to be filled with lots of love.
Relocating as a Family to a New Area – 5 Important Things to Consider
Today I’m talking about relocating as a family. Moving is already a big decision to make, but to do it with a family and take them to a new area is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make together, and it comes with a natural mix of excitement and uncertainty. Questions arise about everything, from schools to access to green spaces, daily routines, and even local convenience, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even booked a viewing.
How Technology Preserves Familiar Experiences in 4 Great New Ways
Today I’m discussing how technology preserves familiar experiences in new ways. You and people around you rely on routines more than you might realise. Whether it’s the way you make your morning tea or how you spend a quiet evening, familiar patterns are known to give us a sense of control and ease. As technology continues to reshape daily life, it often reimagines these habits, updating them so that everything is more efficient.
Managing a Major Family Home Extension – 4 Great Tips
Today I’m sharing some tips to help when managing a major family home extension. Deciding to add a wrap-around extension or a loft conversion is an exciting milestone for any growing family. We all want a bit more space, perhaps a larger kitchen where the kids can do their homework while you prepare dinner. The thought of living through the actual building work can be slightly daunting. Having contractors in your house from morning until evening definitely changes your daily routine.
Win an Amazing Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum – 10368
Today I’m launching my latest giveaway – You could win a Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum – 10368. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll already know I’m a huge Lego fan. I snapped up this Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum set in the Amazon Prime Day deals. I loved it so much, I thought I’d give someone else the set over here, to an adult fan of lego. This set has an RRP of £24.99, was released on 1st August 2024, and is made up of 278 pieces.
5 Great Ways to Relieve Chronic Back Pain
Today I’m sharing some ways to relieve chronic back pain. If you follow me on social media, you may already be aware that back pain is something I’ve been dealing with for decades now. I’ve tried and tested many different things over the years, some more effective than others. So today I’m sharing my experiences with back pain relief. Table of Contents Toggle How I Injured my Back Before we delve into my back pain relief story, I figured I should explain the issues I have.
7 Great Kitchen Upgrades That Improve Everyday Health at Home
Today I’m sharing some kitchen upgrades that improve everyday health at home. Does eating right, exercising, or getting the much-needed rest automatically come to mind when you think of a healthy lifestyle? Then, you’re not alone. A healthy lifestyle starts in your kitchen, and many people don’t realise how it affects their day-to-day activities. Your kitchen decides your family’s health in more ways than just the water you drink and the meals you cook.
5 Important Things to Know Before Getting Braces
Today I’m sharing some things to know before getting braces. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re researching getting braces – either for yourself or your child. I had “train track” braces myself, back in the 1990s, and my teeth are once again all crooked, because my retainer broke and I didn’t bother getting it replaced. So with that in mind, I wanted to share some things to know before getting braces.
15 Great UK Websites to Promote a Blog Giveaway For Free
Today I’m sharing 5 great websites to promote a blog giveaway for free. While this post is written mainly for bloggers and small businesses to find places to promote their giveaways, it’s also a great place for readers to find other great UK giveaways to enter. So keep reading to see where I promote UK giveaways I run on MotherGeek.
Have People Stopped Using Dating Apps When Travelling And Is That A Good Thing In 2026?
Today I’m wondering have people stopped using dating apps when travelling, and is that a good thing? When travellers were asked where their trip romances actually began, dating apps came third. Airports topped the list at 48%, planes followed at 36%, and the apps that dominate dating back home managed only 24%. The result points to a wider change in how people meet while away, and it lines up with what is happening to the apps everywhere else. The open question is a practical one.
5 Great Ways To Relax After A Busy Day
Today I’m sharing some ways to relax after a busy day. Whether you’ve been working, travelling or doing DIY, the following ways to relax after a busy day will help you unwind. It can be hard to fit in time for yourself with a busy schedule and a family at home. Table of Contents Toggle Ways to Relax After a Busy Day Being a full-time worker makes it possible to go on that holiday that you always dreamed of or give that special present to someone, but there is no denying that it is also hard.
4 Great Travel Experiences To Enjoy Before The Kids Grow Up
Today I’m sharing some travel experiences to enjoy before the kids grow up. Family travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations on a list. It’s about creating those little moments you’ll talk about and reflect on for years to come. Plus, it allows you to reconnect and spend quality time with each other, which is always a benefit! Whether it’s the kids’ first time seeing the sea or exploring a new city, these sorts of experiences shape how children see the world.
Chapter 25 Book Club
Today I am sharing my honest review of Chapter 25 Book Club. If you’re not familiar with my blog, let me start by introducing myself… Hi, I’m Tina. I’ve been blogging here for almost fifteen years now, and I’m a self-confessed geek. I work from home, and my son has special needs, so I don’t get out much. Reading is something I love, so back in April, I finally joined a book club, in the hope of getting out more, and making a few bookish friends.
5 Blogger Outreach Tips For Approaching Bloggers For Backlinks
It’s no secret that backlinks are the easiest way to increase the Domain Authority of a website, so today I’m sharing some tips to help when approaching bloggers for backlinks. Before we dive into that, let’s cover why I’m qualified to answer this question: I’m Tina, and I have 15 years of experience as a blogger, so these answers are based on real-life experiences. My main blog – MotherGeek is now 15 years old, and I have spilt blood, sweat and tears on it.
What Does 6-7 Really Mean?
If you’re reading this post, chances are, you’re also wondering why is 6-7 so annoying? Today I have decided to dive into that, and look at the reasons why it’s so irritating to us parents, and why our kids love it so much. First, I want to say that my kids are teens, so while it has entered my house, it’s not “quite” as annoying as it has been for some of my friends with younger kids. Now we’ve covered that, let’s work out what 6-7 actually means. Table of Contents Toggle What Does 6-7 Really Mean?
How To Contact Arrow XL
Today I’m sharing how to contact Arrow XL customer service. If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re in the same position as me… You’ve spent a small fortune on an item, waited diligently for it to arrive, had an issue, found customer service to be unhelpful at best, unreachable in reality… So now you want to find decent contact methods, or submit a formal complaint to Arrow XL. Does that about cover it? If so, keep reading to find out how to contact Arrow XL customer service in 2026.
5 Great Tips For Hosting A Family Friendly Watch Party This Summer
Today I’m sharing some tips on hosting a family friendly watch party this summer. If your family was anything like mine growing up, you’d have a BBQ or family gathering for almost any sporting occasion. I remember my dad hosting BBQs for the Olympics, England football matches, and any time his beloved Manchester United got to a final.
How To Stop Poop Smearing Quickly In 2026
Today I am sharing our family’s experience on how we managed to stop poop smearing quickly. Before I continue, I want to introduce myself and share our journey, in case you’ve stumbled upon this post via google or *ahem* AI… Hi, I’m Tina. I’ve been blogging here since 2011, sharing my parenting journey. Regular readers will know my son, born in June 2011 is diagnosed as classically autistic, non verbal and having severe learning disabilities.
Great Sporty Father’s Day Gift Ideas For 2026
Today I’m sharing some sporty Father’s Day gift ideas. If the Father figure in your life is a sports fan, this post is packed with sporty gift ideas that are sure to appeal. So whether your budget is small or large, keep reading for some inspiration with choosing Father’s Day gifts that are bound to be loved.
6 Great Reasons Why Family Tabletop Gaming Is Growing In Popularity
Today I’m discussing why family tabletop gaming is growing in popularity. There are several reasons, but the main family-wide benefit is that it solves a real problem: families need shared activities that are active, social, and not screen-led. So keep reading to find out why tabletop gaming popularity is growing among families. A board game, card game, or trading card game creates a different kind of room. People face each other. They read the board state. They track resources.
Lego Rocking Plants Set
Today I’m launching my latest giveaway – You could win a Lego Rocking Plants Set 11506. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll already know I’m a huge Lego fan. I bought myself this Lego Botanicals Rocking Plants set on Amazon recently. I loved it so much, I thought I’d give another set away over the summer.
5 Great Ways To Stop Dogs Itching
In the early days of dog ownership, I was always looking for ways to stop dogs itching. I’ve had my dogs for over 5 years now, and have become something of a self-proclaimed expert in the field. So if your dog’s been scratching a lot lately, keep reading for some great ways to stop dogs itching. Table of Contents Toggle Ways to Stop Dogs Itching The most important thing to do if your dog is scratching a lot is to find out why. In some cases, this can be fairly obvious.
5 Easy Thrifty Home Updates Save Money
Today I’m sharing some thrifty home updates to help save you money. Refreshing a tired room without spending a fortune is more achievable than most families realise. A hallway takes the worst of the school run. A child’s bedroom gets marked faster than expected. A landing starts looking worn long before the rest of the house. Carpet offcuts and remnants can solve those smaller jobs without the cost of a full roll. For families managing household costs carefully, that difference adds up fast.
3 Best Secluded Beaches In Victoria, Australia
Today I’m sharing my top 3 secluded beaches in Victoria, Australia. It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of all things Oz – Eight year old me was convinced I’d be living in “Erinsborough”, and running the Lassiters Hotel by the time I was 25. (Scott and Charlene warped my little, British mind)! So if you want suggestions of anything to do around Melbourne or Victoria, I’m your girl.
5 Great Tips When Buying School PE Kit in The UK
Today I’m sharing some things to know before buying a school PE kit in the UK. Regular readers will know my kids are almost 14 and 15, so I’ve been buying school supplies and school PE kit for many years. That said, I feel experienced enough to share some tips to help when you’re buying PE kits for your kids too.
Win An Amazing LEGO Nintendo Gameboy Set 72046
Today I’m launching my latest giveaway – You could win a LEGO Nintendo Gameboy Set (72046) which has an RRP of £54.99. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll already know I’m a huge Lego fan. My partner got me this set for Valentines Day, and I love it so much that when I saw it was reduced to just £39.99 on Amazon, I decided to give one away on my blog. Table of Contents Toggle LEGO Nintendo Gameboy Set (72046) This set has an RRP of £54.99, and is made up of 421 pieces.
8 Hidden Expenses When You Trade Often
Today I’m sharing some hidden expenses when you trade often. Transaction costs are a hidden way for people in the digital asset market to lose money. Investors who trade a lot may not realize how much exchange fees add up over time, which can greatly lower net returns. Every time you buy or sell something, you have to pay a fee that you have to get back before the trade breaks even. Managing idle capital strategically can help make up for the loss of money that comes from being active in the market.
5 Easy Ways to Earn Money Blogging
Today I’m sharing some easy ways to earn money blogging. I want to start this post by explaining that I have been blogging at MotherGeek for almost 15 years, and I first began to earn money from blogging in 2018. So now that we have covered my credentials, let’s dig in to some of the ways I earn money from blog posts, and blogging in general. *This post contains affiliate links but no paid placement.
1 Great Christmas Gift Cheat Sheet for Single Dads
Today I’m sharing my Christmas gift cheat sheet for single dads. When Very asked me to create a post on how I get Christmas gifting all wrapped up, I knew exactly what to share! I’ve been co-parenting since 2019, so last year when a newly single dad friend asked me for tips to help him plan for Christmas, I created this Christmas gift cheat sheet to help him. It’s packed with tips and tricks to help dads buy the perfect gifts for everyone, every year.
Win a 12 Month Readly Subscription Worth an Incredible £99
Today I’m giving away a 12 Month Readly Subscription to one lucky winner. Have you heard of Readly? It’s a subscription service which, for a monthly fee of £12.99, gives you unlimited access to over 8000 UK publications. You can read them on your smartphone, tablet or browser, and are able to share them with your family, thanks to the 5 profiles you can add to your membership.
Win an Amazing LEGO Christmas Tree for 2025
Today I’m launching my latest giveaway – just in time for Christmas, you could win a LEGO Christmas Tree 40573. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll already know I’m a huge Lego fan. I bought myself this LEGO Christmas Tree 40573 when it was reduced to just £32 on Amazon recently. I loved it so much, I thought I’d snap up a second one, to give away, in time for Christmas. This set has an RRP of £39.99, and is made up of 784 pieces.
My Favourite Childhood Toys From the 1980s
Today I’m sharing some of my favourite childhood toys from the 1980s. I was born in 1983, so most of the toys I loved were from the late 80’s early 90’s. During that time, there were some amazing items on the market. So today I am sharing My Favourite Childhood Toys. Most kids have at least one stuffed toy they adore… Syd has Elmo and Boo – (Boo is a small teddy bear she was given at a press event early last year, and she’s carried him everywhere since then). Sam used to have Lucky – a toy Reindeer….
How to Plan the Perfect Family Holiday to Greece - 4 Great Tips
Today I’m sharing some tips to help you plan the perfect family holiday to Greece. If you’ve ever daydreamed about a sunny escape with your family, Greece is probably on your radar. And for good reason! The crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, ocean views and the kind of laid-back vibe that makes you forget about your phone for a while – it’s an ideal place for a family getaway. All you need are some handy tips to make your Greece holiday unforgettable, without the stress of a last-minute panic.
Win an Amazing Lego Happy Plants Set 10349
Today I’m launching my latest giveaway – You could win a LEGO Happy Plants Set 10349. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll already know I’m a huge Lego fan. I bought myself this Lego Botanicals Happy Plants set when it was reduced to just £15.30 on Amazon recently. I loved it so much, I thought I’d snap up a second one, to give away over the summer. This set has an RRP of £17.99, and is made up of 217 pieces.
1 Honest Brick Borrow Review - Lego Subscription Service
Today I’m sharing an honest Brick Borrow review. If you read my blog regularly or follow me on social media, you’ll know I’m a huge lego fan. I love to build the sets, but don’t really have anywhere to display them safely. (Two asbo dogs and an Autistic teen who loves nothing more than breaking down Lego creations, are basically my Lego nemesis). So when I saw that Brickborrow had a 1 month half price joining offer, I decided to give it a whirl.
1 Honest Simba Hybrid Mattress Review
Today I’m sharing my honest Simba hybrid mattress review. If you read my blog often, you’ll know my 14 year old son, Sam is Classically Autistic and Epileptic. He goes through more mattresses than most people, so when Simba offered us one to review, I excitedly asked for a single one for his bed. Sam struggles to sleep, so I figured something as comfy (and spendy) as this, should surely help.
Should I Create Blog Posts Using AI? 1 Honest Answer
Should I create blog posts using AI? This is a Question I’ve been asked a lot lately. If you read my blog regularly, you’ll know I work hard to ensure my website is easy ro navigate for readers, SEO optimised and adheres to all of the required UK rules. So with that in mind, I figured I’d answer this question in it’s very own blog post. Table of Contents Toggle Should I Create Blog Posts Using AI? I recently wrote a post about why my website traffic tanked, and how I fixed the problem.
Why I Lost Blog Traffic & How I Fixed It - 1 True Story
Today I’m sharing why I lost blog traffic & what I did to fix it. What happened to my blog in 2024, came as a complete surprise to me. I’ve been blogging since 2011, and have taken care to ensure good SEO practices since 2020. With almost 2000 blog posts, I was getting a good amount of traffic each week. Then when the Q1 Google Update happened in 2024, I lost almost 75% of it. Table of Contents Toggle My Blog’s SEO History Traffic came easily back in the day.
Today I’m sharing 5 easy ways to generate backlinks. Whether you’re a blogger like me, a small business, or a startup looking to boost your brand’s Domain Authority, building backlinks is a key element of successful SEO. With that in mind, I thought I’d break it down into manageable chunks today, so you can make the most of my 15 years of SEO experience. If you follow my steps, it’ll enable your website to rank higher in search results, see an increase in traffic and overall success, to boot.
Win a Pair of Ray-Ban Sunglasses & 2 Bottles of TheraTears eye drops Worth £190
Today I’m giving away a pair of Ray-Ban Sunglasses, with transparent Olive Green lenses, and 2 bottles of TheraTears eye drops, worth £190 in total.
Win a 6 Month Supply of Eco-Friendly DenTek Products and a OneNine5 Eco Wash Bag
Today I’m giving my readers the chance to win a 6 month supply of eco-friendly DenTek Products and a OneNine5 Eco Wash Bag. The prize is worth £75! This prize has been donated by the team at DenTek, who have teamed up with dentists to “debunk” common oral health myths, and to highlight what really makes your dentist happy.
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