Happy Families UAE

Happy Families UAE Happy Families with Principal Lisa

Good news! You don’t need more toys!!! 🧸You need to use the ones you already have a little more creatively… 👀 ➡️ Swipe t...
16/09/2026

Good news! You don’t need more toys!!! 🧸

You need to use the ones you already have a little more creatively… 👀

➡️ Swipe through for lots of play inspiration using toys and bits you probably already have at home.

Plus, I’ve shared my top 6 ideas for treats that AREN’T new toys on slide 13 🎁 and my favourite open ended play tools on slide 11.

And the reason I love open ended toys isn’t because they look beautiful on a shelf…

It’s because they have limitless play opportunities.

✨ They suit a range of ages
✨ They inspire play and encourage creativity
✨ They support play autonomy
✨ They can be used in so many different ways
✨ They grow with your child
✨ They encourage children to think, experiment and problem solve

And so many more reasons!

Of course, there’s ALWAYS room on the toy shelf for that flashing, singing narwhal 🦄😂 or that very special toy from Santa 🎅🏼

But where you can, try steering your littles towards open ended toys.

Because they’re not really toys…

They’re tools for play!

Give them the tools, step back and watch them build a world of creativity and imagination. 💕

What do YOU think? 👇🏼

SAVE THIS POST FOR PLAY INSPO! 👏🏼 This week I’m talking all things screen time, open ended toys, Toy Story 5 and the con...
15/09/2026

SAVE THIS POST FOR PLAY INSPO! 👏🏼 This week I’m talking all things screen time, open ended toys, Toy Story 5 and the conversation around toys vs tech. 📺🧸✨

I think it’s time the dialogue around screens changed…

Tech is here to stay. And when the days can feel long and hot, sometimes a short, developmentally appropriate programme, with supervised boundaries, can actually become the springboard for some really exciting play opportunities. 👀

It’s not always about choosing toys OR tech. Sometimes it’s about using one to inspire the other. 💡

So, SAVE THIS POST! 📌

Then take a look through my ‘Seen This, Try This’ play inspo and see where your little one’s favourite shows can take their play…

Postman Pat? 📮
Thomas the Tank Engine? 🚂
Clifford? 🐶
Balamory? This one is especially nostalgic for me!

There is SO much fun to be had when we take the characters, stories and ideas our littles already love and bring them into their real world play.

Let’s chat in the comments… what was your favourite childhood show, or what show is currently inspiring your little one’s play? 💭👇

Toy Story 5… 🧸✨It’s the hot topic at the moment, and it brings us much more than just a beautiful ending to a much loved...
14/09/2026

Toy Story 5… 🧸✨

It’s the hot topic at the moment, and it brings us much more than just a beautiful ending to a much loved series of films.

It poses a really interesting concept…

It’s not about getting rid of screens.

And it’s not about having more toys.

It’s about finding that sweet spot. That balance. 🤍

Technology is here to stay. There’s no escaping that now, and there’s also no need to demonise it quite so much.

At the beginning, we all think LilyPad is going to be the wicked villain… but we soon realise there is a reality where children can use screens with safe and healthy boundaries, in a way that supports and encourages traditional play.

It’s all about using screens as an active tool, rather than a pacifier.

Screens have their place, but they also need to remember their place in the play pecking order.

And that place should, of course, come far below traditional play experiences like role play, colouring, open ended toys, imaginative games and playing with peers. 🌱

It’s not about screen time being good or bad.

It’s about how we use it, what it replaces, and whether our children still have plenty of opportunities to play, imagine, create, connect and simply be children.

Take a swipe through for more of my thoughts, and let’s chat in the comments! 💬

11/09/2026

Lucky or not?
What determines being lucky?

PS my Husband is an incredible carer- 7 weeks of recovery post major spine reconstruction is a lot!
He just has a to the point way about life ❤️❤️❤️

I feel lucky I really do: life insurance, a self employed career, I won an award for being the most loved parenting expert Mother, Baby & Child. I’ve got a great make up collection 🤣. I’ve got three great kids and two grandchildren I adore. I’ve got you Gary Sherrington Boyd . I’ve got you dear follower. I get to still work with families from my bed.
That ooooooozes luck 🍀 in my book.
I could go on but I think I’ve said enough.
I genuinely believe I was born lucky!

What makes you lucky or you do you agree? Are you a realistic kind of thinker? Team Lisa or Team. Gary 😬

Lisa ### l ♿️

10/09/2026

I am so blessed to have my family. My Granddaughter is a big motivator for me to walk. I’m 7 weeks post surgery and I can walk but just like a rag doll🤣

🤯You see there has been a delay in my healing because the scar hasn’t closed. This week I had new stitches put in without any anesthetic. By the way Just call me Warrior granny 🤣.

This is my fifth spine surgery, and my family have been with me every step of the way, through every ICU stay.

It’s kind of hard when you have grandchildren, because they expect you to want to play and be the same person you used to be.

And it’s sort of like, “Why doesn’t Ma sit on the floor ? Why doesn’t Ma lift me up? Why doesn’t Ma reach toys?

PS my Grandmama is currently just Ma 🤣

Recovery is hard in so many ways, but this part feels especially hard.

I loved all that silly Billy dancing on Sunday, which in our family always end up happening. I’m so grateful that my family comes and visits on a Sunday.

I love the shepherds pie was served from the same copper pot that my mother served it to me. It’s still going. It’s still perfect and it still makes a great shepherds pie.
You see….
growing up on a Sunday we went to my grandmother’s house and the beef that she made. I can still taste in my mouth and rarely does a roast beef taste quite as good as hers. Do you feel the same?

it has to be said that my husband is a living legend it was him that cooked this week and it tasted fantastic. He also stood in for me as the dancer, and he did a fantastic dance routine to Disney’s aerial. 🤣❤️❤️❤️❤️ Gary Sherrington Boyd

🥰Disney’s Ariel is Ocean’s latest passion, and she loves to express herself through movement. Ocean is 18 months old and is now able to have a conversation with you she has opinions she has ideas and every second I have with her is just pure joy.

😉YesI am still in pain. Yes, I’m still recovering from my fifth surgery. I just feel blessed and lucky for everything. It’s a cliche but health is wealth guys and family matters most.

Lots of love 💕 🤘

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