The past few weeks have felt like a true snapshot of family life: messy, busy, joyful and, at times, completely chaotic.

If January is about fresh starts, March in our house is about muddy footprints, half-term juggling and trying to stay one step ahead of the laundry basket (which, I’ll be honest, rarely happens).

We’ve just come back from a little family break in the Canary Islands with sunshine, sea air and that wonderful feeling of pressing pause for a moment.

Of course, travelling with children is never quite the peaceful escape you imagine, but it gave us something we all needed: time together, a slower rhythm and a break from winter’s grey skies and endless rain back home.

Holidays, however, don’t always mean perfect skin for me.

I often experience eczema flare-ups when travelling, something I’ve come to realise can be triggered by changes in laundry detergents (which are out of your control in hotels), different foods, and the harsher chemicals often found in swimming pools.

It’s frustrating, but also a reminder that there are small things within my control.

Returning home means returning to familiar comforts: my own cooking, my own laundry detergents, and routines that help keep my skin calm. I’ll be sharing a little more about this on Instagram, as I know many people experience the same.

This year felt especially significant because my youngest announced two big milestones within the space of a few days.

The first: she wanted to wear a bikini for the very first time.

The second: apparently, her parents are now officially “embarrassing.”

I’m sure many of you reading this will smile knowingly.

These moments are small but emotional… little reminders that childhood moves forward whether we’re ready or not.

Family holidays also come with their own practical realities.

Between swimming pools and sunshine, there was a lot of time spent in chlorine-soaked swimwear.

As someone with sensitive skin, I’ve learned how important it is to properly wash chlorine and salt out of fabrics.

Residue left behind in fibres can irritate skin, especially delicate or younger skin, so I always make sure swimwear is rinsed and gently washed as soon as we’re home. It’s one of those small, preventative habits that makes a real difference.

Coming back to the UK, we returned to very familiar scenes: rain, mud and the unmistakable energy of children heading back to school after half term.

PE kits reappeared from the corners of bedrooms, uniforms needed refreshing and the house quickly filled with damp socks, football boots and discarded jumpers. Life resumed at full pace.

And then, of course, there’s our dog.

Many of you may remember that we rescued Sugar from Battersea last year, and she recently celebrated her very first birthday, which was a sweet milestone that felt quietly meaningful for our whole family.

Rescue animals come with their own stories, and watching her grow into a confident, playful part of our home has been such a joy. She has also brought… mud. A lot of mud.

After weeks of rain, our garden has turned into a patchwork of puddles, and she delights in exploring every single one.

The result? Muddy pawprints across floors, blankets and occasionally straight onto freshly washed bedding. It’s never perfect here, and honestly, I don’t expect it to be.

This time of year always feels like a transition.

Winter hasn’t quite let go, but spring is quietly approaching.

The days are stretching, the light feels softer and I find myself naturally beginning a gentle “reset” at home.

Not a dramatic overhaul, but small shifts like refreshing wardrobes, washing coats and scarves before they’re packed away, airing out bedding, giving fabrics a clean start after months of cold weather and closed windows.

Spring cleaning, to me, isn’t about perfection. It’s about renewal. Creating a space that feels lighter, calmer and supportive for the months ahead.

And as Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself reflecting even more on what home really means.

It’s not spotless surfaces or organised cupboards, but warmth, comfort and care.

The everyday routines that hold family life together.

Living with sensitive skin has shaped how I approach these routines.

Over time, I’ve become very aware that skin doesn’t exist in isolation – it responds to its environment constantly.

The fabrics we wear, the bedding we sleep in, the towels we wrap around ourselves, they are in contact with our skin for most of the day. In many ways, fabric becomes our “second skin.”

That awareness has changed my habits in simple but meaningful ways.

I think more carefully about how we wash the things we live in every day. Laundry is no longer just a household task to rush through… it’s part of how I care for my skin and my family’s comfort.

That’s one of the reasons my work with Surcare feels so natural to me.

Their products are fragrance-free, dye-free and enzyme-free, and dermatologically approved, which means they’re designed to be gentle on skin while still doing the job they need to do.

For me, it’s about removing unnecessary irritants wherever possible.

It’s not complicated, and it doesn’t need to be – just thoughtful. Real life – muddy paws, PE kits, swimming costumes, rainy days – doesn’t stop. Laundry will always be part of family living.

As we move into March, I’m looking forward to the subtle shift of the season: longer days, lighter evenings and, hopefully, a little less mud.

Though with children and a dog, I won’t count on it.

What I do know is this: home isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating an environment that feels kind, supportive and lived in.

A place where muddy footprints are cleaned, favourite jumpers are washed and reworn, and fresh sheets at the end of the day still feel like one of life’s simplest luxuries.