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Hospital Bag Series – Part 4
Hospital Bag Series – Part 3
Hospital Bag Series – Part 2
Hospital Bag Series – Part 1
Dear Hospital Mummy
Welcome to plots, Plans & Parenthood
I’m Mac, a mum, home educator, blogger (when I remember) and the creator behind McDay Designs.
Life here often means juggling hospital appointments, lesson planning, and family admin while supporting a child with additional needs. It’s not perfect by any means, but it’s honest, and I’ve picked up plenty of practical ideas along the way.
This blog shares the things that make life a little easier. You’ll find realistic posts about home education, hospital visits and stays, and the everyday routines that help keep things running. I also link to the planners, tools and printables I’ve designed through McDay Designs, created from lived experience to support parents like us.
Expect straight-talking posts, useful resources, and occasional chats about books, natural therapies, and the small joys that make family life feel more manageable.
If you’re a parent balancing additional needs, home education, or long hospital days, you’ll feel right at home here.
resources for real life
Practical Resources
Tools That Make Life Easier
When hospital letters, lesson plans, and daily life start to pile up, small systems help. I design printable planners and digital tools through McDay Designs to help calm the chaos a little. Every item originates from the very same challenges many SEND families face. These resources are designed to be simple, flexible, and made to work even on the busiest days.
Education is compulsory, school is not
Home Education, Our Way
Home education isn’t one-size-fits-all. I share how we make it work around multiple health needs and neurodivergence, how we work with our interests, and make sure that the education is suitable ‘for real life’.*
You’ll find subject ideas, how we create flexible routines, and reviews of the resources we actually use, from online lessons to hands-on projects.
* Australian = Bluey Fan!
life between appointments
Little Things That Keep Me Grounded
Between appointments and admin, I still find comfort in small things, disappearing into a good book, a new herbal tea or a herbal remedy, or binge watching a new TV show when life allows it. I sometimes write about these moments too, because they remind us that life is more than logistics.
The One I Wish You Didn’t Need
Hospital Bag Series
If you’re here looking for packing tips then my Hospital Bag Series is what you need. It’s a practical guide for parents whose children need to spend time in hospital. As a Gen-X mum living in the UK, I’ve spent more days and nights on children’s wards than I can count. Over the years, I’ve learnt what truly helps, and what just gets in the way.
Packing for a hospital stay can be stressful. Bring too much and the room becomes cluttered; bring too little and you’ll wish you’d packed that one thing that makes life easier. This series takes the guesswork out of it, and helps you feel ready, organised, and a little less overwhelmed.
People Who Liked Stuff I Made…
“This packing list saved our hospital stay. There were so many things I had not considered, but packed because they were on the list. We used ALL of them.
“From Overwhelmed to Organised is, as you say, a pin to set up, but it paid for itself in the first week. We ended up in A&E, a real emergency and I had Oscars medical info right there on my phone. Recommending it to every SEND parent I know.”
“I have been looking everywhere for a packing list for hospital for kids, but they’re all for pregnant Mums. Found yours through a link on the What? Why? Children in Hospital FB page. All packed now, and I downloaded the free list too and keep it in the kitchen in case we need it.”
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