Gentle Parenting – my mantra.
Did anyone else see the article in The Daily Mail slamming David and Victoria Beckham for Harper, aged 4, having a dummy? Its here if you missed it. As parents, we all cop a lot of criticism for the way we raise our children and obviously even celebrities aren’t immune to it. You see it in the media; in facebook groups; not such subtle looks from other Mums in the playground; and even worse, from friends and family. I remember being judged terribly for G Man still being in nappies well after his third birthday and Master J still having a dummy coming up to his...
Losing my Shit – #allthesobs
So I have a confession – hubby is home for a few RDO’s tomorrow and the in-laws are arriving the day after for a week. You would think I would be cleaning madly, and I am, well kind of. I have a load in the washing machine and a few more backed up ready to go. I have stripped the guest bed sheets and am thinking about vacuuming and wiping the inside of the microwave out. I have dropped the dog off to the vet, with Master J in tow, and need to go pick him up again soon. Then...
My Top Three Parenting Tips
The boys and I were invited to our first playdate yesterday since we moved to town in November. I was keen to make a good impression so typically my normally cheery Master J was in a funk from about 10 minutes after we got there. He tried climbing over the furniture to get to my lap, demanded to be inside when it was outdoor play, was being rude to his brother and after he threw a toy at me I smacked him; not hard, just a three finger tap on his leg to let him know I wasn’t joking...
When I grow up, I want to drive the Karma Bus :)
Karma works in mysterious ways and I am a true believer in its magic. The night before we left Bali just now, Mr Point Five and I were out dining at a lovely seafood restaurant and there was a large Russian family next to us. They were trying to get a group shot by setting up their camera on a timer and after watching them for a few minutes I got up and offered (by comical miming) that I would take their photo for them so they could all be in it together. They were very grateful and thanked...
Sleep; its the new black around these parts…
Image Credit Since we have Moved House, the most noticeable change is that Master J has FINALLY got the hang of sleeping through the night. He has always been pretty good going to bed of a night at , but he would usually wake at least once or twice in the night just for a cuddle, some reassurance or a just bit of Mummy love. He would also wake any time from about 5am calling for me to snuggle in with him to see the morning in. We bought a Gro-Clock which mostly worked quite well to curb wanting to...
Stress Free Toilet Training – make "accidents" history
So, as you have prolly already established, I am no expert on parenting. I dont claim to know everything and I am very much open to suggestions or new information. In fact I disagree entirely with the premise of the phrase Toilet Training. I think its wrong. I think that if you need to train your toddlers to use the toilet then they just aren’t ready. Here is my biggest non-expert but tried and true tip for you…… They need to want to do it. Toddlers are all a bit like Men; you need to suggest to them...
The worst day of my life….
See this little boy?? This is my Master J. He melts my heart every day when he sneaks into my bed for early morning cuddles or lets me into his bed for snuggles. He says “I wuff you Mummy”!!! with complete abandon and his little arms around my neck are more precious than the most expensive jewels. He has the cheekiest grin and is one of the happiest little boys you could ever meet, followed very closely by his big brother. I have tears in my eyes writing this as last Saturday I lost this little boy. I turned...
Meet the Poo Monster
SO, we have been toilet training Master J for the past few months. I’m not a hard core toilet trainer, get it done in a week; I’m more of a show them what should be happening, reward them when they get it right and let them go at their own pace. I have high hopes for this summer and lots of nappy free time outside :)Whilst Master J seems to be able to hold on to his wee’s and is bribable to do them in the toilet a lot of the time, we have had very limited no success...
Grocery Shopping with Kids – why would you?
With Kids Without the Kids Getting ready to go out Get myself ready Get them out of their jim-jams Let them choose their own clothes Get them dressed Get them redressed as they don’t like what they are wearing Find clean matching socks Get shoes on Pack snacks and drinks Make sure nappy bag has nappy Get into car Go back into house to change nappy Get back into car Wait 5 minutes for toddler to strap himself in Choose movie Argue about movie Press play and throw the remote in the glovebox 44 minutes Get myself ready ...
Conversations with Toddlers, or wait, was that a Goldfish??
Having a conversation with a toddler is like how I imagine talking to a goldfish would be. Master J finds a scallop shell from my pre-children gastronomic entertaining days. Mummy, where is the crab from my shell? There isn’t a crab. No crab? No. *10 second pause* Mummy, come help me find the crab. There isnt a crab. Oh. *12 second pause* Mummy, where is the crab? My crab has gone! There ISN’T a (bloody) crab!! *goes to toilet* Mummy *pushes open the toilet door* Is the crab in the toilet?? No. Is he in...