30 Thursday Aug 2012
Posted in Behaviour
I’m handing over the blog today to author and mum of two, Hollie Smith.
Hollie’s written no less than ten best-selling parenting books, the latest of which – First Time Mum – was recently published. I was on a panel of mums to bare their soul offer pearls of wisdom shared in this book so, obviously, it’s very good. Continue reading »
29 Wednesday Aug 2012
Posted in Motherhood
Tags
beauty, hair, hairdressers, me time, Mum, Parenting, Relaxation, toddlers
I had my hair cut today.
It was a rare couple of hours of solitude in an otherwise hectic schedule. As I sat under a pile of foils, hoping my hair wouldn’t turn green, I ignored the lump of mother guilt sitting in the pit of my stomach, choosing instead to concentrate on my showbiz current affairs magazine.
On being ushered to the basin for my rinse, I brushed away thoughts of not spending enough time that day with my toddler, turning my attention to the twinkly lights set deep in the ceiling. Continue reading »
28 Tuesday Aug 2012
Posted in Sleep
Tags
baby-led weaning, co-sleeping, Parenting, parenting advice, parenting approaches, sleep, toddlers
When I was pregnant, I remember being thrust a variety of information leaflets, all of which I read studiously before putting to one side. Some leaflets told me about breastfeeding, others told me about sleeping and yet more told me about weaning.
They all claimed to be the “right” and “only” method that any sane parent should follow.
Of course, when my baby arrived in the world I realised that no leaflet had the answer to every question – and it was very likely the leaflet in the GP surgery wouldn’t match the leaflet at the baby massage class or the leaflet at the breastfeeding support group or the leaflet at the baby sensory session.
They all disagreed, because they were all written by people with a different background and approach to the role of being a parent. Continue reading »
27 Monday Aug 2012
Posted in Relationships
Tags
One year.
How much can happen in a year. On this day, one year ago, I was doing this:
26 Sunday Aug 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
23 Thursday Aug 2012
Posted in Speech
Tags
.motherhood, development, Parenting, play, speech, toddlers, words
When is an ambulance not an ambulance? When it’s a “nee-naw bans”. Didn’t you know? Yeah, the word “ambulance” is so last season.
The same goes for “ketchup”. It no longer goes by this name (where did the word “ketchup” come from anyway?!), it’s now known as “chechup”. A subtle alteration, but important just the same.
There are lots of words I thought I knew, having spoken English all my life. But, apparently, I am wrong. Continue reading »
22 Wednesday Aug 2012
Posted in Play
Review
When it comes to baking with my toddler, I should probably step up.
This time last year, when I was still a work at home mum, I managed to get at least one baking session in every couple of weeks. Now, we’re lucky if we have one baking session every couple of months.
It’s a shame really, because Frog LOVES it.
She enjoys the feeling of the icky flour and dough between her fingers, she loves to stir and pour in water and see the mixture come together. She loves to spoon the runny consistency into pots, or roll it out into a flat shape she can beat with her rolling pin. Basically, she loves to bake. Continue reading »
20 Monday Aug 2012
Posted in Walking
Tags
Picture the scene: a sunny garden, complete with paddling pool, sandpit and naked toddler.
Nothing unusual about that for August – except the toddler isn’t actually naked. She wears not a stitch all over her body, but her feet are adorned with a pair of socks and some heavy duty boots.
A good look, I’m sure you’ll agree.
The thing is, my two year old is still wobbly when it comes to walking. At 26 months, she only fully mastered the craft of getting up on two feet before her recent birthday. She has hypermobility issues, which means she is very bendy, making it hard for her to balance properly. Continue reading »
19 Sunday Aug 2012
Posted in Play
Tags
dressing up, family, Parenting, play, sunglasses, Sunshine, toddlers
15 Wednesday Aug 2012
Posted in Family
I was going to write about my dad tonight.
I had it all planned. I was going to write about how emotion is in the genes; we’re born with our tendencies to cry, laugh or brood. It’s written in our DNA.
I was going to use my father as a perfect example of the genetics of emotion. I was going to say that he’s emotional to the point of hilarity. The words were going to flow onto the blank page, describing how his tears will fall freely at something tiny – a birthday card, a story on the news, a kiss from his granddaughter.
I was going to share this picture of my wedding day almost a year ago, pointing you to look at my dad’s face as he revels in the emotion of the day… Continue reading »
