I left the hubby in charge of Fifi and toddler boy and a crayon. This is what happened to the wall in our living room. You may need to click on the image to see. But who is to blame?
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Saturday, 31 July 2010
Friday, 30 July 2010
Why I Like the Naughty Step
Perhaps I am old fashioned, but in this house we fly in the face of 'time out' and use the 'naughty step'. I realise that this is contrary to all my childminding training and it is something that I will discuss with parents. However, there are some reasons for it which I feel are valid. You see, I think that a child knows where they are with the 'naughty step'. They know literally why and physically where they stand. It is very important for a child to know where they are and what they are doing and I think that the 'time out' approach when used properly creates a sense of confusion. As it can literally happen anywhere. Obviously the 'naughty step' is a bit harder to do whilst camping for example, but I tend to cross this bridge at the time.
The main reason I don't like 'time out' is because in my experience it seems to leave the child wondering what is going on, there is no consistency. To me, it can become more of an emotional and psychological torture, I am not keen on this at all. I am really rather concerned about the use of emotional techniques on children and I think that in many ways they are as bad as the traditional smack. In some cases worse, as the power balance that can become established can be frightening. I also simply find it quite hard to keep a child in 'time out' whilst there are others about goading them.
It is incredibly hard to reason with a toddler, however I do think that there are ways of dealing with bad behaviour and getting the message across before you reach 'time out' or naughty step. Often these are as simple as removing the toy or moving the child. A high shelf has become my friend.
But why do I like the 'naughty step' approach? Firstly, it has been very successful with my son. One of the reasons that its use is discouraged is that it creates a place where the child does not want to go when undertaking their routine daily play, a place that is associated with bad behaviour. However, we have not found that. Instead, our 'naughty step' has become a place of quiet reflection. It is not usual for a member of the family to go and sit down on it for a break from the chaos of our household (one that is full of music, films, craft, singing and mess!) I think this reinforces the way that it should be used, no-one (apart from me) is sent to the 'naughty step' in an aggressive manner. It is a place where you sit and think about your actions. Despite this, in reality our 'naughty step' is such a major thoroughfare in our house that it could not for one minute become a tainted area, and I think this is one of the keys to success with the approach.
I'd be interested to know how you discipline your children, do you go for the 'naughty step', 'time out' or have you a new and exciting method which we could learn from?
The main reason I don't like 'time out' is because in my experience it seems to leave the child wondering what is going on, there is no consistency. To me, it can become more of an emotional and psychological torture, I am not keen on this at all. I am really rather concerned about the use of emotional techniques on children and I think that in many ways they are as bad as the traditional smack. In some cases worse, as the power balance that can become established can be frightening. I also simply find it quite hard to keep a child in 'time out' whilst there are others about goading them.
It is incredibly hard to reason with a toddler, however I do think that there are ways of dealing with bad behaviour and getting the message across before you reach 'time out' or naughty step. Often these are as simple as removing the toy or moving the child. A high shelf has become my friend.
But why do I like the 'naughty step' approach? Firstly, it has been very successful with my son. One of the reasons that its use is discouraged is that it creates a place where the child does not want to go when undertaking their routine daily play, a place that is associated with bad behaviour. However, we have not found that. Instead, our 'naughty step' has become a place of quiet reflection. It is not usual for a member of the family to go and sit down on it for a break from the chaos of our household (one that is full of music, films, craft, singing and mess!) I think this reinforces the way that it should be used, no-one (apart from me) is sent to the 'naughty step' in an aggressive manner. It is a place where you sit and think about your actions. Despite this, in reality our 'naughty step' is such a major thoroughfare in our house that it could not for one minute become a tainted area, and I think this is one of the keys to success with the approach.
I'd be interested to know how you discipline your children, do you go for the 'naughty step', 'time out' or have you a new and exciting method which we could learn from?
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Holiday Hell Meme; Morocco
The lovely Pippa at A Mothers Ramblings. Tagged me in this meme and the opportunity was far to great to miss. I mean, lets face it, if you have read this blog for the past three years, you will be fully aware of our uncanny ability to have disastrous things happen on holiday. This year we managed to go on holiday to Dorset and have a crime scene at the bottom of the road, policemen were stationed there for the duration of our holiday, as were several television crews. It also rained and was cold. Then we went to Norfolk and had to abandon the trip due to chickenpox. However, these paled into nothing compared to the last trip we had to Morocco.
Yes, that was Morocco, somewhere that is easy to travel to, a popular destination since the 1960's. For the first time ever, we decided to go on a tour. This was a mistake in itself as we are both fairly seasoned independent travellers. We just thought it would be easier. Do not ever think this. When we arrived it turned out the the tour guide had only been in the country for 3 days and had no idea what she was doing. This was a joke to her. I was a little bit annoyed as I had payed for her knowledge. Still, we muddled through visiting archaeological sites which she had no idea about whatsoever. On one visit she told us to wander about and meet her at a particular place at a specific time (or we would miss the coach). Unfortunately this was supposed to occur in the mid-day sun. Most of the party (except me, cos I'm a hardy outdoor type) got sun stroke.
The funny thing about a coach trip is the sort of herd mentality that occurs, the guide was clearly taking money from restaurant owners to take us to the worst restaurants. I could tell, because there was no-one in them apart from us plebs. However, we all blindly followed. At one place I saw the chief picking his nose in full view of us. It was lucky that I was vegetarian at this point and also had my own supply of cereal bars. Thus we toured the empty restaurants of Rabat and most of the other villages of the western Saharan region.
We had paid for en suite accommodation, although apparently the hotels did not all provide this or have enough. I think it was another fiddle to make a bit of spare cash. Thus we seemed to draw the short straw most days and had to use the communal loo, whilst other people got en suite. This was horrible, I cannot begin to tell you what Moroccan toilets are like. I think for me the final straw came the night we stayed in a hotel in the red light district of one of the cities, I spent the whole night listening to the prostitutes and drug dealers outside, worried that I was going to get murdered as the lack of air conditioning meant I had to keep the window open. I cried at this point. I have never done this on a holiday, even when I ended up wandering around the South of France with no money, a tent and an air ticket that was for 15 days time.
Anyhow, we got to Fez and were actually in a rather posh hotel. We had eaten in some dodgy looking places. I say we, I actually mean the hubby, as I wasn't going to risk it. Outside the local leper population were begging. It was rather like the third world. The sight of swallows flying across the rooftops at night was the highlight of the trip and a sight that I still remember as if it was yesterday.The hubby got dysentery, we were en suite. That was lucky. We had air conditioning.That was lucky. The hubby couldn't sit on the loo and close the bathroom door. That was un-lucky. I spoke to the halfwit guide. She was worse than useless. Hubby was very poorly indeed and we had a long trek through the desert to look forward to. We made the decision to go home. No help was offered. We found ourselves sorting it all out independently and the only tickets available were rather posh British Airways ones at £800 a pop. We snapped them up and made our way independently to the airport etc etc. Meeting interesting characters along the way. The hubby clenched, a lot.
When we got home we attempted to claim some insurance money back. Because we had not called out a doctor in Morocco we were told we could not claim. We had been advised by the tour guide it was not necessary. Thus resulting in the most expensive, rubbish holiday anyone has ever had. No one can say we haven't lived!
It was an experience, I would never ever go on a tour or package holiday again. Independent travel all the way, then you can select your hotels yourself, go where you want, eat where you want and experience a country. Its also a lot lot cheaper! Feel free to email me if you want to know the company that we used.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Then you get a diagnosis...
I've been a bit quiet recently, I haven't really felt the urge to blog much other than keeping up with reviews (all of which I am very grateful for). Last week we took Toddler boy back for his fairly regular speech therapy sessions. It was a different therapist and a different diagnosis. This woman seemed much more on the ball. The other speech therapist had wanted to discharge us and I had insisted she didn't, but that she saw us one more time. The one more time turned out to be with a different therapist and thank god it was. This therapist listened to our concerns and to toddler boy speak. She told us basically what we thought all along, that there is a problem. It seems that my gorgeous boy has a condition called Vocal Dyspraxia. The diagnosis goes a long way to explaining some of his little eccentricities. We don't yet know the degree to which he suffers from it.
I sat in the room and felt shocked to my very core. I still do. It's strange, even when you know that something is wrong, it's hard to accept it. I feel concerned about the impact that this will have on his life, our lives and Fifi. It seems like we are in for the long haul with regular speech therapy sessions and lots of tasks to do at home. Although toddler boy will not get a statement, he will require careful management at school in order to prevent him from being bullied, frustrated and so forth. This wasn't something I signed up for when I became pregnant, I am fully aware that it's not about me, but a small part of me resents that he has it. I keep telling myself that he was gifted to us because we are the best people to deal with it and help him. It's still upsetting.
I keep wondering if it was my fault, if stress in pregnancy caused it. If I had managed his breath-holding differently then he wouldn't have it. No one knows what causes Vocal Dyspraxia, so who knows? It's amazing how quickly you need to become an expert. Three weeks ago I had never even heard of the condition, now I'm going on Amazon buying books, trying to learn a bit more about what to do, how to help and exactly what it is, just so I can question and check that he is receiving the best possible treatment. I don't trust the NHS.
I look at my handsome, sweet, funny boy and love him more than ever. This is the strange thing with something like this, you realise how precious they are and what a gift children are. I just hope I am a good enough mother to help him through this; to teach him how to speak properly literally from scratch and to help him overcome all the other difficulties that come with this condition. I also hope that I can somehow make sure that the additional help I have to give him does not impact on the time that I can give Fifi. I am tempted to give up work.
I sat in the room and felt shocked to my very core. I still do. It's strange, even when you know that something is wrong, it's hard to accept it. I feel concerned about the impact that this will have on his life, our lives and Fifi. It seems like we are in for the long haul with regular speech therapy sessions and lots of tasks to do at home. Although toddler boy will not get a statement, he will require careful management at school in order to prevent him from being bullied, frustrated and so forth. This wasn't something I signed up for when I became pregnant, I am fully aware that it's not about me, but a small part of me resents that he has it. I keep telling myself that he was gifted to us because we are the best people to deal with it and help him. It's still upsetting.
I keep wondering if it was my fault, if stress in pregnancy caused it. If I had managed his breath-holding differently then he wouldn't have it. No one knows what causes Vocal Dyspraxia, so who knows? It's amazing how quickly you need to become an expert. Three weeks ago I had never even heard of the condition, now I'm going on Amazon buying books, trying to learn a bit more about what to do, how to help and exactly what it is, just so I can question and check that he is receiving the best possible treatment. I don't trust the NHS.
I look at my handsome, sweet, funny boy and love him more than ever. This is the strange thing with something like this, you realise how precious they are and what a gift children are. I just hope I am a good enough mother to help him through this; to teach him how to speak properly literally from scratch and to help him overcome all the other difficulties that come with this condition. I also hope that I can somehow make sure that the additional help I have to give him does not impact on the time that I can give Fifi. I am tempted to give up work.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Look! Just get it; I AM NOT PREGNANT
This dark period of children's sickness has taken its toll on my body. That and Fifi waking at 5 AM necessitating a cup of tea and a biscuit. The lack of time and inclination to run has left me with what can only be described as my own personal rubber ring. Yes, I am a little ashamed of this, so I have been taking full advantage of this summers fashion trend of A line and empire style tops and tunics. And. What a mistake this has been. Yes, readers it has been suggested to me on a couple of occasions (especially those around the time of the month when my belly swells and stretches to epic water retention ballooness) that I am in fact pregnant. NO I AM NOT. I THINK I WOULD KNOW IF I WAS.
It came to a bit of a head this weekend, when a family member put their hand on my tummy and asked when it was due. Sob. I smiled sweetly and corrected them. Lets be clear here, I don't think I am what could be classed as a fat girl, I am a size 12 (although the mother in law did buy me some big fat mumsy size 14 knickers for Christmas which went straight back). So what I cannot understand is why everyone feels the need to comment on my weight. It's just as well that I am not at a stage of having issues about not getting pregnant or these wandering hands (of which there seems to be far more than when I actually was pregnant) might actually get soaked by floods of tears. As it is, I am tempted to chop them off.
This has got me thinking though, I mean, if I had issues over my weight this would be very damaging behaviour towards me. I realise that I used to have a flat tummy, but to get it and keep it required a hundred sit-ups morning and night and the addition of a three mile run. I don't care what anyone says, with two under four year olds this is not practical. However, the sudden need for everyone to comment about my mummy tummy is frankly odd. When does it stop? If I had put on 4 stone in weight would random people start pitying me? Why is it that when I was pregnant not a single person put their hand on my tummy without asking, but now that I am fat it is acceptable. Now I am a mum, have I become fair game?
I'm thinking on the topic of tactful revenge...
It came to a bit of a head this weekend, when a family member put their hand on my tummy and asked when it was due. Sob. I smiled sweetly and corrected them. Lets be clear here, I don't think I am what could be classed as a fat girl, I am a size 12 (although the mother in law did buy me some big fat mumsy size 14 knickers for Christmas which went straight back). So what I cannot understand is why everyone feels the need to comment on my weight. It's just as well that I am not at a stage of having issues about not getting pregnant or these wandering hands (of which there seems to be far more than when I actually was pregnant) might actually get soaked by floods of tears. As it is, I am tempted to chop them off.
This has got me thinking though, I mean, if I had issues over my weight this would be very damaging behaviour towards me. I realise that I used to have a flat tummy, but to get it and keep it required a hundred sit-ups morning and night and the addition of a three mile run. I don't care what anyone says, with two under four year olds this is not practical. However, the sudden need for everyone to comment about my mummy tummy is frankly odd. When does it stop? If I had put on 4 stone in weight would random people start pitying me? Why is it that when I was pregnant not a single person put their hand on my tummy without asking, but now that I am fat it is acceptable. Now I am a mum, have I become fair game?
I'm thinking on the topic of tactful revenge...
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Review; YabbaYabbaOnline Bunting
Fifi my daughter is girly, yet a tomboy. She has a bedroom which is painted white and is decorated with flower wall stickers. It's a little girly paradise, I like it in there. In fact it's my favourite room in our house. I'm not sure how long this will last, but at the moment I am making the most of it. The brilliant thing about having a daughter is the ability to indulge yourself in girliness.
YabbayabbaOnline sent Fifi some lovely bunting for her room. Bunting is a really big trend in Australia and America. My Australian friend made some lovely bunting recently and I've been reading a lot of Amanda Blake Soule's books on re purposing fabrics, her ideas include bunting. I have been having bunting envy, so it's great to actually have some for Fifi without evenings sewing!
The YabbaYabbaOnline bunting was nicely packaged and seemed well enough made (I have to admit I may have finished it off a bit differently). It looks lovely in Fifi's room and that is its main purpose. Several people have complimented it and it is definitely a great way to decorate the room. If you go to the website you'll find various options and they will even personalise it for you. As this can be hard to do that's a real bonus! Well worth checking out. They also sell a range of unique kids pictures which make a change from Spiderman, Fireman Sam or Peppa Pig!
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Competition Winners; Bring It On, Baby by Zoe Williams
I had a surprising number of entries for this competition given the rather unfortunate timing of Zoe Williams comments on women and the Internet last weekend, which sparked off a lot of discussion in the Cyberworld!
Anyway, random number generator was used. I couldn't be bothered to do all that cutting and pasting again, so you'll have to trust me (Toddler boy would vouch for me).
The winners are Sandy Calico, Jenny Kearney and Kat. Well done, DM/ email me your addresses for the PR!
Anyway, random number generator was used. I couldn't be bothered to do all that cutting and pasting again, so you'll have to trust me (Toddler boy would vouch for me).
The winners are Sandy Calico, Jenny Kearney and Kat. Well done, DM/ email me your addresses for the PR!
Friday, 23 July 2010
Review: Turtle Mat
Door mats are a constant source of frustration and aggravation for me. I can't find a decent one. That is, I couldn't, I have been through mats from John Lewis, Wilkinsons, the local carpet shop and none of them have served their purpose properly. Every single one has ended up rucked up behind the door and has been a trip hazard waiting to happen. No longer though, as I was sent a Turtle Mat to review. This in itself was a slight source of frustration, as there were so many lovely designs I couldn't make up my mind which one to get. I thought the hubby was going to murder me, as I MSN'ed him about which one to get for the hundredth time. He said 'I'm sorry, but I just cant get excited about a doormat'. Curse you then, I thought, that's egg and chips for dinner for you then.
I digress, in the end I opted for a classic William Morris design. It's a design that doesn't date, so I figured that it would do us for a nice long time. The mat arrived so promptly that I didn't have time to worry whether I had made the wrong choice or not.
Turtle mats are produced by a British Company operating from Gloucestershire, they are washable and can be used in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms as well as the hallway. They come in a massive range of designs and the company that produces them is one of the worlds largest eco-friendly textile groups, Turtle mats also support the Marine Conservation Society. Great news.
Our Turtle Mat has proved a god-send, the rubber backing means that it sticks to the hallway carpet well and doesn't ruck up, it looks good (i've had a lot of compliments) and it seems to be hard-wearing material and is guaranteed for five years. I'm so pleased with it, that I am actually raiding their Sale to get another one! Go and have a look here
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Obsessive Curation
Part of my work involves documenting, organising and generally trying to be bossy about keeping objects into an almost excessively tidy system. This fails on most parts, I'm not good at confrontation and I am probably the worst offender, being the person who looks after everything and not just one area. Hence my desk is strewn with books on fossils, dress and costume, Roman brooches and SQL. To my shame, I also have a nautilus shell, a stuffed platypus, 4 pairs of white gloves, a pencil sharpener, a computer, a picture of Toddler boy, but no pens. Ever.
Anyway, this pursuit of tidiness seems to manifest itself in triplicate at home. Our house has to be the messiest house ever, it does contain a secret obsessive tidier. It's a hidden secret that I hardly ever admit to. I'm naturally messy, but mess perturbs me in a way that you can't imagine. Hence, I have mess everywhere, but a very tidy areas which I cannot bear to mess up once I have completed. This leads to cupboards which I haven't even dared open, the upstairs bathroom cupboard springs to mind.
The latest thing that is literally keeping me awake at night (other than the children), is the possibility of an interesting Social History project involving me cataloging the childrens toys and then charting their use and play. Imagine the data that could be collected and its value both to toy manufacturers and museum curators and researchers of the future. Imagine the impact in terms on tidiness, loans to other children and so on in our house.
Museum work; it brainwashes you. Yes, I am sightly bonkers.
Anyway, this pursuit of tidiness seems to manifest itself in triplicate at home. Our house has to be the messiest house ever, it does contain a secret obsessive tidier. It's a hidden secret that I hardly ever admit to. I'm naturally messy, but mess perturbs me in a way that you can't imagine. Hence, I have mess everywhere, but a very tidy areas which I cannot bear to mess up once I have completed. This leads to cupboards which I haven't even dared open, the upstairs bathroom cupboard springs to mind.
The latest thing that is literally keeping me awake at night (other than the children), is the possibility of an interesting Social History project involving me cataloging the childrens toys and then charting their use and play. Imagine the data that could be collected and its value both to toy manufacturers and museum curators and researchers of the future. Imagine the impact in terms on tidiness, loans to other children and so on in our house.
Museum work; it brainwashes you. Yes, I am sightly bonkers.
Review: Herbfarmacy Mallow Beauty Balm
Herbfarmacy are one of those trendy organic skincare brands that are so well packaged they make you lust after the products. I love organic stuff and when I was offered the chance by Ethical Superstore to test their Mallow Beauty Balm I was pleased, especially as it wasn't for the kids!
Herbfarmacy is the only UK company to grow, harvest, process and package their products all on one site. This means that they are using the freshest ingredients and I think you can tell. I opened the jar and instantly fell in love. It smelt gorgeous, a real treat. My bathroom is stocked with lovely organic beauty products from Green People and Kosmea and this is a really great addition. This product has an added advantage in that it is just the right size to pop in your bag for an overnight stay.
Mallow Beauty Balm has the sort of texture where a little seems to go a long way, it feels nourishing (if a little bit greasy) and I have enjoyed using it. I reckon this would make a lovely present for a new mum or an ethically aware friend. If you want to have a look at the rest of the range you can see it here.
The Ethical Superstore also does a vast array of products from scrummy chocolate to some of my favourite clothes designers.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
The Trouble With Having a Big Brother...
...Seems to be that you don't really know what you should be doing. Your hormones (nature) tell you that you want to be a fairy princess but environment tells you that you should be Buzz Lightyear, hence we have Princess Lightyear.
There is another more fundamental issue that needs to be resolved and that is the matter of wee. From peer group example, you know that to wee effectively you must stand up on a step by the toilet. At 18 months you are now telling mummy that you need to wee and poo, however you insist on wee-ing standing up by the toilet. Mummy does not know what to do.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Book Review and Competition; Bring It On, Baby by Zoe Williams
Zoe Williams is one of my favourite journalists. I suspect I have a fair amount in common with her as I can often identify with what she is saying and from her anecdotes I reckon she is about the same age as me. I was pleased to hear that she was writing a book based on her experiences of motherhood and pregnancy following on from her Guardian Newspaper column. I was offered the chance to read and review her latest book Bring it on, Baby.
The book basically charts Zoe's often random, always amusing thoughts from her unplanned pregnancy through to her second baby. I picked this book up and read it in three sittings, not only was it amusing, straight talking she actually spoke sense. I wish I had written this, I swear some of the advice and postulating comes straight from my mouth. Totally sensible thoughts on breastfeeding, Gina Ford, the truth about what pregnancy is really like and the most genius way to record your arguments with the husband. Hilarious. I really enjoyed it, it's an easy read and not to challenging, although there are a few factual snippets. Well worth a read for any seasoned and unseasoned mums. In fact, if you know any pregnant women then get it for them, they will find it a refreshing read for those boring moments of pre-labour anticipation in between episodes of Loose Women and Homes Under the Hammer.
I've been offered three copies of Bring It On Baby for readers of Being a Mummy. To be in with a chance of winning just leave a comment below giving me your response to a question posed by Zoe in Chapter 8 "Does motherhood make you more kinder, or more stupid?" Don't forget to leave me with your twitter or email details. Winners will be picked at random and published on Saturday 24th July, the book will be posted directly from the publishers and the competition is open to UK residents only
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Freebie and Review; The Land of Me
I was contacted by the lovely Bea from uber trendy children's media company Made in Me to try out their brand new early Learning software The Land of Me. It's designed to be suitable from 2 + years so ideal for us. I have to admit to at first being a bit worried, as despite appearances I'm not very good at technology. However, I gave it my best shot and eventually managed to download it and start playing with toddler boy.
I was totally astonished, it has to be one of the best looking pieces of Early Learning Software I have ever seen. The illustrations are beautiful, we would happily have them on our walls, it really was a joy to watch the characters talking and starting their adventure. I sat captivated with toddler boy who is 3 and a half and we enjoyed making choices about which vehicle we wanted to be and discussing the characters. This isn't surprising as It's been designed by top visual effects artists who worked on films like The Chronicles of Narnia and Batman, and with a professor of child development.
The added bonus of this software is that it comes with a load of additional down loadable components and video clips. We have had hours of fun colouring in and acting out scenes with some finger puppets but you can also chose from masks and a number of other activities. I think that when we have finished playing with this Chapter we will be buying another one.
For once, you don't have to just take my word for it, as for the next ten days you can try it out for free!
To Download:
Go to the Made in Me shop: www.madeinme.com/shop/
Add Chapter 1 - Size, Shape and Colour - at home pricing to your basket, then add the unique discount voucher and the prices will zero. The code is beingamummy (all one word!)
Follow the next steps and you will arrive at a page with a big green button at the top which you click to install - the download will only take a couple of minutes!
Whilst you are visiting the shop make sure you check out their blog I found it a fascinating read.
Whilst you are visiting the shop make sure you check out their blog I found it a fascinating read.
Getting Something Off my Chest
It helps to talk about situations, right?
Me: Are you trying to make me upset?
Toddler boy: No, me try to make you very very very upset!
Well, that's alright then, pick on the weak one, the one who lacks any sleep thanks to the conspiracy that you and your sister have going at night-times. The one who has only managed a day at work in the last month thanks to you and your sister's illness's and the one who has not managed to go to the toilet alone at home in over three years. The one who you are currently throwing sticklebricks at. The one who cooks endless dinners to be told they are horrible, the one who is not even allowed to watch a bit of daytime television. No! That's fine, I'm not very upset, I am really really really upset. The mad shop assistant in Waitrose St Albans better watch out today, one evil stare at me whilst I replenish the household milk supplies and I might just snap.
Me: Are you trying to make me upset?
Toddler boy: No, me try to make you very very very upset!
Well, that's alright then, pick on the weak one, the one who lacks any sleep thanks to the conspiracy that you and your sister have going at night-times. The one who has only managed a day at work in the last month thanks to you and your sister's illness's and the one who has not managed to go to the toilet alone at home in over three years. The one who you are currently throwing sticklebricks at. The one who cooks endless dinners to be told they are horrible, the one who is not even allowed to watch a bit of daytime television. No! That's fine, I'm not very upset, I am really really really upset. The mad shop assistant in Waitrose St Albans better watch out today, one evil stare at me whilst I replenish the household milk supplies and I might just snap.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
When I Grow Up
Picture the scene, it's 1982 in suburban North London, my sister and I are are jumping around on the bed to Madonna. The conversation turns to what we want to be when we are older.This is not an unusual scenario. I decide to be an archaeologist (which I became) but I also recall discussing marriage and kids. I would get married at 21, that was ever so old and have 2 children; a girl and a boy.
Twenty eight years later and I'm living the dream, baby. Except I didn't get married at 21, in fact at 25 an email was sent around to all my friends asking whether they wanted to come out and celebrate the birthday of 'The Bridget Jones of archaeology'. It was a fair analysis, but on that birthday my husband managed to have enough to drink (at Bar Madrid in London's West End) to ask me out in a rather drunken manner. I said yes, and he drunkenly kissed me whilst we were standing up against a wall. Probably to help steady himself. I felt mildly embarrassed, all my friends had seen it coming and had been analysing the courtship, they were all watching (and all drunk).
We had a lovely wedding in the local church where everyone was invited for c
ake and champagne afterwards and a few friends and family came to a meal in a nice local restaurant. The next day we stayed at The Vineyard hotel in the poshest room I have ever stayed in and had a Michelin starred dinner and breakfast. We then honeymooned in a lighthouse in Cornwall where we had one of our only (ever) arguments about not taking water to drink on an extremely long hike and a lovely dinner at Rick Stein's restaurant. It was all perfect.Everyone assumed I would be pregnant within a week. We had been living together for a few years, owned a house together. In their eyes this was why we got married. It wasn't, so we left it. For quite a while. Then a few people we knew started having kids, the clock was ticking, thirty wasn't far off and it seemed like a now or never moment. Except it didn't happen, for months and months which turned into a year and more. I started getting distraught about it. I would never be a mother, it wasn't for me. I made the husband take one of those tests which measures sperm count. He laughed, I stressed. I read about all sorts of things to do. It was the subject of endless conversations. Then my sister suggested reflexology and I found a dodgy mole.
The date was booked for the removal of the mole, I had had two sessions of reflexology. The operation was done, it was a big mole, I felt a bit weird and had to take the day off work to have a rest. That week I became pregnant with Toddler boy. I was over-joyed and sad at the same time. Was it the right thing for us? And so is the contradiction of me. Partly it was a bit of vanity, I had finally managed to get a flat tummy and a bit of a six pack, for the first time in my entire life I was un-ashamed of my flabby tummy. If that is not the Law of Sod in action I don't know what is.
So you see, I've actually achieved my dream of what I want to be when I grow up. When I ask Toddler boy he is fairly consistent in his dream of being a pilot. Fifi wants to be a vet, at least this is what I am drumming into her. Except I haven't grown up. I feel the same as I did when I was seven and now I want to be a housewife, an explorer and adventurer, a pop star and an international jet setter. But most of all I want to achieve a household of fun, music and laughter.
Review: Respect Organics Cake
I love cake, it's why I have a tummy. I love making cakes but more often than not I don't have the time. That's where shop bought cakes come in. Joy of joys I got sent some free cake to test from Respect Organics. They are a small family friendly business operating out of Dorset, one of the nicest places in the UK. Their lovely organic cakes are available in Sainsbury, Tesco and Morrisons. We were sent the Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, Banana Loaf and Ginger Crush Loaf. These all retail for between £1.69 and £1.99, which I think is very reasonable, especially for a cake that has been made with Soil Association accredited and vegetarian ingredients.
The cakes are nicely presented and ideal for taking around to someones house for afternoon tea, or popping onto your cake stand when you are hosting one of those mum and baby coffee mornings. The Carrot Cake, Ginger Crush Loaf and Banana Cake are all dairy free which is an added bonus.
For me, the best cake has to be the Ginger Crush loaf, it had just the right amount of ginger. Totally yummy and one that I will buy again without a second thought. The Banana Cake was delicious and almost as nice as my home-made version. I love sultanas in a cake, they were missing for me. The Carrot Cake looked fantastic on my cake stand and I was tempted to try to pass it off as one of my own. The only disappointment was the Chocolate Cake, it wasn't rich enough for my tastes, however, I warmed it up and served it with a bit of ice-cream and voila! Perfect.
These really are lovely cakes, they have the sort of wholesomeness that you don't usually get from a shop bought cake and are nicely packaged. I have become an instant fan. If you want to find out more about Respect Organics check out their rather funky website
Thursday, 15 July 2010
The Military Needs Me!
The Austin Powers style wee at 3 AM was particularly satisfying for Toddler boy, it was not what I wanted to supervise. It followed an evening with Fifi literally forcing me to put more and more calamine cream on her chicken pox, then a stint in Toddler Boys bed where he tried to torture me by taking all the duvet away, so I was sort of lying like an icy cold plank. One that is squashed to within an inch of life against a bed rail. Following the wee, there was so much hilarity in our bed that the hubby abandoned ship and went to toddler boys bed. No point us all suffering.
Eventually, after conversations based around the words "look! What at?" and an awful lot of wind, he went to sleep. Like clockwork, Fifi woke up at around five (the deluded hubby things it was 6am) to cries of "mummmeee, milk" and so I sit here nursing a jaffa cake and wondering if I should offer my services to the military as some sort of sleep deprivation expert. Walking proof that humans can survive for over three years without much sleep and still have a tiny bit of patience.
I'm wondering where all this energy comes from, not mine personally, the kids energy. I've seen other children, they sleep, get tired and even ask for a rest. Mine don't. Ever. Even with Chicken Pox the both of them have not stopped, there has been constant running around, demands for cream and nappy changes and toys that are upstairs and they have had hours of fun converting the sofa into a space ship using the cushions as slides and receptacles for belly flops. Even the bits of the sofa under the cushions have a faint aroma of calamine. Toddler boy has been known to make boys twice his age cry with exhaustion after dramatic water pistol battles and much running around, determination is Fifi's middle name.
I'm not asking for sympathy here, its just a record of life with two toddlers. If you are thinking of having a baby, considered yourself warned about the realities!
Eventually, after conversations based around the words "look! What at?" and an awful lot of wind, he went to sleep. Like clockwork, Fifi woke up at around five (the deluded hubby things it was 6am) to cries of "mummmeee, milk" and so I sit here nursing a jaffa cake and wondering if I should offer my services to the military as some sort of sleep deprivation expert. Walking proof that humans can survive for over three years without much sleep and still have a tiny bit of patience.
I'm wondering where all this energy comes from, not mine personally, the kids energy. I've seen other children, they sleep, get tired and even ask for a rest. Mine don't. Ever. Even with Chicken Pox the both of them have not stopped, there has been constant running around, demands for cream and nappy changes and toys that are upstairs and they have had hours of fun converting the sofa into a space ship using the cushions as slides and receptacles for belly flops. Even the bits of the sofa under the cushions have a faint aroma of calamine. Toddler boy has been known to make boys twice his age cry with exhaustion after dramatic water pistol battles and much running around, determination is Fifi's middle name.
I'm not asking for sympathy here, its just a record of life with two toddlers. If you are thinking of having a baby, considered yourself warned about the realities!
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Review: Graco Nautilus Car Seat
Car seats are often a necessary evil that comes hand in hand with having children, right down from the small seats for newborns to the booster seats that are legally required for elder kids. I say necessary evil advisedly as more than one of the three seats we own are a complete pig to fit. Some of this is we don't have ISOfix fittings but a lot of it is down to poor design.
So when we received the good news that we'd been selected as one of the lucky 25 in the Graco competition and had a Graco Nautilus car seat winging its way to us, a certain amount of jumping around occurred.
We had of course already checked that the Graco Nautilus was suitable for at least one of our kids. Rather epically the Graco Nautilus covers 9 months to 12 years, so it actually covers both our 18 month old and our 3 year old. Fortunately our youngest Fifi wasn't bothered so it didn't lead to a massive fight over ownership. It will also free up another seat for a childminded kid.
I decided to give it the first test of usability and try and assemble it without the instructions. I did this for a very specific reason and definitely wouldn't fit it to the car without checking, double checking and then getting someone to check it. That reason was to see how friendly the Graco Nautilus was. Once done and checked, it turned out all I had missed was a couple of clips to hold the elasticated seat on. And I still had all my fingers. Result.
I noticed whilst assembling the Graco Nautilus that it has certain features that would appeal to the boy- lots of cubby holes to hide toy cars and a drink holder that no doubt would hold a fruit shoot or similar generic unbranded fruit flavoured drink of your choice.
In part two we'll see about fitting the seat and then fitting a child to the seat. Stay tuned!
From the Mouth of Babes
Fifi is now 18 months and boy, can she talk. Random words flow (when she takes the dummy out) and she knows all the correct words for food and cutlery/crockery. Each morning I am woken up by these joyful words: "mummeee! MILK" then we go downstairs and I get " Bic, bowl" (biscuit in a bowl), "juice". This is quite a new experience for me because toddler boy was vocal but not quite as organised in his speech at this stage.
Toddler boy has always had problem with his pronunciation, we are under a speech therapist because of it. She feels that the issue is mainly that he is a bit too bright for his developmental stage. He basically tries to construct complicated sentences and rushes through it all so quickly that you can't understand a word of it. It's frustrating for all involved. Recently there has been some tangible improvement. We have been following the speech therapists advice and clapping out words for him and this has really helped. However, its allowed us to hear some radical thoughts. A selection for posterity:
" me cut off your head and hide it under me bed so then you cant see me" After he has been naughty we get a lot of threats around removal of eyeballs and heads. Hmmm.
" No! you go to naughty step!"
"Me Spiderman, you Firestar"
Long convoluted explanation of something undecipherable "OK, yes, OK, yes OK?"
" Me love you Dadda and Me Fifi and not YOU" Points to mean mummy
" Me love fish-chips, me not love that" Another dinner success
" Me no like you, you got spot, me no like spots, me got spot but me no like your spot" Yes, I had a spot during the chicken pox episode.
" Me love Ben 10, me love Spiderman, me love Thundercats..."
"That not dinner, that lunch! Me like cheese roll for me lunch"
" Me sleep with dadda, you sleep in me bed"
From this I can determine that he prefers his father to me, is worried that he is going to be seen doing naughty stuff, likes fish- fingers and cheese rolls. Fifi just really likes food.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Like a Child at a Toy Fair; More Ideas for Kids Pressies
Last week was an interesting week, not only did I get to see the John Lewis Autumn- Winter range, I also went to Christmas in July. This is one of the toy events of the year where manufacturers get to showcase their new toys. To be honest, not having been to something like this before (unless you count the Museums and Heritage show) I was a bit unsure about how to approach this, so I wandered around like a bit of a lemon looking and not really chatting to many PR people. However, I did get to meet and have lunch the amazing Maria Bailey who is one of America's top mummy bloggers, Jo who runs Mummo and the girls from MyChild. I really enjoyed this, Maria is absolutely full of interesting information about blogging and listening to her talk was a window into the future of UK mummy blogging.But this aside, what did I see? Well, there is a Mighty World
Anc
ient Egyptian Mummy set which looked quite cool and is a must have for any budding archaeologists . An absolutely lovely wooden pram from Hippychick (illustrated above) which I would rush and buy for Fifi if she didn't already have a pram. Toy Story Duplo, which frankly, is on my Christmas list, a pony which responds to actions (perfect for pony mad children), Zhu Zhu pets, a new range of Merlin (from the BBC series) figures, a Jewish based board game called Maccabees, which I imagine will be a massive seller and also a new range of Doctor Who figures.Stocking fillers include lego torches and fantastic brick lights, mini Babyborn dolls, Koosh key chains and Littlest Pet Shop key chains. You can also buy some great gifts and creative stuff from Yellow Moon who give 10% of the purchase price of items which have a Childline logo next to them to said charity.
All in all a really interesting day and lots more things to think about with regards to present buying.
Monday, 12 July 2010
My First EVER Use of a Flip; John Lewis Fashion
As I mentioned before, I got given a Flip camera at the John Lewis Autumn- Winter 2010 Preview Day. Despite being the daughter of someone who is rather well known within the British Film Industry, using a camera does not come naturally to me. In fact, I was a little bit befuddled by the whole Flip thing (I thought it looked a bit like an iPod). Anyhow I did my best to do a bit of filming whilst balancing Fifi, here is my initial actual first effort. The Flip was surprisingly intuitive and is so light and small you can pop it into your pocket. I was impressed with it and its going to be a handbag essential for me! I give you my (initial) experience of John Lewis, Autumn Winter 2010 fashion:
How I Saved About £200 per Month
Let me be quite clear, this isn't about making money. It's not even about particularly going without. It may not be applicable to your situation or even you. But, having just looked at our accounts it seems that this is exactly what I have managed to do recently without even really noticing it. I should make it clear that we are a high income, low disposable income family due to mortgage commitments and our geographical location within the UK. We really are struggling financially and I am worried about the future should the government be radical about tackling national debt.
The main thing I have done is to ONLY Internet shop. Previously I would do a big shop in Sainsbury and then top up shops from Waitrose (it's literally two minutes from my door). We didn't eat particularly well and I was buying all the reductions etc. However, I think the problem lies in that I also bought the 'special offers' thinking I was saving money. It's not that we didn't eat them, we did. It's just that we didn't really need to eat them and I think this is where the issue lies. I also did a lot of proper home cooking using cookery books (such as Annbel Karmel's brilliant ones). However, the recipes always required the purchase of additional ingredients which were not part of our cupboard basics. Thus each meal cost more than it should.
Nowadays I Internet supermarket shop. That is it. If we don't have something that week, I don't go and get it. I might send the hubby for a pint of milk, but he is not allowed to return with additional products. We have healthy basic meals like jacket potatoes with cheese and beans, home made chicken pie (using frozen veg), spaghetti bolognaise as one pack of mince last two days and can then be used for a shepherds pie, fish-fingers, home made pizza and NO takeaways of any sort. Unless, its fruit, ice-cream or yogurt we don't have dessert.
In terms of saving other money, we recycle as much water as we can (we have always done this) and don't flush the loo at night. Although this is more for environmental reasons than any other.
I've been keeping clothes shopping on-line (save one trip to John Lewis). This allows me to 'buy' items and then cool off and not actually buy them. I have made a few bits for the kids, but to be honest I am making sure they get every last scrap of wear out of what they have. That's not really a change as I have been doing this for a while, but I think its worth stating.
No toys have been purchased for a very long time. However, this month I have put a lot of things away for rainy days and the living room also looks better. I think this has helped my mental state. We don't buy magazines or newspapers or have a television package. However, I've discovered that friends can be generous at passing them on and the iplayer is an endless source of things to watch.
The other big saving has been on petrol, yes, the pox helped as we couldn't go out. However, it also made me realise that there are plenty of things to do at home. We don't need to go out all the time and I don't need to constantly take the kids on educational outings. We actually do plenty of stuff on a daily basis, what's more, we are lucky to have a lot of great free things to do within walking distance. I have even stopped taking them to weekly classes such as music and swimming which has had a dramatic impact. At between £5- £6 per child I guess it would! They are not missing out as I we have impromptu music sessions and the hubby goes swimming with them. If we visit friends we don't take cakes and biscuits (unless we have spare). I don't think anyone has minded.
Other savings have been on presents for friends and family. I think that we have been too generous in the past given our financial situation. I realise that people don't mind if they just get a hand-made card and some home-made cakes or a home-made dress or even the offer of us to do something for them, like help with DIY or look after the children. Children have no idea about how much something cost, as long as it's appropriate the cheaper toy is probably as good as the more expensive. Nowadays most people have everything they want, apart from time to themselves, if we can offer that, that's a great gift.
Toddler boy no longer needs nappies, and although I purchased own brand ones (I think they are as good if not better). This has had an impact, I also forgot to buy some more for Fifi one week so didn't change her at the first sign of wetness. I think this has had a small impact on the overall shopping bill.
It's not like we were living particularly well before and not realising it, because I don't think we were. Yet, I don't think I realised how much the little things like biscuits, sweets and petrol added up, however much I tried to see it through spreadsheets and so forth. I have begun to appreciate being at home instead of going out. Cooking very very basic meals and not having desert saves a fortune and is probably healthier. What's more, it's definitely much better to buy one really nice thing you like than several cheaper ones.I look at it this way, £200 per month is a lot of cash, but that's £50 per week, not a great deal in the overall scheme of things, given how much things cost these days. My advice; watch out for the small things...
The main thing I have done is to ONLY Internet shop. Previously I would do a big shop in Sainsbury and then top up shops from Waitrose (it's literally two minutes from my door). We didn't eat particularly well and I was buying all the reductions etc. However, I think the problem lies in that I also bought the 'special offers' thinking I was saving money. It's not that we didn't eat them, we did. It's just that we didn't really need to eat them and I think this is where the issue lies. I also did a lot of proper home cooking using cookery books (such as Annbel Karmel's brilliant ones). However, the recipes always required the purchase of additional ingredients which were not part of our cupboard basics. Thus each meal cost more than it should.
Nowadays I Internet supermarket shop. That is it. If we don't have something that week, I don't go and get it. I might send the hubby for a pint of milk, but he is not allowed to return with additional products. We have healthy basic meals like jacket potatoes with cheese and beans, home made chicken pie (using frozen veg), spaghetti bolognaise as one pack of mince last two days and can then be used for a shepherds pie, fish-fingers, home made pizza and NO takeaways of any sort. Unless, its fruit, ice-cream or yogurt we don't have dessert.
In terms of saving other money, we recycle as much water as we can (we have always done this) and don't flush the loo at night. Although this is more for environmental reasons than any other.
I've been keeping clothes shopping on-line (save one trip to John Lewis). This allows me to 'buy' items and then cool off and not actually buy them. I have made a few bits for the kids, but to be honest I am making sure they get every last scrap of wear out of what they have. That's not really a change as I have been doing this for a while, but I think its worth stating.
No toys have been purchased for a very long time. However, this month I have put a lot of things away for rainy days and the living room also looks better. I think this has helped my mental state. We don't buy magazines or newspapers or have a television package. However, I've discovered that friends can be generous at passing them on and the iplayer is an endless source of things to watch.
The other big saving has been on petrol, yes, the pox helped as we couldn't go out. However, it also made me realise that there are plenty of things to do at home. We don't need to go out all the time and I don't need to constantly take the kids on educational outings. We actually do plenty of stuff on a daily basis, what's more, we are lucky to have a lot of great free things to do within walking distance. I have even stopped taking them to weekly classes such as music and swimming which has had a dramatic impact. At between £5- £6 per child I guess it would! They are not missing out as I we have impromptu music sessions and the hubby goes swimming with them. If we visit friends we don't take cakes and biscuits (unless we have spare). I don't think anyone has minded.
Other savings have been on presents for friends and family. I think that we have been too generous in the past given our financial situation. I realise that people don't mind if they just get a hand-made card and some home-made cakes or a home-made dress or even the offer of us to do something for them, like help with DIY or look after the children. Children have no idea about how much something cost, as long as it's appropriate the cheaper toy is probably as good as the more expensive. Nowadays most people have everything they want, apart from time to themselves, if we can offer that, that's a great gift.
Toddler boy no longer needs nappies, and although I purchased own brand ones (I think they are as good if not better). This has had an impact, I also forgot to buy some more for Fifi one week so didn't change her at the first sign of wetness. I think this has had a small impact on the overall shopping bill.
It's not like we were living particularly well before and not realising it, because I don't think we were. Yet, I don't think I realised how much the little things like biscuits, sweets and petrol added up, however much I tried to see it through spreadsheets and so forth. I have begun to appreciate being at home instead of going out. Cooking very very basic meals and not having desert saves a fortune and is probably healthier. What's more, it's definitely much better to buy one really nice thing you like than several cheaper ones.I look at it this way, £200 per month is a lot of cash, but that's £50 per week, not a great deal in the overall scheme of things, given how much things cost these days. My advice; watch out for the small things...
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Review: Lindam Safe and Secure Bed Rail
However, in the meantime, whilst we wait for it to be delivered we put the bed guard on Toddler Boys bed and gave it a good run for its money. It's been on holiday, suffered from a sick episode and has been comprehensively jumped on, climbed over and slept into.
So, what do we think? Compared to the BabyDan one we have (which we have been very happy with) its slightly easier to initially construct and fit, but as you only do this once that isn’t a main consideration.
This is a really good buy for the money, as it's well made, does the job brilliantly. You can choose from pink, beige or blue. It's one I highly recommend. You can find it here.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Do You Put Your Child in Your Bed?
We have an issue, alright, we have many issues. However, at the moment Fifi wakes up at 5 am everyday and stands in her cot screaming "mumeeeeeeeeee, MILK!, mumeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee MILK". She is more awake than an awake seagull flying towards a chip. You can ask all sorts of questions:
"Fifi, are you going to invade Poland?"
"Yes"
"Fifi, is there a dinosaur in the garden?"
"Yes"
"Fifi are you going to be totally demanding today and beat up your brother and eat all our food"
"Yes"
"Fifi are you going back to sleep"
"NO!"
Sob. Me and the husband differ on how to deal with this one, I'm keen to try to get her to lay in bed next to me, even if she pokes me. At least I'm lying down. We did this with Toddler boy, it wasn't too bad. The hubby thinks its better to get up and so this is what he has valiantly been doing. However, the past few days he was been unable to do this and so I have had to get up and sit downstairs. As I sit downstairs for vast chunks of my life, this has not been joyful. I'm not complaining here about the hubby's decision. I just wonder if there is another approach. An in-between one, one where she is not rewarded for getting up so early.
I have tried to think of one, one day I put some toys into her cot. Unfortunately I couldn't put enough in as she had chucked them all out before I even reached the door. Television in her room would be a slippery slope. We may just have to start going to bed at 8 O'clock in the evening ourselves...
Friday, 9 July 2010
Review: Millets Peter Storm Adventurers Clothing
I have a little secret, I actually used to work at Milletts when I was at school. I was clearly employed for my vast knowledge of the outdoor life gleamed from the annual Young Archaeologist Club camping trip and my Duke of Edinburgh Award field experience. There was a time when I knew a lot about walking boots and
mosquito nets. I enjoyed working there, we played baseball using cardboard tubes and lots of elastic bands. It was fun, then it closed down because there were actually two different Millets camping shops differentiated by a slight spelling difference and branding. My shop (with two tt's) was one that closed.
Still, there is a fondness in my heart for Millets and camping shops and there is nothing I enjoy more than going in and ogling the different torches, walking trousers and waterproof ponchos. I often kit the hubby out from there, hes a big boy and they seem to provide a selection of suitable and suitable sized clothing. It's usually hard wearing and reasonably priced. Not normally the trendiest, but hey, who cares about that when you are after basics?
I have to admit I thought the Millets kids range was a bit limited. However, they have had a rethink and re branded with 'brighter colours, new designs and increased technical performance'. In non- PR speak, they are more hard-wearing than ever and a bit trendier.
We were sent a selection of items for Toddler boy. I was quite surprised, they were indeed trendy, I liked the blue striped towelling hoodie which is just perfect for a trip to the beach or splash park. I thought the quality was superb and they washed really well. It's nice to find reasonably priced items for kids which aren't from the major supermarket brands. This gives them a unique edge. I think its worth taking a trip to your local branch or looking here.
A selection of my favourites:
Peter Storm Boys Mini Henley
£9.99
Peter Storm Boys Camper Waffle Tee £7.99
Peter Storm Girls Capri
£9.99
Thursday, 8 July 2010
What Does Christmas Look Like?
Swanky.
I don't get out much, well, alright I do sometimes; I go to work and the like and I even went down to Metropolitan Mums the other week. I might as well admit it, I am a bit shy, a bit lazy and I really just like my own company and my own sofa and television. It look a lot of effort, but I literally forced myself to go with some of the other bloggers to the John Lewis Christmas Press Preview. I did have a bit of an ulterior motive. I used to live right underneath the Telecom Tower and I used to look at the church opposite Great Portland Street Tube and wonder what it was like inside. Oh, yes, the event was actually held in the swanky church which is a very historic landmark.
Fifi enjoyed the train, in fact, she decided to sit alone the whole way. She did try to get off at Cricklewood, but
I told her that there wasn't a lot there, so she decided to come with me.
We strolled along Euston Road from Kings Cross to the event. It was hot, I got all sweaty; lovely. Still, when we arrived there was snow falling across the doorway and it all looked fantastic. Far to fabulous for the likes of me. Nonetheless, I entered and it all got even better, they give me a Flip to record the event! Obviously, they were oblivious to my inability to use technology. But, I did manage to take a few videos. These will be included in another post.
What can I say? A John Lewis Christmas is like Alice in Wonderland meets Narnia in Denmark via Marrakesh ( I know, as I have been to at least one of these places). It was all awe inspiring, magnificent and to be honest I would love them to come, strip my house like in that 60 minute makeover programme and re-decorate for me. Who cares about the Laura Ashley wooden furniture, Sofa Workshop sofas and the Plasma TV. I want a new interior look, I want a retro 1950's lounge and a Moroccan inspired bedroom. I want a Danish style Christmas and
a pink wooden c
ake stand
and some new red shoes for Fifi
and a Waitrose shopping tro
lley (OK I don't want that)
and an Amy Butler towel and a Foxy cushion and a bed like this for Fifi
and I want it all and more. Fashion wise, I want one of their Barbour Wax Jackets with flowery lining, I've seen the evening dress I want for this years Chamber of Commerce ball (if we go) and there's a nice handbag in the John Lewis range I'd like for Christmas!
What an amazing experience, I felt inspired to do more when I stage temporary exhibitions at work, I felt humbled that I had been asked to go and I felt a bit bad at rushing off and not speaking to many people. The journey home was fab as the John Lewis PR team managed to exhaust Fifi and I just sat and thought how amazing that my little blog has given me the opportunity to attend something like this.
I'll post my video clips and some more of my wish list over the next few weeks.
I don't get out much, well, alright I do sometimes; I go to work and the like and I even went down to Metropolitan Mums the other week. I might as well admit it, I am a bit shy, a bit lazy and I really just like my own company and my own sofa and television. It look a lot of effort, but I literally forced myself to go with some of the other bloggers to the John Lewis Christmas Press Preview. I did have a bit of an ulterior motive. I used to live right underneath the Telecom Tower and I used to look at the church opposite Great Portland Street Tube and wonder what it was like inside. Oh, yes, the event was actually held in the swanky church which is a very historic landmark.
Fifi enjoyed the train, in fact, she decided to sit alone the whole way. She did try to get off at Cricklewood, but
I told her that there wasn't a lot there, so she decided to come with me.We strolled along Euston Road from Kings Cross to the event. It was hot, I got all sweaty; lovely. Still, when we arrived there was snow falling across the doorway and it all looked fantastic. Far to fabulous for the likes of me. Nonetheless, I entered and it all got even better, they give me a Flip to record the event! Obviously, they were oblivious to my inability to use technology. But, I did manage to take a few videos. These will be included in another post.
What can I say? A John Lewis Christmas is like Alice in Wonderland meets Narnia in Denmark via Marrakesh ( I know, as I have been to at least one of these places). It was all awe inspiring, magnificent and to be honest I would love them to come, strip my house like in that 60 minute makeover programme and re-decorate for me. Who cares about the Laura Ashley wooden furniture, Sofa Workshop sofas and the Plasma TV. I want a new interior look, I want a retro 1950's lounge and a Moroccan inspired bedroom. I want a Danish style Christmas and
a pink wooden c
ake standand some new red shoes for Fifi
and a Waitrose shopping tro
lley (OK I don't want that)and an Amy Butler towel and a Foxy cushion and a bed like this for Fifi
and I want it all and more. Fashion wise, I want one of their Barbour Wax Jackets with flowery lining, I've seen the evening dress I want for this years Chamber of Commerce ball (if we go) and there's a nice handbag in the John Lewis range I'd like for Christmas!
What an amazing experience, I felt inspired to do more when I stage temporary exhibitions at work, I felt humbled that I had been asked to go and I felt a bit bad at rushing off and not speaking to many people. The journey home was fab as the John Lewis PR team managed to exhaust Fifi and I just sat and thought how amazing that my little blog has given me the opportunity to attend something like this.
I'll post my video clips and some more of my wish list over the next few weeks.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Time Stood Still
Five years ago today I was leading a really major project at work. Basically, I had just finished working with designers to re-fit and install an entirely new store for our museum collections and was now involved in the process of moving the entire reserve collection to this new store. It was a slightly unusual day then and for once I had the radio on. At first I didn't really hear what was said, I had to take one of those careful stop and rewind listening moments. Then the horror of what was being said hit home and time sort of stood still. My heart literally stopped. I felt so shocked. London was being bombed. Two close members of my family were there, I immediately tried to phone them, again and again, until finally I got through. Thank God.
Life has not been the same again though, as a Londoner I have friends of friends that died. I had always felt safe when travelling about, despite the IRA bombings and various other events, like the fire at Kings Cross. However, there was something different this time. It struck a cord and I can probably count the times I have been on the tube on one hand since. On the whole, I drive into central London, if I take the train I go to Kings Cross and I walk. On that day I became a lot more provincial.
I think it was because this time, it happened on my patch. I went to UCL, my sister lived in Bloomsbury, the husbands office is literally where the bus bomb happened. The bombers travelled on my train line. It was all so close to home. In the last five years I have not stepped on a plane, despite being a regular traveller in the past. I don't even have a passport. I hardly ever go to big shopping centres, I am alert to random packages. These things didn't even occur to me before.
My life has changed and all that happened before children. Please take a moment to think of the people that didn't survive, regular, ordinary people like you and me and their families. We must not let terrorists win, but each event changes us and once you have children its all re-enforced again.
Life has not been the same again though, as a Londoner I have friends of friends that died. I had always felt safe when travelling about, despite the IRA bombings and various other events, like the fire at Kings Cross. However, there was something different this time. It struck a cord and I can probably count the times I have been on the tube on one hand since. On the whole, I drive into central London, if I take the train I go to Kings Cross and I walk. On that day I became a lot more provincial.
I think it was because this time, it happened on my patch. I went to UCL, my sister lived in Bloomsbury, the husbands office is literally where the bus bomb happened. The bombers travelled on my train line. It was all so close to home. In the last five years I have not stepped on a plane, despite being a regular traveller in the past. I don't even have a passport. I hardly ever go to big shopping centres, I am alert to random packages. These things didn't even occur to me before.
My life has changed and all that happened before children. Please take a moment to think of the people that didn't survive, regular, ordinary people like you and me and their families. We must not let terrorists win, but each event changes us and once you have children its all re-enforced again.
Review: Premier Family Charger
I've got a cable tidy for the 8 (count them, that's 8) cables that go to our telly but obviously that's only a small part of it. That's where something like the Premier Family Charger comes in. It's basically a clever multi extension with a built in cable tidy and cradles for your devices.
The version I was sent for review purposes is designed for mobile phones; it took my Samsung mobile, and it also took hubby's iPhone. The cradles are adjustable for a snug fit too.
The images on the box are a little off putting if I'm going to be completely honest. The monochrome screened Nokia looks like its at least ten years old, which suggests the device isn't exactly new. But does it matter? I don't think it really does, its a simple solution to a simple to an all too common problem.
Our house is a fairly typical 1970's affair and like most houses of that vintage has far too few plug sockets for modern life. So saving even a plug socket is a bonus, especially if it keeps those dratted cables tidy. For £9.99 I don't think you can really go wrong.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Golden Rules for Blogging
Recently there has been a an awful lot of different league tables for blogs, I've noticed people getting really quite upset about it. I've noticed a real rise in competition amongst bloggers for stuff to review, places in league tables, number of comments. I have to admit, some of this stuff used to bother me, however I can honestly say that it really doesn't these days. Why? Well, I took myself back to the beginnings of my blogging and thought about why I actually started blogging. For me, it was a chance to learn about new software and improve my computer skills, a way of expressing creativity whilst I was on maternity leave and also a record of their lives and how I felt. It is this last one that has actually become the most important for me. Did you know about any of these stupid league tables when you started blogging? Was it your mission to become number one blogger? If you answered 'no' to these questions then I hope that you feel the same as me about the tables.
From what I have seen over the years I think that there are a few Golden Rules which can help make a good blog. I should make it clear that I am not saying mine is a good one, as mine is written for myself and my family primarily. I don't often apply these rules here, but I think they are valid.
Length
As part of my work I have to write or proof-read exhibition panels. This involves often arduous research and agonising over the use of language. It can actually be quite stressful trying to impart difficult concepts or complicated facts in a simple and short manner. Exhibition panels should not be more than 250 words, any longer and people just wander off. I think that this simple rule could be applied to most blog posts, for me, if it's longer than 2 panels (500 words) I simply will not bother to read it. Unless it is incredibly well written, emotional or funny, then I may stay for a bit. However, if your blog post is about your kids doing something fairly normal. I reckon it should stay short.
Content
I enjoy the blogs that are about family, emotions, products and creativity. The ones that are written sporadically, by one or two people. I do not enjoy those that are full of guest posts by other bloggers. Most blogs are not magazines. It seems to me that guest blogs by other bloggers to fill the gaps during holidays, or to act as self promotion take away the essence of a blog. If I wanted to read someone else's stuff, which you have recommended, I'll look at your blog roll. For me, its just a blatant way of getting linkage, moving up charts and so forth. Think about your blog, if you wanted to print it out as a record of family life in the future would you really want the opinions of a Cyberchum on there?
Comments
There are certain comment widgets like Discus, which for me are simply too much of a faff to fill in. On some of my favourite blogs they don't work properly for me, as I am not part of a particular network, on others they crash. Please, keep your comment system simple and don't write your blogs in order to generate comments. What's more don't feel obliged to reply, I am sure it's not just me that doesn't go back and check comments.
Honesty
I am sick to death of reading sycophantic tweets or comments about stuff related to blogging. Don't say something unless you would say it to that persons face. Whats more, try to remain within legal frameworks. We are not operating in the wild west here. Don't libel people or commit breach of confidence by publishing emails. Both of these have happened to me in the past (an edited email was amongst the things published). You don't know who you are dealing with on-line, one of my friends is a lawyer, the other a barrister it would have been very easy for me to start proceedings. Who knows what or whom your blogging nemesis/ chum is in real life. It's simply not worth it. Keep your arguments and opinions off line unless they really add to your blog. Google caches web pages, even if you remove something, its still there.
Images
If an image isn't yours, then don't use it. You can spot a stock photograph a mile off and to be honest, it doesn't really add to anything. It's lovely to see photographs taken by the blogger, even if they are the worst quality.
Networking
Networking is great. However, it is not a substitute for real life friends. Cliques can develop from networking and these can get quite nasty. This is ridiculous, its a bit like school. Join a network, learn from it, if you don't like what you see leave. Don't use the network as promotion for your blog, a substitute for living in the real world or a way of making yourself feel part of the bandwagon. I don't think the content of your blog will benefit from this.
Choose your platform and your title wisely
If you do a Google search on 'mummy blogs UK' you will see that I am top. This is merely a result of what I called my blog and the fact I use Blogger. Blogger is owned by Google, it searches for its own blogs first. Wordpress might look lovely, but it isn't searched first. If you have a mummy blog and the word 'mummy' isn't mentioned as part of the title, its not going to be as visible in the search engines. However, I regret calling this blog what I did as I don't really see myself as a mummy blogger or as part of that movement.
Luck and Time
I am a firm believer in luck and time. Unless you are a professional journalist, a lot of blogging seems to relate to luck. Having something really funny happen to you, your child being good at something, you being a great photographer and so forth. It also has a lot to do with time, the longer it's out there, the more links and visibility you will gain.
The Golden Rules
Do not live your life for blogging, don't sit there and tweet and blog all day. Enjoy your children. Don't consider each moment a 'good blog post' and most of all, if you are worrying about tables and posts and comments consider giving up. It's not worth it. Go back to basics, why did you start it in the first place?
From what I have seen over the years I think that there are a few Golden Rules which can help make a good blog. I should make it clear that I am not saying mine is a good one, as mine is written for myself and my family primarily. I don't often apply these rules here, but I think they are valid.
Length
As part of my work I have to write or proof-read exhibition panels. This involves often arduous research and agonising over the use of language. It can actually be quite stressful trying to impart difficult concepts or complicated facts in a simple and short manner. Exhibition panels should not be more than 250 words, any longer and people just wander off. I think that this simple rule could be applied to most blog posts, for me, if it's longer than 2 panels (500 words) I simply will not bother to read it. Unless it is incredibly well written, emotional or funny, then I may stay for a bit. However, if your blog post is about your kids doing something fairly normal. I reckon it should stay short.
Content
I enjoy the blogs that are about family, emotions, products and creativity. The ones that are written sporadically, by one or two people. I do not enjoy those that are full of guest posts by other bloggers. Most blogs are not magazines. It seems to me that guest blogs by other bloggers to fill the gaps during holidays, or to act as self promotion take away the essence of a blog. If I wanted to read someone else's stuff, which you have recommended, I'll look at your blog roll. For me, its just a blatant way of getting linkage, moving up charts and so forth. Think about your blog, if you wanted to print it out as a record of family life in the future would you really want the opinions of a Cyberchum on there?
Comments
There are certain comment widgets like Discus, which for me are simply too much of a faff to fill in. On some of my favourite blogs they don't work properly for me, as I am not part of a particular network, on others they crash. Please, keep your comment system simple and don't write your blogs in order to generate comments. What's more don't feel obliged to reply, I am sure it's not just me that doesn't go back and check comments.
Honesty
I am sick to death of reading sycophantic tweets or comments about stuff related to blogging. Don't say something unless you would say it to that persons face. Whats more, try to remain within legal frameworks. We are not operating in the wild west here. Don't libel people or commit breach of confidence by publishing emails. Both of these have happened to me in the past (an edited email was amongst the things published). You don't know who you are dealing with on-line, one of my friends is a lawyer, the other a barrister it would have been very easy for me to start proceedings. Who knows what or whom your blogging nemesis/ chum is in real life. It's simply not worth it. Keep your arguments and opinions off line unless they really add to your blog. Google caches web pages, even if you remove something, its still there.
Images
If an image isn't yours, then don't use it. You can spot a stock photograph a mile off and to be honest, it doesn't really add to anything. It's lovely to see photographs taken by the blogger, even if they are the worst quality.
Networking
Networking is great. However, it is not a substitute for real life friends. Cliques can develop from networking and these can get quite nasty. This is ridiculous, its a bit like school. Join a network, learn from it, if you don't like what you see leave. Don't use the network as promotion for your blog, a substitute for living in the real world or a way of making yourself feel part of the bandwagon. I don't think the content of your blog will benefit from this.
Choose your platform and your title wisely
If you do a Google search on 'mummy blogs UK' you will see that I am top. This is merely a result of what I called my blog and the fact I use Blogger. Blogger is owned by Google, it searches for its own blogs first. Wordpress might look lovely, but it isn't searched first. If you have a mummy blog and the word 'mummy' isn't mentioned as part of the title, its not going to be as visible in the search engines. However, I regret calling this blog what I did as I don't really see myself as a mummy blogger or as part of that movement.
Luck and Time
I am a firm believer in luck and time. Unless you are a professional journalist, a lot of blogging seems to relate to luck. Having something really funny happen to you, your child being good at something, you being a great photographer and so forth. It also has a lot to do with time, the longer it's out there, the more links and visibility you will gain.
The Golden Rules
Do not live your life for blogging, don't sit there and tweet and blog all day. Enjoy your children. Don't consider each moment a 'good blog post' and most of all, if you are worrying about tables and posts and comments consider giving up. It's not worth it. Go back to basics, why did you start it in the first place?
Monday, 5 July 2010
The Sun and Morrisons Summer Challenge
There is a family legend that my clan used to hold Skipton Castle. We don't quite live at those heady heights now days but the flagship Morrisons store there was the first one I visited about 20 years ago. We've come a long way since then and so has Morrisons, both metaphorically and geographically. We've got one in St Albans now, and hubby can stroll down there at lunch time should he be so inclined.
So, when I was approached by Morrisons to help promote their current campaign in conjunction with the Sun, it seemed like a fun blog post. Basically, I have to tell you what we would do with £30 of Morrison vouchers. I thought this might be a good one for the hubby to help with. He's always popping in and so without further ado I'll hand you over to him and we can all have an insight into what he would do, if I let him loose in the store with £30.
Morning/afternoon/evening. I've always had a soft spot for Morrisons I used to shop there a lot when I was a student oop North. When staff wished me a good day, I genuinely believed they meant it and that sort of feelings stayed with me since.
Our gardens mini orchard is actually populated by trees from Morrisons. Strange but true. Slightly less strange but equally true is that Morrisons are giving away a £5 Morrisons voucher (valid when you spend over £40) in The Sun each day from Monday to Saturday of this week with a total of £30 in savings.
£30 can get you a fair amount in Morrisons. If I was sneaking down there on my own, I'd be tempted by one of the latest Xbox 360 releases for under £30, which is ten or twenty quid less than the retail price. But I'm more responsible than that, and I'd happily spend the dosh on a cracking summer picnic. Morrisons in store made pizzas are great hot or cold, so I'd start with a couple of those (one veggie and one manly meaty one). This would be supplemented by some quiche, freshly baked french stick, salad, juicy cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, fizzy pop and last but by no means least, a ice chilled bottle of white wine.
And of course the best picnic is shared with friends, in the back garden with the sun beating down and the paddling pool filled with water. Cracking!
Friday, 2 July 2010
Our Holiday Disco
Today was officially the last day of our summer holiday, as you know we have been marooned at home. However, this has not been too much of a bad thing. The husband has some idea of how difficult it is to keep two toddlers entertained for long hours. He even did craft activities with them, making ice boats was more than an achievement. I wont be able to match it next week. This is a bit worrying.
Still, I managed to venture out alone with the benefit of the hubby babysitting and my shopping trip proved a tonic. It did make me realise how much I really need a bit of time to myself. Still that's another blog post in itself.
Anyhow, going back to the old traditions (which we established circa 2008), we decided to end the 'holiday' with a bit of a disco at bedtime, thus we have been rocking out to: Peter Gabriel 'Solisbury Hill' and Michael Jackson 'Beat it' amongst others. Believe it or not this was actually the choice of the children. I think we have musically educated them well (except for Michael Jackson). For those of you who are unfamiliar with one of the greatest musicians of the 1980's check him out below
Still, I managed to venture out alone with the benefit of the hubby babysitting and my shopping trip proved a tonic. It did make me realise how much I really need a bit of time to myself. Still that's another blog post in itself.
Anyhow, going back to the old traditions (which we established circa 2008), we decided to end the 'holiday' with a bit of a disco at bedtime, thus we have been rocking out to: Peter Gabriel 'Solisbury Hill' and Michael Jackson 'Beat it' amongst others. Believe it or not this was actually the choice of the children. I think we have musically educated them well (except for Michael Jackson). For those of you who are unfamiliar with one of the greatest musicians of the 1980's check him out below
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Review; SIGG eco friendly reusable, recyclable water bottles for children
I sustained a number of injuries on our ill fated North Norfolk holiday, however without a shadow of a doubt the absolute worst was when the Toddler dropped a Sigg bottle filled with finest Norfolk tap water onto my foot. We were quite a long way down the beach, you normally are in North Norfolk, as the sea is always at least a mile away. The Phil & Teds is not quite big enough for a grown woman and it seemed a bit mean to make the hubby carry me, so I did my best to stop making retching noises and pull myself together. Stiff British upper lip and all. Note to self, a full adult sized Sigg bottle is quite heavy.
Oh gosh, I have digressed somewhat, such is the rambling nature of the confinement that comes with the pox. The lovely people at Sigg Switzerland gave us 3 Sigg bottles to test and review for our holiday. Now I'm a really big fan of anything that a) saves money b) saves the environment and c) looks stylish at the same time. In 2008 Sigg became the number one reusable water bottle in the world and using one is a really trendy ethical statement. They tick all the right boxes for us.
I have to admit, I love Sigg bottles and proudly own several of my own including a one bearing a dinosaur related pun which I use for work (it's along the lines of Jurrassig). I have only recently realised that you can get kid friendly lids for them and have been eyeing them up for the children ever since.
We got two little 0.3L bottles for use now, which are the ideal size for toddlers and fit nicely into their little life back-packs. We also got a larger sized one for school or occasions where they need a bit more water. I have no complaints, you can't ever have too many Sigg bottles!
I was really really impressed with the quality and finish of the bottles, they have a unique 'Ecoliner' which means there is no taste or smell transfer from the aluminium and that they are 100% safe. The designs were stylish and appealing to the kids and they just felt nice. Up to this point the children have been using cheap
supermarket rip-off versions and you can really tell the difference with these proper Siggs.Easy for the kids to drink from, the lids have a specially designed twist which means that they don't leak (unlike the cheaper ones) and they seem much more substantial. The spaceship Sigg bottle we were gifted has a funky glow in the dark lid, which makes it very handy for camping! Fifi at 18 months can drink from her bottle without a problem, which is great as it means I don't have to wander about with Sippy cups any more.
I can't express how great I think these are, without doubt they are an essential item for any child. In fact, I reckon that if you are looking for an unusual and ethical pressie then these would be ideal. You really can't go wrong, the kids love them, you'll love them (if nothing else for saving you tons of cash) and they will help you make a difference in reducing landfill waste caused by those horrible disposable plastic water bottles. Pick one that's ideal for you here.
Parenting for New Parents
Things that we have learn't:
- Don't leave toys in the bath- you never know when an outbreak of sick will occur...
- Don't furnish your house with cream colours
- If you schedule a day out, holiday or have a special occasion coming up, you can guarantee that one member of your family will be ill
- Do not succumb to the desire to buy endless toys, your child will be happiest with a cardboard box and a blanket
- Shops run out of all supplies of calomine lotion in June
- Cheap own store brand nappies are the best
- As soon as your child shows a desire to play in the garden next doors cat will designate that as the best place to poo
- If you work part time your child will select those days to be sick
- Your children will not like the same food as you, a happy medium will be reached based around chips with every meal
- You will find that you prefer children's films to Cbeebies
- Forget reading Classic Novels, its all about Miffy and Thomas now
- The postman doesn't come until lunchtime
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