Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Why I am not the food police!

   Posted on 8:16pm Sunday 17th Feb 2013

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   I remember when my eldest daughter was born, every single person that walked through my front door was made to wash their hands or use hand gel before they came within breathing distance of her. She was never ever dirty, to the point where my mum told me that I was being ridiculous and she would never develop immunity to anything because I wasn't letting her be exposed to anything for longer than a second. After realising that she was right (mums usually are .... that's what I tell my own daughter now), I began to relax.

   I can't categorically state that I relaxed in every aspect and I can vivdly remember cooking, mashing, pureeing and storing food like my life depended on it and only the most naural and organic products would pass through her lips. I was officially the food police! I recall going on a caravan holiday with my best friend and her suggesting that we get the children fish and chips for dinner, I remember feeling a little panicky as my daughter had never had chips before, so I rustled up some rice and vegetables to go with the fish ....... she must have thought I was bonkers (but then again she has known me forever so probably knows this to be true anyway).

   Fast forward to today and my youngest daughter has learnt to eat through baby led weaning and has today eaten pasta and vegetables for lunch, followed by an apple. However she then starts shouting at the cupboard. She wasn't cross with the cupboard, she does however know that is where we keep the chocolate, high up in the cupboard where little hands can't get hold of it. My mum now warns me about the little ones sweet tooth but this time, I think that I am the one that is right. My youngest daughter eats very well, she eats healthily and with a varied diet but when she sees her big sister (and "maybe" mummy too) eating chocolate, it feels wrong to deny her a small taste. Don't get me wrong, she would totally gorge herself if she could but at the end of the day, don't you always want what you can't have? My Nan would have told me that "a little of what you fancy does you good" and despite being so strict with my eldest, she will still ask for chocolate the same as the next child.

   As I said at the beginning of this post, mummy is usually right but now that mum is me, I am no longer going to be the food police, I am simply going to be mum!

    

2. Moving and making changes

   Posted on 10:55am Tuesday 29th Jan 2013

   January is cold, bleak (and very snowy) and usually a time when parents look at the cost of Christmas and feel like the January pay day is a long long way away. It is a time when people focus their minds on saving money or making changes as it feels like the perfect time to spring clean your life and finances!

   Consideration of moving house is always something that a new year brings in our house and the debate of do we need to move, where do we move and what mortgage should we get? With two children in tow, a cat and a significant amount of small toys, not to mention my (ahem) shoe collection, this is not a decision that can be taken lightly. 

   In all seriousness, moving house is more about location, school catchment areas and crime rates, who would have thought I would get all sensible in my old age? Once upon a time, my only consideration was fabulous decor and a comfortable bed but now, ensuring a safe neighbourhood and good schooling for my children is of paramount importance to our house location (not discounting the fabulous decor and comfortable bed of course).

   My eldest daughter is a creature of habit, if I move the furniture around she gets upset and I can't tell you the tears that ensued when we changed our car so moving house will have to be for a very special reason or a very special house. With my youngest daughter coming out of the baby phase, maybe another addition to our current household maybe the reason we need ....... but shhhh don't tell my other half just yet! 

    

3. When is the snow going to stop?

   Posted on 12:44pm Monday 21st Jan 2013

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   I accept it is pretty, I know that the children love it and I suspect many people quite like the idea of having a "snow day" but after being house bound since Thursday, I am beginning to get cabin fever. So when is the snow going to stop?

   The weather reports say that we aren't going to get much more and its just the freezing temperatures that are keeping it from melting but as I love out of the window, I can see a light flurry of snow falling. I don't deny that it looks beautiful and much more picturesque than bare trees and miserable rain but after a few days of the snow and ice, I have had enough now.

   I am not the biggest fan of the school run and was secretly delighted to receive the school closure notice, so there was no alarm and no mad rush in the morning but its still cold! I hate to think what my heating bill is going to be like as the fire has been on constantly and I love being snuggled up with my little family indoors but we all need a bit of fresh air, so we wrapped up yesterday and braved the elements.

   Here is the results of our outing ....

    

   So the snowman has been built, the obligatory photos taken and the children warned about eating yellow snow (one of my Dad's favourite jokes), so all thats left to ask is; when is the snow going to stop?

   Tell me I am not alone here!

4. Making life easier with Wi-Fi

   Posted on 9:18pm Wednesday 16th Jan 2013

   

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   Do you remember a time before the internet? Before we could access emails, apps, our bank acocunt and essentially our lives on our computers, tablets and phones?

   The Internet has become an integral part of every day life and as such it can also be a useful tool when it comes to giving a helping hand to busy mums. Parents can keep their children easily entertained by things on the Internet, I challenge you to find any child who is not amused by the Talking Tom Cat app! What’s more as many places offer free Wi-Fi these days you can ensure your kids always have something to keep them occupied when out and about.

   For example, you may be going out with your friend for coffee (or tea in my case) and you take your child or children with you. There is no doubt (and anyone with children will verify) that they will undoubtedly get bored by just sitting around in a coffee shop. If you own a tablet or smartphone then this can help to keep them amused or entertain them whilst you enjoy your coffee. You simply need to login to the free Wi-Fi service offered and your child will have access to online games, films, on-demand television and many other things.

   For obvious reasons, you should make sure that there are sufficient parental controls on the connection so that your child does not end up accessing unsuitable content on the net though. 

   I particularly like the educational apps that look like games to children but are actually engaging their brains and learning as they play.  Free Wifi is great because it can be used as an educational aid to your child. There are many so websites that can help your child with learning or help them to complete difficult homework tasks so not only can you entertain the children with the Internet, you can also boost their academic knowledge and further their education.

   I personally prefer to reward my daughters good behavior by providing her with access to suitable online games and other fun content, not necessarily allowing it as an every day priviledge. Many services allow you to impose restrictions on when children can access the internet using their computers or other devices and this means you can control when their able to use the service – enabling you to use the internet as a reward for good behaviour or academic performance, which works for me.

   Its amazing how it seems like only a moment in time since I was a child (well maybe a little more than a moment) but watching my children use technology with ease, goes to show how quickly time moves on.

    

   Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but as a user of BT Wi-Fi, we would personally recommend it regardless.