Category: Views & Ramblings

1. I am not looking forward to the school run!

   Posted on 4:21pm Sunday 6th Jan 2013

   I remember a time when I couldn't wait for my daughter to reach the next milestone, whether it be sitting, walking, talking and ultimately learning! So you would think that I would welcome her going to school? Right?

   Wrong!

   I love having her at home, I love not having the mad panic in the morning over what she is wearing, whether it is a tights or socks day, whether she wants to wear a dress or a skirt and obviously how she wants her hair! We generally put uniform out each evening (I say generally as lets be honest, I am not always that organised) but I believe children should be given choices as this definately enables them to make decisions and develop their own personalities and style, unfortunately for me, my eldest seems to have developed a sense of style that escapes me and a stubborn personality to boot!

   Getting dressed with a toddler is a challenge, getting a "wannabe" teenager dressed seems to border on being a japanese endurance test.

   I remember "debates" (I use this term lightly) with my own mum over what I was wearing but I was most definately a teenager or is that my fanciful memory of my childhood? I knew as a teenager that there was no way my mum would let me out of the house in certain outfits, so I didn't even try and push it. I am not sure if that comes down to the respect I had for my parents or the fact that I am quite placid and not particularly confrontational. 

   Anyone that meets my eldest instantly says that she looks like me and in lots of ways we are so similar and I always thought our characteristics were similar too. I am obviously going to say that it "can't" be my genes to blame!

   So all in all, I am not particularly looking forward to the school run this week and once the outfit debate has been settled, don't get me started on being stuck behind a tractor on the way!!

2. My favourite posts of 2012

   Posted on 8:30pm Sunday 30th Dec 2012

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   Inspired by Mummy Never Sleeps  who created her top ten posts from the year, I thought it was a fantastic chance to go through some old posts and show some love again to my favourites.

   I know this is a little self indulgent but in the absence of chocolate, this is my guilty pleasure this evening! So here we go ....

   One of my most honest and intimate posts was The End of an Era and ironically it ended up being one of the most popular. Maybe I should always speak direct from my heart?

   I loved the Olympics and this is what inspired this post. When sharing it on social media, it also caused a real conflict of opinion, so What makes Britain Great?

   I am very proud that both of my girls love the water and this is the start of their story : Learning a Life Skill

   I was horrified and astounded when my youngest bit me and this post poked at my smug mummy conscience! What do you do when your child bites you?

   Am I a pushy parent? I never thought I was "that" parent but I think we all have a little bit of it inside us.

   I have really enjoyed going through my old posts and whilst it has been extremely gratuitous, reminding myself of our journey this year has made me smile. Hope you did too?

   Goodbye 2012, its been a blast!

3. My Reverse Resolutions 2012 - 2013

   Posted on 11:03pm Friday 28th Dec 2012

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   Best quote of the year : "Dont be the person who could juggle but just didnt have the balls"

   Last year I decided that rather than start a list of New Years Resolutions, that would probably be broken by the second week in January, I would do a reverse list of all the things I have achieved in the last 12 months.  2011 was an amazing year and it made me realise that I dont need a list to aspire to but I just need to aspire to be the best I can be, whether that is mum, daughter, friend, business associate (or indeed juggler).

   So on reflection, here are my reverse resolutions for 2012. 

   1. I was nominated and subsequently named one fo the Top 100 Mumpreneurs by the national network, Mumsclub.

   2. The Lilypad Blog was nominated and a finalist in the first Women Inspiring Women awards.

   3. The Lilypad Blog has developed its own identity this year and has been a great platform to work with amazing brands like Fisher Price, Plum Baby and Groupon.

   4. I have been able to give both daughters a new life skill through swimming. The eldest can now swim competently and the little one is enjoying the water with Water Babies classes. As you can imagine, bath time is hugely amusing in our house with neither of them being afraid of being splashed and dunked!

   5. My love of blogging and addiction to social media has resulted in new opportunities and the start of some exciting new working partnerships.

    

   The start of the year was a haze of breastfeeding and nappies, so I was probably wasnt focused enough to make any achievable resolutions but on reflection, the girl did good!

   Watch out 2013, I have the balls and I am ready for some juggling!

   

4. Making holiday plans with a toddler!

   Posted on 9:43pm Wednesday 12th Dec 2012

   Regular blog readers know that I have two daughters and the little one is now toddling around and causing havoc as she goes. (my poor Christmas tree is testament to this), so thinking about holidays for next year is an interesting concept for us.

   As children, my brother and I never went without a holiday but for the first 5 or 6 years of our lives we always holidayed in the UK and it was my grandparents who encouraged my folks to take us on an aeroplane to the exotic location of Jersey! We loved it but children love holidays wherever they are. I didnt take my eldest daughter to a hot country until she was 5 years old as I would fret about the water, the food, being too close to the pool ... you name it, I worried about it so now I am back to square one with my youngest daughter.

   So what are my choices? A tent, a caravan or a UK holiday park? I have to admit that I am not a massive fan of camping as I always seem to sleep on the airbed that goes flat in the middle of the night, so a holiday park would be my definate location of choice. I vividly remember going to Butlins Holiday Park in Minehead with my best friend and her family when I was 12 and have the very best memories of us pretending to be so grown up and dancing the night away in the disco. Given that this was some 20 (ahem) years ago, Butlins has changed alot since then and they have the same quality entertainment and facilities as many of their continental counterparts. They have three main stages at every Resort, The Skyline Stage - where the daytime shows can be seen, Centre Stage - where you’ll see the big evening music and dance shows and Reds - where you’ll see live bands and some of the best tribute acts in the UK performing live. I love that Butlins offer family weekend breaks too because sometimes its nice to just pack the suitcases and the children into the car and get away for the weekend.

   Given that I loved Butlins at age 12, I am quite sure that my girls will love it too. With my eldest being in Junior School we have to holiday around the school holidays, if we dont want to get a slap on the wrist, so with the first half term in February, its good to know that you can grab a cheap break in February half term and not have to worry about passports and changing currency!

   So while it is cold outside, I dont think I can start dreaming of tropical holidays just yet but having spent far too much time looking round the Butlins website tonight ..... I think a little adventure to Minehead could be on the cards, even if it is to dance the night away again  pretending I am a grown up!