I have always tried to be the best parent I could by giving my children the best childhood possible.
This will of course mean different things to different people, but to me it means my children being truly content and having high self esteem.
And all of a sudden it's hit me, this parenthood stuff.
The level of responsibility and devotion that goes into raising well adjusted human beings has started to overwhelm me and I am often left wondering at the end of the day if I get any of it right.
I wonder if I have given them enough love, laughter, stimulation, encouragement, food, positivity, fulfillment or value.
You see, I really do love my children and as a SAHM I believe it's my job to give them everything they need and when at the end if the day I think back to how the day has gone, I feel extremely disheartened if I have failed them by shouting or not doing enough with them.
I have had many a nights of feeling disheartened since Baby's arrival as I have not been able to give my all to Toddler which I was once upon a time able to.
This left Toddler extremely frustrated and her tantrums went through the roof and at the time I felt lost as common practices of time outs were just not making a difference.
I spoke to my new lovely Health Visitor about this who recommended me onto a Parenting course run by my local Sure Start center, which we have been on for the past 5 weeks, and it has made a World of difference
to our family life and especially to Toddlers.
The Parenting course's main philosophy is building relationships through play and how to do so in the best way.
At first I was defensive and thought "I know how to play with my child, what a load of old crap!". And as the course went on I was a bit more like "ahhh, I see!".
The course taught and made me aware of Play techniques such as giving undivided attention for at least 10 minutes a day, and when playing how to allow the child to lead by not asking any questions during play (which is much harder then it sounds) which in turn gives the child freedom of exploration.
Much of the course is about Positive Parenting which I love the concept of, but admit that putting into practice is not as easy as it sounds.
The Parenting course has definitely made me a better Parent which is something I will always continue to work on as I wish to give my children the best childhood possible.
Thursday 4 November 2010
Sunday 26 September 2010
Return of the Mother
It's been a shameful 4 months since baby's arrival and I have only just returned to blogging.
Shameful indeed (shakes head with lowered eyes)
However, I do have a healthy beautiful daughter to show for my absense. Born May 18th by c-section weighing an enormous 8lb 8oz, life is defenilty not as we once knew it!
Shameful indeed (shakes head with lowered eyes)
However, I do have a healthy beautiful daughter to show for my absense. Born May 18th by c-section weighing an enormous 8lb 8oz, life is defenilty not as we once knew it!
Thursday 13 May 2010
To my Babies
Found: http://spinningbabies.simplwebsite.com/real-stories/273-one-mothers-two-pretty-tough-and-thouroughly-examined-birth-stories
The Beginning – Rabindranath Tagore
“WHERE have I come from, where did you discover me?” the baby asked its mother.
She answered half crying, half laughing, and clasping the baby to her breast,– “You were hidden in my heart as its desire, my darling.
You were in the dolls of my childhood’s games; and when with clay I made the image of my god every morning, I made and unmade you then.
You were enshrined with our household deity, in his worship I worshipped you.
In all my hopes and my loves, in my life, in the life of my mother you have lived.
In the lap of the deathless Spirit who rules our home you have been nursed for ages.
When in girlhood my heart was opening its petals, you hovered as a fragrance about it.
Your tender softness bloomed in my youthful limbs, like a glow in the sky before the sunrise.
Heaven’s first darling, twin-born with the morning light, you have floated down the stream of the world’s life, and at last you have stranded on my heart.
As I gaze on your face, mystery overwhelms me; you who belong to all have become mine.
For fear of losing you I hold you tight to my breast. What magic has snared the world’s treasure in these slender arms of mine?”
The Beginning – Rabindranath Tagore
“WHERE have I come from, where did you discover me?” the baby asked its mother.
She answered half crying, half laughing, and clasping the baby to her breast,– “You were hidden in my heart as its desire, my darling.
You were in the dolls of my childhood’s games; and when with clay I made the image of my god every morning, I made and unmade you then.
You were enshrined with our household deity, in his worship I worshipped you.
In all my hopes and my loves, in my life, in the life of my mother you have lived.
In the lap of the deathless Spirit who rules our home you have been nursed for ages.
When in girlhood my heart was opening its petals, you hovered as a fragrance about it.
Your tender softness bloomed in my youthful limbs, like a glow in the sky before the sunrise.
Heaven’s first darling, twin-born with the morning light, you have floated down the stream of the world’s life, and at last you have stranded on my heart.
As I gaze on your face, mystery overwhelms me; you who belong to all have become mine.
For fear of losing you I hold you tight to my breast. What magic has snared the world’s treasure in these slender arms of mine?”
Monday 10 May 2010
While Toddler is away...
Have packed off Toddler to her Nan's so I can get some rest whilst waiting for the Baby to put in appearance.
So while Toddler is away Hubby and I have been able to spend some lovely time together which has not really happened since Toddler's arrival.
Yesterday we went out for a nice meal accompanied by a trip to the Cinema - together! Whoo hoo! We watched Iron Man2, his choice and no I wouldn't recommend it as it was over 2 hours long and not the best story line, still we had a very nice time together.
Later that evening we got to watch more stuff, stuff on the T.V would you believe it.
And the best bit off all me thinks are the nice uninterrupted chats and cuddles we get to have.
So while Toddler is away Hubby and I have been able to spend some lovely time together which has not really happened since Toddler's arrival.
Yesterday we went out for a nice meal accompanied by a trip to the Cinema - together! Whoo hoo! We watched Iron Man2, his choice and no I wouldn't recommend it as it was over 2 hours long and not the best story line, still we had a very nice time together.
Later that evening we got to watch more stuff, stuff on the T.V would you believe it.
And the best bit off all me thinks are the nice uninterrupted chats and cuddles we get to have.
Friday 7 May 2010
Due Date Came & Went
Baby's due date silently came and went without any fuss. I had only one phone call to ask if I was OK (which I am grateful for) and spent the majority of the day very uneventfully in bed surfing the net.
My only source of excitement yesterday was that I had a wonderful session of reflexology using Clary Sage essential oil, allowing me and hour of complete downtime which gave me a chance to concentrate on my body, and I think I may have had mild contractions or strong Braxton Hicks.
The pain was in my lower back coming and going, and was accompanied by the usual tummy tightenings that I've been having for the past month.
Still nothing concrete enough to say I am actually in any kind of labour, so I shall continue to potter around the house until Baby decides it's time to put in appearance.
My only source of excitement yesterday was that I had a wonderful session of reflexology using Clary Sage essential oil, allowing me and hour of complete downtime which gave me a chance to concentrate on my body, and I think I may have had mild contractions or strong Braxton Hicks.
The pain was in my lower back coming and going, and was accompanied by the usual tummy tightenings that I've been having for the past month.
Still nothing concrete enough to say I am actually in any kind of labour, so I shall continue to potter around the house until Baby decides it's time to put in appearance.
Sunday 2 May 2010
Pregnancy & Toddlerhood
I am not coping to well with the combination of being due next week and having a high energetic 2 year old. I'm sure that since Toddler turned 2 her tantrums have increased and that amount of stimulation she needs has also uped.
Yesterday Hubby and I took her to the park for over 2 hours in the morning and on the way home she fell asleep in the car, and because she is taking so long to fall asleep at bedtime (9ish seems to be the norm these days) we are cutting her day time naps down from 2 hours to 1.
I woke her after 1 hour had passed, fed her lunch and her afternoon was then filled with the following planned activities (planned works better at the minute otherwise she turns into a feral child):
Am I expecting to much of her and this really is normal 2 year old/Toddler behaviour?
Yesterday Hubby and I took her to the park for over 2 hours in the morning and on the way home she fell asleep in the car, and because she is taking so long to fall asleep at bedtime (9ish seems to be the norm these days) we are cutting her day time naps down from 2 hours to 1.
I woke her after 1 hour had passed, fed her lunch and her afternoon was then filled with the following planned activities (planned works better at the minute otherwise she turns into a feral child):
- Sad & Water box play in the garden
- Painting, Drawing & Stickering
- Bubble Blowing
- Watch 30 mins of WALL-E
- Trip to Tesco
- Plays with Dog and watches me prepare dinner
- Dinner
- Bath
- Bed at 8
- Does not fall asleep until after 9
Am I expecting to much of her and this really is normal 2 year old/Toddler behaviour?
Saturday 1 May 2010
All I want to do...
but just do not have the energy/organisation to do it:
- Write
- Journal Photograph
- Play with the Dog more
- Cook Chocolate Cakes with Toddler
- Finish reading books I start and enjoy
- Enjoy Hubby more
- Pamper myself more at Home
- Do more Arts & Crafts with Toddler
- Keep in touch with Friends
- Day Dream
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