I am the mum

Happy Tuesday :)

 

When you catch a glimpse of me

what kind of mum do you see?

A brief encounter, a moment in time

a two second glance, with that I'm defined.

Am I the mum you think you'll be

or am I the mum you hate to see.

Am I like you when your kids were young

or are you thinking that's not what you would have done.

 

I am the mum who sets the rules and makes her kids behave

I am the mum who turns a blind eye when it's just been one of those days

I am the mum who loses her cool then regrets it later on

I am the mum who is calm and collected, nothing can go wrong

I am the mum who plays and fusses, giving attention to her son's

I am the mum who has no time and isn't so much fun

I am the mum who simply wants to lose a little weight

I am the mum who loves her food and always clears her plate

I am the mum who takes her time to look her very best

I am the mum who at noon in PJ's thinks, "oops we better get dressed"

I am the mum who feels lucky to be blessed with a wonderful life

I am the mum who wants to be more than just a mother and wife

I am the mum who lovingly serves up delicious home cooked food

I am the mum who on occasions thinks 'bugger it, chicken nuggets will do'

I am the mum who worries about what the future holds

I am the mum who lives for the moment and waits for life to unfold

I am the mum who wants time out without the little ones

I am the mum that misses their faces as soon as they're gone

I am the mum who organises, makes plans and is on time

I am the mum who thinks fuck it and drinks far too much wine

So, which mum did you see

because, you know they are all me.

But what solitarily moment were you there for

to make your decision in three seconds, or four.

I'm all the above, plus many more

it's really a lottery as to what mum you saw.

#don'tjudge #justamoment

 

Secret Paranoid Parent

Happy Friday :)

House. Umbrella. Up.

Apparently one in 20 people won't leave their house today. It truly surprises me how many people are superstitious. I've happily indulged in picking up pennies, felt chuffed when two magpies appear. But I've also unintentionally walked under ladders, broken mirrors and I regularly pass people on stairs (much to their horror). Maybe the good luck just cancels out all my bad luck behaviour but as there have never been any consequence from either I'm a non believer.

Crazy, moi?

Being Friday the 13th it did get me reflecting about an aspect of my personality which could be a distant relative to superstition, paranoia. Although superstition to me is ludicrous irrational thinking my paranoia (I believe) is justified irrational thinking. My fears and worries are all things which are possible. Highly unlikely yes, but none the less possible. 

The cubs

This is completely the fault of my children. Like many parents they are my achillies heal. My love for them leaves me wide open and vulnerable. My need to ensure their safety means irrational feelings get the better of me. With my first born I regularly worried about not been able to protect him. Ordinary everyday events made my paranoia go into over drive. Walking at the side of the road the thought that a lorry might lose control and run into the pram consumed me. I was convinced on a ferry trip that a monster wave was going to appear out of nowhere and wash my bambinos over board.

Everyone: "Yeh! Camping is fun!"  Me (silently): "Yeh! what if a load of cows trample us to death in the night?"

Since having children I see the danger and 'what if's' in everything. Reports on the news of runaway dustbin lorries, toddler snatching crocodiles and children sneaking into Gorilla enclosures only fuels my desire to stock up on cotton wool and bubble wrap. However to encourage my boy's adventurous streak and to prevent me from being locked up I keep these thoughts safely tucked away.

Anyone else a secret paranoid parent?

2017: From Toddler to Boy, the Year of Hope.

Happy Friday :)

off to the woods, with wine :)

2016 was the year of crazy. So it was only fitting that we finished it with a NYE house party reflecting this. We had the same ratio of children to adults, went for a walk in the woods with wine (and glasses) and served up a BBQ fit for a summers day.

reconstruction of the 2016 'utility incident'

The craziness, created mostly by our youngest started just 3 days into 2016. Aged 14 months he unwittingly trapped me in our utility with the dishwasher door. A challenge worthy of a sadistic Crystal Maze. I had the contents of a fridge, two litre bottles of coke and a plastic ride on toy at my disposal to escape through a 2cm gap. Needless to say I was still there two hours later when my husband arrived home. The memory still makes me shiver and truly set the scene for what was to be a challenging 2016. 

 

challenges of the crazy year

Progressing through the toddler months in 2016 was fun, exciting and utterly gorgeous (Bye Bye Baby) but it was also tiring, relentless and on occasions difficult. There were several outstanding moments which really put our parenting skills, and sanity to the test. Holidaying was an experience not to be forgotten (How to have a Successful (non holiday) Holiday with a Toddler- My 6 Top Tips) and going from cot to cot bed very nearly finished us off (Toddler Bedtime Battles).

2017 is the Year of Hope. This will be the year our two year old toddler will turn to our three year old boy. The last remaining traces of baby will bit by bit fade away. Nappies, highchairs, dummies, sippy cups, teething, (certain) cupboard locks and daytime sleeps which affect night time sleeps will all be left behind in the year of 2017. Incomprehensive jibber jabber will become a thing of the past. Halleluiah, you know what I want and I know what you want. 2017 is the year when we board the train to the light at the end of the toddler tunnel.

moment of calm

Lego can be played with without worry that pieces will be consumed. Soft play can be attended without me in the ball pool. Walks to the duck pond can be enjoyed without (as much) fear of dog poo been eaten, ponds mistaken for paddling pools or piles of mud thought be a marvellous place to lay down.

a little crazy is good

However, I'm still hoping for the occasional crazy moment and I'm sure I won't be disappointed. A little craziness is always good :)