Just How Many Kids Has She Got Now?...

There seems to be a growing trend at the moment with 'mummy and daddy' bloggers and I suppose I'm included in that title. I think it's great that mum's and dad's everywhere have a chance to vent to the world how hard, rewarding and bloody frustrating it is at times to be a parent. Most of all, l I think it's great that there is so much 'real' advice out there now for parents. When I had Olivia, a.k.a 'The Teenager', there was no 'Unmumsy mum' to tell me it was normal to feel shit, when I had just done the most amazing thing in the world, by pushing a human out of my vagina- when phrased this way is there any wonder you feel shit? No Man vs Baby to make me laugh, with the truthful but oh so funny accounts of parenthood. In fact the closest thing to a 'blogger' was good old Emma- she still writes that diary you know, she must have had hundreds of children by now! For those of you that don't know, Emma's Diary was written for mums-to-be and would be given to them by the midwife. It has of course, progressed into a great website, full of useful information and has been on the go for many years. That said, nothing quite beats hearing advice from the horses mouth, the real, normal, average Joe. There are blogs that relate to all types of parents, single, working, hard up- shameless plug- and I think it's great that parents everywhere have all this real information readily available. I suppose the question is do you use it? Have you felt anything other than sheer joy when you gave birth? Have you felt so guilty because you've missed their school play because of work? Have you been so skint you didn't know how your money was going to make it to the end of the day let alone the week? Has it helped any of these problems, knowing you weren't alone in feeling this way? I would love to hear your views on how bloggers have helped you- and no it doesn't have to be mine.

Summer Survival Tips

As parents stock up on headache tablets, sugary bribes and copious amounts of alcohol, this can only mean one thing, it’s the summer holidays. I know this strikes the fear of dread into a lot of parents, as they wonder how they can possibly keep their children entertained without going bankrupt and keeping their sanity at the same time. It’s not impossible to do with a little imagination and a bit of effort….and some wine. Just remember to keep to a budget of what you can afford, don’t be spending money you haven’t got on days out that cost a fortune, just because you know that everybody else will be taking their children. Watch out for offers and coupons for money off family days out. The main thing is don't be afraid to let them get bored, in fact I encourage it, it’s when they are bored that they will show how creative they can be. Sticks become guns, daisies become chains and that blanket becomes a fort. Stretch things out as much as you can. I refer back to my Easter Holiday post How to Fill Three Days With One Picnic

Have a family sleepover one night in the living room, build a den and enjoy some old movies together, the children will love it and most likely remember it forever. Enjoy a 'no media day' where you and the family are forced to actually interact! Interview each other, you might find out a few things you didn't already know about one another. It could also come in handy for present buying in the future. Set a loose plot line and characters for a story and give everyone a part to write. Either the beginning, middle or ending and at the end of the day read it together and see who has the wackiest imagination.  Tune in to BBC TEES breakfast show with Neil Green and Amy Oakden for more tips on how to have fun with your family for free, or very cheap...It doesn’t cost money to create memories.

Life isn't perfect

As I was sitting on the sofa, browsing Facebook admittedly, Chase decided to run in with the pastry brush and a cupcake case shouting "mixy mixy mummy!" This in no uncertain terms means he wants to make a mess in my kitchen, how could I refuse? I thought I would kill two birds with one stone (I do wonder where this expression came from? Which psycho is going around killing birds with stones?) and looked for a simple recipe that I could share with you all afterwards. That's when I thought of those lovely, soft, melt in your mouth biscuits Viennese fingers. They only use five ingredients that most cupboards contain. Oh how I wish I had seen the carnage that was about to follow the crumbs, chocolate everywhere and a rather pathetic batch of failed fingers!

I won't be posting the recipe as it was rubbish, well maybe the recipe wasn't rubbish, it was probably something I did, but the fact is we all mess up sometimes and that's okay. It's even more okay to tell people that you did. In this day and age where everything on-line is portrayed to be perfect, I think it's refreshing to show the not so perfect side of things too. Maybe if we all posted a few of our mistakes, or not so flattering pictures, or shared how life was not as great as it looks to everyone, then the younger generation will learn that you don't have to be a supermodel, or own the most expensive things or indeed be happy all the time. There are days it's okay to look like you just got up all day, or walk around in old trainers or have a good cry, after all everybody does it. They just don't show you. I proudly share with you my mistake today and yes I failed at creating anything but crumbs, me and my son had a lovely morning together, we still ate them and they tasted lovely and I thought I would drink my tea out of the Christmas mug to prove life doesn't have to be perfect!

Cool to be kind

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. That’s one of my favourite quotes and how true it is. In a world where popularity is regarded as the be all and end all, the amount of likes you get determines your worth and having a massive amount of ‘friends’ on the internet makes you appear to be the coolest cat around. I quite clearly, am obviously not the coolest cat around, for having just used that phrase. How do we stop our children from believing this is how we make it in life? It makes me sad to think people would prefer to be well known than nice. The thought of them getting excited, because lots of people they don’t know want to be their ‘friend’ on the internet scares me. How can you teach your children to be kind? Is it something they just are?  My daughter Neve, told me about a girl at her school people had singled out because she was new. Neve said, she had told the girl she would be her friend, and she didn’t care if anyone else wouldn't talk to her because of it. Proud mum moment! I have never been a follower. I have always stood up for what I believe, even if that meant going against the grain, so I suppose leading by example is the best way. Focusing on the good things people do and acting really impressed when you see an act of kindness, will make them want to do it too! We really need to make it clear to our children it’s not how well known you are, but how kind you are that matters.