Gorgeous Children's Bags From Pink Lining

Pink Lining's Spring/Summer Range For Kids

Pink Lining have a new range of  gorgeous children's bags for this season.  Featuring the cutest characters Little Ladybird and Robbie the Robot, they will be a hit with children and parents alike.  With bags suitable for travel, school and home, the range is both practical and beautiful!

We were sent a Robbie the Robot Overnight Bag which arrived cutely packaged in pink tissue paper with a ribbon!

The Practical Bit

The zip-up overnight bag has a wipe clean soft laminated coating which is environmentally friendly, food safe and made without plasticizers or chlorine.  The bottom of the bag and the front pocket are heavy duty cotton. The double handles are securely stitched  and comfortable to hold.  Metal studs on the bottom of the bag help prevent scuffing when the bag is set down.  Handy zipped pockets provide secure storage spaces for bits and bobs!

The Fun Bit

The cream coloured fabric is decorated with a really fun, colourful and quirky robot design.  The front pocket has a beautiful appliqued Robbie the Robbie on it.  The character is very detailed with dials and buttons on his tummy, pincer hands and a friendly face.  3 year old Freddy loved the bag and we are looking  forward to packing it for our weekend away for his birthday next week!  It is spacious (42cm x 26cm x 22cm) and the zip up pockets will be very handy.

Just look at these photos showing the detail and the design on these incredibly cute overnight bag!

The Overnight Bag is £40. Lunchboxes, Picture Satchels, Toy Bags and Wheelie Cases are also available in the Robbie the Robot design.  You can shop for these and the Little Ladybird designed bags on the website.

www.pinklining.co.uk

Silent Sunday #Project 52

Discovering Treasure

 

My Dancing Toddler

Disneyland Paris Inspires Some Groovy Moves from Freddy

Whilst queuing up for the Character Tea Party in the Cowboy Cookout Restaurant, Freddy just couldn't help himself.  The music just overcame him and he broke out into a fabulous dance routine.  Ian caught part of his routine on film.

So...is he the new Ashley Banjo?  Or maybe Louie Spence?  I love his moves...he makes me smile with his enthusiasm for dancing.  I wish I could be as free and uninhibited in public!  

Silent Sunday

Competition Time...Win A Gorgeous Pink Lining Bag!

I have reviewed our gorgeous new Pink Lining Toddler Overnight Bag and we absolutely adore it!  Well now, thanks to the lovely people at Pink Lining, I have one to give away to one of my readers.

Toodlepip

Pyjama Party

It's easy to enter...follow my blog and then just leave me a comment telling me whether you would like to win the Toodlepip  Bag or the Pyjama Party Bag.  Then fill out the rafflecopter entry form to say you did it!  There are bonus entries avaialble too...just see the Rafflecopter form and click "I Did This!" for each one you complete!

Pink Lining for Toddlers

Pink Lining was established in 2001 and has become a brand synonymous with the 'yummy mummy' lifestyle, adding their stylish and inspiring designs to practical and functional changing bags.  Distinctive fabrics and the trade mark shocking pink lining, make the brand immediately identifiable.

But the brand goes beyond changing bags.  Just check out this gorgeous Overnight Bag for trendy toddlers!

The Red Buses fabric is contrasted with the navy trim and strong double handles.  The zip-up pocket on the front features a delightful dinosaur appliqué patch and a "Toodlepip" slogan.  It is a perfect pocket for keeping little bits and bobs safe.

A separate zip up bag in the same gorgeous design is included inside with its own carry handle.

The water resistant lining is a natural colour with the Pink Lining label sewn in with pink thread!  The inside zippered compartment is another useful feature.  Studs on the bottom protect the fabric when the  bag is put on the floor.

This gorgeous bag is perfect for overnight stays away with your toddler.  It is funky, spacious and practical....Pink Lining put the 'fun' into functionality!!

A girls' Pyjama Party design is also available.  Both are available to buy online at www.pinklining.co.uk for just £30.  They would make a great present for a toddler who travels!  Freddy's is perfect for overnight hotel stays keeping his essentials well packed, accessible and safe.  We love it!!

I'll be giving away one of these gorgeous Overnight Bags very soon thanks to the lovely people at Pink Lining...so keep your eyes open!

Toddler Bath Wrap Review

I love it when Freddy comes out of the bath, all warm and sweet smelling.  Nothing beats wrapping him up in a big, soft towel and snuggling him close to dry him.  At 2 years old, he isn't a baby anymore, so a lot of hooded towels on the market are now too small for him.  The Toddler Wrap from thebestbedlinenintheworld.com however, is a perfect solution to post bath time snuggling.  This large sized hooded towel is big enough to envelop your toddler completely, with the corner hood keeping their head covered.

I was sent a Toddler Bath Wrap to review.  The pure white 100% cotton towel is trimmed in either pink or blue piping.  It is super soft with a velour outer and towelling inner.  It is a big 100cm by 100cm diamond shape with a hood in one corner.  The stitching is secure and the towel is ultra-soft yet still very durable and strong.

thebestbedlinenintheworld.com

Blue Piping around the Hood.

Extra large size.

Freddy enjoyed his bath and then we scooped him out and snuggled him up in the Toddler Wrap with the hood on his head.  It is really soft and a fabulous quality.  He looked like a little superhero in his cape!

He could be snuggled up close and was completely covered, due to the large size of the towel.  The hood fitted well and kept him warm and snug.

The Toddler Bath Wrap is part of a Limited Edition Collection and is available at the great price of £15 with Free UK Delivery direct from The Best Bed Linen in The World.

Freddy enjoyed his luxurious Toddler Bath Wrap Towel and I am impressed by the softness, quality and size.  It is machine washable and will last your baby for years.

You can like thebestbedlinenintheworld.com's Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest news and chat.  And check out the website for their great selection of luxury, hotel quality bed linen, pillows, duvets and towels!

Happy Birthday (tomorrow) To My Baby Boy

I knew I was having a boy.  For the first time in five pregnancies I'd found out the sex of my baby.  So I knew I was going to be having Freddy. I felt like I was privy to an amazing secret.  Every wriggle and kick I felt was 'my son'. 

When my waters broke on the 9th July  in the early hours of the morning two years ago, it heralded the imminent arrival of the little boy I'd been waiting to meet, to hold, to know.

It took some hours for my contractions to start despite my best efforts involving a birthing ball.  I had just about given up on the idea of going into full blown labour by natural means when at 4pm I fell into an exhausted sleep to be awoken by a massive contraction an hour later.  I went from nothing to continual waves of pain in a moment.  Less than an hour later Freddy entered the world.  I had no pain relief at all, I just focused on what my body was doing bringing me closer to meeting my boy.

My baby boy, my Freddy was born.  The child that completed my family.  

My new born son.

I've watched my baby boy grow.  I've seen him go from a newborn infant to an active baby to a walking, talking toddler.  He learns something new everyday, he astounds me, amazes me and delights me.

He has given us all so much.  Fun, love, laughter.  We cherish him.

His 1st Birthday.

Everyday is an adventure for my toddler.  There is a whole world for him to explore, so much to see and do.  And I'll be right there beside him giving him all the love and support in the world.

2 years old

Happy Birthday to my baby boy.

My Freddy x

*This is also my Flashback Friday post....link up at Cafe Bebe*

The Power of Words

Speech Development in Toddlers

My baby boy has taken a momentous step today in his development.  Freddy has always been a jabberer, chatting away in his own unique language.  Over time, distinct words became audible.  Then the odd word or two would be strung together...."Want Mummy," or "In garden."

Today however, Fred came up with a sentence that had us all amazed.  He loves playing outside in the garden.  He runs to the back door clutching his Bug Wellies in his little hands. Today though I showed him the torrential rain outside and he said "Go in garden but it's too wet".  The inflection on the words was so lyrical, it was like music to my ears.

Communication is such a vital component in parent/child relations.  Understanding your child's needs is so much easier given the development of language.  I love it when you can chatter with a toddler.  I look forward to hearing those little gems that they come out with.

I remember my older children when they learned to speak.  Megan now 19 had us all floored when at 3 she shouted out "Those pigeons are bastards!" in the middle of a busy town centre.  Ella had a speech impediment where she pronounced the -ck sound as a -t.  We had tats instead of cats and tates instead of cakes.  It was very cute.  We have a Christmas video where Kizzy at 2 shouted at her big brother Joe "I'm going to kick him's arse!" (Swearing actually features in two of those stories...note to self...curb profanity around toddlers!)

We are about to embark on the next phase of Fred's babyhood and I look forward to it so much.  The day he turns to me and says that he loves me will melt my heart!  Words are powerful things.

Soon he'll learn how to manipulate, beg and argue.  But he'll also tell me how he feels, what makes him happy and he'll chatter away about his day...I wouldn't have it any other way!  My MIL always says how she learned to ignore my chatterbox husband when he was a little boy, wishing she could switch off his babbling.  I love the sound of my little people expressing themselves...and I will relish every little sentence he utters.

My two eldest still phone home regularly to tell me what they are up to.  I love our chats and adore the relationship I have with them.  (Even though a lot of what they say results in money passing from our bank account into theirs!)

I hereby promise Fred that I will always listen to what he says.  His voice is important to me and it will be heard...although not always agreed with or acted on!!

Munchkin at Bath Time

Munchkin knows that it's the little things that often make the biggest difference, which is why they have designed a range of fabulous products to make life as a parent easier and more exciting!

I was excited to be sent some Munchkin goodies to try out with my Tiny Testers Inside the Wendy House.  We were given Munchkin Sea Squirt bath squirters, a Safety Bath Duck and a Snack Catcher to try out.

The Sea Squirt bath squirters are  collection of five adorable sea characters.  They are the perfect size and softness for small hands to hold and squeeze.  Suitable for toddlers 9 months and older, they are perfect for bathtime or water play.  They provide an ocean of fun for your little squirts!  Kizzy and Freddy played  with them in a tub of water in the garden and had a "whale" of a time!!

The Safety Duck is an unique product that incorporates playtime with safety!  The adorable traditional rubber duckie has a White Hot Safety Disc on the bottom which tells you if baby's bath water is too hot.  Forget all that elbow dipping!  This is a foolproof way of making sure that the water is the right temperature.  It can be used from birth as a safety aid and will become a favourite bath toy as your baby gets older.  It is watertight so it won't sink, squirt or mildew.

This is such a clever idea and so straightforward to use.  If it says HOT then it is too hot...you can't misinterpret that!  This is one less thing to worry about at bath time!

It is great to see products that make bath time a safer and more entertaining experience!

Snack Catcher review to follow shortly!

Oxo Tot...Perfect for Snacking

I recently reviewed an Oxo Tot Training Plate and Cutlery Set.  I was very impressed with the thoughtful designs and the way in which the products really helped Freddy eat independently.  So when Oxo Tot kindly sent me some other items in their feeding range, I was only too happy to try them out with Freddy.

We were sent the Tall Sippy Cup, Snack Disc and the Flip Top Snack Cup in Aqua. Again, I was impressed with the lovely simple designs and the thoughtful features of the products.

Freddy took to them straight away.  The Sippy Cup is a good size for a toddler, holding 11 oz of liquid.  The transparent walls lets you see exactly how much your baby is drinking, and the non-slip grips makes it perfect for little hands to hold.  The spill proof beaker has a leak proof valve and is easy to sip.  A dimple in the lid makes room for little noses when the beaker is tipped up.  Graduated markings on the side of the cup let you measure how much drink you are making your tot.  Useful when using concentrates.

The Flip Top Snack Cup is the perfect size for Freddy to hold. The attached lid flips up allowing baby to reach in to get to the snacks inside.  Freddy found it easy to open and close. It would be perfect for car journeys or can be easily popped into your handbag or pocket to take out and about.  Think of the money you could save by taking out a little pot of dried fruit, cereals or grapes, instead of having to buy toddler snacks from the shops!

The Snack Disk is a lidded dish.  The non slip base and wide bottom minimizes spills.  The opening in the top of the bowl is plenty big enough for easy access, and the snap on lid keeps snacks fresh inside and allows you to transport a pot of goodies when out and about.  It was a good size and I made Freddy a fruit salad which he thoroughly enjoyed scoffing on.  The Snack Disk was easy for him to hold and the curved shape was fun and unique.

We were hoping for the return of the sun to test the snack pots on a picnic...but as ever, the English weather has been unpredictable so we had an indoor picnic instead!

Freddy has enjoyed using the Oxo Tot Feeding range.  The products are lovely and do exactly what they they say on the packet!  They really have been made to make life easier for parents and babies.  I love the contemporary designs and the simplicity.  I think it is great that these items can save you money in the long run and let you pack healthy, home-made snacks for your toddler for taking out and about.

Oxo Tot products are available from Amazon and Kiddicare.  

Dentinox...Relief for Babies

I have a baby who suffers terribly from teething.  I've never known a baby like him.  His gums swell, the tooth breaks the surface but then the gum closes over again!  It's weird!  By 18 months he still hadn't managed to get all front 8 teeth even though they had been visible for about 9 months.  Tooth number 8 has finally broken through along with 4 molars but they are growing so slowly.  He doesn't just pop out his pearly whites at all.  So he really suffers.  Bright red cheeks and grizzly days with him pointing into his mouth accusingly and saying "teeth"  are common events.  Even the amber teething necklace that he wears is getting  a bit fed up!  Poor Freddy.

When Dentinox offered a possible source of relief, I was only too happy to give it a try.  I was sent a package containing a range of their products to try out with Freddy.

I was really pleased to try out the Teething Toothpaste, which I'd never heard of before, and of course the Teething Gel.  He's still got a long way to go before he gets his full set of milk teeth...so he really needs some help!

The Teething Toothpaste is slightly sweet tasting.  Freddy found the taste pleasant enough.  When his gums are sore he really objects to having a toothbrush probed around his mouth and it can occasionally be a bit of a battle.  The Dentinox Teething Toothpaste comes with a fingerbrush for gently massaging the gums.  It was quite a novelty for Freddy who enjoyed having his teeth and gums rubbed with it. It offers us an alternative which avoids any distress to him.  This product is definitely another weapon in our arsenal against the dreaded teething.

The Teething Gel is wonderful.  It tastes quite nice and provides a mildly numbing sensation against pain.  It's mild and gentle and sugar free.  Freddy happily let me apply it...even popping his own finger out in the hope I'd give him an extra squeeze of gel to put on for himself.  It offered a distraction as well as a way of relieving pain and also preventing infection.  I keep one tube in my handbag and one on the bedside table to cover my bases, and it really seems to help him.

Although he has never suffered from the really thick cradle cap that some poor babies get, Freddy does still have some patches on his scalp.  So I decided to give the Cradle Cap Shampoo a try.  It was lovely.  It smelt really fresh and I gently massaged it into his scalp, then used a comb to removed the scaly patches that had lifted off.  It was brilliant.  In the past I had used oil on his scalp, but that really is a messy method.  This shampoo is mild enough for regular use.  His hair was very shiny and bouncy after we dried it....I might try it myself!

Thankfully, he has never suffered from colic, so I haven't tried the drops.  They are however alcohol free, suitable from birth and give baby relief by dispersing trapped air.  Dentinox is definitely a brand synonymous with helping babies through difficult phases in their development.  With  40 years experience in the baby medicine market, they are like a tried and trusted friend to help us out when common ailments upset our precious little ones!

Dentinox is readily available in most supermarkets, Boots and pharmacies.

Learning through Play

There is nothing more wonderful than seeing a child at play.  Witnessing the moment when your little one begins to make sense of their environment is magical.  They come to realise that they can manipulate their surroundings and quickly their imaginations develop and play takes on a whole new deeper meaning.  Physical, mental and social development comes through play.  Confidence and self awareness grows. This natural process starts from the moment your precious baby focuses on the world around him and continues through their childhood journey and beyond.

Freddy is now 18 months old and a whirling dervish of high jinx.  He finds entertainment in anything he can lay his hands on!  Just today Daddy's 46" Plasma TV took the place of his Aquadoodle Mat when he decided to scribble all over the screen with a yellow crayon!  His bucket of Toy Story 3 plastic soldiers are tipped out daily so that he can wear the bucket as a hat.  Bricks are balanced on the radiators in elaborate architectural designs and his sister's Jessie doll is made to dance along the stair gate under his own imaginative choreography.  Footballs in the garden can be kicked, thrown, rolled down the slide or chased after whilst screeching with sheer delight as they bounce away from his grasping hands unexpectedly. He experiments with things, testing toys to the limits, flipping his Sit n Ride over so he can examine the wheels and see how they turn.  Be it indoors or outdoors, Freddy finds the fun in everything and faces the challenges of being a toddler full on.

Looking closely at his activities, I can see the cognitive processes whirring through his brain as he makes connections, develops his understanding and starts to make sense of the world around him. He counts his bricks repeating "One, Doo, Thwee" as he pops them in a line on his bedroom carpet.  He rams cars into the back of his big truck learning about space and shape (and getting frustrated that he can't just keep pushing his little vehicles into the trailer...sadly the laws of physics can not be altered however hard he tries!).  He hugs his teddy and exercises his nurturing nature, learning social skills as he passes teddy round for us all to cuddle in turn.  His enthusiastic babbling will soon be honed into more coherent speech as he gives us a running commentary on his antics.  His scribbles (which today were on the telly) will evolve into more deliberate markings before becoming emergent writing.  As he sits on his beanbag and pours through the pages of his board books, and points with his chubby little fingers at pictures that catch his eye, I can just imagine him as a schoolboy reading the latest must-read kids' book.  My little man, without even knowing it, is learning.  Learning through play.

                                 

This post is my entry into the March Tots 100 Blog Hop. (which I was completely delighted to win!!!)

Benjoy Munchcups...Mess Free Healthy Snacks

If like me you have a hungry little toddler constantly looking to snack and generally making a mess in the process, then Benjoy has the solution for you!

Benjoy offer a range of healthier snacks for toddlers and young children packaged in the unique Munchcup, the first anti-spill, less mess packaging of its kind.  The foods are age appropriate and nutritionally optimized using 100% natural ingredients and essential nutrients!  The ingredients, portion sizes and recipes have been developed using textures, flavours, sizes and shapes that young children can enjoy.

Benjoy kindly sent me some Benjoy snacks for Freddy to try.  We received all five varieties:

• Multigrain Bites which are a blend of rice, quinoa, oats and wheat combined with tomato and carrot juice.  They make crunchy, melt in the mouth crispies.
• Crunchy Grape Slices are freeze dried, crunchy pieces of nourishing grape, a great alternative to raisins.
• Crunchy Strawberry Slices are delicious freeze dried strawberries packed with vitamin C.
• Root Vegetable Mini Chips are yummy pieces of crispy parsnip, sweet potato, carrot  and beetroot.  They are unsalted and really delicious (yes, mummy pinched a few!!)
•  Multi-Grain Munchers are tomato and toasted red pepper sticks full of goodness from grains and seeds.  Perfect for dipping into cheese spread or hummus for a healthy lunch time treat!

Each pack consists of four individual pots of nutritious, natural nibbles.  They are served in the Munchcup which means less mess and less waste as the toddler can independently feed himself through the cleverly designed lid.  The plastic film is cut with a cross that allows little fingers to tuck in but prevents the food spilling out.  This makes Benjoy Munchcups perfect for days out, for lunchboxes, in the car and away from home.  One pot can easily be popped in your handbag or baby bag for an instant, mess free, healthy snack.  This makes them very convenient.

In my opinion these snackpots are great.  You don't have to compromise on the nutritional value of snacks.  Crisps and biscuits are high sugar/salt, high fat, empty calorie snacks whereas  Benjoy's range are delicious, fun but also nutritionally good for your toddler.  The pots are really handy and Freddy found them really easy to use and didn't make a mess spilling his snack.

He really enjoyed the three savoury flavours.  However, he wasn't as keen on the fruity ones, which surprised me as he loves fruit.  Big sister Kizzy stepped in as chief taster and loved the Grapes and Strawberries.  She said "they are as tasty as sweets, but I know they are healthier because they are made of fruit.  That makes them better.  I want them in my lunchbox for school and the pots are really handy!"  They also count towards their 5 a day.

The pots are recyclable once the plastic film is removed and the cardboard multi-pack sleeve can be composted or recycled.  Benjoy suggest that you can re-use the pots for making mini-sandcastles in your sand pit or for propogating seedlings.  Other ideas for re-using them are for playing with water or using as paint pots.

Benjoy is available in the baby aisle of selected Morissons and Waitrose stores and from online stockists.  They are a great, convenient, nutritious, mess-free snack for toddlers on the go!

You turn your back for a moment...

You know that moment when your boisterous toddler suddenly goes quiet.  There you are preparing lunch whilst your little one pulls the fridge magnets off of the freezer door.  You become momentarily engrossed in arranging mini sandwiches, cucumber slices and satsuma segments on a plate, when you realise the clatter of Magnetic Letters being used as projectiles has stopped.  You instinctively know something is amiss and set off at speed to locate said toddler, knowing they couldn't have got far!  That's when you see your mini-escapologist/stuntman sat on top of the dining room table having stolen your unopened box of Thornton's Continentals that you were saving, ripped off the lid and commenced consumption of a Marc de Champagne Truffle.  Knowing he was safe and sound I did what any self-respecting Mummy Blogger would do...grab my camera!  

Mmm truffles!

Have a little nibble.

If I put the lid back on I might get away with it!

Uh-Oh!  That scuppered that plan!

Silent Sunday Snooze

The excesses of Christmas caught up with 18 month old Fred and big sister 19 year old Megan x


                                                   

Christmas Present Pile

                                               

Keeping Toddlers Safe With A Baby Dan Safety Starter Set

Toddler Safety in The Home

Life with a toddler has many challenges!  Things we took for granted before, suddenly become fraught with peril.  Curious little people with inquisitive minds and a determination to seek out all things dangerous, hone in on everything we'd rather they didn't touch.  Little fingers poke, pull and push and seek out anything they can get hold of.  Nothing is safe, nothing is sacred!  This is the time when we, as parents, need to take precautions to protect our precious bundles with regards to safety in the home.  Toddler proofing your house is quite a minefield which is why a company like Simple Safety Solutions is invaluable.  They say:

"We are passionate about providing quality child safety products as we believe that all children have the right to live, learn and play in a safe environment. All our child safety products provide simple solutions to the every day concerns you may have about your children's safety. We aim to provide the biggest and best selection of child and baby safety products so that you have one less thing to worry about."

My son is now 16 months old and he is eager to explore every square inch of his environment! Some days we have quite a battle to keep him out of drawers and cupboards.  He may have a toybox filled with bright, colourful safe toys, but the contents of my kitchen cupboard is far more enticing.  So when I was offered the chance to try out the Baby Dan Safety Starter Set by Joanna at Simple Safety I was very keen to give it a go!!

This set consists of 21 pieces, with the basics needed to baby proof your home.  The first item we used was the Fingersafe that fitted to the top of the door to stop it from slamming shut on little fingers.  One of my nieces actually had her fingertip removed in a door related accident, so this is something I am very aware of.  The device was discrete, easy to fit and did the job perfectly. 10/10 for its simplicity and effectiveness!

The Socket Plugs were quite different to the ones I had used in the past.  They sit flush in the electrical socket, preventing children from inserting anything into the power supply.  A unique twist and pull removal system means that they can not be removed by a child.  Previous designs I have seen had small integral handles and I had witnessed Freddy and his 2 year old cousin pulling them out...it was an intriguing game for them!  The Baby Dan covers need to have a second one locked on to the three corresponding holes on its face to remove it from the socket.  No toddler has managed to remove one yet! Quite ingenius!

The corner protectors sit on the sharp corners of tables or work surfaces and stop nasty knocks on baby's heads.  They did exactly what they said on the packet! They were easy to put on with adhesive pads and did the job!

The drawer/cupboard locks were slightly fiddly to fix as they screw directly into the drawer or cupboard front and sides, but once fitted were very secure.  The opening mechanism was very effective, you just reach in and flick the catch to open the drawer. My son has done battle with them and has not managed to gain access.  So I am impressed with their effectiveness! 

The on/off lock is easily installed with the double sided sticky pads onto the fridge door.  It seems sturdy and strong which impressed me.  The catch attaches to the locking mechanism which slides up and down to secure or release it.  This simple switch allows the door to be opened or locked shut.  I was surprised that it worked so well to be honest and is our favourite safety device in the set. Again it has not been defeated by Freddy!  Thumbs up!

As this picture shows Freddy is intrigued with the contents of my plate cupboard and is regularly removed before he uses my plates as frisbees.  This is obviously a problem that needs to be overcome!!

Baby Dan's solution to this problem is the Cabinet Lock.  It consists of a plastic clamp-like device that fits around the two handles and is then tightened to prevent access.  I don't know if possibly my cupboard door handles are further apart than the norm, but the fit was quite loose meaning that Freddy could pull back on the doors creating a gap between them into which he could have inserted and trapped his hand.  Also the ratchet mechanism was quite difficult to use and was also sharp on little fingers. Using the screw-in door/cupboard locks has proven to be more effective and much more practical.  This is the only piece of the safety set that we are not using, as it didn't seem to be effective enough on our double fronted cupboard.

Being a Mother....

What Being A Mother Means To Me!

Being a mother means being there for your children.  We are there to provide the basics:  sustenance, protection, warmth and comfort.  These are the essential duties that we sign up to from the moment of conception until our child no longer needs us. During pregnancy nature takes care of these needs.  All we really need to do is look after ourself and avoid soft cheese, peanuts, alcohol, caffeine, contact sports and bungee jumping.  It's the easy bit for those of us lucky enough to have relatively uncomplicated pregnancies.

When our baby is born into the world, no longer safe in the protective blanket of our womb, our responsibilities grow.  This tiny, mewling human is totally reliant on us to continue providing these same essential basics.  Milk from my breast, an Isofix carseat for protection, a Gro-bag for warmth and gentle cuddles and cooing for comfort.

The nourishment and nurturing we provide sees our newborns grow and develop into inquisitive toddlers. They demand a whole new way of being looked after.  Their developing tastebuds seek the excitement of new tastes and textures.  Gone are the days of bland baby rice and pureed mush.  Toddlers want the tantalising joys of Munch Bunch yogurts, Organix spicy tomato wheels and Fruitshoot My-5 juice.  We have to baby-proof our homes with socket covers lest they decide to insert something long and pointy into the holes that bear more than a passing resemblance to a mini shape sorter!  We keep them warm and cosy in their In The Night Garden onesies with non-slip soles.  We rub knees and kiss heads to provide comfort when their newly acquired walking skills let them down! 

Before we know it our child is starting school.  The virtual umbilical cord, that held our little ones close over these early years ,begins to stretch and fade as they assert themselves as unique, independent individuals in the big wide world.  We provide a packed lunch with cheesestrings, Innocent Fruit Smoothies and the occasional post-it note saying "I love you".  We fit our cars with the latest booster seat and trust that the crumple zones really do work in case of the worst.  We buy the cosiest coat from Next and insist they put their hoods up.  We listen as they tell us that so-and-so said they are not their best friend anymore and we wipe away the tears and tell them that it will all be OK tomorrow.  (And if it isn't we will march straight up to the school  and demand that the little bully be dealt with!) 

The teen years can be fraught, but personally I have enjoyed this time in my children's lives.  They face new challenges on their journey to adulthood, and sometimes they can resent our parental contributions.  Handled well though, this is the stage in their life where we can see the adult that they will become and feel great pride that we are a part of this transformation.  We try our best to provide at least three square meals a day but keep breakfast biscuits in the cupboard and ready meals in the freezer just in case. We become a taxi service on call 24/7 because, although we might miss the series finale of Desperate Housewives, as least we know they will get home safely.  (That's what Sky+ is for after all!)  We buy them hoodies with the names of their favourite groups or causes emblazoned on the front.  Yeah they look cool...but that fleecy lining and hood means they won't catch a chill!!  We are always there if they need us...because they will need us.  Maybe not all the time.  Sometimes we'll be an utter embarrassment to our teens but when things go pear shaped, nothing will ease the pain like a plate of mum's home baked muffins, a listening ear and a hug. 

Then they leave home!  Nothing really changes...the needs are the same.  Bags of baked beans, lentils, pasta, cup-a-soups and Angel Delight get delivered to their student digs or starter home with every regular visit.  We pay for new tyres on their cars (we may complain but heaven forbid they have a blow out on the M1) and regularly deliver the "don't walk the streets on your own" advice.  We slip  them the odd few quid because we know how expensive bills are and we dread to think of our child shivering unable to heat their room in Winter.  Whenever we go clothes shopping on the internet we can't help but check out the clothing in their sizes...and more often than not, a medium sized River Island coat or a pair of stout leather boots, that we know would withstand the rainy season in Manchester...will find their way into our basket! When things go wrong, we get the phone call.  Illness, a prang in the car, relationship troubles, an allergic reaction to antibiotics, money worries, a drunken stumble resulting in concussion, an argument with a so-called friend, a misbehaving computer or most recently a broken arm....we are the first port of call for advice and sympathy. 

Because, although they are now grown-ups, we still provide that comfort that only a mother can give!