Parenting Styles - who knew?

I enjoy being a Mummy.

I enjoy spending time with my Princess and enjoy seeing an amazing human being developing and growing.

My parenting style has changes dramatically over the past two years, obviously as she grows and new challenges present themselves, new tactics and skills are required from me! The other big change has been that I am now so much more relaxed. I started off as a manic mother and I hope I have eased off A LOT.

Maybe I am lucky or maybe I have done a good job parenting but the Princess is so good and a joy to be around.

Just lately I have noticed that my way of parenting has been quite zero tolerance compared to others but this seems to have paid off and we now have a princess who rarely needs telling off and if she does - it's all over in five minutes. Of course it is still early days and it could all go horribly wrong but right now - she's great.

Some parents don't share my opinion and believe that their little angels couldn't possibly be told off, they believe that a bit of push and shove is all part of learning to socialise and develop independence and confidence (Rubbish! It's just that fact that your child is a bully and you don't want to take any action about it incase little 'trevor' doesn't like you)and some think its character building (oooh, he knows what he wants! - Don't we all but we don't smash others in the face to get it!!!!)

I am also learning that in comparison to many middle class parents, I am a stern downright hard mum but this side of me rarely has to come to the front as the Princess is an angel (99% of the time).

My point with all of this waffle is really me wondering if it is the brilliance of my parenting that has created such an intelligent, well behaved, kind, generous child or has it been luck? Maybe I will get a huge shock with the next bambino and all of my 'skills' will be proved inadequate, shoddy and downright ineffective - baby two could be a beast who screams all day long and smashes other children out of the way.

All I say is, I am new at this and am making it up as I go along but with a lot of love and tons of attention I think children thrive and so that is the way I will continue - am I right? OF COURSE I ALWAYS AM!!!!

Georgie Baby

Tonight I will be watching the documentary about Boy George. I have heard that it harks back to the old days a little too much but a fix of George is all I need!!!!

Hello - I'm Back

I have been very poor at blogging recently but now that the morning sickness has subsided I am beginning to feel slightly human again - so to those that didn't know - yes I am with child!!!!

Life is good.

The princess is gorgeous and fills our life with love and laughter so the thought of another little person is just so exciting - how much fun can one house hold????

Today the princess and I visited the hairdressers and she was so well behaved. She now can't stop looking in mirrors at herself - so not like her mum.

Hopefully I will be back to full bloggage in the very near future - it all feels a bit rusty at the moment.

Build a post

Rain sunny visitors tired good girl sleep Big Brother rubbish poo pants rubbish food good husband busy august weather what Fimbles fall claimsdirect loaded holidays happy nearly Christmas

Hot Topics...Hot Topics...Hot Topics....

Mmmmm is it only me who was very very suspicious of BB Pete's talk of his dead friend and his belief in Heaven last night? I have always hoped he would win but just recently have found him to be putting on too much of a performance. All this 'romance' with Nikki....obviously, my first reaction was that she is using him to get her heat/OK magazine 'couple' deal but now I am beginning to think that both sides appear to be playing the same game. After all it is a game!!!!

I actually prefer Aislynne (sp?)at the moment and although she is rather over dramatic at least she is not using peoples emotions in an effort to win.

Just my thoughts!

Mini Update

Hi

Haven't been around much lately. Busy busy busy .......

The Princess has changed enourmously recently and is becoming just so grown up and has left behind all her baby/toddler ways.

We have just confirmed her place at our local pre-school, which she starts in Feb next year. What the heck am I going to do with two mornings a week??? Probably curl up in a ball and weep for four hours. She is going to love it - Me? not so much!

Her language is developing so fast it scares me.

She is also a bit ( a lot) of a character only today she came out with these crackers....

We had a salesman here today to talk about garage conversions and replacement facias etc. As usual with salesmen he couldn't sense when to draw it to an end and read the body language that we were done with him - that is until the Princess said in her clearest and loudest voice "When is that man going to stop talking". He got the hint and after laughing he soon packed up his "excellent finance package" and headed for the door.

Her second quote of the day was this, said in a very grown up way...
Me.. "Would you like to go to the toilet before you go out?"
Her.. "Not yet I am a little bit busy at the moment!"

She is now potty trained and uses the big toilet. She is a star and she makes her Mummy and Daddy so very very proud.

Long Time No Blog...

Things have been a bit odd around these parts lately. Normal service may resume soon............

Party Party

THIS is a party!!!!!!!!!!!

Myspace

look at trendy old me - I get a myspace account just six months too late to be cool.

What has happened to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????????????? Anyone would think I was busy or summat!

http://www.myspace.com/kazza70uk

Come on pals - join me there......................

Meme

How to do it:

Go to Wikipedia
In the search box, type your birth month and day but not the year.
List three events that happened on your birthday
List two important birthdays and one death
One holiday or observance (if any)


Ok, so here goes......
EVENTS

1845 - The rubber band is invented

1931 - Nevada legalizes gambling

1861 - The Kingdom of Italy is proclaimed

BIRTHDAYS

1919 - Nat King Cole, American singer (d. 1965)

1951 - Kurt Russell, American actor


DEATH

1999 - Rod Hull, British comedian (b. 1936)


HOLIDAY
Feast day of St Patrick: a public holiday in Ireland (National feast) and Montserrat, widely celebrated in North America and worldwide (see St. Patrick's Day)

Feeling A Little Overweight...

So before this happens I am back to Weightwatchers *sigh* chips, pringles and cheese - farewell.

Things I Just Don't Get....

People who moan about the weather - it's summer!

The attraction of Patrick Dempsey to many women - to me he looks like a sleazy salesman or accountant

Parents who are too caught up in their lives to mention that their precious might be passing some bug/virus/lurgy on to your child - to me that's just bad manners

That I am 36 years old AND how the heck did I end up a suburban mummy?

Potty Training - one minute you think you've cracked it - the next you've gone through 6 outfits before lunch

Why some people have children.................... too deep!

Sunshine and Holidays

Well, summer has arrived with full force.

The Princess is loving it. She really loves being outdoors and so the fact that she spends every minute of the day out in the sun makes for a very happy girl (and Mummy). This afternoon we are even getting the paddling pool out - woohoo!!

The warm sun makes me long for a foreign holiday, it seems ages since we felt the mediterranean (sp?)sun on our backs to warm up our cold English bones. We do have a couple of holidays left this year which I am very excited about (Cornwall and Holland) but the call of warmer climes is getting stronger.

There are loads of things to take into consideration though. My first thought was a camp site in France, Holland or Germany. There would be loads to do, we would have the freedom of our self catering accommodation and food for the Princess wouldn't be an issue.

Then, I think about Spain (Puerto Banus in particular) and the long hot days, the glam bars and trendy shops and then I come to my senses and realise that we are now parents and holidays are no longer what they once were. I think this option would be boring for the Princess and I wouldn't relax for putting sun lotion on her skin every 15 minutes and staying in a hotel isn't really a great option as I like to be able to come and go as we please and be able to get in from the sun if we desire.

There are other options, such as villas in more relaxed locations but to be totally honest I think our family would be BORED as most nice, good quality villas seem to be out of the main towns, and I really need bars, restaurants and a lively atmosphere. Sitting alone in a quiet villa is not our idea of a great holiday (although I know loads of people who would find this really relaxing)- we are still party people in our blood and so need to see and be with people. That said, I would hate to take the Princess to a typical 'English' resort where every bar has tvs showing either football or Only Fools and Horses and happy hour lasts all day. You know the kind of places, you've probably been there - we have!


So, if anyone has any great ideas for family holidays - let me know.

No rush, mind you - as I said we still have two holidays this year to look forward to!

Stuff From Our World

If you don't know us - move on -this is about to get boring.

Thought I would just update, this weeks happenings follow...

So, potty training continues. It's one step forward, two steps back at the moment but THERE IS some noticable progress. I feel confident to go out and about now, although we do have at least one or two accidents a day if we aren't at home but more and more she is choosing to use the potty of her own accord and If I keep on top of it we can get through a day completly dry.

I hate Sezer and am going to top up my phone today so that I can single-handedly evict him from the house. That boy is a world class sleaze, bully and a world class fool. PETE TO WIN!!!!! BB is pretty old fashioned and moral when it comes down to it and usually the deserving housemate wins (although not sure what happened the Kate Lawler year). Therefore, I can't see how a nice, funny guy like Pete can't win!

I am starting a new market research today - luxury toilet rolls - Funny, my life seems to be revolving round the lav at the mo.

Mr M has been working non stop recently, including a near 24 hour stint on Wednesday. So, he has taken some time off and today we are off for a picnic and a day at the zoo. The Princess LOVES the zoo - hippos, monkeys and penguins are our favourites - here we come.

Mr M is planning on buying Chicken Little today, so much for our child who doesn't watch TV. Actually, we have worked a balance that we are happy with for TV watching. Half hour morning (Noddy and Fifi) and half hour evening (Bear in the Big Blue House).

I now have my frock for the Ritz and feel able to relax on that front now. It's very pretty and I will feel very ladylike.

We have a very busy summer, lots of vistors, lots of invites for parties and bbqs, trips planned, football to avoid (I mean enjoy) and all the usual stuff - bring it on - LOVE SUMMER!!!!!

Potty Training - Week 2

Things are going well.

When we are home all wees end up in the potty and 99% of poos are going in too.

Yesterday, we went out to a cafe, shopping and used a train... with no accidents along the way.

She isn't keen to use the big toilet yet but I'm just happy that we don't have to wash 10 pairs of pants every day now.

Distractions such as playing, tv, noise, other people (in fact, basically anything) can throw a spanner in the works and cause a wet patch but this has been rare as I ask her if she needs to wee about 5689 times a day, and even then she stops herself mid pee and finishs it on the potty.

So all in all, a week in things are going pretty well. The Gina Ford book that I followed said that she should be using the big toilet of her own accord by this point but you know what? I never did like Gina 'flipping' Ford!!!!

Weird, but I think it does describe me.....

You Are French Food

Snobby yet ubiquitous. People act like they understand you more than they actually do.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Progress Report

Nine direct hits on the potty

1 accident

It all seems to be coming together - slowly.

Tomorrow we plan to leave the house. It could be messy!!!!!

Down The Pan

Today we started potty training.

I had no idea she pee'd so much.

Fourteen puddles.

One direct hit and one near miss.

I hope day two is easier. I think this has been my toughest 'mummy challenge' yet.

TWO-TASTIC

We are home from our holidays. Much food and drink was consumed. There was loads of grooving on the dance floor and we hung out with this dude.

All in all the Princess had a ball and we had a pretty good time too.

Just need to sleep now!!!!

TWO

The Princess' birthday was fantastic - the weekend consisted of zoo, cake, theme park, noddy, cake, friends, cake, ice cream.

She was spoilt rotten by everyone and simply had a fantastic fun time.

My baby is now two. She is so beautiful, clever and kind. Love ya Princess!