Mug of Whine

Children's Birthday Parties Would it be worse if we weren't invited? Maybe if we weren't close to the birthday kid – or the only ones uninvited! We have just experienced putting on a big party for Rafy's 4th birthday as I thought it had to be done at some point. Well, when I say "we", I mean me; single-handedly, I organised the whole shebang. I'd caught the fever and was swept up in the exciting idea of it all. When Rafy turned 3, we had a party at home and I provided the usual cake and food. I thought I would do it the way we used to have it: home-made fun, close friends only (pre-nursery), pin the tail and pass the parcel, with a sprinkling of home-made sugar treats as you would expect.  However, I thought they'd be too young for professional entertainment and this poor judgement allowed the flat to be ripped to shreds by ruthless mini monsters. It was uncanny and horrifying how little time it took for a small bunch of 3-year-old...

Weaning.   Do I have anything to add to the mammoth wealth of information out there? Is my two bob really of worth when a press of a button can find you the best-sourced library in the world? I think I can only bring my own experience into the dialogue, as it seems true that no two child is the same. My two boys certainly are like chalk and cheese, except that they have both been very difficult eaters and don’t much enjoy food unless it looks processed and is dripping in sugar/salt or has bright neon lights. So I contradict myself here – they were alike in both being fussy eaters! I never thought that Rafy would eat a proper meal. He is now four and a half and I can safely say that left to his own devices at school, he will at least attempt a bite from the vegetable group (so the spies say). At home, he only needs reminding for every other mouthful: “Eat. Rafy! Eat!” But those early years were a different story altogether! Mouth firmly clamped shut for a good ten ...

Back to work, back to school. Are you feeling the dread of the mill and daily drill starting up again? On top of everything, there are now Christmas debts, winter vomiting bugs and continuing short days with chilly weather. Perhaps you’re feeling sluggish with tightening waistbands from overdoing it over the festive period. No wonder January seems to be an unpopular month and is given its own title, the January Blues! So how can we try to stop the rot and beat these blues?   Planning a holiday   There is good evidence that holidaying is vital to creating happiness. On holiday, you are more likely to choose activities that make you happy and give yourself the time/space for them. Apparently, even the anticipation and planning part can boost moods, because you are releasing endorphins. I’m not suggesting something that will break the bank, but maybe the in-laws could have the little ones for a night so you could head to a spa. Even a change of scenery at a B&B w...

Seeing things through our kids’ eyes can make things extra special and especially so at Christmas time. I personally never enjoyed Christmas until my sprogs came along; they are the main reason I now get excited at this time of year! If we put aside the stressful consumerism that always prevails – what to get who, which side of the family to visit this year, remembering to post xmas cards in time, and the Christmas dinner no less – having Christmas for the first time as your own special family unit may capture the innocence back into it all. You may think that your baby isn’t going to be bothered about celebrations and the tradition of Christmas, or what gifts you shower them with. Maybe it’s just the excuse you need to take a moment out, if it’s your first one as a family, or perhaps you have a new addition. I can’t think of a better time for photo cards and creating beautiful keepsakes. You could even have Santa in the picture; you or your partner might want to dress up f...

The Mozart effect is enough to make any parent want to pave a brighter pathway for their little ones. Apparently, only six months of piano lessons can improve a child’s ability to work puzzles and solve other spatial tasks as much as 30%. Quick, find me the nearest live music session as I want to capitalise on this ASAP! Are you just as anxious to hunt down live music for your little ones? My credentials as a classically-trained musician and piano teacher should, in theory, give my kids a bit of a leg up in this department. The focus is to see what is available in London for pre-schoolers, preferably music that involves participation and using real instruments. Let’s start with   Music House for Children , somewhere I can personally recommend as I taught there for a good few years, pre-kids. Although that was over a decade ago, it was under a very solid and earnest teaching team and management.  I'll introduce what they offer for 0-5 year olds although they cater ...

Currently the youngest hasn't eaten all day and the poo episodes have been particularly abominable. Plural episodes, that is. I've tried limitless teething salts and end up giving in and feeding yoghurt and cereal, just to get something down the hatchet. He has whinged from dawn to dusk and the witching hour was insane tonight – drained my soul right out. It usually begins 1-2 hours before bedtime; today it started when he woke up! 3 mins early for school drop off this morning, which is a first for a long time. Was in a skinny T-shirt and short denim skirt but everyone looked at me as if I was stark, raving mad. The heat muggy wave came as predicted although was not quite present at that stage. That's all fine and dandy for them in their long coats and trousers but I live the furthest out from the school and so have the longest, hardest walk, hence sweaty arrivals! Have made the mistake of layering up for a school run before, thinking it's cold out. ...

We've entered unknown territory now that Rafy has turned 4.  This year at nursery has been like a whirlwind and the tantrum-prone toddler who started ten months ago, has somewhere in this time, become a taller, more independent boy who can use the toilet proficiently (except wipe his own bum adequately after a poo - but I'll take that any day!). I don't know exactly when it happened but he has transformed into a child, as opposed to being a toddler.  I look at him in equal measures of awe and perplexity: is this mini human being really my wee Rafy monster?  Suddenly there is a boy that talks to me, tells me things and with whom I can (sort of) reason!  It's been a long time coming but he actually sits with us at mealtimes and has stopped emptying all the drawers and reachable cupboards in the flat.  He can be left to his own devices in a different room from me and I don't have to worry about knives and cups of tea when it's just him around, like durin...

18th June  12:30pm My friend Charlotte is always asking if we've tried this new restaurant or that new bistro in our area.  She's well-versed in the catering potential of E&C where we live and somehow always has her ear to the ground.  She knows I don't like to venture far with both boys by myself, as I dread toilet trips en masse.  In the first instance, there is the issue of locating a clean loo.  Then getting there with Boat Buggy and two kids means that usually, we have to 'mis'use the disabled toilets and hog them.  We seem to be a target for the do-gooder, bossy toilet attendant, or risk being tutted by everyone else.  A poo nappy affair is not pleasant at the best of times but on a stinky, filthy, tiny bench designated the changing area, with the squirmiest of kids, is really not my idea of fun.  So before we even think about the restaurant or cafe, the loo trip has already been a complete mission!  It's true that we onl...

Exciting times!  We are a parent group from MF and we call ourselves the FoF. We aim to get together every Friday morning to discuss ideas on fundraising for the school and how to make the most out of our kids' time at MF – and ours too, as pro-active, passionate parents!  But actually, it's a good excuse for a chinwag and cuppa! If you find yourself foot-loose and fancy free, then you shouldn't be anywhere else on a Friday after drop off. If you are keen to get involved but have nasty things like work and day jobs in the way, please email the address below – there are more ways than in person, to be immersed.  After each gathering, one of the parents will update all on the email list what was discussed and achieved. It's a drop-in session, so there is no obligation to show your face all the time, unless you want to! This regular Friday slot will hopefully keep the spirit flowing and ideas moving along.  So far, we are aiming to throw a few shindigs be...

15 May 2017 9.05pm Oh no. It’s the pouring phase. Pouring things out of everything and unfortunately not just in the bath. He pours everything he gets his hands on. When he has had a few sips of his beaker of milk, he pours the rest all over the floor. He pours water beakers and whatever was missed in the room scan – that frantic, hourly "can he reach that?" check. The one-year-old, reminding us of his presence again. How did I forget about this stage? I actually had unintentionally blanked it out. It was a blissful time of pure ignorance, after Rafy had stopped his 1-3 year old antics. Reality has been pummelled back into my floor, our rooms, the kitchen table, cupboards, anywhere we go, since his wee brother arrived! At home, the floor is a permanent sea of jigsaws, Duplo Lego, Potato Head parts, Thomas collections, Vtech cars, all the things I never grew up with and never thought I would have to swap my My Little Ponies and Barbie ball gowns for. I’ve lo...

11 May 2017 9.50pm Distraction!  Specifically, ways to occupy/distract a one-year old or similar toddler, whilst out and about. We've all been there.  Doctor's surgery, library session, school meeting, post office queue, any kind of waiting room where they are antsy and on the verge of erupting.  Help!  Other than bribe them with sugar, what can we do to pacify this nightmare about to develop?  If I can save one tantrum from sprouting with these ideas then this is a goal not to be sniffed at! So I'm compiling a list which is by no means exhaustive. It has potential to blossom into my best friend, the ultimate saviour! In no particular order of effectiveness: • Bubbles – carry mini bottles and stash them everywhere • Balloons – have one in every pocket/handbag • Skinny, shaping balloons • Phone videos of himself – no data required! • Bubble gum for yourself to pop • Pull-back cars/ mini troll dolls/ whatever they're in...

7 May 2017 11.23pm Parenting was my choice. I chose this direction. I’d wanted it so badly. I don’t mean to tug at your heartstrings and use this as an excuse to gripe and grumble, for a direction that I chose and was granted the privilege of choosing. But unless you’re immersed in it, like really up to your eyeballs and swimming in murky waters, it’s hard to explain. This is not a criticism by any means, if you are not a parent, merely a review and realisation since I became a mum. Let me put you straight, I’m not setting out to compete with the next birthing story. Everyone has their nightmare tales of the labour and my two stories are of no exception, complete with gory trimmings. What I’m taken aback with is the state of the body – my body – many moons after giving birth. To be exact, my youngest is about to turn 15 months old and I’m still stunned by the ramifications.  This is when the “swear” box should come out. If I donate a quid for every time I whin...