Evening Fun

Every now and then (well as regularly as the children can make it) they have a "rompse" with Grandad or Daddy or both - this is where me and Nanny stand back and all you hear from us is "Rompse and you'll get hurt" "Don't come crying" and then (to the men) "Careful! Watch their head! Look out!"

The other night I got some pics so thought I would share

Bethany trying to "rescue" her sister

thats one down!

4 children vs Grandad

And then we start on Daddy

while Grandad looks on enjoying some peace

So there you have it - a little snapshot of one of the "many" manic evenings we have with our lively children hehe

Potty Training - the easy way

I'll admit it up front - potty training is one of my least favourite parenting tasks! If it was possible to wave a magic wand and be done with it then I would be using the wand!
My eldest daughter was not easy to toilet train - I remember reading all the books and getting the rewards chart and then pulling my hair out when it just wasn't working, she did not want to sit on that potty! And then just after she had cracked it she developed a water infection which had us almost back to square one - I remember at a mums and toddlers group, having to sit and clean a bunch of toys that she'd wee'd on!

I have become more relaxed in most areas of my parenting since then, and with each baby that has come along, I've learnt more and more how to just chill and let them develop at their own pace, it was my third child that cemented my conviction that potty training was (just like reading and all the other development stages) something that children get ready for in their own timing - Rebekah (number 3) was about 2, we'd just had our fourth child and I had been putting off potty training, I really didn't fancy it with a baby in the house - I kept saying that we'll do it when the weather is warmer, but she had other ideas!
One day, we were at my friends and she was upstairs playing with the older children when she came down and gave me her nappy, she completely refused to wear one (other than bedtime) after that - and amazingly enough we had only maybe 1 or 2 accidents in total!

Now we are on child number 4 - she will be 3 in a couple of weeks and although we have a couple of attempts, convincing her to sit on the potty up to now she hasn't been ready

We've also got another baby in the house and all those people that think it's easier to have the older one potty trained before baby comes along, well for me I don't find that - I find it easier (if a little more expensive) to have 2 in nappies that I can change at the most convenient time than having one I have to keep taking to the bathroom at any given moment!

"No, I need nappy" has been her response to my suggestions that she is getting a big girl now and should maybe try wearing knickers and using the potty, but on Saturday she was quite eager to try the knickers and she did her first wee on the potty!!!
We're taking it slowly but so far so good, when we are at home or Nanny's then it's no nappy but when we're out then I'm afraid I'm just not brave enough to let her go nappyless yet!

I just want to encourage you if your child is at "potty training" age, don't worry if it's not happening yet, I'd much rather have a stress free potty training time with a slightly older child than running around cleaning up accidents all day!

Building Self Confidence in Our Children

This is such a tough subject sometimes, there are so many philosophies and opinions out there - just who do you listen to? 
Do we follow the attachment parent theory? Where we never leave babies to cry and we have them with us all the time, or do we teach them independence at a young age - leaving them with other people and leaving them to cry it out?

Personally I think it's all about balance and learning what works for your family and your child. Let me share about my eldest child - she will be 8 next month, she cried for the first year of her life (Oh I wish I had discovered baby wearing and slings then) and she has always been clingy, she wouldn't even sleep at my Mum and Dad's (who live only 5 doors away).

I had lots of comments like if I sent her to school she'd get confidence because she'd be used to being without me etc and people in general seemed to think that by not sending her to school I was doing her an injustice and she would never gain any self confidence - well I just generally kept my mouth shut and continued to do what I thought was best, which was not leaving her in places she didn't want to be (unless there was a good reason) and allowing her to feel secure with us, knowing that we weren't going to make her stay somewhere she didn't want to.

In the last few months her confidence has just blossomed - she has been wanting to stay at Nanny and Grandads overnight (which we have allowed) and she even sang a solo at a christmas carol concert (she would never even stand at the front with other children to sing) - I was so proud and have the moment videoed on my phone. She also spent the entire day Sunday with another christian family (with two older girls) and had the time of her life from what I have heard - and she wants to enter a talent contest!!!!

Now how did this change occur? Was it because we forced her to go to school and spend half her day without Mummy, or made her stay somewhere she didn't want too in the name of teaching her independence? No, I truly believe it's because she's had the security she's needed, she knows we're there - I also think that if I had sent her to school she would have just done as I did and learnt to hide herself behind others and her confidence would never have had chance to develop (I never had much as a child) but because she's been home here with us, we've been able to see opportunities and encourage her slowly until she's gained the self confidence she needed!

All children are different - even in families and she is the one who's suffered with lack of confidence the most - her 3 year old sister is completely different and would go anywhere with anyone and sleep at any friends house lol (which brings a whole different set of challenges)
but I just wanted to encourage you if you do have a child lacking in self confidence, trust your instincts and know that you're not hindering your child by letting them stay with you and not forcing them out into the world on their own! The difference in my dd in just the last few months amazes me - she is certainly growing up and with it - gaining confidence which I thank God for daily!