... then I think I am a bit shit at it.
I'm going back to work soon and the kids are at settling in session, so with too much quiet time to myself for thinking I've begun over-analyzing and drawn up a list of my parenting fails for DS (nearly 4 years old):
DS mostly lives on bread, bananas and porridge. As a baby he was a good eater, but the list of foods he would accept decreased as he got older. The list is very short these days, but it does include spaghetti bolognaise at least, although only one specific recipe for it. DS will try new food, but seems to struggle with texture (gags and retches on lumps).
He doesn't sleep through the night (he stays in bed at least, but wakes up at least once per night shouting and upset).
He hates water in or near his eyes and ears (since 18 months). Won't wear goggles. He likes baths, but washing his hair has the neighbours commenting on his screaming.
He is terrified of loud noises (since 4 months). Can't vacuum while he's in the house without him crying and screaming at me to stop.
He is dry about 80% of the time? He'll have an accident once or twice a week because he'd rather carry on playing than stop and have a wee. He also has accidents because he forgets to aim and wees directly on his feet!
He's frightened of pooing in a toilet and will only go in a nappy. He won't sit down to go either, even with a nappy on. In the past I've tried taking nappies away completely, but he held it in until he made himself constipated.
Somewhat randomly, he hates cards (as in birthday cards, christmas cards). Will scream and cry that he needs to screw them up and throw them in the bin. Particular cards that I've kept for sentimental reasons have to be hidden, else he'll try to destroy them and get distressed when he's stopped.
He seems unable to communicate that he is feeling bad when poorly. The first clue I normally get is his behaviour and mood deteriorates severely (lots of losing temper over tiny things, quick to anger, much more likely to throw unreasonable tantrums). He'll deny feeling poorly if asked directly, unless he's coughed in the last couple of minutes in which case he'll tell me "I had a cough yesterday, but it's gone now".
And last week he bit my MIL! Not maliciously, but because he was so excited and wound up. He then spent a hysterical hour in his room screaming that she should go home, perhaps because he felt so bad about hurting her.
So... does this list sound normal for a nearly 4 year old, or do I need to get myself on a parenting course?!! I've read plenty of books, including the "How to Talk to Kids..." book, and I do actively apply a lot of the techniques e.g. careful language, acknowledging his emotions etc.
TBH, I've never felt like a natural parent, I'm just muddling along most of the time and wondering if I'm consistent enough.