November 2012 - The new quiche sleepy dust crop-sprayer plane seems to be working

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1725957-November-2012-Poor-sleep-deprived-mummies-and-daddy

kirrin I have been told the problems and guilt get worse as they get older [cheerful emoticon]

izzy put pics on FB and we will help you pick an outfit.

pr I also have the girls one but haven't looked at it yet.

I do feel a bit that MN generally flame anyone who decides to write about childcare. We have to remember there are many different opinions and ways of bringing up our children as there are different children. And indeed parents. Different methods/theories suit us all and different methods/ theories suit different children family units etc.

I do feel it is generally more conducive to a happier life to be a little open minded and less judgey pants. Accepting that we are all part of the tapestry is defo easier in the long run.

So read it and utilise it as you see fit. I quite liked the boys one. I like any childcare book I find it all very interesting.

Sorry I am doing a lot of feeling there!

I think the reason for the flaming was that he was differentiating between boys and girls. I happen to think that there is a massive difference in the way boys and girls develop, so was quite surprised at the reaction of some on here. This was the thread if you're interested he said some pretty interesting things : www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/a1659170-Live-webchat-with-Steve-Biddulph-about-Raising-Girls-Wednesday-16-January-9pm-to-10pm

I actually always wanted a son, but when I fell pregnant with LO wanted her to be a second daughter so that I wouldn't have to deal with raising both. I'm sure most people manage fine but parenting doesn't come naturally to me and in my early pregnancy hormonal state was convinced I'd fuck it up if I had to raise one of each. Which doesn't make sense now but very much did at the time.

Taht said, no regrets, am very happy havign two girls now they're here.

I only just started buying childcare books. Managed perfectly fine without for DD1 apart from my health and first aid book (useful when you have a toddler who is intent on hurling herself headfirst onto any available hard surface) but have really had my confidence knocked with the illnesses all winter. Which is also silly as the books aren't going to help with that but I guess I am flailing a bit and trying to grab onto something solid for support. And as so often when I have had bad times I am turning to books.

Took DD1 shopping this morning and she is knackered and having a long sleep. The wine market only opened at 2pm so will go after the nap sessions are done with. It is open til 10pm anyway, though won't go in the evening as it will be full of pissheads, and I get pretty uncomfortable around drunk people.

Not really caught up as off wi-fi, so hope this isn't insensitive.

Took the double/tandem buggy for a walk to the PIL (half of them anyway, DMIL & DSFIL) in the sun such as it was - did the 1.5miles in about 40mins, doing half of it at toddler-galloping-along-putting-Mummy's-heart-in-mouth-as-we-approach-a-road-then-stopping-dead-smack-bang-in-front-of-the-buggy speed, which was pleasant. Now both dc asleep & I have Bad Science (Ben Goldacre) on my Kindle, a and a hot cross bun to keep me company. Life can be v pleasant at times :-)

Kirrin self-settling. DS is v v good at it now. He grumps a bit at first but I find that if he might be over-tired, I give him a bit of a cuddle, take him up to his cot, put him down, give him the same comforter, say the same things & stroke his face & nose gently in the sane way, he settles quite quickly. He is a creature of habit, so maybe try doing the same calming things each time until she gets the habit?

lily what formula is lo on? Sma do sterile teats which can help. Also take more than you need!!! You can always wash out and cold water sterilise on the plane if needed.

vq glad j seems better.

Ds ate some bread yesterday and just chomped some dried. Apricot. He likes to feed himself!

PR haven't read the thread and although not am expert by any means, agree that often MNers act like there are no differences between boys & girls. I totally support the let girls be girls & de-specify toys according to "gender" campaigns - I am, after all, a true 'exception' to the rule that girls don't like lego & science but I would also recognise that, v broadly speaking, girls & boys ARE different. If we recognise that, then we can then ensure that we don't parent them to fall into the stereotypes and allow them to develop as individuals. For example, A's tears flow v freely on the rare occassions he cries but E has never really cried much, as in wet tears. I have to embrace these differences and try not to tell A to 'man up' more than I tell E to do the same. I'm a great parent honest whilst encouraging them both to reach their potential. It would be interesting to read both books & compare (in a good way) bringing up DD & DS.

Thanks for the link PR, it made for interesting reading. I have his Raising Boys book on my Amazon wishlist.

O had his first taste of water from a sippy cup today. He managed to feed it to himself and has quickly got the hang of aiming the spout into his mouth. I only let him have a sip to get used to it but he looked very pleased with himself! He is fascinated by watching me drink and you could tell he relished the chance to do it himself. Will try it once a day to get him used to it before we start weaning.

Sleepdust worked!!! 11-2! Then 3 -5! In her cot! ignores fact she then fed solidly from 5 till 8.30

Thanks chunky I am making notes of everyone's advice and will keep trying until something works!

Love this quiche

Cross post mm - that's awesome

Does Raising Girls explain how to manage a very highly strung 5 year old?

Nearly 5 month old has been impeccably behaved and napped like a trooper.

5 year old has tested the patience today though.

Great news about sleep mm and bplp

Right I decided what to wear. I have make up on and look ok if I do say so myself! On train now, so looking forward to this. A lovely meal out then a wee bit of dancing :-)

Mmmm. I am about to cook pork chops in white wine with apples, onion and garlic. Yum.

And some sausages to eat cold for our picnic tomorrow lunchtime.

Love love love the fact the sun has finally arrived and I have had three whole child illness free days.

Spent a fortune at the wine market. They have just delievred all the wine we bought as we couldn't carry it back with us.

Kids were good as gold, and are knackered from the walk to the chateau and back.

Arghh, just lost my post.

I found these on amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003YUC1FA/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered them, will see if they are any good. I don't want to take 7 bottles with me, I have no space in my hand luggage for the bottles and for formula- it's budget airline and I don't get luggage allowance for O. I don't want to check the bottles in as afraid that luggage gets lost (happened to me before), I can't have O starving for 24 hours. So I think I will order the chillipeep too to be on the safe side and will take milton tablet and plastic bag with me too.

detective saw O turning, he is so cute. O is 20 weeks now and no signs of turning yet, she doesn't even move towards her side. I hope she will start soon.

Couldn't nap this aftnoon, had headache and couldn't fall asleep. Packed 3 boxes instead. Only like 100 to go.

pr and izzy lovely so nice to hear of you having fun and feeling good.

VQ trust me it feels good to have actually done something today. The sun changes everything. Tomorrow after the picnic we're dusting off the high chair.

Even had a chat with the neighbours today.

Here everyone hibernates. Today some sun, and everyone was out enjoying it.

It is a long time since I have been as content as I am this evening.

Got sporadic internet from a BT WiFi hotspot somewhere near the new house. We're in. I love it! Jonas celebrated with only one night waking at 3am then slept in til 9 which really helped DH and I feel refreshed and ready for the unpacking. Then we had my family all pile over to help with unpacking so have got lots done (and there is enough space that 2x 3 year olds, 1 x 2 year old and the bear didn't get underfoot). I love this house so much. It's enormous but feels so friendly. I hope we're here for the long haul. IKEA tomorrow with a fuck off huge shopping list

PR you sound happy

Detective I just love your O. Such a cheeky little boy. Love the pics. O2 has started turning round now. When I leave him on the floor he swivels round to watch me wherever I go.

Really starting to feel like a proper mummy lately. O startled himself by banging his head on the floor and even though his dad was comforting him, he kept craning his neck round to find me and only mummy cuddles made it better. He used to be such a daddy's boy but I am starting to see that he loves his mama too

YW you sound happy too

Ooh glad you're safely in YW - quite jealous of your impending Ikea trip. I know I would spend a fortune if I ventured up to Bristol. Doesn't help that they have a Mamas & Papas shop amongst other temptations.

Chasing it's a lovely feeling isn't it. This morning F was in her bumbo and couldn't see me. She looked a bit glum. Then she turned her head and clocked me standing there and got ridiculously excited to see me.

DH took both girls out, alone, for the first time ever. He hasn't even taken F out alone, so he was a bit nervous shitting his pants. They went to the shop to get some chocolate to make rice crispie cakes - apparently he was quite the middle aged lady magnet. F managed another 2 hour nap in her cot this morning; we have jabs this week though so watch it all go wrong!