Share how your child staked their claim for independence with Royal Caribbean - you could win a 4 day trip for your family on Independence of the Seas! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

To help celebrate both Independence Day and the news that Royal Caribbean's cruise ship, "Independence of the Seas" will be sailing from Southampton again next year, the team there would love to hear your stories of toddlers and children staking claims of independence.

Royal Caribbean say "we know that once they've mastered a few key words, your little ones are keen to do things their way! From Great Cot Escapes to Fashion Showstoppers, we want to hear about these mini adventures and, in return, one lucky Mumsnetter will win a family holiday on board our luxurious and innovative ship, Independence of the Seas (the UK’s favourite cruise ship), in 2016." This is worth approx £2,200!

"Independence of the Seas will be sailing on a selection of voyages from Southampton to Europe and the Mediterranean and is packed with great on-board experiences to keep every member of your family entertained. From the FlowRider® surf simulator, a rock climbing wall and ice-skating rink to cantilevered whirlpools and complimentary Broadway-style entertainment – there’s something for everyone.

The beautiful ship also offers a complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, Royal Babies® and Royal Tots® programme, Teen lounge areas and disco and H20 Zone™ kids’ waterpark. Itineraries include an exciting selection of three to 14 nights sailings from Southampton- including three and four night mini breaks to Paris and Bruges, seven night cruise itineraries to France and Spain, and a number of 14 night breaks from Southampton to the Mediterranean with its wonderful beaches, historic cities and idyllic coastal towns".

So, please post on this thread the most memorable stake for independence claimed by one of your children - everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter - picked at random - will win a family holiday on board Independence of the Seas in 2016. Subject to MN Insight T&Cs as well as the additional T&Cs from Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean sails to over 260 amazing destinations around the world. From Barcelona to Barbados, Australia to Alaska – via their fleet of 23 ships - for further information about Royal Caribbean’s award-winning holiday experiences, please visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk, or visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

My daughter's first full sentence was "I'm doing it myself!" This declaration was the result of my DH being totally unreasonable in trying to assist her down the stairs.
That kind of set the tone from there really!

When I was a wee dot (my mother tells this story to anyone who would listen) I was eager for Independence and loved nothing better than to mimic her. Apparently once I went unnoticed to the front door and collected the milk (oh the days of the milkman) which I proceeded to pour over my sleeping father whilst saying.... Hwelp mommy......
I am always surprised I could manage the stairs given the large ruffled 80's knickers she used to put me in....

DS was sending his first text messages at the age of 7 months. DH was rather baffled by the gibberish he was receiving and I soon learned to put a lock on my phone!

DD1 (aged 4 or so) decided that she was the most sensible on a trip to London with the GPs by announcing on the train that "I in charge of Granpa, hold my hand Granpa, otherwise you get lost, London is BIIIIIG". She spent the rest of the day telling him to go to the toilet "for just in case" and "doing the remembering" that he would like to buy her an ice cream.

DD2 hated the pushchair, so walked everywhere from age 2 and a bit. Took us forever to get anywhere, then she moaned her feet hurt.

My youngest took the register at nursery when the teacher got caught up in a conversation .

My son has always been independent, he hated being in his buggy or even holding my hand and walked ahead of me independently from 2 years old as soon as he was in year 5 he insisted on catching the bus home from school and walking home from the bus stop which was the other side of town by himself. I had to take a deep breath and let him as kids need to learn to be more independent in this day and age.

I helped to clean my mums pride and joy pink corner bath, when I was three, shouting mummy I'm helping you. I was using a pumice stone.

DS (2) looked me dead pan in the eye a few weeks ago and said "mommy, you're doing my head in, I'm not a baby anymore"

DS has been shutting the door to go to toilet since he was 2.5 that's a pretty big step for him/us.

Ds has been fiercely independent ever since he was born. 'I do it myself' was one of his first sentences, and applied to just about everything.
When he was still a baby, he loved going to Yo Sushi, but wasn't content for us to choose for him, and it made the staff laugh to see this under a year old contemplating his next pick.

My seven year old came upstairs with an omlette he'd cooked for me on Mother's Day.
While DH and I were asleep.

Have to be darling son informing the school that he didnt bring his home stuff he was working on into school therefore he should not have to take work from school home!

Surely the dressing counts. You know the carefully put together outfits that only a toddler would wear. DD3 turned up to a school meeting for her sister, other parents and the head the other day wearing a Minnie mouse big flouncy dress and wellies. She rocked the look and was most insistent on wearing it. She got noticed!

The day she wandered into nursery, and didn't look back. She'd been there from 8 months and ruled. This was her 'patch' and I was an outsider.

Me and my 7 yr old were struck down with d&v, just as we were about to set off for a holiday at grandpa's.

My older dd (9) (who had,already had it) took the 2 hour train journey by herself. She had a fine journey, and a lovely few days with grandpa by herself while we recovered. I was so proud of her.

The Cbeebies story app has "read to me" and "read by myself" options. DD takes it rather literally and makes us leave the room for the latter!

My daughter's current show of independence is to pour her own potty into the loo the moment my back is turned.

Unfortunately this means more poo ends up on the floor than in the actual toilet bowl.

'Daddy' was always the one to fix things in our house - that was until last week when DS (2.5) managed to fix one of his toys himself (putting a wheel back on a toy car) and declaring "I can fix things too, not just Daddy!".
Now he wants to 'fix' everything...

My son's favourite phrase these days is, 'No, Mummy, I told you we are going to do A, then be, then C.'

He is constantly trying to organise our day and forever telling his younger brother what to do.

The first word my eldest spoke was NO. He'd go around telling me no, the dog and the children in nursery. A rebel from the beginning!

My youngest refused to be spoon fed when I weaned him onto solids. He feeds himself now. Only 7 months old but very good at it!

DS had a gradual start to school nursery at age 3.6, starting with half days to build up to full days. I went to collect him at lunchtime on the first day and was greeted by a determined scowl. He refused to come home, and would not be persuaded to leave. He was just having too much fun, and nobody else was leaving so why should he have to? In the end, the teachers suggested I just leave him for full days straight away.
He went home happily at the end of the day, but he did look so small on that first day!

My daughters current phrase at the moment is "don't look!" when she wants to do something by herself without me or DH seeing her. She also says "You stay right here and I'll be back in a few moments!" She's 2.

My granddaughter is being home schooled by choice and that's what you call independence.

DS1 wasn't bothered about independence… Until DS2 arrived! From the day he was born his favourite catchphrases were "I'll help baby" and "me do it for you baby" - it was like DS2 had three parents!

When DD put her shoes on by herself. It used to take her half an hour, but she had to do it "ALL by myself!!"

DS2 was a shock to our system following laid back (some might say bone idle) DS1 - he's not even 2 but has to try to do everything himself first, before we are allowed to help.

I'm sent back in the house if I try to open the car door for him (GO VAY MUMUM GO VAY!), opening an ice lolly before he's asked means it's ruined, I don't think I've ever spoon fed him (he was handling a fork well before he was one! No-one else could be trusted to shovel it in fast enough!). The day I came into the living room to find he'd scaled his brothers ELC keyboard in order to climb the shelves and turn the Wii on still haunts my dreams.