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

[dazzlingdeborahrose]

Well done inca Aztec. You'll have an amazing time.

[IncaAztec]

Thanks all, I've never been on a cruise and I'm dead excited! Thanks MN and Royal Carribean!

[Teladi]

IncaAztec I hope it's amazing and you have a wonderful time!

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks for all the comments...am pleased to say the winner is IncaAztec! Well done..will email you now!

[silverlace]

Whenever I went to help my DS with anything when he was 2 he would say "I can do it on mine own! " Saying "mine own" stuck for a long while and we still refer to it now even though he is nearly 11.

[bc1616]

When my sons were happy to go on the bus by themselves

[beehummingbird]

He threatened to run away when he was four and said to his sister "Come on Jas, we're leaving!"

[beehummingbird]

He threatened to run away when he was four and said to his sister "Come on Jas, we're leaving!"

[imustbemadme]

I remember when my daughter was 3yrs old we must have been arguing about something and as she came down the stairs towards me she began to tell me her view and as she did she puffed her chest out to make herself look bigger, it was amazing to see, almost like a natural inbuilt response to get her point across.

[lucyhac]

This is my mums favourite , many many years ago after my first day at school she asked me how I enjoyed it - apparently I said it was ok but things are done better my way - I always have been strong willed ! luckily the kids enjoy school more than I did.

[javentura]

Anjali was only one years old when she grabbed my toolbox and said she was going to build a doll's house.

[jamielmdjs]

We don't have a bath - just a shower. The boys were adamant that they can do it themselves. And now they do. The shower cubical is flooded with toys though...

[Ryancrawshaw]

my daughter tried to push the dressed up bear off the stage at the disco so she could have the stage to herself ! - eek

[aftereight]

Ds6 has had very clear ideas about what to wear, and how his hair should be, from age 2

[faybelle]

starting school was a big independent leap - i was crying as moms do she was running and laughing shouting bye mummy!!

[tracyuk55]

On holiday a few years back my son who was 4 decided to make a break for freedom after I put him to bed. He opened the window and legged it outside to play with the bigger kids who were still playing on the street (thankfully was a bungalow!) I only realised when there was a knock on the door 15 mins later.

[elizwall123]

On holiday in the dominican republic my son luke at 2 ran onto stage and picked up the microphone and started entertaining the audience.

[whitbyranger]

At 2, Emily is very territorial and possessive about her thing. Me and mine are her favourite words. She is very independent and wants to do everything her way.

[kirstykovacs1]

"daddy, I don't want them silly little wheels on my bike" - Kyan aged 3! he had a big boys bike for his 3rd birthday, he refused to have stabilisers on from day one. within 2 days he had mastered it! a year on there's no stopping him, he rides to nursery everyday!

[DharmaBumpkin]

DD toddled down the corridor towards me with arms outstretched at about 20 months, proudly proclaiming "I do it Mama! I do it by mah OWN SELF!" I responded happily "Oh good girl! What did you do?" to which she excitedly told me "I pick mah OWN NOSE!!"... While proffering a particularly impressive bogey. Nice.

[lucyrobinson]

Both my children have always been independent. I always had to buy my daughter velcro shoes as i was never allowed to touch them. She had to dress herself and put on her own shoes. Both my children decided early that they no longer wanted to wear nappies and were going to use the potty.

[dm2ooo]

My nephew toddles alongside me, waving his hand in the air and shouting "no, no, no, no, no, no, no" when I try to hold his hand. It is the funniest thing I have ever seen. He looks like he is belly dancing.

[snare]

My son thinks that we can join his older sisters and go and call for his friends on his own! :)

[MaryDunlop99]

My six year old came upstairs with Toast and baked beans he'd cooked for me on Mother's Day.
Very nice, but it was 4.00 am in the morning!

[anteena]

my son helped me a lot after my c-section