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

[MisForMumNotMaid]

For me its that moment when you know they ought to be able to swim and they let you take the armbands off to try. Invariably they flounder around and dip under the water and your torn between fear they'll drown and wanting to let them try. Then they pop up to the surface like a cork, splash around a bit and you well up with pride.

[Ratbagcatbag]

There are so many my just two year old does.

When caught doing something she shouldn't, she scowls, points at you and declares "stop looking at me!!" If you try and catch sight of her again and she spots you, you're in BIG trouble, finger pointing, pursed lips, foot stamping "I told you not to look at me, you're looking, I can see you. NO LOOKING!"

If she wants to exit a room, or get something from a side, she will happily take her little chair and then stand on it reaching for whatever she wanted.

Climbing and descending the stairs properly, no more bum shuffling, walks down holding the banister and you can't walk in front of her. She tells you off and refuses to come down if you try :(

Wants to potty train, but refuses to wear pull ups as they are baby pants.

She was singing today in the car, I joined in "no mummy, too loud" I then whispered the song, she told me in a very serious voice "that's much better mummy, well done"

She is amazing and wilful and I love the bones of her, but bloody hell, she'll keep me on my toes.

[WaltJunior]

Ds2 escaped from nursery !! He climbed over the wall & was brought back by the lady who's garden he fell into. Very at the time but he's older & wiser now & doesn't feel the need to climb everything outside & be at the highest point in any room he can manage!

[sanfairyanne]

ds left home. he was 2. luckily he only got as far as the front gate

[Fiveadventurers]

Being the only child to give tree climbing a try. At 5 she was really brave to have a go and got quite far up the tree. Love this picture, all the wonder and magic of being a child becoming independent in the great out doors!

[WarmHugs]

My 5yo DD has always been Miss Independent. Her first sentence was "Me Do It".

She recently asked if she will be the boss of the family when I die. I told her I wasn't planning on dying any time soon. "But you're all old and wrinkly!"

I'm 35. 35.

[ChippyMinton]

DS2's Oyster Zip card (that lets unaccompanied kids travel free on buses in London) arrived in the post, and he promptly left the house to catch a bus. He didn't care where to, just wanted to feel the freedom of going alone

[Purplehonesty]

Ds likes to think he is ds's mum/dad all in one.
When she was first born he would say to me mummy I'm going to the toilet can you look after my sister?!

[Kraggle]

One of dd's first sentences was to berate me for babying her. "No mummy, I not a baby anymore, I a big girl!"

That's me told!

[penelopa024]

My daughter refused to sit in her pushchair since she was 18 months - we walk everywhere.

[nbrad1234]

My daughter was a true Mummy's girl until she started nursery and made friends and from that point on, the second she saw one of her friends it way "bye Mum".

[MargoReadbetter]

A new milestone for us: DS (15) is starting a paper round tomorrow.

[asemeye]

My son, aged 5 allowed me hold his hands as we walked to school but as we approached this school gate without even looking at my face , he quickly let go of my hands. To be certain I knew what was going on , the next day I attempted to hold on tightly to his hands as we entered the school gate but he made it clear that this was not 'cool' as he was now a big boy.

[Bobian123]

Every time I pick up the broom to sweep, my 20 month old demands he wants to "schwee". We've bought him his own mini broom, but he'll only use the big one and create more mess than there was in the first place! Doubt the eagerness to tidy will last long...

[IDismyname]

I am having kittens this week. DS has gone to Greece with 7 mates. He's 17. Gulp.

[Lweji]

DS is supposed to set the table and gets angry if I ever do it for him, because it's his responsibility.

[ThomasRichard]

The most memorable was probably when 2yo DD insisted on taking herself to the toilet at nursery. In the cubicle she stripped off and then made a break for freedom dressed only in her socks and shoes, giggling wildly as she tore through the nursery, into the playground and off down the path

[michbut]

My granddaughter at the grand old age of 3 had decided she wanted her own car to drive herself to nursery School and insisted that when she buys her first house we will go and live with her and she will look after us. I might remind her of that when the time comes!

[Bearsinmotion]

DD is frequently the youngest / smallest child in any given activity. Last year age 2 she insisted she wanted to go on the biggest water slide in the pool, up several flights of steps. Once at the front she wriggled away from DP and shot down by herself. She loved every second and was happily bobbing in the splash pool in her armbands while DP rushed down to "save" her!

[RifRaf]

It is difficult to single out just one incident, as at present my 2 1/2 year old's most used phrase is "no, me do it Mummy!" His latest involved taking himself off to the fridge when he was hungry, making a cushion "ladder" to open it and helping himself to nearly a whole packet of ham....fridge lock now purchased!!

[alracs]

Our son going up to a small coffee place on his own on holiday (with us watching behind a door) and ordering a small coke and sitting down in the chairs with it! It was so cute and so emotional x

[SoThisisMe]

The time when I saw DS perched at the very top of one of those huge drop slides. My heart skipped a beat but before could take a step he was wizzing down. He stood up as I went to grab him and said 'mum I'm not a baby!'. He had just turned 2!
Interestingly now he's 5 he's way more scared of them!

[TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad]

I never used to lock away medications - they were in a high cupboard and my dc knew not to touch them without express permission.

Until the day I came down to breakfast and found that my 3yo dc3 had laid out everyone's medications at their place at the table: vitamins for everyone, also Ditropan, ADs, antibiotics, ibuprofen and extra supplements. All dosages correct. He had climbed a chair to stand on the counter, and then put the chair away. When I came in he was pouring juice for everyone to swallow their medicines. He was very proud of himself and explained that knew not to take any medicine without my permission, not even his own, so he had waited until I came down to tell him he could take his vitamins.

I was torn between horror at him accessing and handling strong medications, shock that he had such a clear understanding about who took what etc, and pride at that ability!

I bought a lockable box that same day!

[Isis1981uk]

My 4 year old son gets very angry if I try and do anything for him. I once made the grievous error of putting his toothpaste on his brush for him and he had such a melt down I had to wipe it off & then let him do it himself!