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

[Mazsam1234]

Independence Day in Nannies house, "I am not eating that!!!!! End of story" from our Grandaughter aged 4, she then stomped off the garden where 'apparently' she did not have to look at me!!!! So so funny, watching her stomp off with her arms folded !

[Evansmom]

My son insists on stripping off all his clothes to go to the toilet then afterwards puts them all back on himself - everything backwards, always. (I'm not allowed to help)

[emilyspicer1990]

My 3 year olds son had a full on meltdown couple days ago when I opened his banana without asking if he wanted opened.so he needed a new one that then needed opening as he couldn't do it ???? lol

[woodchuck]

After having a DS, I was overjoyed to also have my DD and all of the beaitiful outfits she would wear. However, she soon demonstrated her preference for wearing her older brother's battered old joggers and never touched the pretty dresses. From the age of 3 I just gave up and let her choose her own clothes. Even now, at nearly 10, she prefers DS' old Star Wars tshirt and crocs

[Lauramcam34]

My youngest Amie who is 2 has changed her name for over a year now she has to be called princess and won't answer to anything else. It started in her gymnastics class and now the nursery have to call her it or she refuses to answer them. She also refused to sleep in a cot or wear a nappy from the day of her 1st birthday saying "I'm big" just to be fair it was a bonus to us as she toilet trained herself. Her grandparents think she's been here before

[Theimpossiblegirl]

The day we came home with DD2, DD1 packed a small bag, hooked it onto her new doll's pushchair and tried to set off up the road! Luckily we noticed before she got past the end of the drive.

:)

[Haffdonga]

Ds1 (aged 3) woke up before us one morning, went downstairs, climbed up on a chair to retrieve a box of chocolates from a high shelf which he took upstairs and fed to his baby brother through the bars of his cot. (I suspect 3 for me, 1 for you, 5 for me, 1 for you...) When I discovered the two of them covered head to toe in chocolate and surrounded by wrappers DS1 innocently said ' DS2 ate all the chocolate

I asked how ds2 got the chocolate and ds1 said I helped him

[MissSingerbrains]

We were on a ferry to the Isle of Mull with my then 2-year-old son. He was so determined to explore the ferry throughout the one-hour trip that we spend the whole journey walking around the deck, in the wind and the rain! I had been planning a lovely leisurely journey with a coffee in the cafe, yet this was not to be, thanks to our little adventurer!

[Laurajane1992]

After 20 minutes of watching my 2 year old try to put his own trousers on and needing to get out the house as we were running late I decided to try to help him.
After a small battle and a major temper tantrum I gave in, he walked behind me, pulled my trousers down and said "pull your trousers up, me do mine!"

[mumof4cherubs]

My lovely little princess Emily decided that she didn't want to wear nappies but be all grown up like her brother, this stake for independence took place in the middle of a busy department store mid December where she took off her nappy and left it on the floor (slightly worse for wear) shouting "Mummy potty Mummy potty" at the top of her little lungs.
Unfortunately a potty was not to hand...

[sandypandy77]

When DD2 was one she used to strip off at night and end up naked in bed despite wearing a baby sleeping bag, sleep suit and vest with poppers and it being the middle of winter. She clearly didn't like clothes.

[odi1]

DD 14 months managed to get one of her shoes on by herself and was very proud walking around the house but she did then try and put the other shoe on the same foot ...

[BubblingBlancmange]

A couple of weeks ago my 3 year old had a moment of independence and took himself off to the toilet without telling anyone. We were alerted to this by his shouts of "Help. Help. I'm in the toilet!" and he was, literally. He'd not put his training seat on and had almost fallen all the way in. I couldn't help but laugh - he looked hilarious with his little feet sticking up over the edge of the loo seat! Hoping he's not put off for life now as he hasn't done it on his own since.

[Luma87]

My eldest daughter (who was 2 at the time) husband and I were going for dinner with friends one evening. I had arranged to meet up with them first, and left my husband and daughter to do battle over what she would be wearing.

She didn't like trousers and would only wear dresses! Always a princess!! She arrived looking gorgeous, and I complimented my husband on his great choice of outfit for her. He smiled and lapped it up, saying how easy it was and how I made it harder than it should be!

Later on in the evening we say in the children's play area outside, and or little girl started to play, and she disappeared off around the other side of the play frame.

All of a sudden a lovely lady stands up and moved towards to play frame, and starts scanning the area where we're sat, she brings my little girl over and quietly tells us she's wearing no underwear. I've never seen my husband turn so red.

Turns out she'd stamped her feet, picked her own dress out, and insisted she dress herself. Needless to say he was careful not to let her dress herself again!!

[Luma87]

We went on holiday to a fab little hotel in Majorca, and it had a children's pool with slides. It was very very shallow and sloped until it was a little deeper. The children had a great time splashing around.

Our three year old had been running in and out of the splash zones, and all of a sudden decided she would quite like to try out the water slide for herself. She climbed the steps and came rushing down, and into the water.

Her face was a picture, wide eyed and shocked until SPLASH!!!! She stood up coughed a little and let out the loudest wail I've ever heard!! She wouldn't go anywhere near again all holiday, even with me or her dad!!

[daisy8701]

My daughter was the only child for 3 years in mine amd hubbys family of adults instead of acting like a baby she thought she was an adult. Now she goes into school amd tells the other children what to do this is something im always being pulled by her reception teacher. Can u please tell olivia to sit on the carpet instead of standing up and trying to talk over me. Ooopps haha...

[FlightOfTheBumblebee]

DD (3) insists on getting herself dressed. This would be fine except she has very specific ideas about what she will and will not wear. Dresses only, and they have to have very bright, bold patterns, as do her leggings/tights. And since she can't do up the buttons up on the back of her dresses, she puts them on backwards. It's a striking look.

[Kirsty2707]

Every time I tell my just turned 2 year old boy that it's bed time he exclaims "No thanks. Too big. OK bye!" waves at me and wanders off to find a toy. If he weren't so stinking cute I would be mad about it ha ha ha

[Mzyellow]

My 2 year old always insists on climbing into his car seat himself! That's after he's tried for the drivers seat!

[hellywhelly]

When I was 3 I wanted to go to the park...mum was doing a roast, dad some DIY, so I went on my own; took my dolly in her pram and set off.

Dad followed my trail...pram got left as too heavy...then a bit further, dolly...I remember getting near to the park equipment before Dad appeared. I RAN and made it to the top of the slide before he caught me and plucked me off. I didn't get to go down it even once.

My lb is 3 this year...I dread rhat mischief he will get into. With a 4 year old sister to mimic he already knows too much...unlocking the back door is merely the start!

[ellaballoo]

DS is being much more independent than I ever imagined . He's on a survival weekend sleeping in a plastic bag in a wood . Sure he'd much prefer a cruise ship.

[Lewis2013]

Two incidents spring to mind instantly.

The first on the cereal aisle in Sainsburys. Enter screaming octopus of an 18 month old because "no darling you can't go down the beer aisle". He could see all the glistening bottles on the next aisle section and clearly had planned to go and smash/play with them. Arched back, on the floor , limp & rigid at the same time. Utterly fabulous.

The second incident was in line at the post office. Didn't want to be in the pushchair so i got him out. Turns out he didn't want to be out either. Generally must have been aiming to acheive hover status or something. Any how, floor paddy perfected from previous, he let rip. Couldn't do anything with him so just waited patiently in the queue and slid him on the floor a foot everytime the queue moved so he was still next to me.

Clearly we need a holiday .....

[SeahorseSid]

My 3 year old puts his shorts on backwards most days. And there is NOTHING on this earth that will persuade him to let me help turn them around.

My 5 year old likes to pack his own suitcase when we go away. Lots of toys, 1 pair of pants and no toothbrush. I have to sneak the rest of it in later :)

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

Mine is 5 year old DD looking after her cousins aged 3 and 4 months when they arrive. She's like a little hostess - taking coats , drinks for the elder one and enquiring if the baby wants her bottle. A tiny margo leadbetter in the making.

[Mummymuls]

My lil man 3 loves to be independant shopping... Makes for an interesting till experience when you find little 'surprises'... Cat food last week... And yes no cat!! Xxxx