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

[RosieBow]

My youngest had a tantrum one day as he wanted a ball that he couldn't have, he didnt realise things on tv didn't come alive . As for independence I've never known a 1.5 year old to be so independent he likes to put the washing in the machine he even tidys up better then his 6 & 5 year old brothers.

[Amberrawlins]

My 2 year daughter is definitely independent. She has to do everything on her way with no help (until she needs it!) Ha. She has an older brother and sister who she bosses around all day.. It's her way or no way!!

[VikkiB83]

My son is nearly 2 and refuses to walk holding hands or wear reins which is fine when we're not by a road or need to be somewhere. He walks off all defiant as if to say "I'm a big boy I'll go where I want" (usually in the opposite direction of where we should be going) which follows with me chasing him, picking him up, him having the mother of all screaming fits in my ear then him being placed in his pushchair. Hence why the pushchair gets used far more than it ever did with our daughter and usually before we even leave the house.

[Donthate]

On holiday we worried that my then 3 and a half year old ds would be shy. We needn't have worried as he was nicknamed by the other guests "epic Joe" on the first day when he strode straight up to the biggest slide and went straight down backwards. He got a ticking off from the lifeguard (and us). He spend the rest of the holiday being followed by a group of much older children desperate to see what he would do next. We heard many shouts of "that was epic" and knew he was up to more mischief

[Mrscog]

One day when I finally got my act together with DS (aged 2) to do fun baking, I turned my back for a few seconds just before the ingredients needed mixing. DS quick as a flash got his toy battery powered whisk and before I could stop him plunged it into the bowl and pronounced 'I've got a whisker of my very own'. The toy whisk has never been quite the same since!

[IncaAztec]

My 3 year old DD staked her claim to independence by getting on her bike and telling me she was going on holiday. She had put her teddy in the basket ready! Couldnt ride her bike yet though!

[Myname5]

My 2.5 year old DS wanted his beans to be cooler and demanded as much as I just sat down to eat my own dinner. I blew them to cool them down, not realising that my hurried blowing had caused a section of the bean sauce and a few beans to move under the force of my breath. He immediately began sobbing uncontrollably, insisting he could no longer eat his food because the beans had moved. No amount of cajoling could convince him, and his hunger strike won out.

[Twounder2two]

My little girl (2) put on her shoes picked up her back and declared she was "off to work!"

[Twounder2two]

My little girl (2) put on her shoes, picked up her bag and declared she was "off to work!"

[emfrma]

My cherub faced two year old has always been a bit iffy about going to Nursery, sometimes she needs a cuddle and sheds a few tears, other times she happily says bye and takes the reassurance that I'll pick her up later.
A couple of weeks ago she turned to me and said (in broken toddler language) that I was not allowed to stay at nursery, it's not for mummy, it's for Ivy; and practically pushed me out the door.
I won't lie, I had to fight the urge to cry.

[HeadDreamer]

Don't know where to start with DD1. At 6mo she grabbed he weaning spoon and threw it away, insisted on feeding herself.

At 2yo, she declared she didn't want nappies, took them off, but haven't got a clue how to go to the potty yet.

[Klloyd90]

My little girl knows how to call nanny from my phone and once called her mid tantrum to shout and scream at her down the phone resulting in her arriving at the front door thinking there was something seriously wrong! Little madam!

[Ivanrocks]

Ivan really loves brushing his teeth he stands on a little stool up to the sink every morning and asks for me to turn on the water. A few weeks ago I was busy getting dressed and shouted "just a minute darling". Well, being an independent kinda guy Ivan decided he could get the toothbrush wet himself and I promptly walked in to him as he leaned over to dip it in the toilet. hahaha, we always do it first thing now.

[HappySunflower]

Oh my most memorable of my daughter's attempts at independence was trying to wipe MY bottom when I'd been to the loo. We were in a public toilet at the time and the giggles from the people waiting in the queue outside just added to my embarrassment!

[SuzCG]

My 5 year old daughter announced to me 'Recently Mummy, I am finding I don't need you so much in my life. I do love you, but I don't need you!'. That was me told...

[petitmoibigworld]

I thnk my son was two when he tried to get in to the drivers side of my Mum's car and proclaimed that he'd drive.

Not long later he offered to teach me how to drive when I told him that I didn't know how! Clearly he thinks the world is already his oyster

[Staylor988]

Both my children are very independent, but my youngest is far more than her big brother! At 2, all I tend to hear are statements like 'I'll do it myself', 'you leave me alone', 'youre giving me a headache', and my personal 'favourite' everytime I try to hold her hand against her will (It's very embarrassing in public!) 'dont you touch me stranger'!!!

[Vam82]

My 4 year old daughter had a catch up swimming class. When we got there the children were a few years younger than her and their parents were in the pool with them (I haven't got in the pool with her for 2 years and she's a very able swimmer). After seeing "the babies" who she was supposed to br swimming with she asked "can you hear me crying?". Confused, I replied "no". Then she asked "do I look like I need a dummy?". Now seeing a pattern, I replied "no". And finally, "do I look like I need you in the pool with me?". Again, I replied "no". She then said very loudly "that's because I'm not a baby and I am NOT getting in the pool with them. I am a BIG GIRL!" And with that declaration she stomped back into the changing room and no amount of threatening or bribery could get her in the pool. I lost the entire swimming lesson (about £25!) So was not overly happy but also secretly proud of her for standing her ground!!

[Alicat1984]

My daughter thinks she can do what her almost 7 year old brother can do so gets very upset when she can't! She's now 20 months and certainly has her independence, she hates being restrained by her pushchair or car seat and screams and creates when trying to secure her, usually the scene involves her stiffening her body so I can't clip the straps together whilst screaming like she's being harmed... All in the bid to be safe while travelling!!

[kierie]

My ds made a charge towards independence when he was being helped in the loo by his key worker."you're not very good at this are you?"he declared. "I should do it myself."

[PistolAnnie]

When my son was 18m old we lived next door to a Coop supermarket; unbeknownst to me he had recently become tall enough to open our front door.

I realised he was missing and panicked my husband was searching the house and garden and I rushed out into the street ... To see him toddling out of the doors of the shop with a packet of chocolate clutched in his sticky paws!

He's danced to his own tune ever since.

[Kimbobslice]

My ds2 is 2 years old and is very independent and always has been, if you offer to do something for him he will just scream at you... For instance when we go swimming he won't wear armbands or have any type of float or rubber ring, do we have to try and hold him but he just screams the swimming baths down until you let go of him, so we can leave the small pool because he would just drown, he can reach the floor on his tip toes and he just jumps up and down choking on water and going under but he will not let us help him, he's crazy but we love him lots even though he is abit of a handful. This is only one of many stories I could tell about ds2 I have plenty more on him and his 2 brothers

[GloGirl]

My son has always been very independant. Never wanted to be held if he was awake, refused to let us feed him and is really happy when off on a walk to insist on going the way he wants. We have tried doing the "OK bye!!" and walking away without him. I turned and looked and he was running in the direction he wanted to go.

I am already so proud of him.

FiveAdventurers that is a lovely picture

[dee1982ish]

My 2 year old daughters latest strap is when she's trying to do something on her own and I ask are you ok baby she replies of course sake