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 has recently decided that she wants to dress herself. Only thing is she puts her arms through the where your meant to put your head. Needless to say if I even try and help her she pushes my hand and say no no no and strops off

when my daughter slept all night in her own bed - because she wanted to be in her OWN big bed #magical

My daughter of age 6 awoke one morning. Made breakfast (cereals) for me, my partner, my other daughter And son. Even got a small glass and picked a flower from the garden for a centerpiece. Her words were 'I wanted to thank you all for being my family, so I done you a surprise breakfast', my heart skipped a beat. Awww

My DC has already started to become more independent because she wants to sit on a separate seat on the bus and have her own space.

DD1 aged 6 and adamant she could swim without arm bands. On and on and on she went on about being able to swim without arm bands. The more we insisted she couldn't, the more cross she got that we didn't understand that she could swim. DH slipped quietly into the pool and I asked her if she really could swim without arm bands, she said yes, whipped off the bands and virtually cannon balled into the water. She rather predictably sunk and DH fished her out.

She still cannot admit that she couldn't swim.

My daughter is so independAnt everything must be her decision "I wang pink socks, blue shoes, orange shirts and a yellow tshirt"

This is my Youngest daughter' first stake of independence as she entered the world in July 2014...she screamed solidly for a good 20 minutes non stop in a fit of rage after the birth. Now aged 1 she still has that temper ;) Love her for it though! x

Best tantrum was a 45 minute shout because she wanted 'gratey cheese not choppy cheese' included running round the house and shouting the same thing repeatedly. Points for persistence !

my 2 year old Esmae, 1st pic letting us know a stair gate is not going to hold her back!! 2nd pic she couldn't understand why i wasn't impressed with her attempt at making a "Frozen" style bedroom with the bean bag balls! pic 3. Esmae decided its best to that the youngest sibling (her, age 2) should drive the tractor!! Little miss independent!

My two and a half year old likes to use the baby wipes to "clean" himself when I take his nappy off. He goes nuts if anyone else tries to help!

whne my nin eyera old son decided he wanted to walk to school on his own. He didnt wnat me anywhere bear the school gates anymore.

DS used to love to help me with the housework and whenever I'd start anything he would take over and say "My do it". I would just say "Oh, thank you, you are so helpful" and then redo it when he was having a sleep. He's 10 now rarely lifts a finger!

My daughter showed her independence at two and a half by insisting for a whole week she wore her Disney princess outfit!!

Mr independent when aged two ordered his own breakfast from the waiter at the London metropolitan hotel and was very insistent that the fried eggs be runny. Very grown up

My DS age 2 At the time came to me covered head to toe in sudocreme. When I asked what he was doing he said "ive got a poorly tummy and magic cream will make it better"

When I told my 2 yr old daughter to stop throwing clothes on the floor, she pointed her finger at me and said "no mommy!". And to added to my frustration I took a clothes for my other 3 yr old daughter to wear but she said, "I don't want! I want pretty dress!".... this is the time when they both first started to learn how to say "No" and "I don't want"....

DD is another "I do it myself." I am surprised she let the obstetrician put the ventouse on her! Even aged two she wanted to choose her clothes amd put them on herself.

"Me do it self" were my son's most favourite words when he was a toddler. He's 5 now and still does everything himself. He knocked his tooth and made it wobbly because he climbed on a chair to look out of the window to see a squirrel.
He tried to get out of the bath on his own and slipped, Chipping his other tooth.
He tried to climb down off his sisters bunk bed by himself and he fell and split the skin that holds the top lip to the gum.
AND he climbed on top of our enclosed cat littler tray because he was trying to close the window, he went though the litter tray cutting his leg from top to bottom and cracking the whole litter tray. All because he wasted to close the window himself! We call him Mr independence.

My son is always making the bed, getting his own breakfast and doing all the things I really don't expect an 8 year old to do at times of his own accord, he just says 'I can do it', more than happy to encourage this!!

My youngest has just turned two and is on a daily independence drive...just came in to my husband telling me a story of how out son had took his nappy of went on the potty and then carried it into the toilet but then told daddy 'you clean it now please'

My youngest is 2, and when we went camping recently she packed her own bag and refused to let me look. I did manage to sneak in a few extras to compliment the one pair of knickers and 12 long sleeved tops she'd chosen for our 3 day trip in June!

My son has always been really independence his first sentence was "me do it" followed by a tantrum when i try to help lol

My youngest is just turned one and pretty independent. The most recent thing is doing a growl or scream if you don't let her feed herself with a spoon. She grabs the spoon as soon as she sees it, she makes such a mess!

When my daughter started baking without me, making her own breakfast, doing her own hair, the list goes on!!!

Every day is a bit of a battle of wills.... Let's go upstairs it's bedtime 'no mummy', do you want a sandwich 'no', can you please eat your dinner 'NOoooooooooooo' as dinner hits the floor. Generally anything he doesn't want to do he either says no, throws it or says 'I'm hiding' and hides. The only things that get a yes are unfortunately snacks, juice, biscuits and every mums go to bribe... Chocolate. I know my son is fiercely independent and stubborn but he can also be kind, cute and funny so it balances out most days. Unless I want to go out anywhere and then he takes 40 mins to eat his breakfast, does a poo, wriggles so much getting a nappy on is impossible, legs it when I want to put his shoes on and then manages to get to the kitchen while I'm sorting his pushchair. Nicks the snack I lovingly premade and says please in such a sweet way with his beautiful eyes looking at me that the chaos doesn't matter....even if I am late everywhere. I'm a very lucky mummy and love my little man to the edge of the universe and beyond :)