Letting Go

It's been about 7 months since I wrote my last blog post. I had got to the point where closing down the blog seemed to be the right thing to do. After much deliberation I have decided to stick with it but the plan is to refresh the look and revamp the writing. Letting go of the past is something I have been working on for the last 2 years. When I started this blog 5 years ago I started it because I wasn't happy. I needed to feel connected and it felt easier to connect to people online who were feeling the same as me. I recently decided to end my counselling sessions as I felt I had learned so much about myself and where I was going that I needed time to consolidate it all in the context of my life. I'm happy to report that I am doing fine. The need to blog lessened as the contentment grew until it got to the point that I really felt I had nothing to say but was enjoying being in my life rather than reporting on it. I've been glad of the break but I have missed the writing. So there will be changes happening over the next few months but I am excited to be back.

There is another aspect of change and letting go that I haven't discussed.

Our little Grumpinator started school. I can't quite believe it. The night before his first day I lingered a little longer at bedtime, stroking his head, kissing his cheeks and thinking with a heavy heart that I wish I'd embraced the early years more. I wish I had enjoyed him more as a baby. I wish I hadn't been in such a rush to see him meet his milestones. It's bittersweet of course because I am extremely proud of the young boy he has become and I am excited for him embarking on this next challenging stage of life.

As I dressed him in the morning before school the lump in my throat was almost visible. I held it together because I felt his anxiety and didn't want to add to it. A thousand thoughts travelled through my head that morning. Will he have friends? Will he know where the toilets are? Who will remind him to flush the toilet? How will he sit still for longer than 5 minutes? Will he drink the milk? Who will comfort him if he is sad or hurts himself? Will the teacher understand his little idiosyncrasies? Will he be polite and remember his manners? A thousand thoughts but the main one was really more about me than him. How will I manage when I miss him?

His loud screeching voice echoing through the house (usually when Jamie is napping) will become silent. The endless lego sets which are strewn across the floor will remain tidied away in their boxes. The fridge will no longer be raided and half empty by lunchtime. So many changes at home now that he is gone for six hours a day. Left in his place is JBoy who is moving into his next stage from baby to toddler. I'm sure he will keep me busy but at the moment the house is emptier and the conversation is only really centered around Fireman Sam and Octonauts.

Nevertheless, I have to let go. I have to let him become who he is going to be and accept that this stage is a beautiful one. Where the roots that we have sewn push through the surface and begin to grow. Where we catch a glimpse of that greenery of life beginning and marvel at its growth. It is the first of many growth stages. The first of many silent tears and lumps in throat and the first of many moments of pride for my baby who is now my boy.

The Ordinary Moments - Couch Cuddles

I decided to link up with a fabby blogger who runs a weekly linky called 'The Ordinary Moments'. I like the idea of capturing the little things as I am trying to spend more time in the here and now.

Cuddles on the couch with my boys has to be one of the most ordinary but at the same time magical things about being a mummy. There's nothing nicer than snuggling up to read a book or watch a family film. I'm still breastfeeding my 3 month old so couch cuddles occur with 3 hour regularity!

It's the warmth, the smell and the feel that I love. I could easily spend a whole day just snuggling. JC is far too busy for that now and Jamie is becoming increasingly more active so would rather sit up and look around than sleep in my arms. I'm treasuring these ordinary moments where times stops long enough for cuddles as I am disappointedly aware that they come with a shelf life.

My Top 5 Achievements in 2013

I haven't taken part in Listography for a while but I have missed it! This week it's a reflective post on my Top 5 Achievements in 2013. It's been a busy year!

1. Biggest achievement was giving birth to a 10lb 8oz healthy boy with nothing but gas n air and hey, no stitches, need I say more! 

 2. I've survived a year in a new job role which entailed moving councils and working across 2 schools. It was so the right decision for me. I love my job and I've made some really good friends within my workplaces. 

3. I purposely didn't make a resolution last year to diet as that never ends well for me but since giving birth in September, I've lost 3 stone and dropped  2 dress sizes. I have done this through eating clean, healthy, dairy free food and regular exercise. I'm very proud of myself and I look forward to continuing next year.

4. I successfully managed 2 summer holidays abroad with a husband who was in a moon boot with a broken leg and an over excitable 3 year old, all whilst heavily pregnant! 

5. We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We have been together since high school and it was probably seen as one of those 'it'll never last' relationships. But it did and it continues to. It hasn't been easy but nothing worth working for ever is. He thinks I'm an over the top drama queen and I think he's a selfish arse at times but we know each other inside out and still love each other so that must count for something. I've learned a lot about successful love this year and I think that first you need to find love for yourself, I'm still working on this. 

So it's been a productive, hardworking and emotional year. I'm looking forward to watching my boys grow over the coming year and I'm hoping to do a bit of growing myself. Watch this space! 

Hop over to Kate's blog for a catch up and other Listography entries ...

An Audience With JC

JC is now 2 years 9 months and this has to be the most wonderful stage. We seem to have turned a corner with the behaviour side of things (dare I say it!) and he has taken to toilet training with little trouble. Don't get me wrong there are challenges, days when I feel like screaming at him when he point blank refuses to do a thing he's asked to. Some days when it's like he's had an injection of pure sugar and is completely out the box with energy. In balance though, there are days when he is an absolute joy to spend time with. One of my favourite aspects at the moment are his conversational skills.

He has always been a good talker but recently has started to hold proper conversations with me. I am so glad he's a chatterbox like me! 

Here is a video of his most recent ponderings . . . he goes from discussing his dinosaurs to Santa to heaven. My Grandad died a fortnight ago and it's been a really hard time with other losses around me  (hence the lack of blogging). This light hearted interview with JC really cheered me up!

I love that boy!

6/52 - Tranquility of the Outdoors

My favourite day of the week this week had to be Friday. These were also my favourite photos. John and I took advantage of the improving weather and went out for a walk. It was more like a run! He ran most of the route with exception of the hill at the end.

We both love the outdoors and I think it calms us. I've always found it very therapeutic to walk, especially down the farm roads.

It takes me back to a special time in my youth where I would bomb round the farm on my bike, wind in my hair, stinging my cheeks, blowing the cobwebs away. The sweet smell of nature hanging in the air with the feeling of being part of that nature. I used to call these my 'oneness' moments. To be truly in the moment and savouring life. I can only imagine that this is the feeling of mindfulness that people who practise meditation experience. I hope I can pass this feeling of tranquility onto JC but in the meantime he is savouring the joy of being outdoors and all the fun it has to offer.

I'm linking this post up with Country Kids and The Boy and Me's 365.

Fife Family Fun

I am always trying to give JC new experiences and develop his interests. At the moment, the main interest is Ice Hockey. He is only 2 and a half and already he follows his local team, Fife Flyers. He loves spending time in the arena, checking out the Zamboni (the big ice cleaning machine), watching the figure skating, schmoozing with the ice hockey players and sourcing snacks from the vending machines and cafe. We will usually take him to a game if its a Sunday as the Sunday games start earlier. He sits screaming 'Go Flyers!!!' at the top of his voice.





What I love about Fife Flyers is that it is an institution steeped in history. The arena itself is old and weathered but that all adds to the charm. It maybe doesn't have the pizazz that the Odyssey arena in Belfast has but it makes up for all that with the passion of the crowd and the family friendly atmosphere. The Fife Flyers community is like one big family. My hubby gets annoyed at me because in honesty, I very rarely watch the game. I'm all about the atmosphere and the people watching.

I have been going to games since my hubby and I started seeing each other when we were 16 (about 14 years ago) and in that time I've seen babies, wrapped tightly in blankets, soaking up the atmosphere, toddlers running around the rink with the parents chasing after them desperately trying to catch some of the game. Young children playing hockey, fully kitted up, at the bottom of the stairwell, teenagers spending time together in a safe environment  giving them something to do on a Saturday that doesn't involve drinking or causing mischief. Older teens and young adults meeting up at the rink prior to a big night out on the town, dressed to the nines underneath a hockey top which is the only thing keeping the scantily clad warm. Then there is your middle aged, geez oh that would be us! The die hard fans who have a passion for the game and a love of the club, often bringing along with them the next generation of flyers fans. Lastly, there are the golden oldies. I love watching them, they sit with their cosy blankets on their knee and a flask of tea. Quite often they bring snacks and they are often willing to share.

My hubby is directly involved in the club as he runs their website and I'm very proud of him. The future of Fife Flyers is so important to him which by proxy makes it important to me. I'd like to take this chance to encourage you, if you have never been to a Flyers game, give it a go. I promise you that you won't be disappointed and your kids will love it. There is something there for everyone. If you are not a Fifer, support your local ice hockey team. It's a great sport to follow and the players are excellent role models for our children. Ladies - there is plenty of eye candy too!




I'm running a giveaway for free tickets to a Flyers game in the coming weeks so watch this space!

Looking up to Daddy 5/52

My favourite photo of the week. I love how he is literally looking up to him with his face full of pride.

I'm linking this post up with The Boy and Me

Strike a Pose - 3/52

This is my favourite photo of the week which I promise was unprompted! He really is a little poser but who couldn't love that face . . .

I'm late in linking up but I am linking up with The Boy and Me. Apologies to those who commented last week that I didn't get round to reciprocating. I will be visiting you this week x

A 'Philly' Good Carwash - 2/52

My daily photos are posted on my Blipfoto page but this was my pick of the week. . . 

He dunked his cars in his Philly cheese. 

That is all. 

What could I say? 

I just shook my head

I'm linking up with the 365 linky over at The Boy and Me 

Welcome Home Mummy!

It's been a week of illness for me. Not keeping too well at the moment due to catching a cold/flu bug (the downside of working with children for a living). I managed to go to work but it was a real struggle. I am feeling better today which is just as well because being a mum to a toddler equates with no sick leave.

I have to give him credit this week though, he has been very sweet and well behaved. I think he must feel sorry me! He has started to welcome me when I come from work which is really heart warming. He runs to me as soon as he clocks me coming in, he gives me the biggest bear hug and kiss. Moving his head back from mine a few inches, he looks me straight in the eye with this beautiful smile, which I call his 'love look'. It's like he's seeing me for the first time. Then he says "Love you Mummy, I've missed you, Did you have a nice day being a school girl?"



As much as I go on (and on) about hating working full time, the benefit is the welcome I get when I come home. I think that it makes us both appreciate the time we spend with each other and make the most of the time we have.

1/52 - Grrrr! I'm an Angry Bird!

I am easing the pressure a little this week by aiming for a good weekly photo rather than a daily entry. I will be posting my photos on Blipfoto daily and linking up my favourite photo each Saturday on my blog.

This is my favourite photo from the week. This is JC's Angry Bird face. He pulls this face when he is annoyed or sometimes just when he doesn't like the look of you. He was watching Rio (the Disney film) and one of the birds was pulling a face like this. He exclaimed 'Grrrr, I'm an angry bird' and the name, as well as the facial expression, just stuck. 

This post is shared in the 365 linky over on The Boy and Me. 

Terrible Twos

It's true what they say. Being two is hard work, it's emotionally draining, it's a tough life when you are learning the rules. I'll tell you something though, being two is nothing compared to be the mother of a two year old.

It's been a hard week. I started back work after a fortnights break for Christmas and JC returned to his usual routine. He started off the week by being 'off' with his Granny whom he just decided he was going to give the cold shoulder. He's going through this little phase of being a little indignant and rude. It's totally and utterly embarrassing but I have to give myself regular reality checks and remember that he is only 2. Regardless of age, children can be mean.

His mood followed into the next few days which saw tantrums with his other Gran when he decided he was no longer in the mood for walking anywhere and proceeded to scream and cry in the park until he was carried. The emotional blackmail kicked in during this scenario as he screamed 'I need my Mummy, where is she?' (Ouch, can you feel that tug on the heartstrings?)

He had another meltdown this morning as he attached himself to my leg as I tried to leave the childminders. I ended up being late for work as it took a while to settle him. He's not usually clingy but he likes to pull it out the bag occasionally!

On the flip side, when I went to pick him up from the childminders at lunchtime, he didn't want to leave. He threw a tantrum as I manhandled him out the front door, white knuckles clenched around the door frame as I pried off one finger at a time. He fooled me into letting him walk by himself to the car. As soon as his feet hit the concrete, he was off like a flash down the hill leaving me to chase after him like a woman possessed screeching "Do you want to go on the naughty step?" The twitching of curtains in the street didn't escape me. 'Control your child' I could imagine them muttering with their judgemental overtones. 

It's easier said than done believe me. I grabbed him and lifted him under my arm while his legs and arms flailed around gaining the odd kick to my backside and slap to the chin. After shoehorning him into his car seat, I managed to calm myself and take a deep breath. I climbed into the car and started the engine. With Buzz Lightyear gripped tightly in his hand, he looks him straight in the eye and the little voice says 'I am going to be a good boy now. I don't want to make my Mummy sad, I love my Mummy.

All is forgiven ;)

Happy 2nd Blog Birthday!

I can't actually believe that this blog is still going! I'm not one for really sticking to things. The amount of times that I have decided to start something (guitar, photography, a new exercise regime) and I've managed for a week and then lost interest. When I opened this blog 2 years ago, I did so for the purpose of venting my new mum frustrations, finding a place to deal with the depths of post natal depression and as a way to connect with people, which I was finding impossible to do in face to face situations at the time.

In a relatively short space of time I became part of the bloggers circle, I was chatting regularly with some great blog writers and getting some fabby feedback on posts I had written. I have always enjoyed writing but it is not an area in which I would've described myself as talented. I've since discovered that I do have a knack for self depreciating, humorous posts as well as honest, heartfelt and raw emotive posts. I think that this strongly reflects my character!

I have toyed with the idea of closing down the blog now that I am 'well' or should I say 'better'. I have thought about the fact that I never seem to find the time to blog now that I am working full time. However, after a bit of soul searching, I've decided to keep going. I would miss having this opportunity to lay myself bare to the nation! I enjoy writing about my life. I love to have a record of my little Grumpinator's early years. I think this year is going to be very interesting with some big changes ahead for us as a family. I would miss my blogging friends (you know who you are) and after the passing of Kerry recently, I feel I owe it to her to keep going.

I feel like I should do an overview of my year but it's been a pretty shitty one if I'm honest. Most of the joy and pleasure of this year has come in the simple moments with my boy. The moments when I look at him and feel my heart bursting with pride and adoration. The moments when he looks at me a certain way, hugs me unprovoked or tells me he loves me. It's those moments that have been significant for me yet I don't seem to blog about them! However, I've scraped the depths and come up with some highlights for you!

January
I started my 366 project so there are plenty photos on my blog (at least until I got fed up and stopped taking photos!). Christmas is a tough time for me in terms of post natal depression. I don't know why. Perhaps it is the extra stress on my emotions at this time of year. January was quite a dark month with posts about feeling useless and about my overeating in the wardrobe of all places. It wasn't all bad though. I went to see Ed Sheeran in Edinburgh which was Amazeballs! I had a night out in Stirling with one of my best mates which included an overnight stay.

February
I wrote one of my favourite posts about my friends, My hubby showed me he could still be romantic, in his own unique way. February was filled with fun times with JC and lots of outdoor fun.





March
I was so happy to share in the joy of my friend Paula's wedding. There was more outdoor fun with a trip to the beach.  There was lots of indoor fun due to rubbish weather so we some baking, painting and water play - mummy of the year award!

April
Saw the arrival and the sad departure of our first bunny, Rabbie :( JC got his first bike! We got the opportunity to review a Polarn O Pyret jacket which JC wore constantly throughout last year. My Dad, Barbora and my little brother Danny came over from Czech Rep for a visit. It was lovely to spend time as a family.

May
JC developed a love for horses! We got some lovely weather which meant lots of time spent outdoors. My Mum and Step Dad got an allotment which meant loads of veg for us! We got a new rabbit (Boris) who I am happy to report is still alive! We investigated the option of sending JC to an outdoor nursery. Our good friends, Greig and Fiona got married. I blogged about how my weight is holding me back from having another baby.




 June
My life at work took a bit of a nose dive. Things were pretty much awful. This is when my 366 started to fall by the wayside. I met up with my bestest Alana for some emotional support and cake of course! Things got so bad that I knew I needed to get out. So I picked myself up, put on a suit and went for a job interview - which I got! This change was bitter sweet. It meant less commuting but a return to full time employment which I still haven't adjusted to.

July
In some sort of moment of craziness, I decided to embark on a 5km a day for 100 days challenge. I raised £200 for Alzheimer's Scotland. I blogged about my Grandad losing his mind to vascular dementia. 







August 
 I didn't blog for the whole month. I think I will need to do a back blog for this month as I can't believe that I didn't even blog on JC's 2nd birthday! Anyway, we had a big party at the house and we went to Almond Valley for a kids party. I started my new job the next day which is probably why I haven't blogged this month. I was incredibly busy!

September
I wrote about the positive impact that walking was having on my life and how I wasn't really cut out for cycling. 

October
We saw that start of JC's vivid imagination and we started taking him ice skating which he just loves!

November 
I blogged about making children more resilient and I blogged about my friend Kerry (who blogs at Multiple Mummy) as she was in hospital after a brain haemorrhage.








December
We had much fun reviewing toys from Ikea. I wrote a post about toddlers being capable of torture. Sadly, I blogged about the loss of people in my life this year including an inspirational woman. RIP Kerry, you live on in our hearts and minds.

Phew! What a year! I can't wait to see what awaits in the year to come. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog and for the support you have given me over the past two years.

 xxx

The Toddler Guide to Torture

Someone has taken my perfect child and replaced him with a monstrous 2 year old that I hardly recognise. On the face of it, he still has the adorable, butter wouldn't melt, look but the terrible twos have well and truly hit. He seems to be so good at torturing me at the moment, he could write a book on it!

The Toddler Guide to Torture

Sleep - don't let your parents have any. Wait until you think they have just fallen over into a deep sleep and then appear, in creepy horror movie style, at the side of their bed. Sweetly say 'Mummy, I need in your bed for a cuddle'. Let her think you are going to cuddle in and go back to sleep. She will foolishly fall for this and pull you in. Once settled, start wriggling. The wrigglier the better. There's nothing that winds her up more than a foot in the face. If possible, position yourself sideways, this is a sure fire way to induce shouting at 3am.

Food - demand chocolate for every meal. Don't expect to get any but tantrum anyway. Time them cooking. If it take less than 30 minutes to cook, eat it all and lick the plate. If you think they've put extra effort into it by taking an hour or longer to cook the dinner, don't even come to the table. If they take you to the table by force, refuse to eat any of it. Always ask for sauce. Once the food is covered, say you don't like it, say you want it off then sit back smiling. Toddler -1 Parent - 0.

Shopping - my personal favourite. The aim of the game here is escape. It's great fun to run around the shops but never let them think you are enjoying yourself. Refuse, point blank, to get in the buggy. When they go to pay at the checkout, use this opportunity to make a mad dash for the door. Refuse to get in the trolley too. Make as much fuss as you can when they are trying to bend you into the trolley seat.

No - learn this word and use it frequently. It's amazing the impact this one little word can have!

I want it, I need it - They get really riled when you demand things so the use of "I NEED IT!" comes in handy here. The other gem is to ask politely "please may I have ..." then when they give you it, throw it back and say "I don't want that!" This one works best on Mums, it drives them insane!

Tantrums - the daddy of all torture techniques. Wait until you have an audience. Shops, supermarkets, walks and drop offs at childminders are all ideal places to drop to the floor, kicking and screaming, holding your breath until you turn blue.

Poo - when you know that you've brewed a good one in your nappy. Act all accommodating until they open your nappy. This is your cue to roll. This will provoke screaming from Mummy and possibly sweary words from Daddy.

Lastly, don't feel sorry for them. They don't call it the terrible twos for nothing! It doesn't matter what you do to them because it will all be forgiven after you flash your beautiful, angelic smile!

Grrrrumpinator - The Lion Tamer

I think this has to be my favourite stage so far. They call it the terrible twos but there is a wonderful side to it. 

JC has the most fascinating imagination and I could watch and listen to him playing with his little figures and toys for hours. He loves listening to stories and most of the 'scenarios' come from the books we read to him. 

Ikea are repeating their Annual Soft Toy Campaign again this year which means for each soft toy or children's book you buy from them between October 21st - December 23rd 2012, they will donate €1 to UNICEF and Save the Children. This will ensure support to worldwide education programs, ensuring more children around the world can go to school. As a teacher, this type of campaign is close to my heart. The campaign has been running since 2003 and so far has raised a total of €47.4 million! 

I love the toys in Ikea. I don't always take JC with me when I shop there because he would manipulate me into buying half the children's dept. The good news is that the toys are a fantastic price, with soft toys starting at £1. They have launched their new Klapper Cirkus and Vandring range of toys and books this year which I think are fabulous. 

We were sent the lion puppet to review which is only £3 to buy. It's a lovely toy which is made to the usual high standards that Ikea set. Don't let me bore you with details. Watch JC road test it . . .

We had lots of fun tonight trying to get decent video footage of him playing with the puppet. So much

so that even Dad got involved in the fun . . .

We were also sent a lovely book from the Vandring range called 'The hedgehog leaves home' (£5 or £3 for members) which is about a little hedgehog who is old enough to leave home and fend for himself. There are lots of dangers for a hedgehog like snakes, pine cones, hare poo, mushrooms and foxes so it's just as well that he has his friend the field mouse to help him. 

It a beautifully illustrated book and the messages of friendship, independence, overcoming adversity are wonderful themes to have in a children's book. It's also a chance for children to learn more about the forest and it's inhabitants. The characters in the book are available to buy as a soft toys and the forest theme and illustrations from the book are available as textiles such as bed covers a rug and curtains. 

We love Ikea as a brand and the fact that they are donating to charity for each soft toy or book purchased is super. There are an abundance of soft toys to choose from so if you are looking for some stocking fillers, head off to Ikea and bag yourself a bargain. By supporting this campaign, you are not only giving a gift to your own child, but to millions of underprivileged children around the world. 

Disclaimer - We were given the puppet and book to review but this is not a sponsored post and all views and opinions are honest and my own! 

Big Taste Face with Ella's Kitchen

I loved taking photos of JC when he was weaning. It was really where the idea for the name of my blog came from (The Wean Machine part anyway).

Ella's Kitchen have recently launched a competition to celebrate their 'Big Taste' menu. You can enter your favourite messy eater photo here for a chance to win a years supply of Ella's Kitchen products. Enter by midnight tonight to be in with a chance of winning (terms and conditions apply).

Ella's Kitchen have been working with a taste psychologist (which to me seems like the best job title in the world, ever!) who has discovered through scientific trials that there is a reason that babies and toddlers dislike brussels sprouts and like banana. Babies experience a much stronger taste than adults and the 'Big Taste' has given parents the opportunity to taste test these extreme flavours for themselves to try and enrich their understanding about weaning. It may be that your little one isn't simply being fussy after all! According to the research, babies are much more fond of sweet flavours like strawberry and banana and dislike the bitter tastes of some foods. I have to say that my JC must break with tradition as he is a big lover of sprouts and really can't stand things that are too sweet!

Ella's Kitchen are committed to understanding little taste buds so that they can create the best and most appealing food possible. Even as a avid baby led weaner, when I have had to use baby food to supplement a meal, for travel or as a standby, this is always the brand I turn to. I trust their ingredients and the love and attention that is poured into every product.
This was my entry . . .

Preparing Our Children For Rejection

We all think so highly of our children. I know that before I was a mum I would criticise parents who blew their child's trumpet. There's nothing worse when you are sitting in a toddler group with a bunch of overly competitive mothers (or fathers) going on and on about how little Johnny was blinking when he needed the potty at 4 months old or how little Mary had a 1000 word vocabulary by her first birthday. I have to admit it though, I do it too. I often catch myself too late. The words are often out my mouth before I realise how boastful I sound!


Now I'm not saying that it is wrong to think your children are wonderful or to have high aspirations for them in life but I do think that there is a danger area which may lead to disappointment for our children when they are older.

When I was a child my parents thought I was going to be famous. I had a really nice singing voice and was very dramatic, in more ways than one! I was encouraged and told I was wonderful from the day and hour I was born.They ploughed money into musical activities as they knew it was a passion of mine. My Mum and Dad were realistic though. They prepared me for failure as well as success by emphasising the need for an education first and supporting me during the inevitable suffering of auditions. I was lucky to be picked for a few main roles in musical theatre and school plays early on which boosted my confidence but the first audition that I was told 'thanks but no thanks', I was devastated. My parents had a knack for keeping my dreams harnessed in reality. It must have been even harder for them to watch their daughter, who they viewed to be extremely talented and gifted to be told she wasn't good enough. They never let it show. Not once did I feel like I was a disappointment to them but equally they never let me feel like I should be automatically entitled to anything. They instilled in me a quiet, humbled confidence and plenty of resilience.

I saw this news story the other day about a parent who is 'priming' her daughter for success. She spends thousands of pounds on her grooming and classes to prepare her for fame. After reading the article I felt sad for the little girl. Nothing is life is guaranteed and I've seen so many talented and hard working people who just haven't made it. Isn't this potentially setting this child up to be disappointed and to feel like she is a failure to her mother?

I think the Xfactor culture doesn't help matters. The celebrity culture from reality TV is now what children aspire to. More and more when I ask kids in my class 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' The answer is famous.In schools, when auditions are held for performances, what I've seen in the past few years is really eye opening. From children crying and telling you sad stories (like they do on Xfactor) in an attempt to sway a decision to their parents phoning after the decision, outraged that their child hasn't got a part or didn't get the 'right' part.

In the real world, if you don't get a job you can't go crying in the interview to make them choose you or get your mum to phone the Manager to complain that you are better skilled than someone else who applied. So what message are we giving to our children about handling rejections?

So now I'm going to boast about my child . . .

JC is already showing an interest in music. He has no choice really, he is surrounded by instruments in our house and already has his own mini acoustic guitar, drum kit and Santa is bringing him a keyboard for Christmas. He has great tuning and already sings lots of songs from memory. He is a handsome chap and shows early signs of being creative and outgoing. He's a Leo star sign which if you believe in astrology is the perfect sign for an entertainer! I think John Connor/JC is a fab name for a musician. So I really should start looking into stage schools now.

I'm being sarcastic obviously! Seriously though, I hope that like my parents did for me, I can support and encourage him to do whatever he wants do. I will provide him with the opportunities to learn and develop his skills in whatever area interests him. I want to teach him to follow his dreams and be optimistic as well as realistic. I will be there to support him when he does experience rejection and help him to try again. My greatest dream for him is that he is a kind, happy and well rounded adult. If he can achieve this in life, I will feel like I've done a good job.

Mo.pa.pike

Mo.pa.pike
English translation: motorbike.

This has to be the best present we have ever bought him. He's looked at it a few times in Toys R Us and has loved going around the aisles on it. We decided to buy it for him as he is really into motorbikes, well actually any kind of bike at the moment.

The problem is, he now won't eat, sleep or play. The motorbike is all he wants to do. Even the lure of delicious homemade pizza wasn't enough to entice him off it last night. It's become an obsession.

He woke up shouting 'Mummy, coat on, outside, Mop.a.pike, park, Mummy go' this morning. It's very cute.