The Right Way To Raise Children

What is the right way to raise a child? Who knows? Who has the right to tell you you're doing it wrong? 

Yesterday, I got quite upset by a friend's comment on my Facebook status. Maybe I over reacted? But the thought of being judged on my parenting skills deeply offends me. Basically, he implied that it was wrong of me to have 2 pyjama days in a row with my children. We had nowhere to go, the children don't object to playing in their pyjamas, I don't see the problem. But I was in tears at his comment. It got me thinking. Should I be taking them out and doing things on a daily basis? Or is it ok to have a few lazy days?

Another thing that always upsets me is 'he needs a haircut!' Erm, excuse me. He's my son, maybe it's up to me to decide he needs a haircut! My youngest is 2 and a half and he has chin length blonde hair. I think he looks cute. It in no way makes him look like a girl, as people tell me, he is quite clearly a boy. He will get a haircut if and when I decide it's necessary! 

Next on my list is people telling me I can't buy my eldest an Internet tablet because he's too young. Again, surely that's for me to decide? He was 5 in January and he really enjoys playing on my husbands iPad. We have decided that we would get him his own (nothing as expensive as an iPad, but a cheaper alternative) but he has got to earn it. We've found reward charts effective in the past where he'd need 5 stars to get a treat. Well since the treat is significantly more expensive than a kiddy magazine this time, we figured he'd need a few more stars, so his target is 50. A few people have said he's too young, but honestly, these days I think not allowing them to use the latest gadgets will only hold them back. The school they go to uses iPads in the classroom, so I think continuing the use at home can only be a good thing. 

Anyway, I won't waffle anymore, I'd be here forever if I gave you every example of people trying to tell me right way to raise my children. But really, my children are cared for, well fed, clean and happy. Who are these people to tell me I'm doing something wrong?

I'll be back soon with another entry. 

Dentist Drama

The other day was our six monthly family trip to the dentist. This is never a happy time! I'm a bit of  wimp. Anyone who knows the extent of the dental treatment I've endured in the past will wonder what the heck I'm scared of. I've had my mouth poked, prodded and pulled beyond recognition (quite literally), yet a simple check up fills me with dread! 

Well Monday was no different. I try my hardest to act like it doesn't bother me for the sake of the children. The last thing I want to do is instil a lifelong phobia of the dentist into them! But sometimes, I let it get the better of me. None of the children wanted to volunteer to go first so Daddy kindly nominated me! And, just as I had predicted, one of my fillings needed replacing. He asked if I wanted it doing there and then or if I would rather come back at a later date. As I was about to say 'I'll come back' Mr P got in there first with 'oh, just do it now to save her coming all the way back into town'. Thanks for that hubby! 

He then started to prepare the needle to numb it for me. There was no way I was letting him come at me with a needle while my children were in the room, so I hastily said 'don't numb it, it'll be fine!' So there I lay, having my tooth drilled with no anaesthetic at all. Give me childbirth over that any day!  I made the odd whiny noise and squirmed a bit, but all in all, I think I was quite brave. It was done in minutes and I don't think I've ever got up out of the dentist's chair so quickly. 

My daughter volunteered to be next and I'm ashamed to say, she handled it much better than I did! She has enamel problems on her back teeth and has already had to have 3 of her milk teeth filled (and she's only 3!) When he'd counted her teeth she just lay there and came out with 'have I got holes?' Sure enough, she needed 2 more fillings, and she just let him get on with it! Didn't move a muscle throughout. She clearly doesn't take after me! Then he tried to put the 'magic toothpaste' on her teeth. Her mouth clamped shut, and the gel ended up everywhere except on her teeth. Apparently it tastes nasty. 

Daddy and the boys were straightforward, no problems there and my 2 year old even asked for more of the magic toothpaste! Obviously he doesn't find it quite so nasty! 

Then we had to pay. Obviously the kids are free, but £17.50 for my husband to be told his teeth are fine and £48 for me to have a broken filling (that I'd payed for once) replaced! Bloody extortion. I could've had a decent night out for that money. All I can say is thank god I was maternity exempt when I had my root canal work done! 

So, tell me, am I the only person who makes a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to the dentist? And anyone else got a super brave little person who puts you to shame? 

London Baby!!! (part two)

So, where were we? Ah, that's right, in the pub!

Well, it was 2 hours until show time, so we'd decided to squeeze in a cheeky pint. The pub was rammed and all we really wanted to do was take the weight off our feet. I stood waiting at the bar, when I realised I'd been deserted. Then I heard one of the girls yell 'table' from the other side of the bar. And there we sat. I'm pretty sure that everyone else, who'd gone there for a quiet pub lunch, were tutting away at us under their breath as we got progressively louder after each pint! We weren't rude, just loud! But I don't think everyone appreciates loudness. 

3 pints later and we had 30 minutes to make our way to the theatre. Plenty of time! Yea, if we knew where we were going! On leaving the pub, we were faced with some street performers, the ones dressed as bronze statues. So, of course, we had to stop and pose for some pictures. Then we didn't have a clue which direction we needed to head in. So we hailed a cab (I felt quite important, I'd never done that before!) The lady driving told us that the theatre wasn't that far away and it was easy enough to walk. She kindly gave us directions and left us to it! I would put money on it that she just didn't want to take a bunch of giggly girls in her taxi! 

It turns out the theatre wasn't that far, if we'd followed her directions instead of finding our own 'shortcut'. But no, we knew better. The 2 of us who hadn't had a lunchtime pint were getting quite irate that the rest of us weren't going fast enough, and they were worried we were going to be late. We had a whole 5 minutes left, I don't know what all the stress was about! When we eventually found the theatre they were just getting ready to close the doors. I'm glad we made it. I always feel quite embarrassed for the stragglers who have to be guided to their seats by an usher with a torch! 

The show was fantastic. Not my favourite in terms of the story, but who doesn't enjoy singing along to Queen tracks? Especially when the guy in the lead role is fairly easy on the eye! We Will Rock You is definitely worth a watch if you appreciate the male form! 

After the show we had a table booked at a lovely little bistro that my friend and I regularly use when we go to London. The food was excellent, as always. Then we had another semi drunken tube journey back to the hotel. Another night of drinking ensued! Our poor livers! Once we'd drank all the alcohol in our room we thought we'd go and try out the hotel bar. 6 women, aged between 26 and 50, wearing pyjamas and drinking Jäger bombs! 

The following morning we were woken by friend hugging the toilet at 6.30am! She did warn us that Jäger bombs make her sick. Bless her. Another couple of hours and we decided to make a move. No point lying in bed when you can't even sleep. So the 3 of us in our room got up, washed and packed and went for breakfast as soon as it was open. The other 3 were still out for the count at this point! So we went for a walk. 

We came across a cemetery and wandered in. (Honestly, there's not really much to do at 9 o'clock on a Sunday morning in London!) In the cemetery we found the tamest squirrels ever! People were feeding them by hand! It was really quite surreal. Then I got chased by one, so I ran away screaming, not exactly appropriate behaviour for a grave yard! My friend got brave and decided to feed one. All we had on us was an Aero biscuit bar, so she gave it that! Normal people were feeding them nuts and bread crumbs, but not us! We chose chocolate! Much appreciated though, the squirrel ran off, happy as Larry with his chocolate bar! 

At 11 we went back to check on the others. They were up and almost human. So we checked out and headed for Euston. There was nearly an hour until our train, so have a guess how we spent that hour? Yep, in the pub! Be rude not to eh? Next time though, remind me to find a pub before we get to the train station. £5.95 for a small red wine!!! Extortion! 

So, there you have it. That was my weekend in London. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!