Carrie's Realworld
  • Home
  • Fashion/books/Gallery/Gift ideas
    • Fashion and Beauty
    • My Books >
      • Book ideas and tips
      • Book Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Gallery
  • Managing The Home
    • Homewares
    • Filofax and Planners
    • Seasonal Clean ups
    • Printables
  • WordPress sites
    • Everyday Living and lifstyle
    • Everyone Can Build Castle
    • Sports and Fitness Passion
    • The Parenting Adventures
    • The Parenting Adventures Tips and Tricks
  • Directory
  • Archives
    • Monday check in >
      • Days in My Life
    • Fridays Feeling
    • Blog Tuesday
  • The Tales Of My Travels
  • Packing series
    • Hauls
  • Food & Recipes

Sleeping battle

8/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Why is it when you think you have sussed out getting your child to sleep that it bites back at you. The ritual we had, has changed slightly, but we had gotten ourselves into a position where Henry would go straight to bed with no fuss. We have continued with giving him a bath, dinner, story and then bedtime. So far it has worked.

My husband even said last night "He has really understood when bedtime is, he laid straight down tonight whilst reading him his story". I did feel kind of smug, "Like yes he does go to bed well".

I finally got my head on my pillow after I finished another book I had been reading "City Girl" by The London Paper, when he wakes up. I go in and he is quite warm so opened up the window, gave Henry some water, and then put his radio back on.
He settles down. I finally got into snooze land and was made awake, but lucky my hubby went in this time, and was already with Henry trying to clear his nose with Calpol nose spray. This seemed to do the trick. So we settle down again. Takes a while but we both managed to get there, Once again I was in dreamland and was awaken again.

I checked his nappy, but I had changed it before so was fine. So I checked and he did feel a bit cold on the legs so put an extra top him, which I had to wrestle to get on him and then covered over his legs with a blanket. He again settled.

Don't be fooled sorry to those parents out there, thinking that they will eventually learn to settle. In my experience some nights he does but then there are those few nights that it becomes a challenge. That is when he is in bed I make the most of the time and think right lets get myself into bed. Forget EastEnders and Emmerdale, which I don't watch anyway but if you do then remember you can always watch on BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub. As I don't tend to watch that much TV anyway and like to settle down with a good book, then I will go to bed read my book and then settle down to sleep.


That is until I hear the familiar sound of my toddler crying. Solutions.
  • Never good to rush in, listen to the sound the of the cry. You will soon learn the difference between if they just want you to go in so they know you are there, which you can do. Just pop your head in, no talking or eye contact. Or if they are in pain or wanting a drink or nappy change. Do give these, Henry has water and again we ask him if he wants a drink and offer the cup, but we don't play or talk too much to him. ​
  • It is good to hint that bedtime is coming up by having the same pattern each night. Visits by family, holidays and days out can disrupt the routine sometimes, but you can still do a few things to lead up to bedtime still by playing music, dinner, story and then getting them dressed for bed.
  • Leave a good gap between dinner and bedtime. Henry has his dinner between 5pm to 6pm, and we take him up for 6:30pm for story and then he will settle about 7 to 7:30pm. We always give him enough time about half an hour to an hour before we take him up so his food can digest.

So I am going to get dressed and give my son his breakfast.

Have a good week everyone.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X​​​​


​​


0 Comments

Some deals I found on Baby and toddler goodies

4/19/2016

0 Comments

 
So looking for a good deal on nappies for my son, who has now gone up to a size 6, I didn't want to go for Boots deal which they are doing 2 packets of size 6 of 30 Pampers Baby Dry nappies for £12.00, as that works out to be £6.00 a packet. 

I went into Lidl's which is a bit out of the way for me, but we were passing by so thought to stop in there as I needed some chips too, and they do size 6 pack of 30 nappies for £3.99. The lowest price yet, and they are just as good. They are Toujours nappies, but still kept him dry throughout the night.


Picture
Image taken from: http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/2024.htm
As Lidls is a bit out for me I checked Wilko to see what deal they had. They do a pack of 30 size 6 Pampers Baby dry nappies at the moment for £5.00, which is still better than £6 a pack, but wanted to see if I could get an even better deal. 

I checked online and saw that ASDA are doing two packs of 64 Pampers for £18.00, which is £9.00 pound a pack, but for an extra £6.00 you are getting more rather than pay for 2 packs of 30 which totals to 60 nappies, so not really saving anything. 

When it comes to nappies I would always encourage to buy in bulk, which we have always done since Henry was born. You do save so much money this way, the same with baby wipes and toiletries. 
Picture
Image taken from: http://groceries.asda.com/product/pampers-nappies/pampers-baby-dry-size-6-nappies-jumbo-pack/910001806003
I looked at Very online to start planning for the birthdays coming up and to plan for Christmas. I always look at their Clearance selection and do have great selection of kids clothes, having looked at Toys yet but when I do I will let you know of what I find. 

One thing I do when it comes to nieces, my son and children of my friends, is plan what I am going to buy or find the items way ahead of time that will get used and will last them a while. 

So if I do see anything else I will let you know, and please let me know if you see any good deals to baby items, I always love to save and bag a bargain wherever possible,

Many thanks for reading, 


​Carrie X 
0 Comments

Taking the parent hat off 

2/26/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
So usually I write my blog on a Friday on my Friday Feelings page but as mothers day is on the horizon I thought I would post on my Parenting Adventures page. 

I filmed my Monthly Mother and Baby Chat video yesterday (click here to see previous vlog) where I give an update each month about my son, any new changes, things I have learnt since being a mum for the first time, give my own tips and advice that may help other parents, and on certain subjects that have helped me and I know will help someone else who may be watching, I last time talked about having a routine, and this one I rose the subject of taking some time out from parenting, because I do think it is important. 

We appear to a lot of the time, put ourselves at the back of the queue a lot, but we do need to take care of ourselves, and at least put ourselves second at times. 

If we are shattered, we aren't going to have the energy to take our son to the park, or your daughter to her activity club, or be in the best mood to give your child your full attention. 

Taking time out, doesn't mean abandoning your role as a parent, as we should stop the feelings of guilt, the emotions of "I am a bad parent" because we just want some time out, because we do at times. 

Your child needs some time away aswell to help with their independence making sure they are cared for by someone you trust, even if it is just for an afternoon, so you can catch up on some reading, sorting out some toys, have a pampering evening with your girl mates, or meeting up with friends. It is just getting yourself back, for an hour or an evening or so. 

My husband and I will set a date in our calendar to make sure we book a date for my son to be baby sat by my lovely mum, and we will go out for a meal or a drink, see a show in our local theatre, go out for the day to our favourite place, Southbank London and just have some time out. 

It is one of the reasons I work at the weekend's. I will admit at times it is hard, because I am tempted to stay at home, but it is just is nice not just because I am earning a bit of money again, but because it gives me some time out to focus on something else for 7 hours on a Saturday and Sunday. 

Reading a lot of books on parenting I have not come across a section that dedicates to this, as it should because we do need to recuperate so we can be the best parent we can be, and just be able to have some alone time aswell. 

I love my son to pieces and would not change it for the world. However it is just nice to take a little time out just for myself or just for myself and my husband so we can take our parent hat off and have some time not worrying about getting back in time for our son's feed, or trying to get back to miss the rush hour to get on the train and off, with the pushchair. 

So don't feel bad if you want a break and take your parent hat off then do, because it does benefit both yourself and your child. They will see that even though mum and dad have gone for a few hours, they will soon be back to spend time with them again.  

Many thanks for reading and have a good weekend, 


Carrie X 


0 Comments

My Friday Blog 

1/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Please see my new Friday Blog, about The Parenting Adventures "The Terrible Twos" 
Picture
0 Comments

My Son At 2 Years old

1/8/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hello and welcome to one of my The Parenting Adventures blogs, one of my many subjects I like to write about. 

I share here tales of what is like to be a mum for the first time. 

As I write this my son has now woken up from his nap, thinking like usual I have plenty of time to get on with something. Why do I always kid myself?

My son is now two years old and everyday there is something new, he loves his new little tent I bought for him for Christmas, even though at first he did look very weary, but then saw me get in and thought "Well it looks OK" and now I can't get him out of it. 

I love the playtime we have playing peaky boo and making funny noises that make him laugh. Singing to him which he now tries to imitate and dance. He even copies us when me and Elv are doing our exercise training, which is a good thing.

Children at this age really do seem to pick up so much, and so it is the case of being careful, as I do not want my son copying me when swearing, and getting cross. So it is the case of trying to hold it together at times you want to scream as you have little eyes looking up at you. 

He is watching me now sitting on my lamp typing, which he appears to be fascinated with. Don't be surprised at this age their naps are shorter and they appetite changes, as they are growing constantly and so will need to be fed more than when they were 18 months old, then 24 months and now he is 25 months in 3 days time, I am sure he will go through another growth spurt, and have an even bigger appetite. 

The challenges are getting him back into the pushchair when out, as at this age they want to be on their fit all the time running around. The problem with that, is because he doesn't know what is what still and where mum and dad wish to head towards he goes where he wants to. 

So we are trying to teach him to follow us and go our way. We have reins and they did work for a total of 3 days or so, but he seemed to follow us better when off the reins, and we just have him walking through the park for now, until we know it is safe for him to work with us, on a pavement near a road. 

Feeding can be fun, when he doesn't want to sit down but then keeping him entertained and making him laugh throughout seems to help with the little tantrums he will have during his breakfast, lunch and dinner times. 

The tantrums can be real hard to deal with, but I feel not making eye contact and just leaving the room or walking away to help the problem, as my son is seeing that if he has a tantrum he doesn't get mum or dads attention. 

Only time will tell if this really truly works. I would like to welcome any tips or stories from other mums who may be experiencing the same, then do comment below as speaking to other mums can really help. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 




0 Comments

    Quote

    Being a mum time is more precious now than ever. 

    Archives

    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from kona99
  • Home
  • Fashion/books/Gallery/Gift ideas
    • Fashion and Beauty
    • My Books >
      • Book ideas and tips
      • Book Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Gallery
  • Managing The Home
    • Homewares
    • Filofax and Planners
    • Seasonal Clean ups
    • Printables
  • WordPress sites
    • Everyday Living and lifstyle
    • Everyone Can Build Castle
    • Sports and Fitness Passion
    • The Parenting Adventures
    • The Parenting Adventures Tips and Tricks
  • Directory
  • Archives
    • Monday check in >
      • Days in My Life
    • Fridays Feeling
    • Blog Tuesday
  • The Tales Of My Travels
  • Packing series
    • Hauls
  • Food & Recipes