July 2005 Archives

While sitting at the table having lunch together today, I began to hum one of those annoying kid's programmes themes that get stuck in your head.

"BOB!" cried Emily.

I tried another.

"PIG!" (as Emily describes 'Peppa Pig').

Another. And Another. And Another.

"BOOOGIE!" - "FEEFEE!" - "BEAR!", she declared each time, almost nonchalantly. And this is just humming, not even singing the words.

This rather non-scientific experiment has proven two things.

1. Our little girl is rather clever.

2. Our little girl watches too much TV.

Shame on us.

Well things have improved mightily since my last post. I suppose it was a combination of my tiredness and desire for 'me' time coupled with Em's crankiness that sent me a bit loopy. But I have being trying to be more consistent with my discipline and rewards (biscuits are only for good girls) and it seems to be working so far.

This morning we went for a swim, only the second time Emily has been to a pool (the first time she was only about 10 months old and it was on holiday) so I am officially counting this one as the first. At first she didn't want to go down the steps into the changing area. I think it was the noise and unfamiliarity of the place. I am not sure if I have mentioned before (or for a while anyway) but she has a real aversion and freaks out to certain noises - like the blender, my hairdryer, hand dryers in toilets etc. I can only think that it is the frequency and suddenness of these noises that scare her.

Eventually we got in and got changed, put on her lovely new armbands and got into the pool (which was waist deep on Emily). She absolutely LOVED it! In fact she squealed with delight for ages at all the splashing about. It was great to see her have so much fun and enjoy something so much. I had fun too and even though I wasn't sitting in a jacuzzi sipping champagne, I actually found it a very relaxing experience. So it looks like we will be doing that again!

Like a lot of conscientious parents out there, Warren and I watched all of the 'Little Angels' and Robert Winston's 'Child of Our Time' series'. We didn't feel obliged to watch them, they were very interesting programmes. But I am now understanding and empathising a lot more with the parents involved in these programs and I am realising that raising and disciplining a toddler it is a lot harder to put into practice than it seems. It all seemed so obvious watching where other people were going wrong, shouting at the TV and wondering why these people had so little common sense. Now I realise it has nothing to do with common sense and I a lot to do with the emotional connection you have with your child, I think it is a lot easier to think you can do it than to actually put it into practice.

You are probably wondering what the hell I am waffling on about and I am so tired sitting here that I can hardly think straight to to string a sentence together, let alone use proper punctuation. But I was so stressed out today from a short trip into town. Emily is just so naughty sometimes, in an extreme contrary way and just basically won't do as she is told and plays up constantly when I am anywhere near shops. I left feeling I was doomed to stay in the house forever because going out with a contrary toddler is just too much like hard work. But then it dawned me that I am not doing as I have learnt and I am making idle threats and not following them through. I am going to think very hard about this and try to improve my disciplinarian skills. No wonder I am the only one in my family who hasn't become a teacher.

It seems like ages since I last posted. Here is one of what seems like a thousand new gorgeous pictures I have of Emily. I keep meaning to dedicate one evening to scanning them and putting them all up for you to see. They are starting to gather cobwebs, especially as I have lovely ones of when Steve, Lydia and Cordy where over and ones from our last trip over to the Midlands. I have to get my act together and sort it out - but be warned it will be a slideshow extravaganza!

I have started finding myself drawn to domestic gender stereotype toys lately. I am trying to way up whether this is good or bad, hmmm, not sure. I am just on the brink of ordering Emily an extremely cute old fashioned little wooden ironing board and iron and I find myself looking at little miniature appliances. She already has a kitchen, but she does love it. What's the general consensus? Should I avoid going down the old gender stereotype route or just throw my marigolds in the air and say what the hell, its just a bit of fun?!

I have already given in to baby dolls, which I previously hated, and they kinda freaked me out a bit. Its lovely to see her being nurturing and copying me. She also totally loves 'baby' and takes it/her/him everywhere with her, so there was no way I was avoiding that one.

Answers on a postcard please.