Mug of Whine

Exciting times!  We are a parent group from MF and we call ourselves the FoF. We aim to get together every Friday morning to discuss ideas on fundraising for the school and how to make the most out of our kids' time at MF – and ours too, as pro-active, passionate parents!  But actually, it's a good excuse for a chinwag and cuppa! If you find yourself foot-loose and fancy free, then you shouldn't be anywhere else on a Friday after drop off. If you are keen to get involved but have nasty things like work and day jobs in the way, please email the address below – there are more ways than in person, to be immersed.  After each gathering, one of the parents will update all on the email list what was discussed and achieved. It's a drop-in session, so there is no obligation to show your face all the time, unless you want to! This regular Friday slot will hopefully keep the spirit flowing and ideas moving along.  So far, we are aiming to throw a few shindigs be...

15 May 2017 9.05pm Oh no. It’s the pouring phase. Pouring things out of everything and unfortunately not just in the bath. He pours everything he gets his hands on. When he has had a few sips of his beaker of milk, he pours the rest all over the floor. He pours water beakers and whatever was missed in the room scan – that frantic, hourly "can he reach that?" check. The one-year-old, reminding us of his presence again. How did I forget about this stage? I actually had unintentionally blanked it out. It was a blissful time of pure ignorance, after Rafy had stopped his 1-3 year old antics. Reality has been pummelled back into my floor, our rooms, the kitchen table, cupboards, anywhere we go, since his wee brother arrived! At home, the floor is a permanent sea of jigsaws, Duplo Lego, Potato Head parts, Thomas collections, Vtech cars, all the things I never grew up with and never thought I would have to swap my My Little Ponies and Barbie ball gowns for. I’ve lo...

11 May 2017 9.50pm Distraction!  Specifically, ways to occupy/distract a one-year old or similar toddler, whilst out and about. We've all been there.  Doctor's surgery, library session, school meeting, post office queue, any kind of waiting room where they are antsy and on the verge of erupting.  Help!  Other than bribe them with sugar, what can we do to pacify this nightmare about to develop?  If I can save one tantrum from sprouting with these ideas then this is a goal not to be sniffed at! So I'm compiling a list which is by no means exhaustive. It has potential to blossom into my best friend, the ultimate saviour! In no particular order of effectiveness: • Bubbles – carry mini bottles and stash them everywhere • Balloons – have one in every pocket/handbag • Skinny, shaping balloons • Phone videos of himself – no data required! • Bubble gum for yourself to pop • Pull-back cars/ mini troll dolls/ whatever they're in...

7 May 2017 11.23pm Parenting was my choice. I chose this direction. I’d wanted it so badly. I don’t mean to tug at your heartstrings and use this as an excuse to gripe and grumble, for a direction that I chose and was granted the privilege of choosing. But unless you’re immersed in it, like really up to your eyeballs and swimming in murky waters, it’s hard to explain. This is not a criticism by any means, if you are not a parent, merely a review and realisation since I became a mum. Let me put you straight, I’m not setting out to compete with the next birthing story. Everyone has their nightmare tales of the labour and my two stories are of no exception, complete with gory trimmings. What I’m taken aback with is the state of the body – my body – many moons after giving birth. To be exact, my youngest is about to turn 15 months old and I’m still stunned by the ramifications.  This is when the “swear” box should come out. If I donate a quid for every time I whin...

3 May 2017 11am Where is the volume button? I'd like to say that I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today but I'd spent half the night on the sofa, with Huxley. He has been waking me up at 3.30am systematically for weeks now and I end up taking him there to settle.  I have no tolerance of the volume today, surprisingly. Some days, my blocking out skills work better. But there are days when every bit of noise rubs me up the wrong way. When Peppa's voice is more ear-splitting than normal or the Minions' babble is drilling a hole in the skull.  Parenting is such a noisy time. I know, that is stating the outrageously obvious, but reflecting on all the flopped expectations of parenthood is quickly becoming a favourite activity! It certainly is an eye (ear) opener. When daddy comes home from work at the end of the day, he always exclaims, "I forget how chaotic being around the kids is". I'm just amazed that he has the chance and capacity to...

2 May 11pm  I was a proud mummy, watching Rafy have his first hair cut at the local Barber's this morning.  9 months ago, he would never have sat still like this.  He certainly has ants in his pants when I try to cut his hair; I'm limited to 6 minutes.  I couldn't believe he was in that chair for about half an hour when the hairdresser went over and over with her razor.  Where did that grown up boy come from? The woman was obviously bored of her job but she did take a lot of care and was so thorough.  I wanted to say to her that it was ok, he's only 3 and it grows like lightning, so it won't last!  It's a palace of a Barber's.  They do women's hair as well and are always busy, but I caught them at a great time with no queue and lots of space to park me and the buggy.  "Do you like it Rafy?" I asked. He replied, "It's tickly". My brave boy, sitting through what might be deemed a session of torture! I f...

27 Apr 2017 10:25pm I still call him baby.  He's 14 months old and we're all still doing it – daddy and big bro Rafy too.  Poor kid wasn't named till the very last moment, no wonder it stuck!  My friend laughs at how long it took us to decide on his name, seeing as we knew the sex from the 20 week scan.  We took the maximum six and a half months available, and I was scrutinising online lists at 3am, the morning of the naming appointment.  Boys names are so hard!  At 3 days old, Rafy (Rafael) should've been Levi when that coin was flipped! It was during a night feed and I stumbled upon six new names without meaning to even look.  How had we missed them?  Thought we had pondered and argued over every boy's name that existed!  I texted them to hubby right away (lying next to me in bed), as it's the only way I can get him to 'listen' to me sometimes!  When he woke up, he actually liked Huxley... we finally agreed on a name, after h...