Parenting in a pressure cooker

You and I both know it, there’s a lot of pressure on parents–from where I sit, more so on mums. Though dads are free to disagree there seems to a higher expectation of mums to be…perfect while dads are free to do their level best. These expectations may vary depending on what circles you run in. They may even conflict!

You must breastfeed for at least six months if for some legitimate reason you can’t make it all the way to two years or beyond. Should you choose to bottle feed you will be judged and your decision will be given a rating out of ten by other women who will decide if you had the right to do so. On the flip side, if you choose to breastfeed you may find yourself being told how much easier it is to bottle feed.

Sleep while your baby sleeps because the dishes will still be there when you wake up, but make sure the kitchen’s clean and the dinner is cooked by the time your husband gets home because that’s your job.

This one is particularly close to my heart–if you have a clingy baby don’t dare put them down because a screaming baby is a sure sign of a failing mother. While I’m at it you will have perfect angel children who would never dare throw a tantrum in public. Should their halo slip you will know the exact right thing to do or say to keep it in hand. If you don’t, you run the risk of clicking tongues, shaking heads, judgmental looks and suggestions that you should a) smack them b) ignore them c) leave d) give in in order to defuse the situation.

Did I mention that, while you’re hands free breastfeeding your baby worn infant, feeding the older ones home made, organic meals and snacks you will also be keeping a perfect house. Oh, you probably should have a hobby like scrapbooking because you don’t want to run the risk that people might see your memories in one of those nasty commercial jobbies, you might also like to make all your kids clothes using lovely (read expensive) designer fabrics.

You will feel pressure to have perfect children who sleep through the night from an early age, they’ll make friends easily, do well in school and if they do put a foot out of line it’ll be something minor that you can laugh about with your girlfriends. Your perfect children and household will be a reflection on you, when they achieve it’s proof that you’re a good mother, if they don’t the reverse is also true.

The worst of it is that this pressure is at the hands of other mothers. Women who really should know better because even Bree Van de Kamp’s kids fell apart behind closed doors.

Posted in Parenting | 5 Comments

Funny things my kid has said

One of the things I’ve been looking forward to from the toddler years is the funny words and statements Erin would come up with. Here is a small collection of her more recent works:

Yesterday while having her bum changed I commented to Erin that she was getting too big to be wearing nappies, she replied by shrugging and saying “obviously not”.

Shortly after we brought Abi home I was changing her nappy and putting her into a flat nappy. Erin picked it up and asked what it was, I said it was a nappy and she replied “it’s not a nappy, it hasn’t got any tabs”. You know, like her disposables?

Erin: Guess what daddy?
Naughty Daddy: What?
Erin: I found it!
Naughty Daddy: What did you find sweetheart?
Erin: A poopy in my nappy!

Give me a laugh, add your kids funny moments to the comments!

Posted in Toddler Days | 3 Comments

Colic: did your kid have it?

If you believe the statistics, 1 in 5 babies have colic but, when you’re up in the middle of the night with your screaming, miserable baby, it feels like you’re the only one. At other times though it seems like everyone has had a baby who’s suffered with it.

So today I thought it might be interesting to run a little, informal poll to see how the stats add up to Bad Mummy readers.

Did one or more of your kids have colic?

View Results

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Don’t forget to add your story to the comments!

Posted in Baby Days | 2 Comments

Kids in the playground

Dear parents,
If your local shopping centre offers a play area for children please be aware that age restrictions may apply. For instance, the play area at the Westfields near us is designed for children aged 2 – 5 years, allowing your over excited 10 year old to run riot and in circles around toddlers while you enjoy a coffee and basically ignore your child’s dangerous play is not on.

When you allow your older child to play in an area not intended for them you should be aware that if your child hurts mine I will hunt you down. It will not be pretty. My child has the right to enjoy an under 5′s play area with other children of a similar age and I should be able to allow her to do so. I’m sorry that the centre doesn’t cater to older children, that’s neither my nor my child’s fault or problem.
Sincerely,
Bad Mummy

Today Miss Erin was bowled over a significantly too old child running around like a lunatic in Westfields under 5′s play area while another little girl was almost knocked down the slide by another too old child who didn’t bother to look before launching herself down it. Every time we visit Erin begs to be allowed to play and almost every time these too old, unsupervised children make me regret it.

What are parents thinking when they allow their older children to play in areas not designed for them? Why are the Westfield’s security guards not asking them to leave?

Posted in Toddler Days | 3 Comments

Basic bread recipe

Ingredients
3 cups plain flour
1 cup warm water
7g yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt (optional)*

Method

  1. Add sugar and yeast to the water and give it a stir before setting it aside for about 15 minutes.
  2. Once the 15 minutes is over add the yeast etc to the flour in a mixing bowl and mix together with a knife.
  3. Add extra water OR flour if your mixture is too dry or too wet.
  4. Turn the dough out onto the bench and knead until it’s stretchy and smooth.
  5. Heat your oven to 200C.
  6. Leave to rise for 20 minutes.
  7. Press dough into a loaf tin or shape it on a baking tray.
  8. Grease the top of your loaf with some oil.
  9. Leave to rise for a further 20 minutes.
  10. Bake in preheated oven for approx 30 minutes or cook (knock on the top of the loaf and listen for a hollow sound).
  11. Leave to cool.

This is such a simple loaf to make, but the best thing about it is its versatility. You can turn this basic recipe into anything from a pizza dough to fruit toast.

* The salt is optional, but I do find the bread to be a little sweet with out it.

Posted in Frugal Living | Leave a comment
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