Why I disagree with buying teachers presents
Hey readers,
It is the summer holiday break up today and as I took my son to school I witnessed the amount of presents a lot of parents brought with them to hand out to the teachers.
I be honest, I don’t believe in giving teachers presents because for one I am forced to take my child to school and ok I could go down the route of home schooling but I am just capable and I want to give my son the best opportunities. I am a strong believer in giving people the choice and it feels a little bit false, in the fact that there is pressure from Clintons etc. I believe in choice and it just feels like you have to do it.
Part of me sees it as a competition from parents to get the present (but that is a whole new political post of its own). I wonder whether there is a bit of arse linking because if they are giving praise etc. it can influence how they view the child.
OK, now it’s that some are genuine and what to do something to say thank you to their teacher for helping their child. But what happens if you don’t have the funds and some people can’t even afford a spare quid, so don’t give me that one.
Why do we have to buy material stuff, ok it is easier to buy a box of chocolates, it just seems that to say thank you to the teacher to buy them stuff. It is peer pressures at its finest, if you haven’t brought a teacher something then there is a change you feel guilty or embarrassed. I don’t think parents should have to feel like this but I know some people do.
So, therefore I believe that it should be band to buy stuff for teachers as parents have enough stuff to buy and find the money (I know this struggle I have been there it makes you feel totally crap as a parent).
Cheers for reading X
Completion
Hey readers,
My word of the week is:
Because today is the last day of my eldest being in reception, that is it he has now done a year of school and in September he will be year 1, whaaat!
I also got to experience my son’s first sports day in the heat, fun but it was good to see him participate and cheer him on.
It has been a manic week with everything ending all these ‘social situations’ that I am pooped and likewise with my son. I am so going to have a chill out weekend as it is much needed – I may even finally get round to watching Sing (you know singing pig, which youngest really desperately wants to see)!
Although, it may hit me then we have six weeks to get through and the panic may get to me a tiny bit.
Though have got some things planned and looking forward to taking a more leisurely pace.
Cheers for reading X
How to encourage your toddler to brush their teeth {guest post}
Hey readers,
Today I bring you a guest post from Bhandaldentistry all about how to encourage your toddler to brush their teeth.
Toddlers are a challenge, even at the best of times. You may have a child that loves giggles and hugs all day long, but as soon as it comes to brushing teeth, they have a meltdown. This is especially true if you’re trying to encourage them to brush their own teeth. But there are lots of ways you can turn a potentially uncomfortable and confusing task into something they enjoy.
Make it fun
First, you need to make brushing fun. In the middle of the day, have your child brush his or her toys’ teeth, for some fun practice. When it’s time to brush, sing or play a song for two minutes so your child can anticipate how long the process will take. Finally take your child to get new supplies, and let him or her pick them out. That way, your child has some control over their tooth brushing, and they can pick out the brushes and toothpastes that excite them.
Encourage independence
You can begin to encourage brushing independence by taking turns. Encourage your child to brush in the morning, followed by a quick sweep by you, while you do the complete evening routine. Or let your child brush for the first minute, while you finish up and get all the spots he or she missed.
Also try brushing with your child. Toddlers love mimicking adults, and this way, your little one can brush with you while seeing how to reach every part of their mouth. If they still don’t want to brush, let them brush your teeth so they can see how funny it can be.
Remember it’s about establishing habits
At the end of the day, they will not get this right, at least not right away. That’s why you’re there to help them get all the spots they’ve missed. The important thing at this stage is that they establish good habits. The good practice will come later. Try to keep that at the heart of everything, and you’ll soon find that your toddler will happily begin to brush his or her own teeth.
This post was written by the team at Bhandal Dental practice. Bhandal Dental Practice have created a free book for children to help with fear of brushing and going to the dentist. For more information please visit their website: Bhandaldentistry.co.uk
Cheers for reading X
Summer, Summer Time
Summer…
it is now upon us and I am not sure where I stand or feel with this. I suppose I enjoy some aspects more than others. As a parent I think (myself included) the prospect of six weeks of with our little darlings can be daunting, however, some of the time it can blissful in between all the squabbling over a silly colour plate.
During the summer is more relaxed with not having to rush and fit things in. We can stay out longer in the park and enjoy more sunshine. Where we can eat al fresco, taking of your shoes and cloud gazing.
Naturally, that would excite me as during the warm days I like to challenge to see how much washing/drying and putting away I can achieve. I don’t need no Ninja Warrior test here, this is mum’s style of adventure, lol!
I like summer because it is the time when the evenings are calm and the sunsets are beautiful. It when flowers are bright and in full bloom. It means walking and being in nature, where I am most happiest.
Summer means the boys can play outside and have fun without me being as miserable stuck in and losing my tiny mind. It also means I don’t have to venture in a soft play area, full doom.
I enjoy the freshness that summer brings, with living high up in the sky it means there is more change ofa breeze. There is something relaxing about the sensation of the wind moving about through room to room. The smell of grass being cut and a considerable amount of ice lollies being eaten.
How to be content
Hey readers,
In this day and age it is hard not to compare yourself. I for one am guilty of this, it is so easy to assume that one has it all whilst you feel like you are floating above water.
We can forget that what you see with your eyes on the surface may not be the actually truth. How can possible know everything about someone when we only see a glimpse.
That is why it is important to look for content within and not on unrealistic ideas that assume make other happy.
Sometimes you can fall under the trap of negativity, where all you see is the bad stuff. That is why it is important to take stock of what is good in life. No one has it all but I am a true believer in that there is one good thing in life even if it is small.
Today I felt sad as if my life is going anyway. I could continue down the negative spiral but won’t get me anywhere, it will just make me feel ten times worse.
The things I have succeeded in is getting up and making sure my children are well and happy. I have read a book and even writing this post is productive.
I think it is important to accept the things you do have and not dwell. Being content with yourself so a hard thing to achieve when there are so many messages everywhere telling us to be like this or that. You feel like you are questioning everything.
I think the main that I have learnt in my adult life is meaning and the value you put on something. I think that is the powerful thing. If you let go of connecting to something you would be amazed at how little impact it has on you.
I think the thing that is key in being content is questioning everything and working out what it means to you. Deep down is it really important to you?
Cheers for reading X
Reasons why I love Aldi
Hey readers,
Let me tell you something about me – I love to shop in Aldi. This post is all about my appreciate for the shop. See below my reasons why.
Can’t beat browsing the special buy isle, you never know what you are going find. It is pretty random and it changes frequently so you can excited with what will be on offer. You go into Aldi with aim of getting one thing and then come out with random selection of items.
I am not a middle class blogger, I am on a budget and Aldi prices are reasonable. You can actually get fresh fruit and vegetable without fearing it cost a tenner.
They have some pretty cool recipes to try out, always handy if you are a rushed parent and need some inspiration.
They have some unusual items such as gin popsicles and deer burger. I Love the fact that Aldi are experimental in the choices of products in their shop.
Aldi support the Red Tractor label whereby the meet is 100% British therefore supporting local communities.
There isn’t a massive selection of choice compared to other supermarkets. However, this does mean that it is less stressful because I am not overwhelmed with choice. It is a fairly relaxed shopping experience, apart from the end with packing shopping away. (But then again I tend not to go with my children because of this and I like leisurely pace around the store).
You be sure that every single Aldi has the same layout, therefore you know where everything is, meaning less stress shopping if you need to check into different Aldi’s. There is nothing more frustrating when supermarkets decide to change where they put stuff, nobody got no time for that!
I love the fact that Aldi every fortnight have a thing called super 6 special buys, consisting of fruit and vegetables at a lower price. This is great way to encourage people to buy healthier options.
Aldi now at their tills have healthy items such as fruit, rice cakes and water to not lead you into temptation.
If you shop at Aldi what kind of things do you like about the store?
Cheers for reading X
