As a Mother I Never Thought I would... Part 3

This is the third blog is a five part series, looking at my “failures” as a mother. Now, don’t get me wrong I don’t see them as failures or that I've failed (my girls are both under five, I have plenty of time to fail them yet!). The truth is that the reality of life as a parent is very different to our day dreams, and sometimes we do things and make decisions that we never thought we would.

The “pre-mother me” had many ideals that I don’t even disagree with, I strive every day to be better, as I think we all should, but this blog is simply recognition that us parents don’t always get it right, and  that’s OK. Despite what some mothers will have you believe, no one is perfect!

Today I will discuss healthy food or the lack of it at times!

I have never been the type of person to obsess over food, healthy or otherwise. I enjoy eating everything, whether it’s chocolate pudding or a Sunday roast. Somehow though I expected that the moment I got pregnant I would be the walking, talking image of health. My body would be a temple. Well, I could have thought of a few different words to describe my body when I actually was pregnant and temple was definitely not one of them! Once again reality taught me some important lessons, I was quite frankly just happy just to keep my food down!

I will say that my children are quite healthy. My oldest does eat sweets and chocolate and we have the occasional take away with her (my youngest is only just weaning so not ready for chips yet anyway – it won’t be long). The moment I shocked myself though was when I bribed my daughter to brush her teeth with the promise of a sweet as a reward. I couldn't believe I had said it but at that point it was the only thing I knew would work, so I did it. Ops!

In my next instalment I will discuss my worst crime… shouting!

As a Mother I Never Thought I Would... Part 2

In my last blog I introduced the concept of the pre-mother me, the young, naive and idealistic childless woman with very strong opinions about how I would and would not parent my future unborn children. I still hold these ideals but the reality of motherhood is that life isn't always as simple as the naughty step.

I plan to highlight the top 5 things that I never thought I would do as a mother. My last blog dealt with the issue of not following through. Check it out here http://lisabarrybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/as-mother-i-never-thought-i-would.html Today I would like to address answering questions with “because I said so.”

It used to drive me mad listening to parents rolling their eyes and snapping this phrase. If you never explain to the little darlings why you expect them to do something how can you ever expect them to understand!? Once again I totally agree with “pre mother me.” However the reality is that by the time you have tried a hundred times to calmly explain the very obvious reasons why they shouldn't run in the road and they still respond with “Why” the only answer really left is “because I said so.” Every time I hear myself say it I cringe but time and time again I end up rolling my eyes and snapping this phrase! Next time I might just put myself in the naughty step!

In my next blog I will address the balance between healthy food and treats, a balance that I must admit I don’t always get right.