Welcome to the first post in my new fortnightly series of guest posts! Parenting Pep Talk is all about encouraging other parents by sharing some of our happy moments, the advice that has worked for us and some positive words of encouragement.
Today’s post comes from the lovely Kim who blogs over at Northumberland Mam, sharing accounts of her family life and blogging about “a little bit of everything”
1) Tell us a little bit about you and your family.
There are the four of us in our little family….Me, my fella Stu and my two girls Becky who’s 12 and Ellie who’s 7…. I met Stu 9 years ago. Obviously he is not Becky’s real dad but he may as well be. (Becky hasn’t seen her real dad in 8 years which is a whole different story….lol) I’d say we’re just an average family from up in the North East (Northumberland)… Stu works in a shop and I am a stay at home mum… After having Ellie I just never returned to work. It works for us… Instead of me working we sacrifice holidays which doesn’t bother us. We all like our home comforts too much.
Writing this for Louise has made me realise that last photo we had as a family was this time last year… I must make more effort to get pics of us all.
2) How would you describe your parenting style?
I am bit of a Helicopter parent… I’m a born worrier so I know I can be over protective with my girls… I interfere in what they are doing and I know I am too soft on them… Stu is the one to make the rules and the girls and I usually break them. Oops. If anyone does wrong by them I go all Tiger and will fight all I can to protect them… I do make sure they keep up with their school work and help about the house which I am strict with. I have been known to withhold pocket money if there rooms are not tidy… So I think I am a bit of all parenting styles depending on the situation.
3) What’s your favourite thing about being a parent?
The happiness my girls bring! They drive me crazy at times but for every bad moment they bring a hundred amazing moments. They make me smile and laugh… Great big belly laughs with tears streaming down my face… They also make me proud and make me smile every day.
4) What piece of advice have you been given that you found especially helpful?
I had a rough morning with Becky years ago… I think I was pregnant with Ellie at the time… She was didn’t want to get dressed, wash her face, eat her breakfast, etc. I spoke to my dad on the phone and he said “Pick your battles!” Does she really need to get dressed if you are not going out? Missing a meal won’t kill her… I think this advice has got more valuable the older my children have got… By picking my battles I have let them know that there are some things that aren’t up for debate. If I nag about everything the important things get lost among the things that really don’t matter. So yes… Pick your battles!!
5) What one piece of encouraging advice would you give to a new parent?
Do what you feel is right for you and baby… Everyone will have an opinion on your parenting choices. Ignore them. It is your child… Feed, clothe and parent them how you want to, don’t be bothered by people judging you! People will judge! Don’t let it bother you! Rise above it!
6) Can you share one of your favourite parenting moments?
It would be Friday the 21st of August 2009! Yes I am being very specific. My girls both had open heart surgery during the week and this was the first day that I knew they would both be OK… It was the first day as a family since their heart surgery that they were allowed out of their bed area on the ward…We only went as far as the playroom but it was freedom and a relief… It felt like a ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders… They played and sung High School Musical on the Karaoke machine. I felt content and at ease for the first time in a good few months… There were a lot of laughs and smiles. My girls were both a little sore but on the road to recovery! It was the moment I knew they were both safe and I wasn’t going to lose them.
7) Anything else that you would like to share to encourage other parents?
A quote to finish with….
Thank you for having me!
Thank you Kim for sharing your words of encouragement, advice and happy parenting moments.
You can connect with Kim on the following social networks:
Thank you for having me! 😀 x
Awww this is such a nice project! Kim the last quote is so beautiful too!
What a lovely series. And I love that quote x
So lovely to find out more about Kim! Love that quote 🙂 #pocolo
Fab and I loved reading this! You sound like a great Mum! Love the picture for the feature Louise too x
What a great idea Louise,
I really enjoyed reading your post Kim 🙂 x
What a great idea…I often give my mummy a pep talk to get her to snap out of things! Let us know if you’d like us to guest spot for you x #PoCoLo x
Oh, I loved reading this. That quote made me very emotional. It is lovely to find out about different peoples parenting styles and how parenting changes as children grow.
Popping over from #PoCoLo
Becky xx
This is wonderful. It is brilliant to read more about Kim and I love that quote. Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Such a great read, so interesting to read about other mums. And that quote is fantastic.