Parenting Pep Talk #26 – The Squirmy Popple

Parenting Pep Talk is a weekly series of guest posts 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 is from Katie who blogs at The Squirmy Popple.  Over to you, Katie!

 

1) Tell us a little bit about you and your family.

I’m Katie, a cheese-loving mum who tackles the (mostly) funny side of parenting on my blog. I grew up in New York but have been living in Britain for over a decade, and I’m currently raising a very active toddler in Scotland’s biggest and wettest city along with my husband Adrian and a very loud ginger cat called Milo.

2) How would you describe your parenting style?

Mostly attachment parenting – I did the whole breastfeeding/baby wearing/co-sleeping/no sleep training thing. That being said, I also serve up my parenting with a healthy dose of laziness (Ella’s Kitchen features prominently) and laughter (because when your toddler runs her hummus-covered hands through your hair, there’s not much else you can do).

 

3) What’s your favourite thing about being a parent?

Watching the Popple learn things. I think every new skill she acquires is pretty much the most amazing thing ever – even her latest skill, which is yelling. She likes to practice it in public.

 

4) What piece of advice have you been given that you found especially helpful?

It gets better. I didn’t always believe it at the time, but it’s true. Babies go through difficult phases, but they pass. Colic goes as quickly as it came. Separation anxiety fades. Teeth come in.

(To any new mums reading this, you will sleep again, I promise.)

 

5) What one piece of encouraging advice would you give to a new parent?

Be kind to yourself. Being a new parent is so hard, and it’s easy make yourself feel guilty, especially in those early days when you’re still finding your feet. Just remember that you’re trying your best, and that’s all any of us can do.

 

6) Can you share one of your favourite parenting moments?

When the Popple laughed for the first time. She was laying on blanket and my husband was waving a Lamaze firefly over her head, then making it crash onto the floor with a fart sound. Every time it crashed, she laughed hysterically. It was the best sound I’d ever heard.

It was also when I learned that she shares her father’s sense of humour.

 

7) Anything else that you would like to share to encourage other parents?

Read The Unmumsy Mum by the awesome blogger-turned-author Sarah Turner. It’s a hilarious account of parenthood that will remind you that parenting is not about being perfect – it’s about embracing the journey in all its wonderful madness.

 

Thank you Katie for sharing your positive parenting moments and the advice you have found helpful.

 

You can connect with Katie on the following social networks:

Twitter
Facebook

 

If you’d like to share some of your positive parenting moments on the Parenting Pep Talk, then let me know in the comments below and I’ll email you with more details.