Parenting Pep Talk #34 – Pretty in Play Dough

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 Catherine who blogs at Pretty in Playdough. Over to you, Catherine!

 

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

I am a mummy to Little R who is 15 months old but going on 15, and wife to Little R’s daddy. I am also a slave to Bertie basset, the most gorgeous boy in the whole, wide world! We live in the middle of nowhere on the outside of Lincolnshire, in a beautiful house that is next door to a field of cows. A family of pheasants live at the bottom of our garden!

 

2) How would you describe your parenting style?

I suffer with PND so sometimes my temper is shorter than I would like, but I try to embrace gentle parenting. I breast-fed, baby wore, baby-led weaned and baby carried. I am also a SAHM so I spend all of my time with Little R.

 

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

I don’t take as much for granted any more. I appreciate evenings with husband, because they are so few and far between. I also adore the fact that I am never alone. If I ever need a cuddle, Little R has no choice but to cuddle me.

 

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

Instill a routine from day one. It was the best thing we were told and the greatest thing that we did. We are not as anal with the routine now, sometimes Little R does go to bed late, but at the beginning it was so important for her to be in bed on time and it definitely paid off; she knows it is bed time and tends to fall asleep within about five minutes of being put into her bed.

 

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

Do your own thing. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone feels it necessary to drill it into you, but you know your baby the best and your gut instincts are nearly always right.

 

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

Every day moments are the ones I hold on to the most. Yesterday, Little R and I went on the trampoline and she giggled from the moment she got on it, to the moment that we came inside whilst running around me in circles. It was amazing; her giggle is the most perfect thing.

 

Similarly, one of the first words that Little R said was ‘out, out’ pointing to the door. We are always telling Bertie to leave the room when there is food, and she has obviously picked up on it. I do feel bad for the dog but it is the greatest thing!

 

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

Enjoy it. Parenting is hard work, and it is exhausting, and you will question why you became a parent, but there are moments that make everything perfect. It is hard to relax with a baby but sometimes you need to take a step back and appreciate this little person that you have made. Time goes so quickly, and it is terrifying, so just remember – your baby won’t be a baby forever!

 

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

 

You can connect with Catherine on the following social networks:

Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

 

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.

 

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