The Mummy Tag

I love reading about other bloggers’ approaches to parenting in my weekly Parenting Pep Talk guest post series.  We’re all so different in the choices we make, trying to do what works best for our own families.  A couple of months ago, I was tagged by Fizzyjazzle to take part in the Mummy Tag and share some of my approaches to parenting.  It’s taken me a while to get around to answering the questions but here they are:

1. Are you a Stay at Home Mum or a Working Mum?

I’m a stay at home mum who also works part-time from home.

 

2. Would you have it any other way?

Whilst it can be difficult sometimes to try and juggle work with looking after the children, I do appreciate how very lucky I am to have a job that allows me to be at home with them and can be mostly fitted in around our family life.  So no, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

 

3. Do you co-sleep?

Yes but not as much these days as we did a year or so ago.  Jessica co-slept a lot as a baby and toddler but would generally sleep quite happily in a bed on her own when we were away on holiday.  Since we decided to embrace the concept of having a family bedroom and moved the girls’ beds in with us, she’s been much better at sleeping in her own bed, although still likes to come in with us fairly regularly.  Sophie has mostly preferred to sleep in her own bed though.  At some point, we’ll move the girls into their own room but for now this sleeping arrangement works well for us.

4. What is your one must-have item for your baby?

Wipes.  I don’t know how I even managed without them!

 

5. How many kids do you plan on having?

I’m very happy with my two girls for now but if we end up being blessed with another at some stage, that would be lovely too.  No current plans for more though!

 

6. Date nights? How often do you have them?

Not often enough! We’ve only managed one so far this year.

 

7. Your child’s favourite show?

Both the girls love Go Jetters at the moment.

 

8. Name one thing you bought before you had the baby and never ended up using?

I bought very little before Jessica arrived – her prognosis antenatally was so bleak that I was too scared to buy much other than an outfit or two.  Most of what we did have was given to us or bought as needed.  The only thing we did buy that was rarely used was a cot top changer – we generally changed nappies on a mat on the floor or on the sofa.

 

9. Your child’s favourite food?

Chocolate or cake!  They don’t get to have either as often as they would like!

10. How many cars does your family have?

Technically three, although only two in daily use.  The third is hubby’s old Beetle from our uni days which has been off the road for the last seven years or so – one day we might get it restored and back on the road again.

 

11. Weight gain, before pregnancy, during, after and now?

I have no idea.  I couldn’t tell you the last time I stepped on a set of scales.

 

12. Dream holiday with your kids?

I’d love to take the kids to Coombe Mill – it sounds like such a wonderful place for a family holiday.

 

13. Dream holiday without your kids?

I’ve always wanted to do the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg.  I wouldn’t be averse to the children coming along too though!

 

14. How has your life changed since having kids?

It’s changed in so many ways.  I’ve gone from working full-time to being at home, and travelled on the rollercoaster ride that comes with life as a heart family.  I’ve learned to live in the moment and truly appreciate it, I’ve learned to be thankful for the little things and I’ve had to accept that there are many things I cannot control, no matter how much I would like to.  I’ve had many moments where faith is the only thing I have to cling to, I’ve discovered a strength I never knew I possessed and I’ve experienced love and joy greater than I ever knew before.  In many ways I’m a very different person to my pre-mummy me and in others I’m very much the same.

 

15. Finish the sentence “It makes heart melt when…”

I see my little girls giving each other a cuddle and see how much they love each other.

16. Where do you shop for your kids?

It depends on what I’m buying.  Basics like vests and things are usually at one of the big supermarkets, but I love M & Co and Debenhams for pretty clothes for the girls.

 

17. Favourite make-up and skincare products?

I don’t wear make-up very often and don’t have a particular favourite product.  I do love Clarins face cream though.

 

18. Huggies or Pampers?

We mostly use cloth nappies but if we do use disposables then I prefer Pampers.

 

19. Have you always wanted kids?

Yes.

 

20. Best part of being a mum?

The spontaneous kisses and cuddles and the moments when you see your children do something for the first time and just feel immensely proud of them.

If you’ve not yet joined in with the Mummy Tag and would like to do so, then please consider yourself tagged!