I'M WRECKED, THIS IS MY JOURNAL ~ An Alternative Baby Record Book Review

Hello all, I've got a great book for you all today. Have a peek at this alternative baby record book by Shannon Cullen which I was kindly sent to review by Michael O'Mara Books, thanks guys!

About the book:

Entertaining, honest and occasionally messy, I’m Wrecked, This Is My Journal is packed full of lists, quotations, doodles and more. Ideal for all frazzled new parents, this is the perfect companion for all those odd thoughts, bizarre expectations and the real-life experiences of being a parent during the roller-coaster first year with your baby. Whether you’re looking for gin in the word search or playing parenting bingo, this frank, witty book will raise a smile as you embark on the extraordinary – and often chaotic – journey into parenthood.

What Did I Think?

If you're a fan of Wreck This Journal then this book will be right up your street. You'll also enjoy it if you enjoy doodling, colouring and have a sense of humor! You honestly don't need to be a new parent either! Obviously it helps with some bits of the book but mostly it's humorous record keeping of being a parent to your little...erm cherubs! I have a 9 and 6 year old and have had GREAT fun looking through the book and have filled in most of it already!

My take on a welcome to parenting card!

A taster of what you'll find in the book from Amazon

I'm Wrecked, This Is My Journal is now available to buy from Amazon priced currently at £6.99, a fantastic book to buy for new parents or keep for yourself. I personally think I could fill mine and pass it on so a friend or relative knows what they're in for! Move over Gina Ford, here's how it really goes down!

Cupcake Mumma

When Kids Just Won't Share a Room

We've had a problem. A rather frustrating, exhausting, irritating and stupid problem: my kids won't share a bedroom. Reason that's an issue? We only have 2 bedrooms!!

In our old house we had 3 bedrooms and everyone was happy. Mr B and I had more room than we needed and enjoyed it, Midge had her pink stickers and single pink bed in her own sanctuary and A had his bed and room which overflowed with his cars, trains and other random bits. We were happy! Now we've moved and one room is a good size for sharing (ish, we couldn't get their original beds in so had to get a bunk bed) and then we have the single room which is mine and Mr B's...

Or rather it was...

Because my children kept coming down the stairs eleven billion times* after bedtime, because they wound each other up, hit one another, bickered, got giggle fits, had tantrums and all the rest and nothing else has worked (shouting, crying, begging, bribing, confiscating, staggered bedtimes, reward charts, me sat outside on a stool and so on...) I decided enough was enough!

Taken from a stool I sat on until they fell asleep..which they didn't!

Now Midge has her own room again and is happier. Well, she has our double bed, her bedding, she likes my cupcake theme and isn't bothered about collecting her clothes from the other room (there is no room for drawers in the her bedroom) A is happier in a way. He has Mummy and Daddy on the double bed below him and if he has a bad night he's easier to settle.

It's a little odd I'll admit but I'm tired. Mr B needs sleep for his 12 hour shifts as a carer, I need it for my mental health, my role at school and to be a decent human being (read mother) and my children need sleep for obvious reasons!

Now we're all sleeping better I'm looking into getting the rooms done up and moved about. My dad bought the bed from Amazon and it's ace. I'd like to get my book shelf into my room and give Midge some of her possessions back if they'll fit in some how. I still want a reading corner for the children, plus some blinds: VELUX do so many styles of blinds. I think we need some more photos on the walls too.I like my photo wall in the lounge so I can't see why I can't do one in the bedrooms!

Have you ever had to change around this dramatically before? Perhaps I'm being a pushover but I guess they've worn down my patience and I'm desperate for sleep and quality time with my husband!

* May be an exaggeration (but it doesn’t feel like it!)

Cupcake Mumma

Stay Safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night

I adore Halloween. Ask anyone and they'll tell you it's up there with Christmas for me, I'm not so keen on bonfire night but since I've had the children I do let them watch the fire works from our skylight as this is less noisy for me and A who have very sensitive ears and is still good fun. We stand outside with our sparklers too which is great fun.

As fun as these special events may be they can also be dangerous. There are naked flames, frilly clothing, pumpkins with candles lit inside both out and in the home. There are Battery or switch operated lights which can cause fire if faulty or if plugs are overloaded and of course there are fireworks, bonfires, sparklers and in the case of Halloween and trick or treating, there's stranger danger. I'm not here to scare the heck out of everyone, I love this time of year but I want everyone to enjoy it and after last year where several children were badly burned by their fancy dress clothing setting alight and the accidents involving sparklers and fire works a yearly problem, I wanted to share these tips and great infographics from Eacapade.

My Tips
Make sure any costumes meet the European Standards and Regulations. This should be on the label of the clothing and all companies must have this on them.

Try these fantastic lights from Escapade to place in your home and in your pumpkins to completely avoid the dangers of fire. These are great and still look fab giving off enough light that you won't be disappointed by them not being real candles. They are much better than my pound store lights which ran out quickly and these even change colour.

Watch my video!

These are my tips but please visit the safety guide which has been written in collaboration with
St Johns Ambulance, London Fire Brigade, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue: Kevin Ronan, Head of Community Safety and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service: Oliver Franklin, Community Safety Officer. Please share and download the below info graphics so everyone can stay safe over this very fun and enjoyable few months.

Cupcake Mumma

Our Week That Was ~ Weeks 32, 33 & 34

Hey everybody! I've been a bit slack on the blogging front but it's okay. I have missed my weekly catch ups so here is 3 weeks worth of catching up in 1 post- yey! 

Week 32 started with me changing Midges room around. She wasn't sleeping well at all and it was becoming very stressful for all of us. I moved her room around and totally de-cluttered so now she has a more free flowing space and plenty more room. I can confirm that now she is sleeping tonnes better which is great. I have been to my Aunts a few times recently to help with her de-cluttering and moving. This week we were joined by a lovely little kitten who hindered more than helped the cleaning up process! I made a video of his antics here.

We also got all wrapped up for the school run this week because finally the weather took a turn and gave us some chills and a little drizzle too (it's now full on pelting it down!) I also baked a rather delicious vanilla cake which I shared with a friend who visited for coffee. We haven't seen each other in years, it was so, so lovely to catch up. I hope I can re create this cake for my birthday!

Room change// Cute kitten distracting us from working// Midge all wrapped up// Vanilla cake for pudding!

I ran a swap recently called A Taste of Home. I had a nice little number of people sign up and received my parcel this week from tattooed Mummy. I loved her gifts of recipe books, cider, sweets and plenty more as you can see. Little A was most impressed with the chocolate buttons. I finally got my prize from Goodfellas this week. Lots of vouchers for free pizza and a gift card which I promptly spent on 3 gifts for Christmas for my mini cupcakes.

Double rainbow// Happy with some chocolate buttons//Swap gift// I won a prize!// Yummy wraps for lunch

Week 33

When it wasn't raining we enjoyed some sunshine although it was still pretty cold. I took some lovely photos of the trees and green we pass everyday on the school run; I'm loving how quick the leaves are falling from the trees. We also had Little A's ENT appointment which went really well. He has a slight pressure build up which they'll check again next year, no blocking and he was ace at the hearing test which he passed with flying colours. Great news.

Our green// Happy babies on the wheels// Little A having his hearing test

I visited my Aunt again this week and we really got some stuff sorted. She moved in at the end of the week I'm told and is very happy to be home after staying with my Gran for so long after her operation. I took this lovely photo from the skylight in her bedroom, isn't it a great view to wake up to? I enjoyed a few hot chocolates, some at home and one or two in a local coffee chain *wink wink.* I went to a baby shower on Saturday which was a big deal for me! I didn't get all dressed up which felt so much better. The mum to be is due in a couple of weeks and has plenty of lovely things to pamper herself and the little one when he arrives. 

View in Penzance// Hot chocolate at home// Mummy and A// Baby shower gifts

Week 34

Autumn has really arrived! I loved pulling on my warm boots and crunching in the leaves with the children. We made the most of the leaf crunching as they get tidied up around here!? I spent Tuesday with my sister in law, I met her new kittens and we went shopping, saw my little niece and I had a nice day overall. I didn't have my phone with me so no cute kitten photos this week! It's been so, so dark at 7am which is the time we get up and get ready for school. To end the half term, Midge and Little A had a Halloween disco at school. Little A was a power ranger and Midge was a witch.

Warm boots// Witch for the disco// Dark at 7am// Mr Magpie on the wall// Broken post box!

I had super junk cravings this week! I made a great free from mug cake (thoroughly enjoyable and not for sharing) I had some pizza from Dominoes which definitely hit the spot! We enjoyed our last school run this week before halt term with crazy fast biking and scooting and more leaf jumping. I went to the GP and I'm now back on my original dose for my anxiety *boo* but it's all good. I'm also getting some more tests done to check on my lungs. 

On Thursday evening Little A and I went to The Works after hours. It was so good to see the reception children having so much fun. I got to browse with no one else there but a few fellow parents. I took advantage of our 20% discount for the evening and I even made a video of our trip which you can see here! the children had story time, made up hampers to win prizes, got to see some toys and even had a mini disco with food and drink while all the parents were in the shop mooching and catching up. It was a great evening!

Mug cake!// pizza// More pills and an x-ray due from doctors// Little A before our school trip//Midge and A on the school run// I got my Halloween decorations up!

Hope you're all having a good half term and if you're back to school already then I hope it was a good break for you all. Let me know what you've been up to or are planning in the comments below!

Cupcake Mumma

To my Children, My Parenting Sins...

We all have parenting 'sins.' Those things we've done that we're not too keen to share with friends or even family (sometimes we don't even tell our other halves for a while!) I thought it would be fun to list a few my most memorable parenting sins and share them with you, my readers and of course for my children in the future (because they will undoubtedly commit these sins themselves!)

1) Pretending the most delicious items of food in the house have been scoffed by Mr B/ the dog/ a random visitor (delete as appropriate) Sometimes children are vultures. Mine included. If I have any chance of getting something tasty for myself sometimes the only way is to hide the desired item (this isn't always a success) or just out right lie to their cute little faces.

2) Laughing when they are in unfortunate circumstances like say...fallen down the toilet. There are those parents who rush immediately to their aid and then there are parents who will film the event and post it to You Tube. I fall in the middle camp which involves rushing to their aid but then seeing a pair of little legs waving in the air with their little butts stuck in the loo and their faces which look as if they don't know whether to laugh or cry just cracks me up. Give me 1 minute to compose myself and I am able to assist once again...with giggles...

3) Blaming a child for something I did...Oh the shame. I once fancied myself as a bit of a hairdresser (I wanted to save money on a trim) so I trimmed Midges hair. Naturally, not being even slightly gifted in the hair department I loped a bit too much off and it was wonky. To avoid the embarrassment of owning up I blamed the whole 'incident' on my 2 year old scissor wielding son Little A and had Mr B had to take Midge to the hair dressers. She never once said I chopped her lovely locks, even she some how bought that Little A had snipped her hair and she returned a half hour later with a lovely looking bob...I still feel guilty for this one.

4) Counting the paddling pool as a bath: Nice day, two children in need of a wash, paddling pool goes out, two children happy, add a bit of bubbles and there you go; two children having fun, outside, in water, with soap. You can thank me later (or not..)

5)Using screen based baby sitters. iPhones handed over when little feet keep getting out of bed. Cartoons on TV so I can wash up, or read a book, or drink a hot drink. The laptop with some Netflix chucked on so I can just sit on my arse..and so on.

6) Saving old, more expensive cereal boxes and placing new, cheaper cereal bags into the boxes. So far this has worked and saved me a fortune. No mum guilt here! (It's still a bit crafty though!)

So there you go, a few parenting sins, there's many more I could share but I would like to here your parenting sins. Leave me a comment or even write a blog post to share with me!

Cupcake Mumma

Little A an Update

Things have been up and down with Little A for a couple of years and it's been difficult. When I first realised I needed some help with A I phoned a health visitor in tears but now we are 2 years on things are getting easier. We had his transitional meeting at nursery recently and it was so good to know that my boy is going to be understood and not left behind during his first year of school. If all goes well he will be signed off the list for these school meetings we attend with a lovely special needs worker. Little A has some sensory issues but he doesn't have any other issues and as long as people who are close to him understand these he will be okay.

He will continue with speech therapy which has been such a gift. I cannot explain how much this has meant to us. With his speech sessions and with the nursery setting and teachers being so wonderful and his skills with socialising and interacting with other children constantly building he has come such a long way. I always said I was offended by the the line "once he starts talking you'll want him to shut up" and I stand firmly by that still. Until you are the parent of a child and you cannot understand a single word they say and they are angry, stressed and frustrated because of all the people in the world you should know what he is saying and you don't, you just don't know what a gift it is to hear words and sentences tumble from his lips after school, at bedtime, with his big sister, with me in the middle of the night, it goes on and I love it. He is still very repetitive which of course is something that wears thin but overall I couldn't be a happier Mum if I tried!

We've had an occupational therapy consultation which was a success. I think it went very well. The therapist did agree with sensory issues, once written down we could see his main issues revolved around touch and he also has trouble self regulating. He is sensitive to noise but a lot of what I described made her feel that it was best to see our doctor (we think he could be experiencing tinnitus which is just horrible because I have it) and to get him a hearing test just to be sure. She also felt the head rocking and banging and the sleep disturbances and night terrors were not sensory so we have been referred to Sleep Solutions. I'm not sure what they can advise, I think we have a mixture of waiting it out to do and habits to break which is all very difficult when we all just want sleep but I'm willing to hear suggestions and honest views on our situation. Obviously I'm prepared for the inevitable hard work and screaming in future too...

We have a paediatric appointment next month which I think may be our last one but I'm not sure. We have a specialist dental appointment coming up because for the first few years we really struggled to brush Little A's teeth and I'm hoping that although now he copes better with the feel of tooth brushing he still finds it distressing, so I'm meeting the dental team to see if they'll coat his teeth to help protect the enamel. His doctors appointment is this week and I'm sure his hearing test won't be far behind! In the mean time, nursery is helping his transition to reception with visits and meeting the teacher (the whole class do this) A will have a personalised picture table of his new class and teachers that we can show him over the holidays. I think this will work with any child who is nervous about reception not just children who may struggle to understand their next step, so maybe if you're worried ask your nursery team or new teachers what they think.

So to sum it all up we are so pleased with A's speech and language, I'm happy with the outcome of the OT appointment because I think there are children who struggle with sensory issues much more than A who could benefit from their time. Since I took A to his first paediatric appointment last year I researched so much into sensory processing disorder and I changed the way I deal with him, our routines changed and when I started seeing what he struggled with I made allowances, or changed things or just understood him more, it's changed him so much I don't think OT could've provided much. I'm thinking of doing some posts about Little A's biggest sensory difficulties (tooth brushing, clothing etc) and how we deal with this. If it's any use to anyone let me know!

Cupcake Mumma

Our Paediatric Appointment and the Start of Our Journey

The day before our appointment to see a paediatrician I wrote this post about hoping to be taken seriously and in general just hoping to get some answers.

I wasn't nervous at all about this appointment which was a good sign. I really didn't know what to expect and ever since I knew we were going to visit our paediatrician I tried to research what may happen. Everyone visits these professionals for different reasons but just to find a personal account  of what a parent could expect as a rough guide would've been really comforting to me. As an anxious person, I really like to know what I'm facing so I can feel more in control! I'm writing this partly as a memory for my blog, partly as an insight into what may happen when other parents are meeting their paediatrician for the first time and it will also become part of a page that I'm setting up now we know that Little A most likely has Sensory Processing Disorder.

The Meeting:

I received my letter for appointment 3 months after my meeting at nursery with a member of staff from the Special Educational Needs (S.E.N) department. I phoned to confirm Little A's appointment at my local outpatient health clinic and waited for Thursday morning to roll around. If your child is old enough to understand i'd recommend talking to them about this appointment before you go (if you think this would be helpful) Little A didn't really understand but I told him we were seeing a special doctor.

When we entered the room, which was a basic GP surgery room with the usual equipment, bed and what not, Little A sat nearest the desk where he would soon be able to do some puzzles and drawing for the paediatrician. I was asked to clarify how old A was (very nearly 4) we spoke about a few points that were in the report from the nursery and the S.E.N department, just confirming the points and discussing how he has been getting on. At this point I mentioned the list I had brought with me (please do this parents and carers!) after a few more minutes of talking she suggested she look over this list I had put together (2 sides of A4 detailing any behaviours I could think of) immediately she asked if I heard of sensory processing. I said that I had recently come across it on line and found a processing disorder which I felt was so like my son and wanted to mention in the session today. I was given very little detail and was told they wouldn't diagnose it per-say because of his age (lots of children dislike their hair being brushed and teeth cleaned etc so it's difficult but based on other details I had written it was a case of 'this is what is most likely going on with your son.')

Little A was quite keen to interact with his doctor and after a short while his height and weight were taken (all normal) and we spoke about his eating which she confirmed was common behaviour in S.P.D, only liking very certain foods, not having a very broad range of likable foods or disliking the foods touching for example) she got A to jump and hop and balance which was all normal for his age and development. Then she spoke to Little A about the pictures he had drawn ( a spider and Olaf) with some input from myself. She spoke about his speech and I said that I'm happy to continue with speech therapy because he has come such a long way. She agreed and felt developmentally wise physically he is doing great, it is just his speech and communication that is behind.

Then Little A did some colour matching. He performed this very well, only getting 3 colours mixed up. He couldn't tell her the names of any colours but that was expected. He then did 2 simple puzzles perfectly. Seems he's achieved the goals that were set after our first meeting at nursery now I re read it! Excellent! Anyway, these were the only activities A had to participate in. We spoke about his sleep as this is a big problem for us. The only thing we can really conclude is that he has trouble when transitioning from periods of light and deep sleep. There isn't a cure, just some things we can try. I'll have to accept this as a long term problem with A and hope that one day soon he can grow out of it, could be a while!

To conclude the meeting, the paediatrician felt there were no other behavioural problems to deal with and I admitted that I felt the same but felt sure there was 'something' and Sensory Processing Disorder fits very well and means I can work with A better. We are getting A referred to an Occupational Therapist which is a common process as I understand with S.P.D in both children and adults. Hopefully we can learn what A can stand and what he really dislikes, although we are already discovering some main causes of distress.

The whole appointment for us lasted 45 minutes and was a friendly and relaxed appointment. I left feeling helped and hopeful. A was very restless by the end of it and very bored so it ended at the right time! I'm going to be doing more writing about S.P.D. I've found some blogs I want to share and to write about our own journey with A as it's all so very different; one thing I have learnt already!

Helpful Pointers For Your First Paediatric Appointment

* If you feel it's helpful, talk to your child about the upcoming appointment and what may happen if they're old enough to understand.

* If it helps your child, try to arrive a little earlier than needed (more to get used to the environment than anything else)

* Avoid anything stressful beforehand. I had to leave very early and do a nice activity with A before our appointment just so we could go slow. If A felt rushed he would've been in a foul mood and our meeting would've been very different!

* Do take a list with you. Try to be as specific as possible and don't worry about looking silly, you won't be the first nor the last person to take one of these lists with you!

* Re read any forms and reports you have prior to your meeting and even take them with you just in case. Your paediatrician will probably have the same reports as you so it's good to re read them, I tend to put them in my file and not re read for a while!

* Ask for notes. During our meeting several products and a website were mentioned which the paediatrician wrote down for me so I could look into them. I would've never remembered them as well as all the information!

* Sometimes if your child is under 5 your Red Book can be useful. It wasn't in our case but I know some clinics ask for them so it's worth checking.

* Your first appointment can vary from 30 minutes to an hour, it all depends on what you're being seen for. I'd make sure you prepare for that and also a small wait just in case. Taking some bits for your child if they're young or you know they are likely to get bored in this time (like some juice, a snack for before or after or something they find comforting) could help you.

Good luck with your appointments and if I've missed anything please let me know and I'll add them above!

Cupcake Mumma

Midge Goes Without Stabilisers!

I've never posted a video on here before but for the sake of memories I'm giving it all a go. Today we all ventured out with Midges new bike she got from us on her birthday and we headed to the local football field. She started off on some small hills practicing her balance then we walked over to the cricket pitches where Little A could play on the slides and Midge could have a go at peddling on some concrete...

I'm so proud of my girl right now. She is prone to lack of self believe even at this tender age (reminds me of myself absolutely) but only once did she hang her head and feel like she'd never do it. But she did do it and not only that but she didn't fall off once! Proud parenting moment right there and the best (and only) good moment of my day today, so thank goodness it was such a great one. 

Well done Midge!!

Mumma

Little A's First Speech and Language Assessment

Yesterday, I bundled Little A in his buggy and headed to the local health clinic where we were going to be meeting A's new speech and language therapist for the first time. I was pretty nervous about the whole prospect to be honest. I wondered how A would react, if the therapist would be kind and reassuring or a bit stern and unfriendly making both myself and A completely anxious. I literally had no idea what to expect from this appointment but I really needn't have worried quite so much!

Our therapist was absolutely lovely and incredibly friendly and natural with A who wasn't bothered by his surroundings at all, he just sat with the toys in the room as I went through some questions with the therapist. This is what happened, in no particular order (incase anyone reading is facing an upcoming assessment and is as clueless as I was!)

First off, you consent to your child being observed in that session and any further sessions, plus you will be asked if you consent to the therapist discussing your child if there are other concerns raised (so health visitors for example) and lastly, a consent to your child being observed in their nursery or school setting if they are in one.

Then:

A check of personal details (address, contact numbers and child's date of birth)

If they attend school or not or are due to start (A starts pre school in September)

What playgroups they attend, if any

What my concerns are (and then any following questions were tailored to my answer which was that I thought he was behind, he doesn't use sentences, we don't have conversations and he isn't able to tell me what's wrong/what he wants/if he's unwell I have no idea if there are no other symptoms etc)

Any concerns with their behaviour?

Is general health ok? Had a hearing test? Any other concerns?

Do they use bottles or dummies?

Those are the questions I remember most clearly. As I said, based on your responses you'll get other questions asked to give the therapist a clearer idea of your worries.

With questions out of the way Little A and I were left to play while the therapist listed any words or sentences she could make out. She didn't write much down I can tell you! This lasted about 10 minutes when she then joined in playing along too and interacting with A. It was concluded that A definitely doesn't appear to have any problems with his hearing, and that he clearly wanted to communicate with me but was lacking the words he needed in order to talk to me properly. She was encouraged by his positivity and enthusiasm so this was brilliant news.

The outcome?

After half an hour of play and observing A, I came away with some ideas and future appointments. He'll be assessed in August before school and the therapist has said she will write a report to his nursery to give them a heads up so they know he's being assessed and having some extra help, something they'll be used to. She'll observe him in school when he's settled in properly I suspect. We've been told to carry on as normal but to give him choices rather than asking him questions he can only say yes or no to. To help with any frustrations, we've been advised that learning some sign language with him would be really helpful in the mean time.

I feel really positive and happy with the outcome of our assessment. I was worried I would be made to feel guilty for doing certain things that could've hampered his development. Don't you love mum guilt? Yes he's behind but he'll be chatting with the rest of them in no time I suspect!

Right, pass me the remote, I've got some Mr Tumble to watch.

Cupcake Mumma

My Fears are Your Fears?

Give us a smile Midge?!

Fears or phobias, we all have at least 1 right? I have a fair few. Probably too many to be honest but I'm not too bothered by most of them. Overall I only have one which really gets in the way of day to day life and that's my 'social phobia' (one of the ones many people just cannot even begin to understand) and some just don't bother me, like my fear of spiders. They're horrible little creatures with furry bodies and legs that carry them in all directions. I will not kill them though, oh no, I'd totally have to write that one in my prayer journal! These days I trap them under a glass and put them back outside with a 'sorry mate, my house not yours,' as a goodbye.

I was thinking about my phobias and how they would (or apparently do) affect my children. We're probably talking about Midge here as, at 5 years old, she's a lot more able to read the signs of panic and fear in my expression and body language. She's more able to tell a petrified shriek than Little Man is after all.

Midge is terrified of spiders. This is my fault. Before I realised that I had to grow a pair I continued to run around like a screaming banshee whenever one of the little blighters scuttled across my floor. Now, I've managed to 'man up' a bit and have even been known to grab, BARE HANDED one of those long legged grey ones *shudders* but this does not impress Midge and it is firmly rooted in her head that spiders are something to be scared of. Damn.
As are drain covers! This is also a huge fear of mine. I once read about a toddler falling down one and from that day on I refused to stand on or walk on a drain cover should it give way beneath my pink converses. Even worse, should it give way beneath my daughter's. The chances of this happening? Close to zero right? But isn't that what phobias are? A totally irrational feeling. Your bodies way of protecting you from 'danger?' I don't know, but what I do know is my daughter now refuses to walk on drain covers. It's bad, but I sort of feel relieved. Like my worst fear of loosing her won't happen, at least in one way.

I'm trying to get Midge to overcome some of her fears. She's scared of moths and even panics at flies being near her (you can imagine what summer is like in my house!) She is afraid of wasps (again my fault as I am petrified of them and this will never change I'm afraid- sorry Midge) and she is also fairly scared of dogs (often we have to cross the road if a dog is in our path) I think yet again she senses my panic and fear. I do not like strange dogs and for that matter I am not keen on dogs that are known to the family, so convinced am I that they are an 'accident waiting to happen.' It's a shame because I was brought up with so many animals and truth be told, I'd love a dog! But I won't, not until the children are grown up and understand that dogs, like people, need space!

Do your children have any fears and do you ever blame yourself for perhaps 'encouraging' that fear? I think I have been pretty open and honest in saying that yes, I do believe these fears my daughter has developed are most likely by witnessing my reaction to those 'incidents.' Some are life's experiences in her already short life so far. What do you make of all this?

CupcakeMumma