We like doing some dressing up...

Isla loves putting on a mix of my bracelets & necklaces and my dresses. The result is usually funny and I think pretty creative. I have never bought any dressing up clothes. I think it's far more fun to work with what you already have available at home, not to mention a lot cheaper. Excuse the mess in the background. With a toddler in the house it never stays tidy for very long.

So here my little darling has attempted to dress up like a princess. She has some really stunning dresses herself but of course when mummy's dresses can be worn that's far more fun for her.

just wanted to share....

I stumbled across a blog by a lovely girl called Jessica who has given me lots of inspiration to continue with my blogging. Our blogging subjects couldn't be different but I'm a girly girl at heart and love to dress up and put on some gorgeous make-up.

So Jessica is hosting a giveaway for some gorgeous make-up as it's her blog's first birthday. I really hope I will make it that far.
Head over to her blog to take a look:
http://ohsogawjess.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/happy-1st-birthday-giveaway.html

Dealing with unwanted advice or criticism on parenting

So every mum knows we get this all the time... from the moment you announce your positive pregnancy test there's no getting away from the unwanted advice and criticism. Among mums there is often an unspoken competitiveness and the older generation feels that they know best and need to tell you how it's done.

Of course I add that not everyone is like this, but it's pretty much unheard of to escape from it altogether.

My tips are:

• if it's about nothing important and you want to keep the peace then just let it go, say nothing
• listen to advice and nod, but then do what you feel is best
• be openminded- yes, it's easy to get mad and annoyed when the advice hasn't been asked for but I often find in the light of day there might be something to take away from what the other person has said.
• if it's something you feel strongly about then be polite but firm and tell the other person that you are dealing with the situation how you feel best. Don't get into a debate if possible but stand your ground.
• Don't let others make you feel inferior. I've experienced my fair share of this and cried over criticism over my parenting. It seems silly looking back but at the time it's so hard.
• be confident with your parenting choices - research if necessary so if your choices are questioned you feel happy with how you do things.
• Try to stay away from criticising other mums...after all you know first hand how hard this parenting lark is :-)

I had a very upsetting situation not that long ago where the way I dealt with one of Isla's tantrums was criticised in front of her by her grandparents.I was made to feel as though I don't care that she's upset and am a heartless mum. It was tough but I had to have a break from visiting them for a week and then I went over and spoke to them about how they had made me feel. in this situation I gave reasons for how I parented and me needing to be consistent. It was a long discussion but we got there in the end and I made clear it's not ok to undermine me in front of my daughter. Phew!! Just showing really how important communication was in that instance, and how it stopped further issues like that.