2017 has arrived and already we are one month in. Here is our update for January.
Berlin In Photos
Monday 23 January 2017
Its nearly two months since my trip to Berlin with Jet2CityBreaks, but it is a trip that is still on my mind and definitely left it's imprint. You can have a look at my post about my time there and my advice for visiting with children, today I wanted to post a photo roundup of my trip, sharing those photos that haven't made any of my posts but that still sum up my fantastic weekend.
Please Leave The Light On Mummy
Thursday 19 January 2017
For some reason, since Holly started back at school in September she has had trouble at bedtime. Since she was a baby she fell into a great routine and always seemed to thrive by that. At three years old she would use her Gro Clock to tell what time it was, and turn her light out at whatever number I said with very little prompting. She never kicked up a fuss, she loved her bed and unlike her brother, was amazing at going to sleep.
Four months ago that all changed. I'm not sure what triggered it, but it hasn't been an easy adjustment for her or us and bedtimes have become something I dread. Holly now refuses to go to sleep and it seems no matter how much cuddling or soothing I do she doesn't drop off until she's literally tired out. She's been telling me she doesn't like being on her own, she doesn't like her bed and that she's scared of the dark and it has literally got to the point where we are both in tears and I just haven't known what to do to fix it.
Three years ago we went on holiday to Cornwall and as Jack was only two and not used to sleeping in a bed with no sides, which is all we had there, we would leave the lounge light on so he could see in the night. From then on he always needed the halfway light on at home, so then of course Holly got used to it. Neither of them will now let me shut their bedroom doors on a night and if they wake up and I've turned the light out they get upset.
It's now escalated that Holly needs a light on to go to sleep. My mum bought her a lamp before Christmas and this has transformed bedtime, but I'm not sure how happy this makes me. On one hand she is back to her old self, going to sleep when it's the right time and not constantly shouting down. On the other hand I can't see how getting used to having a light on is a good thing.
Right now we are just going with it - I cannot be trekking up and down the stairs every few minutes until 10pm and she needs her sleep. Maybe this light stops the monsters and reassures her she is safe and if that is the way, then so be it. This parenting malarky is so trial and error, I'm never sure whether I'm doing it wrong or not, and that is often the hardest part. All I can do is my best and hope that I've got it right.
 |
| No trouble aged two |
Four months ago that all changed. I'm not sure what triggered it, but it hasn't been an easy adjustment for her or us and bedtimes have become something I dread. Holly now refuses to go to sleep and it seems no matter how much cuddling or soothing I do she doesn't drop off until she's literally tired out. She's been telling me she doesn't like being on her own, she doesn't like her bed and that she's scared of the dark and it has literally got to the point where we are both in tears and I just haven't known what to do to fix it.
Three years ago we went on holiday to Cornwall and as Jack was only two and not used to sleeping in a bed with no sides, which is all we had there, we would leave the lounge light on so he could see in the night. From then on he always needed the halfway light on at home, so then of course Holly got used to it. Neither of them will now let me shut their bedroom doors on a night and if they wake up and I've turned the light out they get upset.
 |
| Excited about her new bed, aged three |
It's now escalated that Holly needs a light on to go to sleep. My mum bought her a lamp before Christmas and this has transformed bedtime, but I'm not sure how happy this makes me. On one hand she is back to her old self, going to sleep when it's the right time and not constantly shouting down. On the other hand I can't see how getting used to having a light on is a good thing.
Right now we are just going with it - I cannot be trekking up and down the stairs every few minutes until 10pm and she needs her sleep. Maybe this light stops the monsters and reassures her she is safe and if that is the way, then so be it. This parenting malarky is so trial and error, I'm never sure whether I'm doing it wrong or not, and that is often the hardest part. All I can do is my best and hope that I've got it right.
 |
| Aged six |
Me & Mine: A 2016 Round Up
Tuesday 17 January 2017
OK, so we are nearly two weeks into January (holy crap, how did that happen?!) but last year I wrote a bit of a round up of our family posts that I have shared throughout the year and wanted to do the same this year. Whilst I haven't managed to keep up to Me & Mine every month, again, I do still enjoy seeing all the photos I have shared all together.
January 2016
January 2016
5 Things To Do In Berlin With Children
Thursday 12 January 2017
During my recent visit to Berlin with Jet2CityBreaks, when we flew from Leeds/Bradford to Berlin Schoenefeld Airport on their inaugural flight, I took in the beautiful and breathtaking history of a city I've never really considered previously. Today I wanted to share some things you can do with the children if you decide to take a family trip there. Of course there is the usual Sealife Centre, Legoland and Madame Tussauds, but if you're looking to introduce your kids to a more authentic experience, here are my top suggestions.
Here's To 2017
Thursday 5 January 2017
I'm not really one for resolutions - I hate the pressure of having to stick to things and knowing if I fail it's out there for all the world to see. But it has occurred to me lately that I'm possibly a bit flaky and don't really stick to much. Apart from my marriage, blogging has been the only thing I have stuck out for longer than a couple of years and I tend to find some excuse not to complete goals, diets and any other resolutions I set myself.
So I've decided this year I will do my utmost to push past the self doubt and lack of motivation and put some targets in place that I can try and accomplish. If I don't, so be it, but I want to at least say I tried. So in no particular order they are:
So I've decided this year I will do my utmost to push past the self doubt and lack of motivation and put some targets in place that I can try and accomplish. If I don't, so be it, but I want to at least say I tried. So in no particular order they are:
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