Our Week in Photographs. (2)

6.1.13 - Making a run for it

7.1.13 - Enjoying Daddy been at home with lots of cuddles

8.1.13 - Yummy Yummy!

9.1.13 - Sporting his new clothes

10.1.13 - Terrible ones, never mind twos! 

11.1.13 -Trendy Boy

12.1.13 - Messy Sunday!

Fashionable Friday

Here's what F is wearing this #FashionableFriday

Cable Knit Sweater - Next

Baseball Jacket - Next

Jeans - Next

Hi Tops - Next

Incase you we're wondering. Yes his socks & vest is from Next too! 

Cuts.

In this current climate, it's inevitable that cuts are made. They can not be avoided, there is no doubt about that.

It still hurts when you are hit with said cuts however and today, we were.

Ever since F was a few weeks old, we have used our local children's centre. It has been a place where I've made friends, sought advice and even a haven when this thing we call parenting got too much. 

When I moved into the area, I had no friends who were local. My two best friends live a 30 minute drive away and neither have children yet so my local area could have potentially been a sad place. There was potential for loneliness, isolation and the depths of postnatal depression but luckily, it was there. 

I haven't used all of it's resources as I've had no need but I do know it's a lifeline for people who may have postnatal depression, for those with debt problems, relationship issues or who just need that helping hand.

We have used it predominantly for the social aspect but most of all, for Freddie development. We did baby massage at 6 weeks, tiny tots and baby bundle. We've enjoyed classes and courses and even and 'school trip'. These classes were structured, organised, planned and run by a professional. 

That's what I love about them. That they are specially designed for our children with education and development in mind.

Use a playgroup you may say? Yes we could but I find that Freddie is still a little too young. He doesn't do well with free play yet, he throws things and gets in the way of other, older children. He prefers structured activities with an outcome, where he's supported and stimulated. This may be because of my educational background or my insane need to control and for routine but I appreciate the classes at children's centres. I credit them for my son's advanced milestones, for his development, for his social skills and in part, his happiness.

At a playgroup there isn't much for a baby to do. For mothers who aren't very creative or imaginative it can be hard to think of things to do to aid their babies development. Classes at children's centres help in this. They teach parents how to teach their children and how to help them learn vital skills in their early skills. 

Our centre is being affected because of council cuts. It is going to be an 'outreach centre' which in affect, is an empty building with a receptionist who can prompt you to other services in other areas. No classes, no professional, no life.

It won't be what we're used to. It won't be what we want and what our children currently love.

We are meant to be grateful that the building remains open. This is of no use to my son, that he can access debt advice by going to ask the receptionist to make a phone call for him. 

Why have we been affected? Because of our postcode. We live in a 'nice' area with low levels of poverty. We have paid a premium for our postcode. Many work hard to afford to pay this premium and allow our children to be brought up in this area.

Why should our children be punished because of our desire to raise them in an area where they are safe?

I understand that we don't have a high level of need for debt advice or back to work help. Many don't need help with alcohol problems and the majority are willing to attend, they aren't typical 'hard to reach' families. These are parents that appreciate and enjoy these centres. They value them and are grateful. 

This is shown in the attendance figures. All classes are oversubscribed. Parents in this area aren't hard to reach. They are here, they are wanting their child to be immersed in this. 

They are getting punished. 

I'm not getting into politics as to be honest, I don't really understand it. I understand cuts need to be made. I understand we don't have enough money. They are keeping our centres open that are in more deprived areas. The areas were there is more young parenting, drug and alcohol misuse, crime levels and poverty. I am all for supporting these people. All for it. 

But what about postnatal depression? What about supporting mothers who need that additional help. I'm not sure on exact figures but just because the people who live in my area have more money, doesn't mean they aren't affected by this. Why should they be discriminated against? 

We could access services in other areas but not in our community. I'm lucky, I drive. Some mothers don't. They may have to take several bus journeys to get to these with may isolate them further. They are also cutting staff numbers so the classes will be practically inaccessible because there will be one centre dealing with the demands of four or five communities.

What I do understand is that I am upset. I am mourning the service not just for Freddie but for my future children. Our children's centre was a massive part of Fred's first year. 

It would be for any other of my children.

Our Week in Photographs.

Here's what we got up to in the first week of 2013:

1.1.13 - Playing mechanic joiners with Daddy!

2.1.13 - Best of friends with Mabel the Dog

3.1.13 - Sporting band tee for Fashionable Friday

4.1 13 - Yawn

5.1.13 Shopping, Ron Burgundy Style!

New feature: FASHIONABLE FRIDAY

One of .my resolutions this year was to blog more consistently and in order to do this, I'm going to start joining in 'linkys' and do weekly posts on A Whole Nine Months.

To kick us off, we're going to resume 'Fashionable Friday'. This is something that I briefly tried last year but it wasn't regular whereas I'm hoping this time round it can become more of a weekly post. 

I love fashion but since having Fred, I seem to concentrate on his wardrobe more than my own; something which most mothers will sympathise with! 

I like him to look fashionable but I'm also conscious that his clothes are comfortable whilst also being affordable but durable and hard-wearing.

Here's our first Fashionable Friday of 2014...

Led Zeppelin Band Tee - £5.50 (Next Sale)

Blue Chinos - £5 (Next Sale)

Red Blazers - £19 (Next)

Operation Big Boy Bed.

I've been thinking about it for a while and last night I decided to stop debating and move F into a big boy bed. He's been bashing hit cot sides for a good few months now and although only 16 months he's fast approaching the size of a 2 or 3 year old which is making his time in his cot problematic logistically.

We are staying at my parent's house at the minute whilst they are on holiday so I presumed that this would be the best time to do it. The travel cot is incredibly uncomfortable for him and they have a large king bed that isn't very high so I presumed that we'd start off bigger so he'd be used to having no barriers by the time came to take them off his cot at home.

Initially he was wonderful. He's a very adaptable child and sort of gets on with anything, taking it in his stride. He even looked quite proud of all his space once bed time came and although I worried, he went straight to sleep. Like the big boy he is in his big boy bed.

All was well until 12am when we retreated off to bed and must have disturbed him. At this point he must have panciked at not being in the familiar surroundings and safety of his own cot and the fun and games began and inevitably, operation Big Boy Bed was cancelled.

Understandably he was probably perplexed to say the least. He's a baby (I use the term loosely seen as though he's in age 2-3 clothing!) and a big bed may have been daunting compared to his cosy 'cage'.

He was shouting for me, shouting for his Dad Dad, shouting for Nana (who's 4000 miles away!) and then trying his luck shouting for the dog, who was, the only person that wanted to play with him at 2am.

I quickly abandoned the bed idea and erected the travel cot where he soon went back to sleep, albeit after more shouting for the dog. 

Now I'm thinking we moved him too quickly. After all, he's still a baby. And I do want to keep him a baby forever.

Then I thought I'd given in too quickly and reverted to the easy option of placing him in the confines of the travel cot. I'm not used to perserverence as *touch wood* he's always adapted to whatever changes we've made with no problem at all.

Should we skip the double bed and wait till we get home to take the sides off the cot?

Should I perservere and cope with a few nights unbroken sleep?

Should we wait?

This parenting malarky is hard work.

Happy New Year!