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Having two children means that life is never dull, rarely boring and usually revolves around their social lives. It never ceases to amaze me that both my 2 year old and 8 year old get more party invitations than I do, especially as you never really grow out of jelly and ice cream do you? Do you?

We have lots of friends with children, so our socialising is usually centred around something that we can do to include the children or if we have a babysitter, we are going out for someone's birthday or a specific celebration.

It is rare for us to actually go out on our own for no other reason than to enjoy each other's company,

like a date,

like those early days,

like couples do every weekend.

Typically the madness of the day took over and I didn't get the soak in the bath that I wanted but the man on the pad said we should grab dinner out rather than waste time cooking something, so I jumped in the shower and threw my glad rags on! It has been ages since we have been out on our own and we were going to see some live music, I don't mean an arena show like my daughters favourite One Direction or the throwback Boyzone tour 2013, we were going to see a local band in Solihull.

Despite it being Friday 13th, it was a great day and even the rain wasn't going to keep us down, although I did chuckle to myself that once upon a time I wouldn't have even considered taking an umbrella but throwing a coat over my head wasn't going to keep my shoulders warm was it? (I think I must be seriously getting old). So with my jacket and umbrella we headed out.

We held hands.

We danced.

We laughed.

We sang.

We remembered what we were about.

I loved being out, being me, being us and as for the music, that was pretty awesome too!

The band rocked it .........  just not quite as much date night.

 Image courtesy of George Stojkovic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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I was reading this week that some families maybe able to claim free early learning for their 2 year old children. If you have had children in the last 10 years, you will probably know that all three and four-year-olds can claim some free early learning time from their local council. From September 2013, the Government is now introducing free early learning for some two-year-old children. 

So why is this making my ranty Friday post?

We are told that two-year-olds from families claiming certain benefits (or who are looked after by the council) can claim a free early learning place from the beginning of the term after they turn two.  This is great for those children and I wouldn't for one moment suggest that they are not entitled to them but why is it only available for "certain" children?

I do appreciate that an element of the governments scheme is about tackling the symptoms of poverty but overall, childcare should be more affordable and accessible across the board, to allow more women access to employment. We hear lots about the government trying to get people back into work but ultimately the culture of employment needs to change, it needs to be more flexible and more family friendly, for a start.

I could argue that just because one family has a job and mortgage, doesn't make their child less worthy of a place but I was reminded this week by Alice about the other side. Alice said: "Whilst on benefits, I went to college and without that childcare I'd not have been able to help myself out of the hole I was in ... the girls in the same position all went on to work full time but at least 3/5 had to give up and go back on benefits due to childcare costs. But on the other hand I think that it shouldn't all be on one foot the working parents should be given the equal amount of help or you're at catch 21 again"

So which side do you sit on?

Do you think it should be a blanket availability to all children?

Do you think it is fair that is only available to "certain" children?

Shouldn't all children be given the same opportunities, regardless of their parents financial situation?

I could also start ranting about childcare should be tax deductableb for working parents but I may well be ranting well past Friday!!

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Do you bribe your children? Now that is a question I wonder how many parents will answer honestly?

I think we all have a tendancy to do it in some form or other, so when I came across this fabulous infographic from Kiddycharts, I couldn't help but share it!

The recent survey by KiddyCharts found that parents are increasingly turning to bribery to help deal with the behaviour of their children. But does this really mean that we are turning in a nation that's willing to give our kids chocolate just to keep them quiet? The survey showed that 83.1% admitted to bribing their children with anything from extra time at the computer, to handing over sweets and chocolates. 

But are we really bribing our children - or are we really just trying a little bit of positive encouragement? 

Mum to two, Helen Neale, who owns www.kiddycharts.com which provides beautifully drawn personalised charts for children helping with everything from staying in their own beds to potty training, says: 

"Sometimes parents can be confused as to whether they are offering a bribe or a reward to their kids. It really depends on when you provide that little incentive."

Dr Amanda Gummer, a child psychologist who works with The Good Toy Guide, says

"Bribery and positive reinforcement are two sides of the same coin. The difference is that with positive reinforcement the aim is to help children learn the natural consequences of their actions. These can be positive and negative, but you get more of what you focus on so it's good to incentivise, notice and reward good behaviour."

So that's what the experts say but what about you?