Blog : Little Lilypad Co

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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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Category: Views & Ramblings

  1. How much does TV influence your children?

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    I had forgotten how seductive the TV can be. Not in that way, I mean the way it draws children in and can captivate them for hours. We have TV on demand, so this means that my eldest can select the programmes she wants, when she wants them, which is great in her mind BUT is it great for her mind and body really?

    TV viewing has been linked to obesity in children, amongst other problems, so it's more than a good idea to stay on top of the time the children spend in front of the screen. Research shows that academic success is linked to how much TV your child watches and with whom she watches it. Children with moderate access to television who watch with a parent score significantly higher academically than children who watch a moderate amount of TV on their own. (yikes)

    If we are all honest, the TV can be our friend. The TV can "help" when you just need five minutes to do something (even if it is just to go to the toilet, I have said before that this is apparently no longer a one person job anymore) but when the 2 year old becomes obsessed with Peppa Pig, I have begun to wonder how much influence that little pig (and TV in general) has on our lives.

    The little one was bouncing on our bed and said "on Peppa's bouncy castle"

    The eldest said "mommy, can you get me a garbage bag" (we are in the UK, not the USA)

    Aaagggh, it made me want to grab a backpack and fill it with some essentials and get them outside, adventuring, exploring and NOT watching the television. Unfortunately we have been plagued with sickness, the other (back on the toilet again) and horrible conjunctivitis this week, so we decided on some crafting and painting. What did the little one want to paint? Peppa Pig!!!

    How much influence does the TV have in your house?

     

     

  2. The Family Rules

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    The Family Rules, do your family have them? I don't mean those gorgeous wall prints that you can buy that have a fabulous list of things to live by but I mean the actual ones that work in your family? You "may" have heard recently that there was a marriage proposal on the Lilypad and the "rules" are for marriage as well as for children, so here is what works in our house.

    Treat each other with respect. No hurting anyone’s feelings (no yelling, putdowns, or name calling). No hurting anyone’s body (no hitting, pushing, or kicking). Ask permission to borrow things, don't just take them. The Man on the Pad always believes that I should be treated with the same respect as he gave me on our first date, which thankfully means no head holding under the duvet covers! (I shall not say anymore)

    Put yourself in my place. This is a particular favourite of the Man on the Pad, whereby he stands by the ethos that if he thinks I would not like what he is doing, he doesn't do it. (I love this one) We encourage this with the children too.

    Pick up after yourself - this is a work in progress.

    Be generous. Not always with money but with your energy, time and consideration. (although I am never going to turn down a cartier watch)

    Apologise and admit when you are wrong. Its not the easy choice but we all have to take responsibility for our behavior by creating a rule about how to respond if they’ve hurt someone. 

    Forgive. There is alot to be said for letting go. A grudge only continues to hurt you.

    Tell the truth. Children can’t tell the difference between “white lies” and other lies so if you’re going to stress the importance of honesty, you’ll need to show them that you’re honest too. (Not sure where the land lies about Father Christmas on this one though)

    Be silly once in a while. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh. Alot. They say that Laughter is the best medicine and laughter lines are way better than frown ones!

    Be there. Give your family not only your time, but your attention. Work and life can get in the way but take time to be there completely when you are with them.  

    With your children and your partner. Love the good things, see the best bits and FALL IN LOVE OVER and OVER and OVER again.

     The Rule Book

    Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  3. Just a Moment in Time

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    I wrote a post a few days ago about things my mum used to say when I was growing up but she has a particular saying that she uses more often than most. "It is a moment in time". I have said it before and I will say it again but this saying drives me a little bit bonkers.

    When my eldest daughter refused to give up breast feeding, I was told "it is a moment in time"

    When my youngest daughter wouldn't sleep through the night, I was told "it is a moment in time"

    And then I heard her say it to my sister in law yesterday about my new baby nephew being a little fractious, "it's just a moment in time"

    Unfortunately that moment is usually all consuming and feels never ending.

    But what about the good moments?

    The memory moments?

    Those picture perfect moments that you want to capture forever but usually don't have a camera to hand at that precise moment. Those are the moments I want to freeze frame.

    My daughters now know that if they are doing something the slightest bit cute, I will suddenly be armed with my camera or smart phone ready and waiting to capture them, which usually leaves them running in the opposite direction. I think I must do this quite often these days as even my two year old gets my phone and says "take your picture mommy" .... ooops!

     Photo Calendar

    There is method in my crazy determination to capture the perfect moment as it is coming up to Christmas and I always create a photo calendar for my Nan as a Christmas Gift. She loves to have big images of her grandchildren and great grandchildren that she can enjoy for the whole year, so "thats" why I always need to create the picture perfect moment, for our memories and for the family.

    I just hope that as my mums legacy is "it is a moment in time", my own children don't say mine is "smile at the camera"!

    This post is brought to you in association with PhotoBox but having used them every year for the past 5 years, it is also a genuine and natural recommendation.

  4. The Christmas Onesie : Is it on your wishlist?

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    I have this strange relationship with the Onesie, I think they are great, I think they can be practical, I think that they are warm but I also think they would look silly with heels, so they are not really for me.

    That said, they seem to be in all the shops at Christmas time and I love to buy them for all my friends and relatives. Shopping is a big thing for me (this is clearly not a secret), and it is always about the "right" outfit or in this case the right "onesie" but finding a good selection is always part of the challenge, so when I was introduced to Mary Jane Fashion, I knew I could find something the perfect Christmas oneside for my friends (plus dresses, shoes and accesories for me).

    Which One(sie) would you choose?

     

    The kids love them and a new onesie is definately on my eldest daughters Christmas wish list (and she wears hers all year through) but is it on yours? Or will you be coveting a Bridget Jones style Reindeer Christmas jumper this year instead?