Generally I think I’m a pretty good mother. My kids are pretty polite. They have good senses of humour. They do their jobs around the house, mostly without complaint or too much nagging. They are lovely with younger kids. They know they are loved.
But held up to the light of my sister-in-law’s mothering I’m afraid my mothering looks a little slapdash to say the least. Now I will say that she is a former nanny so well qualified to be a mother… having your own kids is different though wouldn’t you say?
Last night we had her two kids, aged 4 and 2 and a half, to stay the night. Our first sleepover. The youngest, a little girl, has really come on with her language and was able to tell me she was hungry and what she was hungry for. After dinner (which she had at home) she ate two tomatoes, a yoghurt and two plums. She’s such a good eater. They both got ready for bed when asked with no fuss and brushed their teeth, asking me for help to get to the back teeth.
The 2-year old cousin enters the lounge room cubby house
At about 7.30 – half an hour after their regular bed time – and while watching Cars (a surprisingly good film), they asked to go to bed. They are both dry, the little one calling out to me to take her to the loo at about 11pm.
We then ate our Thai takeaway with the big kids.
In the morning they played with our two for a while before asking me if I could help get them dressed… and therefore get out of bed. For breakfast the little one had two bowls of Just Right, a plum, a pear and about a third of a bowl of porridge. Her brother had one big bowl of porridge. I’m documenting this because I’m frankly astounded by how much she eats and the fact they do so without whinging or fussing.
Then they made a cubby before heading outside to get wet and dirty in “Mudworld”.
The boys make the dam in Mudworld
The dam walls start to break – but the little ones just look on delightedly as Hugamuga desperately tries to shore up the walls.
The dam breaks – success?!
Baths and lunch – what child eats Branston Pickle sandwiches?! And then Mum came and picked them up.
They are Stepford Children – perfectly behaved. Cute. And they eat!
So what lesson could be learned?
Maybe all new mothers should spend a year nannying before giving birth?
Hmmm how low do we want the population rate to fall?
Ahh forget it. My two are gorgeous. I love them anyway just the way they are. Anyone for porridge?
No? Just me again.
{ 9 comments }
Those are some abnormally wonderful kids. Parenting or some sort of vitamin cocktail while she was pregnant?
Perhaps they are genetically engineered super-children? Personally, I’m glad my children had a little spirit and opinions of their own (even at that age).
Oh don’t get me wrong – these two have spirit and personality. I call the younger cheeky monkey!
All kids are better behaved at someone elses house:-)! They do sound and look awesome though.
My kids liked pickles on toast when they were little. I remember when my mum babysat them once, she didn’t believe what she was hearing and my daughter had to actually get them out of the fridge to show her that she knew what she wanted.
Sounds like the nanny training has paid off really well. My kids weren’t big on pickles but the eldest loved curry from my plate at 6 months and the youngest ate pea & ham soup on a regular basis from 5 months.
I was a professional baby sitter (not nanny – no training) through an agency in my twenties because I just LOVED children and couldn’t wait to have my own.
Looking back on life my (now teenage) kids were well behaved and people used to comment on that fact. Just recently we all went out to dinner and the waiter commented on how polite my teenagers’ manners were. I’ve always suspected it’s me who’s the badly behaved one…..
Just on another note, Cellobella, my mother remarried yesterday to a very nice man and I gave her away at their wedding. It was a most surreal but inspirational and awesome experience. My pregnant sister and I have four lovely new step-siblings, all in their twenties, (their Mum died of cancer in 2000) although Mum’s husband is the same age as she. My mother (always good-looking and well-groomed) looked exceptionally beautiful and radiant. She’s also very, very happy.
oh I want her secret recipe … well one of mine eats but the other – zilch vegetable matter and neither really ask – they point and squeal – and shriek if I don’t oblige.
I agree kids do behave better at someone’s house and then there are some exceptional kids who always behave …little sods make the rest of us feel failures.
Hi! Parenting is a hard ask for anyone and I don’t think anyone can totally prepare you for the harsh reality of being a mum or dad. Even some experts have trouble getting it right, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about getting it totally right. I had no preparation for being a father but I did my best. That’s all anyone can ask. From what I see here, you are a great mum and I wish you all the best.
The fact that they are learning to eat healthy and a diverse selection of food at such a young age will help them in the long run. To this day I can’t stand certain vegetables, and I know it isn’t good for me.