Well today 2 became 4 as the school holidays began. I now have to fit my busy work schedule around 4 rather than 2 children. Fortunately my dad came to the rescue and took Ben and Caitlin to the pictures to see Happy Feet. Apparently its very good.
I have gone into free fall panic. I am going to need to monitor my clients over the New Year period and we are off to the Lake District - not the best place to log onto the www. The technical department thinks they may have come up with a system of allowing me to log on using my mobile. Sounds a bit hit and miss to me!
Got my girlie mates round tonight for a few glasses of wine to celebrate the festive season. Looking forward to a good chinwag.
Wednesday, 20 December 2006
Monday, 18 December 2006
Lying for Christmas
I have amazed myself at the lengths that I am prepared to go to maintain the street cred of Santa Claus with my children. Last year Ben was beginning to ask some very awkward questions because other children had told him there was no such thing as Father Christmas. Threatened with "he doesn't come to unbelievers", Ben seems to have decided that it is in his best interests to keep stum this year rather than risk it. However, at 5 and 7 my kids are savvy enough to realise that it is impossible for Father Christmas to be in so many places at the same time for the pre- Christmas Santa visit. I have now told them that there is only one real Father Christmas, but that he hires out Santa Suits to others so that all children can go and visit someone who looks like him. The way to detect if it is the real one or a pretend one is to examine the beard at close quarters, a false beard = a false Santa. However, if the beard is genuine and he knows your name you are one of the lucky few to see the real thing.
This weekend required Ben and Caitlin to use their best detective skills. At the infant Christmas party, Caitlin peered at Santa so intently that the poor man started to look quite disconcerted - "Mr Crompton" (the Reception Teachers husband) Caitlin announced when I collected her at 3.20.
On Saturday we headed for Tatton Park in Cheshire to see the Santa at the farmyard. The man at the payment booth into the car park explained to us all that Santas reindeer were stayng in the park for a few days to rest up before the hard work on Christmas Eve. He said that we might be lucky enough to spot them. We parked the car and made our way to the farm. We managed to get there at 10.55 and were first in the queue (I can't stand queing up). At 11.00 my children were duly frogmarched into the yard in search of Santa. Nobody was allowed to stop to admire the animals, lest we should have to queue. Unfortunately we took a wrong turn and ended up at the exit to the grotto. We retraced our steps and eventually found the door (damn two people were now in front of us). After a short wait we were shown in to see the Man. Well that was the theory. I couldn't get the pushchair in and had to go round via the exit. I was just in time to hear Ben ask for something that I haven't bought him and to see Caitlin stick her head to one side to see if his beard was attached to his ears with elastic. Ewan took one look at Santa and screamed the place down and Joseph was considering whether to join in. Finally they all got the gift and we were able to make our escape. "Pretend one" announced Caitlin at the top of her voice.
After that we visited the donkeys who had tinsel attractively draped through their ears (found out that Ewan is terrified of donkeys as well as Father Christmas). We looked at the nativity scene and both children impressed me with their knowledge of the cast. Ben and Caitlin painted a festive picture and all 4 had a go on the merry go round.
On the way home we drove around the park and found Santas reindeer. There was no doubt in my children's minds that they were the real thing. Was it a good day? - certainly. Was it value for money? Make up your own mind. £4 to park the car, £15 to see Santa, £2 for drinks, £4 for the merry go round, £10 for Macdonalds on the way home, plus the petrol to drive across 2 counties. Still the magic of christmas is short lived for children (and their parents) and I intend to keep coming up with more ingenius lies to prolong it for as long as possible.
This weekend required Ben and Caitlin to use their best detective skills. At the infant Christmas party, Caitlin peered at Santa so intently that the poor man started to look quite disconcerted - "Mr Crompton" (the Reception Teachers husband) Caitlin announced when I collected her at 3.20.
On Saturday we headed for Tatton Park in Cheshire to see the Santa at the farmyard. The man at the payment booth into the car park explained to us all that Santas reindeer were stayng in the park for a few days to rest up before the hard work on Christmas Eve. He said that we might be lucky enough to spot them. We parked the car and made our way to the farm. We managed to get there at 10.55 and were first in the queue (I can't stand queing up). At 11.00 my children were duly frogmarched into the yard in search of Santa. Nobody was allowed to stop to admire the animals, lest we should have to queue. Unfortunately we took a wrong turn and ended up at the exit to the grotto. We retraced our steps and eventually found the door (damn two people were now in front of us). After a short wait we were shown in to see the Man. Well that was the theory. I couldn't get the pushchair in and had to go round via the exit. I was just in time to hear Ben ask for something that I haven't bought him and to see Caitlin stick her head to one side to see if his beard was attached to his ears with elastic. Ewan took one look at Santa and screamed the place down and Joseph was considering whether to join in. Finally they all got the gift and we were able to make our escape. "Pretend one" announced Caitlin at the top of her voice.
After that we visited the donkeys who had tinsel attractively draped through their ears (found out that Ewan is terrified of donkeys as well as Father Christmas). We looked at the nativity scene and both children impressed me with their knowledge of the cast. Ben and Caitlin painted a festive picture and all 4 had a go on the merry go round.
On the way home we drove around the park and found Santas reindeer. There was no doubt in my children's minds that they were the real thing. Was it a good day? - certainly. Was it value for money? Make up your own mind. £4 to park the car, £15 to see Santa, £2 for drinks, £4 for the merry go round, £10 for Macdonalds on the way home, plus the petrol to drive across 2 counties. Still the magic of christmas is short lived for children (and their parents) and I intend to keep coming up with more ingenius lies to prolong it for as long as possible.
Friday, 15 December 2006
Funny Old Day
You know when you are just having one of those days that is kind of peculiar. Well I am having one of those. Why is it funny? You might not think it is, but it feels it:
1. Blow dried hair this morning. Got wet when I took the dog out. This doesn't seem odd as it is always raining here, but I can't understand why I dried my hair in the first place. I don't usually if its raining.
2. Met 2 friends whilst out with dog. Briefly expressed my concern about said dog taking nips out of people if she doesn't like the look of them. I have now been referred to a dog psychiatist - hate to think how much that is going to cost!
3. Went to toddler group at local church. Proceeded to tell vicar all about the great jokes I had heard from another vicar earlier in the week at a carol service. Even said I'd write them down for him. Why did I do that? He looked a bit downcast and helped himself to a some fudge. He offerred me a bit, probably in the vain hope that it might glue my jaws together.
Its stil only 1.55 in the afternoon. What other funny events will occur?
With regard to Baby Sleep Answers. We met our sales target for the first time yesterday. I am still waiting for a user to get back to me about a query she had about her cot hating son. I needed some clarification about his age, so I have not put a proper reply in yet. I worry that people might think I don't want to answer. In this game you have to be very careful that the advice you give is safe and stands a good chance of being effective.
Oh well I will continue with my bizarre day.
1. Blow dried hair this morning. Got wet when I took the dog out. This doesn't seem odd as it is always raining here, but I can't understand why I dried my hair in the first place. I don't usually if its raining.
2. Met 2 friends whilst out with dog. Briefly expressed my concern about said dog taking nips out of people if she doesn't like the look of them. I have now been referred to a dog psychiatist - hate to think how much that is going to cost!
3. Went to toddler group at local church. Proceeded to tell vicar all about the great jokes I had heard from another vicar earlier in the week at a carol service. Even said I'd write them down for him. Why did I do that? He looked a bit downcast and helped himself to a some fudge. He offerred me a bit, probably in the vain hope that it might glue my jaws together.
Its stil only 1.55 in the afternoon. What other funny events will occur?
With regard to Baby Sleep Answers. We met our sales target for the first time yesterday. I am still waiting for a user to get back to me about a query she had about her cot hating son. I needed some clarification about his age, so I have not put a proper reply in yet. I worry that people might think I don't want to answer. In this game you have to be very careful that the advice you give is safe and stands a good chance of being effective.
Oh well I will continue with my bizarre day.
Thursday, 14 December 2006
The infant nativity play
Well the nativity play was a great success. My chief Angel performed beautifully and my Roman soldier organised the little soldiers by giving them a good shove when it was time for them to march. The highlight of the performance was the 2 dancing camels. I fear that little Archie Critchlow will never live it down.
Just had the first of my 2 Christmas Tesco deliveries. The idea was to get all the normal shopping today, in bulk to get me to the other side of Christmas. I spent £214 and it doesn't look that much. Mind you the wine was looking fairly substantial! I've got another delivery coming next week with the Christmas grub and the beer. I am trying to make Christmas as stress free as possible this year. I will let you know if I succeed.
We are doing well on our get some sleep for Christmas campaign we have sold 200 Baby Sleep Systems this month. That's a lot of satisfied customers in the New Year.
Just had the first of my 2 Christmas Tesco deliveries. The idea was to get all the normal shopping today, in bulk to get me to the other side of Christmas. I spent £214 and it doesn't look that much. Mind you the wine was looking fairly substantial! I've got another delivery coming next week with the Christmas grub and the beer. I am trying to make Christmas as stress free as possible this year. I will let you know if I succeed.
We are doing well on our get some sleep for Christmas campaign we have sold 200 Baby Sleep Systems this month. That's a lot of satisfied customers in the New Year.
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
The Meaning of Christmas
Went to a carol service last night that was advertised under the above title. As well as the usual carols, passages from the Bible and sermon, there were quite a few good jokes. The best was about what would have happened if the 3 wise men had been wise women:
1. They would have been on time because they would have stopped to ask for directions.
2. They would have taken a casserole.
3.They would have tidied up and helped out with the Delivery.
4. They would have given much more useful gifts than gold, francincense and mhyrr.
Very good.
I am going to the Infant Christmas play tonight and a looking forward to it. Caitlin is the Chief Angel. The Chief bit is very important! She says that the little Angels from the reception class are little devils and that they keep chattering. Ben (who is a Roman soldier) says Caitlins Angel dance is rubbish. Great support for his sibling. Oh well tonight we will see the result of all that line rehearsal.
The Forum at Baby Sleep Answers has started to pick up. I'm glad about that as I am sure it can offer people real support. We have had a few hitches with the site over the last week, I'm starting to get a bit panicky as we are away over Christmas and won't have access to the Internet to fix it if something goes wrong. Hopefully it will be okay.
Oh well back to work I have an appointment with a nursery this afternoon where I am running a session for parents on baby sleep.
1. They would have been on time because they would have stopped to ask for directions.
2. They would have taken a casserole.
3.They would have tidied up and helped out with the Delivery.
4. They would have given much more useful gifts than gold, francincense and mhyrr.
Very good.
I am going to the Infant Christmas play tonight and a looking forward to it. Caitlin is the Chief Angel. The Chief bit is very important! She says that the little Angels from the reception class are little devils and that they keep chattering. Ben (who is a Roman soldier) says Caitlins Angel dance is rubbish. Great support for his sibling. Oh well tonight we will see the result of all that line rehearsal.
The Forum at Baby Sleep Answers has started to pick up. I'm glad about that as I am sure it can offer people real support. We have had a few hitches with the site over the last week, I'm starting to get a bit panicky as we are away over Christmas and won't have access to the Internet to fix it if something goes wrong. Hopefully it will be okay.
Oh well back to work I have an appointment with a nursery this afternoon where I am running a session for parents on baby sleep.
Monday, 11 December 2006
Tired, tired, tired
Yes I am tired. Just like many people who sign up for the Baby Sleep System. Christmas is getting to me and we are not even there yet. Christmas party hats have had to be made for children number 1 and 2. The same children want to send Christmas cards to everyone in their class - fine but easier if they could spell!
Last minute shopping still needs to be done. I am determined not to be in Tesco's on Christmas Eve so the menus for the next 2 weeks have to be planned fastidiously so all the shopping arrives on a van.
Twin 2 has turned into the devil incarnate and is at best unco-operative and some days seems certain to end up in a young offenders institution. Twin 1 seems to be developing yet another cold and so will probably drop below the second percentile that he hangs onto by his finger tips. I am also about to start a campaign to get 250 families to have a full nights sleep by Christmas. A worthy aim, but a big responsibility as well. Oh well, the infant Christmas play is on Wednesday and so the joy of being a mother of young children at Christmas will start to kick in. I'm sure I'm not alone so good luck to us all.
Last minute shopping still needs to be done. I am determined not to be in Tesco's on Christmas Eve so the menus for the next 2 weeks have to be planned fastidiously so all the shopping arrives on a van.
Twin 2 has turned into the devil incarnate and is at best unco-operative and some days seems certain to end up in a young offenders institution. Twin 1 seems to be developing yet another cold and so will probably drop below the second percentile that he hangs onto by his finger tips. I am also about to start a campaign to get 250 families to have a full nights sleep by Christmas. A worthy aim, but a big responsibility as well. Oh well, the infant Christmas play is on Wednesday and so the joy of being a mother of young children at Christmas will start to kick in. I'm sure I'm not alone so good luck to us all.
Friday, 8 December 2006
It finally stopped raining
Yippee, just as I thought the SAD was moving in, the sun came out. I have been for a really lovely 3 mile walk this morning with the twins, dog and my good friend Emma. We saw sheep, horses and a Heron. I feel more cheerful than I have done for days.
I arrived back to more good news. One purchaser of the Baby Sleep System (a lady called Nicole, with a 6 month old son) started to implement it on Monday and had her first full nights sleep last night. Her and her husband are absolutely delighted.
The Forum doesn't appear to be going too well. Clients seem embarrassed to put their progress into the public domain. They are emailing me direct instead. I don't mind, but think they would benefit from some peer suppport.
Oh well the weekend begins tonight. Off to see Father Christmas at Pooles Cavern in Buxton tomorrow. The twins will probably scream the place down. Caitlin has a theory that you can tell the real Father Christmas from a dressed up one by pulling his beard. I hope she doesn't!
I arrived back to more good news. One purchaser of the Baby Sleep System (a lady called Nicole, with a 6 month old son) started to implement it on Monday and had her first full nights sleep last night. Her and her husband are absolutely delighted.
The Forum doesn't appear to be going too well. Clients seem embarrassed to put their progress into the public domain. They are emailing me direct instead. I don't mind, but think they would benefit from some peer suppport.
Oh well the weekend begins tonight. Off to see Father Christmas at Pooles Cavern in Buxton tomorrow. The twins will probably scream the place down. Caitlin has a theory that you can tell the real Father Christmas from a dressed up one by pulling his beard. I hope she doesn't!
Thursday, 7 December 2006
The Joy of Christmas
Am I the only one out there who finds Christmas a bit of a bind. I keep being told that with 4 young children, Xmas must be lovely in my house. Christmas Day it is, but the run up to it is an exhausting experience. My oldest boy is also getting a bit savvy. Last year he asked several hundred times if there was such a thing as Father Christmas. This year, I suspect that he no longer believes but has decided that it is in his best interests to keep stum. He has also turned into a bit of a super sleuth and the hiding of presents is getting complicated. What's that? Who's that for? Why hasn't that gone to Father Christmas? etc etc etc.
Yesterday I decided to do more work to do less next year and typed up all my Christmas Card addresses. I then had to remember how to do a mail merge and of course the Office World address labels I had weren't the same as the ones on the drop down menu. I daren't pester my husband as he is the technical brain behind Baby Sleep Answers and is fed up enough of me as it is. After a lot of huffing and puffing, false starts and addresses that were half on the neighbouring label, I finally managed it. I could have written my Christmas cards for the next 3 years in the amount of time it took me.
Still I have a Christmas Dinner in the pub, a holiday at Centre Parcs for New Year and a good feeling that some of my clients will be getting a full nights sleep on Christmas Eve for the first time ever this year. What's a few address labels!
Yesterday I decided to do more work to do less next year and typed up all my Christmas Card addresses. I then had to remember how to do a mail merge and of course the Office World address labels I had weren't the same as the ones on the drop down menu. I daren't pester my husband as he is the technical brain behind Baby Sleep Answers and is fed up enough of me as it is. After a lot of huffing and puffing, false starts and addresses that were half on the neighbouring label, I finally managed it. I could have written my Christmas cards for the next 3 years in the amount of time it took me.
Still I have a Christmas Dinner in the pub, a holiday at Centre Parcs for New Year and a good feeling that some of my clients will be getting a full nights sleep on Christmas Eve for the first time ever this year. What's a few address labels!
Tuesday, 5 December 2006
Bad Day
Day started very badly. It was tipping it down with rain, had to take the kids to school and the dog for a walk. Rain cover on the buggy decided to rip into shreds so the twins got wet.
Arrived at the local twins club after stopping to blow my flat tyre up en route (I don't really want to add car maintenance to my repertoire, but hub seems to be in no hurry to sort out that new tyre to replace the one with the nail!). When I arrived I was grilled about my motives for starting www.babysleepanswers.co.uk. Some people just can't understand why I am not in it for commercial gain, but out of a genuine desire to help desparate parents. The final icing on the cake was the comment that "sleep problems might be genetic". Okay so in some very rare cases they might be, but most exhausted families would simply benefit from a bit of support!
After this wonderful chat, my poor boys then had to go for the latest vaccination. It must be terrible to see your brother scream and then have to go through the same experience yourself!
When I finally sat down at my PC to check up on my clients I had the first good news of the day. Someone who had been using the Baby Sleep System for only 3 days had reported their first full nights sleep in 2 years. Now I know why I do this!
My elation was dispelled at 3.45 when Ben and Caitlin were begging me to purchase their own design Xmas Cards organised for sale by the school. 2 packets each x £5 = £20. I wouldn't mind so much if I hadn't already bought my cards. Tried to flog my mum a couple of packets, but she's already written hers.
PS If anyone knows where I can buy online a new double raincover for my 3 wheeler I would really appreciate it. Most online stores stock singles and Shade a Babe - not a big demand for these in the Peak District in December!
Arrived at the local twins club after stopping to blow my flat tyre up en route (I don't really want to add car maintenance to my repertoire, but hub seems to be in no hurry to sort out that new tyre to replace the one with the nail!). When I arrived I was grilled about my motives for starting www.babysleepanswers.co.uk. Some people just can't understand why I am not in it for commercial gain, but out of a genuine desire to help desparate parents. The final icing on the cake was the comment that "sleep problems might be genetic". Okay so in some very rare cases they might be, but most exhausted families would simply benefit from a bit of support!
After this wonderful chat, my poor boys then had to go for the latest vaccination. It must be terrible to see your brother scream and then have to go through the same experience yourself!
When I finally sat down at my PC to check up on my clients I had the first good news of the day. Someone who had been using the Baby Sleep System for only 3 days had reported their first full nights sleep in 2 years. Now I know why I do this!
My elation was dispelled at 3.45 when Ben and Caitlin were begging me to purchase their own design Xmas Cards organised for sale by the school. 2 packets each x £5 = £20. I wouldn't mind so much if I hadn't already bought my cards. Tried to flog my mum a couple of packets, but she's already written hers.
PS If anyone knows where I can buy online a new double raincover for my 3 wheeler I would really appreciate it. Most online stores stock singles and Shade a Babe - not a big demand for these in the Peak District in December!
Monday, 4 December 2006
Online support for tired parents
What a horrible wet day. I had a great time (not) struggling to school, walking the dog, struggling back to school, going out again to oldest boys recorder lesson and all this with a pram with a puncture!
Made good progress on the site today though. I am going to add a Forum that purchasers of the Baby Sleep System will be able to use to get some extra support. There will also be a new Sleep News section and more useful articles. I'm hoping that this will all be done by the end of the week, but my technical department are looking sceptical. I will attempt to bribe them with an early Christmas present!
Made good progress on the site today though. I am going to add a Forum that purchasers of the Baby Sleep System will be able to use to get some extra support. There will also be a new Sleep News section and more useful articles. I'm hoping that this will all be done by the end of the week, but my technical department are looking sceptical. I will attempt to bribe them with an early Christmas present!
Friday, 1 December 2006
Child crying until it was sick
Today I counselled a family who were really struggling to get their 2 year old child to go to sleep. He was crying so much when they put him in bed that he made himself sick. We went through the Bbay Sleep System to see where they were going wrong. The problem lay in a lack of consistancy. Now we've identified the problem I'm hopeful that things will be different tonight.
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