Every parent's conundrum - to read or not to read the parenting "manuals"

Parenting books.  Now there's a market someone's making a lot of money in.  I can't say I've been terribly obsessive about reading any but I'll admit to having perused a few.  Despite having plucked some very useful information from some of them, I've found myself disagreeing with a fair bit as well.  My tactic thus far has been to just pick and choose, use what I like and ignore any bits I don't.  Am I naive to think I can just mother by my instincts and assume I'll end up with a well adjusted child with no long term sleep/food/attachment issues?  

Most mainstream parenting books would have me believe that what I am doing will create a child who will permanently cling to me and who will run riot through lack of discipline and boundaries in the few moments she can tear herself away from my side.  A child who will never go to sleep on her own and who will suffer from lifelong sleep disturbances when she finally does fall asleep, and that's only if she's lucky enough to have made it through the day without choking to death on the unsuitable non-pureed foods I've been supplying her with.  

I am eternally thankful when I find a book that I can read and think "Yes, this is what it means to be a parent. This feels right to me."  Unfortunately it seems that these days the concepts that I connect with are no longer the social norm.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to have found some places where I can discuss ideas with like-minded parents. The internet, with all its ills, can be a lifeline sometimes. 

For anyone who is interested in books/websites I have found inspirational, here is a list (you can click on the weblinks):

Unconditional Parenting: Moving From Rewards and Punishment to Love and Reasoning by Alfie Kohn

Natural Mamas Forum

Kellymom Website

Dr Sears' Website

Yoga Baby

Chloe's just been having fun discovering that feet exist, and today she's started a very impressive yogic feat (or should I say yogic feet?)

I've also started using some Ear Buddies to see if they make a difference to her slightly sticky-out ears.  Her ears are by no means bad we figured why not try and fix them painlessly now when she'll know nothing about it.  The upshot of it is that I had some fun making her all matchy-matchy with the little hat I put on to cover the tapes. 

Want a great toy for a baby?  buy them a space blanket, or better yet, fish one out of the depths of your father's hiking rucksack.  Let's face it, if he hasn't had to use it for the last 10 years he's unlikely to need it at all.  

We are currently waiting for Alex's parents to arrive from Vienna.  They've already been thwarted by the snow three times in as many weeks so this will be their 4th re-scheduling to try to visit.  And guess what has just started falling from the sky?  Surely Edinburgh Airport can handle some snow this time....surely?

My entry for "Wildlife Photographer of the Year"

It is just amazing how close you can get to some of the animals in Africa.

Favourite quote thus far...........

And the winner goes to...

"Quick, she's peeing on her face!"

The things that happen when you are trying to stop a baby from being covered in her own poo, eh?

Three continents in under 6 months!

Despite the dire weather warnings blanketing the news we found that there really wasn't any snow blanketing the roads and our drive down to Walton was easy going.  Driving through the frosted Scottish countryside was gorgeous and we were almost sad to leave what we knew would be a guaranteed "White Christmas".

View from the car window

We had a wonderful Christmas, Chloe was the star of the show.  I think, like all young kids, she had more fun playing with the wrapping than anything else!  For that matter, I think her Auntie Kate had more fun wrapping her up than anything else.

Chloe's Greige-y Stash

Wrapped Baby!

We pulled ourselves out of our post-Christmas langour and packed our bags for Marrakech.  Dad had sown some serious seeds of doubt as to whether we'd ever make it to our chosen destination on our second- (or possibly third-) rate airline but luckily Royal Air Maroc pulled through for us.  Flying with a 5 month old was definitely not as breezy as flying with a 10week old and once again I was SO thankful to have found the world of wraps when she was screaming her lungs out on the plane.  Alex and I both agree that we don't think we'll be flying with her again any time soon if it is at all avoidable. 

Marrakech was really interesting.  It was the first time either of us had been to a predominantly Muslim country and the atmosphere was decidedly distinct from our travels around Asia.  As a woman I didn't feel as comfortable, though with a baby strapped to my front and a husband by my side I certainly didn't get hassled at all, nor were there any attempts to swap livestock for me.  I'm slightly disappointed by that to be honest, Kate's worth totalled 5 chickens and 50,000 camels!  

Taking mint tea at Riad Kitula, our home for 4 days.

Demonstrating her readiness to move on to a glass of milk.

Marrakech is known for the shopping in it's Souk and the ubiquitous haggling that goes with it.  It's not really my preferred style but if you don't haggle, you'll get completely ripped off.  In fact, as Kate and Mom found out on the first day, even if you DO haggle you can get completely ripped off.  Basically if they aren't prostrating themselves on the floor swearing you are taking food out of their children's mouth you are probably paying too much.  When you've concluded a deal and the guy is giving you some extra stuff for free you know you've been ripped off!

Gimme that camera, damn paparazzi!

It was quite a laid back city, there was some hustle and some bustle in the Souk but it was very different from the hectic all-hours scrum we've experienced in cities like Bangkok.  Strolling through the shafts of sunlight seeping into the alleys as we walked past trinkets, ancient Berber "antiques", rugs, cardboard Fezes and vats of snails awaiting the pot was really quite pleasant.  As with most places visited for short jaunts, we really felt we were only just starting to find the nice places to hang out when it was time to leave, but such is the nature of travelling.  

Just chillin' while mom has another tagine. 

Snow Joke

Best quote ever from dear sis: "oh really? a few inches of snow and you ruin everyone's christmas? Thanks Britain, its shocking you ever ruled an Empire..."

So Kate's flight is cancelled, our flight is cancelled.  Fun fun fun in "Frozen Britain" - I am sure they overused that headline last year as well.  Guess what? It's winter, snow falls, learn to deal with it, not SHUT THE BLOODY COUNTRY DOWN!

So Alex and Chloe and I will be setting off on a festive road trip through the snow-blasted wilderness of the M1 or M6 corridor (we can't decide yet).  Wish us much luck on our impending journey.

Rockin' and a Rollin'

Chloe has been rocking back and forth a bit recently while on her back but today she made it all that way!  First she rolled from her front onto her back which apparently is what she should be able to do at this age but then after a good feed, and a poo I put her down on her back for a bit of a rest and she decided it was time to figure out how to roll onto her front and away she went!  In fact, I've just noticed she's done it again while I've been typing away so it definitely wasn't a fluke.  In fact, now every time I put her on her back she is over on her front a minute or two later - then grunting frustratedly cause she is tired of holding her head up, silly baby!  It'll be crawling next.

 Right after her turn.