Letting go....

Today has been tiring, but lovely. We have been swimming with Daddy at Aqua tots, and as usual you were elated to be there. You walked in by yourself today, kicking and splashing, desperate to jump in and go, like the little duck you have become.

Aside from swimming we have played 'village' with all your little people and the cottage, putting policemen to bed and fireman in the bath.. and of course we had the school children running the emergency services! We laughed as I did all the different accents for each person, and you started to gabble away too, making them chat to each other. I love watching your imagination develop.

My definite highlight of today however is your new singing. "Let it gooooo, LET IT GOOOO...." which happened for the first time yesterday, yet today from the kitchen I heard " Let it goooo, LET IT GOOOOO....no do do do anymoooo" (to the tune) ...you just randomly burst into song. It was hilarious! I am both proud and tickled at your funny little ways.

A lot of today was spent rearranging furniture and cupboards, for you and the new baby. We were mostly drilling things to the wall..and moving your room around. Most importantly today, my single bed that I have been sleeping on;  in your room (for 18 months) has been dismantled....and you and getting to have your room all to yourself! Loads more space to play! 

We have made a play area by your bookshelves and  a quiet 'story corner' with a brand new 'chair bed' comfy seat (in case you need me or someone to sleep in with you at any point.)  

Your soft glow moon light is above it with a bookcase. It looks really lovely, and your little face was a picture when I took you up to see it, you were so shocked, with your little hand gestures...followed by "wow" in your tuneful little tone. 

You certainly seemed to like it... and there were no complaints from you at all at bed time. In fact you were quite eager to hop into bed with your milk... so grown up!

As I anxiously ponder over whether to turn off the landing light or not, while you sleep so soundly in your perfect little dreamworld, snuggled in your toddler bed with your favourite toys. It is safe to say you are more ready to grow up, than I am ready to let go of what we have had; just the two of us and our bed time snuggles. I am pretty sure I know who will be getting the better sleep tonight.... night night Theo, my darling boy, my chubby little cherub chops.... Until Morning xx

Understanding a 'clingy' baby

There is plenty advice on how to 'prevent' your child being 'needy' of you, and likewise advice on how to stop them from being 'clingy' when they already do not wish to leave your side -

You should be strong, stick to your guns, you need to be consistent and resilient.


Let them'cry it out,' and eventually they will 'self soothe.'

Let me take you somewhere....


Imagine you have just disembarked from a plane, You are the other side of the world (wherever that may be for you.) On arrival into this country, you realise the language is unknown to you. 

The culture and customs are unknown to you. The food, traditions, smells and temperatures are all different, strange; unlike anything you have experienced before.

At the Airport you find that you know one person. You know and trust this person, They have a full understanding of this place. They understand how to interact and converse with the locals, how to order food, find the toilet, and organise a place to sleep. You have no money, no phone, and no language book.


After making you feel a little more secure about being in the unknown, and completely inferior, the person you know disappears; with no way for you to contact them.


You do not know how long the have gone for, or if they are even coming back. This person is the only constant you can 'cling' to. It would be understandable at this point that you would feel anxiety. (some people would use this as an opportunity; to explore and find there feet, merely go with the flow.Whereas others would pine, worry, stress and even cry at being alone; in the unknown.)


Your baby is in a new world, he/she doesn't know language, or routine, he/she does not realise that we have things to do, or that when you are away you are not the other side of the world.


His/her one initial form of communication is to cry, if he/she is anxious and upset. You are his/her food source, his/her comfort, warmth and longest memory. You carried this baby into this world, you are the protector, provider and stability.


Being a parent should not be a battle of wills, but that of trust and understanding.


Trust is learned and developed, and by leaving our babies to scream and cry to 'prevent' them being 'clingy,' we are abusing our 'power' and their trust. It is inconvenient to have a 'clingy' baby, yet if we could change our perception, on what 'clingy' is, then maybe it would be easier to deal with. Instead of thinking"my baby screams whenever I put them down" we need to realise the counterpart, which would be that "my baby is much more contented and secure when in my arms."

Having a baby that is more content in your arms, than anywhere else, surely cannot be negative?