Tag: boys

Children, Families, Family Life

Welcoming Baby Anabell’s Baby Brother 

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Welcoming Baby Anabell’s Baby Brother 

A while ago Oscar was over the moon to have his first dolly that he was allowed to love and look after.

He named her Sue and she had been one of his favourite toys ever since.

When Sue arrived I spoke a lot about the stigma and stereotypical feelings that people still have towards boys playing with dolls and it really is something that over time I hope will be quashed.

I think that one of the things that doesn’t help with this issue is the fact that the majority of dolls on the market are girls.

You walk into a sea of pink in most toy stores when it comes to the baby doll section and it is very rare to see a little boy.

If you do happen to come across one they tend to be your bog standard doll that offered nothing more than being just that.

That is why when I saw Baby Annabell’s Little Brother I was extremely interested to find out what he offered and knew that he would make a wonderful friend for baby ‘Sue’.

Oscar’s eyes lit up when ‘John’ as he has been named arrived.

His super cuddly body came dressed in a beautifully soft blue romper with a matching hat and bib.

It wasn’t long before Oscar spotted the bottle and dummy and was intrigued at how he could give him a drink and comfort him with the dummy.

To his amazement he went from being a settled baby that was peacefully sleeping to a unsettled little one that cried real tears!

Cleverly though with a little bit of soothing and rubbing he soon settled again and showed his contentment with a few wriggles.

The highlight of any interactive dolls for my children is the feeding and Oscar was not disappointed here.

We filled the bottle with some water and once the feeding started he began to move his eyes and mouth in and extremely life like fashion.


Feeding complete it was now time for a nappy change that I encourage the boys to do in imaginative play as it is not going to come from learnt behaviour from their dad!

Oscar really loved Baby Annabell’s baby brother and he had become a welcome part of our family.

I love the fact that alongside the imaginative play that is bought out by using this doll the ability to grow a child’s loving and nurturing side is easy with the fact the doll can be visibly soothed by a bit of TLC.

It is a really welcome change to see a male doll with all these great additional features and I’m sure he would be a welcome addition to any toy box.

*I was given this doll for the purpose of this review and they are all my own, honest opinions.

Behavioural Problems, Children, Families, Family Life, Parents, Sons

Not So Smug Anymore!

by thejoyoffive10 Comments on Not So Smug Anymore!

  

After a day filled with meltdowns over magazines, tantrums about the wrong colour grapes and cleaning up a pot plant that had been launched across the bathroom I sat back tonight and reflected on all those sideways, judgemental looks I have thrown to other parents over the years.

With my first three I will now openly admit that I was a super smug Mum. They were far from perfect as no child is but with a stern talking to or one of those looks only a Mother could give they would more than normally fall into line and do as they were told.

I would get remarks from people on how polite and well behaved my children were.  There was in fact one occasion when a stranger came over to let me know what a well mannered child number three was.

I would sit at soft play areas and chat with friends while the children all happily played.  We could go to the park and I would know they could wander around happily safe in the knowledge they would never be to far from my side.  A meal out was always a good experience as long as we didn’t drag it out for to long.

I would see a child throwing a tantrum and would throw the mother a judgemental look and wonder why she was allowing this to happen, I would watch programs like Super Nanny and would be astounded as to how people could let their children behave in such a way and then number four came along!

 This little bundle of joy completly turned my world upside down in more ways than one.

I became that mother that got a look as we walked into toddler group, people stop and stare as he screams and hits out in the middle of a shopping centre, I am continually on edge when we are in the playground as I never know what his next move will be.  My home has become a destruction zone of ripped wall paper and discarded toys.

He is the only one that has resorted me to tears, I’ve had so many trips to the health visitor for help I have lost count, I’ve dragged him kicking and screaming from soft play areas with silenced crowds staring at me.

I now wish I could turn the clocks back and offer a sympathetic look or reach out a much needed hand to all those mothers I have judged in the past.  It just goes to show that no matter how you bring your children up and what coping mechanisms you put in place life can always throw you a curve ball that completly messes with all your best laid plans.

His character makes him the little boy he is but boy had he been a challange!
  

Children, Families, Family Life, Kids Style, Large Families, Sons

Creating A ‘Boy Zone’ With Yorkshire Linen

by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment on Creating A ‘Boy Zone’ With Yorkshire Linen

In our house the children love nothing better than stressing me out by lol deciding to change around bedrooms! At the moment there is actually only one of the children’s rooms decorated as I had refused to do anything until they finally made up their minds where they wanted to be.

Number two has struck lucky and now has the biggest room which is wonderfully light and airy with plenty of room for him to have friends round which is what he needs now he is approaching the big ’13’.

He has a big love for scooting which I thought he would like reflected in his room but he has informed me that he would like to go for a monochrome look.

This is gong to be nice and easy and can be easily achieved with the addition of some simple lighting changes.

Currently he is putting up with his sister’s floral duvet so changes in his soft furnishings will make a big difference.

  

Yorkshire Linen have asked me to create a mood board to depict how I would like to see my room.  There was such a big selection of beautiful soft furnishings on their site it was very hard to pick.

I’ve gone with his dream room and picked lots of black and white with some fabulous # cushions that are prefect to create a teenage boys den!

  
I can’t wait to get started and will have the finished room up on the blog very soon.

Children, Families, Family Life, Memories, My Captured Moment, Outdoor Play, Photography, Toddlers

My Captured Moment:Sleeping Babes

by thejoyoffive8 Comments on My Captured Moment:Sleeping Babes

We have just got back from another fabulous trip to Center Parcs.  It is by far our favourite place to visit as there is so much to do.  Because of this the youngest two were completely wiped out and ended up in a sleepy tangle like this in their trailer several times.

  
  

Children, Families, Family Life, Large Families, Parents, Sons, Toddlers, Wicked Wednesday

Wicked Wednesday’s:I Never Learn

by thejoyoffive2 Comments on Wicked Wednesday’s:I Never Learn

With 18 years of parenting under my belt you would have thought in some situations alarm bells would ring and you would learn from past mistakes.
Oh no not me!  When number three came away from the pocket money section with a ridiculous balloon toy filled with flour I should have point blank refused.  Instead I looked at her sad face and then listened to the promise she would keep it away from the boys.

Only a day later four and five have got their sticky mitts on it and caused a flour explosion across the entire house!!

  

  

Families, Memories, My Captured Moment

My Captured Moment:How Time Flies

by thejoyoffive5 Comments on My Captured Moment:How Time Flies

  

I know it’s a cliche but the saying “doesn’t time fly” really is spot on.

I was reminiscing by looking through old photos the other day and came across one of my favourites of number two.

I remember it being a boiling hot day at a local fete and he was adamant that he was going to wear his full Peter Pan regalia.

I’m so glad that I have these captured moments to look back in fondly.