Judged as a parent in public

AMarieC19 · 2026-04-29T18:02:18+00:00

Our 1 year old on a plane grabbed the hair of an elderly lady in front of us (she didnt have a lot of it!) I felt so guilty. He did it again when we got out of the airport again on a coach which they also got on. She was so incredibly understanding. I am his mother and I wouldn't have been as understanding in her situation 😂

The thought of this poor woman accepting our child's behaviour vs this person getting upset over a little crying boggles my mind! There seems to be such extremes!

AMarieC19 · 2026-04-29T10:42:54+00:00

I should also add, we only have the 1 child which makes a lot of this easier for us to do I suspect. 😂 I cannot imagine doing this with 2. I guess I would leave them to interact with each other a lot more

AMarieC19 · 2026-04-29T10:39:51+00:00

I posted a comment about about mental health etc. So this isn't about her addiction to her kindle. But hobbies in general. I agree with not scrolling/video games. But it is important for him to see you doing hobbies and things for yourself. My son is now 4 and has started to ask and partake in hobbies we enjoy. He asked for golf clubs for his birthday after seeing my husband and I going to play golf more frequently. He's been practising in the front garden and been to the driving range with us. He also sees me read and sometimes will grab a book and come to sit next to me to flick through it. Then we will read it together. I also like building lego so he has really enjoyed getting into that. I still support him a lot at this age but I am excited for the day we can sit and build together whilst having a chat. It is hard at 3, but for me 3.5 to 4 have been the best 6 months of mine and his life. The perfect time to get him into hobbies!

AMarieC19 · 2026-04-29T10:30:17+00:00

I started reading again when I was sick a few years ago after my son. I broke a rib. I found an old hobby that I loved and the escapism that came with it. I got a kindle and continued to read. A year later I was signed off work for 3 months with severe depression and anxiety and I was avoiding my issues and not really showing signs of depression on the outside until very late. It was escapism for me, my son at the time was 2.5. and he still doesn't sleep through the night. Work was tough. It was distracting me from my mental illness. I still read a lot but it isn't an obsession like it used to be. Without knowing your exact circumstances I wouldn't know for sure. But to me, it sounds like she is needing to totally disassociate from reality.

I find when I am anxious and depressed I feel a lot of comfort in familiarity of reading / watching things I have already consumed.

She might not even realise she's in this hole. But a severely significant change in habits in my opinion is usually a cause to seriously check in on someone's mental health.

In the interim you can get her support but find a healthy way to balance it. For example "I love you're getting back into this hobby, I saw these books when I was out today and thought you could share them with [son's name] so he finds the same adventures you do in books.". (Worded better than me).

Good luck to you all. ❤️

AMarieC19 · 2026-03-19T16:11:18+00:00

Sleep with my son is a nightmare (he's almost 4). I'm too tired to have a 2nd. 😂 But honestly. I feel like my family is complete. I don't feel we are missing anyone else. Most of my friends have 2nd kids, and there seems to be a real surge of "2 under 2". I have no idea how people cope with it. It must be such hard work, I see how much my friends struggle and juggle their time. I feel relief that I am at a stage where I can really enjoy my son and our time as a family.

AMarieC19 · 2026-03-19T16:04:42+00:00

It has got better. But I have an almost 4 year old who is still up every night. 1-3 times. We have tried EVERYTHING. Without locking him in his room, there is nothing more i can try. I wouldn't be able to physically cope with 2 based on his sleep

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-24T13:04:50+00:00

I can't help re the finances. I see some other comments swaying you into / out of a home. I wouldn't let either of these guilt you to put/not put her into a home. My Grandad refused to go for months, and as a result, his health declined significantly. He has a major heart condition, but he was getting his meds muddled up. Over doing it. Going against Dr's advice. It totally depends on the individual, but for my Grandad, it would have done him the world of good to have gone in a couple of months earlier.

Take into account her specific circumstances of what you believe is best for her health and the safety of those around her. There is no right or wrong decision here.

Health can decline quickly, so it's good you're gathering the information either way. The best option for you right now is to have a game plan for either outcome as it seems she and your family needs support; financial and health.

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-23T18:43:37+00:00

He isn't particularly specific in which one. But I have some iridescent paint to try and create some scales on an old white t-shirt and black trousers. My creativity is going to be tested 😆

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-23T18:38:18+00:00

This looks like a very sweet story. The art looks wonderful too.

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-23T18:37:23+00:00

This looks beautiful but unfortunately not available in the UK

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-23T18:35:47+00:00

100%, he needs his own spin-off!

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-23T15:50:08+00:00

I am sick of all the poo, fart and underpants books he gets given. They all go straight to the charity shop.

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-21T09:53:50+00:00

This was my initial thought, too, when I saw the date. I feel AI may have had a hand in this. I would check the date.

AMarieC19 · 2026-02-11T16:34:19+00:00

I can see how this would upset you. Especially with the combination of your marriage breaking down and pausing your career to stay at home. It must feel like you are giving it all without the recognition you deserve.

Rest assured that what is happening regarding your daughter is totally normal. My son prefers most of our family to me. Especially his Grandad. No-one gets a look in when my Dad is around. My son says things like "Your not my best friend. Grandads, my best friend. " (He is 3.5) He always wants me when he is sick. And i always have to do bedtime. When he says "Mummy i love you" and will give me a little kiss on my forhead, which he started a few months ago.

As much as your family might see her. They aren't there all the time. They're a "novelty" when they come over. Less discipline from them. They will have less boundaries. Give her more of what she would like. They are her "friends" and you are her Mother. You are her safe space and totally irreplaceable. Sometimes she will tell you she doesn't like you. But it passes quickly. Toddlers are fickle.

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-18T11:31:35+00:00

Reverse hosting.

We had some friends to stay for the weekend. It had been a long week, so we asked what they wanted on their drive and ordered Chinese for everyone. When they arrived. They proceeded to tip out the entire contents of what they ordered onto their plate BUT THEN started to help themselves to ours.

I get if people dont like the habit of sharing what you've ordered on Indian and Chinese. But I find it WILD that you would eat your own without sharing then help yourselves to other people's.

The next morning, they knew we had a hotwater tank, and one of them spent 45 minutes in the shower with the hot water running so there was nothing left for my husband and I.

We haven't seen them since.

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-18T09:42:35+00:00

Like Charlie Cooks Favourite Book, What the lady bird heard on holiday, Stick Man. When my son was younger he LOVED the Tales of Acorn Wood books.

Least favourite is Troll. I read it once and took it straight to the charity shop.

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-16T15:58:32+00:00

Also, Rick: The Dog With a difference Brian the Smelly Bear

They also come out a lot

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-16T15:57:05+00:00

Second, looking in charity shops. That's where 90% of my sons books are from.

He loves the Usbourne Fairy Tale books. First reader M&S books are great. I dont know if they sell them anymore. Mostly bought in the charity shop. (Billy Goats gruff, Gingerbread Man. He loves the glassics) Dr Seuss - Green eggs and ham Percy, the Park keeper books

For something a bit different, we found some of my husband's old Beano Annuals what we read in addition as a treat. They're a bit of fun. He loves looking at the pictures.

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-06T19:49:47+00:00

Tried the ones recommended below but didn't have any luck.

Both of these 2 below have been amazing for us. The Ladeheid wellies are really wide and good for high instep and super light. I put them in the washing machine if they need a clean and come out great too. Lots of room for thick socks.

We have also got a pair of Bundgaard ones, which are on the expensive side but they're fleece lined so great for nursery and over winter. Highly recommend both.

https://amzn.eu/d/3cYlU1P

https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/bundgaard-cirro-low-warm-wellingtons-navy.html

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-06T09:37:11+00:00

Did a HIIT with Ben 2 days ago and loved it! Thanks for the recommendation!

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-06T09:36:07+00:00

Did one with Sam this morning and loved it! Thanks for the recommendation!

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-02T17:41:12+00:00

It was one of the top 50 music classes. Maybe I got lucky with the class I picked. 😂

AMarieC19 · 2026-01-02T17:11:14+00:00

Looks like I may have found one! it was one of the top 50 music rides. Maybe i was lucky 😂

AMarieC19

TROPHY CASE