AislingLyons's Blog

‘Toilet’ and ‘training’ are two words that strike fear into most parents’ hearts. Luckily I have the magic solution, although it has taken me three children to discover it. The secret? Wait until they are three! Allow me to explain… The eldest was just shy of two-and-a-half-years-old when I trained her. I was in full crèche mode, I stayed calm when she had accidents and I had loads of...
Last updated: 22/07/2015 by AislingLyons
I stopped and looked – you were playing away with your Lego but you were also taking the time to match the colours. I had never noticed that you did that before. I stopped and looked – you were racing your little sister but you were letting her win. I didn’t realise just how mature a six-year-old you were. I stopped and looked – you had built your very own‘Hogwarts and were lost in a...
Last updated: 23/06/2015 by AislingLyons
They bought milk. She is eight, he is six and last week, they bought milk! It started a few months ago. We were up at the shops and I was going to buy the paper. “Let me, Mum, please!” came the plea from the then seven-year-old. I gave her specific instructions on where to find the paper, gave her the exact change and waited inside the door of the shop while she did the necessary. She did it...
Last updated: 22/05/2015 by AislingLyons
“I follow you?” is the constant refrain from The Toddler these days. As much as I love the little lady, this particular phrase drives me to distraction. I find it hugely irritating that, wherever I go, there she is right behind me. Now, I am mostly for my children following in my footsteps, except for a few times where I possibly made the wrong choice. That time in Mexico springs to mind...
Last updated: 22/04/2015 by AislingLyons
“Are you sorted? What are your plans? Have you sorted Caoimhe? What are you going to wear? We are heading for dinner tonight to check out the restaurant before we book. Where have you booked? Are you getting your make-up done as well as your hair?” I have been trying to avoid these currently abundant conversations because, well, my daughter is not in fact getting married - she is eight years...
Last updated: 23/03/2015 by AislingLyons
Hugging does not come naturally to me. Our family were never big huggers. Don‘t get me wrong - we were close growing up and even closer now as adults; however, when it comes to hugs, we just don't do them. I thought this was totally normal behaviour for a child growing up in the 80s, but then I met my husband's family. They hug each other all the time. ALL THE TIME. And they also tell...
Last updated: 24/02/2015 by AislingLyons
I love my children. I want the very best for each of them. I want them to grow into confident, capable, happy, independent people - that’s why I insist on being a ‘bad’ mother! Here are some examples of my bad mothering: I don't put their coats on. I just provide them with coats (and hats and gloves and scarves) and I advise them that they should wear their these items when it is cold. I...
Last updated: 22/01/2015 by AislingLyons
Ah Christmas, that magical time of the year! Time to eat belt-snapping amounts of turkey, mince pies, Roses and the rest, while lounging around with Baileys coffees and mid-afternoon G&Ts... oh wait, I'm a mother. Take 2: we'll have a magical Christmas eve, wrapping presents in bright shiny paper and arranging them beautifully under the tree. Getting up a little earlier than normal on...
Last updated: 22/12/2014 by AislingLyons
I look at all the early pregnancy predictor kits in the shops these days and they only cause me a moment's pause, but there was a time I stocked up on them. I don't even know what section of the chemist holds the ovulation indicators any more, but there was a time that I could grab them blinfolded. I look at my three children and know that my family is complete, but there was a time when...
Last updated: 24/11/2014 by AislingLyons
Déanta in Éirinn - Sheology
About