All hail the Emergency Banana!

Yes, it’s back.

 

Anyone who has read my blog in the past might be familiar with the ‘emergency banana’. When my eldest was little it was always a mainstay of the baby bag; there to hand should a cranky fit begin to develop; there in case a little tummy began to rumble, and just generally there to make me feel safe.

 

Because as long as the emergency banana was there, everything would be okay.

 

Sounds silly, doesn’t it?

 

Not to other mums of little ones. I can hear them whispering ‘yes’ when I talk about this, as we all have something that we rely on to make sure we are prepared to head out in to the scary ‘real’ world with our children in tow. It might be an extra bottle (just in case), or baby’s favourite toy, or fourteen extra dummies…am I right?

 

Speaking of venturing out, recently, I decided it would be wise to drive my car almost 200 miles on a family holiday. With my children. Both of them. In the back seat.

Not so wise. More like the daftest idea ever.

 

I was as prepared as I possibly could be. The iPad was stocked with four thousand episodes of My Little Pony for my little girl, so I was just a series of hoots and clicks to her for the entire journey. Fab. But, the wee man was a bit more tricky…

 

He REFUSED to sleep. FOR THE WHOLE JOURNEY. I believe I stopped at least 12 times by the side of the road to jump out, put his dummy back in his mouth when he had flung it across the backseat, and jump back in again, all the while trying to avoid horrendous rain and wind and dodging other cars that rocketed past at eye-watering speeds.

 

Nothing would pacify him. Not singing, not stopping to give him a bottle, not toys…but of course, like a miracle, Amelia came out with those magic words: “Mummy, what about the ‘murgency nana’? His eyes lit up as he saw me produce it from the bag. I was so relieved I felt like crying.

 

All was right with the world again. It kept him occupied for a good 30 miles. Until he finished it and realised it was all gone.

 

Cue the tears….again.

 

By the time we reached our destination I was a red eyed, tearful version of my former self with very soggy feet. 

 

But I suppose it was all okay in the end, thanks to the emergency banana.

 

Emma Kelly is a Belfast-based mum of two little ones and an English teacher by trade. Life is currently a happy juggle of nappies, toddler fun, constant dieting and the (more than) occasional glass of wine!

 

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