Welcome to my monthly feature in which I share some of my favourite online articles for the month. I read a lot of blog posts and articles online and whilst I share a lot of them through tweets, it’s easy to miss them and hard to come back to them at another time. This is a list of my top ten reads for the month, a mixture of formal news articles and blog posts. Enjoy!
One: When should you give Calpol or Nurofen to your kids?
I have never been one to take medicine myself unless I really need to. (Although since becoming a mum and not being able to rest when I’m sick, I find myself giving in more easily now-a-days!) So since H hit the Calpol milestone of two months, everytime she seems ill, I start the “Should I give her Calpol? Does she need it or is she just tired? etc etc” debate. This blog post from Mum Muddling Through really summed up how I feel! It also reassured me that I’m probably doing the best I can to only give Little H medication when I think she really needs it.
Two: Why birth plans are a waste of time for first-time mums
I found myself nodding along to every single line of this post by The Mum Reviews. I had a loose birth plan for Little H’s birth. But then my waters broke before I started contractions, there was meconium in them and everything went completely off plan from there. To this day (it’s almost 2 years now) I still feel like I didn’t quite manage to give birth ‘properly’. I wish I hadn’t created a ‘plan’ now!
Three: Taking a holiday from parenting
A second feature for The Mum Reviews this month. I read this particular post on a day where Little H was at nursery and Sam and I had the day-off at home. I realised that whilst I relished the child-free time, I missed her being there bringing life to the house. That day I found myself heading off to collect her a little earlier than normal. Every parent needs and deserves a break from their children regularly to focus on themselves. But more than that, it really does make you appreciate your time with them!
Four: “Why are we so scared to ask about maternity benefits in job interviews?”
I loved this article from Mother Pukka on Stylist. Some of the real-life experiences she references are astonishing. I am know that I wouldn’t dare ask in an interview about Maternity packages. I find it very upsetting that a woman having a child is seen in such a negative way.
Five: This Part-timer is Revolting!
Mummy Wales really hits the nail on the head with this post. There is so much talk about flexible working but very few companies actually hire staff on reduced hours. As a working parent it’s gamble enough trying to get reduced hours in a job you’ve had since pre-child. But what if you are made redundant like Mummy Wales?? Businesses operating in the UK need to re-evaluate how the recruit people. I’m happy in my job but I do have a general feeling of anxiety knowing that I have minimal options to move now.
Six: Some Can Draw Bikes From Memory. Some … Definitely Can’t
I just happened-upon this article when I saw a tweet of it from Wired. As the wife of an avid cyclist, I was intrigued. Some of the outcomes made me laugh but I also love the sentiment of the guy who carried out the experiment; that it showed the extent of the human imagination and what a group of people can create. You can also see the full set of cycles on the Velocipedia site.
Seven: What If It Was Your child?
I love almost every post from Just Saying Mum but this one really struck a chord. So many children suffer at the hands of bullies. Whilst the stereotype is a kid having his head stuck down the toilet, bullying takes much more sinister forms. I was a victim of mild bullying at school; it was just verbal comments and remarks but eventually they stick. These days children can’t escape thanks to social media and mobile phones. I hate to think of Little H ever being bullied. Any parent should read this.
Eight: Storms don’t last forever
Another blogger whose posts are always a thought-provoking read is What My Fridge Says. This one makes the valid point that we all have ups and downs in life, but that when we hit a bad spot we will come out of the other side eventually. Not even a couple of weeks into the New Year, this is a good one to take a look at.
Nine: Lying Down With Your Kids Until They Fall Asleep Is Not A Bad Habit
As I’ve mentioned in passing in previous posts, the judgement parents get for how they do or don’t deal with their children’s sleep really aggravates me. I love this post from Scary Mommy because it’s a nice reminder that parents should not feel guilty for staying with their children as they fall asleep. We rarely have to do it with Little H, but sometimes she needs an extra cuddle so she’ll get one to help her go back to bed happily. Also, as the post says, many adults don’t like going to sleep when their partner is away. So why would a child enjoy it?!
Ten: Why parents should teach Feminism
I’ve had this post from The Single Swan saved for a while and I finally got to reading it on New Years Eve. I loved the honesty and the general message. I have also seen feminism to just be a driver towards equality; not just between the sexes but between races, nationalities and anything else that is current used as a negative form of division.
20 comments On My Top 10 Online Reads #8
Thank you so much for the mentions! It’s nice to know there are people out there who relate to my rantings 😂
Thanks for the great reads x
lovely round up and i’m def going to check out the calpol post! i love just saying mum’s posts too – really well written and i love her IG feed too #fortheloveogblog
Hope you enjoyed the calpol post. I think it’s a nightmare for every parent! Thanks for reading lovely xx
Oh thank you so much for mentioning my blog – blushing over here! Thank you also for highlighting some other blogs that I haven’t read! This is such a good idea of a blog post xx
justsayingmum recently posted…Celebrating All The Bad Mums
You’re more than welcome. It was a fab post! Glad you like the blog concept too 🙂 Thanks for reading xx
Brilliant round up. I love posts like this supporting bloggers and a great way to find new blogs to read too. #MarvMondays
Life as Mum recently posted…How To Put Together a Photo Album
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you found a few new posts to read! Thanks for stopping by xx
What a fab list – I know what I’m going to be doing at nap time!
#familyfun
beth recently posted…Hanging Owl Tutorial
Hehe, hope you enjoy them and thanks for stopping by xx
The birth plan one is really interesting to me. I had a very loose plan for my first birth where I thought I’d quite like to use the pool but wasn’t hopeful of it being available. But I didn’t understand the fact that it wasn’t so much about availability (it was in fact free), but the range of complications that can occur which stop you using it. I was hooked up to an IV quite quickly as I had a very fast heart rate (birthing pool no-no #1), and then when my waters were broken they had meconium in them (birthing pool no-no #2). All things considered, I had a great birth experience first time, but had I had a more fixed plan in my head for how I wanted it to be, I think I would have been disappointed. #familyfun
Yes I think you’re quite right! I had meconium in my waters but after being monitored I was allowed to use the pool. However, I went in too early and it slowed my contractions down. I had expected it to be some ‘miracle’ pain relief and it wasn’t so I should have probably stayed out!! I stuck to plan right until the last bit and to this day I’m a little disappointment by the outcome. Although I have my daughter which is the main thing! Thanks for reading xx
Oh I have read some of these but not all. Oh calpol was such an issue when mine were younger and whether to give it or not. It’s a little easier now especially now the eldest is talking more it feels like less of a guessing game. Thanks for the heads up on these posts and sharing them at #familyfun xx
I worry my daughter will start asking for it when she doesn’t need it because she likes the taste. But now she’s starting to tell me about pains and things, at least I should be getting extra info to make an informed judgment! Hope you enjoy the other posts xx
I think I’d struggle to pick out 10 reads I. A month. I read so many great blogs! Great selection and a few I’ll be going to check out! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Award Winning #FamilyFun
Hopefully a few more good ones for you! Thanks for reading x
Lots of great blogs featured here. I have read a few of these posts but not all so will have to find some time to read the others. Thus is a lovely idea for a post xx #fortheloveofblog
Hope you enjoy the ones you you haven’t read. I obviously thought they were all excellent! Thanks for stopping by xx
There are some great reads here. I will definitely head off to read them. Thank you for sharing. Hugs Lucy xxxx Popping over, very belatedly due to a sick family, from #MarvMondays xxxx
Mrs H recently posted…An open letter to our first baby
Ah bless you for still commenting. Thanks for your lovely comment and I hope you enjoy the posts. Hope your family are all better now xx
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About Me
Hello, I'm Angela. I'm Mum to two small people (4 & 1). I'm a Gardener, am houseplant obsessed and addicted to tea. By day I work in tech and also look after my littles. I'm trying to get our family to live a more sustainable life. I also have far too many opinions...hence the blog. You can read more about me here. You can also follow me on Twitter so you never miss a post. Hope you enjoy reading!
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