Pewari's Prattle

Oink

And speaking of dummies, I so need to get Li'l Bhaji this one...

The List

Every parent has one when they first start out. They probably won't have the same things on them, but each line usually starts with "I will never..." and they get shorter and shorter as lines get crossed off as time goes by.

For example,

"I will never let my child watch television before the age of 2, and only half an hour a day after that" Well, only half an hour got broken a long while ago when I realised that it actually improved Akra Jr's speech watching age appropriate programmes in moderation and talking about them. Before the age of 2... hmm... is that 2 years or 2 weeks? I can't see me stopping Akra Jr watching TV just because Li'l Bhaji is in the same room at the time - how to make him hate his brother in one easy lesson.

"I will never let my child eat junk food" Well Akra Jr only had wholesome nutritious food ... until he hit 1 year old and he could eat everything we did... *sheepish grin*

My latest rule I've had to cross out is "I will never let my child have a dummy". I have no issues with other people using them for their children, but I intensely dislike the things, think they look horrible and would hate for my sons to use them. However, I've now got to the "anything that'll get him to sleep is a GOOD thing" stage so have crossed that one off too.

My list is looking decidedly short these days.

None of the Above

Well, I voted today in the end. If only because I owed it to Ms Pankhurst et al.

I have never been so close, though, to deliberately spoiling my vote. Not one of the parties or candidates really represented me or I felt I could trust. Why don't they have a "None of the Above" option in UK politics?! They'll be complaining about low turnouts tomorrow and they'll wonder why.

I didn't spoil my vote (It feels "wrong" somehow, even as a protest) but I did feel I voted "negatively" in that I chose the party that was least offensive to me at this precise moment in time rather than because I agree with their policies or worldview. Depressing really.

Shhh

Li'l Bhaji may (I stress... may) have got himself to sleep. In an evening. With only an hour of yelling.

I'm typing quietly. Just in case.

Update: false alarm...

Stressful Situations...

... no. 264:

Driving to Tumbletots after only 2 hours sleep the previous night, Bob the Builder CD on permanent loop, 3 year old screaming at you because he's dropped his soft toy and you refuse to attempt to pick it up while driving, and a lorry travelling far too close behind when you have had a prior accident with a lorry rear-ending your vehicle...

Still, at least Li'l Bhaji was asleep at the time for a change.

Wee Small Hours

"Okay, Daddy. You win. Just put me down and I promise to renounce all colic..."

I wish.

I think I spoke too soon. Li'l Bhaji is still settling well during the day, unfortunately he seems to have transferred his unsettledness into the evening and early hours of the morning with full blown colic symptoms. Screaming, face contorted with pain, lots of wind, the works. It's absolutely horrific, because even though you're going through your repertoire of "things that soothe baby", none of them work and you feel a complete failure as a parent. It also doesn't help when you read sites that basically say "there's nothing you can do about it, but don't worry... it only lasts for around 3 to 4 months". Only?!! It's hard enough lasting for 3 to 4 minutes listening to that wail without cracking!

Responsible Voting

In five days time, we get to vote for European and Local Government elections, and for the first time in a long time I haven't a clue who I'm going to vote for. I'm totally ambivalent to the lot of them.

I feel guilty. I know how hard it was to win voting rights. I know it's an important part of the democratic process, yada yada yada. But frankly, all the options stink and I'm not convinced I trust any of them.

The European lot don't seem to have any real powers anyway, as proved by the EQ commission's recent overruling of the European Parliament, so I can't get excited over that.

As for the local elections - I've only just moved here, don't really have a feel for who would be "best" for the area, so again it hasn't really grabbed my interest. Not to mention certain parties' flexible attitude towards manifesto promises...

I still feel guilty though.

I notice that the BBC have a summary of all the European Elections manifestos which makes research a little easier. Maybe I'll vote after all... just not sure for who yet...