Top ten things that would make up the worst day ever (I think I’m up to about 7 today already). Part of the ProBlogger writing project.
Number 10 : Require the need for a tradesperson. Full Stop. (apologies if you are indeed a reputable tradesperson….eh….could you email me your number by any chance?).
Number 9 : Be going on holiday, and have to pack – for yourself, your husband and the children.
Number 8 : Realise that you have ‘run the cupboards down’ so much for said holiday that you no longer have anything edible for lunch…or tea…
Number 7 : Call up your bank for a simple balance and have them quiz you about every transaction across four accounts over the past month…..just for security purposes of course.
Number 6 : Just before you leave for said holiday (1000 mile round trip?) find that one of the tyres is very close to the minimum national tread depth.
Number 5 : Wake up to changeable weather and remember that I haven’t bought daughter gloves and hat because I couldn’t find a set ‘cute enough’ ….ahem HELLO practicalities first.
Number 4 : Come up with a great idea for a business 2 days before going on holiday….
Number 3 : Having the need to ring a call centre in Bangladesh and speak to ‘Peter’ about my bank account/washing machine/insurance which is based in good ol’ Great Britain.
Number 2 : Venturing out and onto the bus service knowing fine well I’ll have to wait for about four buses before one can fit the pram on.
Number 1 : Have no breakfast, snack or sustinence since 5pm yesterday (it’s 12pm, and yes, that’s an issue because I get very ratty without food!)
Have a Good Day!
How did you feed your baby?
Great Nan (mother of 3)
I breastfed all my children until they were five months. I also helped feed a premature baby, this was commonplace in my day.
Nan (mother of 4)
I breastfed my first two babies until they were six weeks and then I bottlefed. My other two were bottle fed from the beginning. I decided to bottle feed as it was less restrictive and meant that my husband could get more involved.
Mum (mother of 2)
I bottle fed both my children, I didn’t want to breast feed at all.
Me (mother of 1)
I bottle fed as I wasn’t allowed to breast feed because of crohns medication I am on.
That concludes my look at how different generations have dealt with pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.
Five Generations Part 1 – Antenatal
Five Generations Part 2 - Partners Role during Childbirth
Five Generations Part 3 – Pain Relief and Labour
Five Generations Part 4 – Childbirth and Hospital
Five Generations Part 5 – Parenting Advice
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Has parenting advice changed?
Great Nan (mother of 3)
I was always to allow my baby to cry because it helps to expand their lungs. We didn’t really get parenting advice though, we just learned from our own mothers. For example, we always wrapped them up tight.
Nan (mother of 4)
There wasn’t really any advice, I just muddled through. Any advice I did get came from mum and my gran. I know there is a lot of different advice now on how to put a baby down to sleep, we were told never to put a baby on their back to sleep in case they choked.
Mum (mother of 2)
It’s not really changed. Information was more forceful compared to nowadays. It seems to be more parent lead now, less like they are telling you and more like they are suggesting.
Me (mother of 1)
I know some things have changed like how to put a baby in the cot i.e on their back and at the foot. Breastfeeding seems to be the new crusade, it’s all about breastfeeding – it doesn’t seem to have been like that as much before.
How long were you in hospital?
Great Nan (mother of 3)
Well, I wasn’t in hospital but I had to stay in bed for nine days (with a natural birth) and I was allowed up on the tenth day.
Nan (mother of 4)
Seven days was standard practise in my day although by the time I had my last child I was allowed home much quicker.
Mum (mother of 2)
10 days after a caesarean was standard practise.
Me (mother of 1)
I had Erin by caesarean and left hospital after 36 hours. I can’t believe the difference between my time in hospital and Mum’s. Well seen we live at a faster pace these day – 10 days bed rest for Great Nan!
After my post on ‘How to make paint‘, I thought i’d give you a few ideas that you may not have thought of – to do with paint!
Sponge Painting – Use a sponge and paint to make patterns and effects, this is good for display work ie for a sky or jungle scene. This technique is also great for covering large areas. Full painting pinnys recommended!
CD Painting – Take an old cd (aka mmm bop by hanson, or Mr Blobby!) and paint the shiny side, press it onto paper to make a cd print.
Comb Painting – pop a dollop of paint onto a piece of paper (thick paint works best) and drag the comb along the paper to make a comb effect. This one is great for making rainbows.
Straw Painting – Take some runny paint and put a bit on the paper take your straw and blow the paint to make a pattern.
Splatter Painting – Laden your brush with plenty of fairly runny paint then flick the brush so you make a speckled effect on the paper. This one is good for firework pictures, especially if you use black paper.
Stamp Painting – Use ready-made foam stamps or make your own by carving shapes into potato halves. Dip in the paint and stamp away – thick paint works best.
Did you have any pain relief during childbirth?
Great Nan (mother of 3)
I only had gas & air with my last baby. There weren’t really any pain relief options before that. If there were I would have definitely taken them 
Nan (mother of 4)
I had gas & air with them all and an epidural with my last baby. If i’d had more pain relief options I would have taken them
Mum (mother of 2)
I had gas & air and pethidine with Erica before having an emergency caesarean. I had a planned caesarean with my second baby.
Me (mother of 1)
I had a planned caesarean so no pain relief other than what they give you to have your caesarean.
If you’ve been caught without any paint (tut tut!) for the latest art project, then here is an easy recipe.
You will need;
Water
Flour
Food Colouring
Bowl
Spoon
1. Mix small amount of flour and water, mix until you have a smooth paste.
2. Continue to add water until you have the right consistency. For example for finger painting you will need a thicker paint than standard paintbrush painting.
*Tip* If you don’t have any paintbrushes you could do what my nan used to do (my mum did it for us once!), cut an inch or so of hair (yes, that’s your hair) and tape to a twig! This would be a great little tip if the end result wasn’t so shoddy…. 
(sorry mum, nan…)
What kind of birth/s did you have and was your partner there?
Great Nan (mother of 3)
I had all my children naturally. I delivered two at home and one in hospital. My husband was there up until the point of delivery when he was sent out by the midwife – this was standard practise back then.
Nan (mother of 4)
I had all four of my children naturally. I had my third child at home but the rest were in hospital. Partners weren’t allowed at the birth, but I don’t think he would have wanted to be there anyway – he was a bit squeamish!
Mum (mother of 2)
My first child (Erica) was delivered by emergency caesarean section due to complications. I still did a full labour though! My second child was a planned caesarean because of the complications during my first labour – that was much better. My husband was at the labour for the first birth but wasn’t allowed in theatre because it was an emergency. He wasn’t at the second birth at all.
Me (mother of 1)
I had Erin by planned caesarean because I have crohn’s disease. Alex, my husband was at the birth. He had to wear the theatre gown and white clogs, I couldn’t stop giggling!
This is a great activity for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It can be adjusted to suit all. For example it’s great to make a hand and foot canvas for a baby’s nursery. Toddlers can have fun painting their own feet and hands and printing onto brightly coloured paper, or green on black paper for scary halloween hands. Preschoolers can cut theirs out and decorate with glitter before putting them on their wall to make a hand and foot trail.
Hand and Foot Printing
You will need;
Newspaper or waterproof play mat (you can buy these at ELC)
Paint and Paintbrush
Brightly coloured card or paper
Wet flannel or basin of water to clean hands and feet
There are five generations in my family. Hilda, my great nan, Christine, my nan, Lisa, my mum, myself [Erica], and my daughter Erin.
I had the idea of comparing notes on antenatal care, childbirth, pain relief etc from a magazine I read.
Did you attend antenatal classes?
Great Nan (mother of 3)
No, there were none available. I did have to pay two pay two shillings a week for my midwife though. It added up to a weeks wage and we didn’t have much money then. That was before the NHS.
Nan (mother of 4)
I attended antenatal classes. There were six in all and they taught us (amongst other things) relaxation techniques. I ended up falling asleep and the midwife had to wake me up.
Mum (mother of 2)
No. They were available but I didn’t go, it wasn’t really a big thing. My midwife at the birth was really nice though, she was very supportive and didn’t interfere at all.
Me (mother of 1)
I attended antenatal classes. There were three or four in all. We did the relaxation thing that nan done and watched a video. The best thing about the antenatal classes were that I got to meet other mums, we still meet up now for coffee and to compare notes.
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I've been blogging for four years and write about anything and everything that takes my fancy.
Above is me with my beloved Ernie in Port Aventura and left with our love child in Florida.
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