My back is broken, not actually broken, but something went “ping” in there and I cant stand upright or sit, I can lie down but mostly I’m in pain. My friend is a physio he’s fixing me. Amusing side note – if you miss type physio auto type suggests patio *giggles*

Did I mention I am loaded with pain relief? Under the influence of a selection of tablets – some left over from my c-section, others purchased over the counter in foreign climes under the advice of my pharmacist buddies *giggles more*.

I’ve kind of lost my blogging mojo of late for many reasons but one of which is I’ve wanted to write about something but haven’t. It’s in me and nothing else can get past, except the odd review or competition cos they use a different part of my blog brain. So under the influence of diazepam I’d like to rant about other mothers…

There are some mothers, definitely one mother, who are a total waste of oxygen. There’s not just one mother sadly there are lots of the “pain in the ass” mother types. I was inspired by Karin over at Cafe Bebe who has experienced similar, do check out her recent vlog if you’ve not already

So this mother, let’s call her Karen, as that’s her name. Now I have encountered Karen before. I deliberately keep my distance because, well, she’s really quite unpleasant. At baby music class she talks throughout to her friend unaware of the impact this has on the overall causes, the disruption her children are causing or the inappropriateness of her mostly blue language amongst a baby/toddler class. She and I parent differently and as far as I am concerned out two approaches are incompatible when it comes to being more than familiar faces. I don’t like her, can’t believe she likes me and I couldn’t care less about either of this facts.

So imagine my surprise if a few months ago when we are both in the same soft play Karen approaches me “oh hello this must be baby G, she’s lovely…blah, blah, blah” I was on my guard but she seemed friendly enough. It was a front. Shortly after. “Claire my J says your H has just pushed him” *sigh* they’re 3 years old that’s what they do, “oh right, H come here, did you push J?” H said he didn’t. I asked Karen had she seen it. She hadn’t. I asked H to be careful and kind and that is where it should have ended.

It didn’t end there. Karen then continued to cross examine my H “you won’t get into trouble H, just say your sorry, you did push him didn’t you, just say your sorry, did you push J, you did didn’t you?” I reminded Karen that we hadn’t seen the situation, my irritation with her inappropriate interrogation of my son in front of me left me aghast. “It’s very important to me that H apologises” how can that be expected if he says he didn’t do something and neither of us witnessed the alleged misdemeanour? Then in front of both of us her J body slammed into my H, before I could pop her J into a chair, shine a bright light in his face and reciprocate the cross examination and verbally bash an apology out of him, Karen announced “you see that’s because your H didn’t apologise that’s what J does because he’s upset about the lack of apology.” I walked away, I took H and I walked away.

I was furious. Absolutely livid. It bothers me that I allowed this woman to question my son, it caught me off guard. I find it vile that she felt she had that right. She did not. It bothers me months on, it bothers me that I am still cross. This creature, Karen, has a total lack of self awareness. I attribute this to limited intellect. Oh and the fact she’s a complete bitch clearly. I don’t go to soft play to make my day more difficult. No one does.

Karen you’re a trouble causer and a first class pain in the ass. You’re also an unpleasant gossip so if you’re reading this just check behind you next time you want to *whisper* to a friend about “I’ve got a story about that Claire she’s got H & G…” remember I have the hearing of a bat and you have a big fat mouth which I’ll happily plant a big fat lip on it.

Will I regret this post in the morning? No because I already feel a whole lot better. Thanks for listening!

Claire x

Today has been a bit good and a bit rubbish. Most of my days are like this at the moment it feels. Unfortunately the rubbish bits seem to dominate and I feel like most days are rubbish. I want, no, I need to remind myself there’s good parts in most days. Here’s today:

Had pedicure at pals last night so woke with lovely new toes this morning – good! Had a few too many vino’s woke with headache – rubbish! Miners being rescued – good! Mr L at home, had small “lie in” (does 8:15am qualify?) – good & rubbish!

Went to music classes – good! Baby G had Happy Birthday sang for her – good! Lil H trapped his finger in folding chair – rubbish!

Went to new soft play, Head over Heels – good! Parking – Rubbish! Met up with some lovely friends – good! Saw acquaintance who got right on my mammaries shall we say, never to be friends not even on Facebook – Rubbish! Had a difference of parenting opinion with another mother – rubbish. Left Baby G’s favourite sippy cup at soft play – Rubbish. Realised Mr L had driven off with my car key – rubbish! Then realised my house keys are in the car – RUBBISH! My parents not at home, Mum not answering mobile, Dad not answering his mobile – rubbish! Return to soft play whilst Mr drives back from Birmingham – rubbish!

Extra time in soft play – good. Reunited with Baby G’s sippy cup – good. Got some extra time with a pal I don’t get to hang out with often enough – good! Had tea at Head over Heels – good. Shattered children asleep by 7pm – good. Two blog posts in one day – good.

So why if you ask me “did you have a good day?” would I say “no, it was rubbish!”. What’s that all about?! Let me know your thoughts…

This weeks news has, and not for the first time may I say, made me wonder whether insanity is the dominant force in society. 

I am talking about the two friends also mothers also working as Police Officers who have been forced to abandon taking caring for each others children by Ofsted as it was regarded as “illegal child minding”.  The full story dominated headlines and continues to drive debate in the broadsheets and tabloids here’s the coverage in The Times

The rule Ofsted feels the arrangement fell foul of is a rule that prevents parents from looking after other people’s children for more than two hours a day for reward – does that mean that when I look after a friends child for more than two hours and she buys me flowers to say thank you I should be turning us both in at the local nick?! 

I believe as mothers, as fathers, as parents we have the right to decide whom we trust to mind our children and believe the legislation in the area needs to be reviewed and changed.  A petition has been started to do just that, so rather than rant on about how outrageous, ludicrous, ridiculous, bureaucratic etc. the situation is I am going to be constructive and try to improve the situation for others by promoting the petition link. 

If you feel similarly please take 2 mins to sign the petition and pass it on!

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/reciprocalcc

So number two is due in 55 days (eight weeks) and I am trying to get sorted, making lists of lists of to do’s to buy’s to ask for advice on etc.  I spent this morning with a friend who is due only the day after me with her first baby so was sharing what I know and helping her compile lists with the help of my diary/notebook from first time round and found a list of parenting and baby clubs to get free stuff, samples and vouchers.  Having advised both my friend, and myself, to register for these I thought it would be helpful for others to post them up and share the freebie opportunities.  Please if you are reading this post and have additions please feel free to include comments with them – the more the merrier and all that! 

So if you’re expecting a baby and you need to “get in the zone” – there is loads of free stuff and vouchers out there, those giving them out just need to know you’re “in the club”!  So join up to the parenting and baby clubs:

Boots parenting club www.bootsparentingclub.com , Tesco Baby Club www.tesco.com/babyclub , Hipp Organic www.hippbabyclub.co.uk, Pampers www.pampers.co.uk, Huggies www.huggiesclub.com/uk , Early Learning Centre www.elc.co.uk and Bounty www.bounty.com

One last sneaky tip is to also get the Grandma’s to be or another pal to join too using her name & address but with your due dates to get double the booty for you!  Right there you go gals I’m off to do some signing up now of my own – hope you’re having a great day!

Claire x

P.s.  Mummy Tips has a great post about where to get baby vouchers too, here’s the link  http://newmummystips.blogspot.com/2009/08/baby-vouchers.html (update on 26th August 2009)