October Half Term, What A Week....And its not over yet

This October Half Term has been spent with lots of ups and downs. Although my son Jacob has not been here the whole time, half term has meant no school runs, and a few days to chill out.

My daughter Dakota and I started the week with a day of cleaning, followed by a day of baking and visiting my sister, having a play date. All while Jacob was at his dad's house, as my plan was...note that it says WAS, to make some salt dough for Christmas presents and Slime the following day, which is something my son has been begging me to do for agggggeeeessss.

As we all know with children, things don't always go to plan. On day 1 of my son's return, the plan of making salt dough didn't happen, my friend and her daughter popped in for a cuppa. (Her daughter is a similar age to Jacob) They played lovely together (most of the time), and we sat with our cup of teas having a good catch up.

Prior to their arrival, Jacob then decided he wanted a shower.....which I am not complaining about at all. He asked for a towel, to which I advised him there is one in his sister's room. Off he wondered up stairs to get one, with his little sister now in tow, due to him coaxing her up there 'come on Dakota, come with me'. Let me in the kitchen getting her breakfast ready thinking nooooooooo. He then returns advising me she is crying, I sigh, you know that sigh, the one where you think 'here we go'.

The situation ended up with raised voices and tension. That was pretty much how the rest of the day went, hence me saying above that they played nicely 'most of the time'. Throughout the day there was a series of door slamming yelling and Hulk mum may of made an appearence......with a shed load of guilt after.

That evening I vowed to myself tomorrow will be a new day, and I will be more mindful with my words and actions.

Day 2 of my son's return, everything was going to plan, he got up, showered and dressed for the day without me nagging him. He then went downstairs got his breakfast ready, started to get his sister's breakfast ready for me (as he is a star) while I got her dressed, then SMASH.....there it was, followed by him in tears. I wandered into the kitchen....fuck...he had smashed Grandad's mug (that he always drunk his tea from) there it was lying on the floor....I quickly picked it up, sat them both at the table while I cleared up the loose china on the floor.

Thinking to myself 'oh no, not a repeat of yesterday, please no' my sister walked through the door, thank you. We made the decision to take the kids to Ninesprings Country Park in Yeovil. This decision was made on the fact I was thinking "there is no way I am staying in the house with these two today, the sun is out so let's get out"

Quickly packing a picnic, wellies, drinks, camera, nappies, wet wipes.....this list goes on and on. We arrived at Ninesprings, completed the Halloween Trail, had a picnic. The trail entailed walking round a spooky trail, searching for missing letters for an ingredient on the witches spell we were given. We all had loads of fun, there were no arguments and I took a moment to ground myself, take in a deep breathe and look up through the sun filled leaves.

After Day 1 being as bad as it was, like any mum you start evaluating your behaviour (or is that just me?) What could I have changed? Maybe I am too harsh? Or am I too soft? Is this an attention thing? Am I feeding this behaviour the wrong attention? Tomorrow I am going to be calmer etc.

Day 2 was definetly more of a success, they were both better behaved, knackered when we arrived home and I felt more calm, at peace with myself and grounded.

We have two days left, we have Halloween decorating to do and pumpkin carving.....time to start looking up which design I am doing this year. Shall I do a scary pumpkin or special Moana carving......mmmmm watch this space.

Well that's all for tonight folks.

Light, Love and Happiness to you all.

The Joys Of Parenthood

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