The Baby Blues - My Experience

We have all heard of the phrase 'the baby blues' at some point in time.

What a lot of people don't realise is just how many mothers, and even fathers, can be affected by Post Natal Depression (PND). This can range from mild, feeling low days to suffering from psychosis.

Studies have found that between ten and fifteen in every one hundred women are affected by this illness, along with one in ten fathers. When looking at these figures, it is clear that PND is just as common in men as it is in women. (nct.org.uk)

Are You Ready To Escape Reality?

I was recently invited along to Escape Reality in Cardiff to test my escaping skills. Now, you can ask anyone and they will tell you how competitive I am. When I told my husband about it he looked a bit worried and questionned as to whether I should be taking part as according to him, I get "crazy". Him saying that just made me want to go even more if I'm honest.

Long Haul Toddler Hacks

Travelling long haul with a toddler - it's the stuff of utter nightmares. At least it was for me when I decided to take my 17 month old to Barbados.

Don't ask me why we decided on such a long trip - it had been 2 years since our last holiday and with my job the opportunity was there, so we took it.

A Letter to the Pregnant Me.

To Pregnant Me.

Firstly, let's get one thing straight. You are not fat, you are pregnant - there's a big difference. Your body is carrying and growing a human being. Don't worry about the weight you put on. I'll let you in on a secret - you will actually only gain just under a stone and a half in weight.

Then there were four?

This is not a pregnancy announcement, I repeat, this is not a pregnancy announcement. I most certainly do not have a bun in the oven. But I will admit that I cannot wait for a second baby. Despite a few horrible weeks during my pregnancy; horrific back pain and heartburn so bad that I was throwing up most nights (and no, the old wives tale isn't true - my daughter was born bald and over a year later she is still waiting on hair!), I cannot wait to have a bump again. I certainly didn't appreciate being pregnant the first time round and I do regret that.

Back to work I go.

The inevitable has arrived - I'm heading back to work.

I've managed to have a lovely, almost, fourteen months off work, with the odd KIT day and overtime thrown in for good measure to keep me fresh and sane. I tell a lie, I've actually been in work on training for the last five or so weeks, but have yet to do a "real" shift.

Nursery: My experience.

After writing about how to choose a nursery, I thought I would discuss my own personal experience, along with the stigma and worries attached to leaving your child with someone you don't know.

I always knew that my daughter would need to go to nursery eventually. Leaving my job was never an option for me, despite being able to live on my husband's then salary. I actually enjoyed my job; the perks, the people and having my own income.