Top 10 | Things I Swore I'd Never Do As a Parent

Let's face it, we all have ideas of what we will be like when we become parents, but realistically we're all just winging it! I like to think I know what I'm doing but really I don't have a clue, I'm just finding what works for us. Don't get me wrong, I've been doing this parenting shit for 2 and a half years so I think I've got a pretty good grasp on it but I'm still adjusting to life with 2 babies! Here's a list of 10 things I swore I'd never do as a parent. 

1. Let George eat a sausage roll in his pram 

I used to see kids in my local town centres scoffing sausage rolls whilst being pushed around in their pram and thought 'oh my god, how common!' Now, George can often be seen in his pram and scoffing a sausage roll. I call it a Birkenhead dummy! 

2. Swear in front of my kids 

I'm common, I'm from Birkenhead (a small town near Liverpool - Google it), and I swear like a sailor! I always vowed I would never swear in front of my children and whilst I do try to make a conscious effort not to do this, I often slip up. Especially when Pete has pissed me off! 

3.  Co-Sleep

Yes, yes, we have all been lectured on the dangers of co-sleeping and SIDS but George used to get in our bed all the time! Not when he was a newborn but when he was a couple of months old. We actually did this safely, he was never allowed under our duvet and we both used to sleep at the edge of the bed. Not that I ever slept properly when he was next to me but who needs sleep right? 

4. Use a buggy board

God I hate these ugly things, however, we recently bought one for George and whilst I do think they're a good idea, I still maintain that they're too bulky! I hate how they look, I hate how they stick out so far. Ugh I just hate them. We used ours this week and luckily George would rather walk.

5. Baby wearing

I used to think this was so hippy, but on recommendation from a family member, I tried it out with Henry and I love it so much. It's so convenient to pop him in the sling and not have to worry about dressing him to go outside. 

6. Go to baby groups

When I had G, I was a bit of a snob and turned my nose at the thought of talking to other mums at baby groups and to be hlonest, I quite liked it that way. Now he's a bit older, we've started going to a mums and tots on a Monday then Tumble Tots on a Saturday and I love it!  

7. Give my baby a dummy to shut him up

I'm not anti-dummy but I wasn't keen on using one in the beginning, but George was a baby who needed something to suck and Henry is the same way. I try to take George's dummy off him when I can, but admittedly I will give in if he asks for it continuously and I'm trying to get something done. Sometimes you just need a bit of a break you know? 

8. Tell my children to shut up in public

You've heard those mums screaming at their kids in the supermarket, before I had kids, I swore this was something I would never in a million years do. It's common, it's mean and it's unnecessary. I've done it many a time! Sometimes George screams for no reason, sometimes he talks on and on. I just consider it an accomplishment that I don't tell him to shut the fuck up. 

9. Give them sweets
I remember seeing mum friends give their kids sweets and judging them hard. Now George has sweets or chocolate almost every day much to his dad's dismay. However, he does brush his teeth twice a day and I have no fear over him becoming over weight as the only time he is still is when he's sleeping.

10. Use the telly as a third parent
Who doesn't love the telly? If half an hour of Paw Patrol lets me get a bit of housework done, then so be it. If watching Andy Day on every single programme makes George happy and teaches him about nature, it just has to be done!

What did you vow never to do when you had kids?

Rachael xo