Changing Parenting Style

With my first son Tyler, I wrapped him completely in cotton wool, and then in bubble wrap, and then a quilt.....you get the picture. As a first time parent I had no clue. I was overprotective and a little bit crazy. Every little thing panicked me. Don't get me wrong everything still worries me but I just handle it in a different way now.
After having three children my parenting style has really changed. I know what really matters and what to brush off. With Tyler I didn't like him to get too messy and I taught him to be gentle and kind and never let him play boisterously. He is such a sweet sensitive soul because of it. However, when we went to playgroups I would intervene if a disagreement happened over a toy or if someone was pushing and shoving I would move him away from the equation. As a result, along with being so kind and caring he also didn't know how to stick up for himself as his mama was always so fiercely protective. Jaxon being number 3 it is a whole different ball game for me and I really noticed it when I took him to his first playgroup last week. These little arguments over toys need to happen, they need to be questioned and they need not always have their own way. I know now that this isn't just one child being mean, or naughty but it is them learning how to communicate and be patient. The same with tantrums, I would avoid them at all costs with Tyler and do anything to distract him, but if distraction doesn't work for Jaxon and he really just wants to shout it out, I let him. Imagine being a child and your whole world was that packet of chocolate buttons that you weren't allowed to eat. They just don't understand, and its all a learning process. I just let him thrash it out and then give him a cuddle. It was a funny feeling watching certain things going on in that playgroup, when I know 8 years ago with Tyler I would have been so upset and annoyed by them. I'm not saying that I sit there and let Jaxon take other children's toys or let other children whack him with trains and lego blocks but these days I am much more relaxed about everything. These little Toddler groups are a place for our little monsters to grow, learn and become sociable. Last week Jaxon learned to wait his turn for the slide.....I wonder what he will learn next time!?

Mrs H x

What is happening to Carshalton Ponds?

For a while now, I have noticed the water level in our beloved local ponds getting lower. I kept thinking to myself it couldn't have been from rain levels. I mean I know we are having a lovely spring so far but a drought, in April, is just unheard of!
This week my 3 children and I ventured in to Carshalton as we do weekly to burn off some energy in Grove park and feed the ducks and squirrels. As we got to the river, we noticed that the water was down by at least 2 foot. The birds were literally walking through sludge. Smaller ones able to float, just about, but the geese were just wading in the mud. It was hard to watch I have to admit. So we took a walk up to the main pond, which may as well be called Carshalton Puddle at this moment in time. It was empty! Apart from the small amount of water in the centre, it was completely drained. Birds that should be nesting were without their home, some sat on concrete ledges and a lot of them huddled together on the Wilderness Island.
I cant believe the state that the pond is in at the moment and it is so sad to see the wildlife suffering like this in their natural surroundings. I for one, hope this gets fixed as soon as it possibly can be. Those ponds are the heart of Carshalton, one of the few things left around here that holds the village's heritage and history.