Monday 16 March 2015

Points and free stuff

These are two points websites I use where you can accumulate and redeem for free stuff.
I haven't redeemed yet, so I can't make any claims as to how efficient they are, but it never hurts to try, right?
These are my personal referral links, so clicking through them will benefit me.

www.swagbucks.com/refer/Leigirl

https://www.superpoints.com/join/njoLoG9zhgVh6pEiufBUc8_SM6I



Happy collecting!

Sunday 15 March 2015

Pretty Sparkly things

So this one's been kicking around in my head for a few days, and I haven't been sure how to get it out.

I was in a shoe store with my 4 year old son looking for a pair of summer flats. Couldn't find anything I liked, but that's totally besides the point.
We went to the kids section, because he will be needing summer shoes soon. The first thing I noticed was the lack of boys selection.
Turns out that doesn't matter, cause the ones he was drawn to were flowery or pink or sparkly. Girl shoes.

This is where I completely disappointed myself.

He loved the pretty shoes. I also thought all of the shoes were pretty. I found myself, while mentally berating myself, holding up the two pairs of boy shoes. Which I then put back on the shelf, took his hand, and left.

I have two boys. My oldest is the sweetest, most sensitive child you have ever known. I've worked hard to build his confidence because I know how easily he hurts. His best friends are always girls. He loves for things to be beautiful. But he also likes his clothes to be "boys" clothes. I found myself relieved at that because I figured there's at least one thing he wont be teased about.
So when my 4yo held up a pair of pretty "girl" shoes, I panicked.
Not because I'm against pretty things. Not because I afraid how he'll turn out.

Because I'm afraid of him getting hurt.

 I work hard to make sure my boys are confident and secure in who they are. If they're happy in their clothes, I'm happy.
One kid wears his shirts backward because that's how he likes them. One wanted Vampire Red hair. Off I went to pick up dye. I did my own at the same time. They both rock their style!
But there I stood, paralyzed by my sweet boy who wanted "pretty" shoes.

I am extremely disappointed in myself.

I know my boys need to be confident in themselves. And I know there are choices and battles that need to be all their own.

So next payday I will bring my sweet little boy shoe shopping.
I will let him pick his own shoes (as long as they're practical)
I will not cringe if he chooses pretty runners.

And I will accept that I'm not a perfect human. I'm a mom.

Thursday 12 February 2015

Parents, PLEASE!

Tonight I was reading a parenting blog. A hilarious one where parents can feel like they're not alone in their misery, joy and general messiness of being a parent.Tonight it pissed me off, though. Not the blog post. That was awesome.

It was the comments section.

Usually I scroll. I'm good at scrolling. Tonight I am pissed. It may seem like a small thing. Some parents might not even realize they're doing it. No big deal.
Here's the thing. We teach our children. We teach them about their eyes, their hair, all the fingers and toes.
Heart goes here. Those are your ribs. That is an elbow.

Guess what else we teach them?

It is NOT a naughty part. It is NOT a rude spot. It is NOT your dirty place. It is NOT a front bottom.

It IS a penis. It IS a vagina.

They are parts of our anatomy like any other. They are not shameful. They are not a topic to be afraid of. We shouldn't shy away from the questions.
They perform necessary bodily functions. They can also do some pretty neat tricks (I have boys)

Let them enjoy learning about their body. Let them explore it. Ok, maybe not at the dinner table. Instead of snapping at your child to "leave it alone", suggest a private place, a safe place, and do it without shaming them.

As we get older, our genitalswill do some amazing things. Give us pleasure. Help create life!

Why is that something to be afraid of? Our children need to have respect for their body parts so that they can treat them properly. How can they have respect for something they are ashamed of?

If your child learns from a young age that they can't talk to mom and dad about all of their body, who ARE they going to talk to?

That, to me, is far more frightening than using the word "penis" where someone might hear.

Parents, please, just stop


Saturday 31 January 2015

Product review-Ooh-La-La Lavender Secret Outlast Clear Gel

I got Ooh-La-La Lavender Secret Outlast Clear Gel to try free from BzzAgent. It promises 48 hour protection, and it delivers. I put it to the test for a second day, and I stayed odour free! It promises to dry in seconds. While it's true that dries in under a minute, I didn't find it revolutionary fast. I did find it difficult to wash off in the shower, especially if it had been less than 24 hours. I'm not sure of my feelings on that much staying power.
The scent wasn't overbearing, so that was good.
I found that the top of the applicator dried over and made dispensing a little difficult.

In all, I was happy enough with the results.

<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/secretCa.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=3032705547&Campaign=1657434223&Uid=1641479&token=9da79b75f39043b71cf48348c09e3c8c" alt=""/>