Buckle up for a bumpy ride! (From Swindon Advertiser)

Buckle up for a bumpy ride!

3:59pm Saturday 6th November 2010

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By Mum's The Word »

Kids love Roller Coasters and when you are a parent you go along for the ride. The ups and downs, the twists and turns, yep that is a pretty accurate description of parenthood and it seems to begin right from conception.

My eldest child is now thirteen, my stepson is next – he is twelve, then there is my daughter who is eleven, my stepson 10, my youngest daughter who is 8 and dangerous (aka Alfie) who is 6. I also have another little boy on the way who is due in March.

To be honest, I am glad that Callum has become my first teenager. He is quite young for his age – more interested in footie than girls! He also has a terribly strong sense of right and wrong, which I think will prevent him from causing me too much trouble – although somewhere along the way the roller coaster may take an unexpected turn and I may be proved wrong on that one!

My eldest stepson is a rebel! Now there’s a lad who likes the girls and is not afraid to take a chance here or there. But despite this he has a strong sense of family and will do anything to help you out. He is also very independent and practical – he can cook better than I can!

My daughter has just started Dorcan Technology College. She was apprehensive about starting secondary school at first, but settled in at record speed – record speed is the way that she does most things! She seems to have joined every after school club going and is seldom bored or inactive. In rare moments of relaxation she can usually be found watching some dire American teen programme on Disney Channel, or with her nose in a book!

My youngest stepson could talk the hind leg off a donkey! He is one of the most confident, self-assured kids that I know and has to be gently reminded to take a little step back now and again. He has the kind of inquiring mind that leads to the constant questioning of whichever grown up he can get hold of. This questioning and puzzling of life usually takes up much of his day… he is like a big sponge!

My youngest daughter is changing and changing fast. She will be nine in December and has always been a “Mummy’s Girl” but recently she has developed a little bit of confidence and started to venture. She was brave enough to go on her first residential school trip recently and came back absolutely full of it!

My dangerous boy will be seven in a few months! This seems incredible to me because he has always been my baby. He has had a lot of health problems since birth and this makes me “mollycoddle” him even more! He has glue ear, enlarged tonsils, a rare chromosomal disorder resulting in learning difficulties and bowel problems! Despite this he is a happy little boy and is doing really well at school. I keep reminding myself to take a step back and allow the lad some independence to venture and that he does! He loves playing football, horse riding and any kind of adventure he can tag along on really!

I am now five and a half months pregnant with my last child – I know that I said that about the last one, but this time I really, really mean it! It has been a difficult pregnancy so far and I seem to have picked up every common cold and tummy bug going. Last week I was told that I was at risk of prem labour, which caused me a week of incredible worry and upset. This week I am told that everything is looking good and he is staying put nicely.

Parenthood - A Roller Coaster ride from day one!

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