Sunday, 24 November 2013

Does Sugar Cause Hyperactivity?

There's been a couple of occasions recently which have led me to ask myself this very question.

It was Daisy's birthday yesterday so last weekend was spent at her grandparents, the highlight of which was a little party with some of our friends and their little ones. Daisy had been showered with gifts and attention and had a thoroughly wonderful time. At about 5pm she started to get tired and even at one point took herself to bed saying she was sleepy, I could see she wouldn't last much longer so hurried Mr R to do the birthday cake. Normal birthday cake traditions ensued, lights off, candles lit and toddler sobbing to the sound of Happy Birthday! Surely it's the same at every party ;) 

Next, everyone has cake and the magic happens - my previously exhausted little girl is up, dancing, playing and generally having a wonderful time. She finally went off to bed about 8pm! I know what you're thinking, paranoid helicopter mum, convinced any change in behaviour is due to sugar and additives but hear me out....

The next night Daisy went to bed as normal but when we went also went off to bed at 10.30pm (yeah I know, but it was a school night and kids parties are seriously exhausting!) she was still singing Incy Wincey Spider and chatting away to herself. Lying in bed listening to her conversation with the gang (Doggy, Panda and Monkey for those of you who aren't in the know); I remembered Mr R had decided, in his wisdom, to offer her a slice of her birthday cake at 7pm instead of the yogurt I had suggested?

So was it the cake fuelling her party persona and chatty bedtimes or just a come down from a fun filled weekend? 

Recent research says no, it's not the sugar and apparently it's all in my head. A study took place in which parents were led to believe their children had consumed sugary foods one day and not on another. The parents were asked about their children's behaviour on each day and apparently reported an increase in hyperactive behaviour on the day they'd had sugar. However the two days had been switched and the children had in fact had no sugar that day, leading to the conclusion its parents expectations of their children's behaviour after eating sugar which leads to false assumptions they are riding a sugar rush to rival willy wonka! 

Speak to fellow parents however and they say otherwise, convinced that their children turn into Duracell bunnies after sweets, cake or the dreaded fruit shoots. Personally I've certainly never had an evening like this with D, she seemed perfectly happy but just couldn't switch off. 

For me, I'm tempted to take a bold move, doubt science (or the above study at least) and keep an open mind. In D's case, maybe it was the sugar, maybe the weekends events, maybe both - who knows? But I can promise you I'll be erring on the side of caution in future and banning cake before bedtime! 


Silent Sunday


Friday, 22 November 2013

Happy Birthday Daisy Bea

You turn 2 tomorrow and it's got me thinking how much you've grown over the last year...


You've learnt to walk, run, jump (admittedly your feet don't leave the ground but who cares) and dance, dance, dance! 

We've drank hundreds of cups of imaginary tea, eaten make believe dinners and been on fictional shopping trips.


You've learnt humour, you understand humour and I love how to say something wrong intentionally just to make us laugh.

You've learnt about your family, that we're a family and who your Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles are. You're learning to play with others - watching and copying your little friends.


You love to wash your hands, singing away as you 'tidy and wash' and you can tell us where all your body parts are, you especially love finding your tickly armpits!

You sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Incy Spider and you love to talk to your teddies and make sure they're all ok.

You love to bake, you love to eat and you love love love the swings! 


You can count to ten, identify your shapes and colours and you could paint all day long.

Perhaps the most amazing thing is you've learnt to show love and understand how much we love you.


Happy Birthday beautiful girl xxx


Thursday, 14 November 2013

Preparing your Toddler for Childcare: guest Post


Daisy was just a wee babe when she started childcare at 10 months old *sob*, she had passed through a period of pretty severe separation anxiety and had emerged a chilled out, easy-going little lady. We decided to opt for a childminder for Daisy and in the early days didn’t feel we needed to do too much to prepare her for going. We had some settling in time and I would hover in a nearby cafe trying to convince myself I was enjoying the freedom but otherwise she seemed to accept the change with very little concern. When the dreaded day came and she went full time she happily disappeared into the house, while I on the other hand was a mess, crying all the way to work clutching my mobile 'just in case'…

I have been asked to write a guest post for Shona and Cecile at Wriggly Rascals about preparing your toddler for childcare and if you have read my blog you will know it’s a topic close to my heart, you can read the full post here


About Wriggly Rascals

Wriggly Rascals was set up by Shona Motherwell, a frustrated mum of twins Mhairi and Archie to get mums together to share pregnancy, baby and toddler advice via quick surveys to get the facts about what other mums do. Our mums pass on loads of great tips to mums who have asked for help. If you would like some advice, get in touch at www.wrigglyrascals.com

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Kiddicare 342 Stocking Fillers: A Review

So those hazy days of summer are sadly behind and the BBQ and paddling pool have been packed away, but rather than wallow in the inevitable wet and rather gloomy weather ahead of us, I've decided to get on the festive bandwagon and start thinking Christmas.

Being from big families, Christmas has always been important to Mr R and myself. Lots of family time, food and let's not be coy about it - presents! We all love a present and as a kid preparing the well thought out Christmas list was a key part of the festive countdown. I've been pretty well organised this year and have bought most of Daisy's presents but I'm still in need of the very important stocking fillers. I loved my stocking as a kid and hope Daisy will do too, so when Kiddicare asked if I would like to review some of their fantastic stocking fillers range I jumped at the chance.

As suspected there was a brilliant selection and at great prices. I decided on three toys from the Buzzing Brains range as I felt they would both appeal to Daisy's interests and indulge my love for wooden toys and imaginative play. When we received the Wooden Building Blocks, Numbers Puzzle and Sing-A-Tune Microphone (not wooden, but I just knew she'd love it!) Daisy couldn't wait to get playing.

We were at my mums when she tried out the Sing-A-Tune Microphone and it was instant hit - singing and dancing in abundance - even the dog was expected to join in! The microphone is a great little toy, lots of buttons, sounds and flashing lights (what's not to love when you're two!). Daisy had no trouble using the buttons herself and loved entertaining us all. At £8.99 I can see this one making a fair few appearances over Christmas - and sadly probably not only by Daisy!




I chose the Buzzing Brains Numbers Puzzle and the bricks as I love traditional wooden toys - who doesn't? I wondered whether they would get a look in next to the flashing lights and jazzy music from the microphone but they have been a massive hit. The Numbers Puzzle is already a firm favourite, it's fun, brightly coloured and the pieces fit into the puzzle easily. There are pictures of fruit behind each piece which allows us to practice colours as well as numbers. Daisy really enjoys playing, and I get the satisfaction of feeling like she's developing and learning from it - everyone wins! The puzzle is £7.99 which I think is a fair price for a solid and well made toy. 



I saved the Wooden Building Blocks till last as these have been the most successful by far and have been played with every day since they arrived. What's not to love? Bright, colourful and classic! We've made towers, beds, animal pens - whatever Daisy is playing with the blocks get involved, I've already decided I'm going to add to them as she's enjoyed them so much. You get 50 blocks in the set, all different colours and shapes and so far they seem really good quality and haven't lost any colour despite the occasional chew! The blocks are £11.99 and I can see they are going to be worth that several times over with the amount of play time Daisy will get from them. 



All three of these toys are within the Kiddicare 342 promotion which is running from the 5th November until the 2nd December. If you haven't done so already have gander, to say there's something every child would love is an understatement, I for one have a very happy little girl!

The Kiddicare 342 offer will run from 5th November 2013 till 2nd December 2013 in stores, online and via the Kiddicare app. We were kindly sent the above toys for the purposes if this review but all opinions are my own.

Friday, 1 November 2013

An Unwelcome Visitor

So we've had a visitor at the Robinson Household for the last few weeks and although we found him something of a novelty to start with I'm beginning to feel like he's out stayed his welcome.

However despite me making it very clear we're not his biggest fans it appears Mr No (or Mr Not as he is more frequently known) is very much here to stay

I mentioned Mr No briefly in a previous post, talking about how glad I was Daisy was growing confident enough to express her feelings and I do still feel that, I really do. I'm not eating my words, yet!

But on those days when you been told No 468 times and you can still hear her grumbling No mummy when you're not even in the room I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be a very happy mummy if Mr No suddenly decided enough is enough, packed his things and left.

My only concerned is he may leave the door open for Mr Why! 
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