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Brrrr, we made it to November, despite the rain and the wind and the grey skies, it’s officially the run up to Christmas and we are allowed to be excited now!  …I’m fairly sure that this new found excitement extends to the obligatory consumption of mince pies and chocolates too, right? So, what does November mean to you?  Steamy hot chocolate, leaves covering the ground, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, the final month of autumn or simply time to put up things that sparkle and shout festivities! Well…

I’m about to rock your world!

Ok so another lockdown might just put a damper on things, but only if we let it!  Us mums, mums-to-be and doting aunties have so many wonderful (and exhausting) things on our plates already, let’s deal with one thing at a time!  For instance, in this cold weather we want something sumptuous and warming to drink…some of us are only allowed one caffeinated drink per day, some of us are counting calories and herbal infusions just don’t rock my world. Ladies, I have made a discovery!  Think festive meets decadent meets totally-healthy-for-you!  Grab some fresh ginger (cut a few slices), some fresh mint leaves (sprinkle liberally), some honey (nice big dollop), a slice or three of lemon (that’s the super healthy part) and a stick of cinnamon (meet decadence!) – pop it in your favourite mug, top up with boiling water and enjoy!  Take that calorific, caffeinated beverages!  If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, how about some low-cal hot chocolate (2 heaped spoons, not 3), half skimmed milk, half water, 3 drops of peppermint extract and a soupcon of coco sprinkled on top, now if that doesn’t put you in the festive mood, I don’t know what will!

What news from the keep!

Well, after a lovely half term where I did not have to relinquish my baby we are back at nursery and Paige has picked up yet another cold, only this time she has given it to me (hence my wonderful discovery above in the absence of lemsips!), we were both floored for a week.  Cue lots of snuggles and Disney movies – not so bad really!  We are sticking at nursery for now, in fact we have been encouraged to up our weekly visit to 2 visits per week, can’t say I’m hugely onboard but I do understand that it’s best for Paige, it will become much more familiar much more quickly.  How are you all coping with nursery and school during flu season?   It so tough because I feel so guilty every time her little eyes fill with tears at the thought of leaving me, but then wracked with guilt on the days where all I seem to be able to offer her is the park!

What is mum-guilt and is it a real thing?

In a word, yes.  It’s very real.  If you have ever done something in your life that you know you shouldn’t have you expect to feel guilty (because we are lovely people) , but mum-guilt is the feeling of constant, all-consuming, heat wrenching guilt…even if you have not done anything wrong!  It’s the thought that we might do something wrong.  For instance, even when Paige is with me I miss her, I ask my hubby for ten mins a day so I can soak in the bath before Paige joins me and relentless splashing and soap in the eyes ensues.  Ten minutes out of one day for ‘me’ time, a short but luxurious soak.  The truth is I generally last 5 minutes, feel horribly guilty and neglectful and immediately ask my hubby to bring Paige to me!  Sounds ridiculous but add some 27-week pregnancy hormones in the mix and I can’t help it!  I am putty in her hands!

What I have learnt though, is that it is so important to take the time for you, to be you, to shave your legs, pluck your eye browns, buff your nails – just take a short while each day and remember that whilst you may be a mum, a wife, the one who keeps the house going, it is OK to indulge a little in these basic human needs!  I’d love to hear about the things you manage to fit in that are just for you.  Us mums need to share our secrets ? 

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