A big welcome to our 22nd week of #SharingtheBlogLove and our weekly Blogger Showcase!

If you’re new to #SharingtheBlogLove, these are mine and Laura’s favourite posts from last week’s linky. As part of the linky we’d like you to choose one post from each showcase post to head over and leave a comment to show them some extra blog love.

 

Lucy’s Locket

In this day and age I find it incredible that society still has such outdated views of what a Dad should be. So often we hear about Dad’s ‘babysitting’ their own children, and people seem to find it necessary to congratulate any Dad who appears to be a hands on parent. Lucy’s post ‘Dad’s Day’ got this spot on for me. The admiration for Dad’s who take an active role as a parent isn’t just annoying for mothers, who rarely get that kind of recognition for doing exactly the same job, but is also incredibly patronising for Dads. Men are equally capable of parenting, we live in a world where Dad’s can be the primary caregiver, and where parents can split maternity / paternity leave equally - why do we still not regard Dads as equal parents?

 

Motherhoodery

Did you read a lot of parenting books when your child was born? I’m a big reader, and quite an anxious person, so I guess it was inevitable that I would end up reading a fair few parenting manuals. I loved this post from Kirsty, Read the Parenting Books, but do it your way anyway - it’s exactly the approach I ended up taking and since stepping back from the books I’ve been a much happier mum. I think books are great for research and getting a wide range of approaches, but ultimately there are always going to be methods that appeal to you and ones that don’t, as well as being able to tailor your approach to your own baby - after all, they’re all different!

 

Mudpie Fridays

I’m a huge fan of Christmas and I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’m excited already! We have a beautiful wooden advent calendar that I’m planning to fill with little activities for each day - baking cookies, watching Christmas films, making Christmas cards. Just little things that all add to the excitement. I loved Clare’s post, 25 Advent Activities for a 4 year old, which gives loads of fabulous ideas for activities, as well as downloadable printable labels (pre-filled or blank for your own ideas). And if you don’t have a 4 year old, there are links to lists for 2 and 3 year olds too!

 

Raw Childhood

 

Have you heard of a Tuffspot? It basically a big tray that you can use for all kinds of messy play inspired activities. I had my eye on one all of last summer but never quite got around to buying one - it’s definitely on my list for next year. I loved Jade’s list of ideas for different activities - so much inspiration, whether it’s water, rice, flour, paint, it’s such a versatile piece of equipment that I reckon we’d be using it all summer long!

Did you catch any of these last week? If not, please head over and give them a read and a comment!