A big welcome to our 23rd 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.

 

Dear Mummy

If you follow me on any social media channel you’re probably well aware that we went to Lapland UK at the weekend and had an absolutely amazing day! I loved this post from Dear Mummy, Lapland UK - My New Family Tradition, which whetted my appetite for our visit perfectly! Full of gorgeous photos that really capture the magic, this is a wonderful read that I’m sure will have you all wanting to make a visit next year!

 

Five Little Doves

I have talked quite a lot on my blog about how difficult I found Max as a baby. He cried constantly, refused sleep, and always just seemed so different to the other babies I would see out and about, who just seemed so content. I expected to reach the hallowed 12 weeks, where everyone told me it would get easier, but no - he remained stubbornly the same. So it was a really reassuring read for me to find Laura’s post, Megatron: The Transformation. It was such a relief to hear that another parent had wondered constantly ‘What’s wrong with him/her?’, and felt that their child just wasn’t like all the others. And just like Max, at Megan’s first birthday she seemed to turn a corner. I hope that anyone who is struggling with the baby days reads this and knows that it does get better - it just takes some children longer!

 

Words, Rhymes, Rambles

Max is two and a half now, so we’ve been through a fair number of Health Visitor assessments and I will freely admit that I hated them all. I hate the concept of a stranger sitting there, judging your child on a tick box sheet, deciding what they ‘should’ be doing at their age. I really related to Michelle’s post, Self Esteem, the most precious gift of all, which followed a similar Health Visitor check. But the reality is that this type of assessment is something that our children will encounter throughout their lives, and a good sense of self esteem is essential for handling it well. Michelle has some great ideas for building self esteem in your children and to build a positive attitude and self image.

 

Meme and Harri

I have never been a fan of pregnancy - my first pregnancy was really tough and I can’t say that I’m enjoying my second time around any more than the first! I loved Natalie’s post, Pregnancy, A Learning Curve, which gives a realistic look at what she’s learned over 3 pregnancies. So much I can relate to here, but ultimately the closing statement is what really rings true - no matter how rubbish pregnancy might be, there is nothing that compares to that moment where you’re handed your baby and get to see them for the first time! That’s why we put ourselves through it again, right?

 

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