Best of the UK Parent Blogs: Ten at Ten (60)

(and no, we didn’t plan to have the 60th Ten at Ten on the Diamond Jubilee weekend. Sometimes, that’s just the way the Universe is)

Our editor this week blogs anonymously over at The Boy & Me , so we can’t tell you anything about her (well, we could, but then we’d have to Send The Boys Round, and that simply wouldn’t be pleasant). So you’ll have to pootle over to her blog and meet her for yourself. In the meantime, here’s her pick of blogs this week:

As my son rapidly approaches his third birthday (something I am in denial about) it was a pleasure to read this beautiful and loving letter from Emma at A Matter Of Choice to her own three year old son. To read the development of his personality and his growing independence was a real joy and plucked at my heartstrings.

And while I’m denying the fact that The Boy is soon to definitely leave the baby years behind, this post makes me smile for the memory of how overwhelming a newborn can be. How easy it is to forget that these little beings transform your life into something so much more worthwhile. While Babberblog finds himself weeping with overwhelming feelings of love sometimes, I’ll happily admit that I still do that now!

Preparing to shop for The Boy’s birthday meant that this post from Stressy Mummy struck a chord. Before I go bananas on his present/s, before I create the most extravagant ‘third birthday party in a church hall’ ever seen, before I waste money on plastic rubbish, there lies the question of how much do our children actually need in terms of toys? Are they overwhelmed by the latest gadgets, and what do they actually want?

I’ve recently taken to bribing my son. I didn’t realise that I was doing it until I read about Here Come The Girls version of how her daughter manipulates situations to her advantage. “Give me a kiss first and then you can play on the iPad!” is a prime example. That’s me saying that though, not him just in case you were wondering! Is manipulation rife in your household?

With the warm Summer evenings that have descended upon the country within the last fortnight, this enchanting and romantic tale of a Mystery Pianist in London captured my imagination. It’s like a precursor to the novels that will soon adorn our holiday suitcases.

Mum’s The Word is querying whether we are too over-protective of our children or if we have just cause to be wrapping them up in cotton wool. Is it ever ok to leave your children unattended for a short amount of time? An interesting debate!

Courting more controversy is The Five Fs. With the Olympics approaching, Kate queries why female athletes are still at such a disadvantage in comparison to their male peers. Why, in the 21st Century and an age of apparent equality, are they being judged on their weight and not their sporting ability?

Meanwhile, discussing another aspect of inequality for females is Actually Mummy who is left with the unenviable problem of body awareness issues starting earlier than anticipated with her seven year old daughter.

I’m the youngest of four children and as such I always had a playmate. When Innocent Charmer watches her two children together she feels a pang of desperation to allow her youngest daughter to experience that feeling.

My last selection is a little bit of a cheat (hope I don’t get put in the naughty corner for this one). However with the Jubilee weekend, I wanted to share with you a round-up post of fantastic activities to do with your children which celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. (Ed: – how is that cheating? It’s a great idea for the weekend!)

About Sally Whittle

Sally is founder of the Tots100, and hopes one day to become an Evil Overlord and take over the world. In the meantime her blog, Who's the Mummy, is all about life as a single Mum to seven-year-old Flea.