The announcement that royal couple Catherine and William are expecting their first child has many speculating about how this baby and his or her famous parents will cope. It can be hard for a normal, common family to adjust to family life. There are a few differences that spring immediately to mind, when one is royal.
For Kate, like most new moms much of her hair will likely fall out during her first few post-partum months. However, unlike most new moms, she could potentially finance a small country with the money she would make selling it on eBay. Kate will have to decide what name goes best with the surname “Wales”. Sadly, the baby name “Hashtag” has already been taken. Luckily, “AtSign”, “DoubleBackSlash” and “Meme” are still available, should they decide Victoria, Elizabeth, George and Edward are too stuffy and old school. Kate will have additional parenting challenges due to the fact that paradoxically her child, by virtue of being third in line for the throne, will technically be the boss of her.
Potty training days will bring new meaning to the term “sitting on the throne.” And while most babies are congratulated for speaking their first word, the first royal wave will also have to be celebrated. Come birthday time, likely Wills Jr. asking for a pony will be a little redundant. But planning the party will be easy for Kate’s side of the family, and Uncle Harry’s sure to be entertaining (and hopefully clothed).
For William, “Bring your child to work day”, which doesn’t typically happen until the child is 14, will need to begin pre-planning now due to the security detail involved. And there’s really no point to Baby Wales taking Daddy in for Career Day, as no other kid in the class will be able to aspire to have the same “Next in line for the throne” job.
Instead of sitting in line for hours to sign their child up for swimming lessons, they will have to spend hours interviewing the Royal Swim Instructor. Likewise the Royal Soccer Coach, Royal T-Ball Trainer and Royal Lice Remover. Should their child get lice, they can force everyone around them to cut off their hair. This, history tells us, is a vast improvement over ordering a whole head to be cut off.
Good luck to you, Will and Kate.
Watch for Funny Mummy every month. Follow Kathy on Twitter @KathyBuckworth or visit www.kathybuckworth.com. Kathy’s newest book, “I Am So The Boss Of You: An 8 Step Guide To Giving Your Family The Business” will be released Random House in March, 2013.
This article was originally published in the Metro News.
Holiday time is approaching, and we have some fabulous gift ideas and savings to make your preparations easier. Avoid the lines and parking headaches … browse online and shop from the comfort of your computer for everyone on your list.
Eko Bear Sponsored Listing Shop for top eco-friendly toys of 2011 and more all made with your children and the environment in mind! We offer free local pick-up (Kanata, ON) and low flat rate shipping within Canada. Save 10% with discount code KidsCan until Dec 31/11.
Petite Posh Sponsored Listing Spoiling even the smallest member of your family couldn’t get easier when shopping at petiteposh.com. Shop for personalized gifts, big kid toys and everyday essentials Great gifts, warms smiles and big hug! Use coupon code kids at check out for 15% off your entire order (over $30 & valid until Dec 15/11) and don’t forget, free shipping on orders over $99.
Applause! Toy Store Sponsored Listing Applause! Toy Store is a magical place filled with toys, games, puzzles and crafts for kids of all ages. Find award winning toys like the Spooner Boards pictured here, Perplexus and Green Toys. You’ll also find a full range of Play & Hape Wooden Toys, the latest baby gear, and lots fun-filled stocking stuffers! Coupon Code KIDSCANADA for 15% off until Dec 31, 2011
Exceptional Coffee Sponsored Listing: Jump start your Christmas morning this year with better tasting coffee! Planetary Design French Presses leave in the tasty aromatic essential oils unlike your average filtered coffee machine. Pick from a variety of sizes, styles and colours of Planetary Design at the Polka Dot Pond Shop! Offer: Save 15% on all products with code KACHGG15. Expiry: December 31st, 2011
Citrus Silver Sponsored Listing: Citrus Silver designs meaningful jewellery that is stamped with names, words or dates. All of our stamped pieces are sterling silver and made in Canada. Affordable, personal, and beautiful. Order online and we will ship within 1 week.
Name Your Tune Personalized CDs Sponsored Listing Celebrate the special little ones in your life this holiday season with a music collection that celebrates them! Name Your Tune Personalized CDs feature your child’s name throughout their favourite songs including Old MacDonald, If You’re Happy and You Know It and 5 Little Monkeys. Available in 2 Volumes. Coupon Code: KidsAround for $5 off your order of Name Your Tune CDs.
The Clay Room Sponsored Listing Paint a handmade gift while spending quality time with family or friends. Put children’s prints on a piece for a treasured keepsake. WALK-IN CUSTOMERS are welcome. Gift certificates available. Private parties for both adults and kids to celebrate any occasion. Over 300+ items to paint. 279 Danforth Avenue, Toronto.
“Adopt” an Animal from Toronto Zoo Sponsored Listing “Adopt” an animal from Toronto Zoo and give a unique gift. How about a bear for Baby or a penguin for Papa? “Adoption” packages begin at just $25. Our Holiday Special packages feature “Waddles” the plush penguin and a DVD that takes you behind-the-scenes where you’ll meet zoo keepers and amazing animals. Each purchase helps with conservation efforts at Toronto Zoo.
The Second City ’s Miracle on Mercer St. Sponsored Listing The Second City’s Miracle on Mercer St.. Adorable puppets and their funny human friends tell a delightful musical tale that The Toronto Star calls “the best holiday present of all”. Matinee performances until Jan 1. Ages 4+. Tickets $12.
Second City Winter Camps & Intensives Sponsored Listing: Comedy comes in many different packages! Campers learn how to define their own voice and point of view through the exploration of improvisation. Full day camps for grades 5-8, half day intensives for grades 9-12! December 27 -30 and January 2-6.
Our friend Brian is a new father. He has an adorable baby girl Shaliyah. Recently he proved that Mom’s Night Out can be a great opportunity for dads to bond with their children as well.
Brian captured the fun on video! Enjoy it and be inspired below.
You and your child will no doubt be impressed by this amazing true tale of a baby humpback whale who was freed from nets by a group of people passing by in a boat, and then offered its ’show’ of appreciation.
Last month, my daughter and I were very fortunate to be guests of the San Juan Marriott in Puerto Rico. While keeping my eyes open for all the hotel had to offer babies and toddlers, my daughter and I also got to experience all that Puerto Rico offers families. It was a great little break for the both of us, and baby brother was left at home in the capable hands of Daddy.
Or so I thought.
I learned via text message that my husband decided to take our son on a mini-break of his own – a road trip to Ottawa with Grandma and Aunty! For these journeys, I got the much easier traveling companion, but we both got something that’s admittedly been lacking in our family this past year: undivided time with our children.
We believe the whole point of a family vacation is to spend time together as a family, and now that means all four of us. But our Puerto Rico/Ottawa mini-breaks gave us the opportunity to truly connect with the one in our care. Because the baby is only 15 months, he spends most of his time with me. His mini-break with Daddy (my husband calls it their mancation) gave him precious one on one time with his father, and said father got to experience firsthand how much is involved in a toddler’s full-time care (not to mention prepping for travel!)
My mother/daughter getaway was especially precious, as she hasn’t quite adapted as well as we’d hoped to becoming a big sister. In spite of our best efforts, and following all the advice in every publication, it’s clear she’s unhappy with the status quo. This break together allowed me to fall in love with my daughter all over again. Being home with the kids, I experience day in and day out the rocky road of big-sisterhood, and the break from it did us both a world of good. I missed the baby terribly, and in spite of everything, she did too.
I would never in a million years have considered taking separate family vacations, but seeing how restorative it was for all of us, I can definitely see the value. If you’re having a tough time or a rough go with one of your kids, it may well be worth it to do mini-breaks apart.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Even, it seems, for baby brothers.
We all look at the adorable outfits that our children wore as babies and try to imagine the little fingers, toes, arms and legs which once fitted into them. Many clothes of course also hold special memories.
Our friend Shelley took a special dress of her toddler and placed it in a frame, to hang up in her daughter’s room. The dress is now an eye-catching one-of-a-kind piece of art, that will always be treasured and enjoyed by the whole family.
Thanks Shelley for letting us share your lovely artwork!
Parents looking for party places in Toronto and the GTA, will be pleased to find the large variety of choices in our Directory. Visit www.kidsaroundcanada.com/party/toronto/88 for lots of selection and savings too!
Sharing photos online daily with spouses, relatives and friends near and far, can help them experience the small wonders of your baby or child(ren)’s day personally. Chocolate fingers from licking icing bowls, imaginative play, fun with friends, peaceful naps, giggles and more which make us smile, would make them smile too!
Our late friend Naomi provided the inspiration to share photos regularly. She would take photos of her children every day and then send them to her husband at work so that he felt a part of their day.
Share your smiles and watch them grow, together with your kids.
The prospect of ensuring a healthy diet for your baby can be daunting. And of course you will receive lots of advice about the order for introducing foods and other vital issues, some or most of which may conflict.
The book Feeding Your Baby The Healthiest Foods: From Breast Milk To Table Foods by Louise Lambert-Lagace was recommended to me when I faced infant feeding issues, and is the book title I continue to pass on as a clear and easy-to-follow reference. (see: http://www.louiselambert-lagace.ca)
We just finished participating in the Today’s Parent Babytime Show for three great days in Toronto.
The show presented a wonderful opportunity to connect with many of our visitors, and to introduce expectant parents, parents and grandparents to our website. Welcome!
We are now in the baby groove, and are excited to share fun and interesting show finds, as well as new baby tips over the next few days! Please feel free to share your own as well.
Citrus Silver
The Second City’s Miracle on Mercer St.
