Baker Days FREE CAKE Competition

                                             How do you fancy a free cake?!? 

The Accidental Parent Guide have teamed up with Baker Days in order to give you the chance to win a free letter box cake. 

The lucky winner will be invited to design their own cake and choose it's flavour. The cake will then be sent out to the winner via first class mail.

To enter, simply like and share this post.

If you are feeling particularly lovely you could also follow us on Twitter - @accidentlparent and like our Facebook Page!

 

 

 

 

Cake Delivery and Packaging

 

Will my cake be fresh ?

By golly, yes it will. Our cakes are good for at least 2 weeks though they need to be stored in a cool dry place but not in a fridge. They are not suitable for home freezing.

..and in perfect condition?

Absolutely! We have developed special packaging that will protect the cake through the rigours of national and international travel. We guarantee you will receive your cake in perfect condition or your money back!

How much time should I allow for delivery? And will it get there on time?

Your order is likely to arrive much faster if you use a postcode. You can check that you have the correct postcode by using the Royal Mail's handy postcode finder available at  www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode. To state the obvious, we are not responsible for the accuracy of the Royal Mail's postcode finder . It is your responsibility to ensure that the delivery address you provide for any order you place is correct.

In almost every case, it is delivered bang on time. Neither we, nor any delivery service that we use, shall be liable for any failure to perform Services where such failure or delay results from any circumstances outside our reasonable control; these circumstances include but are not limited to adverse weather conditions (such as snow, flood and extreme winds), fire, explosion, accident, traffic congestion, obstruction of any private or public highway, riot, terrorism, act of God, or industrial dispute or strike.

It’s therefore always a good idea to allow an extra day or two for delivery just in case.

What if It’s a Surprise Gift?

Don’t worry, if it’s a surprise, you can add your own optional message to the outside of the parcel ie. “No peeking until your birthday”. Always better a day or two early than a day late !

See more at: http://www.bakerdays.com/

Well that's Father's day sorted!

Are you struggling to decide what to buy for Dad this Father’s Day – we have found him the perfect gift, and don’t worry, you won’t even need to leave the house (or office, or school) to buy and send it!

Last week, we were contacted by a fab new company ‘Baker Days’, who make fun and delicious cakes that can be sent anywhere.

We thought we would try them out on your behalf, and ordered a personalised Father’s Day ‘letter box’ cake for Steve.

Now at first I’ll admit that I was slightly concerned about the idea of a delicate cake being dropped through my letter box, and could only imagining opening up a small box of crunched up cake pulp, but it wasn’t the case!

Upon opening the neat little parcel, I was met with a host of little treats. The cake itself had been neatly packed into a beautiful tin (complete with a genius little ‘strong tab’ to help with easy removal) and surrounded by a delicate protective covering. The cake itself was in perfect condition, with not one single bump, snag or dent.

The cake itself was beautiful. I had chosen a picture of a handyman carpenter and had the wording personalised with a little message from Bella and Connie (I would have popped a picture up, but the cake was demolished by Steve and the girls as soon as it was opened).

The cake comes with some lovely little extras that no little party would be complete without. Alongside our cake was a party pack containing balloons, party horns and a birthday card. For me though, the best little treat was having a new little cake tin to keep!

It was a bit of a naughty treat for us as we gave up sugar a little while ago – but we had to have a little try on your behalf! The cake tasted delicious – it was fluffy and tasty and defiantly tasted better than any shop bought birthday cake I have ever tried. We went for the gluten free sponge, but they also make vanilla, chocolate, fruit, half & half and dairy free.

Baker Days make cakes in all shapes and sizes, our letter box cake was 5”, but the company can send cakes as large as 12”. They also make cupcakes which come with a lovely stand and you can even send personalised balloons and banners to really get the party started.

I am so glad that Baker Days contacted us, as we will definitely be using the company to send cakes to our friends and family in the future. After all, who doesn’t love cake??

We are hoping that they start making a sugar free cake soon so that we can order more of them for ourselves. Go and take a look at their website and have a look at their brilliant creations. They really do have a cake for everything!

Father's day cakes



Cup cakes of joy



Birthday cakes

Wonderland – Connie’s first trip to the theatre!

Last night we had the pleasure of introducing our 21 month old Connie, to her first piece of theatre – a modern adaptation of Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland by Blackshaw Theatre Company.

Now we have to admit, that the idea of taking two small children to a place where they are required to sit and concentrate for longer than five minutes, fills us with what can only be described as dread. Pair that with the fact that the show was to take place in a library (where one is forced to remain silent) and you can imagine our feelings (mainly Stephen’s feelings) of apprehension and panic!

We headed to the theatre with full little tummies, a bag of emergency bribery treats and, upon arrival scoped out all of the nearest exits so that we could make a quick getaway should one of them start causing a ruckus.

Within five minutes of the show starting we realised that we had nothing to worry about. From start to finish this piece of theatre was interactive, engaging, interesting and an absolutely perfect introduction into the world of theatre.

The show’s venue - Battersea Library, lends itself perfectly to the world of the Mad Hatter. Having never visited before, we were unaware of the intricate beauty of the building. As we were taken on our journey through the rabbit hole and led from room to room, it really did feel as though we had found our way into wonderland. An already magical space was transformed into an imaginative land of wonder by the set designers which created a sense of excitement and curiosity throughout the whole performance. The fact that the setting was a library was just too perfect, as it seemed to place the very roots of the tale at the heart of the play.

We were all engrossed from beginning to end and found ourselves laughing more than we have laughed together in a long time! The quick and witty humour is written and directed in a way that is accessible by the whole family. It was impossible to believe that this was the company’s first piece of family theatre as it was pitched perfectly and had us in fits of belly giggles from beginning to end.

As a group, the actors bounce off of each with a memorising energy and timing that completely engaged us all throughout the entire performance.  Each of the actors seemed have their own unique way of connecting with the audience and the girls were captivated. Most of the actors played multiple characters and changed seamlessly between them. We were all doubly impressed by the actor’s puppetry skills – which had Bella in stitches!

We all adored the costumes, which were fantastically creative and fun. Such a lot of thought had obviously been given to the way in which each character should look, they were funny, imaginative and eye catching. Both Steve and myself were pretty darn amazed at what can only be described as the quickest of quick changes – particularly that of a specific hearty queen!

We truly loved being able to feel like small children alongside our own small children, as we took the journey down the rabbit hole. This was everything we could have hoped Connie’s first play would be like and more. What a crackin’ bit of theatre!

Thanks Blackshaw, for a magical night out.

Danielle, Steve, Bella and Connie.

Take a look at the company’s website and plan your next night out…

www.blackshawonline.com

An open letter to the man who told my crying toddler to shut the f*** up.

Dear Sir

In fact, let me direct this letter to all of the helpful passers by, who take it upon themselves to offer parenting advice and criticism as they pass my screaming toddler.

Let me start by saying, that as far as my memory can stretch, I cannot recall ever meeting or even hearing of an individual with a degree in parenting. So please, if you do happen to be this lucky baby and toddler expert, with a wealth of useful knowledge about my unique little girl, may I ask you to direct it at me and not my daughter as she may not take your constructive criticism very well. She can be a little sensitive you see.

May I also ask you to refrain from using expletives as you pass my crying child in the street. If seeing my child cry gives you reason to think that she is naughty or that my parenting skills are not up to scratch, then just think what other people might say when she randomly shouts the ‘F’ word at passers-by during our morning stroll. How will I explain to them that she picked up such a lovely word from such a knowledgeable baby and toddler expert? No one will believe me!

You see, in any normal situation if you were to swear at me or about me, I would have the self-confidence and energy to shake off your negativity and walk away with my head held high. However, when I am not feeling quite at my best (say when my child has been yelling relentlessly at the top of her lungs for 50 minutes after having screamed her way through most of the previous night) comments like yours add to a feeling of self-doubt and anxiety that I suspect most parents battle with every day.

I am sure that you can understand that even the most constructive criticism, when given during times of tantrum, can have rather a negative impact on the self esteem of a young Mother who is simply doing her best.

Though you may be silently or (in some wonderful cases) vocally doubting my mothering skills, let me reassure you that I am not neglecting my child by letting her cry. She isn’t hurt, ill, wet, tired or hungry. I haven’t beaten her or taken away her favourite toy. Believe it or not, she just feels like crying at the moment. As a baby and toddler expert, I am sure you are aware that sometimes babies actually do just cry for no reason and sometimes they can be rather loud. 

Let me take this opportunity to apologise for the apparent feelings of pain and discontentment that my daughter’s cry has caused you. It can be loud, I know, but she hasn’t been here long, and just like anyone testing out a new toy, she is merely seeing just how loud and powerful her voice can be.

Believe it or not, I actually spent nine long months waiting to hear the tone of that beautiful cry. For a long time I could not imagine that the tiny bundle growing inside of me would have his or her own voice. So to me that little voice that is causing you so much anger is actually something that I am thankful every day to hear. On the days when the crying does get to me, and I’ll admit they do occur, surely it should be me that asks her politely to use her indoor voice? I am after all the poor sucker that forced her out of my downstairs. I think it is me who has earnt the right to dish out orders, and not you.

I know it can be loud and frustrating to listen to her cry, but please do not tell her to ‘shut the f*** up’. Like you she has the right to use her voice. I am just hoping that by the time she is your age, I will have taught her to use it in a kind and respectful tone, something that your mother clearly failed to do for you.

To the one kind and considerate gentlemen who simply smiled at my daughter and then and me before saying, ‘You’re doing a brilliant job Mummy – see your little girl loves to sing’. I thank you and wish that they were all like you. You are the one who boosts my confidence when I need it most. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

When you hear a baby crying in the street/super market/café please remember that the parent caring for that child is doing his or her best. Rather than giving a dirty look or passing comments under your breath (or even to that poor parent’s face) please stop and remember, you were a baby once. Smile at them and understand that they are doing the best that they can do. 

If that doesn’t do it however, then remember this:

In 20 or so years, that child that you scorned so harshly may well end up looking after you as you live out your last days in a care home. You wouldn’t want karma to come round and bite you in the butt now would you? I’m sure that you would want to be treated with the respect that you should be showing them.

Danielle.

Five Going on Fifteen

It would seem that Bella has already hit the dreaded teenage years. Gone are the days when Mummy was the coolest thing since sliced bread, I am now apparently a personal chef and cleaning lady and, as I have been informed by Bella, a teacher of the rules of life. 

I have also been notified by my five year old, that our relationship must be kept at a professional level, in order to avoid any public embarrassment on her end. I am now permitted to cuddle only at bed time (or during heightened emotional situations such as a fall over or after a very tricky poo - hers not mine).

I really am hoping that this is just a phase. Bella has always been an extremely independent child and physical displays of affection have never really been her thing. But up until now I could at least rest assured in the knowledge that she at least like me a bit. Now it seams that even talking to me is a total bother and bore and she makes it very clear that she would rather be getting on with other things! 

Most conversations result in a power struggle, followed by Bella informing me of how much of a bad Mummy I am. This usually results in me wondering whether I am approaching the situation in the right way or whether I am actually screwing my daughter up emotionally while also destroying the connection between us that I have worked so hard to build and sustain.

I have a few theories regarding what might have caused the sudden dip in our relationship. Each seems to come with its own solution. I think.

1.) She's just at an age where she wants to be in control and independent. She needs her own space and more control of her life.

If this is the case then really we just need to give her the space she is after, while also carrying on with the routines and responsibilities we have put already put in place for her (all suggested in the wonder book 'Kids Don't Come With A Manual' as previously reviewed below).

http://accidentalparentguide.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/kids-don-come-with-manual.html

2.) She's feeling as though her little sister gets more of our attention (manly positive attention) and this is making her a bit jealous, lonely and upset. 

The difficult thing here is that, although we try our best to give the girls equal attention, Bella is now at an age where she is able to make informed decisions about her behaviour, so sometimes we are not able to disciplineand them in the same way. I'm worried that Bella has picked up on this and might be feeling as though we favour her sister 

In this situation I suppose that it is a case of trying to find a balance so that she doesn't perceive that we are constantly disciplining her while praising Connie. While we are trying to offer as much praise as we can to balance this out, it is difficult to do this genuinely when you are frequently met with a non interested eye rolling child who refuses to listen. 

3.) She actually just wants more attention and closeness with us.

Steve and I try to set a good few chunks of 1:1 time with each girls each week which they both seem to love. Maybe it's just a case of trying to do more of this. It's just a case of trying hard to make the time during a day that is already cram packed with so many other things to do!

4.) Something else entirely is bothering her.

One of the most important rules on our behaviour chart is that we listen and it is something that Steve and I often remind Bella to do. I wonder though, whether we listen enough to Bella. It is so easy to get swept up in the busy rhythm of the day, and I think that we often rush Bella though saying what she wants to tell us. I sometimes find myself finishing sentences for her, which is totally unfair and rude (if someone did this to me continuously I would probably want to give them a bunch of fives).

Working on strengthening our connection with Bella should help with this, particularly during 1:1 time when we are playing, baking or building Lego. Possible sharing our own feelings with her might help her to share hers. In any case, our main aim needs to be helping Bella know and understand that we are always here for her to talk to.

5.) she has discovered the truth - that her parents are actually not the be all and end all and really don't know what they are doing most of the time.

Well it had to happen at some point, I think we just thought that had a few more years of pretending left.

6.) It may well be all of the above.

In this case we have our work cut out for us.

Whatever the reason for the change in her behaviour, I think I just need to keep reminding Bella of how much we love her, and how much she belongs in our family. As long as she is secure in the knowledge of how loved she is, everything else should even itself out. I hope.

I think that perhaps I may just need to learn not to take it so personally. After all, even though she is acting like a teenager, she is still only five, and the real teenage years are yet to come (insert panic face).

'Accidental' is our Middle Name!

There are many reasons why we are called the Accidental Parent Guide. Mostly it is because as a family we are all quite clumsy, and tend to get ourselves into all sorts of conundrums - usually resulting in lumps, bumps, grazes and bruises. Mainly on and around the knee area!

As a result, I have learnt above all things to always be prepared. From emergency A&E survival kits (spare iPad chargers, change, books, playing cards and biscuits) to a well stocked sick bucket, I have many little treasure chests dotted about the house just waiting to be grabbed in times of crisis.

Our most important piece of kit is our well used first aid box. I once bought a complete first aid kit so that I was always at the ready. Its contents was pretty useless to tell the truth, so I decided to build my own up using products that I knew were effective, and most importantly, that my children would let me use on them (while in emotional states of panic, clutching grazed knees and screaming blue murder).

One product that I literally would not be without is a pack of Dermocare Safari Plasters. Bella and Connie love them, I think mainly because once I have produced a pack, their minds are instantly focused on bright and bold images of animals rather than on the initial shock of hurting themselves.

Each plaster is a tiny work of photographic art - each displaying a different endangered species. They are bright, colourful and beautiful and provide Mums with a great conversation starter to quickly take your little one's mind off of any pain they might me feeling.

The plasters are wash and sweat proof. They lie smooth against the skin (so much so that you don't notice you are wearing them). 

The plasters don't peel, meaning that they don't end up being picked at and removed. When you do choose to take them off however, removal is quick and painless.

They are also great for sensitive skin - both Bella and Connie suffer with Excema and their skin is extremely sensitive to most adhesive plasters. The girls have never had a problem with these, they protect the area well and cause no irritation.

Each pack provides a good variety of sizes which is extremely handy. 

Because of their bright colours, they don't get lost easily. So if they are picked off and dropped somewhere, they are easy to find and dispose of (thus preventing a chocking hazard or spread of germs).

We love how educational these plasters are - they teach older children about endangered species and help to broaden the vocabulary of younger children by teaching them the names of different animals and what they look like.

The plasters are fun and effective - so much so that I use them myself (although I wouldn't recommend them under nude tights while wearing a short skirt - they sort of disrupt the look a bit).

If you have little ones that tend to fall over, go and buy some of these for your handbag or first aid kit - just watch that your children don't try to steal them and stick them all over their bedroom walls. Seriously. Bella tried.