Secret snacks

When my daughter was a toddler, I could tell her things were "too spicy" so I could eat the sugary snacks I needed for energy to keep functioning. She has since figured out that chocolate biscuits are not in fact spicy...

Miniblog courtesy of @Es_H018

Like parenting, this is really about the kids - but tell us a little something about yourself

I am a PhD student

How old are your kids?

18 months

What is your favourite parenting hack?

My son is at that stage where if he sees me with food, I'm screwed. It will trigger tantrum, wanting my food, him wanting snacks. So I now deliberately leave his bottle of water in the kitchen just so I can say 'I'm just going to the kitchen to get your water bottle' - really I'm going to the kitchen to scoff a snack (biscuits or whatever). I bring back his water with me... totally unsuspecting.

What do you find most difficult as a parent?

The permanent tiredness. The sleep deprivation gets to me everyday and not a day passes where I don't think to myself I cannot believe I haven't slept for 18 months and I agonize over how many more years I have to endure the lack of sleep. I truly don't know how we parents do anything and function, but it definitely feels like I'm just going through the motions but I'm not really with it.

What never fails to bring you joy as a parent?

Mummy cuddles and the sound of my son's laughter.

*a side note

These posts serve partly as therapy for me, and partly in hopes that the words will resonate with you and help build a community of parents and friends that can support each other. Take a look around the website, and join if you want to see more.