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Parenting

06th Dec 2017

From socks to snacks: the 5 things that WILL destroy any mum

Katie Mythen-Lynch

Brought to you by Flahavan’s Flapjacks #StayUnflappable

Nobody tells you this before you become a parent, but it involves a great deal of deep breathing, counting to ten and purposefully using your indoor voice instead of yelling.

Children are wonderful and adorable and funny and sweet, but they are also, at times, entirely contrary, stubborn and unreasonable – especially when you’re late for work or attempting a conversation on the telephone.

Here are five things that will threaten to send you over the edge and get you in a flap on a weekly (possibly daily) basis when you have kids.

1. The eternal sleep-over

The concept of a ‘family bed’ is a romantic one indeed; during your first pregnancy you may have pictured yourselves as mum and dad surrounded by all your little angels, everyone dozing peacefully among the cool sheets. The reality could not be more different.

One of your children will only be able to drop off if he is spread out like a star fish, while the other will demand to have a hand tangled tight in your hair before she can fall asleep. Both parents can only manoeuvre themselves around the flailing limbs of their offspring for so long until someone gives up and goes to sleep in a toddler bed under Paw Patrol sheets.

2. Dressing a toddler

If you thought it was fun trying to wrestle your baby into a fresh onesie, wait ’til they’re mobile. Dressing a toddler is like stuffing an octopus into a net bag. Not only do they enjoy roaming throughout the house as you tag along, desperately attempting to fasten a button or put on a sock, they also begin to develop their own fashion sense, meaning any item of clothing that’s not the Elsa costume or the unicorn pyjamas is likely to be met with a firm ‘NO.’

Just go with the flow and tell everyone your cape-loving, flip-flop wearing character is a fashion designer in the making.

3. The word ‘why’

‘Mummy, why is the sky blue? Why do I have two eyes? Why is the moon called the moon? Why don’t cats have eyebrows?’

Questioning the world (and everything in it) is part and parcel of being a kid. However, sometimes the constant, never-ending, round-the-clock barrage of bizarre (and often unanswerable) questions can make you want to do a little scream into the sofa cushions. When you hear yourself answer ‘That’s why!’ you know it’s time to hit the library in search of some books to do the explaining for you.

4. Becoming a walking snack dispenser

Not only do you become obsessed with carrying snacks for little ones, but the hectic life of a parent means you’re more likely to find yourself ravenous between meals too. When you can feel yourself flagging, embrace the F word, stay unflappable with a Flahavan’s Flapjack – packed with the same energy boosting Irish oats that have been filling Irish bellies for many generations!

Flahavan’s Flapjacks are available in five delicious flavours, with everything from scrumptious sweet cranberries to quality Belgian chocolate chips.

They are an ideal lunchbox snack, an energy boost before or after sport or perfect for that quiet moment with a cuppa.

5. The constant… companionship

Newsflash; if you are a person who values peeing alone, then parenting may not be for you. Carrying a tiny baby with you everywhere you go is a given, but it doesn’t end there… oh no.

The average parent has absolutely no recollection of what it’s like to visit the toilet without having a little inquisitive buddy to chat to the entire time. The same goes for the shower; everything that used to be private and relaxing is now a family party and everyone’s invited, even if they’re not.

Whatever has you in a flap, you can handle anything with the oaty goodness of a Flahavan’s flapjack. The revamped wholesome oaty snacks, now with three brand-new tasty flavours to the existing range, will set you up with all the oat-fueled energy to handle whatever life throws at you. Flahavan’s flapjacks are available in supermarkets nationwide, pick up yours today and #stayunflappable, don’t forget to follow Flahavans on Facebook!