Fairness
We had a bit of a breakthrough on Monday. Freyja decided by herself that today was the day to give up her dummy (she only really ever had it for sleeping). She left it under her pillow for the tooth fairy (because that’s who takes the dummy away) and received a tiny thank you letter and a phone call from the tooth fairy saying that she could be taken to the shops to choose a present. Hasn’t asked for it since which is great, but we may have started a Sylvanian Families collection which could prove costly!
After I justified the cost of the present to Rich he said something about making sure we knew how much we spent on things for Freyja so it was fair on Emily (or something along those lines – I am permanently knackered). At the time it was fine, but now, along with a few other little incidents that have happened, I am bothered about whether we are treating the girls fairly.
Freyja and I used to meet at least once a week with the NCT cohort. I did baby massage with her. We went to Bounce and Rhyme once a week, went to soft play and frequently visited the children’s centre for groups and a chance to meet other mums (and weigh-in with the Health Visitor). It was rare that we didn’t have something to do on a week day. With Emily we didn’t bother with NCT. I did Bounce and Rhyme a couple of times and we met up with another mum who has a little boy a bit older than Emily, but since she has gone back to work those play dates have had to stop. Emily has had fewer things bought for her as she has had Freyja’s hand-me-down clothes and toys. And I suppose the final straw is that she won’t have a present from the tooth fairy for giving her her dummy – she won’t take one!
I feel I have been a bit lazy with Emily, but what we do now is often limited by having Freyja in tow – how on earth to I keep a clingy toddler AND baby both entertained at soft play? When we have had the luxury of Freyja being at nursery our activities have recently been showing Emily how we unload the dishwasher or put the washing in he machine.
Despite this, Emily is a very happy little girl. The sheer joy on her face when she catches sight of me is only surpassed by that when she sees the cat or her big sister, so I know really that what I have done with Freyja and not with her aren’t making a difference in the grand scheme of things. So I should probably give myself a break. After all, in a few years I am sure there will be two little girls all too willing to tell me when I am not being fair!
